Aviation industry in India has bright future - D. Devraj

Aviation industry in India has bright future - D. Devraj

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, August 21: Speaking after inaugurating the national conference on Indian Aviation and Tourism organized by the Mangalore Airport Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee, the Department of Business Administration of Mangalore University, and the Airport Authority of India at the old airport today, D. Devraj, the regional executive director (southern) of AAI Chennai, said that aviation can be popularized in India by managing air traffic properly, using airspace in a flexible manner, and networking military and civilian radars. 

Further, he also predicted that the city will require a second airport within 50 years because of the great growth the country is experiencing at present. He also said that Indian tourism will contribute Rs. 8.5 lakh crores to the nation’s GDP by 2020.

Stating that airports are the gateways of a nation, he said that airports should be maintained well because they speak volumes about the country. Lauding the growth in tourism, he said that the aviation industry will continue to grow because India is now becoming the favored destination for medical tourism. 

Stating that the state government has sanctioned Rs. 450 acres to upgrade the Hubli Airport, he said that AAI is now in the process of developing 35 airports all over the nation to meet the demands of the rising number of people who prefer to travel by air. 

Speaking on the occasion, Anantha Krishna, the chairman of the Karnataka Bank Ltd., said that about a third of the passengers who alight at Mangalore Airport are international, which makes it necessary for the airport to provide better facilities. Suggesting ways to develop the state as a tourist hotspot, he said that the state should have several selling points along with a unique selling point. 

Mrs. Latha Kini, the president of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) placed three proposals before Mr. D. Devaraj—upgrade the airport to the status of international airport, develop the cargo terminal, and rename the airport as Ullal Shrinivas Mallya International Airport.
MLA Abhayachandra Jain, Indian Overseas Bank Chairman N. Narendra, G. G. Mohandas Prabhu, and others were the prominent people present. 

The national conference will host paper presentations and discussions on a wide range of subjects related to aviation and tourism for the following two days.