BAOA opposes DGCA's proposal to prescribe minimum three aircraft for NSOPs

Delhi: The Business Aircraft Operators’ Association (BAOA) today said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) proposal to prescribe operation of a minimum of three aircraft for non-scheduled operator permit (NSOP) holders would severely retard the growth of connectivity to regional and remote destinations in the country.

In a statement here, the BAOA said the proposal was also contrary to the policy of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

The association said a majority of NSOPs operate only one aircraft and are looking forward to deploying them on remote routes. "It would be in the best interest of aviation industry to frame regulatory requirement in conformity with the policy of MoCA," it said.

Air Asia plans to induct 10 more aircraft next year

Bangalore:  Budget carrier Air Asia plans to induct 10 more aircraft next year that would take the strength of its fleet to 15.

"I think realistically we may do ten aircraft by next year. January and February, probably we won't have many. Ten more aircraft next year, taking the total tally to 15 aircraft," Air Asia CEO Mittu Chandilya told PTI.
He was speaking on the sidelines of unveiling of Bangalore Raptors official team jersey ceremony in the presence of ace Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj who is conducting the Champions Tennis League (CTL).

Jet Airways reply to clarification sought by the exchange

The Exchange has sought clarification from Jet Airways  with respect to news article appearing in The Financial Express on Oct. 27, 2014 titled "Etihad drops plan to lease Boeing aircraft from Jet".

Jet Airways (India) replied stating, "We wish to inform you that Etihad has already denied it. Etihad has also issued the clarification in this regard.

Tigerair increases connectivity on Chennai-Singapore route

Chennai: Singapore-based budget air carrier Tigerair has announced two more weekly flights between Chennai and the city state from December.

"The airline has added two additional weekly flights on this route that will ensure more convenience for travellers from and to the city", a company statement said today.

Tigerair currently operates seven weekly flights between Chennai and Singapore. The two additional weekly flights will come into effect from December 4, 2014, it added.

Heads may roll at Air India after delays last week, one in 5 aircraft on ground

New Delhi: The story is becoming repetitive. Air India network reports massive delays and passengers take to social media to vent their ire for severe delays and clubbing of flights. The airline says frequent engine failure of its Airbus fleet has lead to grounding of 20% of the fleet strength.

This, coupled with Diwali rush on some days and inadequate loads on other days, has lead to flight delays, clubbing two or more flights or even advancing some flights.

Extension for Air India boss. PTIExtension for Air India boss. PTI
But the story does not end there. It now transpires that the airline is helpless in getting the engine manufacturer to compensate it or bear the costs of engine trouble with the fleet because at the time of buying these aircraft, no performance guarantee was sought from the manufacturer!

Air India violates flying norms, puts lives of passengers at risk

New Delhi: In the news yet again for wrong reasons, India's state air carrier Air India has been accused of flouting civil aviation guidelines and putting lives of hundreds of passengers at risk everyday.
A month before the Unites States aviation watchdog Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency that downgraded India to Category 2 of safety standards, is scheduled to come to India for an audit, reports reveal that Air India has been violating the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms.
The data from several voluntary reports of Air India's Delhi-Sydney and Sydney-Melbourne-Delhi flights shows the crew members were made to fly for 17-18 hours and perform two consecutive landings without the prescribed rest period.

Aviation Minister asks DGCA to probe into cheap airfares scheme

New Delhui: Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has asked director general of civil aviation Prabhat Kumar to investigate whether airlines have been misleading flyers by offering discounted fares.
A top ministry official told MAIL TODAY that carriers would soon have to submit to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data on discounted tickets offered in the past one year.
Raju has taken note of a complaint by Chennai-based Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) to DGCA alleging that discounted fare schemes were a gimmick as tickets were not available at the mentioned price.

DGCA rule changes leading to delay in launch, says Vistara

New Delhi: Full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, said that changes in rules by the aviation regulator with regards to the final approval process for new airlines is leading to delays in starting its commercial operations. The airline is likely to start flying only from around January next year, four months behind the original plan for a launch in September 2014.
“There is an approval process that every new airline needs to go through and we are also following the same process. It is however taking a little longer time than we anticipated. As a team we are quite focused and concentrating all our energies towards operational readiness,” Vistara said in a response to an email query. “There have been some new developments with respect to Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines and we are working to swiftly comply with the same,” the company added.

Vistara likely to receive flying permit by Nov end

New Delhi: Vistara — the joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines — may be able to take to skies by the end of this year, as it expects to receive its air operators’ permit from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by the end of next month.

Sources in DGCA said the airline had only recently imported two aircraft into the country and unveiled the livery on the first. Vistara is now in the process of readying itself for base audits and to conduct proving flights as required by the regulator before it can secure its permit.

Launch of Tata-SIA's Vistara delayed, likely to start flying in January

New Delhi: Full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, said that changes in rules by the aviation regulator with regards to the final approval process for new airlines is leading to delays in starting its commercial operations. The airline is likely to start flying only from around January next year, four months behind the original plan for a launch in September 2014.
"There is an approval process that every new airline needs to go through and we are also following the same process. It is however taking a little longer time than we anticipated. As a team we are quite focused and concentrating all our energies towards operational readiness,” Vistara said in a response to an email query. "There have been some new developments with respect to Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines and we are working to swiftly comply with the same,” the company added.

JetLite pilots threaten strike over forceful transfers

New Delhi: Jet Airways’ plan to merge its low-cost brand JetLite with itself seems to be facing turbulence. The new JetLite pilots union, JetLite Welfare Association (JLWA), has threatened mass resignations and strikes from this week because the Jet management is now invoking a bond in the contract of some pilots to force them to join the airline under “unacceptable” terms.
The development comes even as Jet faces major flight delays, especially for flights out of Mumbai, due to acute pilot shortage and inability to absorb JetLite pilots under favourable terms. The situation could get worse for the Mumbai-based full-service carrier if the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decides to act on a previous suspension notice served to 129 of its pilots for flying without mandatory certification — a decision is likely this week.

India, Vietnam agree to improve air connectivity

New Delhi: India and Vietnam have agreed to work towards improving connectivity between the two countries, via both air and maritime. In a joint statement issued by the two nations after a meeting between the respective Premiers at New Delhi, India and Vietnam have resolved to encourage more airline companies to commence operations between the two. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam, is on a two-day visit to India.

Rajasthan to have intra-state air services to religious and other tourist spots soon

Jaipur:  In order to utilize and develop the 16-air strips across the state and provide air connectivity to religious spots, the state government on Tuesday signed an MOU with a company to facilitate air travelers.

Vasundhara Raje, Chief minister in her budget speech 2014-15 had promised to get helicopter and other services to the intra-state religious places and tourist spots.

Joint Bank Guarantee Scheme expected to be rolled out for TAAI members by June 2015

The Joint Bank Guarantee Scheme for members of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has been globally approved. The Passenger Agency Conference (PAConf) has approved, without a single negative vote, the Joint Bank Guarantee Scheme as an exception for India. IATA Legal has been asked to review the legal aspects and may ask Agency Programme Joint Council (APJC) India to create norms and review its working, informed Harmandeep Singh Anand, Hon Secretary General, TAAI.

PAConf is the annual meeting of IATA airlines from across the globe to consider proposals to amend/review the Passenger Agency Program of IATA. The event was held at San Diego in California, USA from October 16-17, 2014.

Soon, boarding gate details on flight tickets

Ahmedabad: Like Delhi and Mumbai, soon people booking flights from Ahmedabad airport will have their boarding gate numbers printed on their tickets. The air traffic controller (ATC) at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is planning to start parking allocation system for regular flights operating out of the city airport.

India to manufacture commercial aircraft

Kolkata: India is well set to manufacture its own commercial aircraft, the prototype for which is currently under preparation.

G Ashok Kumar, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, revealed at a press conference in Hyderabad early this month: “The specifications for the prototype of the aircraft will be revealed in four months.

Indian Hajis stranded for 80 hours as aircraft held up in Fujairah

Jeddah: Indian Haj Mission’s flawless and excellent services for the pilgrims got tainted with the 11th hour mess caused by the country’s national carrier Air India that resulted in pilgrims being stranded for nearly 80 hours in Jeddah.

Indian Haj committee pilgrims bound for Goa and Guwahati on board the last two departure flights from the Haj terminal of Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport are stuck in the city for three days due to ‘non-availability of flight.’

TripFactory all set to tie-up with 4 new airlines

Mumbai: TripFactory, travel technology platform, is planning to partner with four new airlines. Recently, the company has partnered with Air Costa, SpiceJet and GoAir. The company also has plans to strategically invest in technology tools, to enhance performance of the platform.
When asked about new tie-up plans with airlines, Vinay Gupta, founder and CEO, TripFactory.com, said, “We have been expanding very quickly. We have entered into an alliance with some really good partners. Our relationship with airlines not only helps the carrier to growth their ancillary business but for customers also it helps to get the widest range of choice at much affordable price. It is a win win situation for all stakeholders. We already have partnerships with Air Costa, SpiceJet and GoAir to power their holiday products. We are in the process of integrating with four other airlines which should go live this fiscal.”

Air India signs code-share pact with Air Astana

Air India, which is a part of the Star Alliance, officially announced here today that it has entered into a 'free flow' code-share pact with Kazakhstan's national carrier Air Astana to expand its presence in the fast growing CIS aviation market. A 'free flow' code-share arrangement gives marketing access to the operating carrier's inventory and allows it to market seats independently of the operating carrier. The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approvals, was signed by Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rohit Nandan and Air Astana Vice President for Sales Worldwide Richard Ledgerin New Delhi yesterday, according to an Air India release issued today. "As a state-run airline and Star Alliance member carrier Air India feels honoured to enter into this code-share agreement with Air Astana.

Air Costa signs MoU with VietJet on tapping biz opportunities

Mumbai: Regional carrier Air Costa today said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vietnamese largest budget airline VietJet to initiate discussions on exploring future business opportunities including a possible code-share arrangement with the latter.

The signing of MoU took place during the "India-Vietnam Trade & Investment forum", which was organised by the three prime industry bodies- CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM- in New Delhi and it coincided with the ongoing visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung to India, Air Costa said in a release.

Civil Aviation Ministry to switch to electronic office; plans to move documents to intranet

New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry is switching to an electronic office by moving all of its files to the intranet, an exercise that it expects to not only speed up its work but also make it more accountable.

The ministry plans to work out details of implementing the first of its kind move in the country this week and a pilot programme may start in a fortnight, officials said.

Flydubai Set For Mumbai Launch

Low-cost-turned-premium carrier flydubai marks one of the most significant route launches in its five-year history this evening when it starts five-times weekly flights to Mumbai.

Tonight’s inaugural flight is scheduled to depart Terminal 2 at 2240 and arrive in Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 0300 local time.

Business class return fares start from Dhs2,500 and round trip economy fares are priced from Dhs925.

2 Indian cities among landing stops planned by Swiss aviators

Payerne (Switzerland): Ahmedabad and Varanasi are the two Indian cities among the dozen landing stops planned by two renowned Swiss aviators for their round-the- world trip on a solar-powered aircraft in March next year.

"If we get the permission from the Indian authorities, we will be landing in Ahmedabad and Varanasi during the first- ever round-the-world flight on a solar powered aircraft in March 2015," Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg told a visiting team of Indian reporters at a military facility here.

350 commercial pilots flying skies with invalid licences

New Delhi: Indian airlines currently have almost 350 commercial pilots flying the skies with lapsed or invalid licences due to their failure to appear in exams that have to be given after every few months to remain eligible to operate in the cockpit.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is now contemplating action against the heads of training department of these airlines, while asking the carriers to complete the required training of pilots in a time-bound manner.

Air India faces turbulence again as 33 more pilots quit

The government-owned, loss-making Air India is once again facing attrition as 33 pilots have left the airline this year.

Some of them deserted the national carrier and joined other airlines without even tendering their resignations, notwithstanding the strict rules on bond liabilities.

From January to October this year, 14 pilots have left from the Delhi range of Air India, eight from Chennai, six from Mumbai and five from the Kolkata range.

DGCA to crack down on airlines over pilot test

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is examining
whether airlines are carrying out the mandatory proficiency checks for pilots as per norms after it came to light that Air India and Jet Airways have pilots without valid licences.

As per DGCA norms, airlines will have to undertake such tests every six months. The aviation regulator is now planning to take action against erring operators after it found that many of them are not conducting such tests.

The Pilot Proficiency Test is required for maintaining the validity of a pilot's licence. The licences become invalid if such tests are not conducted in six months time. Earlier also, pilots had to undergo two tests but the first test could happen within eight months.

Officials said the fresh move comes amid incidents of airlines failing to renew licences and allow pilots to fly planes without necessary documents.
Read news in full 26/10/14 Deccan Herald

Setback for Jet Airways as ally Etihad drops plan to lease its 3 Boeing aircraft

Mumbai: Jet Airways' foreign equity partner, UAE-based Etihad, has dropped its plan to lease three Boeing 777 aircraft from the airline, putting the domestic carrier in a difficult situation, sources said.

These aircraft, B 777-300 ERs, were with the Turkish Airlines and have recently come back to Jet Airways after completing the lease period, an airline source told PTI here.

"Etihad had earlier sought to lease these aircraft as it wanted to deploy them on its international network. However, it has now indicated to the airline of not doing so," the source said.

GoAir takes off, triggers fare war

Bhubaneswar: With the operation of GoAir flight services starting from the city today, air passengers now have more options before them when they plan their travel.

The introduction of the service is also having an impact on airfares between Bhubaneswar and other major cities in the country.

GoAir has started four flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta and vice-versa.

Banks Study Options To Recover Loans From Kingfisher Airlines

Prrivate sector banks, which have shied away from tagging Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya a "wilful defaulter" as some key public sector lenders have done, say that they are exploring "all options" to recover their loans.

At least two banks, the third largest private sector lender Axis Bank and the south-based Federal Bank, have said they have not classified KFA, Mallya and his senior officials as wilful defaulters.

UCO Bank identifies Kingfisher Airlines as wilful defaulter

Kolkata: UCO Bank has joined the growing list of lenders to have identified grounded Kingfisher Airlines as a wilful defaulter for non-payment of dues. However, the bank is yet to formally declare the company a wilful defaulter.

“We have identified Kingfisher Airlines and its corporate guarantors as wilful defaulters. We are in the process of sending them a notice,” a senior executive of the bank told Business Standard, requesting anonymity.

New guidelines soon for privatisation of airport operations

Hyderabad:  The Centre is in the process of finalising guidelines for bringing operations and management of some airports under the Public-Private-Partnership model, Civil Aviation Secretary V Somasundaram has said.

These operations are currently under control of Airports Authority of India.

Surprise as Maharaja Keeps Fliers Tweet-dated

Chennai: One of the most compelling complaints that passengers who fly Air India is that when there is a delay, their staff at the airport just don’t seem to want to talk about it. This has led to several passenger outbursts and protests, over the years, usually needing complimentary meals and glib talking to calm their frayed nerves. All of this has turned around swiftly in the last five days, ever since the State-run airline has reinvigorated their Twitter account @airindiain.

GoAir launched its daily flights from Bhubaneswar airport

Bhubaneswar: The GoAir, a low-fare airline, launched its daily flights from the Biju Patnaik domestic airport here on Sunday. The GoAir’s maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to New Delhi took off at 8.45 am while its second flight for New Delhi is scheduled to depart from here at 7.25 pm to reach its destination at 9.50 pm. While another flight of the company left for Mumbai at 11 am from here, one more flight of the airline departed for Kolkata at 6.30 pm on Sunday.