India and European Union have increased their co-operation in the aviation field by inking two major pacts during the EU-India Aviation Summit. The first agreement was signed between Airport Authority of India and Eurocontrol while the second one was between Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India and European Union Aviation Safety (EASA) for closer cooperation.
The discussion was mainly cantered around air transport relations and the mutually shared challenges and opportunities of the two regions, such as the post-COVID recovery of air traffic, increasing sustainability, maintaining safety and the development of unmanned aircraft systems.
Addressing the summit virtually, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Indian Minister of Civil Aviation urged the EU players to invest in India. He said: “We have reformed the regulatory environment to make it as conducive as possible for MROs – reduced GST rates on MRO services from 18% to 5% and allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment into the sector. New MRO guidelines have also been rolled out for rationalisation of the charges leviable on MRO Service Providers for ease of doing business. I would urge industry players from EU to tap these opportunities, and become a part of the fastest growing aviation market in the world.”
The minister also invited EU players to partner India in developing adaptive technologies, and support the objective of tackling emissions from the aviation Industry.
Adina Vălean, European Union Commissioner for transport, also addressed the summit through virtual mode. She said, “From commercial opportunities, to aviation safety and security, sustainability, air traffic management, or consumer protection, our shared experiences, as well as our shared objectives, make us natural partners.”