Civil Aviation

Gurugram, 12th April 2024: Air India has deployed five new contact centres, offering round-the-clock assistance to its customers worldwide. It has partnered with Concentrix, a California-headquartered customer engagement firm, to manage premium services from centres in Mumbai, Cairo, and Kuala Lumpur. The airline has also signed up iEnergizer, to operate contact centres in Noida and Bengaluru, focusing on domestic inquiries. Air India has recently introduced a premium desk exclusively tailored for its premium Frequent Flyer members, as well as business and first-class guests. The dedicated service offers personalised assistance, further enhancing the overall travel experience for these esteemed segments of passengers. Investing in developing best-in-class technology infrastructure, including a new tech stack, the airline aims to streamline customer support operations and enhance efficiency. “Our customers are at the core of our operations. The enhancement and expansion of the contact centres is a testimony to Air India’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to our customers and is a step towards building Air India into a world-class global airline,”Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India, said during the launch of the Mumbai centre. Air India has implemented a comprehensive back-office insourcing strategy to manage emails, social media, and chat support internally to effectively assist our valued customers. A 24/7 grievance management desk promptly addresses all customer queries, escalations and provides round-the-clock support. A robust quality and training governance framework has also been established to ensure that the employees adhere to best-in-class standards and enhance their skills. Recently Air India launched its redesigned website and airline industry’s first Generative AI chatbot- AI.g. The chatbot provides seamless accessibility on the website as well as on WhatsApp opening a new guest support channel, helping travellers to ask questions across 1300+ travel-related topics.

12th March 2024, New Delhi: Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia today inaugurated Fly91, a regional airline and flagged off its maidan flight between Manohar International Airport (MOPA), Goa and Agatti Islands, Lakshadweep. Jyotiraditya M Scindia said that earlier in our country, airlines’ closure and bankruptcy used to be the news. In the past 10 years, the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi brought a new dawn to this industry which resulted in the birth of six new regional airlines. Shri Scindia also highlighted the multidimensional growth of civil aviation in the country. He reiterated the government’s commitment to connect tier 2 and tier 3 cities through the UDAN scheme and said that the aviation industry is expecting to raise its domestic traffic to 30 crores by 2030 which was just 6 crores in 2014. The airlines informed that Schedule flights will commence effective from 18 March 2024, between Manohar International Airport, Goa and Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jalgaon, Agatti, Pune, Nanded and from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune to Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Nanded and Goa, in a phased manner. These new connections will fulfil the demand for enhanced connectivity across the nation and increase accessibility of different regions. This will not only enhance tourism but also promote trade and commerce and give strength to the government’s commitment to offering an affordable, on-time, safe, and hassle-free travel experience to the passengers. Fly91 Chairman Harsha Raghavan, Asangba Chuba Ao, Jt. Secretary MoCA and other officials from AAI and the Ministry of Civil Aviation were also present at the launch.

Delhi,13th February 2024: Jazeera Airways reported KD 6.13 million in net profit for the full year 2023. Operating revenues were at KD 198.08 million with an 8.8% increase compared to 2022 while operating profits were at KD 11.76 million. Passenger numbers increased by 30.6% from 3.6 million to 4.68 million. Load factor grew from 77% to 78.2%while yield declined from KD 47.96 to KD 39.63. However, market share for the airline increased to 36.24% in Kuwait. At Jazeera Terminal 5, which is owned and managed by Jazeera Airways, the retail lease revenue grew by 51% to KD 1.54 million for 2023. Duty Free revenues increased by 1% to KD 1.3 million. Q4 2023 Results Jazeera recorded a net loss of KD 7.14 million. The company’s operating revenue for the fourth quarter was at KD 39.18 million. Passenger numbers were 17.3% higher at 1.15 million with load factor at 75.8% and average utilization up by 2.2% to 12.7 hours compared to the same quarter last year. The company distributed 28 fils per share in cash dividends for the first half of 2023. For the second half of 2023, the Board of Directors of Jazeera Airways have made a recommendation not to distribute any further dividends.                                                                                  Financial Highlights Marwan Boodai, Chairman, Jazeera Airways, said: “In 2022, we earned record profits that were driven by a huge demand for travel, lesser capacity and a one-time gain from selling and leasing back of engines. For 2023, we emerged profitable despite lower yields, influenced by overcapacity amid a challenging regulatory, geopolitical, and regional landscape. Higher load factors and greater market share put Jazeera Airways in a strong position while we continued to maintain a fanatical focus on unit cost. This is a strong demonstration of our robust and resilient business model as well as the quality of service we provide. We continue to remain unwavering in our commitment to grow and enhance our operations, provide quality service to our customers, and to further strengthen our foundation for success in the coming year 2024.” 2023 Operational Review In 2023, Jazeera Airways added 10 new routes to serve a total of 64 destinations across the Middle East, Central & South Asia, Europe, and Africa. The new destinations included Moscow, Samarkand, Larnaca, Sphinx (Cairo), Shiraz, Tivat, Belgrade, Tirana, Islamabad, and Tehran. The airline also took delivery of three additional aircraft, further expanding its fleet to 23. By opening its own wheels, brakes and battery shop, Jazeera in-sourced related services to save both time and cost. The airline also invested in over 2,000 of the world’s lightest airplane seats. Once in service, these seats are anticipated to offer a substantial weight saving of 1.2 metric tons resulting in reduced jet fuel consumption and increased passenger capacity with an additional row of seats. Remaining committed to its net zero by 2050 objectives, Jazeera published its first ESG sustainability report and became the first low-cost carrier in the Middle East to switch from plastic to eco-friendly food service ware in-flight. At the Jazeera Terminal 5, several new enhancements were made to make the passenger experience smoother. These included new gates and check-in counters, changing rooms, a duty-free shop, and restaurants. Jazeera Airways also ranked in Best Workplaces in Asia list based on an employee survey conducted by Great Place to Work. The airline also featured on the first Fortune 500 Arabia list published in the last year. Positive Outlook Jazeera Airways continues to remain unwavering in its approach to future growth. In the next five years, the airline is expected to serve over 100 destinations and increase its fleet size to 35 aircraft. Load factor is also anticipated to cross 80% in the next three years. A new hangar is in the process of construction to handle higher level maintenance checks. This is targeted for completion by 2025. Several other expansions are also in the pipeline to cater to the growing number of passengers in the coming future.

India is spearheading gender parity in global aviation, notes Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One In 2016, history was made when three women pilots were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the first time. The then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commissioned Mohana Singh, Bhawana Kanth, and Avani Chaturvedi at the Graduation Parade held at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. In 2018, Avani Chaturvedi smashed gender barriers by becoming the first-ever female combat pilot and the first Indian woman to fly the MiG 21 Bison solo. When she flew an aircraft that holds the highest landing and take-off speed in the world at 340 kmph, she signalled a tremendous shift in the gender dynamics within Indian aviation. At the 75th Republic Day parade held in New Delhi last week, 15 IAF women pilots participated in the fly-past, while the tableau from Madhya Pradesh proudly celebrated Avani Chaturvedi and her achievements, while also acknowledging all the women who followed her. There is, however, a noticeable increase in women’s participation, not only in military aviation but also in Indian civil aviation, where women are firmly establishing their presence by successfully pursuing careers as pilots, aircraft engineers, firefighters, ground crew, airport security, and more. This is also an opportune moment to reflect upon and salute some of the pioneering women who have shattered stereotypes in the aviation industry, long considered a male bastion. These trailblazing women pursued their dreams of becoming commercial pilots and soared to new heights, leaving an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Durba Banerjee etched her name in history in 1966 by becoming the country’s first female commercial pilot. Interestingly, when she initially sought a commercial pilot’s position, she was offered the job of a flight attendant instead. However, her unwavering resilience and determination played an instrumental role in shaping her triumphant career, which served as an inspiration for subsequent pioneers like Saudamini Deshmukh. Deshmukh became the first woman to command a Boeing 737 and later, in 1994, achieved the milestone of becoming the first Indian woman to lead an A320. Among numerous role models inspiring the next generation of female aviators in India, are Capt. Vandita Verma, the Line Training Captain in Flight Operations at Indigo Airlines, Capt. Mayuri Deshmukh of Pawan Hans Ltd, who became India’s first female Offshore Captain, and Capt. Ashima Mendiratta, who secured her place as the youngest female Pilot in Command, specifically on multi-engine helicopters. The momentum of accomplishments continues with Anny Divya, who became the youngest woman in the world to command a Boeing 777, and Captain Aarohi Pandit, who trained with Pier Seven Aviation and entered record books by piloting a flight without GPS and autopilot at 7,000 feet above sea level. In 2021, when Air India’s inaugural non-stop flight from San Francisco touched down at Bengaluru Airport, it was significant also because of an all-women cockpit crew, featuring Captain Zoya Aggarwal, Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware, and Captain Shivani Manhas. Further, the airline organised an all-women Hajj flight to Jeddah in 2023 from Calicut Airport in Kerala, which carried 145 women pilgrims. Leading the crew were Capt. Kanika Mehra and First Officer Garima Passi. It is important to also note that the Indian Government has been actively implementing proactive measures to enhance the participation of women aviators. According to official data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India issued the highest number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs) in 2023, marking an increase of almost 40% compared to the licenses issued in 2022. Notably, the number of women receiving CPLs nearly tripled, rising from 116 to 293 during the same period. According to DGCA, 15% of pilots in India are women, nearly three times the global average of 5%. However, to further enhance women’s participation in the Indian aviation sector, there is a need for additional specialised programmes aimed at encouraging pilot training. Active promotion and encouragement of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers are equally important. In January 2024, Boeing, unveiling its India Engineering and Technology Centre in Bangalore, introduced Boeing Sukanya, a program designed to empower Indian women. This initiative is expected to help girls and women, particularly from rural areas, acquire essential skills in STEM fields and receive training for aviation-related jobs. Boeing Sukanya also envisions establishing STEM labs at 150 locations across India and will provide scholarships to women undergoing pilot training. Similar collaborations with global aviation majors and pilot training institutes will enhance the quality of training and attract more women to the aviation industry. Organising sessions that facilitate interactions between aspiring individuals and successful women pilots will further contribute to igniting a passion for these professions and catalyse greater female participation in aviation. Our focus should now be on ensuring that trailblazing women aviators become the norm rather than the exceptions. When women rise above gender stereotypes to conquer the sky, they pave the way for many more to defy gravity and chase their dreams.

Dublin,2nd Feb 2024: The jets are being delivered from Airbus in January and February 2024 and will be powered by CFM LEAP-1A26 engines. Institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Global Alternative’s Global Transportation Group (“GTG”) (www.jpmorgan.com/am), have entered into agreements for four A320neo aircraft to be leased to InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) on a sale and leaseback basis. These aircraft will join a growing portfolio of commercial aircraft on lease to top-tier airlines advised by JP Morgan Global Alternative’s GTG. The GTG is also active in the global maritime, energy logistics, intermodal, electric vehicle, and rail car sectors. The aircraft will be managed by Avionix, a Dublin-based aircraft servicer and lessor portfolio company. The Airbus A320neo aircraft will form a key part of IndiGo’s young and efficient fleet and be a key contributor to its growing domestic and international traffic network. Andy Dacy, Global Head of Transportation for J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives, said: “We are delighted to welcome IndiGo, one of the leading low-cost carrier airlines in the world, to our growing portfolio of modern aircraft. We look forward to developing this relationship with our valued partner in the continued growth of our aviation strategy”. Riyaz Peermohamed, Chief Aircraft Acquisition and Financing Officer of IndiGo, said, “The Indian economy is on a trajectory of growth right now and the country is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world. As the industry leader, we are looking to consolidate our position by expanding our network both in domestic and international sectors. The team at IndiGo is pleased to have completed this transaction with J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives.”

Delhi,2nd February 2024: The oneworld alliance completes 25 years of its presence with an exceptional and seamless travel experience to its customers worldwide, with a member airline flight taking off or landing somewhere in the world every six seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since 1999, the alliance has flown nearly nine billion customers on its member airlines, connecting them with friends, loved ones and different cultures around the globe. Launched on 1 February 1999 by its founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, the alliance was formed to increase connectivity and flexibility for passengers and to reward frequent flyer customers with special benefits and privileges. Since then, oneworld has grown to include 13 of the world’s top airlines – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines, 26 affiliate airlines and a oneworld connect partner Fiji Airways. Oman Air is set to join the alliance in 2024, becoming its 14th full member. More than 330,000 airline professionals across oneworld member airlines work tirelessly on the ground and in the air, delivering smooth and memorable travel experiences for customers across the alliance. To celebrate the alliance’s landmark year, uniformed staff across oneworld member airlines will wear unique pin badges which have been specially-designed with a new 25th anniversary logo. Representing rich cultures from more than 170 territories served by oneworld member airlines, the alliance celebrates diversity, uniqueness and inclusivity, making every customer feel welcomed and valued. Today, oneworld member airlines collectively serve more than 900 global destinations, offering customers unparalleled access to more than 600 premium airport lounges, additional baggage allowances, the ability to earn and redeem miles across its network and fast-track security lanes at select airports. oneworld is the only global alliance to provide eligible customers access to First Class lounges, irrespective of the oneworld member airline they fly. It also offers two types of round-the-world fares, providing travellers with flexible options based on continents visited or distance travelled. Robert Isom, American Airlines Chief Executive Officer and oneworld alliance Chairman, said: “We are happy to celebrate the world’s leading airline alliance with more than 200 million loyal customers around the globe. “Together, we now operate more than 12,000 departures every day – equivalent to a oneworld member airline flight taking off or landing every six seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Highlighted by the recent opening of our first fully-branded oneworld lounge in Seoul in South Korea, we continue to expand the oneworld network around the world for the benefit of our customers. We look forward to the next 25 years of setting new standards in customer excellence and innovation.” Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Pacific, a founding member of the alliance, said: “Celebrating 25 years of oneworld is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. Our partnership has enabled us to connect cultures, bridge continents and create lasting memories for travellers around the world.” Vanessa Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of the Qantas Group, a founding member of the alliance, said: “For 25 years our alliance has brought together the best carriers, lounges, frequent flyer programs and networks to benefit our shared customers. As the leading alliance in the sky, we’ll continue working with our partner airlines to ensure oneworld delivers even more value as we help to connect travellers across more than 900 destinations around the globe.” Luis Gallego, Chief Executive Officer of International Airlines Group (IAG), said: “oneworld’s 25th anniversary marks a significant milestone in our journey towards providing exceptional travel experiences. Together, oneworld members have contributed towards shaping the landscape of global aviation, and we remain committed to driving excellence for our customers.” In 2019, oneworld launched Travel Bright, breaking the mould of airline alliance advertising by creating a contemporary, warm and positive brand that reflects millennials’ energy and positivity. In January 2024, the alliance opened its very first oneworld branded lounge experience, at Incheon Airport in Seoul, South Korea, further delivering on its vision of making travel bright. oneworld reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability in January 2024 by becoming the first airline alliance to join IATA CO2 Connect, contributing operational data to the aviation authority’s emissions calculator, which establishes a carrier’s carbon footprint. As oneworld embarks on its next 25 years, it remains steadfast in its commitment to setting new standards in customer experience, continuing its journey of innovation and collaboration, and creating memorable and meaningful travel experiences for millions of customers around the globe.

Delhi,3rd January 2024: Akasa Air recently added two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in its growing fleet. With this, the airline exited the calendar year 2023 with a fleet size of 22 aircraft, including 21 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and one Boeing 737 MAX 8 200, the first of its kind in Asia. Commenting on the development, Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air said, “The additions to our fleet will help us bolster the strength of our operations as we expand our footprint and foray into international skies in the coming months. Each addition to our fleet brings us closer to our purpose of connecting people, places, and cultures, and we hope that as we step into the next phase of growth, we will be able to serve millions of satisfied travellers across the globe.” The airline steps into the next chapter of its growth story with plans to expand its domestic presence and commence international operations in the coming months, the fleet expansion will support seamless and reliable connectivity to travellers across the globe. Aligning with the airline’s commitment to sustainability, the 737 MAX family provides greater range and fuel efficiency, reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to those it replaces. In addition, the 737 MAX is a quieter airplane with a 50% smaller noise footprint than replacement airplanes. Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has served over 6.3 million passengers and connects with 17 cities across India, namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Port Blair.

Gurugram 23rd December 2023: Air India welcomed the first of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered VT-JRA, in the airline’s bold new livery, marking a turning point in its ongoing transformation story.The aircraft arrived at New Delhi from the Airbus facility in Toulouse,France. The delivery flight, operated using a special call sign AI350, was welcomed by Air India representatives.Air India’s Senior Commander Capt. Monika Batra Vaidya, who is among the first few Indian pilots to be trained on A350, was on board as an observer. Air India leads the way in catalysing the renaissance of Indian aviation, inducting the first new wide body fleet type in India in more than a decade, and thus, becoming the first Indian airline to fly the A350. Air India was also the first Indian airline to have inducted the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet type in 2012. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it’s the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline’s continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation’s resurgence on the world stage.” “As a symbol of the new age of flying, the A350 promises a world-class, long-haul travel experience on our non-stop routes, providing an unparallelled level of comfort. Its excellent flight economics and state-of-the-art technology underscore our dedication to commercially successful operations and to achieving our sustainability goals,” Wilson added. Air India’s A350 will enter commercial service in January 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation, followed by longer-haul flying to destinations across continents.The schedule of commercial operations with the A350 will be announced in the coming weeks. Air India’s A350-900 aircraft come in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace: 28 private Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and multiple other differentiating features, and 264 spacious Economy Class seats.All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens to provide superior flying experience. The aircraft is first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India’s firm orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000.

New Delhi, 20th December2023: Air India Express announces the commencement of services from Ayodhya International Airport, the airline’s 45th destination and third operational sector in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Starting December 30, the airline will operate direct flights to Delhi, and offer convenient one-stop itineraries to multiple destinations within India and beyond. This marks a new milestone in rapid expansion of Air India Express, supported by a continually growing network and a substantial fleet expansion. The inaugural flight IX 2789 on December 30, 2023, is scheduled to depart from Delhi at 11.00 hrs. and land in Ayodhya at 12.20 Hrs. From Ayodhya, IX 1769 is scheduled to depart for Delhi at 12.50 hrs. and arrive at 14.10 hrs. Commenting on the launch of this new destination, Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, said, “Air India Express is excited to commence operations from Ayodhya right after the airport opens. This underlines our commitment to enhancing connectivity from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country. We’re enthusiastic about Ayodhya’s anticipated growth, attracting pilgrims and travelers from near and far and take pride in being part of this exciting growth story.” Currently, Air India Express operates from Lucknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, connecting the cities with Dubai, Sharjah, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune with direct flights.

17th December 2023,Surat: After Surat Airport recives the International airport status by MoCA, Air India Express started the first direct flight between Surat and Dubai. The same day the new international terminal of Surat Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airline’s inaugural flight from Surat to Dubai, IX 173, took off on Sunday at 11:40 Hrs., carrying 171 guests. This historic moment was marked by Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, presenting the first boarding pass of the flight to the guests at the airport. “Surat holds great importance for Air India Express as we expand our network on the back of a new fleet, and I am delighted that we are part of the moment when Surat International Airport is growing and unveiling its new terminal. Air India Express is committed to fueling the growth story of Surat, as we connect the City of Diamonds to the City of Gold with this historic flight,” Singh said. Currently, Air India Express stands as the exclusive airline facilitating international flights from Surat, with a frequency of five weekly flights to Sharjah. The airline has announced the schedule for the four weekly operations on the Surat-Dubai route, and bookings can be made through the award-winning app and website airindiaexpress.com, as well as other major booking platforms. In addition to Sharjah and Dubai, AIX operates daily flights to Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata. With the introduction of the new service, AIX will be operating 30 flights to and from Surat, solidifying its position as an important destination within the continually expanding Air India Express network.