IP/06/1588

Brussels, 20 november 2006

Vice-President Barrot leads high-level delegation to EU-India Aviation Summit

The European Union-India Aviation Summit, jointly organised by the European Commission and the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India, will take place in New Delhi on 23-24 November 2006. The Summit aims to enhance political and industrial co-operation between India and the EU in the aviation sector. India is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets^[1] and of strategic importance to the EU and its industry. India is also taking a lead in market opening in Asia.

“The EU and its industry have much to offer India in facing the significant challenges of unprecedented growth in air traffic”, said Vice-President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner for Transport before leaving for India. “The EU-India Aviation Summit is an excellent opportunity for bringing together top-level policy makers and industry executives to identify priority areas for enhanced co-operation”.

The Summit will be opened by Vice-President Jacques Barrot and Shri Praful Patel Minister for Civil Aviation of India. The European delegation includes nearly 150 representatives from airlines, airports, aerospace industries, national governments and the European Commission. A similar number of Indian participants will attend. A parallel exhibition on EU and India aviation opportunities and co-operation is also being organised.

The main issues to be addressed during the Summit include:

• Market trends (passenger and cargo markets) and political and regulatory developments in India and the EU including greater emphasis on market opening and consumer benefits arising from better and diversified services;
• Infrastructure needs and opportunities for investment in both markets (airports, air traffic control, etc.);
• Aviation safety and security policies and scope for co-operation;
• Air traffic management and possible co-operation in the EU’s Single European Sky technology and industrial programme, SESAR;
• Future EU-India co-operation in civil aviation including technical assistance and industrial co-operation.

During his visit to India, Vice-President Barrot will also meet India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, the Minister of Railways and a range of Indian industry executives, including chairmen of Indian airlines and EU industry representatives in India.
Summit programme:

http://www.euindiaaviationsummit.com
See also :

COM(2005)409 : Developing a Community civil aviation policy towards the Republic of India.

^[1] In 2005, domestic air passenger traffic in India increased by 22% (in first 10 months of 2006 up by 50%) while international passenger traffic grew by 15%. Over the past 10 years, the number of yearly seats available on scheduled flights between the EU and India has increased from 3.3 million seats in 1996 to 7.4 million in 2006 (an increase of 121%).