IATA 2025: India Projects Major Growth In Air Travel And Cargo

New Delhi: India hosted the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. After a 42-year gap, the event returned to India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering the keynote address and positioning the country as a rising global leader in aviation and space-tech. Speaking at the event, PM Modi said India is emerging as a global leader in aviation and space convergence.

He added that India is the third-largest domestic aviation market, serving 240 million passengers annually, expected to reach 500 million by 2030. He credited the UDAN scheme for helping over 15 million, many first-time flyers, afford air travel.

Operational airports have grown from 74 in 2014 to 162 today. Indian airlines have ordered 2,000+ new aircraft, and the MRO sector now has 154 facilities. He cited three growth pillars: a large, growing market; a skilled young workforce in AI, robotics, and clean energy; and strong policy support including tax reforms and 100 per cent FDI in aviation.

The Prime Minister also stressed India's commitment to sustainable flying through green fuel research and innovations like Digi Yatra, a facial recognition travel system. He noted India's inclusive aviation sector, with women making up 15 per cent of pilots and 86 per cent of cabin crew, well above global averages. Highlights Of IATA 2025 Leadership Transition At IATA Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group, took over as Chair of the IATA Board from Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo. His one-year term started after the AGM. Financial Outlook And Industry Challenges IATA forecasts global airline profits of $36 billion in 2025, up from $32.4 billion in 2024 but below the earlier $36.6 billion estimate.

Challenges include trade tensions, aircraft delivery delays, and supply chain issues. Industry revenues are expected to hit $979 billion, with expenses at $913 billion. Sustainability And Innovation Initiatives The aviation industry reaffirmed its goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. That said, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will cover only 0.7 per cent of fuel needs in 2025, showing more efforts are needed.

Enhanced Global Connectivity Air India and Air Mauritius expanded their codeshare partnership starting July 1, to improve travel links between India and Africa with better network integration. 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Award Winners IATA honoured Claudia Zapata-Cardone, Katherine Moloney, and Air Canada for their outstanding efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in aviation. CFM RISE Program's Open Fan model One of the key highlights at IATA 2025 was CFM RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program's Open Fan Model. Aimed at developing the next generation of aircraft engines, the CFM RISE program's Open Fan model, built through a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, promises a major leap in fuel efficiency.

Here is what makes the CFM RISE Program special:

• Open Fan Design: The engine uses a unique open fan architecture, which reduces drag and increases efficiency. The fan blades are made of lightweight carbon-fibre composites.
• Green Compatibility: The core is being designed for compatibility with next-generation fuels, including unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as well as with hybrid electric systems.
• Global Testing: Over 250 tests have been completed worldwide. A model engine was recently wind tunnel-tested in France, and critical turbine components have been through 3,000+ test cycles. 
• Reducing Non-CO2 Emissions: GE Aerospace is working with NASA to study contrails and non-CO2 emissions using advanced lidar technology.
• Flight Testing This Decade: Airbus and CFM will conduct flight tests later this decade to evaluate the engine in real-world conditions.

India Calls The World To Invest PM Modi invited global companies to invest in India's aviation sector, highlighting plans for a $4 billion MRO hub and supportive policies at Gift City. He promoted India as a full-service aviation partner, from design and manufacturing to services and sustainability, urging leaders to “Make in India” and “Design in India.” The 82nd IATA AGM will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2026.

Disclaimer: CFM International is a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines