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Defence

HAL’s Aero Engine Research & Development Centre gets new design & test facility

Bengaluru, 30th Dec 2023: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane inaugurated a new design and test facility at Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The AERDC is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines including two strategic engines – Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) of 25 kN thrust for powering trainers, UAV’s, twin engine small fighter aircraft or regional jets and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) of 1200 kN thrust for powering light and medium weight helicopters (3.5 to 6.5 tonnes in single/ twin engine configuration). The new state-of-the-art facility, spanning over 10,000 sq. meters, houses special machines, advanced setups leveraging on computational tools, in-house fabrication facility and two test beds for testing HTFE-25 and one testbed each for testing HTSE-1200 and upcoming JV engine for IMRH to be co-developed by Safran, France and HAL. In addition, the newly developed facility has set-ups for testing Air producer of Jaguar, Gas Turbine Starter Unit (GTSU) – 110 M2 and 127E of Light Combat Aircraft, Auxiliary Power Units of Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG)-60 for An-32 aircraft. Set-ups to carry out various critical tests for engine components and Line Replacement Units (LRUs) have also been established within the new facility. Hailing the work being done by HAL, the Defence Secretary stated that the government trusts the capability of the Defence PSU to deliver and make the country self-reliant. “Manufacturing sector is the future of the country and in the coming decades, the HAL should focus on mastering technologies for all types of aircraft. Think ahead as the entire paradigm of warfare is changing,” he said. Highlighting the role of unmanned aircraft in future warfare, the Defence Secretary encouraged the HAL to collaborate with other private companies to develop new platforms. He inspected the manufacturing range of various engines and test beds and also paid a visit to HAL’s Aerospace Division. Chairman & Managing Director (Addl. Charge) of HAL Shri CB Ananthakrishnan said: “The development of this facility marks a key milestone in HAL’s growth trajectory. It is a testimony of our commitment towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in aero-engine design and development.” The Centre, established in the 1960s, holds the unique distinction of being the only design house that has developed test beds for engines of both Western and Russian origin. The Centre has successfully developed & certified PTAE-7 engine, the first indigenous turbojet engine of India powering Lakshya (Unmanned Aircraft), Gas Turbine Electrical Generator GTEG-60 for starting An-32 aircraft, Air starter ATS 37 & Air producer for starting Adour-Mk 804E/811 on Jaguar Aircraft and Shakti engine for powering ALH to support Ad804/811 engine of Jaguar aircraft.

Top Stories

Flight operations at newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Airport at Ayodhya launched

Ayodhya, 30th Dec 2023: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly built Ayodhya Airport. The airport has been named as Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. The airport has 2200m long runway with complete Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) infrastructure and is supported by Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR)& Instrument Landing System (ILS). The Airport will be suitable for day&night operations as well as during low visibility conditions of more than 550m. Both AAI and DGCA officials collaborated together to complete this project successfully.The much-awaited Ayodhya Airport will have a terminal building with an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to handle 600 passengers during peak hours and 10 lakh passengers annually. Air India Express operated its inaugural flights between Ayodhya and Delhi on December 30 and it has announced the commencement of new routes from Ayodhya to two major metros – Bengaluru and Kolkata, starting January 17. The airline will operate direct flights on these routes, significantly boosting connectivity to and from Ayodhya, its third station in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking about the launch of the new routes, Dr Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said “Our dedication to expanding connectivity throughout India remains steadfast, driven by our expanding fleet. The introduction of non-stop services connecting Ayodhya to Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata underscores this commitment. As pivotal hubs in our network, Bengaluru and Kolkata will serve as gateways to Ayodhya, providing pilgrims from South India and Eastern India with convenient one-stop itineraries.” IndiGo has also announced direct connectivity between Mumbai and Ayodhya effective from January 15.These daily flights will offer travelers direct accessibility to Ayodhya, ensuring smoother and shorter journeys.

Recent News

Air India ’s fogcare initiative to help passengers affected by fog delays this winter

Gurugram, 27 December 2023: Air India has announced that passengers flying to and from Delhi IGI airport during the winter season will be allowed to reschedule or cancel their bookings at no extra cost if their flight is likely to be affected by major fog delays. This is part of its FogCare initiative introduced last winter. Air India will provide proactive assistance to affected passengers and offer them easy options to reschedule or cancel their ticket at no extra cost. “The FogCare initiative is a sincere effort to minimise inconvenience to guests whose flights are likely to get affected by fog. It will also help maintain network schedule integrity,” said Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India. Passengers of these flights will be kept updated with flight-specific advisories and offered easy options in advance to ease their travel experience.

Civil Aviation

Air India receives its first Airbus A350 with all new brand livery

Gurugram 23rd December 2023: Air India welcomed the first of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered VT-JRA, in the airline’s bold new livery, marking a turning point in its ongoing transformation story.The aircraft arrived at New Delhi from the Airbus facility in Toulouse,France. The delivery flight, operated using a special call sign AI350, was welcomed by Air India representatives.Air India’s Senior Commander Capt. Monika Batra Vaidya, who is among the first few Indian pilots to be trained on A350, was on board as an observer. Air India leads the way in catalysing the renaissance of Indian aviation, inducting the first new wide body fleet type in India in more than a decade, and thus, becoming the first Indian airline to fly the A350. Air India was also the first Indian airline to have inducted the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet type in 2012. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it’s the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline’s continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation’s resurgence on the world stage.” “As a symbol of the new age of flying, the A350 promises a world-class, long-haul travel experience on our non-stop routes, providing an unparallelled level of comfort. Its excellent flight economics and state-of-the-art technology underscore our dedication to commercially successful operations and to achieving our sustainability goals,” Wilson added. Air India’s A350 will enter commercial service in January 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation, followed by longer-haul flying to destinations across continents.The schedule of commercial operations with the A350 will be announced in the coming weeks. Air India’s A350-900 aircraft come in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace: 28 private Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and multiple other differentiating features, and 264 spacious Economy Class seats.All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens to provide superior flying experience. The aircraft is first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India’s firm orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000.

Recent News

LAX Prepares for Busy Winter Holiday Travel Period

Los Angeles, CA, 22nd Dec 2023: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is wrapping up the year with an anticipated busy winter holiday travel period. The airport is expecting more than 4 million passengers to use the airport between December 14 and January 3, a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. “We are anticipating a daily average of 211,000 passengers to pass through LAX over the 21-day winter holiday travel period,” said Beatrice Hsu, Interim CEO of Los Angeles World Airports. “While our airport will be busier than usual, there are several ways to plan ahead and avoid the hassles that often accompany holiday travel. We encourage guests to arrive early, pre-book parking at FlyLAX.com, and take advantage of the LAX Order Now service to skip the wait for concessions.” Vehicle traffic in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) is expected to be heavy, with an average of more than 93,000 vehicles expected daily during the holiday period. Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Traffic Control Officers will help direct traffic on the airport perimeter roadways and Airport Police Traffic Control Officers will direct vehicles in the CTA roadway. Due to increased airport traffic and parking garages approaching full capacity, guests are encouraged to reserve a parking space in advance at Parking.FLYLAX.com. The new LAX Budget Parking facility, LAX Economy Parking, and CTA garages offer pre-booking options. For savings on general and premium parking in the CTA garages, guests can use the promo code MERRY10 to receive a 10% discount. This offer is valid until December 31, 2023.

Recent News

Air India Express to connect Gwalior with direct flights to Delhi and Bengaluru

22-December-2023, New Delhi: Air India Express, announces the commencement of new routes from Gwalior to two major metropolitan cities – Gwalior to Delhi and Gwalior to Bengaluru, starting January 16th. The airline will operate daily direct flights on these routes, significantly improving the connectivity to and from Gwalior. This comes less than a month after the airline started operations from the city with direct connectivity to Hyderabad. The inaugural flight on the Bengaluru-Gwalior route, IX 1590, is set to depart on January 16, 2024, at 05:10 hours, reaching Gwalior at 07:45 hours. The return flight, IX 1592, will leave Gwalior at 15:35 hours, arriving in Bengaluru at 18:10 hours. IX 1590 on the Gwalior-Delhi route will depart Gwalior at 08:15 hours, landing in Delhi at 09:20 hours. Subsequently, from Delhi, IX 1592 departs at 13:35 hours, touching down in Gwalior at 15:00 hours. Speaking about the expansion, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said “At Air India Express, our commitment is to fortify the connectivity of New India, with a particular focus on our robust tier 2 & 3 cities. The launch of services from Gwalior to New Delhi and Bengaluru symbolises this pledge. Beyond these direct flights, we are establishing connections from Gwalior to 21 key destinations, accessible via convenient one-stop itineraries through Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad. Furthermore, the New Delhi – Gwalior flight extends convenient via-connectivity for the people of Gwalior to the city of Ayodhya.”

Airports

Bengaluru’s Terminal 2 earns UNESCO’s recognition as one of the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Airports’

Bengaluru, December 20, 2023: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has been honoured with prestigious accolades at the UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles. The airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) has secured recognition as one of the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Airports’ and has been awarded the coveted ‘World Special Prize for an Interior 2023.’ The World Judges Panel for the Prix Versailles 2023, chaired by Elie Saab (renowned fashion designer), revealed the latest architectural projects to win a World Title. BLR Airport is the only Indian airport to receive this esteemed recognition, highlighting the airport’s commitment to exceptional design and architecture on a global scale. This remarkable achievement positions BLR Airport amongst the top airports globally. The Prix Versailles, established in 2015, focuses on “intelligent sustainability” as a cultural driver, acknowledging innovation, creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and values of social interaction. T2, also known as the “Terminal in a Garden,” was inaugurated on November 11, 2022. Encompassing 255,661 square meters, the terminal is built upon four foundational pillars: technological leadership, a terminal in a garden, environmental and ecological stewardship, and a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture. Embraced in engineered bamboo, the terminal’s interiors offer a contemporary yet classic ambiance. The terminal also features a spacious indoor garden with rammed-earth walls and waterfalls, as well as hanging planted bells, adding to the terminal’s unique aesthetic. Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Ltd, said, “The nomination of Terminal 2 for the 2023 Prix Versailles Award is a moment of immense pride, and we are pleased to see the terminal receiving the recognition it deserves. T2, with its unique blend of art and technology, serves as a distinctive gateway, leaving a lasting impression on global travellers and offering a glimpse of the rich offerings of our state and country.” In Phase 1, T2 is designed to accommodate 25 million passengers per annum (MPPA), aligning with its vision of blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. T2 aims to be a visual delight to all passengers with its insightfully curated art and décor elements that are part of its recently launched Art Programme that promises to be awe-inspiring making passengers’ journey through the terminal an unforgettable experience. The sustainable design of T2, the world’s largest terminal pre-certified with a Platinum LEED rating by the US Green Building Council before operational commencement, reflects the airport’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Additionally, it has garnered the prestigious Platinum certification under the IGBC Green New Building rating system.

Civil Aviation

Air India Express to commence operations from Ayodhya

New Delhi, 20th December2023: Air India Express announces the commencement of services from Ayodhya International Airport, the airline’s 45th destination and third operational sector in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Starting December 30, the airline will operate direct flights to Delhi, and offer convenient one-stop itineraries to multiple destinations within India and beyond. This marks a new milestone in rapid expansion of Air India Express, supported by a continually growing network and a substantial fleet expansion. The inaugural flight IX 2789 on December 30, 2023, is scheduled to depart from Delhi at 11.00 hrs. and land in Ayodhya at 12.20 Hrs. From Ayodhya, IX 1769 is scheduled to depart for Delhi at 12.50 hrs. and arrive at 14.10 hrs. Commenting on the launch of this new destination, Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, said, “Air India Express is excited to commence operations from Ayodhya right after the airport opens. This underlines our commitment to enhancing connectivity from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country. We’re enthusiastic about Ayodhya’s anticipated growth, attracting pilgrims and travelers from near and far and take pride in being part of this exciting growth story.” Currently, Air India Express operates from Lucknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, connecting the cities with Dubai, Sharjah, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune with direct flights.

Recent News

Vistara to boost international connectivity from Mumbai

Mumbai, 20th Dec 2023: Vistara will boost international connectivity from Mumbai by increasing flight frequencies to two popular destinations – London Heathrow and Singapore. Commencing on 1 March 2024, Vistara will increase the flight frequency between Mumbai and London Heathrow from 4x weekly to daily flights. Additionally, a second daily flight between Mumbai and Singapore will be introduced starting 1 February 2024. Vistara connects Mumbai to a total of 14 international destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Colombo, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Male, Mauritius, Muscat, and Singapore.

Recent News

Jyotiraditya Scindia chairs Advisory Group Meeting with Airport Operators

New Delhi, 20th Nov 2023: Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia held an Advisory Group Meeting with Airport Operators on 19th December, 2023. With the upcoming season in mind, the Minister emphasized on the importance of preventing congestion at airports. He assured that the ministry is proactively implementing all possible measures to facilitate a smooth and time-saving travel experience for passengers during this period. In the meeting, the Minister listened to the queries and suggestions from operators and guided them to ensure optimal operations for the convenience of passengers. An important topic of the discussion was the promotion of ‘DigiYatra’ to enhance the conversion rate from manual to digital check-ins and entry gate processes, ensuring hassle-free and swift passenger movement. Currently, the facility is available for domestic passengers at 13 airports of the country including: Lucknow, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Jaipur, Guwahati, Delhi, Bangalore, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata airports. In the discussion, the suggestion of integrating ‘DigiYatra’ for international passenger access at both departure and arrival. To explore best practices, the airport operators were also tasked with presenting biometric enabled models being successfully used in other countries. Moving ahead, the Minister also reviewed the Capital Expenditure target of all airport operators, aligning it with the actuals obtained in Q3. The meeting was attended by all airport operators including GMR Airports, Adani Airports, BIAL, Cochin Airport and the Airports Authority of India. The Secretary Civil Aviation, Vumlunmang Vualnam, DG BCAS, Zulfiqar Hasan, DG DGCA, Vikram Devdutt and other Joint secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

 

Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

 

On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

 

We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

  • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
  • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
  • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
  • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

 

Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

 

Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed advertisers and partners. Your unwavering support empowers us in our ongoing endeavor to make Aviation World a truly world-class publication with global reach and recognition.

 

Happy Reading!

 

The Editorial Team

 

Aviation World

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

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