These remarks were made by the aviation minister during his virtual speech at the two-day aviation summit between the EU and India
According to Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Aviation Minister, 25 airports in India are powered entirely by renewable energy, and the government's goal is to make another 121 airports carbon neutral by 2025. These remarks were made by the aviation minister during his virtual speech at the two-day aviation summit between the EU and India. Scindia was unable to attend the occasion in person since he had Covid-19.
EU-India Aviation Summit
Today marked the start of the two-day EU-India Aviation Summit in New Delhi. The Airport Authority of India and Eurocontrol signed a declaration of purpose during the summit, and the DGCA and European Union Aviation Safety signed a letter of intent/memorandum of understanding for increased collaboration.
The summit is focused on the relationship between the EU and India in the area of air transport as well as the potential and problems that the two countries share, such as the recovery of aviation traffic following the Covid outbreak, increased sustainability, continued safety, and the advancement of unmanned aircraft systems. Top policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders from the EU and India will attend the meeting.
Target to make 121 airports carbon neutral
"The emission contribution of the aviation industry has been under immense scrutiny. We have taken several measures to minimise the carbon footprint and mitigate emissions from the aviation industry," he said, asserting that India and the European Union have a common goal of tackling climate change. "We are encouraging airports to use 100 per cent green energy by 2024 and achieve net zero by 2030. 25 AAI airports are already using 100 per cent green energy. Our target is to make another 121 airports carbon neutral by 2025," he added.
The Minister stated that the usage of renewable energy was also enforced by the government as part of the bid specifications for future airports. "We are also working towards encouraging the use of sustainable aviation fuel. Indian airline operators have already conducted demonstration flights using bio-fuel blended with ATF," he said.
Scindia invites EU players to partner India
Additionally, Scindia asked EU participants to collaborate with India in the development of adaptable technologies and to support the goal of reducing emissions from the aviation sector.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government has taken several steps to promote aircraft manufacturing in the country. We have reformed the regulatory environment to make it as conducive as possible for MROs – reduced GST rates on MRO services from 18 per cent to 5 per cent and allowed 100 per cent 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,” he said.