Page 15 - Civil Aviation Sector

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

Airlines to profit, global air travel to increase amid challenges: IATA

According to Walsh, the removal of Covid-19 restrictions is one of the developments boosting the industry

Railways cancel Memu train service to Bengaluru airport, passengers angry

This has added to the troubles of passengers who were already frustrated by long-traffic jams, cancellation of app-based cab services to and from the airport, and skyrocketing flight ticket prices

Skyrocketing airfares: GoFirst's absence, thunderstorms, demand to blame

The prices of the cheapest flights from Delhi to Mumbai stood at Rs 19,000 for one-way. Whereas, for Delhi to Dubai, it was Rs 14,000

'Common but differentiated responsibility' must guide ICAO towards net zero

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) should continue to be guided by "common but differentiated responsibilities" in the efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions for the aviation sector, India said on Wednesday. India is one of the fastest-growing and the third largest civil aviation market in the world. At an ICAO symposium in Seoul on Wednesday, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal said that based on "realities and infrastructure constraints", India has set a target of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. "In achieving the net zero goal, ICAO should continue to be guided by common but differentiated responsibilities," Bansal said. In an official statement issued at the Global Implementation Support Symposium 2023, the secretary said the transition towards a lower carbon and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will be fundamental to achieving the net zero target by 2050. "The process of SAF legislation, regulation, production, and deployment is external to civi

Troubled airline Go First extends cancellation of flights until June 4

Go First had blamed the non-delivery of engines by the US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for its failure to operate

Go First flights to remain cancelled till May 30, full refund to be issued

"A full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly," the letter read

Go First may be grounded, but IndiGo is in no hurry to expand capacity

According to company management, there is no change in the plan to add more aircraft, which was decided before Go First was grounded

Industry hopes govt to align domestic laws with int'l: Airbus India chief

Amid concerns of lessors in the wake of Go First insolvency proceedings, aircraft maker Airbus on Thursday said the industry hopes the government will expedite the alignment of domestic laws with international conventions and treaties. With the initiation of insolvency resolution proceedings for Go First following the crisis-hit airline's plea and subsequent moratorium, lessors are unable to take back their aircraft leased to the carrier. Against this backdrop, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia Remi Maillard mentioned the alignment of domestic laws with international conventions. "The industry hopes the government will expedite the alignment of domestic laws with international conventions and treaties...," Maillard said. He is also the Chairman of industry body Ficci's civil aviation committee. So far this month, lessors have approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the deregistration of 45 Go First planes and five SpiceJet plane

Go First backs emergency arbitration in dispute with Pratt & Whitney

(Reuters) - India's Go Airlines said on Monday it needed an emergency arbitration in its dispute with engine maker Pratt & Whitney to be enforced in Delaware to prevent it from going out of business.

Pratt & Whitney to oppose Go First's push to enforce arbitration against it

Go First approached the Delaware court after it won an arbitration order in Singapore against Pratt & Whitney, which it said failed to supply engines on time

Govt to decide on Go First bankruptcy, lessors seeking planes fear impact

This is the first time an Indian airline has voluntarily sought bankruptcy protection to renegotiate its contracts and debts