Page 5 - Indian Aviation

Centre issues new guidelines to handle bomb threats on flights; details

The revised guidelines from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security outline several new indicators for assessing bomb threats

Irish tax perks under I-T lens: What it means for aircraft leasing?

The I-T department's scrutiny stems from notices issued to the offshore firms, asserting that their primary motivation for operating from Ireland is to evade taxation on operating lease rentals

Govt aims to develop 50 more airports in 5 years: Civil aviation minister

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday said the government aims to set up 50 more airports in the next five years and pitched for further developing the country's airport ecosystem that will also help in boosting job creation. In the last 10 years, the number of airports has doubled to 157. Naidu said that 50 more airports are expected to be developed in the next five years and 200 more in the next 20 years. The minister was speaking after inaugurating the Airbus India and South Asia Headquarters - Training Centre in the national capital. He also stressed the need to further develop the airport ecosystem that will help boost job creation and commercial activities. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam said the air passenger traffic in the country is expected to double in the next five years from 220 million, which was achieved last year.

Bomb threat on 54 more flights; tally reaches 140 in just over a week

In just over a week, more than 140 domestic and international flights operated by Indian carriers have received bomb threats

India needs over $170 bn to fund aviation expansion: S&P Global Ratings

India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and domestic passenger traffic is expected to double to 300 million by 2030

When Ratan Tata flew F-16 and F-18 jets back to back over Bengaluru skies

An avid aviator, Tata held licences to fly both jets and helicopters, and eagerly accepted the chance to co-pilot the combat aircraft

Shankh Air gets approval to soar, set to be Uttar Pradesh's first airline

Shankh Air, Uttar Pradesh's first scheduled airline, will hub at Lucknow and Noida, connecting major Indian cities with high-demand interstate and intrastate routes

Air traffic soars as more passengers opt for direct flights to & from India

In 2023, around 37 million international passengers booked direct flights, an increase of 2 million compared to 2019, according to UK-based air consultancy firm OAG

DGCA details certification requirements for vertical take-off, landing

This circular has been issued after extensive interaction with all concerned stakeholders

Defence ministry, HAL sign Rs 26,000 cr pact for Su-30MKI jets' engines

The Defence Ministry on Monday sealed a Rs 26,000-crore deal with state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the procurement of 240 aero-engines for Su-30MKI aircraft. The aero-engines will be manufactured by the Koraput division of HAL and are expected to fulfil the Indian Air Force's need to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet. In a major boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Defence Ministry signed a contract with HAL for 240 AL-31FP aero engines for Su-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore, an official readout said. The contract agreement was inked by the senior officials of the ministry and the HAL in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari.

Tata aviation cuts losses by Rs 9,077 cr in FY24, Air India revenue up 24%

Air India, which was privatised in 2022, achieved its highest consolidated revenue of Rs 51,365 crore for FY24, marking a 24 per cent rise from the prior year

What's a CUTE fee, asks IndiGo passenger; check breakdown of flight ticket

A passenger travelling from Lucknow to Bengaluru has expressed his frustration over the numerous charges 'levied by IndiGo', asking if the CUTE fee is charged for being cute

Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak to address discrepancies in aviation law: Govt

The government on Thursday said the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, which seeks to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, would address the current discrepancies in the aviation law and help the industry grow. Speaking during a discussion on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu underscored the need for the new legislation, noting that the Aircraft Act, 1934 has become outdated due to its numerous amendments over the years. The Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 31, is intended to "regulate various aspects of the aviation industry, including the design, manufacture, maintenance, operation, and sale of aircraft". Naidu explained that the 1934 Act had undergone 21 amendments, resulting in ambiguities and contradictions, particularly regarding the powers and functions of internal organizations like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). He pointed out that these issues have created confusion within the aviation sector, ..

HAL aims to deliver first LCA Mark 1A by Aug 15; GE engine supply by Sept

The aircraft was first planned to be delivered to the IAF by February-March timeframe this year but the schedule has been shifting for one reason or another

India to double airports to 300 by 2047 amid surging passenger traffic

AAI's draft plan indicates 70 airstrips could be developed into airports capable of handling narrow-body aircraft such as the A320 or B737, while 40 airstrips could be upgraded for smaller aircraft

Air India likely to offer voluntary separation scheme for 600 employees

Air India will introduce a Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) for around 600 employees whose roles may become redundant due to the merger with Vistara

Tata airlines complete harmonising operating process ahead of merger

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group (51 per cent) and Singapore Airlines (49 per cent), is being integrated into Air India to create a single full-service carrier

Aviation market big enough for Akasa Air to succeed: CEO Vinay Dube

As Akasa Air spreads its wings on domestic and international routes, the less-than-two-year-old airline's chief Vinay Dube has said he does not think about competition in encouraging or discouraging terms, as the aviation market is "big enough for us to succeed". The carrier, which took to the skies in August 2022, currently has a fleet of 24 Boeing 737 MAX planes and operates more than 900 flights weekly. While emphasising that the focus is on service excellence and cost leadership, Dube said the airline is looking for network and international expansion. "I don't think about competition and certainly don't think about it in encouraging or discouraging terms. If we focus on ourselves, the market is big enough for us to succeed," he told PTI in a recent interview. In response to the query on whether current competition is encouraging, Dube said, "We don't spend so much time focused on what competition is doing unless we have things we can learn from... what can be improved upon...

Budget 2024: Aviation sector gears up for expansion, DGCA funds reduced

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is budgeted to receive Rs 302.64 crore, down from Rs 397.55 crore in the revised estimates for 2023-24

Air India passenger recounts dirty seats, uncooked food on flight to Newark

In a social media post, the business-class passenger alleged delayed takeoff, unclean and non-functional seats, and to make the experience even worse, he was served uncooked food onboard the flight