The 2nd India Civil Aviation Week – Airport & Airline 2008 Expo, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 18-20 March 2008, brought together the global aviation fraternity to explore emerging opportunities in India’s growing civil aviation sector.

The second edition of the Airport & Airline Expo showcased a wide range of products, services and technologies aimed at improving the quality and ease of air travel in India. On display were the best of airport developers, aircraft charter companies, infrastructure and service providers, cargo & logistics, aircraft interiors and allied manufacturing and service companies.

The unprecedented growth of the Indian civil aviation sector has largely been attributed to the liberalization of the government’s policies. The ministry’s commitment towards large scale expansion and modernization plan encouraged 146 exhibitors from 18 countries and 3,352 trade visitors to participate in the 2nd India Civil Aviation Week, and the event registered a 60% growth over the previous year. The three-day international conference attracted 41 leading aviation professionals as speakers and 516 delegates.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India was the Sponsor/Supporter of the 2nd India Civil Aviation Week – Airport & Airline 2008 Expo. The event was also supported by the Airports Authority of India, which showcased its modernization plans for 35 non-metro airports in the country. A host of leading associations including the Business Aviation Association of India (BAAI); General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); International Business Aviation Council (IBAC); The Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI); The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India; and The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) supported and endorsed the event.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Praful Patel, Hon’ble Minister for Civil Aviation, Govt. of India. In his inaugural address, Shri Patel remarked, “The Airport & Airline 2008 Expo is the need of the hour to bring more participation in this fast-growing and vital sector. India’s aviation sector has been acknowledged as one of the fastest growing in the world. And of course, there is huge potential ahead in a country of 1.1 billion people.”

Other key officials of the Indian civil aviation industry present at the event included Shri Rajeev Shukla, Member of Parliament; Shri Ashok Chawla, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Dr. K. Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India; H.E. Rupert Holborow, High Commissioner of New Zealand; Mr. B.S. Shantharaju, CEO, DIAL; Mr. David I. Hudson MBE, Regional President, G4S; etc. Dr. Ramalingam remarked, “Civil aviation traffic in India has been growing over the past 4-5 years. In addition to the development and modernization of other airports, AAI has taken up the development of 35 non-metro airports in the

country.” He added, “I am sure that Airport & Airline 2008 Expo will provide a good opportunity to all concerned with civil aviation, to develop the way forward for the Indian civil aviation industry.”

The "Who’s Who" of the international & Indian civil aviation industry including the ADPI, Aeroflot Cargo, Beagle Aerospace, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Blue Dart Express, Club One Air, Deccan Aviation Limited, GATI, GE Commercial Finance, GMR Group, Helipro, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, IBM, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, JCBL, Kingfisher Airlines, Motorola, Munich Airport International, Safexpress, SITA, etc. participated at the show. Delhi International Airport Ltd., and Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. were ‘Partner Airports’ to the event, and the latter showcased its brand new, world-class Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which was dedicated to the nation on 14 March 2008 – just days before the event.

The event witnessed large international participation. New Zealand was the Partner Country for the first time. Organized jointly with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), and Aviation New Zealand, their aviation industry participated with a substantial exhibit area showcasing their aviation training expertise and seeking collaboration with Indian players.

Aiming to foster closer business co-operation between Canadian companies and the Indian civil aviation industry, Manitoba - an aviation hub of Canada - led the largest-ever delegation of aerospace companies to participate in the exhibition.

Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd., a leading consultancy firm, and the event’s Knowledge Partner, released a comprehensive study on the Indian aviation industry and its future challenges. The report was released by Shri Praful Patel during the Opening Ceremony of the event.

The APAI Excellence Awards were presented during the show's Opening Ceremony. Jet Airways was given the award for “Best Full Service Airline operating in India”, while IndiGo received the “Best Low-Fare Carrier operating in India” award. Mumbai International Airport was adjudged the “Best Airport in the Public-Private Partnership category”. Chennai International Airport received the award for the “Best Airport in the AAI category”. Kingfisher received the “Best Cabin Crew” award, while British Airways was deemed the “Best Foreign Airline”. Dr. Vijay Mallya was adjudged the “Aviation Personality of the Year”. The awards were given away by Dr. K. Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India and Mr. D. Sudhakara Reddy, Founder & National President, Air Passengers Association of India.

The 2nd India Civil Aviation Week - Airport & Airline 2008 Expo acted as a platform, uniting Indian policy makers, key industrialist from the global aviation industry and foreign investors – thereby generating business opportunities for growth and development of the dynamic civil aviation sector in India. To tap the immense potential of the growing aviation sector, a focused and knowledge based international exhibition and seminars will be organized in August 2009, which would propel and create opportunities for joint ventures, technology transfers and investments benefiting the community.