Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Air India to receive first Boeing by month-end
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Decision on Air India, Indian merger soon
Once merged, the airlines expect their market share to touch 40% in both the domestic and international markets. The present market share of Air India stands at 19%, while that of Indian Airlines is 22%. The two airlines have already sought the consent of the employees and have assured them through letters given to every employee that there will be no retrenchment. After the merger of the two airlines, which is expected to come through by the end of the current fiscal, the government plans to raise money for financing the newly purchased aircraft through an initial public offer. With a stronger balance sheet, the merged entity is expected to get a better valuation. The merger entity, with a fleet of 150 aircraft, would feature in the top five airlines in Asia and be able to take on competition from established players like Singapore Airlines. After the GoM zero in on the path to be followed for the merger, the proposal will be placed before the Cabinet for its approval. The group of ministers comprises the ministers of defence, finance, tourism and culture, company affairs, law, civil aviation, minister of state for personnel and deputy chairman of planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia. External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee will chair the GoM.
AAI gets nod to offer ground handling
AAI has also shown interest in developing the city side of the 35 non-metro airports as a major part of the company’s revenue in 2005-06 came from non-aeronautical services. After Delhi and Mumbai airports’ modernization being taken up private players, the two airports that generated maximum revenues AAI looking for other pastures. In 2005-06 of the Authority’s total revenues of Rs 3,490 crore, Delhi and Mumbai contributed Rs 1,328 crore in revenue (that too not taking into account route navigation and landing charges), ie, 38% of the total revenues were generated by only the two metro airports. The AAI has also contended that since at the smaller airports there was no landing and parking charges for below 100 seater aircraft, which usually operated out f the small airports, the air-side revenues from these airports was very small. That was the reason the airports Authority wanted to take up the development and management of the city-side of the airports. The Committee on Infrastructure (CoI) had earlier set up a task force lead by Anwarul Hoda, a member of the Plan panel. The Task Force has recommended that for the non-metro airports, the city-side development be undertaken through PPPs while the airside development is carried out the Airport Authority of India, keeping open the possibility of PPPs in select airports.
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Chandigarh International airport project takes off slowly
Canadian avionics firm to enter India
Monday, November 27, 2006
Indian in joint venture with Snecma
Jet Airways may get nod for Gulf flights
Civil aviation minister Praful Patel said “The aviation industry is witnessing dynamic changes globally. We need to respond to these changes.” Officials said a review of aviation policy would begin in January. The idea of allowing private airlines to fly overseas was to enable strong Indian competition to foreign carriers, they added. The situation has changed since the time Gulf was reserved for government-owned carriers, they explained. The government’s rethink is partially due to the decision to merge the two PSU airlines. Post-merger, the government expects to see a strong carrier capable of meeting global competition and this may obliviate the need to provide support in terms of exclusivity to the Gulf market. Originally, the Gulf was to be the exclusive preserve of A-I and Indian till ’08. Then, the government looked at extending this till ’10, since fleet acquisition by the two carriers got delayed. The current proposal indicates that the entire policy scenario seems to be going through a major churn. Entry into the Gulf market will be a booster for Jet, which is preparing for flights to the US next summer.
Government may up FDI in aviation to 74%
24x7 restaurant at Delhi airport
This winter is going to be different for air travelers. No, flights will not take off during dense fog. However, passengers can now look forward to piping hot food while waiting for their flight, available right next to the domestic airport. As part of its measures to tackle fog-related problems, the Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL) will ensure that passengers stranded due to flight delays are served food and beverages in special, heated tents. However, the food will be only for ticket holders. DIAL has, however, ensured that visitors, too, are not left out in the cold. A 24-hour restaurant – ‘Balaji Express’ – was recently opened just outside terminal 1-B at the Delhi Airport. The restaurant specializes in south Indian delicacies but also offers north Indian favourites and other cuisine. DIAL had awarded the contract to PK Hospitality Services to run the restaurant. Airport officials said that usually a lot of people come to just see off passengers and are not provided any such facility. Even many of the snack bars and lounges inside the airport are not accessible to visitors. As the new restaurant will open 24 hours, they can now have a hearty meal without even entering the terminal.
As for passengers, DIAL will be putting up ‘portacabins’ facing the terminal and has cleared a lot of area in front of 1-B for that purpose. “We are talking to caterers for additional food arrangements for passengers. The portacabins will be heated by non-polluting oil heaters,” said Arun Arora, Vice President (corporate communication), DIAL. “Keeping in mind the rush of passengers and visitors when flights are delayed, we wanted this restaurant to start before winter sets in,” he said. The restaurant was built and opened as fast as possible and some finishing work is still going on. DIAL is also planning similar restaurants in the International airport by early next year. The restaurant, which can accommodate more than 100 people at a time, has already become quite popular with passengers and visitors and also airport and airlines employees. “There are snack bars and lounges inside the airport but they mostly offer items like pastries and sandwiches. The prices are a bit prohibitive too,” said an airlines employee who did not want to be named. “We have our lunch here everyday as the food is very affordable,” he said.
Lost Jetstar luggage ? Call India !
First batch of 470 pilgrims leave for Mecca
Indian engineer invents device for safer landings by aircraft
The current practice of ignoring directional effects could result in reports of unduly high values of MOR and thus of runway visual range, which could prove dangerous for a pilot landing an aircraft, said Pichamuthu, now a professor of electronics and communication engineering at Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology in Bangalore. The device would prove helpful to pilots particularly during exigencies, when they have little time to modify the aircraft's flight path. During research, Pichamuthu's device was tested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, which experiences foggy conditions and a high degree of sunlight frequently. The MOR values were assessed with the manual method used at the airport and with Pichamuthu's device, which was found to make more realistic assessments. "The device can be fitted to runway visual range instruments and require minor modifications to the software," he said. Pichamuthu, who has been honoured with the prestigious Vilho Vaisla Award by the World Meteorological Organisation, said, "I would not like to patent my invention, as it is for greater common good."
IAF to build country's first aerospace museum
Group Captain R.Vijay Kumar in-charge of the museum project revealed that an Expression of Interest (EoI) was sent across the country to attract the best talent for the design of the museum, for which 20 architects responded. The phase I of the architect design was completed and now the second phase of the concept design and discussions would take place, he added. The committee for the museum construction comprises IAF personnel, engineers from the private sector, the Director of the National Museum and members of the Architect Association of India. With simulators for visitors of all kinds of aircraft in the IAF's inventory, the museum sure seems to be a hit among spectators and notch up tourism revenue, considering the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
'Anti-fog system not worth the expense'
Also, while A-320s are CAT-IIIB compliant, some Boeing 737s aren't. Airlines with Boeings would, therefore, be reluctant to use it. Jet's VP, flight operations (Trg) Capt Ray Heiniger says their A-340/330 pilots are CAT-II qualified. "Expat pilots are trained on CAT-IIIA/B. Many of B-737 pilots are CAT-II qualified. We plan to train all pilots on wide-bodied planes (A-330/340, B777) on CAT-III A/B to meet our international requirements." However, some 737s have to be upgraded to CAT-III and new pilots don't have the experience for CAT-II, he says. For low-cost carriers, upgrading planes and training pilots isn't easy. IA spends nearly Rs 3 lakh per pilot and Rs 2 lakh each on refresher courses every six months. Airlines say they would first like airports to be upgraded. Pilots must first be trained on CAT-1, then move to CAT-II. What about CAT-IIIC which allows airlines to land in zero visibility? "That calls for blind take-off and landing. The whole area will have to be sanitised. It's not feasible,"says the AAI source.
Good response to Gulf Air services
Business jet makers see enormous potential overseas
Zhang Yue's company, Broad Air Conditioning, was the first industrial company in China to own a business jet. The company, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, now owns two Cessna Citations. The use of business jets in mainland China is limited -- only 40 corporate jets are based in the entire country. But that figure is expected long term to grow to about 300, according to Bombardier Aerospace. Worldwide, demand for business jets is surging, especially in Europe. In addition, China, Russia and India are emerging markets and will eventually be major contributors to overall demand, said Bombardier officials. While U.S. demand is strong, "we are seeing faster growth in the international markets," said Roger Whyte, Cessna senior vice president for sales and marketing. "Where we're seeing real volume growth is in Europe at the moment." In response to the higher demand, planemakers like Raytheon, Cessna and Bombardier Aerospace are increasing their sales and marketing efforts overseas.
The use of business jets in the former Soviet Union also is on the rise. While only 44 corporate jets are registered in the Russian federation, more are in service. Owners are more likely to register their aircraft outside Russia because of high taxes. "They're trying to change that," McGeough said. The Middle East also has opened up. "At one time in Saudi Arabia, you had to be very high up in the royal family to have your own jet," Whyte said. "That's all gone away, and business people are able to have their own jets." In India, airlines are expanding but the country isn't training pilots quickly enough, he said, a fact the government there is finally realizing. "We're expecting to see expansion in the training markets there," Whyte said. And Indian companies are becoming more accustomed to the idea of having a business jet. There are 54 business jets based in India, according to AvData. The long-term potential is about 200, according to Bombardier Aerospace officials. And in China, there is "tremendous opportunity," McGeough said.
The biggest challenges are government regulations, which control the air space. When corporate jet operators want to fly, they have to file an application well in advance of the trip, Whyte said. "You don't have the flexibility to decide when you want to go," he said. In addition, China has less than 200 airports. By comparison, the United States has 19,000, of which 4,000 to 5,000 are regularly used by business aircraft, he said. Once airspace restrictions are lifted, "we think we will see very healthy growth in that area," Whyte said.
Butterfly park inaugurated near Bangalore
Thar Express likely to resume in January
Malaysia expects 3.5 lakh tourists from India
Inclement weather in Bangalore delays flights
Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath via New Delhi from Nov 29
Saturday, November 25, 2006
IndiGo takes delivery of its 5th brand new Airbus A320
Air Sahara back in business
No job cuts after Air India, Indian merger
Goverment likely to open up air cargo space
Air India plans IPO after merger with Indian
Thulasidas said a formal decision on the merger is awaiting Cabinet approval. The issue is likely to be taken up on Monday by the Empowered Group of Ministers following which it will be sent to Cabinet for final approval, he said. He said Air-India had also taken an in-principle decision to join an airline alliance. Joining an alliance will help India's international carrier provide better connectivity to its passengers in sectors where Air-India does not operate. Thulasidas said the airline was in talks with Star Alliance, One World and Sky Team. "We are in talks with all three airline alliances and will shortly announce the name of the alliance which we join," he said.
Air Sahara files claim against Jet Airways
The Air Sahara line is that the transaction should have been completed because the conditions precedent were either fulfilled or capable of being fulfilled by Air Sahara. While Jet has named former India chief justice SP Bharucha as its arbitrator, Sahara has brought in Justice BP Jeevan Reddy, also a Supreme Court judge. The break-up came about after the Jet Airways management had virtually taken over operations of Air Sahara. Jet Airways walked out of the deal in June, saying the “conditions precedent” to the deal were not met. The final sticking point was the government’s delay in approving Jet chairman Naresh Goyal’s appointment to the Air Sahara board. Air Sahara countered that Jet had engineered this impasse by delaying request for the approval as a way of extricating itself from the deal.
Airlines to reschedule winter flights
India, Turkey to promote tourism
Friday, November 24, 2006
Air India set to join Star Alliance
Air Sahara eyes capacity expansion
15,000 more air seats a day in November
Open Sky Policy with ASEAN by 2012 only
“Although we have not signed an agreement, a direction to move forward has been set. We have to work for a larger framework of aviation cooperation and we will be able to learn from their experiences,” Patel said. Asked about an Open Sky policy with EU, Patel said, “Not immediately, since we have bilateral agreements with member states.” Adding that no firm commitment had been made in that direction, Patel said EU was looking at a broad horizontal agreement with India and the Government was examining it. Beginning Thursday, the two day Indo-EU Aviation Summit is being jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General for Energy & Transport of the European Commission. The Summit intends to bring together top-level policy makers and industry executives from all sectors involved in the European and Indian aviation and aerospace industries and services providing an important platform for enhancing cooperation between the EU and India in aviation. The potential areas of cooperation between India and EU include political and regulatory developments in aviation, developments in EU-India passenger and cargo markets, infrastructure needs and investment opportunities in the aviation sector, safety and security policies and co-operation, new challenges in commercial aircraft technology and air traffic management and technological and industrial cooperation.
India, EU ink civil aviation pact
Barrot said he was looking particularly at developing closer ties on the technical front and pilot training and was also happy that the India and European Aviation Safety Agency would work more closely with each other. “We are happy to open the doors for India to join the programme. There is a need to improve airport infrastructure as the traffic s expected to double or triple in the near future. India will be facing similar problems that we faced in the past. We will be glad to share our experience in the field.” Reportedly, the Prime Minister’s Trade and Economic Relations Committee had said that the aviation ministry should make an effort towards an open skies policy with Asian by 2012.Speaking on the issue, the minister insisted that to set such an early deadline would be unrealistic as the ministry would first have to take into account the interest of the Indian carriers. Though he said that he does not oppose any negotiations on open skies with Asean but to be able to compete successfully, the Indian carriers should be allowed to grow and take on competition with the bigger carriers like Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways etc.
Singapore Airlines eyeing new destinations
Go no frills and get a crore thrills
Projection for the current year marks a quantum leap in passenger volume, partly driven by the increased number of LCCs, Go Air and Indigo being the new entrants. Air Deccan, the leader in the LCC market, is set to double its traffic in ’06. “We expect to carry close to 18 lakh passengers from October to December this year,” said GR Gopinath, MD of Deccan Aviation. Air Deccan is estimated to carry 60 lakh passengers for the full year as against 30 lakh in ’05. According to the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air Deccan carried 41.1 lakh passengers, SpiceJet carried 15.2 lakh and Go Air carried 5.29 lakh passengers till September ’06. IndiGo, which launched its operations in August, carried 0.71 lakh passengers till September this year. SpiceJet has projected around 7 lakh passengers from October to December.
Railways considering using biogas, biodiesel, wind energy
Govt to spend Rs 40 cr to give modern look to Taj surroundings
Tourists flock to Kaziranga despite unrest
Thursday, November 23, 2006
GoAir introduces new routes to Ahmedabad, Delhi & Hyderabad
Commenting on the commencement of its new sectors and addition of its newest aircraft to the fleet Mr. Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, GoAir said, “We are happy to announce the addition of our 7th Airbus A320 to our fleet. Our route and fleet strategy is on schedule per plan. Our routes provide connectivity to sectors that have huge potential and have high load factors. Our new routes are within the 13 cities already covered by GoAir giving passengers better connectivity.” “GoAir is committed to providing passengers with the best value proposition in the LCC segment today and will continue to drive ourselves towards providing not just the best cost option but the best value-for-money proposition in the industry,” he added. GoAir currently operates 7 Airbus A320 aircraft connecting 13 cities with 61 flights.