Page 8 - Jyotiraditya Scindia

DGCA sticks to June 1 deadline for revised flight duty norms for pilots

Aviation regulator DGCA has decided not to extend the June 1 deadline for implementing the revised flight duty norms for pilots and asked airlines to submit the revised schemes by April 15, according to a communication. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), comprising Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo, had written at least twice to the regulator seeking more time for implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms were issued on January 8. The new norms, to come into force from June 1, provide for rest time for pilots and seek to alleviate pilot fatigue. In a communication to the FIA, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that airlines have to take all necessary steps to roll out the revised FDTL CAR, with effect from June 1, 2024. Further, the carriers have been asked to ensure that the FDTL schemes in tune with the revised norms are submitted for approval by April 15. The revised norms provide for increased weekly rest time to 48 hours for

Domestic air traffic rises 4.8% to 12.64 mn in Feb, 155K faced delays

Domestic air traffic rose 4.8 per cent on an annual basis to 126.48 lakh in February, while more than 1.55 lakh passengers were affected by flight delays during the same period, according to official data released on Friday. In February, Air India's market share rose to 12.8 per cent from 12.2 per cent while that of IndiGo marginally dipped to 60.1 per cent from 60.2 per cent in January. The domestic air traffic climbed to 126.48 lakh in February compared to 120.69 lakh in the year-ago period, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said. However, the traffic was less than 1.31 crore reported in January. "Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January - February 2024 were 257.78 lakh, as against 246.11 lakh during the corresponding period of the previous year thereby registering an annual growth of 4.74 per cent and monthly growth of 4.80 per cent," DGCA said. As many as 1,55,387 passengers were affected due to flight delays in February and scheduled carriers shel

Goa-based airline FLY91 to start commercial services from March 18

Regional airline FLY91 will start commercial services from March 18, with flights connecting Goa to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Besides, it will have flights to Sindhudurg from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The Goa-based carrier plans to start flights to Lakshadweep from April, its chief Manoj Chacko said on Tuesday. The airline received its air operator permit from aviation regulator DGCA on March 6. At a briefing at the Mopa airport, FLY91 MD and CEO Manoj Chacko said the airline will have a total of six ATR 72-600 planes in six months. Currently, there are two aircraft in its fleet. "We aim to connect Bharat," Chacko said and added that initially, it will connect 13 city pairs. The carrier plans to start flights to Lakshadweep from April. In the next five years, FLY91 plans to have around 35 planes, connect 50 cities and 6 bases, Chacko said. The carrier, operated by Just Udo Aviation Pvt Ltd, seeks to enhance air connectivity across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Chacko said the airli

Several team members resigned as part of strategic restructuring: SpiceJet

SpiceJet on Tuesday said several members of its commercial team have resigned with immediate effect, as part of a strategic restructuring at the airline. On Monday, sources said the airline's Chief Operating Officer Arun Kashyap and Chief Commercial Officer Shilpa Bhatia have put in their papers. "As part of SpiceJet's strategic restructuring, several members of the commercial team including the Chief Commercial Officer have left the company with immediate effect," an airline spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. With the recent fundraise, the spokesperson said it is speeding up the process of resolution of all past disputes, and continues to see significant growth in revenue and load factor.

MP to provide Rs 40k aid to labourers for purchasing e-scooters: CM Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday announced that the state would provide financial assistance of Rs 40,000 to labourers buying electric scooters. The CM made the announcement while speaking before the inauguration of the airport terminal in Gwalior earlier in the day. We have raised the financial assistance amount to Rs 4 lakh from the current Rs 1 lakh in case of death of labourers or (them suffering) physical disabilities, he said. Workers will be provided with an assistance of Rs 40,000 to buy e-scooters, he said, also announcing a hike in the wages of labourers of various categories. The monthly wages of unskilled labourers are being increased to Rs 11,450, semi-skilled to Rs 12,446 and agricultural labourers to Rs 9,160, the CM said. Earlier, Yadav unveiled the statue of Vijayaraje Scindia, one of the founders of the ruling BJP, along with Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other leaders.

PM Narendra Modi likely to inaugurate 15 airport projects on Sunday

The PM is likely to lay the foundation of new terminals in Hubli, Kadappa, Belgavi in Karnataka, Adampur in Punjab, and Pune in Maharashtra

Air India deboards female passenger at IGI after argument with crew members

A female business class passenger on an Air India flight to London was deboarded at the Delhi airport following an argument with cabin crew members this week. The incident happened on flight AI 161 on March 5 and the passenger involved was a senior corporate executive, according to sources in the know. In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said a passenger travelling in business class was off boarded on the advice of the captain following some argument with members of the crew before the scheduled pushback. "Following the off boarding, flight AI 161 departed after a delay of about an hour. The passenger who was off boarded was travelling for some compelling reasons and was accommodated on a subsequent flight following a written assurance," the spokesperson said. Further details about the incident could not be immediately ascertained. As many as 894 passengers were denied boarding by Air India in January and around Rs 98 lakh was spent by the airline on facilitation/ compensati

Scindia inaugurates Jindal Stainless' first green hydrogen project in India

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Monday inaugurated the country's first green hydrogen project of the stainless steel sector in Hisar, Haryana set up by Jindal Stainless Ltd. The green hydrogen facility, which has been set up by JSL in collaboration with Hygenco, aims to reduce carbon emissions by around 2,700 metric tonnes per annum and 54,000 tonnes of CO2 emission over 20 years. "JSL has been at the forefront of innovation...I commend JSL and Hygenco for the first hydrogen-based steel facility with both rooftop and floating," said Steel and Civil Aviation Minister Scindia while virtually inaugurating the project in presence of Steel Secretary Nagendra Nath Sinha, Jindal Stainless Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal, and other senior officials. The waterbody inside the facility has floating solar panels which will also help in reducing water evaporation, the minister said. In his address, Jindal said green hydrogen is an essential element of stainless steel manufacturing an

Scindia to inaugurate Jindal Stainless' 1st green hydrogen plant on Feb 27

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia will on Tuesday inaugurate the stainless steel industry's first green hydrogen project set up by Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL). The Union Steel Minister will virtually inaugurate the company's green hydrogen project, according to officials. With the inauguration, JSL will become India's first stainless steel company to install such kind of plant on a commercial scale, the officials said. "This project is a state-of-the-art green hydrogen facility with a target to reduce carbon emissions considerably by around 2,700 metric tonne per annum and 54,000 tonne Co2 emissions over 20 years," one of the officials said without divulging more information. In August 2022, the country's largest stainless steel player had announced a partnership with Hygenco India Private Limited to set up a green hydrogen plant at Hisar, Haryana. "As a first, the green hydrogen plant will catalyze our transition from thermal to clean energy in the Indian manufacturing space.

Deliver baggage within 30 minutes of landing, BCAS tells airlines

The aviation security regulator gives February 26 deadline for compliance

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal seeks interim bail to treat cancer

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, an accused in a money laundering case, has moved a plea before a special court here seeking interim bail for treatment of malignancy, which was revealed during tests conducted by private doctors. The court passed an initial order for setting up a medical board to examine Goyal's medical reports as ED sought time to respond to his interim bail plea. Last month, special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) M G Deshpande had allowed Goyal (74) to undergo medical tests by private doctors. In the plea moved on Thursday for interim bail, Jet Airways founder Goyal said malignancy was revealed during the tests undertaken by the private doctors. As per his medical records, Goyal has small tumours in his intestine (common location for small tumours), called 'Neuro Endocrine Tumours' (slow growing cancer). He also has a hiatus hernia of about 35 cm to 40 cm with severe reflux oesophagitis, which is a medical condition that occu

IndiGo-BOC Aviation sign financing deal for 4 Airbus A320NEO aircraft

Singapore-headquartered BOC Aviation Ltd on Wednesday said it has entered into a finance lease transaction with InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo). The deal has been signed for four Airbus A320NEO aircraft. "We are pleased to be closing another four finance leases with IndiGo," said Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BOC Aviation. "We continue to work closely with our long-time customer to support its expansion strategy as it builds a fleet of the latest technology fuel-efficient aircraft," Townend said in a release. The aircraft are all powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. All four aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2024. "We are pleased to announce that we have extended our partnership with BOC Aviation through a lease agreement for four Airbus A320NEO aircraft," said Riyaz Peermohamed, Chief Aircraft Acquisition and Financing Officer of IndiGo. He further said that these aircraft will be instrumental in supporting the company's expansion plans and ...

PM Modi is Pradhan Rakshak: Scindia after Qatar freed Indian Navy veterans

In a major diplomatic triumph for India, eight veterans of the Indian Navy who were sentenced to death in Qatar were released on Monday

Mumbai-bound flight returned to Delhi due to 'momentary foul smell': IndiGo

A Mumbai-bound IndiGo aircraft returned to the national capital on Friday morning, with the airline saying the plane came back as a precaution due to a "momentary foul smell". The flight 6E 449 returned to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) sometime after take off. In a statement, IndiGo said there was a "momentary foul smell" and the pilot following standard operating procedures landed back in Delhi as a precaution. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained. "An alternate aircraft was arranged for the passengers. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to all the passengers," the airline said.

Looking to extend Digi Yatra facility to international passengers: Scindia

As per the guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Digi Yatra is a decentralised mobile wallet-based identity management platform

Authorities look at Airport design, e-biometrics to speed up immigration

To expedite immigration and security check processes at airports, authorities will look at possible changes in the interior design of airports, cross utilisation of X-ray machines at domestic and international terminals as well as use of new technologies, including e-biometrics. At an advisory committee meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday, various plans were discussed to speed up immigration and security check processes for international passengers. "We are currently discussing the design models to speed up immigration & security for international travellers. New technologies such as e-biometrics are also on the anvil and are currently being tested. These will be key in our vision for international aviation hubs in India," Scindia said in a post on X. The meeting was attended by representatives of airport operators, officials from the ministries of civil aviation, home and external affairs, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Central Industrial

Sabarimala Greenfield Airport has got site, defence clearance: Kerala govt

The Kerala government on Thursday said in the Assembly that the Central government has granted site and defence clearance for the Sabarimala Greenfield Airport project. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that an application for security clearance is under consideration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The CM was responding to a notice by CPI(M) MLA K U Jenish Kumar calling his attention to the necessity to expedite the construction of the Sabarimala Greenfield Airport. Vijayan said that an environmental impact study report has been prepared and steps were being taken to submit it before the Union Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change for approval. Besides that, a seven-member expert committee, appointed to study the final Social Impact Assessment study report prepared by the Center for Management Development (CMD), has submitted its recommendations regarding the project, he said. Based on the committee's recommendations, the process of acquiring around 2,570 acres

India's aviation sector needs to clarify insolvency laws, says ACG

India amended its insolvency laws last October to exclude leased aircraft from assets that can be frozen in a bid to address discrepancies between local and global rules

DGCA derosters pilots after IndiGo flight leaves without ATC clearance

The DGCA is currently investigating the incident on how the flight could take off without getting the ATC clearance, officials mentioned

Flight ops resume from Naini-Saini airport in Pithoragarh after 3 yrs

Flight operations from Pithoragarh's Naini-Saini airport began on Tuesday after a gap of more than three years. Following the resumption of flight operations, which was suspended in early 2020, aviation firm Flybig will operate a 19-seater aircraft between Dehradun and Pithoragargh thrice a week on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Addressing the inaugural function virtually, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said after the resumption of flight operations from the airport, the distance between Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand will become closer. Resumption of services from the airport, which will soon be extended to Pantnagar and then to Hindon airport in Ghaziabad, will be crucial for the strategically important border district, he added. The duration of the journey between Pithoragarh and Dehradun will be reduced from 11 hours by road to 1 hour by air, he said. The Union minister said the state government and the Centre were making all efforts under the leadership