JRD Tata Memorial Trust, marked the 119th birth anniversary of JRD Tata with a unique celebration, paying tribute to his legacy and remembering his contribution in revolutionizing aviation in India.
Kapil Kaul, CEO & Director of the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India, was the honoured Chief Guest at the special event.
In his keynote address, he shared insights into the roadmap and emphasized the transformation pillars crucial for propelling Indian Aviation to new heights and aspirations.
Kapil Kaul, CEO & Director, of Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India said, “The government’s bold restructuring of Air India stands out as a landmark reform, steering Indian aviation into its most promising decade.”
He continued, “As we stand on the threshold of the most promising decade for Indian aviation, poised to conquer international markets, the statistics narrate a compelling story.”
He added, ” Over the 15 years leading to FY2019, international passenger numbers at Indian airports witnessed a remarkable 10.0% CAGR surge, reaching an impressive 69.5 million—4.2 times higher than the 2004 figures.
While India proudly holds the global rank of 3rd in the domestic market, the 18th position in international markets unveils a vast opportunity for Indian carriers to ascend.
However, there are weak links in the form of DGCA and BCAS within the Indian aviation framework. As the government undertakes the monumental task of reshaping Air India and with Indigo’s fleet expansion, the mandate is clear, strengthening these governmental bodies is imperative. In the unfolding narrative of India’s aviation journey, the government must script daring reforms to ensure a smooth flight into the future.”
The inaugural session was followed by an awards ceremony, where young talent across the industry was recognized and acknowledged for their outstanding performance, in the last 1 year.
Speaking at the event, M. P. Mascarenhas, Chairman, JRD Tata Memorial Trust said, “Today, we commemorate the 119th birth anniversary of a visionary leader, a man whose unparalleled contribution to India’s industrialization is undeniable. JRD Tata’s impact spans across aviation, engineering, manufacturing, technology, software services, and cosmetics. His ventures in diverse sectors instilled confidence in India, empowering the nation to add value on a large scale and realize his visionary dreams. At the JRD Tata Memorial Trust, we take pride in continuing the tradition of celebrating and honoring the exceptional talents in India’s civil aviation industry.”
Ramesh Mamidala, Head Cargo, Air India Ltd said, “As Air India takes flight under the visionary leadership of the Tata Group, our commitment soars to new heights in reshaping the freight and cargo landscape across India and beyond. Recent strategic initiatives mark the beginning of a transformative journey, amplifying Air India’s standing as a major cargo carrier while fortifying the nation’s cargo ecosystem. Our focus extends beyond borders, contributing to the evolution of a streamlined air cargo supply chain that propels India’s exports forward. Numerous projects and initiatives are currently in progress, poised to revolutionize Air India’s cargo business in the months ahead.”
The Awards Ceremony, had the Trainee Pilot Award presented to Bombay Flying Club, while the Best Flight Attendant was awarded to Air India and Air India Express.
Air India Modern School won the winners of the painting competition and elocution contest.
The event concluded with a technical session chaired by Babu Peter, Trustee – JRD Tata Memorial Trust, featuring eminent speakers Amitabh Khosla, Country Director, IATA, New Delhi, Ramesh Mamidala, Head Cargo, Air India Ltd., Capt. Dhruv Rebapragada, Regional Director Safety – (Airbus) India-South Asia, Hemant Rathore, Executive Director (Aviation) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., and Capt Uday Gelli, President, Rotary Wing Society of India – (RWSI) Western Region.
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