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📢 Why in News?
For the first time in 42 years, India is hosting the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) along with the World Air Transport Summit, held from 1st to 3rd June 2025.
This summit brings global focus to India’s rapidly growing aviation sector, addressing issues like:
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✈️ Airline economics & connectivity
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🌱 Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
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🔋 Energy security & decarbonization
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💻 Aviation tech innovation
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💰 Financing green aviation
🛫 What is IATA?
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the leading global body for airlines.
🔎 Key Facts:
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📅 Founded: 19 April 1945 (Havana, Cuba)
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🏢 HQ: Montreal, Canada
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🌍 Members: ~350 airlines from 120 countries (82% of global air traffic)
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🔁 Predecessor: International Air Traffic Association (1919)
🧭 Core Functions:
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🧾 Standardizes operations (ticketing, cargo, safety)
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🗣️ Advocates for airlines in global policymaking
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💳 Operates BSP and CASS financial systems
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🎓 Offers training and certifications
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🌿 Promotes sustainability & SAF
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📊 Publishes data, forecasts, and economic trends
🇮🇳 Highlights from PM Modi’s Address at IATA 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India as a confident, technology-driven aviation leader, focusing on three pillars:
1. Vast Market Potential
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Driven by aspirational middle class and regional expansion
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India is the 3rd largest domestic aviation market globally
2. Skilled Youth & Innovation
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Leading in AI, robotics, and clean energy
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Women dominate many aviation roles (over 15% pilots – 3x global average)
3. Enabling Policy Environment
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Bold reforms & infrastructure growth
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Modern aviation laws, tax reliefs, and 100% FDI in critical sectors
📈 Key Achievements in Indian Aviation
✈️ Market Growth
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Passenger traffic: 240 million annually → Target: 500 million by 2030
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Cargo growth: 3.5 million MT → Target: 10 million MT by 2030
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UDAN Scheme: Over 1.5 crore regional flyers under affordable connectivity
🏗️ Infrastructure Expansion
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Airports: 74 in 2014 → 162 in 2025
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Aircraft Orders: Over 2,000 placed by Indian carriers
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MRO Units: From 96 to 154, aiming to be a $4 billion hub by 2030
🛂 Tech & Policy Innovations
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Digi Yatra: Paperless, facial recognition-based boarding
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SAF & green mobility: Reducing carbon footprint
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Aircraft Leasing: Enabled via GIFT City
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New Legislation:
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Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 – Modern aviation law replacing 1934 Act
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Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill – Aligns with Cape Town Convention
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👩✈️ Gender Inclusivity in Aviation
India leads globally in women’s participation in aviation:
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👩✈️ Pilots: 15% (Global avg: 5%)
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👩💼 Cabin crew: 86% are women
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👩🔧 Women rising in drones, engineering & agri-logistics
🌍 Commitment to Global Standards
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✅ Follows ICAO guidelines
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✅ Promotes Open Skies, global safety & connectivity
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✅ Supports Chicago Convention principles
🧠 Exam Relevance: What to Focus On?
For UPSC, State PCS, SSC, and Aviation-related exams:
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IATA facts and functions
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India’s aviation sector transformation
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SAF and sustainable infrastructure
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Digi Yatra and UDAN
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New aviation laws
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Women in Indian aviation
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