Page 14 - Civil Aviation Sector

CAT tells Centre to reconsider DGCA ex-officer's claim for promotion to DG

The Central Administrative Tribunal has questioned the decision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to deny J S Rawat, now retired, promotion to the post of Director General of Civil Aviation since 2013. The tribunal has directed the ministry, under which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) functions, to place Rawat's case before the selection committee for consideration from the date when he became eligible for promotion. In its order dated July 14, the tribunal stated, "If he is otherwise found suitable...he shall be given promotion along with all consequential benefits. It is clarified that since the applicant has not shouldered the responsibility of the next higher post, he is not entitled for monetary benefits. His benefits shall be calculated on notional basis." After his retirement in 2019 as a Joint DG, Rawat approached the tribunal alleging that the government flouted norms to deny him promotion to the post of DG, which is a highly technical post, since 2013 and

Centre says 37 passengers placed on 'No Fly List' this year till July 15

The civil aviation ministry on Thursday said 37 passengers have been placed in the 'No Fly List' this year till July 15, and the action was taken mainly for not wearing masks or for not obeying the instructions of crew members. In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of incidents involving unruly air passengers. Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh told the Lok Sabha that a total of 63 passengers were placed in the 'No Fly List' during the year 2022 for varying periods as recommended by an airline's internal committee. "In 2023, 37 passengers have been placed in "No Fly List" upto 15.07.2023. The majority of the passengers placed in 'No Fly List' were for violation related to not wearing masks or not obeying the instructions of the crew members," he said in a written reply. To a query on whether the government plans to widen the ambit of the powers of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to tackle such incidents, the minister replied in the ..

Vistara prepares to merge staff into Air India as two carriers merge

Vistara, now co-owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines Ltd., will be folded into Air India under a deal announced in November, giving the Tatas more heft to go up against dominant IndiGo

More than 500 crew members to join Air India in each of coming months: CEO

More than 500 crew members will be joining Air India in each of the coming months and the airline will be rolling out the new crew rostering project soon, according to its chief Campbell Wilson. In his weekly message to employees on Friday, he said the crew rostering project is about to start rolling out in the earnest. "As the system settles in, crew should see earlier roster publication, more stable rosters, better integrity of 'golden offs' and better standby provisioning to reduce last-minute call-ups. "Also, when averaged over a few months, there will also be more equitable earnings," he said. Air India has embarked on an ambitious transformation plan under the ownership of the Tata Group. "Additionally, with more than 500 new crew being released into service in each of the coming months, we will be able to reinstate full crew complements and accelerate training," Wilson said. Air India's MD and CEO also said the project will be a complete transformation of the way the airl

Civil aviation sector witnessing growth phase: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said the country's civil aviation sector is witnessing the beginning of the growth phase and that the number of planes with domestic airlines will increase to 1,500 from 720 at present. The civil aviation sector is contributing to the rise of the economic power of India, he said and highlighted the aircraft orders placed by airlines, including Air India. "India is aiming high... This is beginning of the growth phase (of civil aviation sector)," the minister said ahead of the inauguration of the fourth runway and the Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT) at the Delhi airport. Scindia also said that he has asked the Delhi airport operator DIAL to have the fourth terminal by October. G M Rao, Group Chairman of GMR Group, said the ECT and the fourth runway will help enhance operational efficiency and increase capacity. He was speaking at the inauguration of the fourth runway and the ECT at the airport.

Last flight: British carrier Virgin Atlantic says goodbye to Pakistan skies

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said that the final flight left from Islamabad International Airport to London's Heathrow Airport at 8 am (local time)

Indian airlines' IT spend to be much higher than global average: SITA Asia

Between 2014 and 2023, the number of airports in India have increased from 74 to 148, as per the Union civil aviation ministry. This number is expected to go up to 220 by 2025

375 A321neo, 125 A320neo: Airbus reveals IndiGo's 500-plane order

The A320neo has a range of 6,300 kilometers, whereas the A321neo aircraft type has a range of up to 8,700 kilometers

SC directs SpiceJet to pay entire arbitration award of Rs 380 cr to Maran

The court had made it clear in its order that if SpiceJet failed to pay, the entire award would become payable to Kal Airways and Maran

Delhi airport's 4th runway, elevated taxiway to be operational from July 13

The new facilities will reduce the time flights take to taxi, help in reducing emissions

IndiGo cancels Istanbul-Mumbai flight due to tech issue in aircraft

IndiGo on Monday said it cancelled a flight from Istanbul to Mumbai on Sunday due to a technical issue in the Boeing aircraft. Since the aircraft was not available, the flight scheduled from Mumbai to Istanbul on Monday was also cancelled. A source in the know said the Boeing 777 aircraft had some fuel imbalance issue. Some passengers took to social media to complain about the flight cancellation from Istanbul to Mumbai on Sunday. Details about the number of passengers who were booked on the two flights could not be immediately ascertained. "IndiGo flight 6E 18 operating Istanbul-Mumbai-Istanbul on 2nd/3rd July was cancelled due to a technical issue. Passengers had been offered alternate options. The aircraft is back in operation after necessary maintenance," the airline said in a statement.

Airline travel delays pick up early, expected to grow steadily worse

Travellers are getting hit with delays at US airports again early on Wednesday, an ominous sign heading into the long July 4 holiday weekend, which is shaping up as the biggest test yet for airlines that are struggling to keep up with surging numbers of passengers. As of early morning, more than 900 flights have been delayed in the US, according to FlightAware. Cancellations topped more than 670 flights. Cancellations and delays were most severe along the East Coast early and were growing worse rapidly. Disruptions are expected to spread West. The delays are being compounded by thunderstorms that raked the Northeast on Tuesday. At various times, the Federal Aviation Administration held up flights bound for LaGuardia Airport in New York and Reagan Washington National and Baltimore-Washington airports near the nation's capital. About 6,500 flights were delayed and about 1,900 cancelled on the East Coast on Tuesday. United Airlines, with a major hub in Newark, New Jersey, cancelled ab

India will be 'Vishwaguru' to world on monopolistic capitalism: Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday took a swipe at the government over rising airfares, saying that in free markets, when demand increases, supply will increase, but in India's free market, when demand increases, prices will increase. The Congress has been attacking the government, demanding concrete action over rising airfares. In a tweet, Chidambaram said, "Delhi-Chennai Business Class air tickets on Vistara and Air India have been set at a 'reasonable' price of Rs 6300 and Rs 5700 respectively. Oops, sorry, they are set at a 'very reasonable' Rs 63,000 and Rs 57,000 respectively." "In free markets, when demand increases, supply will increase. In India's free market, when demand increases, prices will increase," he said. Airlines will expand their routes, curtail flights on old routes and jack up prices, the former finance minister said. "India will be the Vishwaguru to the world on monopolistic capitalism," he said. In another tweet after many criticised him for qu

India's newest airline Akasa Air looking to raise $75-100 mn for expansion

To raise the money, Akasa Air has approached potential investors which include PE firms and high-net-worth individuals

Jettwings, new regional airline for northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

In India, the first E175 jet with 12 business class and 64 economy seats was inducted by regional airline StarAir in May

Airfares down on some routes after aviation minister's meet but still high

At its highest, one-way fare for a Delhi to Leh flight in May stood at a whopping Rs 43,519, which is more than thrice the prices a year ago, Rs 14,334

DGCA simplifies rules for Indian carriers to fly to new destinations abroad

This has been done to make it easier for airlines to expand their network to destinations that have no airline services in place

Get CoC approval on revival plan before we consider it: DGCA to GoFirst

Legal experts say that since there is no previous case of a company filing for voluntary insolvency, the DGCA wants the CoC to approve the resolution plan before it takes any decision on it

Go First cancels flights until June 12 due to 'operational reasons'

Go First apprised DGCA of being able to operate 152 daily flights as soon as its resumption plan hits the tarmac

Codeshare facility denied to United Airlines, Emirates; what does it mean

The decision is likely to hurt United Airlines which has been forced to stop its direct flights from New Delhi because of the closure of Russian airspace for US carriers