**Executive Summary**
The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS) participated in the Airport360 Expo 2026 on April 23, 2026, to discuss the role of indirect taxes in India’s aviation growth. The event highlighted digital Customs initiatives and GST reforms designed to facilitate cargo movement and operational efficiency. A key upcoming session on the Duty Deferment Facility and AEO Scheme is scheduled for April 24, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Customs and Digital Facilitation**
* Implementation of faceless assessment and Risk Management Systems (RMS) to modernize tax administration.
* Transition to 24x7 clearances and paperless processing through digital platforms such as ICEGATE.
* Reduction in cargo dwell time in Mumbai via pre-arrival documentation and risk-based enforcement.
* **GST Reforms in Aviation**
* Promotion of tax uniformity and digital compliance to streamline sectoral operations.
* Rationalization of taxes for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services to drive growth and efficiency.
* Development of a transparent, technology-driven administration to support India’s position in global aviation markets.
* **Taxpayer Outreach and Collaboration**
* DGTS Mumbai Zonal Unit completed 62 outreach programmes, including seminars and interactive sessions, during FY 2025–26.
* Emphasis on data-driven decision-making and continuous stakeholder consultation between Customs, airlines, and airport operators.
* Ongoing focus on strengthening taxpayer awareness and grievance redressal, particularly for MSMEs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Aviation Industry (Airlines and MRO Providers)**
**Impact**
Stakeholders benefit from improved operational efficiency and reduced costs due to GST rationalization in MRO services and faster cargo clearances.
**Action Required**
Industry players should adopt digital compliance tools and attend the scheduled session on April 24, 2026, regarding the Duty Deferment Facility and AEO Scheme.
**MSMEs**
**Impact**
Small and medium enterprises receive targeted support through dedicated awareness initiatives and simplified grievance redressal mechanisms.
**Action Required**
MSMEs should engage with DGTS outreach programmes to better understand regulatory frameworks and tax compliance requirements.
**Airport Operators and Logistics Providers**
**Impact**
Enhanced facilitation of passenger and cargo movement through technology-driven Customs processes and streamlined regulatory frameworks.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders must collaborate with Customs authorities to integrate pre-arrival documentation and data-driven systems into their logistics chain.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS): A specialized wing of the CBIC responsible for taxpayer outreach, awareness programs, and grievance redressal.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC): The primary regulatory body under the Ministry of Finance overseeing the administration of GST, Customs, and other indirect taxes.
Airport360 Expo 2026: An aviation industry event in Mumbai providing a platform for stakeholders to discuss growth, technology, and tax regulatory frameworks.
AEO Scheme: The Authorized Economic Operator program mentioned as a key focus for upcoming trade facilitation and taxpayer outreach sessions.
ICEGATE: The national digital portal of CBIC used for electronic filing of Customs documents and facilitating 24x7 paperless clearances.
Ministry of Finance
DGTS Participates in Airport360 Expo 2026;
Highlights Role of Indirect Taxes in Aviation
Growth
DGTS Strengthens Industry Dialogue at Airport360 Expo 2026
in Mumbai
Posted On: 23 APR 2026 6:00PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 23 April 2026
The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), Mumbai Zonal Unit (MZU), under the
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, participated in
Airport360 Expo 2026 held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Mumbai.
Shri Sumit Kumar, Principal Additional Director General, DGTS, MZU, along with officers,
engaged with stakeholders from aviation, logistics, and airport infrastructure sectors. The event
provided a platform for discussions on aviation growth, passenger facilitation, technology, and
regulatory frameworks.
During the programme, Shri Sumit Kumar delivered an expert talk on “Indirect Taxes and the
Aviation Industry.” He highlighted the role of Customs and GST in facilitating passenger and
cargo movement, strengthening compliance, and supporting aviation sector growth.
Emphasising India’s position among the top global aviation markets, he noted the shift towards
a transparent, technology-driven tax administration.Key Customs initiatives such as faceless assessment, Risk Management Systems (RMS),
paperless processing, pre-arrival documentation, and 24x7 clearances through digital platforms
like ICEGATE were highlighted. He also noted improvements in cargo facilitation in Mumbai,
including reduced dwell time and risk-based enforcement.
GST reforms relevant to aviation, including tax uniformity, digital compliance, and rationalisation
in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, were cited as contributing to operational
efficiency and sectoral growth.
Shri Kumar emphasised the importance of data driven decision-making, technological innovation
and stakeholder consultation in modern tax administration. The need for collaboration among
Customs, airlines, and airport operators was also underscored.
DGTS, a dedicated wing of CBIC, promotes taxpayer awareness, stakeholder engagement, and
grievance redressal. During the Financial Year 2025–26, the Mumbai Zonal Unit (MZU) of DGTS
successfully conducted 44 seminars/webinars/hybrid events and 18 interactive sessions,
totalling 62 outreach programmes, while ensuring timely and effective grievance redressal.
Recent initiatives include programmes on GST awareness, taxpayer grievance redressal, and
sector-specific outreach. An upcoming session on Duty Deferment Facility and AEO Scheme is
scheduled for April 24, 2026.
DGTS continues to strengthen taxpayer outreach, particularly for MSMEs, through awareness
and engagement initiatives.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Jaydevi Pujari Swami/Robin Singh/Darshana Rane
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