Category Archives: Aviation

CEO of Akasa Airlines, Vinay Dube said that within next 60 days, the airline will welcome its 20th aircraft. This will enable the airline to start international operations and connect India to rest of the world. This ex-Vietjet aircraft is going to be India’s first B737 MAX 8 200.,” he adds.   

Commenting on the monthly domestic passenger traffic data for April 2023, ICRA states that numbers for April 2023 is estimated at 129 lakh, similar to that in March 2023, though 22% higher in comparison to 105 lakh in April 2022 and 17% higher than pre-Covid levels of 110 lakh in April 2019. It added that despite a healthy recovery in passenger traffic, the domestic aviation industry continues to face challenges on account of elevated ATF prices and depreciation of the INR vis-à-vis the US$ compared to the pre-Covid era, both of which have a major bearing on the airlines’ cost structure. While the ATF prices have witnessed a sequential decline over the past four months, they still remain at elevated levels as compared to the pre-Covid era. The airlines’ efforts to ensure fare hikes proportionate to their input cost increases will be key to expanding their profitability margins.

The latest ICRA report has mentioned that for FY2022-23, domestic air passenger traffic was around 1360 lakh, a YoY growth of roughly 60%, and marginally lower by 4% compared to 1416 lakh in FY2019-20. It was up than ICRA’s estimate of 1300-1350 lakh.

The availability of direct flights is a game-changer for the travel agents in Odisha. Debjit Dutta, Director & CEO, of Impression Tourism Services, said, “With improved connectivity, the state is more accessible to visitors. It will also open new markets and business opportunities.

Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “The merger of Air India and Vistara, is a positive development. Air India has struggled to compete in the aviation market for years, and the merger will make it one of the biggest airlines globally and a national carrier for India.

Café Akasa, Akasa Air’s onboard meal service, has added a special festive meal to celebrate Mother’s Day. This exclusive meal is available until 31 May across the network. All Café Akasa meals are a unique blend of traditional and contemporary flavors specially curated by culinary experts. This curation includes a flavourful Methi Thepla with Sweet Mango Pickle, served with unique and indulgent gourmet French-inspired Dhokla filled with Green Chutney, accompanied by a seasonal Mango Shrikhand and a choice of beverage. The delectable meal has been created to reminisce the memories of moments spent around the family table and offers the airline’s customers the same comforting flavors of a mom-cooked meal, in the skies. Since the launch of operations in August 2021, Akasa Air has introduced specially curated meal options that are inspired by regional specialties associated with celebrations during popular festivals and special occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, Makar Sankranti, Valentine’s Day, Holi, and Eid al-Fitr. The airline also offers a pre-selection of cakes on its regular menu for flyers who want to celebrate the birthdays of their loved ones in the skies. About Cafe Akasa Akasa Air’s buy-on-board meal service is Café Akasa. With a wide choice of multi-cuisine, tasty, quality, and healthy meals, including industry-first options, the offering provides customers with a unique and indulgent gourmet experience in the skies. An array of unique festival menus and quality fusion meal offerings, inspired by Indian cuisines and celebrations as well as industry-first options like pasta, Vietnamese rice rolls, and beverages like hot chocolate are available on board, all year round. As an environmentally progressive airline, Akasa Air’s packaging of perishable meals is ethically sourced from sustainably grown …

Sharing his views on the immediate repercussions of Go First bankruptcy, Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, says, “Aviation is a business fraught with uncertainties. With capacity being pulled out after the Go First airline development, airfares will increase further, especially since we are in the peak holiday season.”

Air India has launched a non-stop flights between Delhi and Amsterdam. It will operate from June 11, 2023 with a two-class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This is Air India’s eighth continental European city to be served. The addition of Amsterdam brings the total number of non-stop flights between India and Europe to 77 per week. Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India, said, “With the launch of this new non-stop flight to Amsterdam, Air India adds further breadth to our long-haul network and more options for our customers. Together with the three other European routes started in recent months, and others to come, it supports our objective of establishing Delhi as a significant international hub.”

Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have signed an MoU to expand their interline agreement and provide travellers additional itinerary options when visiting the UAE. This first of its kind agreement between the two UAE carriers aims to capitalise on opportunities to boost tourism to the UAE from key source markets by enabling visitors to experience more than one destination in a single itinerary. This summer, customers of each airline will be able to purchase a single ticket to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a seamless return via the other airport. The new agreement also provides travellers planning to explore the UAE with the flexibility of one-stop ticketing for their full journey and convenient baggage check-in.

In a statement issued by Goa First airline, it has said that in order to recover losses, it has sought compensation of approximately INR 8,000 crores in the SIAC arbitration. If it is successful in the arbitration, it is hoped that, the airline will be able to address the liabilities of its creditors. The statement adds that, however at this stage, in the absence of Pratt & Whitney not providing the required number of spare leased engines in accordance with the order issued by the emergency arbitrator, the airline is no longer in a position to continue to meet its financial obligations.