Inflight editor Alexander Preston summarises the latest happenings across IFEC and cabin technology.
They say patience is a virtue. Nearly a year after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) issued its recommendations on in-flight connectivity, India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given passengers and airlines alike an early Christmas present.
At the end of last week, the DoT issued a notification setting out the rules for the introduction of IFC services in Indian airspace. With its publication, interested parties wanting to provide IFC can apply to the DoT for a licence.
On average, more than 10 million passengers travelled within India each month this year, and the decision is likely to help drive the projected need for 2,300 new aircraft over the next 20 years.
According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), India’s commercial aviation industry has achieved 51 consecutive months of double-digit growth. This growth is matched in other sectors of the country’s economy.
“The Indian economy is projected to grow by nearly 350% over the next two decades to become the third largest economy in the world,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president of Sales for Asia Pacific and India, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This will continue to drive the growth of India’s middle class and its propensity to travel both domestically and internationally, resulting in the need for more new fuel-efficient short- and long-haul airplanes.”
According to the airframe manufacturer, more than 5% of the world’s fleet is expected to operate in India by 2037. Services such as IFC will continue to be a major driver of growth in the region’s commercial aviation industry.
That’s it from the Inflight team for 2018. The next e-newsletter will be in inboxes on 8 January 2019.
Thank you for your continuing support. Merry Christmas and happy holidays. See you all in the New Year!
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