Last updated: February 13, 2023, 7:23 PM IST
Aviation is essential for tourism and cultural exchanges.
India is the third largest aviation market in the world and air traffic is on the rise after the sector was significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Air passenger traffic is expected to rise further this year due to G20 meetings and other factors, Union minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday as he highlighted the progress made by the country’s civil aviation sector.
The government is also making efforts to make the country a hub for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities, increasing the number of operational flight paths and airports, the minister said.
India is the third largest aviation market in the world and air traffic is on the rise after the sector was significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Reddy, who is the tourism minister, said there will be an increase in air passenger traffic by the end of 2023 due to G20 meetings and other factors.
Also read: 73 airports are operational under UDAN scheme until January 2023
Aviation is key for tourism and cultural exchanges, he added.
While talking about the regional air connectivity program UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik), Reddy said that an amount of Rs 2,360 crore has been given so far as funding for the viability gap for the scheme.
On Feb 12, domestic air passenger traffic reached 4,37,800 on 2,935 flights, with the civil aviation ministry saying “India’s aviation is reaching new heights as domestic aviation operations soar higher with the highest ever post-Covid passenger movement”.
Read also: Budget 2023: mega plans, new destinations; Travel and tourism sector set to showcase India
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed)