Author name: admin

New Delhi, 01st July 2022: Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed an Operation & Management agreement for operationalization of five airports owned by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for a period of 30 years.These five airports are Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Muirpur & Shravasti. The agreement was signed by N V Subbarayudu, ED (SIU) on behalf of AAI and Kumar Harsh, Special Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh on behalf of the State Government in presence of Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The MoU was exchanged by Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman AAI and SP Goyal Additional Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh. DS Mishra, Chief Secretary of UP, AK Pathak, Member Planning (AAI) were also present. As per the agreement, AAI will operate and manage the airport and provide all necessary services. Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM)services will also be provided by AAI, for which State Government will enter into a separate agreement. Further, Reserved Services will be provided by respective GoI for which GoUP shall enter separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), GoI. AAI will also be responsible for obtaining and maintaining of aerodrome license for these five airports. As per the agreement, Government of UP will complete the initial capital works for making airports ready for commercial operation and hand over all moveable and immovable assets along with relevant approvals, document to AAI for operation & management.Government of Uttar Pradesh will provide dedicated infrastructure for utilities like water, electricity and drainage connection etc. at the airport (to & within). This is the first time AAI is entering into an O&M Agreement with the State Government for Operationalization of State Government owned airports. AAI being the largest airport operator and sole air navigation service provider is committed towards providing air connectivity across the country.

New Delhi; 30th June 2022; Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defence for Strategic Affairs Ahmed A Aseeri during his visit to India met Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar in New Delhi and discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. The Deputy Minister briefed the Defence Secretary about the 5th meeting of India – Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) that was held on June 29, 2022. The JCDC meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Armed Forces)  Dinesh Kumar and Mr Ahmed A Aseeri. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress made in military-to-military engagements, including joint exercises, expert exchanges and industry cooperation. It was decided to identify new avenues and examine areas of mutual interest for Joint Venture in order to enhance defence industry cooperation. Enhancing the scope and complexities of the existing joint naval exercises and expanding bilateral exercises in other domains were also discussed. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of JCDC in Saudi Arabia on mutually convenient dates in 2023. The JCDC is the apex body between the Defence Ministries of India and Saudi Arabia to comprehensively review & guide all aspects of bilateral defence cooperation. The Deputy Minister also interacted with the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC). A Defence Industry interaction was also organised for the delegation in which a number of Indian defence industries participated. Image: PIB

Mumbai, June 27th, 2022: Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has introduced ‘Integrated Security Check Point’ at Terminal 2 (T2)for domestic and international passengers. For the first time across any of the Indian airports, this unique Integrated security check point would witness all international and domestic passengers departing through T2, undergo common security clearance at Level 04 and move towards the designated e-gates. All the departing passengers then proceed to their respective ‘Security Holding Area’ (SHA). CSMIA has been consistently working towards the adoption of solution-driven processes across the various operations throughout the airport to bring in ease of travel. The Integrated security check point is a testament to CSMIA’s future-ready approach to airport operations and setting a precedent within the Indian aviation space. The unique challenges witnessed at the airport daily require solutions that not just address the task at hand but also seamlessly integrate an enhanced transit experience for the passengers. In this regard, CSMIA identified the opportunity to further streamline the security check-in process for both international and domestic passengers wherein for the first time, both international and domestic passengers come together for security checks at a common security checkpoint. Earlier, security check of both domestic & international passenger was carried out at Level 3 & Level 4 of Terminal 2 respectively. Post integration, both domestic & international passengers will now move through any one set of e-gates installed at 05 different locations at the pre-security check area & will be separated via validation at another set of e-gates installed post-security check. The introduction of the Integrated security check-in point is an opportunity for CSMIA to showcase the operational efficiency that could be brought in across airports through the adoption of transformative initiatives leading to smoother passenger flow and movements. Focusing on bringing in newer technology to further enhance the passenger throughputs, CSMIA has also deployed and installed the Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) at the new Integrated Security Check Point. CSMIA has deployed 13 ATRS – roller & sensor-based machines that are programmed to return luggage trays to the starting point after passengers collect their belongings. The retrieval systems can circulate an average of 350 sanitized trays per hour, which will not only boost the processing time of passenger luggage check but also eliminate any manual intervention of the passenger or the staff. Adding to the overall efficiency of the process of Integrated security, the installation of ATRS will also put an end to passengers’ hassle of waiting & looking around for trays since it will allow continuous circulation of the available trays. Additionally, this technology helps with security clearance of an average of 280 passengers per hour, witnessing a twofold increase from the previous average of 130 pax per hour in the conventional system. ATRS is also being deployed and installed at Terminal 1 for the convenience of passengers departing from the terminal. Due to faster throughput, the passenger will now experience a more relaxed transit through T2 and be able to enjoy more time inside the Security Hold Area (SHA) before they finally board the aircraft.

New Delhi, 23 June 2022: Malaysia Airlines and Japan Airlines (JAL)have expanded their codeshare operations following Malaysia Airlines’ recent announcement to launch new direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo, Haneda beginning on 14 August 2022. This significant move reaffirmed the strategic Joint Business partnership entered into by both one world Alliance members in July 2020, to better serve the customers and facilitate trade between Malaysia and Japan. Starting 14 August 2022, the codeshare will be expanded to Kuala Lumpur – Haneda route with the introduction of JAL codeshare on the flights operated by Malaysia Airlines. Customers from Malaysia, ASEAN, Australasia, and South Asia flying with Malaysia Airlines to Haneda will be able to book and connect to a greater scope of Japanese domestic destinations, including Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Okinawa and connect further to international destinations within North America. Malaysia Airlines will operate flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Haneda Airport (HND) via MH36 (JL7097) departing KUL at 2:45 pm local time, and MH37 (JL7096) departing HND at 12:25 am local time. The twice-weekly service will be operated by A330-300 aircraft, equipped with 290 seats, comprising 27 seats in Business Class, 16 Economy with extra legroom, and 247 seats in Economy Class. Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Airlines, Captain Izham Ismail, said, “As a national carrier, this expansion signifies a strong relationship and cooperation between the oneworld alliance partners, catalytic to further economy growth, supporting business and trade between the two countries and facilitating the capacity recovery to pre-pandemic levels. This new critical step in our Joint Business partnership with Japan Airlines will allow us to provide seamless connections to our customers, enhanced products and offerings while establishing KUL as a prominent hub in Southeast Asia region for travel into Malaysia and beyond.” We welcome the timely announcement by Japan’s government to open their borders to international tourists starting June on restricted conditions and looking forward to progressive travel restriction relaxation from time to time.” The expanded codeshare will further enhance the customer experience on flights, offering more convenient and flexible itineraries. Customers departing from Haneda to Kuala Lumpur can drop off their baggage five (5) hours before departure at the dedicated ‘Early Check-In’ counter in Haneda Airport after performing kiosk check-in or Web Check-In on JAL or Malaysia Airlines’ website. Additionally, customers departing from Kuala Lumpur to Haneda can continue to enjoy the existing service of early check-in via web or at kiosk and drop off their baggage five (5) hours before departure. These services offered at both airports will allow customers to enjoy last-minute shopping or other activities while they explore the airport prior to departure from both countries. Yuji Akasaka, President of Japan Airlines, said, “We are pleased to strengthen our Joint Business partnership with Malaysia Airlines through this new codeshare operation. As one of the busiest airports in Asia, Haneda is not only conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo but is also a gateway to numerous domestic destinations in Japan and countries around the world. As we head towards a recovery in travel demand, we look forward to working closely with Malaysia Airlines to welcome our passengers with our highest standards in hospitality.” Through shared common best practices and responsibilities, MH and JAL will enhance and complement one another to offer the best travel experience via JAL’s recognised precision in service and offerings, as well as MH’s signature Malaysian Hospitality. MH and JAL are also committed to upholding the best standards in aircraft safety and hygiene protocols to protect their passengers and personnel, in line with the significant shift in consumer expectations on air travel in the new COVID-19 era.