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Tag: aviation news Indian Express

  • AirAsia India-Air India Express merger probably by 2023-end: Air India

    Air India on Wednesday mentioned an operational assessment course of is underway to combine price range provider AirAsia India with Air India Express and the merger is probably going by the top of 2023.

    Tata group-owned Air India has additionally signed agreements to have a 100 per cent stake in AirAsia India. The provider is a three way partnership between Tata Sons and Air Asia Investment Ltd. Tata Sons has an 83.67 per cent stake and the remaining 16.33 per cent shareholding is with AirAsia.

    The merger, probably by the top of 2023, is geared toward having a single low-cost provider for the Air India group. Post-merger, the entity can be branded as Air India Express, in keeping with an announcement.

    AirAsia India was launched in 2014 whereas Air India Express began operations again in 2005.

    The consolidation of the 2 low-cost carriers — AirAsia India and Air India Express — can be undertaken as a part of the restructuring roadmap that’s being envisioned for the Tata group’s airline enterprise, Air India mentioned in an announcement.

    “The assessment and implementation of the full integration process of AirAsia India and Air India Express, through a possible scheme of merger or otherwise and subject to necessary corporate approvals, is expected to take approximately 12 months, with network and other synergies to be realised progressively during that period,” it mentioned.

    Currently, 4 airways are a part of the Tata group. They are Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India and Vistara. The latter is a three way partnership with Singapore Airlines. Tata group acquired Air India and Air India Express in January this 12 months.

    Earlier within the day, Malaysia’s AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd mentioned it has entered right into a share buy settlement to promote the remaining fairness shares held in AirAsia India to Air India.

    The consolidation of AirAsia India and Air India Express is anticipated to carry buyer, income, price and operational advantages by broader adoption of every airline’s finest practices, techniques and routes, and the mixed entity’s larger scale, Air India mentioned within the assertion.

    Air India has signed agreements to finish the acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding in AirAsia India.

    A working group has been fashioned to judge and execute the mixing of the Air India group’s low-cost operations, which can be co-led by AirAsia India MD and CEO Sunil Bhaskaran and Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh.

    The working group will report back to a committee chaired by Air India MD and CEO Campbell Wilson.
    About the merger of the 2 price range carriers, Wilson mentioned, “We are excited to initiate the creation of a single Air India Group low-cost carrier”.

    “This is a key step in the rationalisation and transformation of the group, and we will be working closely with the management teams and staff throughout the process. We also look forward to the many new opportunities, a stronger AI group low-cost carrier will bring for customers and staff alike,” he mentioned.

    In June, the Competition Commission of India accredited the proposed acquisition of your entire shareholding of AirAsia India by Air India.

    While asserting that it has signed an settlement to promote the remaining stake in AirAsia India, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group Bo Lingam mentioned that since 2014, “When we first commenced operation in India, AirAsia has built a great business in India, which is one of the world’s biggest civil aviation markets”.

    “We have had a great experience working with India’s leading Tata Group. This is not the end of our relationship but the beginning of a new one as we explore new and exciting opportunities to collaborate and enhance our synergies moving forward,” he mentioned in a separate assertion.

    Further, he mentioned, the pandemic has allowed it to re-examine the priorities and “we felt that it was best suited for
    AirAsia to develop an Asean-only business”.

    The Malaysian group will proceed to have airways in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

    “India will remain an important market for AirAsia and will continue to be served by our various airlines. We will use the experience and knowledge we have gained from operating in the Indian domestic market to grow the Asean-Indian market in logistics and passenger services to a far greater extent,” Bo Lingam mentioned.

  • Air India Express to launch Vijayawada-Sharjah direct flight from Oct 31

    Air India Express, India’s first worldwide finances airline, on Thursday introduced the launch of a direct worldwide flight from Vijayawada to Sharjah from October 31.

    A press launch from the operator mentioned the inaugural flight is scheduled to take off on October 31 at 06.35 PM. The inaugural fares for the Vijayawada-Sharjah sector start at Rs 13,669, whereas these for the Sharjah-Vijayawada sector start at AED 399.

    Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express, mentioned, “We are glad to announce the debut worldwide service of Air India Express between Vijayawada and Sharjah.

    After the pandemic’s two arduous years, the India-Gulf aviation sector has seen a sensible restoration, bouncing again to virtually pre-pandemic ranges. For these travelling to UAE, significantly to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the direct service to Sharjah will likely be an enormous profit, with a well-timed flight.”

    Currently, Air India Express is the one airline that gives worldwide companies out and in of Vijayawada.

    In addition to Sharjah, Air India Express flies from Vijayawada to Muscat and Kuwait with a B737-800 NG plane, providing snug seats, a buy-on-board meal service in addition to pre-ordered sizzling meals, and in-seat energy for charging cell units.

  • Singapore airways introduces A-350-900 plane for Hyderabad-Singapore route

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) Friday introduced the introduction of wide-body plane for medium-haul flights between Hyderabad and Singapore.

    The plane–A350-900–has increased ceilings, bigger home windows, an additional vast physique delivering extra space and luxury, in addition to lighting designed to cut back jetlag.

    Info-tech system in A 350 plane.

    It additionally affords a 76″ fully-flat mattress, adjustable lighting depth, a private 17” full high-definition touchscreen monitor (enterprise class), ergonomically-designed and six-way adjustable headrest seats (financial class) with 11.6” touchscreen monitor.

    Business class of A 350 plane.

    The plane can also be fitted with an in-flight leisure system providing a number of greater than 1,800 films, TV exhibits, audio programmes, and video games.

    Economic class seats of A 350 plane.

    In addition, prospects may have entry to high-speed in-flight WiFi service.

    Cabin crew and sitting association of A 350 plane.

    Speaking concerning the launch, Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd mentioned, “Over the past few months, Hyderabad International Airport has witnessed significant growth in international passenger traffic. Singapore is one of the most sought-after destinations from Hyderabad. The introduction of the highly advanced A 350 aircraft will increase further passenger traffic from the southern and central region.”

    New schedule for flights between Hyderabad and Singapore.

    The inaugural flight of the brand new plane will depart from Hyderabad International Airport at 2310 hrs on 30 October 2022. SAI will now function each day as a substitute of the sooner 4 times-a-week schedule.

  • Singapore Airlines, Tata Group in talks over integration of Vistara and Air India

    Singapore Airlines Ltd mentioned on Thursday it was in confidential discussions with India’s Tata Group relating to a possible deal which can contain the mixing of Vistara and Air India.

    “The discussions seek to deepen the existing partnership between SIA and Tata, and may include a potential integration of Vistara and Air India,” Singapore Airlines mentioned in an announcement.

    However, it added the discussions have been ongoing and no definitive phrases have been agreed upon but.
    Singapore Airlines owns a 49% stake in Tata SIA Airlines, which operates Vistara, whereas the remaining 51% is owned by the Indian conglomerate.

    Air India didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.

  • Air India to develop fleet with 30 Boeing and Airbus jets

    Tata Group-owned Air India mentioned on Monday that it’ll lease 30 Boeing and Airbus plane, increasing its fleet by greater than 25%.

    Air India’s new proprietor, the autos-to-steel conglomerate Tata Group, faces an uphill process to improve the provider’s ageing fleet and switch round its financials and repair ranges.

    “After a long time without significant growth, Air India is delighted to resume expanding its fleet and global footprint,” mentioned Air India Chief Executive Campbell Wilson.

    “These new aircraft, together with existing aircraft being returned to service, address an immediate need for more capacity and connectivity and mark a strong step forward.”

    The newest offers comprise the leasing of 21 Airbus A320neos, 4 Airbus A321neos and 5 Boeing B777-200LRs.

    The Airbus jets will start becoming a member of the fleet within the first quarter of subsequent yr and are anticipated to be deployed on home and short-haul worldwide routes.

    The B777-200LRs will be part of the fleet between December and March, with deployment prone to be on routes from Indian cities to the United States.

    The airline at present has 54 narrow-body plane and 33 wide-body plane operational, it mentioned in a press release, including that extra are anticipated to be in service quickly.

  • Lufthansa cancels many flights Friday because of pilots strike

    German service Lufthansa says it’s cancelling nearly all passenger and cargo flights on Friday from its two greatest hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, because of deliberate strike motion by pilots.

    A union representing Lufthansa pilots stated on early Thursday that they are going to stage a walk-out after calls for for a pay enhance have been rejected by administration.

    Lufthansa stated some 800 flights can be cancelled, affecting many travellers returning on the finish of the summer season trip. The airline’s funds service Eurowings wouldn’t be affected, it stated.

    The union Vereinigung Cockpit accused Lufthansa on Thursday of failing to enhance on their earlier provide, leaving pilots no alternative however to go on strike to press their calls for.

    According to Lufthansa, the corporate had supplied a one-off enhance of 900 euros (USD 900), amounting to a 5per cent enhance for senior pilots and an 18 per cent enhance for these beginning the occupation.

    The union had known as for a 5.5 per cent elevate this 12 months and an computerized above-inflation enhance in 2023.

    In addition, pilots are in search of a brand new pay and vacation construction that the airline stated would enhance its staffing prices by about 40 per cent, or some 900 million euros over two years.

  • Boeing sees Indian airways elevating capability by 25% over subsequent 12 months

    Planemaker Boeing Co expects Indian airways to spice up their capability by at the very least 25% over the following 12 months as demand rebounds shortly on this planet’s fastest-growing main market, an government stated on Thursday.

    “We are forecasting airlines to rebound quickly and add 25-plus percent annual seats back into the market,” Dave Schulte, the managing director for regional advertising at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, informed reporters.

    In the long run, Boeing expects an annual capability enhance of seven% in India, outpacing different prime high-growth markets, he added.

    Indian skies are dominated by low-cost carriers (LCCs) together with IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoFirst and AirAsia India, with nearly all of them working Airbus narrowbody planes.

    Boeing dominates India’s widebody market however fare wars and excessive prices have led to casualties amongst full-service carriers, together with Kingfisher Airlines in 2012 and Jet Airways in 2019, making LCCs and Airbus much more dominant.

    But India’s latest finances service Akasa Air and new homeowners Tata and Sons at Air India and the Jalan-Kalrock consortium at Jet Airways are giving the U.S. planemaker hope of clawing again share within the Indian market as they eye extra aircraft orders.

    Akasa has 72 Boeing 737 MAX planes on order.

    Boeing’s greatest buyer in India, SpiceJet, stated on Wednesday it plans to induct extra MAX planes in its fleet even because it struggles to make well timed funds to distributors and lessors, prompting a few of them to deregister and take again planes.

    The loss-making airline has 155 MAX jets on order however has been sluggish in including planes to its fleet even after the plane was cleared for flying by the nation’s aviation regulator final 12 months following a worldwide ban sparked by two lethal crashes.

  • Vistara to start out Mumbai-Abu Dhabi direct flights from Oct 1

    Full service service Vistara will begin day by day continuous flights between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi from October 1.

    The airline, a three way partnership between Tata group and Singapore Airlines, will use the A320 neo plane for the companies.

    “We are delighted to increase our presence within the UAE, with a second Emirate, and supply the selection of flying India’s greatest airline on one of many busiest worldwide routes from India.

    “We are confident that greater connectivity between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi will complement the growing trade and tourism between the two countries,” Vistara Chief Executive Officer Vinod Kannan stated in a launch on Wednesday.

    It already has flights to Dubai.

    Abu Dhabi would be the twelfth abroad vacation spot for Vistara.

    Vistara has a fleet of 53 plane, together with 41 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A321 neo, 5 Boeing 737-800NG and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

  • Kolhapur airport to get facelift, work to finish by March 2023: Union ministry

    The Kolhapur airport in Maharashtra will get a brand new look by March 2023 with a brand new terminal constructing, prolonged runaway, trendy facilities amongst others in view of the rising variety of flyers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated Thursday.

    According to a press release by the ministry, 60 per cent of the development work of the brand new terminal constructing, which can be inexperienced (setting pleasant) and sustainable, has been accomplished. It is being constructed in an space of over 4,000 sq. km, could have 10 check-in counters, trendy passenger facilities and interiors depicting the tradition and heritage of the city.

    Ongoing building work at Kolhapur airport (Image: PIB)

    Another attraction of the brand new constructing would be the huge archways on the entrance facade of the brand new terminal constructing that are influenced and derived from the generally used arches within the heritage constructions like Maharaja Palace, Bhavani Mandap, Panhala Fort of Kolhapur metropolis, the assertion stated.

    With the event of the airport, the parking space can be elevated to cater to at the very least 120 vehicles and 10 buses at a time and an Air Traffic Control Tower may even be constructed to handle the rising visitors wants.

    Re-carpet ramp of Kolhapur airport (Image: PIB)

    Kolhapur Airport has been recognized for Regional Connectivity System (RCS) operations below UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik).

    The airport is linked to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Tirupati and not too long ago, its license was upgraded for 24X7 flight operations.

  • American Airlines to purchase 20 Overture plane having ‘twice the normal speed’

    The American Airlines can be shopping for 20 Overture plane, claimed to fly at twice the velocity of the current plane, from US aviation firm Boom Supersonic.

    According to an announcement, American Airlines has paid a deposit quantity for 20 plane and should buy as many extra within the close to future.

    “Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers,” the assertion quoted American’s Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr as saying.

    As per Boom Supersonic, an Overture plane, designed to hold 65 to 80 passengers, can fly at a velocity of 4,250 nautical miles or 7,871 km per hour and on the water at Mach 1.7 velocity.

    With such a velocity, one can attain from Miami to London in slightly below 5 hours from current 9 hours and in three hours from Los Angeles to Hawaii towards six hours.

    The inside of an Overture plane (https://boomsupersonic.com/)

    Overture, whose remaining manufacturing design was revealed by Boom Supersonic final month, is slated to roll out in 2025 and take the primary passenger flight by 2029, the assertion added.