The aviation sector is in rapid transition today. The promises and growth in aviation is really enormous. And the forecast is it would continue to grow like this continually till 2025. An enormous possibility is predicted by experts in the continent of Asia, more so in China and India.

At the recent Air show in Paris, India took the world by surprise by placing orders for 250 brand new aircraft. Just in the recent six months time, airlines in India, private and public sector airlines, have placed orders representing more than 170% increase from present fleet strength of 158.

This is a time of enormous growth in aviation and all of us need to put in our best. We need to have a support system of effective airports and related infrastructure, trained manpower, passenger amenities, network of travel agents and internet penetration by flying airlines. There is need to have up gradation of facilities in terms of aviation training institutes for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew, ground staff, airline IT providers, and more facilitation for oil companies supplying ATF, aircraft maintenance centres. Most of all there is need for increase in the per capita income of the citizen and air traveler. This is a time for transition from old to trendy cost effective new ideas.

It was exactly on the 8th of July2007 that BOEING made a tryst with destiny by launching its 787 Dreamliner. It is an American mid sized wide body, twin engine aircraft. 50% of the aircraft is made of composite carbon fibre materials which make the aircraft significantly lighter. It is really worth while that Boeing which first ushered in the age of affordable commercial flight with the 707 in the late fifties has again revolutionized the industry by ushering in the DREAMLINER 787. This airplane combines light weight materials with advanced communication systems and thrifty engines that will make it more fuel efficient and environment friendly with low emissions and noise. Till now Boeing has been able to secure 697 firm orders from at least 47 countries.

It is a time for CHANGE from old rules to new dashing cost effective ideas. It is a time when we really need to effectively plan on a long term basis. It is a time when we can show the world that we are the best people around and ready to accept the on coming aviation challenges and make a total transformation by implementing visionary firm principles in aviation sector. We need to have low cost airports like low cost airlines. We need to link new airports and new air routes with the main stream. With a massive manpower reserve in our country let us plan in such a way so that we can sustain all our aviation dreams and continue to climb steadily into the skies. WE ALL KNOW THAT WE CAN DO IT. AND DO IT IN STYLE. SO LETS DO IT NOW.

Aryama Sanyal