The Indian aviation industry is one of the fastest growing aviation industries in the world. With the liberalization of the Indian aviation sector, aviation industry has undergone a rapid transformation. From being primarily a government-owned industry, the Indian aviation industry is now dominated by private owned airlines who now account for around 75% share of the domestic aviation market. Earlier, air travel was a privilege only a few could afford, but with the commencement of operations by the low cost carriers now large number of people can afford air travel.

There has been phenomenal growth in Indian aviation sector in the recent past. In 2007, the domestic airline passenger traffic grew at 32%. The scheduled air services are now available from 82 airports. Over 135 aircraft have been added in the past two years and by 2010 India's fleet strength is expected to stand at 500 to 600 aircraft.

The aviation sector has undergone rapid technological advancement. From biplane piston-engined unpressurised and manual control aircraft, we now have fly-by-wire pressurized jet aircraft. The aircraft can now fly non-stop ultra long range sectors for more than 15 hours. The latest double decker aircraft can carry about 800 passengers. Supersonic transport aircraft have also been developed. Fuel efficient, high bypass, multi-spool jet engines have been developed which can produce up to 100,000 pound thrust. The high technological aircraft, engines and avionic systems demand highly qualified aircraft maintenance engineers to maintain them and ensure safety of their operations.

India has 454 airports and airstrips; of these, 16 are designated international airports. Airport infrastructure is being developed at a fast pace to cope up with the growth of air transport operations. Mumbai and Delhi airports have already been privatized and are being upgraded at an estimated investment of US$ 4 billion by 2016. Simultaneous operations from parallel runways having facilities for Category 3B level operations, has now become a reality. Chennai and Kolkata airports are undergoing major development and modernization work. Greenfield airports developed by private consortia at Bangalore and Hyderabad are now operational involving a total investment of over US$ 800 million. Another Greenfield airport at Navi Mumbai is planned to be developed in the near future. 35 other airports are undergoing up gradation. AAI has planned a massive investment of about US$ 3 billion over the next five years. A large number of airports can now handle all weather operations instead of fair weather operations earlier. Ground based communication, navigation and surveillance facilities are now being replaced by satellite based facilities. India is developing its own satellite based navigation system GAGAN which will enable precision approaches at all airports in India.

IMPORTANCE OF AVIATION
The growth in aviation has shrunk the world into a village. Now one can have breakfast in Delhi, lunch in London and dinner at New York. Air travel which was a luxury earlier has now become a necessity. Introduction of Low Cost Carrier model has brought about a revolution in air travel. It has made air travel within the reach of a common man. Connectivity between smaller towns has increased significantly. General aviation is also increasing its air transport activities fast. Helicopter operations have become very popular and are in great demand particularly in the election periods. Helicopters now find increasing role in tourism and security related activities also. Small jet aircraft are now being imported increasingly by corporates. General aviation is now becoming a major activity in the country.

 

AVIATION OUTLOOK
As per Investment Commission of India, the aviation sector is likely to boom in the coming years, attracting huge investments. Passenger traffic is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 15% in the next 5 years. The Vision 2020 statement announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, envisages creating infrastructure to handle 280 million passengers by 2020. Air cargo traffic is expected to grow at over 10% per annum over the next 5 years. Investment opportunities of US$ 110 billion are envisaged up to 2020 with US$ 80 billion on new aircraft.

Associated areas like maintenance, repair and overhaul(MRO) and training offer high potential. A report by Ernst and Young says the MRO category in aviation sector can absorb upto US$ 120 billion worth of investment by 2020. The projected aviation growth provides great challenges and opportunities to the aviation community. The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, who are back bone of aviation industry, have to ensure airworthiness and safety of highly complex and ever increasing technologically advanced aircraft and systems. High level of training will greatly help them in meeting this challenge.

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