India Hosts IATA After 42 Years: A Milestone for Global Aviation

For the first time in over four decades, India hosted the IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in New Delhi from June 1–3, 2025, with over 1,600 global aviation leaders in attendance.

In a keynote address at Bharat Mandapam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s aviation roadmap, reinforcing the country's transformation into a global aviation force.

“India is not just a growing market—it’s a hub of innovation, policy leadership, and inclusivity,” Modi declared.

India’s Aviation Growth Trajectory: Key Highlights from Modi’s Address

Infrastructure & Market Expansion

India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market globally.
Annual domestic passengers: 240 million+
Airport capacity: 500 million passengers, 3.5 million metric tons of cargo, set to triple by 2030
Operational airports grew from 74 in 2014 to 162 in 2025
Over 2,000 aircraft on order, signalling unmatched fleet expansion

Innovation & Digitization

Industry & Policy Reforms Reshaping the Aviation Ecosystem

New Policies and Aviation Business Incentives

Inclusive Growth & Global Positioning

Commitment to Sustainability and Accessibility

PM Modi reiterated India’s global responsibility to promote affordable and sustainable air travel. He called upon the industry to collaborate in making aviation:

More climate-conscious

Leaders & Delegates Present at IATA AGM 2025

The event brought together:

The summit addressed key topics including aviation sustainability, energy security, and innovation-driven connectivity.

Takeaway for Travel Agents & Aviation Professionals

India’s aviation growth isn’t just a domestic success story—it’s shaping global airline economics, network planning, and policy dialogue. For B2B travel agents, consolidators, and corporate planners, this means:

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