Category Archives: Aviation

Aviation is undergoing a revolution and the pace of technological advancement is providing both opportunities and challenges, says Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation. He adds, “It has been our effort to ensure that policy fundamentals are contemporary, and that technology acts as an enabler and catalyst for growth.  Expanding use of unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) is one such example.  India is favourably placed to be a leader in this sector and serve as a model for balancing the opportunities that drones bring for social and economic development with the obligation to maintain public safety and security. Responsible use is the way forward.” 

During Aug 2019, a total of 760 passenger related complaints had been received by the scheduled domestic airlines, reveals Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The number of complaints per 10,000 passengers carried for the month of Aug 2019 has been around 0.64. While Vistara received least number of complaints (only 1/10,000 pax), Air Deccan received the maximum complaints (86/10,000 pax).

Low-cost carrier airline based in Kuwait, Jazeera Airways, will soon launch its new flight from Kuwait to London Gatwick starting from October 27, 2019. This will be a direct flight from Kuwait and a first for a low-cost carrier from the Middle East. Sharing this news is Romana Parvi, Country Manager – India, Jazeera Airways, says, “Jazeera Airways is now preparing to launch new routes in Q4, staring with flights to the British capital, London in October 2019. London Gatwick is a milestone for us as it is the very first low-cost service between the Gulf and United Kingdom. We will operate four flights a week in the initial stage of our LGW ops until 30 November, 2019 (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun). Effective December 1, 2019, we will operate daily non-stop flights between KWI and LON. Passengers from five Indian stations can connect to LGW with a smooth transit of anything between 2.5 hrs to four hrs via Kuwait.” Besides London Gatwick, by the end of 2019 Jazeera Airways will see a couple of more routes launched on its network  including Nepal and Bangladesh. On flights to London Gatwick, Jazeera Airways will fly passengers using the new A320neo aircraft with a cabin configuration in three classes: Business Class, a new Premium Economy Class and Economy Class. The Business Class offers passengers a 33-inch seat pitch, 50 kilograms in baggage allowance, priority boarding and a complementary inflight meal. The Premium Economy Class offers passengers a 31-inch seat pitch, while Economy Class offers a 29/30-inch seat pitch. Hot meals will be provided for the first time on Jazeera flights – complimentary in Business Class and Premium Economy, and from the Jazeera …

The Travel Unified global campaign by Travelport, launched in 2019, drives awareness about DPNA (Disabled Passenger with intellectual or Developmental disability Needing Assistance) as a Special Service Request (SSR) code available in the airline industry for passengers. In India, the use of the code for flights booked through Travelport has increased by 165%. Under the campaign, the requests for assistance for airline passengers with intellectual disabilities have nearly doubled. Globally, use of the code on flights booked through Travelport has increased by 89% since the launch of the Travel Unified campaign. Little-known SSR code, DPNA 1, can be used to alert airlines when a traveler has an intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance. Travelport has now extended the campaign until at least the end of 2019 and called for all parties in the travel industry to do more to support people with intellectual disabilities. Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer at InterGlobe Technology Quotient, stated: “Air travel is meant to be hassle-free and safe for all passengers and particularly for specially-abled. And, when there is a system in place for them, it is our responsibility to let the patrons with intellectual and developmental disabilities benefit from it. Travelport‘s Travel Unified campaign is a great initiative that has been instrumental in raising awareness about DPNA SSR code among travel trade fraternity as well as specially-abled passengers. The code usage while booking flights through Travelport has grown by 165% in India, which clearly shows the effectiveness of this campaign. We encourage all travel professionals in the travel industry to come together and make this campaign reach to everyone.” SSR codes are used in the airline industry to communicate traveller preferences or needs …

Hahn Air has added seven new carriers to its leading network of more than 350 airlines in the third quarter of 2019. The new partners are expanding their distribution reach with Hahn Air’s product HR-169. Travel agents can issue their flights on the insolvency-safe Hahn Air HR-169 ticket, even in markets where the airlines are not participating in the local payment system (e.g. BSP or ARC). The new HR-169 partners include Air Chathams (3C) from New Zealand, Jeju Air (7C) from South Korea, Air Peace (P4) from Nigeria, Amaszonas Uruguay (Z7), MAYAir / Aerocuahonte (5G) from Mexico, as well as two regional US carriers, RavnAir Alaska (7H) and Southern Airways Express (9X).

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the national carrier, Air India with a common objective of promoting tourism to India. Now, Air India offices abroad will function as extended arms of MOT. The MoU was signed by Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and MD Silva, General Manager (Sales & Marketing), Air India recently. As earlier reported in Tourism Breaking News in May 2019, the Ministry was looking to partner with Air India for its overseas operations apart from its overseas offices. It was reported that eight overseas destinations would shift to Air India offices. Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and MOT were in discussions for the partnership, as part of the cost restructuring by the ministry, under which it will require to shut offices at prime tourist destinations, like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto, Tokyo, Sydney and Milan. As part of the arrangement, India Tourism will pay rent to Air India along with a nominal amount for the service rendered by the Air India staff.

Budget carrier AirAsia India has announced the relocation of its operations to domestic terminal (T1) of the city’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from October 15. At present, the Bengaluru-based airline, which has limited operations from the city, flies from the international terminal (T2) of the Mumbai airport. Mumbai will become AirAsia India’s fourth hub in the country after Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata, the airline said in a release.

GVK Mumbai International Airport has released a statement stating, “RWY 09/27 will not be available for aircraft operations  from 1 November 2019 to 28 March 2020, 6 days of week, from Mondays to Saturdays between 09:30 Hrs to 17:30 Hrs, due to major rehabilitation and re-carpeting works. The present runway handles 46 flights per hour, however the secondary runway will operate 35 flights per hour.”

Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri has said that, by 2024, India is likely to have 200 operational airports with 70 of them catering to international travel. Emphasising on sustainable development, he says, “While we adopt state-of-the-art communication, navigation and surveillance technologies, we are conscious and mindful that our growth must be environmentally sustainable.”

Overall cancellation rate of scheduled domestic airlines for the month of Aug 2019 has been 1.61%, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air Asia recorded lowest cancellations with (0.45%), followed by Vistara (0.47%) and SpiceJet (0.62%). GoAir was next with 0.85% cancellations, while IndiGo recorded 0.90%. Air India had 3.80% cancellations in August 2019.