• The future prospects of India's civil aviation industry in the post-COVID era seem promising owing to the increasing demand for air travel and rising disposable income among the middle class.
• The government's various policy initiatives, such as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), aimed at improving regional connectivity and increasing the number of airports in the country are expected to provide a boost to the industry.
• However, the industry needs to be cautious about high taxes, which may impact the growth of the sector. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed concerns over the high tax burden in India, calling for a reduction in taxes to ensure the industry's growth.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the civil aviation industry globally, and India was no exception. The industry witnessed a steep decline in passenger traffic and revenue during the lockdown period, leading to massive losses for airlines.
• Going forward, the industry will need to adapt to the changed circumstances and implement measures such as contactless check-in, enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures, and social distancing measures to ensure passenger safety and rebuild trust.