Dubai: Emirates has contributed $596 million (Dh2.19 billion) to the Indian economy, according to a new study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the airline said in a statement on Tuesday.
The study titled “Emirates in India — Assessment of Economic Impact and Regional Benefits” reveals that the contribution has been made across sectors such as $274 million in the air transport sector; $76 million in the petroleum and chemicals sector; $62 million in the manufacturing sector; $39 million in the trade, banking and insurance sector and $145 million in other sectors of the economy.
“The expansion of an efficient civil aviation sector is important for India as it becomes increasingly linked to global commerce and tourism,” Emirates said in a statement.
It added that Emirates contributed $1,153 million as foreign exchange earnings to the economy and that Emirates operations support 72,323 jobs in India.
Further, in the financial year 2010-11, 65 per cent of the expenditure was made on relatively small airports in India whereas only 35 per cent of Emirates’ direct contribution went to three big airports — Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai (in terms of passenger share), Emirates stated.
“A well-managed civil aviation infrastructure and efficiently-run, competitive airlines are a must in today’s globalised world. The presence of such infrastructure and airlines in India can bring down transport and communication costs, promote commercial and cultural activity, create jobs, and ultimately unify people and markets,” Dr Shekhar Shah, Director General, NCAER, said in a statement.
And Emirates is committed to further investment and growth in the Indian market, according to Andrew Parker, Emirates’ Senior Vice-President of Public, Industry, International & Environmental Affairs. “India is a central pillar in Emirate’s global network, and last year it carried over 4.7 million passengers on its flights to Indian cities,” he pointed out.
