ICAO President visits India

The President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Mr. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, arrived in India on a three days visit on the invitation of Ministry of Civil Aviation. Mr. Kobeh held discussions with Secretary, Civil Aviation, Mr. M.M. Nambiar, DGCA, Airports Authority of India and other senior officials of the Ministry and familiarized himself with the developments taking place in Indian civil aviation sector. Later, the President visited ATC complex at Delhi airport and related facilities to familiarize himself with new measures being introduced to evolve an efficient air space management, ATM/CNS infrastructure. Mr. Kobeh also visited Indira Gandhi New Delhi International Airport to see the ongoing work at a new site. He went around the construction site and was very impressed with the efforts of DIAL to build a world class airport.
The President of ICAO also called on Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel. Both exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and issues facing global, regional and national civil aviation sector.
The President informed that globally international civil aviation is going through recession and recording negative growth. India, which recorded a phenomenal growth in past few years, is also registering negative growth in past few months. However, he was optimistic that with the increasing growth of GDP, India will come back on fast growing track soon. India is the fastest growing aviation market and has great potential for future growth.
The President emphasized on the importance of cooperation in civil aviation and applauded the steps taken by India for private sector participation in development of metro and regional airports. The President informed that the issues of infrastructure capacity, airline capacity and air space management are required to be addressed. He was impressed that India was amongst a few countries of the world, which have already started addressing these issues.
The President impressed upon the need for increasing technical cooperation between India and ICAO. The President was informed that several technical projects are already under way. Four important technical projects have recently been approved by Govt. of India with ICAO, namely (i) Feasibility Study of Civil Aviation Authority, (ii) Developments of new systems in the area of (i) Aerodromes (ii) Flight Standards and (iii) Air Navigation Services.
The President also highlighted the need for increasing coordination between civil and military authorities.
The Minister of Civil Aviation apprised the President that the safety of civil aviation has always remained an area of importance and occupies the highest priority in the current time. The Minister assured that all required resources will be provided to DGCA not only to maintain present accident free safety records but also to enhance it and maintain above the international bench mark.
01/10/09 Press Information Bureau