Helicopters can not be ignored: Ashish Saraf, Airbus Group India

AHMEDABAD: Ashish Saraf, VP-Industry Development, Strategic Partnership and Offsets at Airbus Group India said on Friday that helicopters cannot be ignored when India is seriously contemplating about promoting helicopter tourism and is focussing on regional connectivity. Airbus is set to start manufacturing in Dholera in Gujarat.

Speaking at a CII Gujarat Aviation Conclave in Ahmedabad, he said: “When we talk about aviation sector, we can’t ignore the helicopter sector as there are policies to start Helicopter Tourism and Regional Connectivity.”

Addressing the conclave, Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation said the revenues in the aviation sector are likely to triple in the coming 5 – 7 years. "There are huge opportunities in air cargo and Ahmedabad is looking forward to become a cargo hub. MRO and aviation support services are another opportunities that need to tapped by the Gujarati entrepreneurs,” he said.

India endeavors to become the 3rd largest aviation market by 2020 and the largest by 2030. Gujarat with strategic location advantage, a sound technical educational infrastructure pool of engineering expertise and cheap labour cost has huge potential to be a global Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) hub in the long term, added Chetan Tamboli, Past Chairman, CII Western Region.

“Gujarat is planning to develop seven new Green Field Airports with complete facilities”, said Capt Ajay Chauhan, Director Civil Aviation, Gujarat government.