Editor’s Note

The focus of this issue is ‘Development’ and it is covered from two aspects – futuristic technologies that will drive Air Transport in the next few decades and developments in the Indian Aviation market that will have a direct bearing on the global aviation industry.

Issue: 4 / 2023By Jayant Baranwal, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

As the demand for air transport increases over the next 20 years, significant enhancements in aviation technologies will be required to meet the increased demand. By mid-2030s there will be over 2,00,000 flights per day. Aviation is no more just mobility between continents and cities, but also urban mobility within cities. In the lead article, Anil Chopra gives a bird eye view on the Future of Air Transport. From Electric Flight to Hypersonic Journeys, from autonomous aircraft to eVTOLs, the article unveils the Future Technologies that will usher in a New Era of Air Transport.

The subsequent article by Ayushee Chaudhary details some of these technologies that were on display at the recently held Paris Air Show 2023, pushing the boundaries of Sustainable Aviation. The event turned the spotlight on groundbreaking sustainable aviation initiatives, revealing the industry’s unwavering commitment to slashing carbon emissions and embracing cutting-edge technologies. From the construction of a novel sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) manufacturing facility to pioneering research in hydrogen propulsion systems, these initiatives are propelling the realm of sustainable aviation into a new era.

In the next article on the Future of Air Transport, Joseph Noronha talks about how Aeroengine makers today face a bewildering range of technological options for their next generation products – going all the way from simple upgrades of conventional designs to exotic configurations like the open fan to cutting-edge hybrid-electric installations to hydrogen burning ones. Within the past few years, all Engine manufacturers have launched major projects to increase fuel efficiency, with a strong focus on new technologies.

According to published reports, global passenger and cargo numbers will double by 2036, will mean demand for pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and other aviation-related jobs. A significant part of this growth will be driven by the Indian Aviation market. Witness the renaissance of India’s aviation industry as it takes flight towards a Century of Prosperity unlocking extraordinary opportunities in India’s aviation sector. India’s geographical advantage further solidifies its potential as a major aviation hub. Sanjay Julka writes about unlocking the potential of Indian Aviation in his holistic analysis of the market. Joseph Noronha talks about the rise in contribution of the private sector in this remarkable transformation of the Indian Aviation industry. Ayushee Chaudhary covers the developing regional connectivity in India where new airlines are connecting remote India, one route at a time and the launch of UDAN 5.2, India’s flagship regional connectivity scheme that will further enhance the last-mile connectivity through small aircraft.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Airbuz.

Welcome aboard and we wish you many happy landings!