Category Archives: Aviation

Kapil Kaul, CEO & Director, CAPA India, speaking at the webinar titled ‘Outlook for Widebody Aircraft in India’ has said that India will need approximately an additional 60 widebody aircraft, targeting a 30% market share. “By FY2032, the long and ultra-long haul market is projected to require the deployment of around 300 widebodies,” he added.

According to CAPA India, the combination of India’s outbound potential, supplemented by other South Asian countries as extension markets and the opportunity to capture intercontinental transfer traffic via Indian hubs, makes this arguably one of the most exciting long-haul markets in the world. Indian carriers currently only have around 65 widebodies (of which some are not operational). In contrast, the ME carriers have close to 500 widebodies, of which more than 250 are with Emirates alone. As a result, 6th freedom carriers accounted for the dominant share of long-haul traffic (64%) and ultra-long-haul traffic (80%) to/from India prior to the pandemic.

Domestic aviation in India is witnessing an unprecedented growth of 4,71,751 passengers and 6,128 flights  on 21 April, 2024 as compared to 21 April last year, which was 4,28,389 and 5,899, respectively. As more people gain access to air travel, the sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory, revealed DGCA.

• Flights to Oradea, a precious hidden gem for city trippers, commence on 3 June • Athens returns to the network of LOT Polish Airlines LOT Polish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance and a leading airline in Central and Eastern Europe, continues its strategy of sustainable growth and adds two more European destinations to its global network. Flights to Oradea in Romania start on 3 June, while LOT Polish Airlines has now celebrated its comeback in Athens. Oradea is a Romanian city near the border to Hungary which can be described as a hidden gem for city trippers. It is steeped in history with roots reaching back to the ancient Romans and with fantastic architecture from the epochs of baroque and Art Nouveau. LOT Polish Airlines operates four times per week from its global hub in Warsaw to Oradea effective 3 June 2024. This service will be operated by Embraer E170 and E175 aircraft. From Delhi to Oradea in less than 12 hours  Travellers from India, who want to explore an amazing destination, which has not yet been discovered by many tourists, and therefore plan to include Oradea in their European itinerary, can even start their adventure there – thanks to the convenient flight service from LOT Polish Airlines from Delhi via Warsaw: Every Monday and Saturday, departure from Delhi at 8:00h, arrival in Oradea at 17:00h local time the same day; 11:30 hours total travel time including 100 minutes stopover in Warsaw Daily service between Warsaw and Athens A destination not be missed on a roundtrip through Europe is Athens and LOT Polish Airlines has now returned to the Greek capital. The Polish carrier is flying daily between …

As per ICRA’s latest report, the domestic air passenger traffic is estimated at ~154 million for FY2024, which represents a YoY growth of ~13%, in line with ICRA’s estimates. Further, the domestic air passenger traffic in FY2024 has surpassed the pre-Covid levels of ~142 million in FY2020 as well. Data also shows that the domestic aviation industry operated at a passenger load factor of ~90% in March 2024, against ~88% in March 2023 and ~89% in February 2024.

Finnair, the national airline of Finland, is pleased to announce the appointment of Anupam Vig as the new General Manager for India, effective January 1, 2024. Anupam Vig is a dynamic professional with over two decades of experience in the airline industry. His expertise lies in developing and implementing innovative sales strategies that drive growth and expand market presence. Throughout his career, Anupam has demonstrated a deep understanding of industry dynamics and consumer behavior, consistently delivering results by identifying business opportunities. His leadership will help further Finnair’s goal of providing top-notch service and connectivity to customers traveling from India to Finland and Nordic destinations. “I am delighted to have Anupam Vig lead our team in India. India continues to be an important market for Finnair,” says Jenni Suomela, Vice President, Global Sales and Channel Management, Finnair. “I am honored and excited to take on the role of General Manager for Finnair in India. Finnair, as a 100-year-old airline, has a rich legacy of providing exceptional service, and I am committed to contributing to its continued success and strengthening Finnair’s position as a preferred choice for travellers across India”, says Anupam Vig. Finnair India’s outgoing General Manager, Sakari Romu, has been instrumental in Finnair’s success in the region. As he takes on the role of General Manager for Japan, Finnair expresses gratitude for his contributions and welcomes Anupam Vig to lead the airline in India.  

FLY91, a pure play regional airline in India, is thrilled to announce the addition of Agatti and Jalgaon to its domestic network. The Goa based carrier will commence operations between Goa-Agatti-Goa, Goa-Jalgaon-Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad, starting April 18, 2024. The new routes will establish direct connectivity between these vibrant destinations, offering travelers enhanced accessibility, increased flight options. With fares starting at Rs 4391, the Goa-Agatti flights will reinforce connectivity to and from the Lakshadweep Islands. The regional carrier will fly to Agatti on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. FLY91 will operate the Goa – Jalgaon – Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad flights on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with fares starting at Rs 1991 onwards. Commenting on the addition of the airline’s fifth and sixth domestic destinations, Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO at FLY91 said “We are delighted to introduce Lakshadweep, India’s enchanting Union Territory, as FLY91’s newest domestic destination. The breathtaking natural landscapes, pristine sandy beaches, and rich biodiversity are certain to captivate travelers, inviting them to explore the untouched beauty of the island chain. The launch of these new flights underscores FLY91’s commitment to expanding air travel accessibility and promoting tourism. As a leading regional carrier, we are dedicated to delivering affordable and seamless travel experiences.” The addition of Agatti and Jalgaon as domestic sectors in FLY91’s network coincides with the domestic summer holiday season. Agatti Island, one of Lakshadweep’s most sought-after destinations, boasts a 6 km stretch of stunning land blessed with diverse marine life. Agatti attracts enthusiasts of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, and kayaking. Additionally, the island serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the tranquil isles of Bangaram, Pitti, Thinnakara, Parali-I, and Parali-II, Karavati islands …

According to RBI, “40 scheduled banks have cumulatively doubled their lending to the aviation sector in January at ₹45,076 crore, as against ₹23,407 crore three years ago. Investments from other sources stood at ₹27,824 crore in January 2023, up 62% year-on-year, and continued to rise gradually during FY24. Industry analysts attribute this surge in investments to the following factors, among others.”

After facing significant flight disruptions recently, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan, said, “Vistara has cut 10% of its flights until May 24 to stabilise operations with its on-time performance increasing to 89% on April 9, 2024.” He added that things could have been planned better but it has been a learning experience.

Indian aviation industry is set to scale new heights. According to a recent report by ICRA, the domestic air passenger traffic is estimated at 154 million for FY2024, which represents a YoY growth of 13%, in line with ICRA’s estimates. Further, the domestic air passenger traffic in FY2024 has surpassed the pre-Covid levels of 142 million in FY2020 as well.