FACT SHEET: U.S.-India Aviation Summit Announcements
June 26, 2024
Press Release
USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong with the summits opening keynote speakers

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) concluded the 7th U.S.-India Aviation Summit, which convened more than 250 senior government officials and private-sector leaders from the United States, India, and South Asia to advance civil aviation cooperation. The Summit also served as a forum for U.S. and South Asian partners to announce new programs and progress for deepening civil aviation relationships.

The Summit was held in cooperation with the Government of India and the U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program, and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration. The event fostered dialogue, built civil aviation partnerships, and showcased advanced U.S. innovations and best practices to further priority aviation and airport projects in India and South Asia. The program included keynote addresses from senior leaders and wide-ranging discussions on the future of aviation and growth in the region.

U.S. and South Asian partners highlighted the following partnerships and programming: 

Promoting Business Opportunities

  • USTDA India Hisar Integrated Aviation Hub Technical Assistance: USTDA announced grant funding for technical assistance for the development of an integrated aviation hub at the Hisar Airport in the State of Haryana. The hub will include airport cargo and logistics infrastructure that will help strengthen India’s supply chain network and provide additional capacity building. USTDA’s partner for this activity will be the Haryana Airports Development Corporation, Ltd.
  • USTDA Airport Emergency and Operations Management Pilot:  A USTDA-funded grant to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will support a feasibility study to pilot U.S. cloud-based emergency management and operations system at airports managed by AAI. The technology, developed by Connecticut-based Grey Wall Software LLC, will be deployed at five airports in India and at AAI headquarters in New Delhi. Implementation of the software, Veoci, will improve safety and enhance airports’ ability to prevent and respond to emergencies.
  • USTDA Project Opportunities Report:  USTDA released a report highlighting ten civil aviation projects in India that present opportunities for U.S. private sector engagement.

Procurements and Progress

  • Maldives Commercial Partnerships Following USTDA Reverse Trade Mission: The Maldives Directorate of Aviation Security Administration recently established minimum standards for the purchase of screening equipment by commercial airports in the Maldives, leading to the procurement of security equipment from U.S. companies. The regulation followed a 2022 USTDA-hosted reverse trade mission that brought Maldivian officials to the United States to learn about U.S. innovations in airport checkpoint design.
  • Aircraft and Engines Orders in India:  In the last 18 months, the number of aircrafts ordered is estimated to be 1,150, valued at over $150 billion. Indian airlines, including Air India, Indigo, and Akasa, continue to support U.S. engine manufacturers, aircrafts, and other U.S. aviation equipment and service suppliers.

Private Sector Commitments

  • FedEx Highlights Partnership and Investment in Service Growth:  Tennessee-based FedEx Corporation, an American multinational company focused on transportation, e-commerce and business services, now carries 62,000 tons of cargo in and out of India annually through its three gateway airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, as well as eight offline clearance locations. In 2021, FedEx and Indian logistics and supply chain company Delhivery entered a strategic alliance to unlock India’s international trade potential, including through a $100 million equity investment from FedEx in Delhivery. The alliance continues to enable FedEx global network to leverage Delhivery’s capabilities to bring new products and opportunities to businesses and consumers.
  • RTX Companies Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace Invest in Training and Engineering:  North Carolina-based Pratt & Whitney highlighted its $40 million commitment to engineering and $25 million investment in training and skilling, noting that its Hyderabad Engine Training Center is the largest center outside of the United States. Collins Aerospace has invested $200 million for manufacturing and engineering in India and intends to establish maintenance and repair operations for propellor and actuation systems by 2025. The company continues to grow with 6,500 people currently employed in India, and another 2,500 expected over the next three years.
  • Smiths Detection Commemorates Growth in India:  Smiths Detection, a division of Smiths Group and a global leader in threat detection and security screening technologies, commemorated its growth in India. Smiths Detection now has presence in 35 airports across India and in the recent years has installed CT machines estimated at $100 million.  The company has also prioritized developing its workforce and has invested $1.5 million in a global training, service and customer experience center in Gurugram. Smith’s Group employs 1,200 people today across India.