India, US ink pact for aviation infrastructure

With the country's aviation industry facing challenges of rising passenger level and cargo volume, the government on Friday announced it had entered into an agreement with the United States to establish an Aviation Cooperation Programme to modernise the sector's infrastructure.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the visiting Indian Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel and the Secretary, US Department of Transportation, Mary Peters in Washington.

Under the programme, the USTDA, civil aviation ministry, the Federal Aviation Administration and public sector entities of both nations will partner with the US industry to identify and support modernisation of India's civil aviation sector.

Issues like infrastructure, safety, enhancing air service quality, operational efficiency, flight security, air-space management and system capacity will be covered under the programme.

Besides, it will facilitate and coordinate aviation industry training and technical ties between the two countries. USTDA would provide the funding for training and technical assistance programmes and the FAA and US aviation companies would facilitate in-kind support, the US Agency said in a statement.