Civil Aviation

London,November 27th 2024: British Airways has unveiled its brand-new First seat, combining elegant design with expert British craftsmanship, reflective of modern British luxury travel. The new cabin forms part of the airline’s A380 retrofit plans, expected to take to the skies in mid-2026. The airline’s new first class has been carefully designed to provide the feel of a modern luxury hotel, alongside home comforts and thoughtful British touches at 35,000ft. The seat has been beautifully curated by expert designers and world-class manufacturers from all corners of Great Britain and Ireland, including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel and Dublin. The new seat is ultra-wide (36.5inches), with a bed length of 79inches, and features a multi-purpose ottoman and elegant storable table, a 32-inch 4K TV screen, adjustable mood lighting including scenes such as ‘relax’, ‘dine’ and ‘cinema’. The seat can be adjusted with the touch of a button to find the perfect level of comfort and is located within a cocooned 60-inch curved wall for ultimate privacy, whilst still providing a spacious environment. For customers travelling together in the centre of the cabin, the divider slides open to create a shared lounge space, and the storable tables mean customers can enjoy ‘buddy dining’ in the seat with their travel companion. The elegant curves throughout the cabin take inspiration from British Airways’ Concorde wings, giving a natural flow to the space and creating a welcoming environment. Customers can now simply wheel their luggage into their personal luggage space, making it even easier to settle in before their flight. Elsewhere, the suite features an ambient light with an eye-catching design that subtly references the airline’s speed marque and further nods to Concorde. The suite features window blinds, activated by buttons on the internal control panel for all three windows per seat. The soft panelling inside the seat also helps with acoustics and absorbing sound, which adds to the sense of being in a cocooned, private space. Customers can also use the seat’s brand-new ‘do not disturb’ functionality on its wireless control tablet, which notifies crew if they wish to maximise their rest on board. British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said, “We’re incredibly proud to launch the next era of First Class Seat that pushes the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity, taking into consideration customer preferences and expectations to the finest detail. This coupled with our incredible colleagues delivering a world-class service, following the launch of our First Service Specialists scheme, as well as the many benefits of flying First such as First Wing entry, access to our award-winning lounges including our Concorde Room and priority boarding, means we truly believe we offer a winning combination in delivering an extraordinary experience for our customers.” The airline listened to colleagues and customers to help shape design elements and specific features to suit preferences, such as the carefully placed storage with usability and purpose in mind. The airline also introduced its fully rectangular bed following customer feedback that replicates all the comforts of a home environment. The airline also worked closely with world-class manufacturer, Collins Aerospace RTX business, to create the First seat, following its involvement in carefully crafting British Airways’ Club Suite and short-haul aircraft seats earlier this year. British Airways is proud to be the only European carrier from the UK to offer a First product across the Atlantic. Customers travelling in First can experience the airline’s most luxurious way to travel, from a stylish seat, exclusive access to lounges, fast-track security, use of the First Wing at Heathrow and excellent service on board. The airline offers the most premium experience for travellers from the moment they book to when they land in their destination. The airline is continuing to invest in its overall customer experience and has already rolled out over 120 initiatives as part of its £7billion transformation focus, from brand-new short-haul seats, free Wi-Fi messaging on board to refreshing its lounges across its global network.

New Delhi,25th November 2024: In one of very new marketing initiative, SriLankan Airlines has launched a tour package under the theme, “The Ramayana Trail”. One can walk through the sacred pages of this timeless story with our exclusive Ramayana Trail package, designed especially for Indian travelers. This experience will immerse to the places where Lord Rama, Sita, and Hanuman’s adventures unfolded, set against the lush backdrop of Sri Lanka. The Ramayana Trail takes to 20 significant locations in Sri Lanka, each deeply woven into the Ramayana story. Visit Seetha Amman Temple, where Sita is said to have prayed during her captivity, and stand in awe at Rumassala Hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is believed to have landed, dropped by Hanuman. Every stop is a connection to your spiritual heritage, bringing the stories of the Ramayana alive. SriLankan Airlines, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Nuttall said, “We are pleased to make a grand comeback in the India market with this exclusive range of Ramayana Trail excursions which is guaranteed to inspire travellers to explore destination Sri Lanka like never before. India is our single largest market in terms of number of cities connected and flight frequencies. We are certain that this endeavour will further strengthen our future expansion strategies whilst portraying Sri Lanka as a destination that is closely connected to their devotion and culture. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Chairman, Buddhika Hewawasam said, “India has been the prime source market for Sri Lanka’s inbound tourism. Travellers from India hold a very special place in our hearts, as they have always been the first to arrive in our shores signalling the end of difficult times. This trend has been visible in the context of all unprecedented challenges that we faced recently as a country. We are proud to collaborate with the National Carrier, SriLankan Airlines in its latest strategic marketing drive, ‘Ramayana by SriLankan,’ which will continue to inspire discerning travellers from India to explore the charms of old ages blending seamlessly with modern day travel.” Experience the power of faith as you walk in the footsteps of Lord Rama and Sita. From the cave where Ravana hid Sita to the lake where Lord Rama defeated Ravana, these ancient sites provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect deeply with your roots. The highlight, of course, is the legendary bridge built by Lord Rama’s Vanara army to reach Lanka, a symbol of resilience and devotion. The Ramayana Trail is more than a tour; it’s an opportunity for self-discovery. As you reflect on the values embodied by Lord Rama—honor, loyalty, and perseverance—you’ll gain new insights into your own life. The connections you forge with your fellow travelers, inspired by shared faith, will create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. No visit to Sri Lanka would be complete without embracing its vibrant culture. From vibrant festivals and colorful temples to mouth-watering local dishes like hoppers and kottu, you’ll experience Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality, echoing the famous Indian “Atithi Devo Bhava” spirit. Sri Lanka’s close-knit relationship with India makes it the ideal destination for this spiritual quest.

Delhi, 18th Nov 2024: Tata Sons (Tata) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) celebrated the successful merger of Air India and Vistara at a ceremony held in New Delhi. The event was attended by Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, and Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines, as well as senior management and employees from Tata, SIA, Air India, and Vistara. Post taking over of Air India, Tata Sons are under process of consolidating the four airlines within the Air India Group into one full-service and one low-cost airline is part of the ongoing, five-year Vihaan.AI transformation programme. This creates an Air India Group with a significant presence across all key segments of the Indian market – domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost operations. This will help to enhance the Group’s operational capabilities, expand its customer base, and gradually elevate service standards, product excellence, and the customer experience. Post-merger, the Air India Group operates a combined fleet of 300 aircraft covering 55 domestic and 48 international destinations, with 312 routes and 8,300 flights per week. The airline will offer extended worldwide connectivity to over 800 destinations through more than 75 codeshare and interline partners. The collective staff strength stands at over 30,000. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, of Tata Sons, said,“It has been a little over two and a half years since the homecoming of Air India to the Tata Group. This week’s merger between Air India and Vistara is an important milestone in our commitment to transform Air India into a world-class global airline. Singapore Airlines continues to be our strategic partner in our aviation journey and we welcome them to Air India.” Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, of Singapore Airlines, said: “This merger marks a pivotal moment for Indian aviation. Working with our valued, long-standing partner Tata Sons, the SIA Group will support the ongoing transformation of the enlarged Air India Group, offering our stewardship and expertise where possible. We are focused on helping to restore Air India to its leading position in the Indian aviation market and creating an airline Group that everyone in India can be proud of. “For the SIA Group, the completion of the merger reinforces our long-standing direct participation in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Singapore Airlines is committed to deepening our commercial collaboration with Air India, and finding ways to provide greater value and enhanced options to our customers on flights between India and Singapore, and beyond.”

New Delhi, 08 November 2024: Finnair is renewing the cabins of its Embraer fleet to increase passenger comfort also on shorter routes. The first refurbished Embraer cabin is now completed, and the target is to renew the entire fleet of 12 Embraer aircraft by spring 2026. Seven aircraft will be renewed during the winter season 2024–2025, and the remaining Embraer aircraft will be renewed during the winter season 2025–2026. The Embraer fleet is used on routes to many of Finnair’s destinations in Finland and the rest of Europe, especially shorter routes in Northern and Central Europe. The colour scheme and atmosphere of the new cabins have been designed to match that of Finnair’s recently refurbished wide-body fleet and Finnair’s new Schengen lounge at Helsinki Airport. “We wanted to create a harmonious, fresh and inviting travel environment for our customers, with dark blue and grey colours and a hint of wooden laminate – elements familiar from our long-haul aircraft,” says Eerika Enne, Head of Inflight Customer Experience. “The renewed cabin will feature two new seats. The seats on rows 1– 9 offer a bit of additional comfort thanks to its design and cushioning. The seats in the first rows recline slightly, while from row 10, the seat does not recline. The service concept will remain unchanged in connection with the cabin renewal,” says Enne. The number of seats remains unchanged, with 100 seats in Finnair’s E190 aircraft as before. In connection with the cabin renewal, lighting was also renewed to LED lighting. One of the targets of the Embraer cabin renewal has been to reduce the weight of the aircraft, as reduced weight means lower fuel consumption and, thus, lower carbon dioxide emissions. Weight has thus been a consideration for all elements in the cabin. “Both the Business Class seat and the Economy Class seat are lighter than the previous Embraer cabin seats, and also the cabin carpet is made of a lighter material than before. With these changes, we aim to reduce the weight of the aircraft by approximately 150 kg per aircraft,” Enne notes.

New Delhi,7th Nov 2024: By Aviation World Desk In one of the biggest jolt to the Indian Aviation sector, the Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to order the liquidation of Jet Airways in view of the “peculiar and alarming” circumstance that the resolution plan has not been implemented for five years. NCLAT had earlier, upheld the transfer of ownership of the airline to the Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC) as part of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). The Supreme Court, while issuing an order observed that JKC failed to comply with the resolution as it failed to infuse Rs 150 crore, the first trench of Rs 350 crore to clear the outstanding of workers and airport among other essential costs. The latest judgement marks the end of the airline’s struggle to revive itself.The Court also directed the NCLT Mumbai Bench to appoint a liquidator forthwith and forfeit Rs 200 crores as paid by the Successful Resolution Applicant(SRA). The Court set aside the NCLAT Order which allowed Jet Airways’ ownership transfer to the SRA without complete payment in accordance with the resolution plan. The bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had reserved the judgment on October 16. The NCLAT order was challenged by SBI-led lenders of the cash-strapped Airlines. “This litigation is an eyeopener, has taught us many lessons about the IBC and the functioning of NCLAT,” Justice Pardiwala orally said before the pronouncement.The Court held that the NCLAT order allowing the adjustment of the first tranche of payment of Rs 350 crores against the Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) was in “flagrant disregard” of the order of the Supreme Court passed on January 18 and was “perverse.” “We have no doubt that the NCLAT acted contrary to settled legal principles and it incorrectly interpreted our order,” the Court observed in the judgment.

Chennai, 6th November 2024: Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has launched new direct flight route between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai, India. RB’s Airbus A320neo landed at Chennai International Airport on the 5th of November 2024 at approximately 22:50 IST and was greeted by a water cannon salute.This new connection signifies a significant expansion in RB’s global network. It marks a historic step in strengthening the cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties between Brunei Darussalam and India. The airline celebrated the launch in Chennai through a series of events in collaboration with the Brunei High Commission in India, the Brunei Economic and Development Board (BEDB), and Brunei Tourism (BT) at the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, aimed at strengthening partnerships, promoting Brunei as a unique destination, and showcasing investment opportunities for Indian businesses. Press Conference: RB’s CEO, Chief Commercial Officer, STIC Travel Group (RB’s agent in India)and Brunei Tourism representatives held a press conference, where they introduced Brunei and the new route and spoke on the broader significance of this connection for both nations. BEDB Investment Seminar: In collaboration with BEDB, an investment seminar was organised for Indian business leaders. BEDB representatives presented Brunei’s attractive investment landscape, which includes a stable political environment, modern infrastructure, and strategic access to the ASEAN market. This session fostered connections between Indian businesses and Bruneian representatives, promoting partnerships in crucial trade, technology, and tourism sectors. Brunei Night: The highlight of the celebrations, Brunei Night, showcased Brunei’s rich culture and hospitality with traditional Bruneian performances and a special address from H.E. Dato PadukaHj Alaihuddin MohdTaha, the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to India. The occasion commemorated the 40th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Brunei and India, reflecting on decades of mutual friendship and partnership that have fostered growth and understanding across both nations. The Chief Guest for the event was The Honorable Dr T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister of Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce, Tamil Nadu whereas the Guest of Honour was His Excellency Shri S Vijayakumar, Head of the Ministry of External Affairs Branch in Chennai. Also in attendance was Shri B. Krishnamoorthy, IOFS, Project Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, as the Special Guest. Captain Sabirin bin HjAbdul Hamid, CEO of Royal Brunei Airlines, remarked during the celebrations: “Launching this new route is more than just a flight connection; it is a bridge between two nations. We are excited to open new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Brunei and India. This route connects Bruneians and our international guests to the vibrant city of Chennai and the many experiences it has to offer, and it enhances travel options for those from India wishing to explore the peaceful beauty of Brunei Darussalam.” Royal Brunei Airlines’ new route offers three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, providing seamless travel for leisure and business passengers. Passengers will travel aboard the modern Airbus A320neo, known for its quiet and fuel-efficient performance. With the strategic codeshare agreement with Air India, passengers flying to and from Chennai can easily connect to other major destinations in RB’s network, including Melbourne, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Manila, and Taipei. Since formal diplomatic ties were established in 1984, India and Brunei have enjoyed a lasting partnership enriched by a shared heritage and a commitment to development. This new route launch aligns with India’s Prime Minister Modi’s vision for an ASEAN-India Tourism Year in 2025 and supports increased travel, business exchanges, and cultural interactions. Captain Haji Sabirin noted, “This new route exemplifies our support for Brunei’s Wawasan 2035 vision to create a dynamic and globally connected economy. We are delighted to be part of this journey, promoting Brunei as a hidden gem for Indian travellers who wish to experience tranquillity, natural beauty, and a unique cultural heritage. Royal Brunei Airlines remains committed to its mission of connecting Brunei with the world, delivering exceptional travel experiences and fostering international partnerships. The Chennai route is a promising step toward stronger regional ties and underscores RB’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Indian market.RB’s Airbus A320neo aircraft will serve the route and ensure passengers enjoy the latest comfort, technology, and efficiency with RB’s world-renowned cabin crew offering the signature Bruneian hospitality that RB is known for globally.

ABU DHABI,03 Nov 2024: Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines are set to work towards a collaboration for the benefit of their customers after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a potential agreement. The MoU reflects a dedication to exploring an enhanced working relationship, where the airlines plan to implement a broad collaboration including a codeshare, reciprocal loyalty programmes, cargo transport, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and ground handling. The two airlines have an existing interline agreement, allowing passengers to seamlessly transfer between flights on either carrier without the need to collect baggage or check in again. Jurriaan Stelder, Etihad’s Vice-President Alliances, said: “This MoU is an important milestone to establishing a long-term mutually beneficial collaboration, opening the door for both airlines to explore the benefits of a deeper relationship. Our collective ambition is to further strengthen both airlines’ ability to provide and enhance service to our customers.” Nguyen Chien Thang, Vietnam Airlines’ Executive Vice President, said “We are delighted to sign this MoU with Etihad Airways, marking an important milestone in expanding our relationship. Through comprehensive collaboration, including codeshare, loyalty programmes, cargo, and technical support, we believe we will deliver exceptional benefits to the customers of both airlines and further strengthen connectivity between Vietnam and the UAE.”

SINGAPORE,OCTOBER 22, 2024: Star Alliance, the world’s leading global airline alliance, firmed up its key management appointments aimed at further enhancing its strategic focus on a seamless experience for member airline customers as they benefit from the Star Alliance network.Ambar Franco joins Star Alliance as Vice President, Customer Experience. Franco will lead the development and implementation of initiatives designed to enhance the overall customer journey across the alliance: their booking experience, the experience of customers at airports and when they connect between Star Alliance member airlines, and then to ensure their continuing loyalty post travel. She brings significant expertise from the travel industry, most recently having held senior customer experience related roles at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Luc Lachoix is Star Alliance’s Vice President, Digital & Technology. Lachoix is responsible for IT architecture, operations, and security, as well as supporting the IT needs of Star Alliance’s Customer Experience and Loyalty business areas. He has served in various roles in the airline industry, including leadership positions at key travel technology companies including Amadeus and Sabre. Renato Ramos is Vice President, Strategy. Ramos drives Star Alliance’s strategic initiatives, business planning, and cross-functional collaboration. Engaged at Star Alliance for the last seven years, he previously served as Director, Loyalty at Star Alliance. Renato is a seasoned aviation expert who has held previous roles at Avianca and LATAM Airlines. Gayatheri Silvakumer serves as Vice President, People and Culture and leads the implementation of Star Alliance’s human capital and cultural development vision, focusing on talent retention and organisational development. She has held several senior HR roles across various industries, working with organisations such as McCann Worldgroup, Bombardier and Rolls-Royce. “I am delighted to work with such a diverse leadership team. They bring their extensive experience from within and outside the aviation industry to fast-track our mission of delivering a seamless customer experience at key touch points in their travels,” said Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance. Ambar, Luc, Renato, and Gayatheri, are each passionate about our vision and executing on it, always with our member airlines’ end-customer in mind.”

Botucatu, Brazil, October 22, 2024: Embraer is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the certification of the Ipanema EMB-202A ethanol-powered agricultural aircraft, the first and only series-produced aircraft in the world to fly with a biofuel. Today, the model has undergone a technological evolution and is marketed under the designation EMB-203. Since its certification on October 19, 2004, the Ipanema has avoided more than 28 million tons of CO2 emissions, an average of 1.4 million tons per year. Produced domestically, the aircraft has improved its performance thanks to the use of a renewable energy source. “More than 570 ethanol-powered Ipanemas have already been sold and more than 210 aircraft from previous versions have had their engines converted from aviation gasoline to biofuel in the last 20 years, which underlines the very high confidence of our operators. Synonymous with efficiency and low operating costs, the Ipanema is the perfect solution for those looking to increase productivity per hectare and contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural sector,” says Sany Onofre, Embraer’s Agricultural Aviation leader. With its high technology and tradition, the Ipanema increases productivity per hectare by up to 30% and reduces operating costs by up to 57% compared to other equipment by making the operation more flexible, as well as avoiding losses due to crop crushing, which are common when using other spraying solutions. The ethanol-powered Ipanema is constantly evolving to meet the most stringent safety and efficiency requirements. Proof of this is the new wing structure that increases efficiency, economy, and productivity, as well as a taller cab with a new ergonomic concept, USB connectivity, a new air conditioning system, a seat belt with airbag and levers that provide smoother steering movements. Widely used for spraying solid or liquid products, the aircraft has also carried out a series of tests to approve Brazil’s first methodology for the aerial application of biological pesticides. The pioneering project to promote sustainability in national agribusiness is coordinated by Koppert, a global leader in the development and production of bio-inputs for agriculture.

Showcasing a whole new cabin experience in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy onboard the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft Delhi, 21st October 2024: Cathay Pacific is once again raising the bar for customer experience with the official unveiling of its all-new Business class, Aria Suite, together with its new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy onboard its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline’s retrofitted 777-300ER debuted on its Hong Kong-Beijing route today (21 October) before progressively being deployed on other regional and long-haul routes. The new cabin experience was introduced at a special ceremony for distinguished guests, valued customers and Cathay members, members of the media and Cathay employees at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited’s (HAECO) hangar facility at Hong Kong International Airport on 16 October. Cathay Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “At Cathay, we believe in moving people forward in life. This purpose goes beyond simply flying customers to their destinations; we are deeply woven into Hong Kong’s identity as a global aviation hub. To solidify our role in both the industry and the community, we’ve committed a significant investment of over HK$100 billion over the next seven years into our fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership, reflecting our confidence in Hong Kong’s long-term growth and its position as a key player in global aviation. “As part of this evolution, we are excited to introduce new seat products over the next three years, each designed to elevate the inflight experience for our customers. First, we are launching our all-new Business and Premium Economy cabins, and a refreshed Economy cabin on our retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. These will be followed by a new world-leading First class experience onboard our 777-9s, and a brand-new flat-bed Business class product on our Airbus A330s.Through our investments in cutting-edge aircraft, innovative technology and groundbreaking facilities, we are dedicated to moving beyond expectations – in the air, on the ground and in every experience we create.” In the highly anticipated Aria Suite, Cathay Pacific has placed customer experience at the heart of the design and conception of its new Business class. Artistry and craftsmanship have gone into every detail to create a holistic and immersive experience where comfort, privacy and a sense of personal space are completely reimagined for customers. The result is an inflight journey that is intuitive and effortless.