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Recent News

BEL registers 39% growth in PAT during 1st Half of FY 2024-25

Thiruvananthapuram/Bengaluru, October 28, 2024: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has achieved a Turnover of Rs. 8,530.43 Cr during the 1st half of FY 2024-25, registering a growth of 15.83% over the Turnover of Rs. 7,364.82 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the 2nd Quarter of FY 2024-25, BEL achieved a Turnover of Rs. 4,425.29 Cr as against Rs. 3,918.13 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit Before Tax (PBT) during the 1st half of FY 2024-25 stood at Rs. 2,488.22 Cr, with a growth of 40.05% over the PBT of Rs. 1,776.69 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the 2nd Quarter of FY 2024-25, PBT stood at Rs. 1,450.88 Cr as against Rs. 1,072.94 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit After Tax (PAT) during the 1st half of FY 2024-25 stood at Rs. 1,867.41 Cr, with a growth of 39.03% over the PAT of Rs. 1,343.18 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the 2nd Quarter of FY 2024-25, PAT stood at Rs. 1,091.27 Cr as against Rs. 812.34 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. The order book position of the company as on 1st October, 2024, stood at Rs. 74,595 Cr.

Defence

Czech Republic Orders Two Embraer C-390 Millennium Multi-Mission Aircraft

Prague,25th October, 2024: The Czech Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a contract for the acquisition of two Embraer C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft. These two NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standard aircraft will modernize and enhance the operational capabilities of the Czech Air Force. They will be able to perform a wide range of missions, such as tactical transport of troops, vehicles, and equipment, medical evacuation, firefighting, disaster management, humanitarian support, and air-to-air refueling. This contract not only strengthens the Czech Air Force but also positively impacts the local aerospace industry, which will see a significant increase in its share of production for the program. “Past and present history clearly shows us that the military needs to be able to transport people and heavier cargo over longer distances. Evacuations from Afghanistan and Sudan are clear evidence of this. I am therefore very pleased that we have managed to acquire aircraft for our Air Force that are capable of performing these tasks,” said Defence Minister Jana Černochová. “This order from the Czech Republic, a NATO member, is an invaluable mark of confidence for Embraer. It encourages us to implement the best technology to provide our customers with the operational capabilities needed to accomplish the most demanding missions. With this order, Embraer will reinforce its ties with the local Czech aerospace industry, recognized for its expertise and product quality for decades,” said Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. In addition to the aircraft, Embraer will provide a comprehensive training and support package for the Czech Air Force to ensure the smooth integration of the aircraft into their fleet. With a maximum payload of 26 tons, a top speed of 470 knots, and state-of-the-art technology, the C-390 is the leading aircraft in its class. Its powerful engines, large cargo hold with a rear ramp, and robust landing gear allow it to handle the most demanding missions, including operations from unpaved runways. The current fleet of C-390 aircraft in service around the world has accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates exceeding 99%, demonstrating exceptional reliability in its category. Along with Czech Republic, the C-390 has been selected by the Netherlands, Hungary and Portugal, three NATO members, as well as Austria, Brazil, and South Korea.

Recent News

Garuda Aerospace Doubles Down with DGCA Approval for manufacturing and training

Chennai, 28th October, 2024: Garuda Aerospace has secured two additional approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).The first approval granted to Garuda Aerospace is a Delta-type certification for manufacturing. This certification validates the company’s capabilities in designing, manufacturing, and maintaining drones according to stringent DGCA standards. The Delta Type certification is a crucial requirement for drone manufacturers operating in India and ensures that products coming out are of the highest level of safety. The second approval Garuda Aerospace received is a Train the Trainer approval for its Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO). This approval empowers Garuda to train and certify trainers, who will then be responsible for educating and certifying drone pilots. With these latest additions, Garuda Aerospace now holds a total of six DGCA approvals. These approvals include: • Delta Type certification for small drone manufacturing in (October 2024) • Train the Trainer approval for its Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) in (September 2024) • Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) approval for Medium Drone in (December 2023) • Type Certification for Medium drone manufacturing in (October 2023) • Type Certification for Small drone manufacturing in (December 2023) • Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) approval for Small Drone in (September 2022) Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said, “These new DGCA approvals open up new avenues for growth and expansion, allowing us to serve a wider range of customers and contribute more significantly to the Indian drone industry. By achieving both manufacturing and training certifications, we are reaffirming our commitment to fostering a thriving and self-sufficient drone in the market. The DGCA approvals are crucial for driving innovation and empowering industries across the world and will enable us to capitalise on this growth potential and position Garuda Aerospace as a key player in the industry. By investing in research and development, training skilled personnel, and building strategic partnerships, we aim to contribute to the development of a vibrant and sustainable drone ecosystem in India.”

Recent News

Saudia Records 10% Growth in Guest Transportation for Q3 2024

Jeddah, October 28, 2024: Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has reported significant growth in its operational performance for the third quarter of 2024, according to its latest performance report. The airline transported over nine million guests, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This achievement was supported by more than 49,500 flights, reflecting a 9% increase in flight operations. Additionally, Saudia logged 146,700 flight hours, representing an 11% increase over last year, with an impressive on-time performance rate of 87.8%. Internationally, Saudia carried over five million guests, reflecting a 9% growth, and on more than 21,900 flights, a 5% increase compared to last year. The airline’s international fleet logged over 102,400 flight hours. On the domestic front, Saudia served over four million guests, demonstrating a 12% increase, with more than 27,500 flights operated, marking a 13% increase. Domestic flight hours surpassed 44,200, with a commendable on-time performance rate of 91.5%. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, stated: “The aviation industry is uniquely defined by its skilled workforce and cutting-edge systems that ensure sustained operational excellence. We remain committed to delivering innovative services that enhance the travel experience for our valued guests, and our new strategy meticulously addresses every aspect of air travel—from security and safety to expanding seating capacity to meet growing demand.” From January to September 2024, Saudia successfully transported over 25.3 million guests across 143,800 flights. Looking ahead, the addition of 131 new aircraft to Saudia’s fleet will significantly expand flight offerings and seating capacity across its network of over 100 destinations spanning four continents. This growth will also introduce new international routes, aligning with the airline’s strategy to connect the world to the Kingdom and support the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

RCS

FLY91 announces daily direct flights between Pune,Goa & Jalgaon

Panaji, 28th October 2024: With an eye on the rise in travel activities around the festive season of Diwali, FLY91, Indian regional airline, has announced direct daily flights connecting Pune-Goa and Pune-Jalgaon from October 27 onwards, significantly enhancing regional connectivity on the two routes. The introduction of daily flights on the two routes will not only enhance connectivity to Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, a centre for IT and ITES services and an education hub, but will also offer convenient direct outbound air-travel options for Pune-based residents. The Pune-Goa route will facilitate ease of travel for students, leisure seekers and promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism in Goa, a leading holiday destination. The Pune-Jalgaon route will increase business and student travel, along with leisure traffic drawn to the Ajanta and Ellora caves, UNESCO-endorsed world heritage sites in Jalgaon. Diwali, one of the most popular festivals in Maharashtra, witnesses a bump in travel activity on account of people utilising the holiday to travel back to their ancestral homes for celebrations with family or to plan vacations. Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of five-day Diwali festivities, has been scheduled for the end of the month. “The commencement of daily flights along the Pune-Goa-Pune and Pune-Jalgaon-Pune routes signifies FLY91’s commitment to improve regional connectivity between tier 2 & tier 3 cities across the nation. Better connectivity will usher trade & economic development and prosperity to these underserved regions,” said Manoj Chacko, CEO and Managing Director FLY91. In addition to the above routes, FLY91 will continue to ply its aircraft on the Pune – Sindhudurg route, twice a week. Based out of Manohar International Airport, Goa, FLY91 currently connects regional centres such as Pune, Jalgaon and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, as well as Agatti in Lakshadweep and cities like Hyderabad.

Civil Aviation

Star Alliance Welcomes Ambar Franco as Vice President

SINGAPORE,OCTOBER 22, 2024: Star Alliance, the world’s leading global airline alliance, firmed up its key management appointments aimed at further enhancing its strategic focus on a seamless experience for member airline customers as they benefit from the Star Alliance network.Ambar Franco joins Star Alliance as Vice President, Customer Experience. Franco will lead the development and implementation of initiatives designed to enhance the overall customer journey across the alliance: their booking experience, the experience of customers at airports and when they connect between Star Alliance member airlines, and then to ensure their continuing loyalty post travel. She brings significant expertise from the travel industry, most recently having held senior customer experience related roles at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Luc Lachoix is Star Alliance’s Vice President, Digital & Technology. Lachoix is responsible for IT architecture, operations, and security, as well as supporting the IT needs of Star Alliance’s Customer Experience and Loyalty business areas. He has served in various roles in the airline industry, including leadership positions at key travel technology companies including Amadeus and Sabre. Renato Ramos is Vice President, Strategy. Ramos drives Star Alliance’s strategic initiatives, business planning, and cross-functional collaboration. Engaged at Star Alliance for the last seven years, he previously served as Director, Loyalty at Star Alliance. Renato is a seasoned aviation expert who has held previous roles at Avianca and LATAM Airlines. Gayatheri Silvakumer serves as Vice President, People and Culture and leads the implementation of Star Alliance’s human capital and cultural development vision, focusing on talent retention and organisational development. She has held several senior HR roles across various industries, working with organisations such as McCann Worldgroup, Bombardier and Rolls-Royce. “I am delighted to work with such a diverse leadership team. They bring their extensive experience from within and outside the aviation industry to fast-track our mission of delivering a seamless customer experience at key touch points in their travels,” said Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance. Ambar, Luc, Renato, and Gayatheri, are each passionate about our vision and executing on it, always with our member airlines’ end-customer in mind.”

RCS

UDAN completes eight year of presence in India

Delhi, 22nd Oct 2024: Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu along with MoCA Secretary and senior officials today attended a special event celebrating 8 successful years of #UDAN – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik. The scheme has achieved significant milestones in advancing remote and regional connectivity. The Minister, in his address, emphasized that UDAN has revolutionized the air travel connecting the remote parts of India to global destinations. Under the scheme, 601 routes and 86 airports are operationalised, and 14400000 passengers till now have been benefitted from the scheme. The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. The scheme focuses on improving unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizens. So far, the RCS-UDAN has facilitated travel of more than 144 lakh passengers, demonstrating its success in enhancing air travel accessibility. The RCS-UDAN is contributing to the growth of the civil aviation industry as many new and successful airlines have come up in the last seven years. The scheme has helped airline operators to start up and develop a sustainable business model. Additionally, it’s providing opportunities to small regional airlines Flybig, Star Air, IndiaOne Air and Fly91 to scale up their businesses and their successful run is evidence of the fact that the scheme is creating an amiable ecosystem conducive to airline business. The scheme’s incremental expansion has generated an escalating demand for new aircraft, concurrently broadening the spectrum of aircraft deployed. This augmentation encompasses a comprehensive range of aircraft and encompasses helicopters, seaplanes, 3-seat propeller planes, and jet planes. Presently, a diversified fleet, including Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737, ATR 42 and 72, DHC Q400, Twin Otter, Embraer 145 and 175, Tecnam P2006T, Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, Dornier 228, Airbus H130, and Bell 407 is actively serving on the RCS routes. The heightened demand for aircraft is substantiated by Indian carriers’ orders, which exceed 1,000 aircraft slated for delivery over the next 10-15 years, representing a significant augmentation of India’s existing fleet, which currently comprises approximately 800 planes operated by various airlines. RCS-UDAN is not solely dedicated to offering last-mile connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities; it also stands as a prominent contributor to the burgeoning tourism sector. UDAN 3.0 introduced tourism routes connecting several destinations in the Northeast region, while UDAN 5.1 is dedicated to expanding helicopter services in hilly regions to stimulate tourism, hospitality, and local economic growth. This initiative has successfully connected destinations such as Khajuraho, Deoghar, Amritsar, and Kishangarh (Ajmer), which have substantial relevance in religious tourism. The entire Northeast region’s tourism industry is experiencing a considerable upsurge due to the introduction of Pasighat, Ziro, Hollongi, and Tezu airports, fostering greater accessibility.The Scheme also achieved another milestone by bringingAgatti Island on the Indian aviation map, further boosting tourism in Lakshadweep. From Mundra (Gujarat) to Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh andKullu in Himachal Pradesh to Salem in Tamil Nadu, RCS-UDAN hasconnected 34 States/UTs across the length and breadth of the country. A total of 86 aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN. Ten airports have been operationalized in the Northeast regionin addition to two heliports. Many airports that were operationalized under UDAN such as Darbhanga, Prayagraj, Hubli, Belgaum, Kannur, etc. have or may soon become sustainable with many non-RCS commercial flights operating from these airports.

Cargo

IAG Cargo London-Jeddah connection restored

London, 22nd October 2024: IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has announced the return of its London Heathrow (LHR) and Jeddah King Abdulaziz International (JED) service from 2nd November 2024. The six times weekly service will be operated by a Boeing 787 widebody aircraft and will complement IAG Cargo’s existing connectivity to Saudi Arabia via the ten times weekly London Heathrow (LHR) to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport route. Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo, said: “In the first quarter of 2024, trade in goods and services between the UK and Saudi Arabia totalled £17.6 billion*. The resumption of the Jeddah service – which has been paused since the Covid-19 pandemic – and the additional capacity to Saudi Arabia is therefore timely and will ensure additional choice and flexibility for our customers. “Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport is a vital air cargo hub for trade between the East and West and with plans to double its cargo handling capacity, we are very happy to announce the return of Jeddah to our expansive network which spans six continents.” Out of London, IAG Cargo offers capacity to six continents with over 600 weekly wide-body services. Additionally, Dublin serves as a gateway to North America, boasting over 80 weekly wide-body rotations. The business now offers over 240 weekly wide-body services connecting Madrid and Barcelona with destinations across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Civil Aviation

Embraer celebrates 20 years since the first ethanol-powered Ipanema aircraft was certified

Botucatu, Brazil, October 22, 2024: Embraer is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the certification of the Ipanema EMB-202A ethanol-powered agricultural aircraft, the first and only series-produced aircraft in the world to fly with a biofuel. Today, the model has undergone a technological evolution and is marketed under the designation EMB-203. Since its certification on October 19, 2004, the Ipanema has avoided more than 28 million tons of CO2 emissions, an average of 1.4 million tons per year. Produced domestically, the aircraft has improved its performance thanks to the use of a renewable energy source. “More than 570 ethanol-powered Ipanemas have already been sold and more than 210 aircraft from previous versions have had their engines converted from aviation gasoline to biofuel in the last 20 years, which underlines the very high confidence of our operators. Synonymous with efficiency and low operating costs, the Ipanema is the perfect solution for those looking to increase productivity per hectare and contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural sector,” says Sany Onofre, Embraer’s Agricultural Aviation leader. With its high technology and tradition, the Ipanema increases productivity per hectare by up to 30% and reduces operating costs by up to 57% compared to other equipment by making the operation more flexible, as well as avoiding losses due to crop crushing, which are common when using other spraying solutions. The ethanol-powered Ipanema is constantly evolving to meet the most stringent safety and efficiency requirements. Proof of this is the new wing structure that increases efficiency, economy, and productivity, as well as a taller cab with a new ergonomic concept, USB connectivity, a new air conditioning system, a seat belt with airbag and levers that provide smoother steering movements. Widely used for spraying solid or liquid products, the aircraft has also carried out a series of tests to approve Brazil’s first methodology for the aerial application of biological pesticides. The pioneering project to promote sustainability in national agribusiness is coordinated by Koppert, a global leader in the development and production of bio-inputs for agriculture.

MRO, Recent News

FAI Technik achieves Nigeria Approved Maintenance Organisation status

October 21, 2024: German MRO service provider FAI Technik GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of FAI Aviation Group Holding, announces that it has received an Approved Maintenance Organisation certificate (AMO) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This approval means that FAI can now undertake a range of maintenance, repair and overhaul tasks on Nigerian registered business aviation aircraft worldwide. The scope of this latest approval covers all of FAI Technik’s supported aircraft, including, the Bombardier Challenger BD-100, CL-600 series, BD-700-series and Learjet 60 aircraft; the full range of Hawker HS125 series; Beechcraft Premier 1/1A and King Air series aircraft as well line maintenance checks up to 1C for Gulfstream models including G280, G450, G500, G550, G650 and G650ER. FAI Technik has been active in Nigeria for over a year, providing mostly AOG support through collaborations with local Part-145 maintenance organisations. Following the approval, the MRO is now authorised to release Nigerian registered aircraft under the FAI Technik brand. This will be carried out at either its Nuremberg (NUE) and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) locations or locally at locations in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. It is anticipated that larger maintenance projects will be scheduled primarily in Nuremberg. Michael Axtmann, Managing Director, FAI Technik said: “We are pleased to receive this latest important approval from the Nigerian CAA. FAI Technik is experiencing strong demand for maintenance support in Nigeria and across Africa in general. We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships in Nigeria and growing our customer base. We remain committed to expanding our presence in this market.”

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!

NEWSLETTER

Aviation World Magazine is India’s premier aviation magazine and has been actively supporting the development of the Indian and global civil aviation sector. We started our journey in year 2015 and its been 12 years now and the response and acceptance is really encouraging. Thanks to all our associates and writers who remained with us in our progressive journey.

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

Disclaimer

The contents published in this website are news covering Aviation, Aerospace and Defence sector. The objective is to provide news in informative form to keep our readers updated of the latest development. We also publish content featured in our print publication Aviation World.We try our best to avoid any factual errors or image displayed here but we ensure immediate corrections to any such thing brought to our notice that might have been published inadvertently. All images and contents are sourced from the relevant organisations media team.

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