Mumbai: Runway repair at the domestic terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji
International Airport resulted in major chaos and long queues on
Thursday. The repair of the runway resulted in massive air traffic
congestion too with several flights being delayed by up to three hours.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Number of chopper to increase to 800 in next 10-20 years: CAPA
New Delhi: Projecting that the number of civil helicopters in India will increase by nearly three-fold to 800 in next 10-20 years, an aviation think-tank today said the NDA government's ambitious " Make in India" project coupled with strategic initiatives could make this growth happen.
According to Indian arm of the Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), almost half of this projected requirement would be needed for providing regional connectivity, which is one of the focus areas of the proposed civil aviation policy.
Failing to accommodate passengers costs dearly for Air India; now to pay Rs 5 lakh per customer
Kochi: Last minute hassle, confusion in passengers list, extra
passengers on flight, all seem to be quite common these days. The
airlines which is always in the news for complaints filed by customers,
got a slap in the face after a redressal commission asked the airlines
to pay Rs 5 lakh each to two people they failed to let in the flight.
New airport for Sikkim by December next year
New Delhi: Sikkim will get its first airport operational from December
2016, which will provide a direct connectivity to the land-locked state
and help boost tourism.
"Preparation are afoot and we are hopeful that the state will have its first airport operational from December 2016," Mahesh Sharma, tourism minister said. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 4th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok on Thursday.
"Preparation are afoot and we are hopeful that the state will have its first airport operational from December 2016," Mahesh Sharma, tourism minister said. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 4th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok on Thursday.
IndiGo staffer run over at Kolkata airport
KOLKATA: Reckless driving in the Kolkata airport's operational area led
to a needless accident on Thursday morning that could cripple the victim
for life. The errant driver was arrested after IndiGo whose ground
staff suffered the injury filed a police complaint.
The accident happened around 6.56 am, shortly after IndiGo flight 6E 906 to Delhi received the go-ahead for departure. Amit Singh, a security person with the airline deputed on bay no. 27, was watching the flight depart when a Reliance fuel bowser knocked him down from behind. Though Singh let out a scream, it was muffled by the noise of the aircraft engine. Before his colleagues to react, the bowser's front wheel drove over his legs, crushing it.
The accident happened around 6.56 am, shortly after IndiGo flight 6E 906 to Delhi received the go-ahead for departure. Amit Singh, a security person with the airline deputed on bay no. 27, was watching the flight depart when a Reliance fuel bowser knocked him down from behind. Though Singh let out a scream, it was muffled by the noise of the aircraft engine. Before his colleagues to react, the bowser's front wheel drove over his legs, crushing it.
Air India to Operate Delhi-San Francisco Non-Stop Flights
Air India will launch three-times-weekly Delhi-San Francisco non-stop service on December 2.
The airline will operate the service with Boeing 777-200LR widebodies, the only aircraft it has capable of operating the ultra-long-range non-stop flights.
According to Air India, the 16 hours 5 minutes flying time for its non-stop San Francisco-Delhi flights will be fully three-and-a-half hours less than the flying time any other airline (notably Emirates and other Gulf carriers) offers for its one-stop service on the route.
The airline will operate the service with Boeing 777-200LR widebodies, the only aircraft it has capable of operating the ultra-long-range non-stop flights.
According to Air India, the 16 hours 5 minutes flying time for its non-stop San Francisco-Delhi flights will be fully three-and-a-half hours less than the flying time any other airline (notably Emirates and other Gulf carriers) offers for its one-stop service on the route.
S. Korea, India agree to increase passenger flights, routes
South Korea and India agreed to increase the number of weekly flights
and destinations that can be served by their respective flag carriers,
the government said Friday.
The agreement, reached after two days of negotiations in New Delhi on Thursday, calls for raising the number of flights allocated to national carriers from the current six per week to 19, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.
The agreement, reached after two days of negotiations in New Delhi on Thursday, calls for raising the number of flights allocated to national carriers from the current six per week to 19, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.
International airlines offer discounts up to 50% to woo fliers
Mumbai: International airlines are giving away discounts of up to 50% to
fill seats in the upcoming holiday season, as most Indian tourists now
prefer frequent short trips throughout the year to one big trip in the
holiday season.
Singapore Airlines' current economy class fares from Mumbai to Singapore are just over Rs 21,000, close to 30% cheaper than last year. Even close to the Diwali date of November 11, the fare is at the same levels.
Singapore Airlines' current economy class fares from Mumbai to Singapore are just over Rs 21,000, close to 30% cheaper than last year. Even close to the Diwali date of November 11, the fare is at the same levels.
Pilot in soup after 'loose talk' about PM's flight
Mumbai: Senior Air Force One pilots, tasked with flying the prime
minister, are miffed with a Jet Airways pilot who allegedly commented
about the delay caused by the PM's aircraft on an open radio channel as
Narendra Modi was leaving Mumbai following his October 11 visit.
Officials from the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation refused to comment on the issue. A Jet Airways spokesperson told Mirror no government agency has raised the issue with the airline. The two pilots involved could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
Officials from the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation refused to comment on the issue. A Jet Airways spokesperson told Mirror no government agency has raised the issue with the airline. The two pilots involved could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
For better flight deals, go for last-minute bookings
Those who book tickets early might not always get to fly cheaper.
Airlines seem to be reducing fares closer to the travel date, an
analysis of tickets on offer for travel on six key sectors showed that
fares quoted on October 17 for travel were more costly when booked 30
days in advance than 10 days.
In recent times, these select trunk routes have seen capacity addition. "With the added capacity on the top metro routes, and lower load factors in the first half of October compared to last year, airlines have reduced fares closer in to get more people to fly," chief revenue officer at online travel portal Cleartrip, Amit Taneja said.
In recent times, these select trunk routes have seen capacity addition. "With the added capacity on the top metro routes, and lower load factors in the first half of October compared to last year, airlines have reduced fares closer in to get more people to fly," chief revenue officer at online travel portal Cleartrip, Amit Taneja said.
Jet Airways to add 19 new flights in domestic sector; to operate Airbus 330s between Delhi and Mumbai
Jet Airways today said that it will step up services on domestic routes
with the introduction of four new city pairs and 19 additional
frequencies as part of its winter schedule to meet the increased demand
on key sectors.
In addition to this, Jet AirwaysBSE -0.10 % will upgrade its Delhi - Mumbai - Delhi services on flights 9W 362 and 9W 361 to a bigger Airbus A 330-200 with 18 business class and 236 domestic class seats.
In addition to this, Jet AirwaysBSE -0.10 % will upgrade its Delhi - Mumbai - Delhi services on flights 9W 362 and 9W 361 to a bigger Airbus A 330-200 with 18 business class and 236 domestic class seats.
Aviation Secy reviews preparations for safety audit by ICAO
New Delhi: Civil Aviation Secretary Rajeev Nayan Choubey today held a
meeting to review preparations for the comprehensive safety audit by the
UN body, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) next month.
The ICAO audit, the third in last nine years, would take place in November and cover issues such as aerodrome operations, air traffic control, air navigation and aircraft investigation mechanism.
The ICAO audit, the third in last nine years, would take place in November and cover issues such as aerodrome operations, air traffic control, air navigation and aircraft investigation mechanism.
SpiceJet announces first ever red-eye flights on the domestic sector
NEW DELHI: After IndiGo, SpiceJet today announced its first red-eye
flights (late night flights) within the domestic network on the Delhi -
Bangalore route along with a new flight on Delhi - Nanded route, both
commencing its operations on November 2, 2015.
Lohani Faces Tough Decisions To Make Air India Profitable
Air India's new chief is betting an 'open door' policy will help defuse
years of soured relations with the flag carrier's more than 20,000
staff, paving the way for potentially painful change at the loss-making
airline.
Ashwani Lohani, a 56-year-old engineer and tourism bureaucrat with no experience running an airline, describes his job as "the ultimate challenge".
Ashwani Lohani, a 56-year-old engineer and tourism bureaucrat with no experience running an airline, describes his job as "the ultimate challenge".
Delhi airport handles a record 1,044 flights on Wednesday
Mumabai: Delhi airport handled 1,044 flights, the highest till date, on Wednesday as airlines add new frequencies.
Before Wednesday the highest number of daily movements at Delhi was in the aftermath of Nepal earthquake in April (1,026 flights) and on India-Pakistan cricket world cup match day in April 2011 (1022 flights).
Before Wednesday the highest number of daily movements at Delhi was in the aftermath of Nepal earthquake in April (1,026 flights) and on India-Pakistan cricket world cup match day in April 2011 (1022 flights).
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Truejet to operate more flights to Vijayawada on Oct 21-22
Hyderabad: Regional carrier Trujet has announced plans to offer special
flights for the Dussehra festival between Hyderabad and Vijayawda on
October 21 and 22.
In addition to the regular once daily flight between Hyderabad and Vijayawada, Trujet is offering one additional flight on the sector on October 21 and three additional flights on October 22.
In addition to the regular once daily flight between Hyderabad and Vijayawada, Trujet is offering one additional flight on the sector on October 21 and three additional flights on October 22.
Modi to get an Air Force One; will it be Boeing or Airbus?
New Delhi: Move over Air India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bracing for a US-style Air Force One aircraft.
The government has begun the hunt for the new aircraft that will fly the Prime Minister across the globe, sources told Bloomberg TV India.
This time around, the VVIP aircraft that will the President of India and the Prime Minister might be piloted by an Air Force pilot.
The government has begun the hunt for the new aircraft that will fly the Prime Minister across the globe, sources told Bloomberg TV India.
This time around, the VVIP aircraft that will the President of India and the Prime Minister might be piloted by an Air Force pilot.
AirAsia India names its new aircraft after former Indian President
AirAsia India, an Indo-Malaysian low-cost carrier headquartered in
Bengaluru, announced on Thursday it has named its sixth aircraft
"VT-APJ" in memory of former President of India and eminent scientist
APJ Abdul Kalam.
AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday (15 October), which marks the 84th birth anniversary of the 11th President of India.
AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday (15 October), which marks the 84th birth anniversary of the 11th President of India.
Durga Puja gets spicier with SpiceJet
Kolkata: Durga Puja this year is going to be spicier with SpiceJet
offering its passengers authentic Bengali meals and traditional 'Dhak
music' on board its flights from Kolkata.
International airlines offer discounts up to 50% to woo fliers
MUMBAI: International airlines are giving away discounts of up to 50% to
fill seats in the upcoming holiday season, as most Indian tourists now
prefer frequent short trips throughout the year to one big trip in the
holiday season.
Singapore Airlines' current economy class fares from Mumbai to Singapore are just over Rs 21,000, close to 30% cheaper than last year. Even close to the Diwali date of November 11, the fare is at the same levels.
Singapore Airlines' current economy class fares from Mumbai to Singapore are just over Rs 21,000, close to 30% cheaper than last year. Even close to the Diwali date of November 11, the fare is at the same levels.
When the first Air India flight took to the skies, 83 years ago
October 15, 1924, a date that made aviation history. It was on this day,
that the first-ever flight of the Tata Airlines, which went on to
become India's flagship carrier Air India commenced.
The aircraft, a single-engined De Havilland Puss Moth was piloted by J.R.D. Tata and carried air mail from Karachi's Drigh Road Aerodrome to Mumbai's Juhu Airstrip via Ahmedabad. It continued to Madras (now Chennai) via Bellary piloted by South African aviator Nevill Vintcent.
The aircraft, a single-engined De Havilland Puss Moth was piloted by J.R.D. Tata and carried air mail from Karachi's Drigh Road Aerodrome to Mumbai's Juhu Airstrip via Ahmedabad. It continued to Madras (now Chennai) via Bellary piloted by South African aviator Nevill Vintcent.
SITA set to improve baggage handling at Indian airports
Every year close to 15 million bags are processed at these two airports
and SITA BagManager is now being used to facilitate loading,
reconciling, tracking, tracing and managing all these bags. While SITA
BagManager cannot prevent weather or technical issues, which can cause
bags to be mishandled or delayed, it can prevent up to 20% of mishandled
bags improving the experience for many travellers. In 2014, mishandled
bags cost the global air transport industry a total of $2.4bn; in
addition to these costs mishandled bags also have a high impact on
customer satisfaction, affecting an airline's and airport’s brand.
Sikkim's first airport to be operational by next year: Mahesh Sharma
GANGTOK: The first airport of Sikkim is expected to be operational from
December 2016, which will provide a direct connectivity to the
land-locked state and also help boost tourism.
"Preparation are afoot and we are hopeful that the state will have its first airport operational from December 2016," said Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma at the 4th International Tourism Mart here today.
"Preparation are afoot and we are hopeful that the state will have its first airport operational from December 2016," said Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma at the 4th International Tourism Mart here today.
Airport security lapse? Air India Express trainees don't have valid passes
It appears that Air India Express — a low cost subsidiary for Air India —
has taken security of airport areas casually, as trainee crewmembers
have been given a temporary pass. Sources say they haven’t been issued
valid company passes, and so haven’t got Airport Entry Passes, as these
are given only after they get valid company IDs.
According to sources, 49 of the trainee cabin crew who have started operating for the airline, are still flying with their temporary passes and haven’t been issued a permanent airline identity card or their work contracts. These crewmembers have been trained in Mumbai and have been operating from Calicut.
According to sources, 49 of the trainee cabin crew who have started operating for the airline, are still flying with their temporary passes and haven’t been issued a permanent airline identity card or their work contracts. These crewmembers have been trained in Mumbai and have been operating from Calicut.
Mock drill at Varanasi international airport
A mock drill to check the security alertness at the Lal Bahadur Shastri
International airport at Babatpur was held here today in view of the
threat perception advisory issued by the Intelligence agency during the
Festival season.
From October 20, most taxis to pay Rs 150 to enter Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi: Taking a taxi to or from the Indira Gandhi International
Airport may now burn a hole in your pocket with the Delhi International
Airport Limited (DIAL) planning to impose an entry fee of Rs 150 on
every commercial vehicle, including taxis, entering the T3 arrival
terminal from October 20. DIAL says the step has been taken to ensure
passenger safety and to curb touts at the airport.
Lover Leaves Man's Body at Airport, Flees With Papers
Hyderabad: Officials at the Shamshabad airport were in for a shock on
Wednesday when a woman, who arrived from Saudi Arabia with a coffin
containing a highly decomposed dead body, abandoned it and simply
vanished. But before disappearing into the city, she had taken away the
passport of the dead man, his death certificate issued by the Saudi
authorities and other valuables.
New Air India boss Ashwani Lohani bets on people power to fix ailing carrier
New Delhi/Singapore: Air India's new chief is betting an 'open door'
policy will help defuse years of soured relations with the flag
carrier's more than 20,000 staff, paving the way for potentially painful
change at the loss-making airline.
Ashwani Lohani, a 56-year-old engineer and tourism bureaucrat with no experience running an airline, describes his job as "the ultimate challenge".
Returning Air India to profit after almost a decade in the red would be a coup for a government that has vowed to cut losses, and whose prime minister built a track record of turning around state firms while running the state of Gujarat. But it will require unpalatable decisions from both a state apparatus reluctant to cede control and from Lohani.
Ashwani Lohani, a 56-year-old engineer and tourism bureaucrat with no experience running an airline, describes his job as "the ultimate challenge".
Returning Air India to profit after almost a decade in the red would be a coup for a government that has vowed to cut losses, and whose prime minister built a track record of turning around state firms while running the state of Gujarat. But it will require unpalatable decisions from both a state apparatus reluctant to cede control and from Lohani.
'Anonymous' pilot vents out frustration over take-off delay owing to Modi's jet, SPG orders probe
Mumbai: The Prime Minister's elite security guards, the Black Cats, are
on the look-out for a pilot at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International
Airport (CSIA). On Sunday, the 'anonymous' aircraft pilot vented out his
frustration over the delay in take-off caused by the movement of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's jet.
"This delay should be recorded with the PM," the pilot is reported to have said from his cockpit. This was not music to ears for the Special Protection Group (SPG). The SPG, mandated with providing security cover to the PM, found it 'serious' enough for an investigation.
"This delay should be recorded with the PM," the pilot is reported to have said from his cockpit. This was not music to ears for the Special Protection Group (SPG). The SPG, mandated with providing security cover to the PM, found it 'serious' enough for an investigation.
Air India flight enters Indigo runway at IGI
New Delhi: A serious miscommunication between IGI airport's air traffic
control (ATC) tower and Air India pilots on Tuesday morning saw some
tense moments and led to a close shave for two aircrafts. An incoming
flight was asked to go around after the safety distance area of the
runway it was to land on was breached by another plane waiting to take
off.
Around 10.15am, an IndiGo Airbus A-320 was on its final approach to Delhi. At the same time, an Air India Boeing-777 was taxiing to the runway to operate a special Haj flight to Srinagar.
Around 10.15am, an IndiGo Airbus A-320 was on its final approach to Delhi. At the same time, an Air India Boeing-777 was taxiing to the runway to operate a special Haj flight to Srinagar.
Soon your airfares may become cheap as number of flights increase
By October end at least 40 domestic flights and around 10 international
flights will be operating to and fro Mumbai airport, according to
Hindustan Times report.
Number of passenger seats will go up by 6,000 in domestic flights due to increase in the number of flights. Between October 20, 2015 and March 24, 2016, the number of international flights seats is likely to go up by 3,000, reports HT.
Number of passenger seats will go up by 6,000 in domestic flights due to increase in the number of flights. Between October 20, 2015 and March 24, 2016, the number of international flights seats is likely to go up by 3,000, reports HT.
National civil aviation policy will be announced soon: minister
Panaji: National civil aviation policy is being formulated, and will be
announced soon, said Union Minister of Aviation Ashok Ganapati Raju
Pusapati on Tuesday.
The government will be consulting all the stakeholders before finalising the policy, he said, adding the policy will address most of the issues facing the airlines industry.
The government will be consulting all the stakeholders before finalising the policy, he said, adding the policy will address most of the issues facing the airlines industry.
UN body to audit air safety scenario
New Delhi: The Union civil aviation ministry is preparing for a safety
audit scheduled next month by a United Nations’ body in charge of the
sector.
It appears the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is likely to do the audit from November 30, till December 10. Union civil aviation secretary R N Choubey had a review meeting on Wednesday in this regard with officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and others.
It appears the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is likely to do the audit from November 30, till December 10. Union civil aviation secretary R N Choubey had a review meeting on Wednesday in this regard with officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and others.
Vistara not to fly on Ahmedabad-Mumbai route
New Delhi: Tata-SIA joint venture Vistara has decided to withdraw from
Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, citing operational reasons, nine months after it
launched flights services in the country.
Flight services to Ahmedabad from Mumbai are not part of the airline's winter schedule that comes into effect from the last Saturday of this month, Vistara said.
Flight services to Ahmedabad from Mumbai are not part of the airline's winter schedule that comes into effect from the last Saturday of this month, Vistara said.
CIDCO to set up Aviation Academy in Navi Mumbai
Thane: City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd
(CIDCO) will set up an Aviation Academy for the training of manpower
required for the proposed Navi Mumbai International airport, its joint
managing director V Radha said.
The work of the proposed airport is likely to begin next year and the first phase has been scheduled to be completed in 2019, she said. Radha was talking to reporters yesterday during a presentation on the ongoing projects of CIDCO here.
The work of the proposed airport is likely to begin next year and the first phase has been scheduled to be completed in 2019, she said. Radha was talking to reporters yesterday during a presentation on the ongoing projects of CIDCO here.
36 Airport Authority Managed Airports to Have Hi-Tech Baggage Management System
New Delhi: As many as 36 AAI-managed airports are likely to have a
hi-tech baggage management system in place by next year, which would
reduce waiting period for fliers by a significant amount besides
minimising disruption.
According to a statement, a new world-class baggage reconciliation system, SITA BagManager, by the global airlines IT solutions major SITA, has already been implemented at Chennai and Kolkata airports, which together receive some 15 million bags per year.
According to a statement, a new world-class baggage reconciliation system, SITA BagManager, by the global airlines IT solutions major SITA, has already been implemented at Chennai and Kolkata airports, which together receive some 15 million bags per year.
Delhi airport's terminal 1D stares at stampede
Delhi airport's terminal 1D is in a mess. There is a stampede-like
situation every morning during peak hours as 8,000-10,000 passengers
arrive on an average, and there are only 200 chairs at the airport,
apart from the ones at the shops. This means for every 50 passengers
there is one seat.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, who man the airport, say they have raised the issue with the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) at least a dozen times in
the past four months but nothing has been done so far. And the situation is going to get worse with festivals and fog coming soon when footfall will increase by 50 per cent at the least.
Also read: Over 1,100 mobiles stolen from IGIA in last 5 months
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, who man the airport, say they have raised the issue with the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) at least a dozen times in
the past four months but nothing has been done so far. And the situation is going to get worse with festivals and fog coming soon when footfall will increase by 50 per cent at the least.
Also read: Over 1,100 mobiles stolen from IGIA in last 5 months
Petition Against Radhe Maa for Carrying 'Trishul' on Flight
Mumbai: A PIL in the Bombay High Court has sought a direction to the
Centre and other authorities to take action against self-styled godwoman
Sukhvinder Kaur alias Radhe Maa for carrying a trident (trishul) in her
hand while boarding a flight by an airlines from Aurangabad to Mumbai
on August 9.
Tug of war on new airport for capital
New Delhi: Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh? As things stand now, the airport is hanging in the air.
A tug of war between the civil aviation minister and his junior on where a planned second airport should come up in the National Capital Region has virtually put the brakes on a decision on the site.
Not only that, the difference of opinion between aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and his junior Mahesh Sharma has pushed the proposal - aimed at easing the burden on Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport - towards competing sites in two states.
A tug of war between the civil aviation minister and his junior on where a planned second airport should come up in the National Capital Region has virtually put the brakes on a decision on the site.
Not only that, the difference of opinion between aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and his junior Mahesh Sharma has pushed the proposal - aimed at easing the burden on Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport - towards competing sites in two states.
Saturday, 17 October 2015
British Airways’ special fares to mark decade of Bengaluru-London flights
British Airways on Tuesday offered special celebratory fares starting
from Rs.48,115 to various destinations in Britain to commemorate a
decade of connecting Bengaluru and London.
“This October, we create another milestone in our history with India as we, at British Airways, complete 10 years of flying to Bengaluru,” said its regional commercial manager, South Asia, Moran Birger.
“This October, we create another milestone in our history with India as we, at British Airways, complete 10 years of flying to Bengaluru,” said its regional commercial manager, South Asia, Moran Birger.
Jazeera Airways considering long-haul flights
Dubai: Jazeera Airways may launch long-haul flights if it’s not able to
buy a controlling stake in Kuwait Airways, chief financial officer
Donald Hubbard told Gulf News on Tuesday.
Jazeera Airways, the Kuwait-based low-cost hybrid airline, expressed interest in May this year in acquiring a 35 per cent controlling stake in Kuwait Airways, the country’s national airline. But the Kuwait government has since back-tracked on its plan to sell off all but 20 per cent of the airline. Instead, it has put forward a proposal to retain 75 per cent.
Jazeera Airways, the Kuwait-based low-cost hybrid airline, expressed interest in May this year in acquiring a 35 per cent controlling stake in Kuwait Airways, the country’s national airline. But the Kuwait government has since back-tracked on its plan to sell off all but 20 per cent of the airline. Instead, it has put forward a proposal to retain 75 per cent.
Air India directed to pay Rs 5 lakh to passengers denied seats on flight
Kochi: Air India has been asked by the Kerala State Consumer Redressal
Commission to pay Rs 5 lakh each to two people. The airline reportedly
failed to give them seats though they had valid and confirmed tickets on
the flight.
British Airways offers wings to Indian startups
Bengaluru: British Airways, which is part of the €26-billion
International Consolidated Airlines Group, has expressed plans to tap
the growing segment of startups in India, predominantly in the IT hub of
Bengaluru, for whom it plans to extend several of its packages and
special programmes.
MPTDC to pay Rs19K per flight hour for Air Taxi
Bhopal: MP Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) will pay a sum of Rs
19,000 for each flight of Air Taxi, which is going to resume in the
state. MPTDC has planned to start Air Taxi for Indore, Jabalpur, Satna
and Raipur from Bhopal. It has been decided to pay Rs 19000 as grant to
Supreme Air Lines for Air Taxi.
Air India sued for $98M in US Federal Court for breach of Hajj contract
Dynamic International Airways launched a $97.7 million breach of contract lawsuit against Air India in New York Federal Court.
Air India sub-contracted Dynamic International Airways for the year 2013 and 2014 for carriage of holy pilgrims from India to Saudi Arabia round-trip.
Air India sub-contracted Dynamic International Airways for the year 2013 and 2014 for carriage of holy pilgrims from India to Saudi Arabia round-trip.
How a resurgent Indian airline could mean years of work for Wichita
Budget airline SpiceJet in India is profitable again and is talking
fleet expansion plans that could mean years of work for Wichita’s
commercial aviation cluster.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, SpiceJet could order more than 200 new aircraft in the next five months.
The airline is reportedly talking with multiple manufacturers about potential orders, including jet talks with the Boeing Co. and Airbus and turboprop orders with others including Embraer and Bombardier.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, SpiceJet could order more than 200 new aircraft in the next five months.
The airline is reportedly talking with multiple manufacturers about potential orders, including jet talks with the Boeing Co. and Airbus and turboprop orders with others including Embraer and Bombardier.
No deadline for deciding civil aviation policy: Gajapathi Raju
Panaji: Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said the
government has not set a deadline for finalising the civil aviation
policy.
"We had made a presentation on the policy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August. There are certain issues which were raised related to other departments and we are addressing those issues," Raju said.
"We had made a presentation on the policy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August. There are certain issues which were raised related to other departments and we are addressing those issues," Raju said.
AirAsia India looks to treble employee headcount to 2, 500 over next 12 months
New Delhi: Low cost carrier, AirAsia India, is planning to more than
treble its employee headcount from current 800 to about 2,500 over the
next 12 months.
The expansion in the employee base comes from the Indo-Malaysian airline's plan to add eight new aircraft in the next year in India. The airline -- a three-way joint venture with AirAsia Berhard, Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace -- has a fleet of six aircraft.
The expansion in the employee base comes from the Indo-Malaysian airline's plan to add eight new aircraft in the next year in India. The airline -- a three-way joint venture with AirAsia Berhard, Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace -- has a fleet of six aircraft.
Global Vectra signs pact with Airbus for supply of parts
New Delhi: Domestic private chopper operator Global Vectra has inked a
pact with European aviation major Airbus, which entails replacement of
defective components of its H130 helicopters within 24 hours with no
upfront payment.
Global Vectra Helicopters Limited (GVHL) is the first customer globally to select this newly re-designed cost-effective 'parts-by-the-hour' (PBH) contract for light helicopters, Airbus Helicopters in release said today.
Global Vectra Helicopters Limited (GVHL) is the first customer globally to select this newly re-designed cost-effective 'parts-by-the-hour' (PBH) contract for light helicopters, Airbus Helicopters in release said today.
No MH370 wreckage found: Philippines
Philippine authorities insist a Malaysia Airlines jet that went missing
last year did not crash on to a remote island after a man's claims that
wreckage had been found there made headlines.
THE precise fate of Flight 370, which went missing in March last year with 239 people on board, remains a mystery, and the latest reports appear to be yet another false lead based on no evidence.
While a wing part from the jet was found washed up on a beach in the Indian Ocean in July, the rest of the plane has yet to be found.
Malaysian media reported at the weekend that a Filipino man told Malaysian police that his relatives had found wreckage of a plane, with skeletons inside, in the jungles of the Philippines' remote Tawi-Tawi island chain.
Despite the report appearing to have little credibility, some media in Britain, the US, Singapore and elsewhere picked it up, saying wreckage of a plane had been found on the island and it could be from MH370.
THE precise fate of Flight 370, which went missing in March last year with 239 people on board, remains a mystery, and the latest reports appear to be yet another false lead based on no evidence.
While a wing part from the jet was found washed up on a beach in the Indian Ocean in July, the rest of the plane has yet to be found.
Malaysian media reported at the weekend that a Filipino man told Malaysian police that his relatives had found wreckage of a plane, with skeletons inside, in the jungles of the Philippines' remote Tawi-Tawi island chain.
Despite the report appearing to have little credibility, some media in Britain, the US, Singapore and elsewhere picked it up, saying wreckage of a plane had been found on the island and it could be from MH370.
Mumbai airport's OTP improves in the face of air congestion
Though air congestion, especially during peak hours, has been resulting
in flight delays at the city airport for years, the on-time performance
(OTP) has been getting better over the past few months.
The latest data released of flight operations at the Chhatrapti Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) shows that in September 81% of all domestic departing flights were on time, while 83% of all domestic flights arriving were on time.
The latest data released of flight operations at the Chhatrapti Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) shows that in September 81% of all domestic departing flights were on time, while 83% of all domestic flights arriving were on time.
Now baggage drop kiosks at Indian airports
Panaji: Air transport information technology solutions provider SITA is
looking to implement self-service baggage drop kiosks at airports
across India.
While there are already self service check-in kiosks that allow passengers to get boarding passes, the baggage drop kiosks will let passengers print their own tags and drop the bags. The bags would be carried for loading and passengers would not be required to carry them to check-in counters. “We will be carrying out a pilot project at Mumbai and Bengaluru airports,” said Maneesh Jaikrishna, SITA vice-president, India.
While there are already self service check-in kiosks that allow passengers to get boarding passes, the baggage drop kiosks will let passengers print their own tags and drop the bags. The bags would be carried for loading and passengers would not be required to carry them to check-in counters. “We will be carrying out a pilot project at Mumbai and Bengaluru airports,” said Maneesh Jaikrishna, SITA vice-president, India.
Goa airport bid to be finalised by next February
Panaji: Bids for the second airport in Goa will be finalised by next
February and construction will begin next August, Goa chief minister
Laxmikant Parsekar said today.
"The construction for first phase is expected to be complete in 36 months and the first flight from the new Mopa airport will take off in 2019," Parsekar said. He was speaking at SITA's Aviation ICT forum.
"The construction for first phase is expected to be complete in 36 months and the first flight from the new Mopa airport will take off in 2019," Parsekar said. He was speaking at SITA's Aviation ICT forum.
It's Destination Lakshadweep for Seaplane
Kochi: Get ready to savour the airborne sight of the idyllic and
tropical archipelago of 36 atolls and coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Sea
and an exhilarating ride - and water landing - in a seaplane. The
much-touted ambitious seaplane project, which ran into rough weather a
number of times in the past following protests from the local
fisherfolk, is finally set to take wings with the Kochi-based firm
‘Seabird Seaplane Private Ltd’, an initiative of two technocrats and
financially supported by an associate company of INKEL Limited, gearing
up to launch the service in two months from Cochin International
Airport.
JetSetGo introduces bed to bed affordable air ambulance services
Mumbai: In a bid to provide a speedy state-of-the-art air lifting
service to patients seeking medical facilities in larger cities,
JetSetGo, India’s marketplace for private jets and helicopters, has
launched affordable air ambulance services.
The large rural-urban divide and inadequate access to quality healthcare in tier 2 and 3 cities in India, continues to prompt those living there to opt for better medical facilities in metros or larger cities.
The large rural-urban divide and inadequate access to quality healthcare in tier 2 and 3 cities in India, continues to prompt those living there to opt for better medical facilities in metros or larger cities.
Consignment of 200 mobile phones stolen from IGI
New Delhi: The staff of cargo terminal at the Indira Gandhi
International Airport has come under scanner, after a consignment
containing 200 mobile phones was reported stolen during its dispatch.
The complaint was registered on Saturday by a shipment company which alleged that its shipment, which was to be delivered to a telecom company, was stolen while its employees were waiting for its X-ray screening and weighing before receiving it at the terminal.
The complaint was registered on Saturday by a shipment company which alleged that its shipment, which was to be delivered to a telecom company, was stolen while its employees were waiting for its X-ray screening and weighing before receiving it at the terminal.
Geneva IT major to provide new technology at Cochin airport
New Delhi: Cochin airport is all set for a revamp after Geneva-based
airlines IT solution major SITA offered to provide an improved passenger
and baggage management system, which will also help authorities to
manage an increasing passenger traffic at the terminals.
The deployment of new technology will help Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), the joint venture company which runs the airport, in managing an increasing passenger traffic, which stood at 21 per cent in the last fiscal, a release said today.
The deployment of new technology will help Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), the joint venture company which runs the airport, in managing an increasing passenger traffic, which stood at 21 per cent in the last fiscal, a release said today.
Submit report on Shimla airport: HC asks panel
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh high court on Monday directed the HC appointed
committee to submit its report on Shimla airport within one week.
The high court had formed the committee to suggest and take steps to make Shimla airport operational as early as possible. The matter will be listed on October 27 for further hearing.
The high court had formed the committee to suggest and take steps to make Shimla airport operational as early as possible. The matter will be listed on October 27 for further hearing.
Art finds space in airport, painters thrilled
Madurai: Waiting time at the Madurai International Airport has become a
little more interesting these days, after the airport began providing
free spaces for artists to exhibit their works. The move has benefitted
many poor artists, who otherwise have a tough time arranging exhibitions
and finding potential buyers.
Hundreds of passengers who pass through the airport can catch a glimpse of the local talent, and if interested, purchase pieces that they like. Three months after it was initiated, the project has won the admiration of many passengers. The paintings are mostly displayed at the space allotted specifically for the purpose.
Hundreds of passengers who pass through the airport can catch a glimpse of the local talent, and if interested, purchase pieces that they like. Three months after it was initiated, the project has won the admiration of many passengers. The paintings are mostly displayed at the space allotted specifically for the purpose.
New food delivery service for Mumbai fliers
The next time hunger pangs strike, while you are negotiating a long
delay at Mumbai’s domestic terminal, getting that lip-smacking burger or
masala chai will get easier. Look out for orange-tee-sporting
attendants, tablet in tow, from Travel Food Services. They are part of a
new food delivery service, called Food@Gate, launched exclusively at
the domestic terminal of the Chhhatrapati Shivaji International Airport,
by Travel Food Services (TFS).
Food@Gate targets fliers waiting near boarding gates, and comes with a promised delivery within 20 minutes.
Food@Gate targets fliers waiting near boarding gates, and comes with a promised delivery within 20 minutes.
Vistara looks to appoint a new creative partner
Vistara Airlines is scouting for a new creative partner. “Yes, we are in
the process of appointing a creative agency to work on some specific
projects for us,” confirmed the company spokesperson to exchange4media.
AirAsia India associates with Northeast United Football Club
Chandigarh: AirAsia India is happy to announce its association with
Northeast United Football Club, one of the most exciting teams in Indian
Super League. As an enthusiastic supporter of sports, AirAsia India is
one of the sponsors for Northeast United Football Club in the upcoming
ISL matches in 2015.
India's new airlines face major cash, operational challenges
Mumbai: A majority of India's new and aspirant airlines appear to be
facing major cash and operational issues, delaying salaries, putting off
aircraft induction, grounding planes and cancelling flights, leading to
questions about whether they can cope in a sector that demands patience
to deal with bureaucratic delays and the ability to overcome lobbying
by incumbents.
Chennai-based Premier Airways is waiting for an air operator's permit and hasn't paid salaries for the past three months, said said four people, including ex-employees.
Chennai-based Premier Airways is waiting for an air operator's permit and hasn't paid salaries for the past three months, said said four people, including ex-employees.
Are Indian airlines slowly facing a major staff poaching crisis?
Rahul Bhatia promoted IndiGo attracted majority of pilots who left Jet
Airways and Air India in a little over one year. As many as 62 pilots of
Jet Airways and Air India flew out of the two airlines.
While private carrier Jet Airways has lost 30 pilots in 15 months to budget carrier IndiGo, state-owned Air India has seen the migration of 32 pilots in the past one year, industry sources said.
While private carrier Jet Airways has lost 30 pilots in 15 months to budget carrier IndiGo, state-owned Air India has seen the migration of 32 pilots in the past one year, industry sources said.
Ten seats in a row: Airlines squeezing economy for profit
New Delhi: Across the world, airlines are increasing the number of seats
in economy class by shrinking seat width, armrests and aisles, and
packing in more passengers per inch. The biggest aircraft are being
moved to a 10-abreast configuration, which means a row has 3-4-3 seats
to maximize revenue.
Studies have shown that seat widths of less than 18 inches aren't very comfortable for passengers, but most seats in economy are now 17 inches or less. However, US' Boeing and Europe's Airbus, the two largest aircraft manufacturers, are busy blaming each other about the shrinking seat space.
Studies have shown that seat widths of less than 18 inches aren't very comfortable for passengers, but most seats in economy are now 17 inches or less. However, US' Boeing and Europe's Airbus, the two largest aircraft manufacturers, are busy blaming each other about the shrinking seat space.
Plush economy class in air
New Delhi: The humdrum comforts of the economy class in planes now have a
premium cushion - more legroom, better meals and bonus air miles.
Welcome to the world of premium economy class, where all airlines are pushing for an entry and win over flyers.
Singapore Airlines will roll out its premium economy service on the Singapore-Delhi route from October 25 and Singapore-Mumbai from January 2.
Welcome to the world of premium economy class, where all airlines are pushing for an entry and win over flyers.
Singapore Airlines will roll out its premium economy service on the Singapore-Delhi route from October 25 and Singapore-Mumbai from January 2.
Kingfisher Airlines allegedly diverted portion of loans to tax havens
New Delhi: : Kingfisher Airlines had allegedly diverted a substantial
chunk of Rs 4,000 crore in loans secured from public sector banks to tax
havens which has now come under the scanner of the CBI that has
expanded its probe in the matter.
The material recovered during searches yesterday indicated that the airlines, which stopped flights in October 2012, has allegedly diverted part of loans taken from 11 nationalised banks, with total exposure of Rs 4,000 crore, to tax haven countries for different purposes not specified in loan applications, sources claimed.
The material recovered during searches yesterday indicated that the airlines, which stopped flights in October 2012, has allegedly diverted part of loans taken from 11 nationalised banks, with total exposure of Rs 4,000 crore, to tax haven countries for different purposes not specified in loan applications, sources claimed.
SpiceJet gains on introducing 6 new aircraft to its fleet
Mumbai: Shares of budget carrier SpiceJet are trading higher by 3% at Rs
30 on the BSE after the company decided to induct six new aircrafts
into its fleet to its schedule from Kochi effective from October 25.
The airline has augmented its frequencies on the Kochi - Mumbai and Kochi-Hyderabad routes while adding a new onward connection to Ahmedabad from Kochi.
The airline has augmented its frequencies on the Kochi - Mumbai and Kochi-Hyderabad routes while adding a new onward connection to Ahmedabad from Kochi.
Air India: Getting Its Act Together
In less than 18-months after getting the delivery of 21 Dreamliners
aircraft – Boing 787-800 – national carrier Air India has decided to
sell the remaining nine of them under the a ‘Sale and Lease Back (SLB)’
arrangement. Air India has already sold and leased back 12 Dreamliners
under the SLB arrangement.
SLB arrangement allows the seller to lease back the asset from purchaser for a long-term period. Air India’s SLB arrangement will have the guarantee of the Government of India which will cover the lease rental obligation during entire leasing period.
SLB arrangement allows the seller to lease back the asset from purchaser for a long-term period. Air India’s SLB arrangement will have the guarantee of the Government of India which will cover the lease rental obligation during entire leasing period.
Friday, 16 October 2015
Tirupati International Airport inauguration on Vijaya Dasami
Tirupati: The terminal building of the international airport at the
temple city of Tirupati is all set for inauguration by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on October 22, coinciding with the auspicious ‘Vijaya
Dasami’.
Seaplane Arrives at CIAL, Hopes Run High
Kochi: An amphibious aircraft meant for conducting service between
Kerala and Lakshadweep arrived at the Cochin International Airport
Limited (CIAL) at Nedumbassery on Sunday, covering four continents.
The seaplane has been purchased by Seabird Seaplane Private Ltd, which is an initiative by two technocrats with financial support from an associate company of INKEL Limited. The ten-seater Quest Kodiak-100 amphibian, which landed on Friday night at the airport, is the first aircraft purchased by the company. The seaplane will be based at the Kochi airport.
The seaplane has been purchased by Seabird Seaplane Private Ltd, which is an initiative by two technocrats with financial support from an associate company of INKEL Limited. The ten-seater Quest Kodiak-100 amphibian, which landed on Friday night at the airport, is the first aircraft purchased by the company. The seaplane will be based at the Kochi airport.
Air Odisha to hire 100 state youths
Bhubaneswar: Local carrier Air Odisha, which signed an agreement with
the government to run flights within the state, said on Sunday that it
would provide jobs to 100 youths of the state.
The carrier will start operations from November-end with a nine-seater
aircraft. "We have decided to hire local people, who have expertise in
the sector. We will require engineers, ground staff and pilots. For back
and front office staff also, we will give preference to local people.
Since it is a small aircraft, we will not have any airhostess," said Air
Odisha founder Santosh Pani.
No flights from Chandigarh Airport from October 16 to 18
Chandigarh: All flights to and from the Chandigarh Airport will remain
suspended from October 16 to 18 due to repair of the runway by the
Indian Air Force. From October 19, the flight operations will shift to
the new terminal that was inaugurated last month by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. Several airlines including Air India, Jet Airways,
Spicejet, Go Air, Air Asia and Indigo operate flights to different
destinations from the Chandigarh Airport. There are a total of 26
flights that operate from here.
No flights from Chandigarh Airport from October 16 to 18
Chandigarh: All flights to and from the Chandigarh Airport will remain
suspended from October 16 to 18 due to repair of the runway by the
Indian Air Force. From October 19, the flight operations will shift to
the new terminal that was inaugurated last month by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. Several airlines including Air India, Jet Airways,
Spicejet, Go Air, Air Asia and Indigo operate flights to different
destinations from the Chandigarh Airport. There are a total of 26
flights that operate from here.
The birth of Delhi airport’s flight simulator
New Delhi: Want to feel the chill of landing in Delhi in zero visibility
on a foggy winter night or the constant chatter from Air Traffic
Controller (ATC), the buzz from another aircraft, radio telephony and
the beauty of the ever-changing sky?
“TheCockpit”, a flight simulator at the Delhi airport, gives passengers an opportunity to feel the rush of flying a Boeing-737 aircraft while waiting for a flight.
“TheCockpit”, a flight simulator at the Delhi airport, gives passengers an opportunity to feel the rush of flying a Boeing-737 aircraft while waiting for a flight.
Cathay Pacific considering new destinations in India
Seattle: With India projected to become the third largest aviation
market in the world by the end of the decade, Hong Kong-based Cathay
Pacific Airways have started examining traffic potential on routes
beyond the six metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata,
Bengaluru and Hyderabad to add new points of calls and launch new
services once fresh bilateral rights are made available.
Air India to offer 'Incredible India' holiday packages from Dec 1
Air India will launch holiday packages from December 1 under the
Incredible India programme in collaboration with state tourism
departments.
According the statement released by the airline, the states which have tied up with the airline are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Sikkim, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
According the statement released by the airline, the states which have tied up with the airline are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Sikkim, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
Turnaround plans spreading wings under new AI chief
New Delhi: Ashwani Lohani, the new chairman & managing director of
loss-making state-owned airline Air India, is giving final touches to a
multi-pronged revival plan to make the company financially independent
in two years.
According to senior airline executives, the plan's thrust will be rationalising loss-making routes and cost control, increasing the seat load factor with greater emphasis on improving revenue per seat, better aircraft availability and a focus on passenger safety and amenities.
According to senior airline executives, the plan's thrust will be rationalising loss-making routes and cost control, increasing the seat load factor with greater emphasis on improving revenue per seat, better aircraft availability and a focus on passenger safety and amenities.
Air India pilots vote 'overwhelmingly' to strike work
New Delhi: The national carrier may see yet another strike by its pilots.
The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA, union of erstwhile IA pilots) have voted 'overwhelmingly' in support of striking work against the government decision to take commanders out of workman category. This exclusion from workman category means commanders can neither form unions, nor go on strikes.
The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA, union of erstwhile IA pilots) have voted 'overwhelmingly' in support of striking work against the government decision to take commanders out of workman category. This exclusion from workman category means commanders can neither form unions, nor go on strikes.
Jet Airways' Latest Offer: Fly on Tuesdays and Get Discounts
Jet Airways is offering a 15 per cent discount on base fares for
passengers flying on Tuesdays. This promotional offer is valid on
economy class travel on select domestic routes.
Tickets for this Jet Airways offer must be purchased on or before October 13, 2015, while the journey must be completed on or before October 13, 2015, Jet Airways said on its website.
Tickets for this Jet Airways offer must be purchased on or before October 13, 2015, while the journey must be completed on or before October 13, 2015, Jet Airways said on its website.
Air India to be 'preferred carrier' for Indian cricket team
New Delhi: Air India will be Indian cricket team's 'preferred airline'
for travel from now on with the national carrier signing an MoU with the
BCCI in this regard.
The deal, which comes into effect from September 1, has been signed for a period of one year.
The deal, which comes into effect from September 1, has been signed for a period of one year.
AAI puts 50-metre cap on highrises in some parts of city
Mumbai: Builders who wish to construct high-rises taller than 50
metres, or above 18 storeys, in certain parts of the suburbs and the
island city will have to first get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from
the Airports Authority of India (AAI), as it has reduced the vertical
limit of new constructions by 15 to 30 metres. The AAI decision on
building height clearance, taken a few months ago, will impact
construction work at Malwani, D N Nagar, Versova, Goregaon, Ghatkopar
(West) and Mahim.
Air India Express to hire 40 expat pilots for three years
Air India Charters (AICL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, has
initiated the process of hiring 40 expat pilots for a term of three
years for flying the company’s B 737-800 narrow body planes. Government
officials said that AICL operates flights to West Asia and Southeast
Asia and will be expanding its fleet next year for which pilots are
required.
Tarun Khanna and Vivana Singh detained at Mumbai airport
Actors Tarun Khanna and Vivana Singh, who were going to Lucknow to
promote their upcoming show 'Police Factory', were detained at the
Mumbai airport yesterday.
Since they are playing policemen in the show, they were carrying fake revolvers due to which they got detained by security officials. Tarun said, "We were thoroughly checked and stripped to find out if we were carrying any concealed weapons. We tried telling them about our show and that we were actors but they continued with the check.
Since they are playing policemen in the show, they were carrying fake revolvers due to which they got detained by security officials. Tarun said, "We were thoroughly checked and stripped to find out if we were carrying any concealed weapons. We tried telling them about our show and that we were actors but they continued with the check.
Mumbai firm brings seaplane to Kochi
Kochi: Three years after the government's ambitious seaplane project was
stalled, a Mumbai-based seaplane operator has brought its aircraft to
the state to benefit from the state's early bird incentive.
MEHAIR's seaplane, with the call sign VT-MHB, landed at the Cochin International Airport at 1.15pm on Sunday.
MEHAIR's seaplane, with the call sign VT-MHB, landed at the Cochin International Airport at 1.15pm on Sunday.
AAI plans infra boost at three airports
New Delhi: After it aborted its plan to upgrade four airports on public
private partnership (PPP) basis, state-run Airports Authority of India
(AAI) is making a fresh attempt to build city-side infrastructure at
another set of airports - Lucknow, Raipur and Tirupati.
Iran to turn Kish into key aviation hub
Iran says it plans to turn a key airport in the Persian Gulf island of Kish into a regional aviation hub.
Based a plan that has been devised to the same effect, the Kish International Airport will be provided with adequate facilities to host tourists that use Iran’s airspace to reach other countries like India, Malaysia, Syria, Iraq or the Persian Gulf littoral states.
Based a plan that has been devised to the same effect, the Kish International Airport will be provided with adequate facilities to host tourists that use Iran’s airspace to reach other countries like India, Malaysia, Syria, Iraq or the Persian Gulf littoral states.
Cargo worker stole tablets
Mumbai: The domestic airport police has cracked the case of 10 missing
Samsung Galaxy tablets in a consignment sent about a month ago by
Delhi-based Om Logistics to their client in Goa via Mumbai.
In January 2015, Rajesh Shekhawat of Om Logistics realised that 10 tablets had gone missing from the courier sent by the Delhi-based company to Goa from Pune via Mumbai through a Jet Airways Cargo Flight.
In January 2015, Rajesh Shekhawat of Om Logistics realised that 10 tablets had gone missing from the courier sent by the Delhi-based company to Goa from Pune via Mumbai through a Jet Airways Cargo Flight.
3 Afghanis held at airport for travelling on fake visas
Ahmedabad: Immigration officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
International Airport, on Saturday, detained three Afghanis in their
twenties for travelling on fake visas and handed them over to
Sardarnagar police. An FIR has been lodged at the police station against
the accused Jubiulla Yadgar, 22, his wife Jina Jabiulla Yadgar, 21, and
his brother Habidulla Yadgar, 20, of Afghanistan.
Air India set to ground 130 ‘over-weight’ flight attendants, mostly women
New Delhi: Air India has decided to ground about 130 flight attendants,
mostly women, who have failed to meet government-imposed weight
standards, angering cabin crew and aviation experts who see the move as
"sexist".
The state-owned airline had last year asked 600 flight attendants to lose weight within six months. It now plans to assign over a fifth of them to ground jobs because their body mass index or BMI levels are still above prescribed limits.
The state-owned airline had last year asked 600 flight attendants to lose weight within six months. It now plans to assign over a fifth of them to ground jobs because their body mass index or BMI levels are still above prescribed limits.
CMD cracks the whip on Air India crew
Mumbai: Taking note of Air India’s poor OTP (on-time performance),
Ashwini Lohani, AI’s new chairman and managing director (CMD), has
written a letter to the airline’s cabin crew saying that henceforth the
airline will not tolerate any kind of indiscipline from them.
After taking charge as the national carrier’s CMD, Mr Lohani wrote a letter to the airline’s cabin crew to ensure a high OTP. In this letter, (a copy of which is with The Asian Age) Ms Lohani asked the crew to maintain 100 per cent OTP. Later, the CMD said the airline should at least start from 90 per cent OTP.
After taking charge as the national carrier’s CMD, Mr Lohani wrote a letter to the airline’s cabin crew to ensure a high OTP. In this letter, (a copy of which is with The Asian Age) Ms Lohani asked the crew to maintain 100 per cent OTP. Later, the CMD said the airline should at least start from 90 per cent OTP.
Air India’s Ashwani Lohani forced to hit the ground running from day 1
Mumabi: Ashwani Lohani, an Indian Railways Service of Mechanical
Engineers officer, who took charge as the new chairman and managing
director of the loss-making Air India on August 31, will probably face
his first test in the coming days. This is because one of the national
carrier’s pilot union, Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA), is
conducting a secret ballot to decide whether to declare a strike against
a recent notification by the airline management removing pilots from
the workmen category.
Air India may launch premium economy class
New Delhi: Air India may look at introducing a separate cabin product on
its flights --premium economy-- to tap the growing demand for this
segment of travel in its bid to maximise revenue.
As of now, Tata-SIA-promoted full service airline Vistara is the only domestic carrier which offers premium economy on its flights, besides business and economy class.
As of now, Tata-SIA-promoted full service airline Vistara is the only domestic carrier which offers premium economy on its flights, besides business and economy class.
Dreamliner snags, pilot shortage send AI schedules haywire
New Delhi: A crippling shortage of Dreamliner pilots -- caused by a
spate of resignations in recent months -- along with snags in this
aircraft is now playing havoc with Air India flight schedules.
The Delhi-Hong Kong-Osaka-Hong Kong-Delhi flight that was supposed to depart on Friday night had to be cancelled due to unavailability of cockpit crew to operate it. The flight finally took off on Saturday night and that too for operating only on Delhi-Hong Kong-Delhi route without going to Japan.
The Delhi-Hong Kong-Osaka-Hong Kong-Delhi flight that was supposed to depart on Friday night had to be cancelled due to unavailability of cockpit crew to operate it. The flight finally took off on Saturday night and that too for operating only on Delhi-Hong Kong-Delhi route without going to Japan.
Fewer foreign trips this festive season
Kolkata: Five weeks to go for Durga Puja holidays, but the usual buzz
about overseas travel during the season seems to be missing.
The travel trade industry in Kolkata, which banks on the festive season to garner nearly 18-20% of the annual revenue from domestic and foreign trips, is desperately hoping that business would pick up over the next couple of weeks. "It has been a rather insipid season. There has been no movement in August and very few confirmed bookings till now. Usually, seven out of every 10 enquiries materialize into business around this time of the year. But this season, it's been the other way round, with only three out of 10 enquiries for a holiday being confirmed," said Travel Agents Federation of India chairman (east) Anil Punjabi.
The travel trade industry in Kolkata, which banks on the festive season to garner nearly 18-20% of the annual revenue from domestic and foreign trips, is desperately hoping that business would pick up over the next couple of weeks. "It has been a rather insipid season. There has been no movement in August and very few confirmed bookings till now. Usually, seven out of every 10 enquiries materialize into business around this time of the year. But this season, it's been the other way round, with only three out of 10 enquiries for a holiday being confirmed," said Travel Agents Federation of India chairman (east) Anil Punjabi.
Domestic flights to start from second week of October International flights likely from October-end, says MP
Mohali: The civil air international terminal (Mohali side), which was
inaugurated yesterday, will start facilitating all domestic flights from
the second week of October.
Hence forth, the Chandigarh Airport (Chandigarh side) will be closed completely for public use. Then all passengers will have to go to the new terminal (from Mohali side) to catch their respective flights.
Hence forth, the Chandigarh Airport (Chandigarh side) will be closed completely for public use. Then all passengers will have to go to the new terminal (from Mohali side) to catch their respective flights.
The man who came close to operating an airline from Kolkata was once a mill worker
Kolkata: From a mill worker to a millionaire employing 300 persons, Raj
Kumar Gupta has come a long way, scaling the heights by first
constructing a residential apartment building at Rishra in West Bengal’s
Hooghly district at a time when no one thought that people would buy
flats to live in that locality.
It was in 1984 that he saw a vacant land during a morning walk near his house and decided to construct apartments there. So he bought the eight cottah of land for Rs 1.25 lakh and constructed the high rise, never to look back in business and life.
It was in 1984 that he saw a vacant land during a morning walk near his house and decided to construct apartments there. So he bought the eight cottah of land for Rs 1.25 lakh and constructed the high rise, never to look back in business and life.
AirAsia to launch Bhubaneswar-Kuala Lumpur Flight by Dec 2015
Leading Malaysian airliner, AirAsia will launch the first direct
international flight from the Biju Patnaik International Airport in
Bhubaneswar to Kuala Lumpur. The flight will take off by December 2015.
Better international air connectivity sought from Coimbatore
Coimbatore: Over the years, commuters and various industrial bodies in
the city, including the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have
made representations, where ever possible, to operate more international
flights from the city.
But it is still a dream that is yet to come true, as the shortcomings are yet to be addressed.
But it is still a dream that is yet to come true, as the shortcomings are yet to be addressed.
Airlines fly high on low fuel prices, travel growth
New Delhi: There is some oxygen for the choking Indian airline industry.
Two positive factors - domestic air travel growing at almost 30% and
sharp fall in jet fuel prices - are bringing the industry back from the
brink, at a time when some players were staring at emergency exits.
India's only profitable airline IndiGo reported on Thursday its highest ever net profit of Rs 1,304 crore for FY15 on an enhanced top line of Rs 14,320 crore. Reason: IndiGo did not resort to indiscriminate discounts and maintained a pricing discipline by consistently offering low - but not suicidally low - fares.
India's only profitable airline IndiGo reported on Thursday its highest ever net profit of Rs 1,304 crore for FY15 on an enhanced top line of Rs 14,320 crore. Reason: IndiGo did not resort to indiscriminate discounts and maintained a pricing discipline by consistently offering low - but not suicidally low - fares.
Kerala woman slams KLM airline for racial slur
New Delhi: High drama unfolded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the wee hours of Thursday when a woman allegedly faced "racial abuses" and harassment at the hands of KLM Airline staff. She also alleged that she was not allowed to board the flight on "flimsy" grounds.
Shinamma Eappen, who hails from Kerala, claimed she had to sleep on the floor at the airport. According to a complaint her friend filed with the airline on her behalf, the KLM staffers did not allow her to board the flight and did not even given any proper reason. Her family has also alleged that the airline didn't help her though she had all the required documents.
KLM initially said, "We are taking the matter very seriously and are investigating it." In a subsequent e-mail to MAIL TODAY, the airline said that initially the passenger was not clear about her travel purposes. After an extra round of security check, she was allowed to board another flight.
Rules be damned! UN man puffs away inside Odisha airport
Bhubaneswar: If you and I do it, the security personnel on duty at the
Biju Patnaik International Airport in Odisha’s capital city would not
wait a minute before hauling us up for it. But then a man with the
awe-inspiring UN tag is not you and I and cannot be messed around, can
he?
In an incident that speaks volumes about our inherent inferiority complex and awe of the white man, security personnel looked on helplessly as Yuri Afnaseiv, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator for India, puffed away merrily just meters away from the main entrance into airport terminal, where smoking is a strict no-no.
In an incident that speaks volumes about our inherent inferiority complex and awe of the white man, security personnel looked on helplessly as Yuri Afnaseiv, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator for India, puffed away merrily just meters away from the main entrance into airport terminal, where smoking is a strict no-no.
India's Air Costa to expand licence to entail national ops
Air Costa is planning to expand its operational scope beyond its current
regional limitations Chief Financial Officer Vivek Choudhary has
disclosed. Speaking to India's Economic Times, Choudhary said his
airline had already made the relevant application to the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Airbus gets DGCA approval to extend life of Air India planes
French plane maker Airbus, which was in talks with state-owned airline
Air India to extend the life cycle of its aircraft, has got approval
from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to extend the life
of at least three planes nearing 20 years of age.
Officials at the ministry of civil aviation confirmed that Airbus has been granted approval to extend the life of three A-320 aircraft, which are nearing its dying age. “The approval has been given to extend the life by one-and-half years. These aircraft need to be in air till Air India replaces the old fleet by new leased aircraft,” said officials.
Officials at the ministry of civil aviation confirmed that Airbus has been granted approval to extend the life of three A-320 aircraft, which are nearing its dying age. “The approval has been given to extend the life by one-and-half years. These aircraft need to be in air till Air India replaces the old fleet by new leased aircraft,” said officials.
Goa from the skies – new offering for tourists
Panaji: So you’ve swum and lounged on a Goa beach. You’ve partied and
sampled Goa’s nightlife. You’ve been to the state’s temples, churches,
waterfalls and forests. Shell out Rs 2,000 more and you’ll soon be able
to view the splendour of the western Indian beach tourism destination
from up in the sky.
The seaplane service, which is all set to be operational ahead of this year’s tourism season, will also be of great assistance in search and rescue missions as well as to address coastal security concerns, Goa Tourism Development Corporation chairperson Nilesh Cabral told IANS here.
The seaplane service, which is all set to be operational ahead of this year’s tourism season, will also be of great assistance in search and rescue missions as well as to address coastal security concerns, Goa Tourism Development Corporation chairperson Nilesh Cabral told IANS here.
Terminal opens, row over airport name still on
Despite repeated appeals from the Punjab government to name the new
airport terminal in Chandigarh after freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, the
request was not granted even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
the international terminal Friday.
Three Indian airlines have ordered 600 GTF engines, says Pratt & Whitney
Hyderabad: Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies
Corporation, has announced that it has a strong order book of 600
new-generation Geared Turbofan (GTF) technology aircraft engines from
three airlines in India, accounting for nearly a tenth of the global
order book.
As pilots flex muscles, Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani cracks the whip
New Delhi: At a time when a section of pilots in national carrier Air India have been agitating against being removed from the ‘workmen’ category which essentially prevents them from participating in strikes, newly appointed chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani, in his first message to employees has said that the organisation will always maintain a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards indiscipline. In a letter dated September 11, 2015, Lohani has said that while Air India will take care of its ‘workforce’ and the management will take pro-active steps to ensure that staff grievances are resolved, “the organisation shall always maintain zero tolerance to indiscipline”.
SpiceJet flight makes successful night landing at VSI Airport
Port Blair: Night landing at the Veer Savarkar Airport here became a
reality with the first night landing of a Spice Jet flight operating in
the Kolkata-Port Blair-Kolkata sector here on Friday.
Lt Governor, Lt Gen (retd) A K Singh had been emphasizing the need for opening Port Blair airport for night flights considering its importance for the growth and development of these islands and also for exigencies, Raj Bhavan sources said.
Lt Governor, Lt Gen (retd) A K Singh had been emphasizing the need for opening Port Blair airport for night flights considering its importance for the growth and development of these islands and also for exigencies, Raj Bhavan sources said.
International operations fail to take off at Bhubaneswar airport
Bhubaneswar: In the two months since the first Air India flight (AI
078) took off from the Biju Patnaik International Airport with 38
overseas passengers, the airport's international operations have failed
miserably in attracting flyers.
On an average, the airport is getting only 30 international passengers daily. Of them, 60% are labourers going to various Gulf countries. On the first day, 38 passengers flew from here for various destinations, the highest so far.
On an average, the airport is getting only 30 international passengers daily. Of them, 60% are labourers going to various Gulf countries. On the first day, 38 passengers flew from here for various destinations, the highest so far.
Haj pilgrims stranded at airport as tickets found to be 'cancelled'
Mangaluru: Confusion prevailed at Mangaluru International Airport here
on Friday September 11 evening after 49 Haj pilgrims found that their
tickets had been 'cancelled' without any prior intimation.
It is said that 54 people bound for Haj pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, had booked their tickets through Akbar Travels in the city.
It is said that 54 people bound for Haj pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, had booked their tickets through Akbar Travels in the city.
No flight will be diverted from Amritsar Airport: Sukhbir
Amritsar: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today
asserted that no flight is being diverted from Amritsar Airport to any
other place since the state has taken up the issue with the Centre,
besides initiating efforts to launch more international and domestic
flights at Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport near here.
Dressing for flights
When on board or in international travel lounges, I would notice how
well-dressed some of the travellers were. They looked trendy and
comfortable. That’s when I decided to put a little thought into my
travel wardrobe. It really isn’t that hard. Start with the weather in
your city. We invariably tend to travel to colder places in the summer
months. If you land up at the airport in your woollens, you’re bound to
be sweating even before you take off. While it’s important to keep
comfort in mind, it doesn’t hurt to add a little style to your travel
outfit.
Consider these the next time you travel.
Consider these the next time you travel.
‘Waive airport fee for taxi aggregators’
Mumbai: Taxis plying for aggregators have to be parked at the
"pay-and-park" lot at domestic and international airports and the
additional burden is being borne by commuters, who end up paying Rs 110
in parking costs over and above the fare.
Said a regular Uber user, "At airports in other cities, there is no such additional charge. Why should we pay Rs 110 extra for a cab at Mumbai airport?
Said a regular Uber user, "At airports in other cities, there is no such additional charge. Why should we pay Rs 110 extra for a cab at Mumbai airport?
Two forge tickets to drop grandfather off at Mumbai airport
Two Vasai residents are detained by airport authorities for carrying
forged tickets so that they could drop off a family member who was
flying to London, inside the airport terminal.
John Markos D’Monte and Lisborn Lopes, both residents of Vasai, had bought tickets that mentioned their flight to be Vistara Airline’s Goa-bound UK 820 that was to depart at 1.25 pm.
John Markos D’Monte and Lisborn Lopes, both residents of Vasai, had bought tickets that mentioned their flight to be Vistara Airline’s Goa-bound UK 820 that was to depart at 1.25 pm.
Touts at airports reflect lack of effective policing
New Delhi: An auto-rickshaw driver, arrested for acting as a tout at the
domestic airport here, has been held guilty by a Delhi court which said
such illegal activities show "lack of effective policing" and bring bad
name to the country.
The court, however, did not sentence him to jail and imposed a fine of Rs 2,500 on him considering that he was poor and had shown remorse for his act.
The court, however, did not sentence him to jail and imposed a fine of Rs 2,500 on him considering that he was poor and had shown remorse for his act.
Airport Privatisation Plan Still on Radar
Hyderabad: Refuting reports on scrapping privatisation plan of four
airports, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Minister for Civil Aviation, said the
proposal was very much under consideration.
“Nobody has scrapped anything. The world is open. Everybody is functioning. The Government is functioning. We want to grow economically. Where we see economic opportunity, we will grow. Our thrust will be employment opportunities for Indian people,” he said.
He was speaking to media after inaugurating Pratt & Whitney’s customer training centre here on Thursday.
“Nobody has scrapped anything. The world is open. Everybody is functioning. The Government is functioning. We want to grow economically. Where we see economic opportunity, we will grow. Our thrust will be employment opportunities for Indian people,” he said.
He was speaking to media after inaugurating Pratt & Whitney’s customer training centre here on Thursday.
‘Indian aviation industry on the rise’
Hyderabad: The American aerospace manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, a
United Technology company, has sold close to 10 percent of its Geared
Turbofan (GTF) engines to Indian companies, Indigo, Aircosta and Go Air.
Over 600 engines out of 7,000 manufactured by the company were ordered
by the three companies, said Mary Ellen S. Jones, vice president,
commercial engines, sales Asia/Pacific and China.
Pratt & Whitney opened its customer training centre in the city inside the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport campus here on Thursday.
Pratt & Whitney opened its customer training centre in the city inside the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport campus here on Thursday.
As China slows, aviation bets on India’s aam aadmi
Hyderabad: Aircraft engine maker, Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United
Technologies Corp, on Thursday opened its India customer training centre
in Hyderabad, as India remains the only “bright spot” in the global
aviation market.
The centre, set up at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, is the third training centre of the company after the US and China — highlighting the importance that the company attaches to the Indian market. It was inaugurated by Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
While the economic slowdown has hit the growth markets like China, Russia, Brazil, and oil producing countries, the Indian aviation sector is expected to see a huge growth as more and more upwardly mobile middle class families shift to the air travel.
The centre, set up at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, is the third training centre of the company after the US and China — highlighting the importance that the company attaches to the Indian market. It was inaugurated by Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
While the economic slowdown has hit the growth markets like China, Russia, Brazil, and oil producing countries, the Indian aviation sector is expected to see a huge growth as more and more upwardly mobile middle class families shift to the air travel.
No plan to take off Robert Vadra from no-frisking list: MoS Civil Aviation
New Delhi: The Civil Aviation Ministry has no plans to remove the name
of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra from the
elite "no-frisking" list at domestic airports.
"We are not withdrawing Robert Vadra's name from the list. It is not on our radar," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma on Thursday.
"We are not withdrawing Robert Vadra's name from the list. It is not on our radar," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma on Thursday.
Nirvana lies in flying like Robert
New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government is considering requests from
yoga practitioner Baba Ramdev and self-styled godman Baba Gurmeet Ram
Rahim Singh to exempt them from frisking at airports.
The proposal comes at a time the Centre is undecided on whether to drop Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, Robert Vadra, from the list of VIPs exempted from airport security checks. Modi had attacked the "special treatment" for Vadra during his campaign speeches before last year's general election.
The proposal comes at a time the Centre is undecided on whether to drop Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, Robert Vadra, from the list of VIPs exempted from airport security checks. Modi had attacked the "special treatment" for Vadra during his campaign speeches before last year's general election.
Aviation security wing to get chief after three years
New Delhi: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation
security wing of the government, is likely to get a new chief in AP
Maheshwari, an Indian Police Service Officer from the 1984 batch, after a
gap of about three years.
Modi Inaugurates New Terminal at Chandigarh Airport
Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated a swanky new
terminal at Chandigarh airport which will handle both domestic as well
as international flights, and said it will play a key role in the
economic development of the region.
The ambitious Rs 939-crore project, which is being seen as a "harbinger" of regional development for the northern part of the country, will be operated and maintained by Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (CHIAL), a joint venture between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the governments of Punjab and Haryana.
The ambitious Rs 939-crore project, which is being seen as a "harbinger" of regional development for the northern part of the country, will be operated and maintained by Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (CHIAL), a joint venture between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the governments of Punjab and Haryana.
Govt projects Rs 24,000-cr cost to develop 14 greenfield airports
The government has estimated a total project cost of Rs 24,000 crore for
the development of 14 greenfield airports in the country. All these
projects will be undertaken by the Airport Authority of India (AAI),
which is responsible for the building, operating and maintaining
aviation infrastructure in the country.
Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani urges employees to work as cohesive force
New Delhi: Urging employees to work as a cohesive force in the interest
of the national carrier, Air India chief Ashwani Lohani today said there
would not be any compromise on the safety of passengers or operations.
Lohani, who recently took over as the chairman and managing director of the government-run airline, in a letter to the 27,000 employees today, said Air India is a brand, which needs to be revived with concerted efforts from all.
Lohani, who recently took over as the chairman and managing director of the government-run airline, in a letter to the 27,000 employees today, said Air India is a brand, which needs to be revived with concerted efforts from all.
Why Indigo proves once again its IPO will have many takers
Mumbai: Indigo could not have wished for a better timing for its
phenomenal performance. The company is planning to tap the primary
markets to raise money for its future growth capital, and its record
profit just made that job easier.
In FY15, the company posted a profit of Rs 1,304 crore - a growth of 2.8 times as per the company’s filling in its offer document. The sharp jump in profit has been despite its revenue growing by only 22% to Rs 13,925 crore. Profit before tax rose to Rs 1,847 crore from Rs 471 crore in the previous year.
In FY15, the company posted a profit of Rs 1,304 crore - a growth of 2.8 times as per the company’s filling in its offer document. The sharp jump in profit has been despite its revenue growing by only 22% to Rs 13,925 crore. Profit before tax rose to Rs 1,847 crore from Rs 471 crore in the previous year.
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