Category Archives: Aviation

Regional carrier TruJet has secured Andhra Pradesh Government nod for viability gap funding (VGF) to continue its Chennai- Kadapa-Vijayawada and Vijayawada-Kadapa-Chennai routes for one more year starting from May 1, 2021. The State Cabinet approved a move to provide about Rs 20 crore per year as VGF by the state government.

Indian carrier Vistara will fly to the Japanese capital Tokyo from New Delhi June 16 onwards. The weekly flight will depart from Delhi every Wednesday at 03:00 hrs, while the return flight will depart from Tokyo every Thursday at 17:50 hrs. The airline will fly once a week between the two capital cities under India’s travel bubble agreement with Japan. The airline will use its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with three-class cabin configuration to serve the route. This makes Vistara the only Indian carrier to offer the choice of flying Premium Economy class in addition to Business and Economy cabins. Vistara has also trained its cabin crew in the Japanese language to extend the warmth of true Indian hospitality to travellers from Japan. Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “Far East has been an extremely important geography for our global expansion from the beginning for its tremendous growth potential. We are delighted to add Japan to our international network, under the travel bubble and  look forward to providing the best of Indian hospitality while maintaining the highest standards of safety and hygiene for our customers on this sector.” Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents. Introductory, all-inclusive, round-trip fares between Delhi and Tokyo are as follows:   Route Economy Premium Economy Business Delhi–Tokyo-Delhi INR 45,049 INR 73,699 INR 150,399 Tokyo–Delhi-Tokyo JPY 90,099 JPY 184,699 JPY 410,999   SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS TO AND FROM TOKYO HANEDA: Sector Flight No. Day of Operation Departure Arrival Delhi (DEL) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) UK083 Wednesday 0300 Hrs 1450 Hrs Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Delhi (DEL) UK084 Thursday 1750 Hrs 2335 …

Emirates has suspended passenger flights from India until May 31, 2021. UAE nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with the revised published COVID-19 protocols will be exempt for travel. Those with cancelled bookings can retain their ticket for a future flight or rebook their flight for another date.

Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO, Qatar Airways, has said that while they are keen to pick up stake in Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, which he regards as the country’s largest and most efficient airline, the present may not be the right time for it. The Group CEO says that India continues to be a strategically important market for Qatar Airways.

Recovery in domestic and international travel has been delayed by three and six months, respectively, due to COVID resurgence, says India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). Besides, 2021 has brought three new challenges such as higher fuel expenses, rising competition intensity, and likely pressure on airline yields as the scramble for market share realignment to pre-COVID period begins.

CAPA India has said that the chances of a successful divestment of Air India may be less certain as of May 2021. It furthe said that the Government would need to at least have a plan B ready. Earlier, CAPA India in January 2021 had mentioned that the government’s commitment to privatisation of Air India and airports is laudable.

Air India’s pilots’ union, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) has threatened that they will stop work if Air India does not arrange Pan-India vaccination camps for all flying crew above the age of 18 years on priority. The pilots body has also written to Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri seeking restoration of their pre-COVID-19 monthly pay.

In its India Aviation Outlook FY2022 report, CAPA India has said that it has once again urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to create a new National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP). “Post-COVID, there is a need for NCAP 2.0 – possibly as an interim measure – to support sectoral emergence from the crisis through the stages of survival, stabilisation, recovery and eventually expansion,” it said.

Boeing announced a $10 million emergency assistance package for India to support the country’s response to the current surge in COVID-19 cases. The assistance from Boeing will be directed to organizations providing relief, including medical supplies and emergency healthcare for communities and families battling COVID-19. Boeing will partner with local and international relief organizations to deploy the $10 million to the areas of greatest need.

The UAE has extended the suspension imposed on entry of passengers flying from India into the country until May 14 on account of the situation. It had announced the suspension from midnight on April 25 until May 4. The only exceptions to the ban on entry are UAE nationals, diplomats and persons holding golden residency visas.