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Civil Aviation, Recent News

India gets 8 new Flying Training Academies

New Delhi, 02 June 2021 India is set to get 8 new Flying Training Academies under the liberalised Flying Training Organisation (FTO) policy of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). These academies will be set up at Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho and Lilabari. The set-up of these 8 FTOs is aimed at making India a global flying training hub and to prevent the exodus of Indian cadets to foreign FTOs. Additionally, these FTOs will also be designed to cater the flying training requirements of cadets in India’s neighbouring countries. Attesting to the perseverance and determination of the team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the fact that they successfully managed to finalise the bidding process amid the challenging period caused due to the second wave of COVID-19. These five airports have been carefully chosen since they have minimal disruption due to weather issues and civil/ military air traffic. This initiative will help the Indian flying training sector in becoming more self-sustaining under the Atmannirbhar Bharat initiative. Airports Authority of India had invited bids for the same in November 2020. The award letters were issued on 31 May 2021 to winning bidders: Asia-Pacific, Jetserve, Redbird, Samvardhane and Skynex. The parameters set for prospective bidders included familiarisation with aviation safety aspects, regulatory mechanisms, experience in the field of training pilots on manned aircraft, the availability of equipment, trainers, etc. To make FTOs attractive for bidders, AAI reduced the minimum annual rental significantly to Rs.15 lacs. Furthermore, the concept of airport royalty was scrapped to make these ventures business-friendly. ( News : PIB)

Airports

Srinagar International Airport ensuring seamless delivery of medical essentials and vaccination

New Delhi, 31st May 2021: India is fighting a severe battle against the Corona Virus and in this crisis period supply of medical essentials like Vaccines, Oxygen Concentrators, Oximeter, and other essentials are of utmost importance. AAI`s Srinagar International Airport has also been playing an active role by facilitating seamless transportation of medical equipment and materials 24×7. A total of 138 boxes (4361.33 KG) of Covid-19 Vaccine (inclusive of both CoviShield &Covaxin) have been received through various airlines till 28th May 2021 at Srinagar Intl. Airport. The consignment of seven Oxygen Generator Plant” of capacity 7125 LPM has been airlifted from Frankfurt, Germany, and delivered at Srinagar Intl. Airport. The airport is soon moving towards getting all the employees and other frontline workers vaccinated.Almost 95% of AAI/CISF/CRPF/Airlines personnel posted at Srinagar Intl. Airport have been vaccinated. Till now, nine such vaccination camps have been organized at the airport for employees of AAI and other stakeholders in collaboration and support from State Health Department, Govt. of J&K,considering all safety measures. The airport is also ensuring thevaccination of all contract workers/Concessionaires/Ground Handling Agencies and other stakeholders working at the airport. With the help of the State Authorities, Srinagar Airport is ensuring implementation of 100% Covid-19 testing of all incoming passengers using the RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test free of cost as per the state protocol.Apart from this, the airport staff makes continuous requests to all the passengers, stakeholders, visitors, employees, etc. to always follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and maintain staggered timings to minimize crowding. Also, to create awareness on Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, ensuring the safety of passengers, the airport is also displaying instructions through several electronic and permanent displays at the terminal. Srinagar Intl. Airport has also contributed under Vande Bharat Mission running since 06th May 2020. Under this Mission, Srinagar Airport has witnessed total 52 flight movements with 3736 incoming passengers. (News Issued by Corporate Communications Directorate, AAI)

Events

Call for submissions for disruptive startups to join VISTA pitch competition at Dubai Airshow

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 31May 2021: Dubai Airshow 2021, in partnership with Gothams, a leading accelerator that is helping to build the next generation of aerospace and defence startups have launched the VISTA pitch competition. The contest aims to support disruptive startups in shaping the future of the aerospace industry. Startups from all over the world, with game changing products and solutions in aviation, space, defence and technology, are invited to present their revolutionary ideas. Dubai Airshow 2021 is accepting submissions until 10-June on https://www.dubaiairshow.aero/vista-startup-competition-form The VISTA pitch competition will give the two most innovative winning startups access to exclusive one on one mentorship session with Gothams, in addition to receiving an exhibiting opportunity at VISTA which will allow them to showcase their technologies, gain facetime with global investors, and a chance to enter exclusive pitch competitions and work with some of the region’s biggest players within the aerospace and defence sectors. Elodie Robin-Guillerm from Gothams said: “The VISTA competition comes as part of our efforts to support startups in achieving their objectives and contribute to the growth of the aerospace and defence industries. Through this competition, we offer startups a golden opportunity that can be a turning point in their journey. We invite every startup with a revolutionary idea that can transform the future of the industry to take part in this competition, which could serve as a gateway for connecting them with global venture capitalists.” Startups will be asked to fill in the competition’s submission form and include a three minute video pitch about their startup and its mission to transform the future of aerospace. All entries will be judged by a team of industry experts, based on different criteria, including creativity, potential, functionality, impact, and people. The two selected startups will secure their place on the VISTA program with a chance of winning exclusive prizes that will help support their ground-breaking ideas. The winners will be announced no later than 2 weeks after the closing date. Co-located with Dubai Airshow 2021 -VISTA will provide entrepreneurs with an unrivalled opportunity to connect with investors, partners, and mentors to launch, scale and grow their startups, and bolster the growth of the aerospace and defence industries. The most anticipated startup hub in the industry will be the ultimate platform for innovators,creators and market disruptors to display their latest technologies for transforming the aerospace and defence industries. (Dubai Airshow 2021 Press Relaese. Aviation World is official Media Partner of the upcoming event.)

Defence

Defence Secretary launches DG NCC Mobile Training App 2.0

28 MAY 2021, New DELHI Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar launched Directorate General National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mobile Training App Version 2.0 in New Delhi on May 28, 2021. The app will assist in conducting countrywide online training to NCC cadets during the COVID-19 pandemic conditions. It is aimed at providing NCC-related basic information and entire training material (Syllabus, Précis, Training Videos, Frequently Asked Questions) on one platform. It provides the NCC cadets easy access to training material and assists in carrying out training during the pandemic. Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Secretary congratulated NCC for continuing to impart training to its cadets through online mode, in line with COVID-19 protocols. He said the NCC Training App Version 2.0 will be useful to the cadets in digital learning, overcoming the difficulties posed by COVID-19 restrictions on physical contact. Using this app, the cadets will be able to attend online training, appear in certificate exams and prevent loss of academic year. Complimenting the NCC staff for developing the app, Dr Ajay Kumar said it will certainly be a positive step towards automation of NCC training, in line with ‘Digital India’ vision of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Dr Ajay Kumar termed digital technology as a lifeline in these COVID-19 times, stating that now it is a way of life and way of training for NCC cadets. He listed out various steps taken by Ministry of Defence to impart training to cadets through digital means, including the increase in number of different types of simulators in all NCC Directorates. He added that soon NCC cadets will be imparted training on satellite imagery and GIS-based mapping. Dr Ajay Kumar further said Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for uniforms will soon be made available wherein uniform allowances will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the cadets. The Defence Secretary urged the NCC cadets to adopt and maintain the statues of the Armed Forces personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation, under #NCCforStatues which, he said, will be a fitting tribute to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice. He also praised the cadets who have volunteered and participated in Ex-NCC YOGDAN in combating COVID-19 last year and those who are participating this year. In his welcome address, DG NCC Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich said a need was felt that training to NCC cadets should be imparted utilising the digital medium after restrictions were imposed due to COVID-19 in March 2020. DG NCC Mobile App Version 1.0 for training was launched by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on August 27, 2020 in order to assist online cadet training. The DG NCC stated that regular feedback was obtained on the functioning of the app, based on which it was upgraded to Version 2.0 to make it more useful to the cadets. Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich added that DG NCC Mobile Training App Version 2.0 will be bilingual (Hindi and English). New pages have also been included for ease of navigation on the app. Precis and Frequently Asked Questions in Hindi have also been added. The DG NCC said there is also an addition of 130 training videos to make the classes more interesting. The app has been made interactive by including a query option. By using this option, a cadet can post his/her question related to the training syllabus and the same will be answered by a panel of qualified instructors. During the event, NCC cadets also shared their experiences of using Version 1.0 of the app and gave suggestions to further improve the services of the app. They thanked NCC for conducting online training even in challenging times. Officers and cadets of all 17 NCC Directorates attended the event virtually from across the country. Senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence were also present on the occasion. ( News Source: PIB)

Recent News

Vistara Receives Its First Purchased Airbus A320Neo

Delhi, 29 May 2021: Vistara today welcomed its first purchased Airbus A320neo powered by CFM LEAP engines at IGI Airport, New Delhi.The aircraft registered VT-TQE arrived from Airbus production facility in Toulouse, France. It is one of the 13 Airbus A320neo that Vistara had purchased in 2018 as part of a larger order totaling 50 aircraft from Airbus, including the Airbus A321neo aircraft as well.The new set of A320neo aircraft that Vistara has been adding to its fleet come with higher range capability (77 tonnes of maximum take-off weight), enabling the airline to fly longer regional international routes without payload restrictions. This addition to Vistara’s fleet takes the total count of the airline’s owned aircraft to three.Vistara had also purchased six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for long-haul international operations, two of which are already in service. Vistara’s A320neo aircraft come with enhanced operational performance and cabin features that include in-seat AC Power Outlet, USB Charging Ports and PED (Personal Electronic Device) holders. It has a total of 164 seats in athree-class cabin configuration, including 8 seats in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy and 132 in Economy..Vistaranow has 46 aircraft in its fleet, including 36 Airbus A320, 2 Airbus A321neo, 2 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 6 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.

Recent News

Cathay Pacific transports relief supplies to India from Portland

Cathay Pacific Cargo has made a further contribution to pandemic relief efforts in India with an airlift of 300,000 COVID-19 testing kits, which were a gift from the State of Oregon. The shipment departed Portland for Mumbai via Hong Kong on one of Cathay Pacific Cargo’s Boeing 747 freighters. Cathay Pacific Cargo, forwarder Expeditors and logistics company Davis Trucking partnered with the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Administrative Services, offering their services free of charge for the shipment. Cathay Pacific’s Regional General Manager, South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Mark Sutch said: “I would like to thank our team in the Americas and our local partners for organising this shipment. As one of the leading cargo providers operating into India, we stand united with citizens of the country and further our efforts in bringing essential humanitarian and medical aid to India. ” The shipment’s BinaxNOW rapid COVID-19 test kits will be delivered to the Desai Foundation, an organisation that serves rural communities with health and livelihood programmes focussed on women and children in several states in India. The Foundation will distribute the testing kits, which produce results in 15 minutes, to COVID care and isolation centres, hospitals and local health workers. Oregon Governor Kate Brown said: “It’s simply devastating what is happening in India as COVID-19 variants exact an enormous toll on human lives.In Oregon, we step up to help those in need by offering any help we can give.” Port of Portland Chief Trade and Equitable Development Officer Keith Leavitt added: “We’re so grateful to the state, Cathay Pacific and the other local partners which stepped up to make this flight happen.” The flight marks the second occasion during the pandemic that Cathay Pacific Cargo has adjusted its air cargo operations to ship essential COVID-19 supplies at no cost to Portland or to Oregon, following a flight last year when Cathay Pacific Cargo carried 1 million surgical masks into the state when they were urgently needed by frontline healthcare workers.

Recent News

Indian Navy Continues Relief Operations at Cyclone Affected Areas in Balasore

The Navy Disaster Relief Team was deployed on 27 May 21 at Sadar block of Balasore district for carrying out relief activities in the area around Parikhi village which is worst affected due to water logging. The HADR Naval team have set up and operationalised a Community Kitchen at the Multipurpose Cyclone Shelter of Parikhi Village, Sadar block. Meals were prepared and distributed at fisherman colonies of Budhigadiya, Nandachak, Boulbeni at Parikhi village for over 700 personnel. The community kitchen has been a big success and has provided much-needed succour to the affected people and they expressed gratitude for the timely service provided during the disaster. Another Naval Relief team is scheduled to proceed for Talasari (Northmost fishing village of Odisha) to distribute relief material in affected areas of Talasari, Bhograi, Chandramani and Inchundi villages on 28 May 21. The team has also carried out tree cutting/ clearance of certain roads at Balasore. Four naval ships with relief material have already reached Dhamra anchorage to provide relief to the people of the Bhadrak district. The helicopters from the ships were launched to augment the efforts at Balasore district. They supplied 100 prepared food material packets and 300 dry provision packets to the relief team for distribution. https://twitter.com/indiannavy https://aviationworld.in/www.facebook.com/IndianNavy https://www.instagram.com/indiannavy/ News Source: PRO Indian Navy/PIB

Recent News

Breeze Airways – All New US Airline Launches with 13 Embraer Jets

Tampa, Florida, 27th May 2021: Breeze Airways, a new US carrier from JetBlue founder David Neeleman, launches today with a planned fleet of 13 Embraer jets. The first flights operate between Charleston, SC, Tampa, FL and Hartford, CT, starting May 27, with remaining destinations to be added each week through July 2021. Breeze will take delivery of all 13 leased jets through the summer, to reach an initial fleet of 10 E190s, and 3 E195s. With plans to grow the fleet further before the end of the year. As the founder of both JetBlue and Azul airlines, Mr Neeleman’s experience of growing airlines and routes using Embraer E-Jets is legendary. Breeze is creating an airline that offers a ‘Seriously Nice’ experience, with low fares and high flexibility, serving destinations from four main airports – Tampa, FL; Charleston, SC; New Orleans, LA; and Norfolk, VA. David Neeleman, CEO and Founder of Breeze Airways, said, “Embraer’s E-Jets are phenomenal at building out new airlines, and growing and supporting new routes. They are the masters at doing this, as proven by my previous airline ventures – and, no middle seats! The flexibility the family of aircraft provides, allows us to meet fluctuating demand profitably – exactly what all airlines need right now. Having the E-Jets as a core part of our team gives me enormous confidence.” Mark Neely, Vice President Sales, Americas, said, “It’s great to be part of another Neeleman airline project. Launching Breeze with an Embraer fleet is an endorsement of the value these aircraft bring, allowing Breeze to establish new point-to-point routes in underserved markets, bringing much needed connectivity, protecting yields, managing demand, and doing so profitably.” The E190 jets will be configured to seat 108 guests while the E195 aircraft will have 118 seats. Earlier this month Breeze signed a long-term Pool Program Agreement Embraer to support a wide range of repairable components for the airline’s E190s and E195s fleet. The agreement included full repair coverage for components and parts, as well as access to a large stock of components at Embraer’s distribution center, which will support the start of the airline’s operation.

Recent News

2021 TRIP Symposium explores role of seamless and contactless travel in air transport recovery

Montréal, 26 May 2021 Enhancing efficiencies at border crossings and meeting travellers’ post-pandemic expectations for a secure and healthy travel experience will be key to the recovery of the global aviation sector, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu told participants to the 16th ICAO Traveller Identification Programme Symposium yesterday. Gathered to explore the TRIP2021 theme of Game Changing Technologies Driving Seamless Border Management, the innovators and passenger facilitation experts present explored solutions enabling stronger synergies between national identity management, travel documents, border control, the clearance of aircraft, and all aspects of baggage and cargo screening. “The ICAO TRIP strategy provides a foundation from which to assure these objectives,” Dr. Liu emphasized in her opening remarks. Participants learned that there is still wide variation in the levels of pandemic impact among ICAO’s Member States, and very low levels of public health risk tolerance globally, factors which are delaying a full global recovery despite improvements in some regions. Dr. Liu noted that a key current priority is to ensure travel and tourism stakeholders worldwide are fully prepared for vaccine rollouts, and stressed that reliable certification of testing and vaccination status will likely be key to near-term recovery progress. “A possible solution for authenticating these documents will be the Visible Digital Seal (VDS), a technology that builds on ICAO’s expertise in specifications for international travel documents and ePassports in particular.” The ICAO VDS is a cost-effective and easy-to-deploy digitally signed barcode that can be carried on a smartphone or printed on paper. By leveraging existing interoperability specifications already adopted by countries through ICAO, it holds the potential to assure more rapid implementation of health certificates which are internationally secure and verifiable. The ICAO Secretary General highlighted the vital importance in this context of effective partnerships and coordination between air transport and public health decision-makers, and expressed her appreciation of “the longstanding and very effective levels of collaboration between ICAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), most recently toward the WHO Smart Vaccination Certificate.” Commenting on how the ICAO TRIP strategy includes elements relating to Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) and border control and management, Dr. Liu pointed to the high security performance of contemporary travel documents, including the more than one billion ePassports now in global circulation. She also noted that the established trust framework for eMRTDs, supported by the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD), plays an important part in achieving this globally secure system, in addition to the integrity of the underlying identity management systems. “These objectives require extensive and close coordination among many government entities and other stakeholders, underscoring the importance of national air transport facilitation programmes,” she said. “Facilitation programmes also play a vital role in the establishment of effective Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data systems, which are now required in every ICAO Member State.” Concluding her remarks, the Secretary General highlighted how the ICAO TRIP Strategy’s contributions to global security and counter-terrorism priorities are well recognized, and that ICAO is a core partner of the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (UNCTTP) which promotes the implementation of passenger data systems throughout the world. Dr. Liu appreciated the promising outcomes of facial recognition and other accelerating biometric initiatives globally, including with respect to the ICAO-developed Digital Travel Credential (DTC) solution that will allow travellers to present a digital representation of their travel document. (News feed received from ICAO Communications)

Recent News

MIAL initiates third phase of vaccination drive; launches workplace COVID vaccination centre for CSMIA employees

Mumbai, May 26, 2021: Taking further the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to facilitate the vaccination programme for aviation community, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has established a dedicated vaccination center for its employees. Located at Terminal 1 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the vaccination drive is available for all employees, including those of the airport’s stakeholders. This programme will provide a measure of safety and confidence for all airport personnel who have been working tirelessly since the outbreak of the pandemic to cater to the needs of the travellers. MIAL had commenced the first phase of its vaccination drive, in line with the state regulations, on March 29, 2021 at Seven Hills Hospital for all employees at CSMIA above the age of 45 years, including those of its supporting agencies, concessionaries and other stakeholders. The second phase of the vaccination drive commenced on May 02, 2021, organized through the MCGM at Airport Health Organization. In its third phase of its vaccination drive, the airport has established a dedicated workplace COVID vaccination centre within the airport for its employees and will administer the vaccine to all employees above the age group of 18 years. The dedicated facility at CSMIA is equipped with all the basic infrastructure and amenities such as vaccination counters, separate waiting areas for pre as well as post-vaccination, proper socially distant seating arrangements, help desk, drinking water, ventilation fans, washrooms etc. in adherence to Covid protocols laid down by the government. MIAL has also deployed a dedicated Nodal officer for coordinating the efforts and to assess the overall flow of vaccination programme. To conduct the vaccination drive at the airport, MIAL has partnered with Lilavati Medicines and Dr Meena’s Multispeciality Hospital. Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff at CSMIA have facilitated the continuous movement of passengers and essential cargo including vital pharmaceutical cargo such as vaccines, oxygen concentrators and other COVID related equipment amongst others.

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

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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

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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