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US: Eyeing the Indian skies

The first ever US-India Aviation Partnership Summit held in New Delhi from April 23 to 25, 2007 proved to be a meeting of like minds, with an active exchange of ideas in the field of technology and security systems, and planning managerial and strategic activities. More importantly, it focussed on the challenges in the field of air traffic management. Express AviationWorld brings to you the action directly from the summit's epicentre

There is no denying that India (arguably next to China) is the world's hot spot for business. Aviation is no exception and this time it is the Big Daddy that has shown keen interest in the aviation sector of India.

The intention of the first ever US-India Aviation Partnership Summit held over three days was to encourage high level discussions between the US and the Indian aviation sectors regarding industry growth and challenges. The objective was to help build long term strategies and develop commercial relationships between the two countries, addressing important issues like air traffic management, air-space utilisation and commercial collaborations in new airborne systems.

Praful Patel, minister for civil aviation, government of India and Marion C Blakey, administrator, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and USTDA deputy director Leocadia I Zak at the inauguration of the US-India Aviation Partnership Summit in New Delhi

The summit was designed to promote trade, share technical, managerial and strategic planning approaches, to integrated automatic air traffic control, and management systems focusing on safety, capacity, efficiency and security for future air transport systems. Aviation service providers from the US, related to the field of aviation technology, security systems, air traffic management expertise, to aircraft manufacturers and a host of other players made their entry into the Indian market - a move that was supported by governmental and trade bodies in both countries.

A lot was discussed, deliberated and delved upon. The US has seen potential commercial interest in Indian aviation, but what is of real importance and something that needs to be followed with interest is how India will gain and leverage its position from this handshake. Praful Patel, minister for civil aviation, government of India, agreed to the fact that it is only with the US that India enjoys total open skies. "This shows that we want to take the Indo-US relationship to greater heights, and what better way than in the field of aviation. In India, aviation was very peripheral till recently. It was a means of transport for the elite only. However, now with the government opening up to change, civil aviation has not only become a mode for mass transportation but also a catalyst for equitable growth," he said.

Word of caution

There is no denying that the present civil aviation team at the Centre has been extremely dynamic and action-oriented. This initiative will only help strengthen its stance. The US has come in with ideas, offers and expertise and it depends on how India will make use of it in the best possible way. According to Kapil Kaul, CEO (Indian Subcontinent & Middle East) for Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), "It is now the turn of India to take things forward and work out a strategic plan that can be in the best interest of Indian aviation. A reciprocal benefit would be the most desired. Apart from US, India should also work closely with other countries and study their expertise."

An important point was brought up by Ashok Chawla, secretary to Government of India, ministry of civil aviation at the summit. Although he welcomed such a partnership, he candidly mentioned that there are few players from the US, apart from Boeing, who have invested in the Indian market.

Kanu Gohain, director general of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA), also sounded positive about such an agreement. Describing the Indian aviation scenario, he said, "Such a grand partnership can help us in formulating our strategies that will further enhance growth of our aviation industry. After all, the Indian civil aviation sector is our largest foreign exchange earner."

The writing on the wall is clear and loud and the handshake appears firm. But a lot will depend on what both sides expect from such a partnership. While it will make sense for India to imbibe the best that the west has to offer and use it to our advantage, the US needs to come in with more investments. Only then will this event turn into something that can mutually benefit both countries instead of turning into just another high profile summit.