Airports

New Delhi, 01st October 2024: Airports Authority of India’s Bhopal Airport has commenced 24 hours operations with effect from today, 01stOctober, 2024. This milestone marks a significant step towards enhancing connectivity, providing seamless travel experience and supporting the growth of regional as well as national Air traffic. This will provide flexibility to Airlines, Non-Scheduled operators, Medical flights and General Aviation for efficient planning of Aircraft operations. Airlines can also plan bases at Bhopal Airport. This will also enable effective use of Airport Infrastructure and resources. At present Bhopal Airport has 220 scheduled flights weekly connecting to nine domestic destinations viz., Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Raipur, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Lucknow. Additionally, there is a huge demand for flight connectivity to other cities of India like Pune, Goa, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Bhubaneshwar, Varanasi, Jammu, Srinagar, Guwahati, etc. With round the clock operations the weekly scheduled movements in winter season 2024 is expected to be around 268 movements for Bhopal Airport. Following the latest schedule, Indigo Airlineswill also be staring a most demanded direct flight on thePune – Bhopal – Pune routefrom 27th October, 2024 and the airline has started bookings for the same. Extending operational hours will allow more flights to land and take off, thereby improving connectivity, especially for flights of long-haul routes. This will attract more airlines and routes, making Bhopal Airport a more prominent hub. Travelers will have more flexible flight options, making travel easier and more convenient. This will enhance passenger satisfaction and attract more travelers to Bhopal. With more flights and passengers, local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services will likely see increased demand. This will lead to job creation and stimulate the local economy. Bhopal has a rich cultural and religious heritage. Round-the-clock operations will make this city more accessible to tourists, especially those from different time zones, contributing to the growth of the tourism sector. 24-hour operations will facilitate better cargo handling, allowing for more efficient logistics operations. This will attract businesses that rely on air freight, further boosting the local economy. It will also enable the locals to have better access to enhanced medical facilities. With the starting of 24-hour operations, Night parking facility will be available at Bhopal Airport as well. This will help the Airport to facilitate connections not only within India but also to international destinations. Since most international operators prefer to operate during night time from India, 24-hour operations will encourage airlines to consider international operations from Bhopal Airport. It will also allow airlines to plan night parking at the Airport and plan base flights. Transitioning Bhopal Airport to 24-hour operations presents a compelling opportunity to enhance Passenger service, drive economic growth, and improve overall operational efficiency. By embracing this change, the Airport can position itself as the leading airport in the country, catering to the diverse needs of passengers and contributing to the region’s overall development. Implementing these extended hours will not only meet the demands of a growing travel market but also support Bhopal’s aspirations as a vital transportation hub in the region.

Astana, 28th Aug 2024: Air Astana will launch direct scheduled flights from Shymkent to Jeddah, with a twice weekly service operating between 1st and 28th October 2024. After those dates, one of the services will be switched to a once weekly service between Shymkent and Medina. A new twice weekly service from Almaty to Medina will also be launched on 29th October 2024, which is in addition to the existing Almaty to Jeddah service. All flights to Saudi Arabia will be operated by Airbus A321LR aircraft configured with 16 business class seats and 150 economy class seats. The flight time from Shymkent to Jeddah and Shymkent to Medina will be 5hours 35mins, whilst flight time from Almaty to Medina will be 6hours 10mins. The minimum cost for round-trip Economy class tickets including all fees starts from US$ 656 for Shymkent to Jeddah, US$ 646 for Shymkent to Medina and US$ 705 for Almaty to Medina. Kazakhstan citizens are required to obtain an e-visa before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s second largest city and economic capital, with a wealth of attractions including King Fahd’s Fountain, the ancient city of Al-Balad and Red Sea beaches. Jeddah is only one hour’s high-speed train ride from Mecca. Medina is the second most important holy city for Muslims after Mecca. The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina is considered to be the second holiest site of Islam after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.

New Delhi, 21st August, 2024: Mr. M. Suresh has been entrusted with additional charge of Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) with effect from 20th August, 2024. Presently, he is serving as a Member (Air Navigation Services) in the AAI and will hold this charge in addition to his current responsibilities for a period of three months or until further orders. M. Suresh has been a valued Board Member as Member (ANS) of the Airports Authority of India since 2nd September, 2021. Mr. Suresh is an Engineering Graduate in Electronics and Communication with a Master of Business Administration (HR). He also holds an International Airport Professional – IAP degree accorded by Airports Council International and International Civil Aviation Organization.He has more than 33 years of rich experience in Airports Authority of India holding the posts of Member (ANS), Regional Executive Director (North East Region) and Airport Director at Goa, Jammu and Madurai Airports. He is an Air Navigation Service technical expert and has vast experience in planning, provision, operation & maintenance of CNS facilities, airport system facilities & information technology facilities in airports in India. He has been instrumental in the implementation of NOCAS Version-2, the Building Height Clearance Software for the public, SKY REV 360 (Patent Holder), NIC CPPP Training Program, e-Office deployment and the Implementation of the Biometric Access Control project in AAI and many such initiatives. In his additional assignment as the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India, he will lead efforts to achieve AAI’s organizational goals of providing world-class airport infrastructure, top-of-the-line facilities and leading air navigation services in the world.

San Francisco, 7th August, 2024: The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) debuts a new logo and brand identity, retiring its current “flight lines” logo after 24 years of use. The new brand marks the Airport’s ongoing commitment to modernization and an extraordinary passenger experience whilst reflecting the City’s rich history and spirit of innovation. “We are excited to introduce our new brand and logo, which reflects the exciting changes happening at SFO,” said Ivar C. Satero, Airport Director. “Much like our old logo marked a period of time in the early 21st century, the new logo shows our commitment to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first.” From the fluid path of the S to the wing of the F, to the portal of the O, SFO’s new logo represents the spirit of our rich history, the dynamism of the present, and the boundless possibilities of the future. With a primary color we call SFO Golden Hour Blue, the new color pays homage to the past while transforming to a brighter and more vibrant blue. The logo also reflects our new Vision: Inspiring the Extraordinary; and our new Mission: Delivering an airport experience where people and our planet come first. At its core, SFO is about people: travelers, the community, and airport team members. The new logo allows for flexibility in creating special-themed logos utilizing the “O”, to reflect the essence of the people and projects that make us who we are. The debut of the new brand identity caps an 18-month process of market research and creative ideation. The new logo and brand showcase a digital-first design, allowing SFO’s mark to be optimized for digital environments, scaling across different devices and screen sizes. The new font is readily available and easy to read, and the overall design provides creative flexibility to adapt to different messages. The logo will be phased in over several years. Digital instances will be prioritized for deployment, followed by scheduled new and replacement items like uniforms, buses, and print messages, followed by instances as part of larger construction and capital projects.

  Mumbai, 6th August 2024: As part of Aviation Security Culture Week, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) hosted a Mini Marathon. With an endeavor to raise awareness on Aviation Security,the 5-kilometer run on the airport elevated road, starting at Terminal 2, saw participation of approximately 400 individuals, including employees of Mumbai International Airport, CISF officials, Airline partners, Ground Handling agencies, and general public. The event fostered a community spirit and reinforced Mumbai Airport’s commitment to make air travel safe and seamless for all.

New Delhi,June 21, 2024: The 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated with zeal and fervour at Airports Authority of India, Regional Headquarter- Northern Region, NATS Complex, New Delhi. The International Yoga Day is being celebrated on 21stJune since 2015.This year, the theme is “Yoga for Self and Society,” emphasising yoga’s role in fostering individual well-being and societal harmony. The celebration at Regional Headquarter- Northern Region started with felicitation of yoga instructors from Bhartiya Yog Sansthan Shri Satish Dogra and Shri R. P. Tripathi, with shawl, by Shri Devendra Kumar Gautam, Regional Executive Director, Northern Region, in the presence of all HODs and officials of AAI. Shri Gautam, in his address emphasised on the importance of Yogainour daily lives and its impact on physical, mental and spiritual health. Bhartiya Yog Sansthan’s yoga instructors demonstrated various asanas, rhythmic chanting, and Laughter Yoga.They also emphasized on having a disciplined practice routine. Participants had an interactive session and expressed their gratitude for the session. The event was concluded by Shanti paath.

Singapore,4th June , 2024: Together with its member airlines, Star Alliance has completed decade of excellence at Terminal 2 – its home at Heathrow. The Queen’s Terminal has served as the base for 23 Star Alliance member airlines, facilitating smooth transfers and operations for over 15 million passengers every year, representing nearly 20% of the available seat capacity from the airport. In celebration of the occasion, Theo Panagiotoulias, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer said: “Heathrow stands as a vital hub for our member airlines. With our collective offerings at the shared terminal, we’re proud to facilitate seamless experiences for thousands of passengers daily. On behalf of our member airlines, I extend gratitude to Heathrow for its decade-long support, enabling superior traveller experiences every day and for years to come.” Under the “Move Under One Roof” strategic initiative, Star Alliance consolidated its member airlines at a single location in 2014, establishing a true alliance hub. This initiative enables passengers to easily connect between Star Alliance member airlines, significantly streamlining airport operations and enhancing the experience. Ross Baker, Chief Customer Officer, Heathrow said: “Heathrow is delighted to celebrate a decade of delivering excellent service to passengers travelling through Terminal 2, previously voted ‘Best Terminal in the World’ at the World Sky Awards by Skytrax. In collaboration with our partner airlines, including Star Alliance and its member airlines, we have seen almost 73 million passengers travel through Terminal 2’s doors and enjoy the world-class retail and food and beverage options available. Reaching this landmark is an opportunity for us to enjoy looking back on a decade of achievements, while also looking ahead to the next ten years as we continue to create an extraordinary airport that is fit for the future.” Customers are welcomed by the prominent Star Alliance branding positioned above the airline check-in counters at Departures in T2. Together with member airlines, Star Alliance provides facilities for a seamless airport experience, including: • Gold Track Security: A benefit that offers faster security access via dedicated lanes for Star Alliance Gold status customers, regardless of the cabin they travel in. • Baggage Tracking: A service that allows passengers to know where their bags are as they move in the journey. Each day at London Heathrow, over 85,000 bags on Star Alliance member airline flights are scanned for the customers’ peace of mind. • Star Connection Centre: A service designed to expedite passengers with tight connections by providing fast-track access through the airport. The Heathrow Star Connection Centre takes pride in expediting over 1000 passengers and 750 bags monthly, saving costs for member airlines and enhancing travellers’ experience. • Complimentary Heathrow Express Upgrade: Star Alliance Gold status customers enjoy exclusive and free upgrades to the Business First cabin on Heathrow Express between the airport and Paddington station. Starting June 2024, this offer extends to one companion travelling with the Gold status customer. From Terminal 2, 23 Star Alliance airlines – Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines and United – currently offer 124 flights a day to 44 destinations in 23 countries.

  In a bold move aimed at revolutionizing the logistics landscape in India, Alstef Group, a renowned global leader in airport baggage handling, air cargo handling, and distribution automation, has recently expanded its operations into the country. With a new high-tech office and production facility in Pune, the group is poised to meet the growing demand for advanced baggage and cargo handling solutions in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. To delve deeper into this strategic expansion and its implications, Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor, Aviation World had the privilege of speaking with Mr.Tennyson Anthony, Managing Director of Alstef Group(India). With a wealth of experience, he sheds light on the company’s vision, its commitment to innovation, and the significance of its entry into the Indian market.   Q: With govt. impetus on developing various categories of airports, what is the overall volume of business that your sector is projected to cater in future? A: Alstef Group, a leading player in the airport baggage handling systems market, has recognized the tremendous potential of India, the world’s fastest-growing market. In response, Alstef Group has established a full-fledged setup in Pune, India, to align with the swift pace of airport development undertaken by Indian operators. Amidst the dynamic shifts in the global aviation market, characterized by the proliferation of new airports and the expansion of existing ones in both Tier I and Tier II cities, the global Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) market has reached a staggering valuation of 8 billion USD. With our recent establishment in India, our aim is to capture approximately 20% to 30% of the global BHS market, significantly bolstering our market share in the years ahead. Additionally, we are committed to enhancing our market presence in after-sales services, complementing our focus on new projects. Q: Automated Baggage handling is the new buzzword at smart airports. How effectively the process is used and benefits associated out of it? A: Automated baggage handling indeed represents the future of efficient airport operations. By implementing advanced technologies such as self-service bag drops, bag tracking – now including inbound bag tracking, fast and efficient sortation, and AI based predictive maintenance, airports can streamline the baggage handling process, significantly reducing delays, errors, and mishandling incidents. The benefits associated with automated baggage handling are manifold. Firstly, it improves operational efficiency by enabling faster baggage processing and reducing manual intervention. Secondly, it enhances security by providing real-time tracking and monitoring of luggage throughout the entire journey. Lastly, it enhances passenger satisfaction by minimizing wait times and ensuring reliable baggage delivery. Overall, the adoption of automated baggage handling systems is a win-win for airports, airlines, and passengers alike. Q: Alstef Group’s decision to increase its presence in India signifies a strategic move. What motivated this expansion in the Indian market? A: Tennyson Anthony (TA): “Indeed, our foray into India is driven by a confluence of factors. India’s aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, with airports witnessing increasing passenger and cargo volumes. This growth presents a tremendous opportunity for us to deploy our cutting-edge solutions and contribute to the country’s evolving infrastructure. Moreover, India’s commitment to modernizing its airports and enhancing operational efficiency aligns perfectly with our expertise in delivering innovative baggage and cargo handling systems.” Q: How does Alstef India plan to tailor its solutions to meet the unique requirements of the Indian market while maintaining global standards of quality and performance? A:Localization is key to our strategy in India. We understand that each market has its own dynamics and challenges. Therefore, we are committed to collaborating with local stakeholders, leveraging indigenous talent, and customizing our solutions to suit the specific needs of Indian airports and logistics operators. At the same time, we adhere to stringent quality control measures at our Pune manufacturing facility to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of excellence, just like anywhere else in the world. Q: Sustainability is a growing concern globally. How does Alstef Group integrate eco-conscious practices into its operations, especially with the expansion into India? A:Sustainability is ingrained in our corporate ethos. We recognize the importance of minimizing our environmental footprint and promoting responsible practices. In India, we are implementing sustainable product design, optimizing energy consumption of our products, and adopting eco-friendly production processes. By doing so, we aim to not only reduce our impact on the environment but also inspire others in the industry to embrace sustainability as a core principle. Q: Beyond business, what role does Alstef Group envision playing in India’s economic and social development? A:Our commitment to India goes beyond business objectives. We view ourselves as partners in the country’s progress. Through job creation, skill development initiatives, and technology transfer, we seek to empower local communities and contribute to India’s journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub. By fostering inclusive growth and leveraging our expertise, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the socio-economic fabric of the country. Q: What message would you like to convey to Alstef Group’s customers and stakeholders in India and around the world? A: To our customers and stakeholders, I would like to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to excellence. We are dedicated to delivering value-driven solutions that prioritize operational efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. As we embark on this exciting journey in India, we invite our partners to join us in shaping the future of logistics and aviation, setting new standards of excellence, and driving unprecedented value for all stakeholders. In conclusion, Alstef Group’s expansion into India represents more than just a business venture—it’s a testament to the company’s vision, values, and commitment to driving positive change. With Tennyson Anthony at the helm, Alstef India is poised to redefine industry benchmarks, drive innovation, and contribute to India’s growth story in the years to come.

Dubai, 2nd May 2024: Air India yesterday commenced flights on the busy Delhi-Dubai route using its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft in the airline’s bold new livery.With this, Air India’s flagship aircraft marked its international debut and Air India becomes the only carrier to operate the A350 between India and Dubai.At Dubai airport, Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India, Dubai, Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO, Dubai Airport and Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority lit the ceremonial lamp the inaugurate the aircraft’s first departure from Dubai. Air India’s A350-900 aircraft features a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats: 28 private Business suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and other amenities, and 264 spacious Economy seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens that offer more than 2,200 hours of entertainment content from around the world. Air India started inducting the A350s earlier this year as part of the 470 new aircraft order that Air India placed a year ago. Air India currently operates a total of 72 flights a week to Dubai from five Indian cities, of which 32 flights are from Delhi.