Page 20 - Airlines

DGCA unlikely to extend June 1 deadline to implement new FDTL rules

In a bid to ensure better fatigue management, the DGCA on January 8 revamped the FDTL regulations

Matter 'practically settled' with Celestial Aviation: SpiceJet to NCLT

Counsel for Celestial told the tribunal that while they have received payments, the airline missed certain agreed-on deadlines for payment

Airtel announces in-flight connectivity for users on international routes

Partnership with UK-based Aeromobile will allow Airtel users surf the web, make online calls on 19 global carriers

SpiceJet raises additional Rs 316 crore through preferential share issue

SpiceJet on Thursday said it has secured an additional Rs 316 crore, taking its total funds raised to Rs 1,060 crore through a preferential share issue. The fresh capital infusion in the struggling airline comes amid its recent announcement of slashing its workforce by 10-15 per cent. In January SpiceJet had received Rs 744 crore as the first tranche of funds through the allotment of securities on a preferential basis. On December 12, the airline had said it would raise fresh capital of Rs 2,250 crore through issuance of securities. "SpiceJet has raised an additional Rs 316 crore, bringing the total investments raised to Rs 1,060 crore under its preferential issue," the airline said in a statement. It added, "The Preferential Allotment Committee of SpiceJet's Board Directors convened on February 21, 2024, approved the allotment of 4.01 crore equity shares on a preferential basis to two investors, including Aries Opportunities Fund Limited." The committee also sanctioned the allot

A-I enters into 12-yr pact with SIA Engineering Co for A320 family planes

Air India has entered into a 12-year agreement with SIA Engineering Company Ltd for extensive component support coverage for the airline's A320 family planes. "Under this 12-year agreement, Air India Group's current fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft will receive extensive component support coverage from SIAEC. "Besides access to its inventory pool, SIAEC (together with its subsidiaries and joint venture companies with Original Equipment Manufacturers) will also provide repair and overhaul services for airframe and on-wing engine component," the airline said in a release on Wednesday. Air India has inked an agreement with SIAEC for Inventory Technical Management (ITM). Currently, Air India has around 60 planes from the A320 family, including 320s and 321s, in its total fleet of 123 aircraft. It has also placed an order for 210 A320 family aircraft. Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Campbell Wilson said the collaboration will further bolster our repairs and .

'Demographics in India provide optimal condition for low-cost carriers'

India's unique demographics have created an optimal environment for the development of new local Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) that are likely to deploy both wide- and narrow-body aircraft to cope with demand on domestic routes, an aviation sector expert here said. "Travellers will look for lower cost options and this will help LCCs grow much faster than the more premium Full-Service Carriers (FSCs) in India," says Joshua Ng, a director at the Singapore-based Alton Aviation Consultancy on Wednesday. He noted that the type of aircraft flying domestic destinations will depend on the route demand and the connectivity between mega cities, as well as the capacities at new airports being built across the country. LCCs are well positioned to capture and stimulate new demand in the country, given the vast territory and large population, Joshua told PTI after chairing a session at the Advanced Air Mobility Forum being held here from Feb 20-25. He said the LCCs in India were also an alternative t

American Airlines raises bag fees, changing how customers earn flyer points

American Airlines is pushing customers to buy tickets directly from the airline if they want to earn frequent-flyer points, and it is raising the cost of checking bags. American announced on Tuesday that most customers will have to buy tickets directly from the airline or its partner carriers if they want to earn points in its AAdvantage loyalty programme. Corporate travellers won't be affected by the change. The airline said checking a bag will rise from USD 30 now to USD 35 online and USD 40 if purchased at the airport. The fee for a second checked bag will rise from USD 40 to USD 45 both online and at the airport. American says it last raised bag fees in 2018. The changes affect flights booked on or after Tuesday for travel within the United States and to nearby international destinations including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The airline will generally allow customers to check at least one bag free if they hold status in American's loyalty programme, buy a premium-class

Airlines witness dip in use of freight-carrying capacity in January

Passenger load factor also sees decline after year-end jump

A-I to upgrade Boeing 777, 787 fleet with Thales entertainment system

Air India's existing fleet of 40 Boeing 777s and 787s will be upgraded with Thales' inflight entertainment system. The fleet will be upgraded with AVANT Up inflight entertainment solution, according to a release on Monday. "Thales will upgrade and retrofit Air India's current fleet of 40 Boeing 777s and 787s with its state-of-the-art AVANT Up system, starting in 2024 and continuing through 2025," it said. Further, Thales will install the system on Air India's 11 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft with deliveries to commence in 2025. Thales is into developing advanced technologies within three domains -- defence & security, aeronautics & space, and digital identity & security.

With 11.9 mn arrivals, India tops list for number of passengers in Dubai

India emerged at the top spot for the highest number of passengers flying through the Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, with traffic totalling 11.9 million guests, the airport announced on Monday. According to a statement, the Dubai airport, known as DXB, surpassed not only its own yearly forecast but also pre-pandemic levels of traffic. In 2023, DXB witnessed a surge in passenger numbers, reaching 86.9 million passengers (86,994,365), an impressive year-on-year increase of 31.7 per cent. It was just under a per cent higher than the passenger numbers recorded in 2019 (86.4 million), the numbers were driven by robust growth in the second half of the year during which the airport recorded a total of 45.4 million guests. With 7.8 million guests, December was the busiest month in the fourth quarter during which the airport welcomed a total of 22.4 million guests, a year-on-year growth of 13.8 per cent compared to Q4 of last year. Q3 remained the

Singapore to impose green fuel levy on flights, passengers to bear costs

Under the European model, the carrier pays for the blended fuel and decides whether the cost will be passed on to passengers in ticket prices

DGGI summons officials of foreign airlines over tax evasion: Report

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) was seeking clarification over payment of crew salaries and staff expenses at the offices of the international airlines, the report said

Ola sets up cab zone at Chennai int'l airport for airline passengers

Ride-hailing platform Ola Mobility has set up Ola Zone at the Chennai International Airport here, aimed at serving the passengers who need a ride for their local journeys, the company said on Wednesday. The launch of service at the airport comes in the backdrop of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Airports Authority of India and OLA Cabs with an intent to provide and ensure the presence of multiple facilities of ground transportation for the convenience of passengers traveling through the airports. The Ola Zone, similar to the cab services currently available at the airport, allows customers to book a ride at the Ola Zone to take up their local journey, instead of availing the services through the Ola mobile application. Booking assistance would be provided at the dedicated kiosks for the travelers who would receive all charges in a single bill, while the drivers would be able to benefit from a cashless checkout system, eliminating payments at entry and exits of the

Passenger finds screw in food, IndiGo says not reported during journey

An IndiGo passenger has claimed that he found a screw in a sandwich served by the airline, which on Tuesday said the issue was not reported to it during the journey. The passenger shared his experience on social media along with a picture of the sandwich that he had after deboarding the aircraft. "We are aware of the image circulating on social media with reference to a customer sharing their experience on flight 6E-904 operating between Bengaluru- Chennai on February 1, 2024. The issue was not reported by the passenger during the journey," IndiGo said in a statement. The airline said it regretted the inconvenience caused to the passenger but did not specify details about the image that was being circulated. "Our in-flight meals are sourced from reputable and highly regarded caterers to maintain the highest standards of quality and hygiene. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passenger and remain committed to providing the best possible in-flight experience and ensuring ...

DGCA issues guidelines to prevent runway incursions, calls for training

Aviation regulator issues circular after Jan 2 accident at Haneda Airport in Tokyo

Airlines record lowest on-time figures in 11 months in Jan amid fog issues

DGCA and aviation security regulator Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on January 17 came down heavily on three airlines namely IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India

Boeing 'undoubtedly' making progress on quality issues: Avolon CEO

Boeing has been under fire from regulators and airlines over a succession of quality issues that have snagged production and development timelines

Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights as ground staff strike for a day

Ground staff for Lufthansa walked off the job at five major German airports on Wednesday, causing the airline to cancel hundreds of flights. The Ver.di union called on ground staff at Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa's two main hubs, as well as Berlin, Duesseldorf and Hamburg, to strike for 27 hours starting at 4 am Wednesday. Lufthansa said ahead of the strike that it expected to be able to operate around 10-20 per cent of all planned flights. It said tickets could be re-booked free of charge, and tickets for German domestic flights could be converted to rail vouchers. In Frankfurt, the company canceled 80-90 per cent of the planned 600 departures and arrivals by Lufthansa itself and subsidiary Air Dolomiti ahead of the strike, German news agency dpa reported. More than 400 departures and arrivals at Munich Airport also were canceled. All Lufthansa departures from Berlin and Hamburg were canceled, as were most domestic flights from Duesseldorf. Lufthansa anticipated that, in all, m

Airlines cancel 7,427 flights in 2023 for various reasons: VK Singh

Indian commercial airline operators cancelled 7,427 flights in 2023 due to various reasons, including weather and technical, Parliament was informed on Monday. Eleven domestic airlines, including the now grounded Go First, cancelled a total of 7,427 flights, including 3,210 flights cancelled on account of weather and 2,109 due to technical reasons, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. In another reply, the minister said there were 157 aircraft grounded due to engine or other issues. He also said that "there are no Indian carrier's aircraft seized by lessors or creditors abroad".

IndiGo issues apology after para-athlete alleges mistreatment by crew

The airlines reaffirmed their commitment to inclusivity and pledged to address the matter swiftly and transparently