Civil Aviation

22nd August 2024: Air Astana and Japan Airlines has announced the signing of a codeshare agreement, which allows both airlines to place their respective codes on a new Almaty to Tokyo service scheduled to be launched in spring of 2026. This agreement enhances connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan for both business and leisure travelers, as well as more widely fostering greater movement of people and goods between the two countries. Diplomatic relations between Japan and Kazakhstan were established in 1992. Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster remarked, “Our collaboration with Japan Airlines is an exciting development that will enrich our international network and offer more travel options for our customers. We look forward to delivering a seamless travel experience for passengers between Kazakhstan and Japan.” Japan Airlines Group CEO Mitsuko Tottori stated, “We are delighted to enter into cooperation with such a distinguished partner as Air Astana. We will contribute to further enhancement of over 30 years of diplomatic relationship between Japan and Kazakhstan, through developing passenger and cargo traffic.” More details about routes and schedules will be announced following the integration of both airlines’ scheduling and ticketing systems.

LYNNWOOD, Wash/Wessling, 19th August, 2024: Crane Aerospace & Electronics, a segment of Crane Company , has been selected by German Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Deutsche Aircraft to supply the Proximity Sensing System for its 40-seater regional turboprop aircraft, the D328eco. This decision comes several months after Crane A&E was chosen to provide the brake control system for the same aircraft. For 60 years, Crane A&E has provided aircraft manufacturers with reliable proximity sensing components and systems for high-reliability position sensing of aircraft mechanical systems. More than 30 years ago, Crane was selected to provide a similar Proximity Sensing System for the D328® turboprop, Building on this successful partnership. Crane A&E will introduce its latest proximity sensing interface on the D328eco, offering Deutsche Aircraft a low-risk solution. “We are pleased to be working with Deutsche Aircraft and look forward to supplying the D328eco with our latest proximity sensing solution,” remarked Joseph Mundinger, Crane Aerospace & Electronics VP/GM, Sensing & Power Systems. “Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we are committed to providing the D328eco with a premier system that will benefit Deutsche Aircraft’s customers.” Nico Neumann, COO at Deutsche Aircraft, confidently announced, “We are glad to continue our ongoing partnership with Crane Aerospace & Electronics, a highly esteemed organization in our industry. Their proven expertise will be crucial for Deutsche Aircraft efforts to advance the completion of our D328eco.”

Singapore, 12th August 2024: Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase flight frequencies and boost passenger capacity across its network in the 2025 Northern Summer operating season (30 March 2025 to 25 October 2025), supporting the higher demand for air travel to several popular destinations. From 30 March 2025, SIA will have a daily service to London (Gatwick), up from the current five-times weekly services. Together with its four-times daily flights to London (Heathrow), this will give the Airline five daily services to the United Kingdom’s capital. Services to Rome will increase to five times a week between 26 June 2025 and 28 August 2025, up from the current four weekly flights. SIA will delink its three-times weekly Singapore-Milan-Barcelona flights from 24 June 2025 to 7 September 2025 and operate more direct flights between Singapore and the two European cities. The Airline will mount five-times weekly direct flights to Barcelona during this period, up from the current two weekly flights. Milan will have a daily service, up from four-times weekly currently. Flights to Adelaide will go up to 10 a week across the Northern Winter 2024 and Northern Summer 2025 seasons, up from the current seven-times weekly services. Frequencies to Ho Chi Minh City will rise to thrice daily, up from 19-times weekly, and services to Siem Reap will go to twice daily, up from a daily service. A three-times weekly service will be mounted to Johannesburg from 11 December 2024 to 10 January 2025, and from 2 April 2025 to 24 October 2025, bringing the total number of flights to the city to 10 times a week, up from the current daily services, during these periods. The Airbus A380 will return to Tokyo (Narita) between 30 March 2025 and 31 May 2025 on one of its two daily services, replacing the Boeing 787-10. The A380 will stop operating to Mumbai from 28 July 2025 to 31 August 2025, and Delhi from 23 June 2025 to 27 July 2025, and will be replaced by the Boeing 777-300ER. In line with its capacity adjustments, SIA will suspend services to Houston via Manchester from 1 April 2025. However, SIA will maintain five-times weekly services between Singapore and Manchester via SQ302 and SQ301. Details on the flight schedules can be found in Annexe A. Mr Dai Haoyu, Acting Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “Singapore Airlines regularly reviews our network and routes to align our capacity with demand. These adjustments, ahead of next summer, cater to the higher demand to several destinations, particularly during the traditional mid-year peak travel season, enabling our customers to confidently make their 2025 travel plans. We look forward to connecting our customers to the world with SIA’s extensive network, and delivering an unparalleled travel experience.”

Abu Dhabi, 9th August 2024: On the occasion of Singapore National Day,Etihad Airways has announced that it will start flying its A380 double-decker to Singapore (SIN) from 1 February, 2025. The Asian-Pacific powerhouse becomes the fourth major city to enjoy the Etihad A380 experience in addition to London and New York, as well as Paris which will be served by the A380 from 1 November. It means Etihad will have its sixth A380 in operation by the start of 2025. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are thrilled to announce that our iconic A380 aircraft will begin serving the Singapore route early next year. “This aircraft provides our business and leisure travellers with an exceptional flying experience and seamless connections to our Middle East, European, and North American networks. It highlights Etihad’s dedication to optimising travel to Abu Dhabi and beyond, ensuring more convenience and comfort for our guests. “We will have our sixth A380 online next year as we build our capacity further to cater for the travel needs of our guests.”

Delhi, 07 August 2024: Akasa Air completed its second year of flight operations on Wednesday.The airline operated its first commercial flight on 07 August 2022 from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Celebrating the milestone, Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air, said, “Two years ago, we embarked on a journey with a vision to redefine air travel, and today, I can proudly say that we have successfully delivered on our purpose while upholding our commitment to reliability, service excellence and affordability. We offer an unparalleled flying experience with the most comfortable seat in the Indian skies, a fresh in-cabin experience and our carefully curated culinary offerings, delivered by our empathetic crew. In this past year, we have consistently been India’s leader in on-time performance while registering greater operational reliability, and the lowest customer complaints, and cancellations in the industry. These milestones would not have been possible without the dedication of over 4000 Akasians whose effort and passion have been the driving force behind our collective achievements. Our success is also a direct result of the unwavering support and confidence of our partners who have backed us in our plans. We are extremely thankful to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA for their steadfast drive to propel the growth of the industry. We are grateful to our shareholders for believing in our dream and for their constant support and guidance and we are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead and will continue to build an airline that will make India proud.” Vinay added, “Akasa Air has always been more than a carrier flying from one place to another. It is the very embodiment of the Indian spirit, testifying to the potential that India holds as an aviation market”.

Farnborough,22 July 2024: On the first morning of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, unveiled the new, ultra-modern ‘Qsuite Next Gen’. This latest iteration of the award-winning Qatar Airways Qsuite brings the World’s Best Business Class in commercial aviation to new heights. The reveal was held in the presence of His Excellency Jassim bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Sulaiti, the Qatari Minister of Transport; and Mr. Mohamed Faleh Alhajri, Acting President of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. In the Qatar Airways Discover Lounge at the Farnborough International Airshow, Engr. Al-Meer introduced the Qsuite Next Gen with Sama – the World’s First AI Digital Human cabin crew. Sama built up the audience’s excitement through an interactive conversation on how the World’s Best Airline has once again redefined luxury and innovation, elevating the industry’s benchmark in business class experiences. During the reveal, Engr. Al-Meer highlighted the Qsuite Next Gen’s new and enhanced features, including fully customisable Quad Suites; Companion Suites in window aisles; 4K OLED manoeuvrable in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens; along with increased space and privacy in each suite. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are excited to have finally revealed the long-awaited Qsuite Next Gen at the Farnborough International Airshow. Qatar Airways has once again raised the bar for its award-winning product, the Qsuite. We look forward to welcoming media and partners to our stand throughout the week to experience the future of business class travel with the World’s Best Business Class onboard the World’s Best Airline.” Qsuite Next Gen The game-changing Qsuite Next Gen aims to facilitate a mindful work-life balance with its revolutionary attributes for all professionals, friends, and families. The redesigned Quad Suite is now equipped with movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens – a first for any airline in the world. The screens can be repositioned to the side to create the largest social and productivity space in the sky for up to four passengers in the Quad Suite, and up to two passengers in the Companion Suite. Rest and relaxation on-board the Quad Suite has also been enhanced with increased space for dining together – a hallmark of Qatari heritage, as well added privacy with taller, digitally controlled dividers. With larger lie-flat and double beds, the new Quad Suite will also offer the 5-star Qatar Airways turn-down service with a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ feature. The new Companion Suite has similar characteristics to the Quad Suite, now with the noteworthy revamp of offering the same shared space in window aisles. Adopting new technologies for increased passenger convenience and connectivity, the Qsuite Next Gen delivers a vast array of customisation options, ranging from ambient lighting to privacy controls, through its upgraded touchscreen Passenger Control Units. The Qsuite Next Gen will be featured on-board the Qatar Airways Boeing B777-9 aircraft by 2025.

National, 11 July 2024: Akasa Air commenced operations in Abu Dhabi connecting it to Mumbai with daily direct flights. The inaugural flight on 11th July 2024 departed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 1705hrs IST and is scheduled to arrive at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi at 1850hrs AST. Commenting on the destination launch, Neelu Khatri, Co-Founder and SVP International, Akasa Air, said: “We are pleased to commence operations from Abu Dhabi, the fourth international destination on our rapidly growing global network. The launch of daily direct flights connecting two prominent cities- Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, will provide affordable and convenient options for air travel on the route, and strengthen the air travel links between India and the UAE.” Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air further shared, “We are delighted to solidify our presence in the Middle East region with the launch of direct flights connecting Mumbai with Abu Dhabi. Home to a strong Indian diaspora and known for its unique tourist experiences, the city has become a popular destination amongst tourists. Moreover, its burgeoning trade prospects have consistently attracted business travellers from across the globe. This strategic expansion will enable us to cater to the ever-growing demand for air travel between India and UAE with reliable operations and affordable fares.” Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Akasa Air added: “We are excited to bring the Akasa experience to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. At Akasa Air, service excellence is at the heart of everything we do, and we strive to make every flight a memorable experience for our passengers. Travellers on the route can look forward to a warm flying experience with unique culinary offerings through our onboard meal service Café Akasa, backed by the signature service delivered by our crew members on board and on ground. Travellers also have the option to choose from a variety of customizable and all-inclusive holiday packages at affordable prices with Akasa Holidays.” “We take pride in having redefined air travel in India within a short time, and as we spread our wings, we are confident that Akasa Air will become synonymous with service excellence across the globe”- he added.

Atlanta, United States, July 9, 2024: Delta Air Lines and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new full-service carrier, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and destinations beyond. The agreement, signed at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Atlanta, serves as the foundation for a strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth. “This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as they transform the transportation economy in the Kingdom.” “We look forward to enjoying a very warm and productive relationship with Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most successful airlines in the world. Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines share common goals and pursue the highest standards in many areas including guest experience, loyalty, and sustainability, built upon great networks and strong connectivity,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. The agreement envisions a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, that includes interline and codeshare connectivity, as well as a deeper partnership encompassing loyalty, customer experience, digital transformation and broader aviation services such as maintenance, repair and overhaul services, ground handling and training. In the future, the airlines intend to explore an immunized joint venture to further expand the partnership and allow collaboration on network planning and growth in the region. Both airlines are committed to driving the best sustainability practices throughout their operations as they transform the future of travel. The partnership will open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Delta customers, including future nonstop service on Delta between the U.S. and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. It will provide leisure travelers with a new region of the world to explore while creating new opportunities for business travelers to Riyadh, a G20 capital city, plus destinations beyond. And it will offer Delta’s leading North American network for Riyadh Air customers, offering convenient access to hundreds of destinations in the U.S. and beyond with Delta’s famous reliability and elevated service. The new partnership comes as large-scale, ongoing investments in the Kingdom are transforming it into a popular and attractive destination for both leisure and business travelers. Travel is central to the nation’s long-term economic growth plan, with an $800 billion investment in the tourism sector that includes development of luxury resorts on the Red Sea, the opening of the Diriyah and al-Ula historical site to visitors, and the hosting of the 2030 Riyadh Expo. Riyadh Air, which will begin operations in 2025, is committed to building a premier carrier for customers traveling to and from the Middle East, with its base of operations in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Delta, which will mark its 100th anniversary next year, is the most-awarded U.S. airline with an industry-leading global network and an unrivaled reputation for outstanding customer service and operational excellence. “It’s fitting that Riyadh Air will begin its journey the same year that Delta launches our second century of flight,” Bastian said. “We’ll have many opportunities to learn from each other and become better airlines for our mutual customers, our employees, our investors and our communities as we fly forward together.”

Delhi,8th July 2024: Tata Group airlines have concluded the harmonisation of the operating procedures across its key functions, including harmonisation of the supporting manuals across all four carriers, reaching an important milestone in the merger of four airlines into two. Over the last 18 months, a team of more than 100 members have worked to align on the bestpractices and adopting common operating procedures. The result of this will be two separate manuals for the full-service carrier and the low-cost carrier. “This is an important milestone in the merger of the Tata Group airlines and we are grateful for the support received from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in terms of timely clearances for the merger process.We are also grateful to DGCA for their continuous guidance, systematic review and approval of the harmonized operating manuals. DGCA has guided our teams with a safety-first change management approach which is congruent with the safety-first priorities of the TATA Group. The live tracker created by the Flight Standards Directorate of DGCA with a dedicated team for continuous monitoring of the progress of the harmonisation process has been instrumental in achieving the challenging task in a time bound manner,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India. Air India and group companies are initiating the necessary crew training to action the harmonized processes, which will be another step in the direction towards building the new Air India and Air India Express.