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    Events, Recent News

    CII to host Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025

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    Delhi, India, 29 October 2024: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in strategic partnership with Hunch Mobility, is set to host the Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025, a groundbreaking event scheduled for January 19-22, 2025, in Greater Noida. The Expo will be a part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, India’s premier platform for global mobility solutions. Following the successful ASHA Conference in 2023, this expanded event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to shape the future of urban air transportation. With support from the Government of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the 4-day expo will showcase cutting-edge technologies in UAVs, drones, eVTOL aircraft, and Advanced Short Haul Air Mobility. “The Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025 represents a crucial milestone in India’s journey toward revolutionary urban transportation solutions,” said Amit Dutta, Chairman CII Task Force on Advanced Air Mobility and MD, Hunch Mobility. “India’s unique landscape and diverse mobility needs make it the perfect environment for pioneering Urban Air Mobility (UAM) innovations. As urbanization accelerates, this platform will drive solutions to critical challenges like congestion and pollution. By blending global expertise with local innovation, we are not just imagining the future of mobility – we are actively creating it.” India, as the world’s third-largest aviation market with 341.05 million passengers, is set to take the lead in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) revolution. The country’s commitment to electric air mobility and the increasing use of UAVs in areas like precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and disaster management highlight its readiness for technological advancement. With substantial opportunities in pilgrimage travel, air ambulances, last-mile deliveries, and mega-events, India is emerging as a significant hub for UAM innovation, paving the way for a transformative shift in the mobility sector. The event features comprehensive conferences addressing critical industry topics, including policy frameworks, ecosystem development, and regulatory roadmaps. Attendees will experience live demonstrations of eVTOLs and drones, alongside exhibits from leading OEMs and suppliers. The conference program will deep dive into crucial areas such as UAM policy development, infrastructure requirements, manufacturing opportunities, and urban air traffic management systems. Industry professionals can participate through various channels, with exhibition space available at USD 200 per sqm for raw space and USD 220 per sqm for built-up booths. Conference registration is open to delegates at INR 2500 per day for Indian participants and USD 250 per day for international delegates. The Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025 will serve as a pivotal platform for the global UAM community to network, explore partnerships, and collaborate on innovative solutions that will define the future of urban transportation. For more information and registration details, visit:  https://urbanairmobilityexpo.in/

    Recent News

    SriLankan Airlines Is New BARIG Member

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    Frankfurt, 29th October,2024: SriLankan Airlines is a new member of the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG), which is advocating the interests of national and international airlines operating to and from Germany. With a fleet of 24 Airbus aircraft, SriLankan Airlines, member of the oneworld alliance, operates flights to 114 destinations in 62 countries. This includes three non-stop flights a week from Frankfurt to Colombo, the capital of the South Asian island country. “Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination that welcomes more than 100,000 guests from Germany alone every year,” says BARIG Chairman and Executive Director Michael Hoppe, who has already visited this very interesting country for the first time back in 1992. “We are looking forward to the exchange and collaboration with this renowned airline.” Sharadha Senevirathne, Country Manager Germany of SriLankan Airlines states: “BARIG’s collaboration with authorities in the political and economic spheres as well as key players in the German aviation industry, is crucial. We are therefore pleased to be a part of this airline association, particularly since BARIG engages in many topics that are important for the efficient and future-oriented development of the aviation industry.” Since its foundation in 1979, SriLankan Airlines has been dedicated to service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality. Its new fleet of Airbus A330-300 aircraft is equipped with a variety of modern technical features.

    Cargo

    Raya Airways Launches Inaugural Flight from Penang to Hong Kong

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    Penang, 29th Oct 2024: Raya Airways Sdn. Bhd. (“Raya”), Malaysian cargo airline, has announced that it has commenced the route between Penang and Hong Kong SAR with the inaugural flight on 28 October 2024 from Penang International Airport. The route will operate five flights per week. The route enhances DHL’s aviation network in Asia Pacific, and is served by Raya under DHL’s charter arrangement. Other than the Penang-Hong Kong route, Raya is also operating other charter services between Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong SAR as well as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for DHL. Raya’s Group Managing Director, Mohamad Najib Ishak said, “We are pleased to be given trust by DHL to support their growing network, which is a testimony to their market leadership. Throughout the 14 years of partnership between the parties, Raya has developed a robust operational infrastructure to support DHL’s time-definite business model. In addition, we are also delighted to be given the opportunity to support the growth of Penang as a premier air cargo hub, given the presence of large high-end industrials in the state.” “The Penang-Hong Kong route will not be possible without the strong support of Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad as the airport operator, in providing the operation-critical arrangements. A special note of thanks to MAHB’s team, led by YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, the Managing Director,” he added.

    Defence

    PM Modi & his Spanish counterpart jointly inaugurate TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing of C-295 aircraft in Vadodara

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    New Delhi, 28th Oct. 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing of C-295 aircraft at TATA advanced systems limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 28, 2024. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that it is the Prime Minister of Spain Mr Pedro Sanchez’s first visit to India and the partnership between the two countries is finding a new direction today. Noting the inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, the Prime Minister said that it would not only strengthen the relations between the two nations, but also give momentum to the mission of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. Modi conveyed his best wishes to the entire team of Airbus and TATA on the occasion. The Prime Minister also paid his tributes to Late Ratan Tata ji. The Prime Minister underlined that the factory of C-295 aircraft is a reflection of the new work culture of New India and said that India’s speed from idea to the execution of any project in the country can be witnessed here. Recalling the foundation stone laying of the factory in October 2022, the Prime Minister said that the facility is now ready for production of C-295 aircraft. Emphasizing the focus on eliminating unaccounted delays in the planning and execution of projects, the Prime Minister recalled the setting up of Bombardier Train Coach manufacturing facility in Vadodara as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and said that factory was ready in record time for production. “Metro Coaches made in this factory are being exported to other nations today”, he added. Shri Modi expressed confidence that the aircraft made in today’s inaugurated facility would also be exported. Quoting the famous Spanish poet Antonio Machado, the Prime Minister remarked that as we start treading towards the goal, the path towards the goal is created automatically. Noting that India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem was scaling new peaks today, Shri Modi said that if concrete steps were not taken 10 years ago then it would have been impossible to reach this destination today. He added that a decade ago, the priority and identity of defence manufacturing were about import and none could imagine that defence manufacturing could take place on such a large scale in India. The Prime Minister remarked that the Government decided to walk on a new path, set new goals for India, whose results are evident today. The Prime Minister said that India’s transformation of the defence sector exemplifies how a right plan and partnership can turn possibilities into prosperity. He underlined that strategic decisions have spurred the growth of a vibrant defence industry in India over the last decade. “We expanded private sector participation in defence manufacturing, made public sector units more efficient, restructured ordnance factories into seven major companies, and empowered DRDO and HAL”, said Shri Modi. He said establishing defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu infused new energy into the sector. Touching upon Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, the Prime Minister said that it has driven the growth of around 1,000 defence start-ups in the past five to six years. He informed that India’s defence exports have increased 30 times over the past decade, with the country now exporting equipment to over 100 countries. The Prime Minister underlined that he was looking at today’s program beyond the manufacturing of transport aircraft. Highlighting the unprecedented growth and transformation of India’s aviation sector in the last decade, Shri Modi remarked that India was providing air connectivity to hundreds of small cities in the country, while simultaneously working to make India a hub of aviation and MRO domain. He added that this ecosystem will also pave the way for Made in India civil aircraft in the future. Noting that various Indian airlines have ordered 1,200 new aircraft, Modi said that this only meant the newly inaugurated factory will play a major role from designing to manufacturing civil aircraft to meet the needs of India and the world in the future. Noting that Vadodara City was a stronghold of MSMEs, Modi remarked that the city will act as a catalyst in these efforts of India. He added that the city also had a Gatishakti University, which was preparing professionals for different sectors of India. The Prime Minister also noted that there were many companies related to many sectors like the pharma sector, Engineering and Heavy Machinery, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Power and Energy Equipment in Vadodara. He added that now this entire region was also going to be a major hub of aviation manufacturing in India. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that today’s event will inspire many new joint collaboration projects between India and Spain. He extended an invitation to the Spanish industry and innovators and encouraged them to come to India and become partners in the country’s development journey. Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishakar were among those present on the occasion. Earlier, in a post on X, Raksha Mantri termed the inauguration as a special day for the Indian aerospace industry. “The C-295 project is a huge accomplishment for the Indian private industry as it is the first project of its kind in which a complete military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The project will give a big boost to India’s growing aerospace ecosystem,” he wrote. Background In September 2021, Ministry of Defence had signed a Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain for supply of 56 aircraft – 16 to be brought in fly away condition from Spain and 40 to be built in India by TASL. Delivery Of the 16 aircraft, six have already been inducted into IAF at 11 Sqn based at Vadodara. The last would be delivered by August 2025. The first Made-in-India C-295 is expected to be rolled out of the Final Assembly Line

    Tourism

    Sentosa and STIC Travel Group Launch Unique Educational Programs Promoting Sustainability

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    Singapore, 28th October 2024: Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and STIC Travel Group (STIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance Sentosa’s standing as a sustainable destination in the Indian market. This one-year partnership will seek to create innovative educational experiences targeted at students in India, highlighting Sentosa’s sustainable practices and diverse ecosystems. The MoU signifies a joint effort to design immersive learning experiences that utilise Sentosa’s unique environment as a living classroom to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability. These programmes will emphasise key concepts such as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity conservation. This partnership builds upon STIC’s broader efforts to boost educational tourism in Singapore by offering Indian students an opportunity to explore Singapore’s heritage, sustainable development initiatives and interactive learning experiences. CREATING AN IMMERSIVE SUSTAINABILITY ADVENTURE Central to this partnership is the launch of the “Unchartered Sentosa” tour designed to inspire students to become advocates for positive environmental change in their own communities. Slated to roll out in November 2024, Unchartered Sentosa offers Indian students a hands-on exploration of sustainability principles through a diverse range of activities: ● Intertidal exploration of the Southern Shores to learn about marine conservation and coastal ecology ● Guided nature walks along Serapong and Imbiah Trail to discover native flora and fauna in Sentosa ● Amazing Race adventure on Sentosa and St John’s Island to educate participants on the importance and relevance of responsible consumption ● Interactive workshops that equip participants with ocean survival skills at Lazarus Island ● Visits to Sentosa’s sustainable attractions such as the Cable Car and Skyline Luge ● Eco Tour of Siloso Beach Resort demonstrating real-world applications of sustainable design and green technology “Our partnership with SDC aligns perfectly with STIC’s mission to offer innovative and meaningful travel experiences,” commented Isha Goyal, CEO, STIC Travel Group. “By combining our expertise in educational tourism with Sentosa’s world-class sustainable practices, we’re creating a truly distinct offering for Indian students. This initiative not only enhances their global perspective but also equips them with practical knowledge about sustainability that they can bring back to their communities.” ESTABLISHING SENTOSA AS AN EDUCATIONAL HUB FOR SUSTAINABILITY The MoU is set to strengthen Sentosa’s positioning as a sustainable destination for leisure, business and education. As the first island destination in Asia to be conferred the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – For Destinations certificate, Sentosa is committed to creating robust eco-conscious tourism experiences. SDC’s comprehensive sustainability approach, integrates eco-friendly practices across all visitor touchpoints – leisure activities, accommodation, transport and dining – minimising environmental impact while engaging guests in sustainable initiatives throughout their Sentosa journey. “This partnership with STIC represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable tourism through education, particularly in this growing segment,” said Thien Kwee Eng, Chief Executive Officer, SDC. “By leveraging Sentosa’s ecological diversity, we’re creating a unique platform for students to gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship. We look forward to creating unique Sentosa-based itineraries and experiences with STIC that showcase Sentosa’s commitment to sustainability and provide invaluable educational opportunities for students.” This is expected to boost tourism arrivals from India, Sentosa’s top source market, particularly in the educational travel segment. By offering immersive sustainability-focused experiences, the partnership aims to encourage longer and more meaningful stays on the island. MOU Signing Ceremony The MOU was signed at ITB Asia 2024. Images:Sentosa Development Corporation

    Events

    CASEA will be held in Bangkok on 26-27 November, 2024

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    Bangkok, 28th October 2024: The 7th edition of Civil Aviation South East Asia Summit 2024 (CASEA 2024) will be held in Bangkok on 26-27 November, 2024. CASEA is the most enduring & impactful civil aviation event in Thailand. CASEA 2024 aims to build an ideal platform for the civil aviation industry professionals to connect, network, share and discuss the outlook, prospectus and challenges facing the whole industry. Southeast Asia is lagging in post-COVID because none of the top six nations by capacity has reached 2019 levels. It is reported that in December 2023, Thailand reached 78% of 2019 levels, Indonesia 82%, Vietnam 89%, Malaysia 78%, the Philippines 90% and Singapore 91%. In 2023, Thailand was fourth in terms of traffic recovery in Southeast Asia. Its aviation sector saw a remarkable recovery in 2023, with 121 million passengers and record profits driven by a resurgence in the country’s tourism industry. Aviation bodies project Thailand’s passenger numbers to a full recovery by 2025, though economic uncertainties and the slow rebound of some supply chains still hamper the industry. Despite the continuing growth in Thailand’s aviation industry, it remains short of meeting the increased demand. The Airlines Association of Thailand has urged the government to elevate more regional airports to become international airports, aiming to generate higher tourism revenue for 55 second-tier cities. Simultaneously, regulatory adjustments are being considered to make it easier for airlines to acquire additional aircraft to meet the growing passenger demand. Other than supply chain issues, such as fleet resumption and outdated infrastructure, along with a lack of spare parts and staff in the aviation sector also play a crucial role. Join this event to learn the state of the Thai and ASEAN aviation industry, share regional and global trends, and showcase innovations and best practices to full recovery of the air travel industry. Join this event at year end to summarize 2024 and shape your agenda for 2025! Aviation World is the official Media Partner of CASEA 2024. Email: info @innowinn.com | Web: www.civilaviationsea.com For sales and sponsorships, please contact Max via: maxtan@innowinn.com For speaking opportunities, please contact Simon via: simony@innowinn.com

    People

    SITA appoints Nathalie Altwegg as Senior VP of its Airports business unit

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    Geneva, 28th October 2024: SITA has announced the appointment of Nathalie Altwegg as Senior Vice President of SITA’s Airports business unit. Altwegg will spearhead SITA’s further growth in the airports market, building on the company’s presence in more than 1,000 airports globally, as well as its drive to reinvent and digitalize operations and journeys across the world through cutting edge technology and innovation. Altwegg comes to her new role after serving as Chief Operating Officer for SITA Europe for two years, bringing extensive management experience in strategy, commercial, people, and portfolio. With over two decades of experience in the air transport industry, Altwegg has gained deep understanding of the airports business, along with expertise in the areas of M&A, IT outsourcing, and business development of all sizes, including large and complex business opportunities. Altwegg said: “We’re world leaders in the airport market, focusing on the future of our thousands of airport, airline and ground handler customers across the world. We’re bringing great changes as we reinvent journeys and processes to deliver the ultimate travel experience with the most advanced, efficient and sustainable technologies. Our Airports business is a jewel in the industry and I can’t wait to steer it into the future.” David Lavorel, CEO SITA, said: “It’s wonderful to be welcoming Nathalie to the executive team as a hugely experienced SITA expert with great insights into how to take our Airports business forward. Her knowledge and leadership will be of great value to our airport customers of all sizes right across the world.”

    Airports

    Vipin Kumar takes over as Chairman, AAI

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    New Delhi, 28th October, 2024: Vipin Kumar, an IAS officer of 1996 batch, Bihar cadre took over as Chairman of Airports Authority of India, today. Prior to this appointment, Shri Kumar was serving as Additional Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India.During his tenure at Ministry of Education, Government of India, he was looking after Samagra Shiksha Scheme, National Education Policy-2020, PM-SHRI Scheme and other important assignments. During his posting in Bihar, he worked as District Magistrate in many districts of the state. He was also the Chairman of Bihar Bridge Construction Corporation; Managing Director of Bihar Milk Cooperative Federation (SUDHA) and Director, Mid-Day Meal Scheme-Bihar. Vipin Kumar holds a degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering. In his new assignment as the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India,Kumar will lead efforts to achieve AAI’s organizational goals of developing world-class airport infrastructure, leading air navigation services and providing top-of-the-line passenger facilities across the country. His role will be instrumental in charting the roadmap of Indian Aviation Sector towards realising the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat-2047.

    MRO

    Air India receives DGCA approval to modify aircraft interiors in-house

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    Gurugram, 28th October 2024: Air India has received the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) designated as CAR 21 approval. A significant milestone, this will enable Air India to independently make design changes in-house and implement modifications to its aircraft interiors more efficiently. Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorisation, accelerating its ability to execute restoration tasks for continuous improvement of its fleet. The approval was handed over to Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India by D.C. Sharma, Director General, DGCA on 25 October 2024 in the presence of other senior officials of Air India and DGCA, the civil aviation regulator. Air India had earlier entered a collaboration with Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, to enhance aircraft interiors in its fleet aligned with the CAR 21 approval for aircraft modifications. The DOA is a transformative step towards enhancing Air India’s in-house capabilities, which has been bolstered by decisions to set up its own engineering, maintenance and training facilities. This will enhance operational efficiency and make the airline more self-reliant. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in it. The approval reaffirms our capabilities to maintain our fleet and commitment to enhance customer experience of our aircraft interiors. The collaboration with Tata Technologies will help us meet customer expectations, aligning with our broader goals of operational excellence and self-reliance.” Warren Harris, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Technologies, speaking on the collaboration with Air India, said: “Our partnership with Air India represents a significant step forward in redefining air travel experiences through innovation and strategic engineering. By leveraging our global aerospace expertise, we are committed to delivering next-generation aircraft interiors that not only meet the highest standards of functionality and safety but also enhance customer satisfaction. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to engineering a better world and supporting the advancement of the Indian aviation sector.” The partnership will streamline Air India’s operations by integrating innovative digital thread solutions and smart Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure that Air India’s fleet remains fit to fly, further enhancing passenger safety, comfort and operational reliability.

    Business Aviation

    KlasJet Receives Approval for 737 Next-Generation Maintenance

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    KlasJet,exclusive private and corporate jet charter company and part of the Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) providers, has received an extension of EASA Part 145 activity certification including Boeing 737NG (Next Generation) line maintenance. “Earning our own Part 145 certification was an investment in our personnel to ensure we have a highly skilled team and strict compliance with regulations behind every operation,” Svirplys said. “The extension of the approval allows us to reduce cost as we will no longer need to depend on outside organizations to improve turnaround time for optimal fleet utilization.” Oliver Wynam forecasts a 48,000 deficit of aircraft maintenance workers by 2027. The shortages are expected to lead to restrictions on capacity and more downtime for aircraft that cannot be maintained. Svirplys adds that by reducing dependency, the approval allowed KlasJet to handle maintenance problems quickly. “The approval will enhance the operational flexibility as we will be able to keep our fleet airworthy and address maintenance problems ourselves,” said Aivaras Svirplys, Technical Director of KlasJet. “Given the shortage of workers in the industry, the in-house capability eliminates our dependence on a limited timeline of short-staffed maintenance facilities.” KlasJet’s fleet includes aircraft modified to deliver its premium quality flight service. The fleet currently consists of eight 737-800 aircraft equipped with CFM56 engines that operate both VIP charter and ACMI operations. In addition to these next-generation aircraft, the exclusive flight experience provider also operates five 737 classics.

    FOREWORD

    Dear Reader’s,

     

    The current edition of Aviation World has covered many areas of Aerospace & Defence based on the latest development in the sector. The front cover highlights three different images, first for the Union Civil Aviation Minister ….. who is leading from the front to steer Indian Civil Aviation sector to witness one of the most interesting phases. He is also facing most tumultuous timing due to the ongoing financial stress in the Aviation sector due to ATF rising cost and long airspace restrictions resulting in mounting losses for Indian carriers. Despite of all the ground level challenges,the minister is addressing new things on regular basis which keeps the sector motivated. We have featured many such developmental works in this edition done under his guidance which will be interesting to read.

    Our lead story on “ The West War” is another important feature which covers the ground level reality of the challenges faced by the Aviation sector. Its though time ahead and we believe it will pass soon .

    There are features on Regional connectivity and MoCA revised rules on the UDAN 2.0 and how its going to transform the flying experience within India.

    In this edition, we have covered topics on MRO,Various Policy changes,Sea Plane Operations by SkyHop Aviation, TATA-Airbus joint project on C295 military aircraft under Make In India which is expected to roll out soon and many other interesting contents which will be good to read.

    We are covering Farnborough International Airshow 2026 from 20-24July 2026 in London and our next edition will be based on the same event.For features, you may contact our team on priority basis.

     

    Happy Reading!

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    NEWSLETTER

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    We have started 2026 on a very positive note and we look forward to increase our footprints to more locations and induct many more new companies in our campaign.. Do write to us at : editor@aviationworld.in

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