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    Defence

    General Atomics AeroTec Systems delivers modernized Dornier 228 aircraft to Thailand

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    OBERPFAFFENHOFEN, 3rd March, 2023: Dornier 228 manufacturer General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has carried out extensive modernization and maintenance work on two Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Dornier 228s in Oberpfaffenhofen. Now the first aircraft has been transferred back to Thailand, where it will be used for special mission flights. Upgrade to Dornier 228NG standard and new mission equipment The GA-ATS technicians carried out a comprehensive upgrade and modernization program of the aircraft, after it was transported to Oberpfaffenhofen in an Antonov AN-124. The Dornier 228 received new avionics systems for navigation and communication, new modern cockpit displays (glass cockpit) and extensive new mission equipment including a 360° mission radar, an electro-optical/infrared camera, a mission management system and a data-link system that enables the crew to transmit data to both ships and ground stations. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems supported the program as manufacturer of the mission system console. The interior and cabin of the aircraft were also modernized and the Do228 was repainted at the GA-ATS Paint Shop. With the modernization program, the aircraft received an upgrade to Dornier 228NG standard and will be operational for another 15 to 20 years. Modern training capabilities with new flight simulator For flight training, GA-ATS introduced a new, state-of-the-art, Dornier 228NG flight simulator in 2022. The EASA-compliant simulator enables pilots to train in more realistic conditions. The Royal Thai Navy crew were the first international pilots to have the opportunity to experience the handling of the aircraft in the new Do228NG simulator in Oberpfaffenhofen. Royal Thai Navy uses Dornier 228 for special mission flights The Royal Thai Navy has been operating a fleet of seven Dornier 228s for several decades. In July 2020, GA-ATS was awarded a contract to perform a comprehensive maintenance and modernization program on two of the RTN’s Dornier 228s, as a cooperative undertaking between the Royal Thai Navy and the United States Department of Defense, which committed a budget under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative DoD Grant Assistance program. The Dornier 228 aircraft perform versatile special missions for the Royal Thai Navy, which can now be carried out more effectively and efficiently. The South-East Asian country monitors its exclusive economic zone (200-mile zone) with the Dornier 228s and conducts extensive ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) missions in the Gulf of Thailand. Reliable aircraft in service worldwide The Dornier 228 is a versatile and reliable aircraft that is used all over the world for special and research missions, reconnaissance and patrol flights as well as cargo transport. The Dornier 228 also enjoys great popularity in passenger transport to this day. The Dornier 228 combines modern technology and efficiency and is one of the most reliable aircraft in its class thanks to the German manufacturer’s continuous improvement process.

    Recent News

    Airways Aviation & APFT Academy Signs Strategic Alliance Partnership

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    4th March 2023: The Dubai based global aviation education & training group – Airways Aviation and Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy (APFT) India, has signed a strategic alliance partnership to provide prospective Indian students & Airline cadets access to a new and innovative Pilot Pathway Program from May 2023. “It is great to visit India again and I am very impressed at the progress being made” said Mr. RomyHawatt, Airways Aviation Group – Founder & Chairman.We feel we have found the right organization to grow and develop our strategic plans. The Triple A Airways Aviation Group is not only the largest global private aviation academy but also has one of the world’s largest privately owned training fleets. APFT has been actively seeking international partners we believe we will be able to enhance the standards of training, facilities and our fleet thereby helping India attain her coveted goal of becoming a world class aviation training hub, as envisioned by the MOCA “said Mr. Hemanth D.P., CEO – APFT. The Indian aviation industry and the government are focused on developing a robust pipeline of well-trained pilots and other Aviation professionals. It is therefore prudent that Indian Flight Training Organizations (along with their airline counterparts) establish new and robust strategic education & training alliances with reputed, capable & established international partners. The new Airways Aviation India office will be located at the GMR Aero Towers along with the APFT office at The Aero City Hyderabad International Airport campus and we plan to start delivering our Pilot Foundation program to prospective Indian aviators from May” said Mr. Hawatt. The Airways Aviation/APFT Program will include several flexible training programs designed for both student and airline partner needs. These include hybrid programs offering both Indian DGCA and EASA (European) or CASA (Australian), Commercial Pilot Licenses, alongwith options for Aviation Graduate Degree programs from European and Australian universities. APFT has purchased 3 Diamond DA40s and has plans to procure over 20 aircraft in the coming years. Hemanth D.P., CEO – APFT is an industry veteran & former Chief Commercial Officer & Chief Operating Officer of GMR Airports.

    Tourism

    One Rep Global to represent ‘The Farm at San Benito’ in India

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    3rd March 2023, Mumbai: One Rep Global, India based sales and marketing representation company for ultra-luxury hotels and tourism boards, announces its appointment as the India sales and PR representative for ‘The Farm at San Benito’a exclusive wellness resort in the Philippines. The appointment comes as The Farm at San Benito seeks to expand its reach in India and promote health tourism in the Philippines on a global scale. The Farm at San Benito is no stranger to accolades, having received over 90 prestigious international awards, including the title of “Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World” by SENSES Germany. This eco-luxury, holistic, medical wellness resort situated in the heart of the lush green Lipa City, Batangas, boasts a magnificent view of the Malarayat mountains, pure fresh air, and an abundant microbiome ecology. The Farm at San Benito offers natural and holistic medically supervised health programs that address prevalent lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic pain, anxiety, stress, and depression. Its commitment to promoting modern technology, world-class facilities, and highly-skilled medical doctors and licensed health professionals aligns with the resort’s focus on wellness and healing. It’s no surprise that The Farm at San Benito has dedicated itself to transforming the lives of guests who seek transformative healing experiences. Preet Inder Singh, General Manager, The Farm at San Benito said, “Philippines is the ultimate destination for anyone seeking wellness and healing. The Farm at San Benito is dedicated to promoting the Philippines’ global health tourism while showcasing the highest international standards in healthcare, modern technology, world-class facilities, communication competencies, and exceptional care from highly-skilled medical doctors and licensed health professionals. The Filipino people’s warm hospitality, nurturing nature, compassion and cheerfulness are world-renowned and greatly contribute to faster healing and recovery, even jumpstarting the journey to optimum well-being. In selecting One Rep Global, The Farm at San Benito intends to attract health enthusiasts, wellness seekers, conscious consumers, and mindful travelers from India to experience a life-transformative healing holidays at The Farm at San Benito”. “Partnering with The Farm at San Benito, a proud member of Healing Hotels of the World is an exciting opportunity for One Rep Global to bring transformative healing experiences to India,” said Hemant Mediratta, CEO of One Rep Global. He further added, “The global wellness tourism industry is currently valued at over $436 billion, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and India is a key player in this trend of outbound wellness travel. What sets The Farm at San Benito apart is their commitment to natural and holistic medical programs, world-class facilities, and highly-skilled medical staff, which have earned them over 90 prestigious international awards. Combined with the Filipinos’ exceptional service and genuine care, The Farm at San Benito provides an unparalleled destination for transformative wellness experiences. We look forward to expanding their reach through our partnership and promoting wellness tourism in India.”

    Recent News

    Akasa Air completes six months of operations

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    Delhi,1st March 2023: Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, completed six months of operations to become the fastest growing airline in the country. With the delivery of one aircraft every 15 days, the airline has reached a fleet size of 18 aircraft and has flown over 1 million passengers since its launch in August 2022. With 36 daily flights from Bengaluru, Akasa Air is the third largest domestic carrier in the city. The airline has flown a total of 0.5 million passengers from the city, which contributes to 70 percent of the total number of passengers flown across its network to date. With a growing demand for air travel to and from Bengaluru, the airline has significantly scaled up its operations from the city, currently connecting it with daily flights to 12 destinations across the country. Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air said, “We have successfully executed our ambitious and unprecedented scale up plans over the last 200 days. As we have grown and delivered to our plans, Akasa Air has become the preferred carrier for an increasing number of travellers across the country. As India’s greenest, most dependable, and most affordable airline, we will continue to strengthen our network and service offerings and extend an unmatched travel experience to our passengers. Bengaluru being our first home is special in many ways and we are proud of the growing connectivity we are able to offer from the city. As we plan our next phase of expansion to serve India’s increasing travel demands, both domestic and international, we remain committed to our focus of connecting people, cultures and cities underscored by our warm, efficient and inclusive customer service.” he added In Six months of operations, the airline is operating more than 700 weekly flights across 14 domestic destinations including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Agartala, Goa, Vizag, Pune, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Varanasi across 23 unique routes.

    Defence

    IAF to get  70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL over Rs 6,800 crore

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    New Delhi, 1st March 2023: The Union Cabinet has approved procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force at a cost of Rs 6,828.36 crore. The aircraft will be supplied over a period of six years. The HTT-40 is a turbo prop aircraft and is designed to have good low speed handling qualities and provide better training effectiveness. This fully aerobatic tandem seat turbo trainer has air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot re-fueling, running change over and zero-zero ejection seats. The aircraft will meet the shortage of basic trainer aircraft of IAF for training of newly inducted pilots. The procurement will include associated equipment and training aids including simulators. Being an indigenous solution, the Aircraft is configurable for upgrades to incorporate the futuristic requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. The HTT-40 contains approx. 56% indigenous content which will progressively increase to over 60% through indigenisation of major components and subsystems. The HAL would engage Indian private industry, including MSMEs, in its supply chain. The procurement has the potential to provide direct employment to approx. 1,500 personnel and indirect employment for up to 3,000 people spread over more than 100 MSMEs. The acquisition of the HTT-40 provides fillip to the Indian Aerospace Defence ecosystem and boosts efforts towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

    Civil Aviation

    Jazeera Airways announces annual profit of KD 20.1 million for 2022

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    Kuwait,1st March 2023: Jazeera Airways, continuing robust growth, announced record net profits of KD20.1 million for the year 2022, an increase of 183.6% over 2021. Operating revenues for 2022 increased to KD182.116 million, up 126.5%, and operating profit increased by 148.4% to KD26.8 million. With the resumption of operations at the Kuwait International Airport (KIA), the airline built on its quick return to profitability in the second half of 2021. During 2022, Jazeera also exceeded 2019 performance; which was the last comparable full year of unrestricted operations, by 30%. While overall passenger traffic at the airport dropped by 26% compared to 2019, Jazeera’s traffic grew by 19% during the same period. Passenger numbers increased by 247.5% to an unprecedented 3.6 million, compared to the last year. Load factor increased by 10.2% to 77.01,which offset a decline in yield, the average fare paid per passenger, by 35.1% to KD47.96. Marwan Boodai, Jazeera Airways Chairman, commented: “We are extremely proud to report record annual net profits for the year 2022, the highest in the history of Jazeera Airways. In the last year, high fuel prices added approximately KD9 million to our costs. Our financial performance despite this additional cost burden testifies to the aggressive cost focus across the organization. The fact that we carried 3.6 million passengers in 2022, up from 2.4 million passengers in 2019, shows the strong acceptance of our business model and growing service by our customers.With our growing fleet, new upcoming routes and planned enhancements to our operations, 2023 is going to be another exciting year.” In the last quarter of 2022, the airline reported a modest net loss of KD0.7 million, compared to a profit of KD7 million in the same quarter of 2021. Operating revenue increased by 24.7% to KD41.3 million while operating profit decreased to KD0.9 million. In Q4 2022, passenger numbers increased by 88% to 978.1 thousand passengers as load factor increased by 4.5% to 78.7% and average utilization of aircraft increase by 35.3% to 12.4 hours compared to the same quarter last year. The Board of Directors recommended distributing a cash dividend of 50 fils per share for the second half of 2022.This is in addition to the interim cash dividends of 30 fils per share, distributed for the first half of 2022, bringing the total cash dividends distribution for full year 2022 to 80 fils per share. 2022 Operational Review In the last year, addressing an increasing demand from travelers, Jazeera Airways launched 15 new routes to cities in the Middle East, North & South Asia and Europe. These included Vienna (Austria), Prague (Czech Republic), Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Turkistan (Kazakhstan), Namangan (Uzbekistan), Bengaluru (India), Thiruvananthapuram (India), Bhairahawa (Nepal), Chattogram (Bangladesh), Xian (China), Salalah (Oman),Qassim (Saudi Arabia), Hail (Saudi Arabia), Taif (Saudi Arabia) andAbha (Saudi Arabia). Following the addition of these routes, the airline now flies to eight cities in India and Saudi Arabia as well as two cities each in Bangladesh and Nepal, serving 58 destinations in total. Marking a key milestone,Jazeera Airways received the “Approved Training Organization” certification from Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), enabling the airline to conduct training programs for pilots and cabin crew at its headquarters in Kuwait. In ongoing efforts to enhance customer experience, Jazeera Airways also introduced several new initiatives including a dedicated customer service centre, early check-in service and a WhatsApp communication service for passengers. Positive Outlook for 2023 In 2022, Jazeera Airways received two additional A320neos, the first to be delivered from a 2021 order for 28 aircraft from Airbus. The airline’s fleet now includes 19 aircraft and is anticipated to grow to 35 by the year 2026, in line with the airline’s expansion plans for the coming years. The Moscow route introduced recently, expanded Jazeera Airways’ growing list of direct flights from Kuwait and is in demand for passengers wanting to travel from Moscow to the Middle East region and connect to other destinations. Several other new destinations are being planned and will be added to the airline’s network in 2023.Other operational enhancements are also scheduled for the coming year, to facilitate a smoother experience for passengers starting from the airport to their individual destinations.

    Business Aviation

    Avia Solutions Group has become Irish-based company

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    1st March 2023, Dublin: Avia Solutions, the aviation business group, has become an Irish-based company. Following the transfer of its controlling headquarters to Ireland, Dublin, the group also became the second largest Irish-registered aviation business behind aviation giant Ryanair. “Moving the company’s controlling headquarters to Ireland was a strategically important step for us in terms of our further development plans,” explains Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group. “Ireland is known as the hub of aviation. A large number of aviation companies are located here, hence, being closer to the aviation community we will be able to implement the group’s development plans faster and maintain market leadership.” According to Janukenas, the company’s financial instruments on the Dublin Stock Exchange have been purchased by the world’s largest institutional investors from the USA and Europe, so this was also one of the reasons for choosing Ireland. The group has offices spanning all across the world: Ireland, Lithuania, the US, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia and Asia Pacific.Avia Solutions Group is the world’s leading and largest ACMI (aircraft leasing, maintenance and insurance) services group with a fleet of more than 165 aircraft. The group also provides various aviation services, such as aircraft maintenance, pilot and crew training, ground handling, and others. Avia Solutions Group employs more than 11,000 highly skilled aviation professionals across different regions of the world.

    Airports

    PM inaugurates Shivamogga airport in Karnataka

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    27th February 2023,Shivamogga: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Shivamogga Airport along with various development projects that cost over Rs 3,600 crore in Shivamogga, Karnataka. The new airport is developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The Passenger Terminal Building of the airport is spread over 4340 sq. meters and can handle 300 Passengers per hour. With opening of this airport, the govt focus on enhancing air transportation throughout the country received further reinforcement. “The new airport is going to open doors of development for Shivamogga, the land of nature, culture, and agriculture”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister elaborated upon the policies of the government that have led to an unprecedented expansion of the aviation sector. The Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia said, “ Shivamogga Airport has given a new height to civil aviation in the country and has opened new doors of prosperity in Karnataka. It is a unique gift for Shivamogga and the entire region on the birthday of the former Chief Minister of the state Shri BS Yeddyurappa ji. It is a matter of pride for the entire country that where there were only 74 airports in the country until 2014, today, after the inauguration of the Shivamogga airport, the number of airports has doubled. Now the total number is 148, which means there has been a 100% increase in the number of airports in the last 9 years.” The Shivamogga Airport is designed like a lotus flower, and it is built at a cost of Rs 450 crore. It is suitable for A-320-type aircraft. This airport is spread across 758 acres of land. The night landing facility is also available at this airport which will start after some time.” Shivamogga Airport is the 9th domestic airport in Karnataka.  The other operational airports of Karnataka are located at  Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ballari, Bidar, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Belagavi and Mangaluru. Among these, Bengaluru and Mangaluru airports are the two international airports in the state.

    Recent News

    Storm Aviation receives UKAS approval

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    28th February 2023, London: Storm Aviation, part of FL Technics, is delighted to announce that our calibration laboratory in London-Stansted has been approved by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). UKAS is a national accreditation body that assesses against nationally and internationally agreed standards and organisations that provide conformity assessment for calibration services among other activities. In most countries, ISO/IEC 17025 is the standard for which most laboratories must hold accreditation in order to be deemed technically competent. In many cases, suppliers and regulatory authorities will not accept tests or calibration results from a laboratory that is not accredited. Storm Aviation’s calibration laboratory has met this requirement and is now authorised to perform accredited calibrations in accordance with its scope of work. With safety being at the forefront of our business, being UKAS accredited gives our customers the added confidence that their tools and equipment are being calibrated to the highest level, whilst meeting UK and international standards. Ian Jones, Head of Sales for Storm Aviation commented, “At the end of this important and lengthy process, we are pleased with this success. The rigorous analysis of our internal procedures and policies that led to this approval signals an important milestone and reaffirms our commitment to delivering the best service to our customers.” Danny Wells, Storm Aviation’s Head of Calibration, said “We have been calibrating tooling since 2007, primarily in the aviation industry. Now that we have obtained the UKAS accreditation this opens new doors and opportunities for us, allowing Storm Aviation to continue to deliver for our existing customers, expand into new sectors, and re-engage with organisations we have previously worked with.” Storm Aviation is a family member of Avia Solutions Group, the leading aviation business group and the largest global ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider with a fleet of 165 aircraft.

    Airports, Recent News

    Adani Partners with Vesta to Streamline Operations and Enhance Passenger Experience at 7 Airports in India

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    28th February, 2023; Mumbai: Adani Airports has announced its partnership with Vesta Quality Assurance Platform to streamline operations and improve the passenger experience across its seven airports in India.The partnership aims to enhance customer experience by leveraging Vesta’s technology solutions to capture passenger feedback across all seven airports. This feedback will be analyzed and used to identify areas of improvement and develop strategies to provide passengers with a world-class experience. Sharang Majumdar, CEO of Vesta, said, “We are delighted to partner with Adani to revolutionize the passenger experience across their airports. Our focus is on delivering exceptional experiences, and our technology solutions will help Adani capture passenger feedback, which is crucial to understanding and improving their experience.” The collaboration between Adani and Vesta is expected to create a positive impact on the aviation industry in India, raising the bar for passenger experience, and setting new standards for airport operations.

    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

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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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