Category Archives: Aviation

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu has released the policy on biometric-based digital processing of passengers at airports called Digi Yatra. He said that the Ministry has taken the initiative to ensure uniform implementation and passenger experience across Indian airports through a connected ecosystem. He said, a technical working committee with members from airport operators, airlines and industry, has been formed for development of standards. The DigiYatra Central Platform will be operational by end of February, 2019. Bangalore and Hyderabad International Airports will be ready with pilot implementation by end of February, 2019. Airport Authority of India (AAI) intends to roll out the programme initially at Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune and Vijayawada by April 2019. Elaborating on the contours of Digi Yatra, Minister of State of Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha said, “It is a facial recognition based passenger processing which is a common standard being adopted the world over to provide a seamless experience right from the entry to the airport upto boarding the aircraft. Under the Digi Yatra, passenger can get a Digi Yatra ID by sharing minimum details like name, e-mail ID, mobile number and details of one approved identity proof where Aadhar ID is not mandatory. This DigiYatra ID will be shared by passengers while booking ticket. Airlines will share the passenger data and DigiYatraID with the departure airport”, he said.

Air India will add two more direct flights connecting Kolkata with Bangkok and Jaipur from October 15. The two non-stop flights, to be operated by the Airbus 320neo aircraft with two-class configuration, will fulfil a long-standing demand of passengers for a convenient connection to both Bangkok and Jaipur by the carrier from Kolkata. Flight AI 336 from Kolkata to Bangkok will be operated three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It will depart from Kolkata at 3.50 pm (local time) and arrive in Bangkok at 8.05 pm (local time). The incoming flight AI 337 will leave Bangkok at 5.15 am (local time) and reach Kolkata at 7 am (local time). Meanwhile, flight AI 737 to Jaipur will take off from Kolkata at 8.40 am to reach Jaipur at 11.10 am. The return flight will take off from Jaipur at 12.20 pm and land in Kolkata at 3 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Source: PTI

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be celebrating 99 years on October 7, becoming the only airline in the world to reach this milestone. Since 1919, KLM has continued operating under its original name, making it one of a kind in the aviation industry. Starting from October 4, KLM will be launching exclusive promotions and engagement activities for 99 hours across multiple channels, offering attractive discounts on ticket purchases to Amsterdam and to over 40 destinations across its network. Jean – Noel Rault, General Manager, Air France – KLM, Indian Sub – Continent, said, “For the past 99 years, we have been flying customers from all over the world and creating beautiful memories across generations. We have brought Europe and the rest of the world closer to our customers in India with our partnership with Jet Airways. Together, we offer 31 weekly flights to Amsterdam, connecting from 45 Indian cities. We look forward to the coming year and our 100th anniversary, making us the only airline in the world to celebrate a centenary.” Customers can avail the special 99-hour deal when they book their flights via KLM’s website www.klm.com or through their travel agents. On October 7, customers travelling from Delhi and Mumbai airports via KLM flights will be able to experience the birthday-themed KLM check-in counters and start their journey on a sweet note.

Fiji Airways has appointed Bird Travels, the airline management services arm of Bird Group as its local representative in India. The association marks the airline’s latest step in developing its sales distribution network within the Indian market. Reinforcing the airline’s growing confidence in the market, Bird Travels is responsible for all the airline’s sales, marketing and ticketing activities in India through its centrally located headquarters in New Delhi. “Bird Group is a veteran in air travel management and we are challenging them to capitalise on their strength and capabilities to help achieve our targets,” said Sajid Khan, Country Manager, Fiji Airways.

Domestic air traffic has grown by 21.20 per cent from January-August YOY, according to a latest report by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January-August 2018 were 913.95 lakhs as against 754.11 lakhs during the corresponding period of previous year. The passenger load factor in the month of August 2018 has shown increasing trend compared to previous month due to beginning of festive season, the report said.

Airports Authority of India’s Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad were conferred with the prestigious National Tourism Awards 2016-17 at an award function in Delhi on World Tourism Day. The latter received the Best Airport Award in Major Cities category while Indore airport received the Best Airport Award in ‘Rest of India’ category for promotion of tourism at these airports.  The award was presented by K J Alphons, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism. Manoj Gangal, Airport Director, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad and Aryama Sanyal, Airport Director, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore along with Keshava Sharma, Regional Executive Director (WR) AAI, received the award from the minister and Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism presents National Tourism Awards to various segments of the travel and tourism industry every year. These awards are presented to State Governments/Union Territories, classified hotels, heritage hotels, approved travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators, individuals and other private organisations in recognition of their performance in their respective fields and also to encourage healthy competition with an aim to promoting tourism.  

IndiGo has announced Kuala Lumpur as its 12th international destination. The airline will operate its daily non-stop flights between Kuala Lumpur-Bengaluru and Kuala Lumpur-Delhi with effect from November 15. The new flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers from these cities, who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options. Customers who would like to plan their travel can book tickets through the carrier’s official website www.goindigo.in. William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to announce Kuala Lumpur as our 12th international destination with effect from November 2018. Malaysia provides a complete package for business travellers, holiday makers, the meeting and conference segment. We see great potential on the India-Malaysia route due to extensive cultural, business and tourism links between the two countries.” He further added, “IndiGo will continue to expand its network to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers wherever they demand it. It is our constant endeavour to provide more flexibility of choice to our customers as IndiGo continues to offer them on-time, courteous and hassle-free service, and an affordable flying experience.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first greenfield airport of Sikkim at Paykong on September 24, 2018. Sikkim’s dream of having an airport came true nine years after a foundation stone for it was laid here, around 33 km from state capital Gangtok, in 2009. The first commercial flight from Pakyong would begin from October 4. Set to pave the way for direct connectivity to Sikkim, Pakyong airport is the 100th airport of the country. Located around 60 km from the Indo-China border, the airport is spread across over 201 acres and is located on the top of a hill about 2 km above Pakyong village at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sikkim Chief Secretary A K Srivastava said. Source: PTI

In a bid to further enhance its flight connectivity from Uttar Pradesh, IndiGo has announced Allahabad as its 60th destination after the successful launch of operations to and from Gorakhpur. The airline will now operate flights between Allahabad and Bangalore effective November 15, 2018. From Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad will be the fourth city IndiGo will be connecting from, after Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur. The introduction of these flights will bring Allahabad closer to the other cities of India with all-inclusive fares starting from Rs 3620, bookings for which are open with immediate effect. William Boulter, Chief Strategy Officer, IndiGo said, “Allahabad is a key market for us and the fourth strategic launch in Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur on IndiGo’s network. We are strengthening our network from the state and hope to create more affordable, point-to-point connectivity for our passengers. IndiGo will continue to offer an on-time, courteous and hassle-free service and affordable flying experience always.”

Uzbekistan airways has announced direct flights to Tashkent from Mumbai, effective October 30, 2018 with a frequency of three times a week. This makes Mumbai the third Indian destination on the airline’s network, along with Delhi and Amritsar. The airline will be flying its A320 aircraft on this route on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Uzbekistan airways is promoted by Delmos Aviation, GSA for the airline in India since 2003 headed by Dr Naveen Rao, Director, Delmos Aviation headquartered in New Delhi.