India handles only 5% of the global air cargo market, presenting a growth opportunity: DPIIT
The International Conference on Air Mobility, held at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida as a part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, focused on “Aerial Evolution: Shaping Tomorrow's Urban Air Mobility” and brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore the future of urban air mobility (UAM) and its role in sustainable cities and economic growth. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and supported by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the conference highlighted India’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge air mobility technologies.
S.C. Karol, Director of DPIIT, highlighted sector challenges, particularly infrastructure gaps hindering India’s full potential. He noted that India handles only 5% of global air cargo, presenting a growth opportunity, especially with India’s fast-growing economy. Karol emphasized the government’s initiatives, including "Make in India" and PM Gati Shakti, which focus on integrated infrastructure planning across airports, railways, and roads. He also mentioned DPIIT’s work on improving air cargo efficiency and reducing logistics costs.
Kallapa Pattada, Executive Director at Boeing India Engineering and Technology, discussed challenges in airport management, air traffic control, and UTM systems as civil aviation and the drone market grow. He stressed the need for robust infrastructure to address these challenges.
Moosa T.F., Executive Director of Airspace Management at the Airports Authority of India, discussed the growing need for Urban Air Traffic Management (UATM) systems as urban areas face congestion. He explained that technologies like radar systems, GPS, and specialized software are essential for safe and efficient airspace management.
C.K. Govil, President of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India, emphasized the importance of initiatives like “Make in India” and “Make in India for the World” in promoting local manufacturing. He expressed concern about high freight rates and their impact on India’s product competitiveness, calling for increased cargo capacity and more reasonable pricing.
Leveraging AI, automation, and immersive tools for skilling and R&D was identified as a key driver for progress during the conference. Synergies between civil and defense aviation were seen as a way to enhance resource utilization and boost domestic manufacturing. The development of a robust hardware, software, and digital component ecosystem was deemed crucial. India’s strategic location and growing e-commerce demand positioned it as a key air cargo hub, with multi-modal connectivity and digitalized operations highlighted as enablers. The event also saw discussions on cybersecurity, OEM collaborations, and India’s role in AAM manufacturing.
