Vadodara: A slew of new facilities for passengers and visitors were launched at the new integrated terminal building of Vadodara airport on Saturday.Nearly two months after a restaurant facility was started at the security hold area of the new airport terminal, a second restaurant facility was inaugurated at the visitors area. Plus, we will shortly launch a medical counter which will be equipped with a doctor and supporting staff so that if there is any passenger in need of first aid, the first aid is provided on the spot and if the passenger is critical, he or she can be shifted to hospital with the help of the ambulance,” he said. Also, tactile paving facility to guide blind passengers and visitors coming at the airport was commissioned while the 108 emergency ambulance will remain stationed to assist in any medical emergency at the airport from now onwards.“Previously, the restaurant facility was started at the security hold area where passengers who were waiting in the boarding area could grab a meal before catching their flight,” said Vadodara airport director Charan Singh.
Tuesday, 27 March 2018
Trip to Munnar? You could fly there
Kochi:The tourists flocking to the destinations in Idukki and Wayanad could soon explore the possibility of touching down the hill stations on aircraft as the state government has asked the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) to conduct pre-feasibility study for constructing airstrips there.
Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) managing director M Beena told Express it "had already conducted a preliminary study at the proposed hill stations during the previous government's tenure and submitted reports. The pre-feasibility study seems to be a follow-up of that".Attempt to set up airstrip at Anakkara, Idukki and feeder airport at Panamaram, Wayanad had courted controversy after green activists and farmers opposed and forced the then government to ground the projects.
Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) managing director M Beena told Express it "had already conducted a preliminary study at the proposed hill stations during the previous government's tenure and submitted reports. The pre-feasibility study seems to be a follow-up of that".Attempt to set up airstrip at Anakkara, Idukki and feeder airport at Panamaram, Wayanad had courted controversy after green activists and farmers opposed and forced the then government to ground the projects.
Visakhapatnam airport gets a big thumbs up from international flyers
Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ) has registered a big growth in the number of international fliers, as per the latest air traffic report.
According to the report, a total 14,351 international passengers travelled through VTZ in January 2018 as against 10,221 in the corresponding period of 2017. In the month of January alone, VTZ has registered a 40.4% growth this year compared to last year’s figures.
Overall between April 2017 and January 2018, VTZ witnessed a total of 1,10,895 international passengers. The corresponding figure in 2016-17 (April-January) was only 81,650, which is a growth rate of 35.8%.
The growth rate is attributed to several reasons, which includes an increase in the number of international flights from VTZ to international destinations like Singapore, Colombo, Malaysia, Dubai among others. While the airport registered 158 international flights in January 2018, the number was 122 in January 2017.
According to the report, a total 14,351 international passengers travelled through VTZ in January 2018 as against 10,221 in the corresponding period of 2017. In the month of January alone, VTZ has registered a 40.4% growth this year compared to last year’s figures.
Overall between April 2017 and January 2018, VTZ witnessed a total of 1,10,895 international passengers. The corresponding figure in 2016-17 (April-January) was only 81,650, which is a growth rate of 35.8%.
The growth rate is attributed to several reasons, which includes an increase in the number of international flights from VTZ to international destinations like Singapore, Colombo, Malaysia, Dubai among others. While the airport registered 158 international flights in January 2018, the number was 122 in January 2017.
54 daily flight operations from Vijayawada airport
Vijayawada: Gannavaram airport, which is transforming into a major travel hub in South India, will achieving a milestone of 50 flights per day from Friday. The airport, which saw less than 10 flights per day before the bifurcation, will have 54 flights a day, connecting seven cities.
Gannavaram airport director P Madhusudan inaugurated the first service to Kadapa on Thursday, and handed over boarding passes to 45 passengers. "This is the first service to Kadapa under UDAN- Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN-RCS). The flight departs Vijayawada at 8.05 am, and reaches Kadapa within an hour. It takes the return journey from Kadapa to Vijayawada at 09.30 am," he said.
Gannavaram airport director P Madhusudan inaugurated the first service to Kadapa on Thursday, and handed over boarding passes to 45 passengers. "This is the first service to Kadapa under UDAN- Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN-RCS). The flight departs Vijayawada at 8.05 am, and reaches Kadapa within an hour. It takes the return journey from Kadapa to Vijayawada at 09.30 am," he said.
New Air India Milan Director
Rajender Kumar is the new Director of Air India Milan. He is being entrusted with the management of the territory of Northern Italy within the geographical boundaries with the official title of “Station Manager Milano” whose activities extend to the management of Air India flights to Milan Malpensa airport.
During the 35 years of activity with Air India which started in Amristar in 1982, R. Kumar has held important positions at the New Delhi office with tasks in the field of tourism and public relations, as well as the sales department and sales unit.
During the 35 years of activity with Air India which started in Amristar in 1982, R. Kumar has held important positions at the New Delhi office with tasks in the field of tourism and public relations, as well as the sales department and sales unit.
Skies clear for India’s aviation industry to take off in a big way
New Delhi: Aviation is a great industry. It is a force for good in the world that generates wealth—both material and of the human spirit. It has enormous potential—particularly in this region.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said: “These are good times for the global air transport industry. Safety performance is solid. We have a clear strategy that is delivering results on environmental performance. More people than ever are travelling. The demand for air cargo is at its strongest level in over a decade. Employment is growing. More routes are being opened. Airlines are achieving sustainable levels of profitability. It’s still, however, a tough business, and we are being challenged on the cost front by rising fuel, labour and infrastructure expenses.”
All the signs are positive. The future looks bright and without turbulence. The upswing in policy support, conducive business conditions, varied investment opportunities, open markets for foreign direct investments (FDI) and increased investments have been reflected in growing aircraft fleet size, strategic location, a trained pool of highly skilled engineering expertise clubbed with lower labour cost—all of these coming together as an entity.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said: “These are good times for the global air transport industry. Safety performance is solid. We have a clear strategy that is delivering results on environmental performance. More people than ever are travelling. The demand for air cargo is at its strongest level in over a decade. Employment is growing. More routes are being opened. Airlines are achieving sustainable levels of profitability. It’s still, however, a tough business, and we are being challenged on the cost front by rising fuel, labour and infrastructure expenses.”
All the signs are positive. The future looks bright and without turbulence. The upswing in policy support, conducive business conditions, varied investment opportunities, open markets for foreign direct investments (FDI) and increased investments have been reflected in growing aircraft fleet size, strategic location, a trained pool of highly skilled engineering expertise clubbed with lower labour cost—all of these coming together as an entity.
Saturday, 24 March 2018
Vijayawada airport becomes the 50th destination of IndiGo
Vijayawada: With IndiGo launching its services from Vijayawada on Friday, the airport at Gannavaram has reached a ‘milestone’, as airport director G Madhusudhan Rao points out, of handling over 50 aircraft movements per day. With the addition of IndiGo’s services to Hyderabad, and two each to Bengaluru and Chennai, the airport now has 53 aircraft movements, to be precise.
Speaking after the inauguration of new services, Madhusudhan Rao said that more services to destinations like Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai and others were on the anvil.
Speaking after the inauguration of new services, Madhusudhan Rao said that more services to destinations like Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai and others were on the anvil.
Passengers want reduction in airline cancellation charges
New Delhi: India is the third largest air-travel market in the world and is witnessing a constant double-digit growth, with each passing year.
With airlines offering extraordinarily low fares, people’s preference is shifting towards them and they don’t mind booking tickets three to six months in advance. But these low fares come with strict cancellation charges and limited baggage allowance in many cases.
According to a survey by leading community social media platform, LocalCircles, most consumers in India want the airline cancellation charges to be 20 percent of airfare.
On the other hand, 57 percent citizens want excess baggage charges to be reduced to Rs. 100 per kilo.
With airlines offering extraordinarily low fares, people’s preference is shifting towards them and they don’t mind booking tickets three to six months in advance. But these low fares come with strict cancellation charges and limited baggage allowance in many cases.
According to a survey by leading community social media platform, LocalCircles, most consumers in India want the airline cancellation charges to be 20 percent of airfare.
On the other hand, 57 percent citizens want excess baggage charges to be reduced to Rs. 100 per kilo.
Israel Seeks Green Light to Fly via Saudi Airspace Direct to India
Israel’s national airline, El Al, has asked the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to help obtain use of Saudi Arabia’s airspace on its Israel-India flights.
El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin asked Alexandre de Juniac, head of the world airline industry trade association, to intervene in order to prevent discrimination and “an uneven playing field,” according to Reuters.
“I am approaching you and kindly requesting IATA to intervene and to represent aviation industry’s interest by advocating equal overfly rights for all carriers over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and opposing any form of discrimination,” the letter said.
El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin asked Alexandre de Juniac, head of the world airline industry trade association, to intervene in order to prevent discrimination and “an uneven playing field,” according to Reuters.
“I am approaching you and kindly requesting IATA to intervene and to represent aviation industry’s interest by advocating equal overfly rights for all carriers over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and opposing any form of discrimination,” the letter said.
DHL launches first Service Center in Goa
Goa: Affirming its commitment to ‘ease of trade’ in India, DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, today inaugurated its first service center in Goa. Located in Verna, DHL Express’ 47th service point in India will cater to the substantial growth of imports and exports in the State.
The new 3088 sq. ft. facility, located in close proximity to the Goa International Airport, will benefit customers in the industrial hubs of Verna, Vasco, Madgaon, Ponda, Panjim, Mapusa, through the timely connection of shipments.
Goa has emerged as a strong manufacturing base for the pharmaceutical and engineering sector. It is a preferred choice for overseas customers while sourcing from India. It is also an emerging destination for knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology, IT, telecommunications and electronics.
The new 3088 sq. ft. facility, located in close proximity to the Goa International Airport, will benefit customers in the industrial hubs of Verna, Vasco, Madgaon, Ponda, Panjim, Mapusa, through the timely connection of shipments.
Goa has emerged as a strong manufacturing base for the pharmaceutical and engineering sector. It is a preferred choice for overseas customers while sourcing from India. It is also an emerging destination for knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology, IT, telecommunications and electronics.
Aviation multi-skill development centre opens in Chandigarh
New Delhi: An aviation multi-skill development centre (MSDC) was opened in Chandigarh by aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday. A CSR initiative of Airports Authority of India (AAI), this first-of-its-kind centre has been set up in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and is supported by the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) of India.
"This centre which will train about 2,400 youth and women in eight aviation job roles over the next three years has already received a very enthusiastic response. I would like to see many more such centres for aviation skill development to be set up across the country," said Raju.
"This centre which will train about 2,400 youth and women in eight aviation job roles over the next three years has already received a very enthusiastic response. I would like to see many more such centres for aviation skill development to be set up across the country," said Raju.
Flyers won’t have to pay user fee after 2018
Chennai: The country’s airport tariffs regulator has suggested to Airports Authority of India that it not charge flyers user development fee (UDF) at Chennai International Airport from next year.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) recommended that AAI, AII facilty’s operator, discontinue the charge — a contentious issue due to the airport’s capacity constraints amd limited amenities — because it failed to use money it collected to develop the airport in the past five years.
AAI has in recent years collected between Rs 250 crore and Rs 300 crore and more as UDF annually.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) recommended that AAI, AII facilty’s operator, discontinue the charge — a contentious issue due to the airport’s capacity constraints amd limited amenities — because it failed to use money it collected to develop the airport in the past five years.
AAI has in recent years collected between Rs 250 crore and Rs 300 crore and more as UDF annually.
Know your rights when you fly: Government to ask airlines to educate flyers
The government is working on an exhaustive charter of passenger rights and is likely to ask airlines to take steps for educating first time flyers.
While number of air passengers have surged in Indian sky, there has been increasing tension resulting in number of unpleasant incidents involving airline staff and flyers. In 2017, domestic air traffic surged 17.4 per cent to cross the 100-million mark — a first for Indian skies thanks to low fares, an addition of new flights and economic growth.
Government officials say out of these at least a quarter are first-time flyers and they need to be made more aware of their rights protocols while catching a flight.
While number of air passengers have surged in Indian sky, there has been increasing tension resulting in number of unpleasant incidents involving airline staff and flyers. In 2017, domestic air traffic surged 17.4 per cent to cross the 100-million mark — a first for Indian skies thanks to low fares, an addition of new flights and economic growth.
Government officials say out of these at least a quarter are first-time flyers and they need to be made more aware of their rights protocols while catching a flight.
Friday, 23 March 2018
With aviation sector taking off strongly, more women taking to the skies
Compared with other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region, the UAE has more women pilots, captains, aircraft engineers, mechanics, aircraft maintenance and air traffic controllers, among others.
Thirteen of the 15 countries with the lowest rates of women participating in their labour force are in the MENA.
Emirates currently employs nearly 27,000 women, making up 42 percent of the group’s workforce, including women pilots who includes the youngest Emirati female pilot operating the world’s biggest aircraft, A380, of which it is the world’s largest operator. Over 60 of more than 4,000 pilots employed by Emirates are females.
Etihad Airways currently employs over 2,850 Emirati women covering various roles, including 50 female pilots and also the first Emirati woman registered as a specialist in aviation medicine. Over 50 percent of the airline’s 13,000 strong workforce are women and the airline is keen to narrow the gender gap further.
Air Arabia employs women staff, including the first female Emirati holder of a multi-crew pilots, MPL, licence. Two years ago, the UAE became the first country in the world to launch an all-woman operated airline services company.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, said, "Women have played a key role in the success and development of the aviation industry in the UAE. With the region experiencing high passenger growth, and with more airlines, aircraft and flights in service, as well as more routes being served than ever before, there has never been a better time for women to build a successful career in the aviation industry than now."
Thirteen of the 15 countries with the lowest rates of women participating in their labour force are in the MENA.
Emirates currently employs nearly 27,000 women, making up 42 percent of the group’s workforce, including women pilots who includes the youngest Emirati female pilot operating the world’s biggest aircraft, A380, of which it is the world’s largest operator. Over 60 of more than 4,000 pilots employed by Emirates are females.
Etihad Airways currently employs over 2,850 Emirati women covering various roles, including 50 female pilots and also the first Emirati woman registered as a specialist in aviation medicine. Over 50 percent of the airline’s 13,000 strong workforce are women and the airline is keen to narrow the gender gap further.
Air Arabia employs women staff, including the first female Emirati holder of a multi-crew pilots, MPL, licence. Two years ago, the UAE became the first country in the world to launch an all-woman operated airline services company.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, said, "Women have played a key role in the success and development of the aviation industry in the UAE. With the region experiencing high passenger growth, and with more airlines, aircraft and flights in service, as well as more routes being served than ever before, there has never been a better time for women to build a successful career in the aviation industry than now."
Bengaluru, now check in your flight using your web kiosk in airport buses
In a bid to increase the ridership in its airport buses, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has started providing a web check-in kiosk inside the bus on a test basis.
Currently, buses from Electronic City to the airport (KIAS-8) have been installed with this facility as part of BMTC’s second pilot project. The first such pilot project was undertaken on buses plying from Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station) to the airport.
With this facility, passengers can print their boarding passes beforehand and head straight for security checks, skipping the long queues at airline counters. This will be especially beneficial to those customers who do not have any check-in luggage and are travelling only with hand baggage.
Currently, buses from Electronic City to the airport (KIAS-8) have been installed with this facility as part of BMTC’s second pilot project. The first such pilot project was undertaken on buses plying from Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station) to the airport.
With this facility, passengers can print their boarding passes beforehand and head straight for security checks, skipping the long queues at airline counters. This will be especially beneficial to those customers who do not have any check-in luggage and are travelling only with hand baggage.
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