Page 18 - Civil Aviation

India's aviation safety rank to improve after UN agency audit: DGCA

Says country fared well in ICAO audit of Nov 9-16 covering legislation, licensing, operations, airworthiness, among other areas; India was placed below Pakistan and Nepal an earlier exercise

Masks no more compulsory during air travel, says civil aviation ministry

The civil aviation ministry on Wednesday said the use of masks is not compulsory during air travel but passengers should preferably use them amid the declining number of coronavirus cases. Till now, the use of masks or face covers while travelling on flights was mandatory. In a communication to the scheduled airlines, the ministry said the latest decision has been taken in line with the government's policy of a graded approach to COVID-19 management response. "... the in-flight announcements henceforth may only mention that in view of the threat posed by COVID-19, all passengers should preferably use mask/face covers," the communication said. It also said that any specific reference to fine/penal action need not be announced as part of the in-flight announcements. The total number of active coronavirus cases in the country accounted was only 0.02 per cent of the total infections and the recovery rate increased to 98.79 per cent, according to the latest official data. The number o

India has potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel: IATA executive

India is among the countries that has the largest potential to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which will be a key enabler for the global airlines industry in reducing emissions, according to an IATA executive. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a grouping of international airlines. Sebastian Mikosz, Senior Vice President for Environment & Sustainability at IATA, on Tuesday also suggested extending incentives for entities to enter the market for production of SAF. At a media roundtable here, Mikosz said that India is one of the countries which has the largest potential in producing SAF. Airlines will buy SAF, which is expected to account for around 65 per cent of decarbonisation and will be a key enabler in reducing emissions, he added. For production of SAF, there should be access to feedstock like biomass, he said and added that environmental problem has to be tackled at the global level. Earlier in the day, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal said

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

Domestic airlines industry may see up to Rs 17,000 cr loss in FY23: Report

The domestic airlines industry is projected to post a loss of Rs 15,000-17,000 crore in the current fiscal as their financial performance is likely to remain under pressure in the near term, a report said on Friday. Credit rating agency ICRA said the recovery in domestic passenger traffic has been healthy but elevated Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices will continue to pose a major threat to earnings and the liquidity profile of the airlines in the near-to-medium term. The domestic passenger traffic grew around 26 per cent year-on-year to about 114 lakh in October. In the year-ago period, the number was at 90 lakh passengers. However, the latest October figure remained 8 per cent lower when compared to the pre-pandemic traffic level, the rating agency said in a report. ICRA has a negative outlook on the domestic aviation industry. According to the report, the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar will have a major bearing on the airlines' cost structure. The debt

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

Go First plans to avail Rs 600 crore loan under ECLGS for its operations

Budget airline Go First plans to soon avail Rs 600 crore loan under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for its operations amid rising air travel demand, according to a source. The source at the airline also said that promoters have infused around Rs 2,800 crore in the last 15 months which has helped the carrier tackle multiple headwinds, including due to the pandemic, travel curbs and higher fuel costs. To help the airline industry, which is on the recovery path after being significantly hit by the pandemic, the government, last month, modified the ECLGS by raising the limit of loan that can be availed by an entity to Rs 1,500 crore from Rs 400 crore earlier. The source said that so far, the airline has availed Rs 400 crore under the ECLGS. "We will be applying for Rs 600 crore under the ECLGS in the next few days. Banks like Central Bank, Bank of Baroda and IDBI are our lenders. We will be approaching them first to avail these funds," the source told PTI. Out of

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

IPO delayed due to Ukraine-Russia war and Omicron wave: Go First

The firm's DRHP expired in August this year and it will need to refile its papers with Sebi to reinitiate the IPO process

Go First blames Covid-19, Pratt & Whitney as losses double in FY22

Go First said it has been sanctioned additional loans of Rs 1,142 crore in FY22 from its bankers

Akasa Air flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru cancelled on technical grounds

Passengers of the newly-launched Akasa Air had to face hardship on Tuesday as their flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru was cancelled on technical grounds at the last moment. This caused chaos at the airline's check-in counters with passengers demanding alternative flights to their destination, a passenger said. Akasa Air QP 1332 was scheduled to depart at 9.55 pm, but the airline informed the passengers that it was rescheduled at 10.55 pm, the passenger told PTI over phone. At 10.30 pm, they said that they have cancelled the flight due to some "technical" reasons, he said. "The airline said that we can fly on Wednesday at the same time. But it did not offer passengers food or hotel accommodation. It told us to take a refund or wait till tomorrow at the airport," the passenger alleged. An airline spokesperson confirmed that the fight was cancelled on the technical ground. "The flight has been cancelled due to technical reasons. The aircraft is grounded and being inspected. The ...

Seven killed as helicopter ferrying pilgrims crashes near Kedarnath

After the crash, the state civil aviation department suspended all the helicopter flights to Kedarnath

DGCA asks SpiceJet to get engine oil samples of entire Q400 fleet examined

Following a recent incident of smoke in a SpiceJet plane cabin, the aviation regulator DGCA has directed the airline to send the engine oil samples of the entire Q400 fleet consisting of 14 operational aircraft to Pratt & Whitney Canada to ascertain the presence of metal and carbon seat particles.

Adani aviation plan: A top airline may be shifted to Navi Mumbai airport

The commercial area at Mumbai airport is proposed to be increased from 28,000 square metres to 47,000 square metres

Sunil Bhaskaran may pilot Air India's arm after AirAsia India merger

Bhaskaran - a Tata Group veteran -- joined AirAsia India as its CEO and MD on November 15, 2018

Financial status of Indian airlines likely to remain under pressure: ICRA

The financial performance of Indian airlines is likely to remain under pressure in the near term, even as recovery in domestic passenger traffic has been healthy, said Corporate Rating firm ICRA

Govt to allow fractional ownership of business jets and helicopters

Fractional ownership of business planes and helicopters is akin to a timeshare holiday and will allow owners to fly a fixed number of hours per year based on their investment

ICAO agrees on net-zero emissions by 2050, India secures concessions

According to ICAO, the net-zero targets will rely on the adoption of new aircraft technologies, streamlined flight operations and the use of sustainable aviation fuels

SpiceJet deposits TDS, Form 16 to be issued to staff in a fortnight

Airline says significant portion of PF contributions of all employees is also being credited and the remaining amount will be released shortly

Jet Airways revival: Jalan-Kalrock accept bank call to infuse more capital

The consortium had 270 days to fulfil all criteria required for the plan's implementation