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Jun 2007

Praful Patel conferred doctorate by Leeds University

     New Delhi: The Leeds Metropolitan University of the United Kingdom today conferred an honorary doctorate degree on the Minister for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel. The degree was conferred on Patel in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to the modernization of India's civil aviation industry," university authorities stated. Patel said it was "a recognition of the progress of civil aviation in India". "The past three years or so have seen the redefining of civil aviation in the country. Air travel in India was originally for an elite few. Things have changed dramatically and now it is a mode of mass travel," said Patel. There has been an unprecedented growth of over 50 percent in domestic passenger traffic in the year 2006. Further domestic air services are now available to and from more than 75 airports across the country as against 50 in the year 2000.

    Moreover, the change in mindset in both the public and private sector has led to competitive and affordable fares and more passengers, Patel added. Outlining the challenges faced by Indian aviation sector Patel said that one of the biggest challenges in aviation lies in the cargo sector. Forty percent of the world's cargo business, in terms of value, moves by air. India too is at the threshold of developing its air cargo business. In the next five years approximately 40,000-50,000 crore rupees will be invested in developing the airports in the country, said Patel. Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai airports are being upgraded and modernized. The Greenfield airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad will become operational in 2008. Work is in progress to develop 35 non-metro airports in the country. After America, Europe and Japan India is soon to become fourth in the world to install satellite navigation system "GAGAN". This will enable India to handle higher volumes of air traffic with safety. Patel further said that the International Civil Aviation Organization has certified that Indian skies are the safest in the world! India's aviation has now truly taken off. It can only go higher and higher.
-Jun 7, 2007