Executive Summary:
This document, a response to Lok Sabha Question 824 on July 24, 2025, outlines the Indian government's measures to support the growth and sustainability of the civil aviation sector. It details projected growth in passenger and cargo traffic, assessments of environmental impact, and initiatives to reduce aviation-related emissions. Key initiatives include airport infrastructure expansion, regional connectivity enhancement, promotion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and adoption of green airport practices.
Key Points / Main Content:
Growth and Infrastructure:
* Passenger traffic is projected to grow at 5.6% annually through 2044 (IATA, June 2025).
* Air cargo throughput is expected to reach 5.65 MMT by FY 2034-35, with a CAGR of 5%.
* The government supports growth through Greenfield airport approvals, airport upgrades, RCS-UDAN scheme, and PPP for airport development.
* MRO guidelines were enhanced in 2021 to increase transparency, remove royalty charges at AAI airports and reduce IGST on imported aircraft parts to 5%.
Environmental Impact and Emissions:
* The civil aviation sector contributed 0.59% of India’s total emissions during 2011-2020 (BUR4, UNFCCC).
* Civil aviation emissions were 11.959 million tons CO2eq, which was 0.40% of total national emissions (BUR4, UNFCCC).
Emission Reduction Initiatives:
* SAF blending with ATF is targeted at 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030.
* India joined ICAO's CORSIA program and will participate in the mandatory phase from 2027.
* Indian airports are pursuing carbon neutrality and Net Zero goals.
* 88 airports in India use 100% green energy.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing policies and initiatives to support sector growth and sustainability.
* Action Required: Continue to oversee and promote airport infrastructure development, regional connectivity, SAF adoption, and green airport practices.
Airport Authority of India (AAI):
* Impact: Responsible for modernizing and upgrading existing airports and implementing green energy practices.
* Action Required: Implement carbon reduction initiatives and support airports in achieving carbon neutrality.
Airlines and Aviation Operators:
* Impact: Need to adapt to new policies promoting SAF and participate in carbon offset programs.
* Action Required: Adopt SAF blending, participate in CORSIA, and implement green operational practices.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:
* Impact: Oversees the National Biofuels Coordination Committee and the promotion of SAF.
* Action Required: Facilitate the blending of SAF with ATF as per the set targets.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:
* Impact: Responsible for assessing and reporting the environmental impact of aviation.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring aviation emissions and reporting to UNFCCC.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
IATA: The International Air Transport Association, a trade association of the world's airlines.
Regional Connectivity Scheme RCS UDAN Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik: A Government of India scheme to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable.
Public Private Partnership PPP: A collaborative venture between the government and private sector to develop infrastructure.
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul MRO: Services related to the upkeep and repair of aircraft.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC: An international environmental treaty addressing climate change.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel SAF: A sustainable alternative to traditional jet fuel aimed at reducing aviation emissions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 824
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
GROWTH OF CIVIL AVIATION SECTOR
824. SHRI P C MOHAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the key measures being undertaken by the Government to support the
growth of the civil aviation sector including the expansion of airport
infrastructure, enhancement of regional connectivity and relevant policy
reforms;
(b) the projected growth in passenger and cargo traffic over the next decade
and the manner in which the Government is planning to accommodate this
increasing demand in a sustainable manner;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of the
environmental impact of aviation, particularly in terms of carbon emissions,
nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the current share of the civil aviation sector in country's total greenhouse
gas emissions and the expected trajectory of these emissions over the next ten
years; and
(e) the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to reduce
aviation-related emissions including promotion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(SAF), carbon offset programs and the adoption of green airport practices in
line with global climate commitments?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): According to IATA's June 2025 report 'Aviation in India',
passenger traffic to, from, and within India is projected to grow at 5.6%
annually through 2044. Additionally, Air cargo throughput is expected to
reach 5.65 MMT by FY 2034-35, with a CAGR of 5%. To support theprojected increase in passenger traffic and cargo volumes, the Government of
India has taken various measures, such as grant of 'In-Principle' approval of
new Greenfield airports, upgradation and modernisation of existing airports,
development/revival of unserved/underserved airports under Regional
Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) and
promoting private investments in existing and new airports through the
Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Further, the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) guidelines
announced in 2021 enhance transparency and remove royalty charges at AAI
airports. IGST on imported aircraft parts has been reduced to 5%, while
timelines for export and reimport of goods for repairs have been extended to
one year and five years, respectively.
(c) & (d): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has
submitted India's Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December
2024, wherein it was mentioned that the contribution from civil aviation
sector was 0.59% during 2011-2020. As per BUR-4, emissions reported from
civil aviation were 11.959 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq),
which was 0.40 % of total national emissions.
(e): The National Biofuels Coordination Committee under the Ministry of
Petroleum and Natural Gas has recommended blending Sustainable Aviation
Fuel with ATF for international flights, targeting 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028,
and 5% by 2030. Additionally, India has joined ICAO's programme for
sustainable aviation fuels and will participate in the mandatory phase of
CORSIA from 2027 to help offset and limit CO2 emissions from international
civil aviation.
Indian airports are actively working towards carbon neutrality and Net Zero.
Bengaluru Airport has achieved the highest Level 5 ACI Carbon
Accreditation, while Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad airports hold Level 4+
and are carbon neutral. Currently, 88 airports in India use 100% green
energy to minimize the aviation sector's overall carbon footprint.
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