Civil Aviation Minister launches Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025: What it means for air travellers

India’s aviation sector marked a new milestone recently with the launch of ‘Yatri Sewa Diwas’, an initiative spearheaded by Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.

The event was observed at airports across the country with health awareness campaigns, free medical check-ups, and a special focus on women travellers under the Swastha Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan.For your information, the Swastha Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday, built on the principle of Jan Bhagidari or public participation. Yatri Sewa Diwas has now been aligned with this initiative, extending its spirit to India’s airports.Launching the programme from Hindon Airport, Ram Mohan Naidu explained its inspiration: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the Pradhan Sevak of the country, has reshaped the very idea of governance over the past 11 years, anchoring it in service of the people. Drawing inspiration from this vision, we in aviation see every passenger as our priority and every journey as an opportunity to serve with dedication."

He further highlighted the importance of passengers in India’s expanding aviation industry, saying, "Recognising that passengers are the heartbeat of our rapidly growing aviation ecosystem, we have today launched Yatri Sewa Diwas.

It is a celebration of our growth as well as a reaffirmation of our commitment to make every journey seamless and dignified, carrying forward the spirit of Passenger First, rooted in the Prime Minister's guiding principle of Nation First.

"The minister highlighted the transformation of India’s aviation sector under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. In 2014, air travel was largely considered a luxury for the elite, but initiatives like the UDAN regional connectivity scheme have made flying affordable and accessible to millions.

Passenger numbers, he noted, have risen from 11 crore in 2014 to 25 crore in 2025. Read more: 5 palaces in Jaipur that define royal grandeur

A celebration for passengers

The nationwide observance of Yatri Sewa Diwas was not just symbolic but interactive. Airports welcomed passengers with cultural performances, quiz competitions, and painting contests. Terminals were decorated to reflect the day’s theme, while senior citizens and students were engaged through felicitation programs and career guidance sessions.Community-focused activities added further meaning. Blood donation drives, free eye check-ups for taxi drivers, and tree plantation campaigns under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam reflected the government’s commitment to social responsibility.

Industry’s commitment

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) also played a central role in the celebrations. Its Chairman, Vipin Kumar, praised the initiative: "I congratulate all the employees of the Airports Authority of India for organising a spectacular celebration across all the airports, highlighting our commitment towards passenger comfort and well-being.

Under the able leadership of Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, we are taking multiple initiatives across the country like Digi Yatra, UDAN Yatri Cafe, Flybrary and making the airport experience more convenient and comfortable for passengers.

"Read more: 5 UNESCO sites that stand out for their extraordinary and unique animal lifeMinister Naidu linked the initiative to the government’s broader development goals. "Under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister, we are aiming for Viksit Bharat, built on the foundations of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

For that, all the stakeholders of the aviation industry and especially the travellers need to be vocal in our procurements," he stated.The event concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of passengers, employees, and community members, while reinforcing the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s vision of building world-class airports and ensuring a passenger-first approach in every journey.