Page 28 - Aviation Sector

IndiGo, SpiceJet international flights diverted due to technical glitches

Failure in one of IndiGo aircraft's hydraulic systems, caution light indication in SpiceJet plane's cockpit cause diversion

Grounded Jet Airways' cabin crew association moves NCLT for liquidation

Banks oppose consortium plea for handover of the company

Vistara merger will bolster Air India's transformation effort: CEO Wilson

Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Tuesday said that Vistara's success will strengthen Air India's transformation programme and also help in quickly attaining the size befitting a global carrier. After the announcement of the decision to merge Vistara with Air India, Vistara CEO said it will be business as usual for all its stakeholders during the integration process that will take some time. Subject to regulatory approvals, the merger is expected to be completed by March 2024. In a statement, Campbell said Vistara has achieved much over the last eight years. "The skills, people, systems and processes that have driven Vistara's success will complement, strengthen and accelerate Air India's Vihaan.AI transformation programme," the CEO and MD of Air India said. Further, he said the merger will enable the new Air India to more quickly attain the size, reach and quality befitting of a world class airline proudly representing India around the globe. Tata group took over the loss-makin

Changing flight path: Air India now flying more on metro-to-metro routes

Exiting unviable ones as part of domestic strategy

After suffering losses for 3 quarters, IndiGo on a flight path to profit

Cooling fuel prices and rupee depreciation and rising demand could help the country's largest airline by market share to reverse successive quarters of losses

Air India posts best monthly on-time performance among carriers after years

When it was a run by the government, the airline was usually at the bottom of DGCA's list for on-time performance

Air ticket rates hurting wallet? Centre not to intervene in price mechanism

The aviation ministry will reportedly not intervene in the issue of airlines charging prices for particular seats on a flight

VRS scheme: Air India gives cabin crew option to extend their release date

Air India has given an option to the cabin crew who have opted for voluntary retirement scheme to extend their tenure until January 31 next year, amid shortage of cabin crew and long waiting period for US visas, according to sources. The Tata group-owned airline, which is being revived with expanding fleet and routes, offered Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to its employees, including the cabin crew, in June this year. The relieving date for those who opted for the VRS was fixed as November 30. The sources said around 4,500 employees had applied for the scheme. "The release date from the services of the company for VRS crew has been extended. Crew members may choose to extend their release date till January 31, 2023," the airline said in a communication on Saturday. A query sent to Air India seeking comments on the matter remained unanswered. According to the communication, the VRS scheme remains unchanged and the VRS benefit will be applicable to employees who are extending the

Jet Airways asks 60% staff to go on leave without pay for 3 months

This news comes after Jet Airways's revival plan hit another roadblock on November 18, after the new owner Jalan-Kalrock told the NCLAT of its inability to pay additional money

Tata Group plans to merge carriers under Air India, scrap Vistara brand

Tata is considering scrapping Vistara brand, Singapore Airlines Ltd's local affiliate in South Asian nation; Singapore Airlines is evaluating the size of stake it should take in the combined entity

Aviation ministry modifies rule to make masks optional on domestic flights

In-flight announcements may only mention that all passengers should preferably use masks/face covers; no specific reference to fine/penal action needed

US transport dept fines Air India $1.4 mn for delaying refunds of $121 mn

Refunds were on account of flights cancelled during Covid-19 pandemic; AI among six airlines that collectively forked out $600 mn in refunds and $7.25 mn in penalties

SpiceJet posts highest ever quarterly loss amid high fuel prices

The airline has raised Rs 210 crore from the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) this year

Kalrock Capital says raids on promoter will not impact Jet revival

'Florian confirms that neither Kalrock Capital Partners nor Jet Airways have any connection with these ongoing investigations, or the charges made thereunder'

Raids on Kalrock Capital's investor: Jet Airways hopes to escape unhurt

The sources said that the raids are on an individual and do not amount to culpability. Also, the investor in the consortium is the PE fund and not an individual

65% of passengers want cap on airfares, says LocalCircles survey

Sixty-five per cent of surveyed passengers want the civil aviation ministry to reintroduce a cap on airfares, according to a survey carried out by LocalCircles

Over 75 planes of Indian carriers grounded due to engine issues: Report

Aviation consultancy firm CAPA said on Tuesday said that more than 75 planes of Indian carriers are currently grounded due to maintenance and engine-related issues. These planes, which account for around 10-12 per cent of the Indian fleet, are grounded due to maintenance or engine-related issues. "These will have a significant impact on financials in the second half," CAPA said in its India Mid-Year Outlook 2023 released on Tuesday. As per the report, more than 75 aircraft are currently grounded, creating serious challenges against the backdrop of an already hostile cost environment and contributing to increased losses. The capacity has been impacted by serious supply chain issues impacting current and future deliveries, it said, adding that these issues are likely to proliferate in the fiscal starting April 2023 which, in turn, will impact future deliveries, the report said. Significantly none of the domestic airlines, including two listed companies -- IndiGo and SpiceJet -- have

IndiGo asks MoCA to extend wet lease period for wide body aircraft

A wide body plane like B777 has a bigger fuel tank than narrow body aircraft like A320, which allows the former to traverse longer distances

Go First takes two ECLGS loans totaling Rs 203.5 crore amid cash crunch

Go First's loss more than doubled to Rs 1,807.91 crore in FY22 due to US-based Pratt and Whitney's delay in supplying engines and multiple waves of Covid-19 that affected air travel

Aircraft bird strike incidents rise by 49.3% in January-July period

DGCA official says all airport operators advised to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and localities around airports regarding proper garbage disposal