New Delhi, July 24 (IANS): India ranks 82nd on the global passport index, allowing Indians visa-free travel to 58 countries, including popular destinations such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

According to the latest ranking by the UK-based Henley Passport Index, India’s passport now stands at an improved 82nd place. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking of countries based on the freedom their citizens have to travel using their ordinary passports.

Singapore tops the passport index, reclaiming the title of the world’s most powerful passport in the latest rankings.

“The city-state also sets a new record, with citizens now enjoying visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations worldwide. France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain drop to joint second place, each with visa-free access to 192 destinations,” the Index said.

An unprecedented group of seven countries, each with access to 191 destinations without a prior visa – Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea and Sweden – now rank third in the ranking.

The UK came in fourth place, along with Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, despite its score for visa-free destinations dropping to 190.

“The US, on the other hand, has continued to decline on the index for a decade, dropping to 8th place, with visa-free access to just 186 destinations,” the index said.

According to IATA, airlines will connect nearly 5 billion people with 39 million flights on 22,000 routes by 2024. The amount of air cargo carried will amount to 62 million tons, representing a trade volume of $8.3 trillion.

“Our industry expects to post revenues of almost $1 trillion this year. However, expenditure will also reach a record high of $936 billion. Net income will be $30.5 billion,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The UAE has entered the top 10 for the first time. Since the index began in 2006, 152 destinations have been added, bringing the current score for visa-free travel to 185.