PIB Summary- 4th January, 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Achievement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation

Context

The article highlights key developments in India’s aviation sector, including regulatory reforms, infrastructure expansion, and sustainability initiatives.

Transformative Legislation: Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024

• The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024 was enacted to modernize India’s aviation sector by re-enacting the Aircraft Act of 1934.
• This reform aligns the sector with contemporary global standards.
• The legislation is designed to improve clarity, efficiency, and ease of doing business while supporting indigenous manufacturing under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat
• It streamlines regulatory processes, simplifies license issuance, removes redundancies, and provides for appeals.
• The law also aligns with international aviation conventions, aiming to enhance safety and foster innovation.

2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation

• The 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation was successfully hosted, with representatives from 29 Asia-Pacific countries and international aviation organizations.
• The Delhi Declaration was adopted during the conference, highlighting the region’s commitment to enhancing civil aviation.

Expansion of Airports and Terminals

• Significant infrastructure development includes the foundation of new terminals at Varanasi, Agra, Darbhanga, and Bagdogra.
• Additionally, airports in various regions were inaugurated to enhance regional connectivity.

Record Passenger Traffic

• Domestic traffic saw a growth of 5.9% in 2024, with 146.4 million passengers carried on domestic routes.
• A new record was set with domestic passenger traffic exceeding 5 lakh on a single day in November 2024.
• International traffic also grew by 11.4%, with 64.5 million passengers carried between January and November 2024.

Greenfield Airports

• Approval has been given for the development of 21 Greenfield airports across India, aimed at boosting regional connectivity.
• Several airports, including those in Goa, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, have become operational.

RCS-UDAN: 8 Years of Regional Connectivity

• The RCS-UDAN scheme marked its 8th anniversary, connecting 88 airports through 619 operational routes.
• In 2024, 102 new RCS routes, including 20 in the Northeast, were launched.

UDAN Yatri Café

• The UDAN Yatri Café was inaugurated to offer affordable food options at airports, ensuring accessible refreshments for passengers.

Digi Yatra Services Expansion

• The Digi Yatra initiative expanded to 24 airports, offering seamless and contactless travel experiences, with over 80 lakh downloads and 4 crore journeys completed.

Guidelines for Seaplane Operations

• Seaplane operations were standardized with new guidelines, focusing on safety and efficient operations.
• The introduction of the Non-Scheduled Operator Permit framework aims to promote regional connectivity through seaplanes.

MRO Sector Development

• The MRO sector saw major reforms, including the introduction of a uniform 5% IGST on aircraft components and extended timelines for repair exports, boosting the domestic MRO industry.

Gender Equality in Aviation

• An advisory was issued to increase the representation of women in the aviation sector to 25% by 2025.
• Initiatives like leadership programs and mentorship for women in the sector are part of this effort.

Green Energy Adoption

• 80 airports have transitioned to 100% green energy usage, contributing to reducing the carbon footprint of airport operations, with several airports achieving carbon-neutral.