Civil Aviation

Bangladesh, 19th July 2023: Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd. (BG) has partnered with SITA to adopt a suite of state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that will increase network speeds, optimize the airline’s operations, and reduce expansion costs. SITA Connect Go is a new Secure SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) solution designed specifically for the air transport industry. The solution was developed in partnership with Versa Networks, the recognized secure access service edge (SASE) leader. It offers a software-based solution that allows multiple airlines, ground handlers, and other tenants to digitally transform at whatever pace they choose. Secure access is provided to virtualized applications and infrastructure at airports and in the cloud, delivering more scalable and agile performance. The deployment will improve the airline’s performance by giving the IT operations team a granular view and full visibility into their network usage and application performance. This will enable better decision-making and critical business application performance. It is all managed through a centralized platform that simplifies network management and orchestration. SITA Connect solutions will empower BG with an increased bandwidth of up to 600%, enabling unrivaled speed, flexibility, and agility to connect quickly and securely to applications and systems at their town and airport offices. These enhancements have been extended to BG at no additional cost demonstrating a reduction in total cost ownership as BG expands its network. The deal comes as SITA and BG celebrate 50 years of partnership and will future-proof the airline’s operations for planned growth, ensuring BG is ready to embrace a hybrid cloud environment in the future and add new applications as and when they need to. Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific, SITA, said: “We’re thrilled to commemorate a 50-year partnership with Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd. and provide the latest cutting-edge connectivity solutions that will be the foundations for their next growth chapter. Connectivity is the backbone of our industry, and smart, efficient, and agile technology operations will be the defining factor for success in this next era of air transport. We’re excited to support BG in their ambitious plans and look forward to many more years of powerful collaboration.” MD & CEO, Shafiul Azim of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd said: “SITA has proven itself an effective and trusted technology partner over the last half-century. Ensuring our airline’s applications and systems are optimized is critical. With SITA Connect, we can infuse our entire operation with lightning-fast and secure connections that can be adapted over time as we scale. We’re delighted about the planned growth from 21 aircraft to 45 by 2030 and look forward to ensuring smooth and reliable air travel for passengers in the coming years.”

Cairo, 5th July 2023: EGYPTAIR shall be commencing 4x Weekly Flights from New Delhi (DEL) to Cairo (CAI) eff 04 August 2023. EGYPTAIR, the national flag carrier of Egypt, was established in 1932 as the first airline in the Middle East and Africa, and the 7th in the world to join IATA. EGYPTAIR network reaches more than 70 destinations to about 60 countries, including Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. EGYPTAIR is a Star Alliance member since July 2008. The Delhi – Cairo route will be operated by the latest generation A320 neo aircraft, which offers 16 Business Class & 126 Economy Class seats.

Paris, 21.06.2023: Akasa Air has announced an order for four additional Boeing 737-8 jets at the ongoing Paris Air Show, a follow-up to the already placed order of 72 aircraft taking it to a total of 76 aircraft which include 23 737-8s and 53 high-capacity 737-8-200 aircraft. The airline is also on course to announce another significant three-digit aircraft order by the end of 2023. Akasa Air targets to commence international operations by the end of 2023, the additional order of four 737-8s will fortify the airline’s plans to strengthen its expansion strategy. Since launching operations in August 2022, Akasa Air had quickly added up fleet up to 19 aircraft which has carried over 3 million revenue passengers and crossed the milestone of operating over 900 weekly flights with a published network of 36 unique routes connecting 16 cities. Elaborating on the order, Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air said, “Akasa Air set a benchmark in the 120-year history of global aviation by becoming the first airline to reach a fleet size of 19 aircraft in less than a year of operations. While we are extremely happy with this achievement, we want to keep ourselves focused on our commitment to contribute to the air transportation ecosystem and support the nation’s economic growth engine. We are excited to add four more Boeing 737-8 to support our international expansion, taking our initial order of 72 aircraft to 76 to be delivered in the next four years. In addition to supporting our rapid domestic expansion, these airplanes allow us to take full advantage of the category leading 737-8 aircraft with its unparalleled range, as we prepare our foray into international routes”. “We are also on track to finalize another significant three-digit aircraft order and will be ready to announce it before the end of the calendar year”, he added. The order for the Boeing 737-8 is in line with Akasa Air’s commitment to be a sustainable and environmentally progressive airline. The brand-new fleets are equipped with the latest technology engines that reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions by an additional 14% and incorporate the quiet engine technology to reduce the operational noise footprint of the airplane by up to 40%.

Paris Air Show, 21.06.2023: Tata Group-owned Air India firmed up orders for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft worth $70 billion at list prices at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, as it forges ahead with a transformation plan under its new owners. The airline finalised a purchase agreement for 250 Airbus aircraft. This entails a firm order of 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft, as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets, Airbus said in a statement. Air India also confirmed the purchase of 220 Boeing aircraft. This includes 190 of the company’s 737 Max aircraft, 20 of its 787 Dreamliners and 10 of its 777X jets. It also signed options to buy another 50 737 Max jets and 20 787 Dreamliners, Boeing said in a statement. “Our ambitious fleet renewal and expansion programme will see Air India operate the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft across our route network within five years,” Campbell Wilson, chief executive and managing director of Air India, said. N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said: “This landmark step further positions Air India for long-term growth and success that, we have every hope, will come together to represent the best of modern aviation to the world.” The deals by the New Delhi-based flag carrier on Tuesday finalise the preliminary agreements outlined in February with both manufacturers.This move is part of Air India’s plans to invest in fleet renewal, upgrade its services and grow its domestic and international route network. These orders will also help the carrier offer long-haul flights directly from India, bypassing other regional centres, to serve India’s expanding base of air travellers and massive diaspora, analysts said. Air India’s order marks the first entry into service of the Airbus A350 wide-body in India. Deliveries are set to start with the first A350-900 before the end of the year.

Paris Air Show, 19.06.2023: IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 Family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. The latest agreement takes the total number of Airbus aircraft on order by IndiGo to 1,330, establishing its position as the world’s biggest A320 Family customer. The historic purchase agreement was signed by Rahul Bhatia, Promoter & Managing Director of IndiGo, Dr. Venkataramani Sumantran, Chairman and Non-Executive Independent Director of IndiGo, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, at the Paris Air Show 2023. Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said, “It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo’s new historic order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. An order book now of almost 1000 aircraft well into the next decade, enables IndiGo to fulfil its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion and mobility in India. At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline for connectivity in and with India; and by doing so, being one of the leading airlines in the world. This order strongly reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in the growth of India, in the A320 Family and in our strategic partnership with Airbus.” “This landmark order marks a new chapter in Airbus and IndiGo’s relationship that is democratising affordable air travel for millions of people in the world’s fastest growing aviation market. It is also a resounding endorsement of the A320 Family’s best-in-class operating economics that have been powering IndiGo’s growth for almost two decades. We cherish our long-standing relationship with IndiGo and are proud of our success together. We look forward to contributing to the growth of India’s air connectivity in its domestic network and into international markets through the expansion of this formidable partnership”, said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus. New Delhi-headquartered IndiGo is among the fastest growing carriers in the world. Since its first A320neo aircraft was delivered in March 2016, its fleet of A320neo Family has grown into one of the world’s largest with 264 aircraft in operation (162 A320neo, 79 A321neo, 21 A320ceo and 2 A321 freighters. IndiGo placed its first order with Airbus in 2005 (100 A320 Family) and again in 2011 (180 A320 Family including the NEO), in 2014 (250neo Family), and in 2019 (300 A320neo Family) taking its previous total order book to 830 A320 Family aircraft. Over the last two decades, the A320neo has been instrumental in democratising air travel in India as an expanding economy and rising disposable incomes continue to add millions of first-time flyers to a booming aviation market. Worldwide, the A320 Family is the undisputed leader in the single-aisle aircraft category. The aircraft has the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky that incorporates the very latest technologies. It features enhanced aerodynamics and the latest-generation jet engines, resulting in significant reductions in fuel consumption and lower emissions. With more than 8,700 orders from over 130 customers, the A320neo Family is the aircraft Family of choice for airlines around the world across all business models.

Mumbai, 09 June 2023: Vistara announced yet another industry-first initiative of implementing Aerowash, an automated aircraft exterior washing and cleaning solution introduced by AeroTech Support Services Pvt. Ltd.Operated by a user friendly and wireless remote control, Aerowash is equipped with several safety features and alarm indicators.Its efficient micro-fiber brush drum provides a superior cleaning result of the aircraft exterior surface using a nearly waterless, dry-wash process.This cutting-edge technology reiterates Vistara’s commitment towards adopting innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiencies while also reducing its carbon footprint.Aircraft detailing (or cleaning) is a critical aspect of maintenance in the aviation industry. Traditionally, it has relied on manual labor, which can be time-consuming, resource-intensive and prone to human error. However, this mechanised program is not only time efficient but also sustainable. It reduces aerodynamic drag caused due to the accumulation of dirt, dust, grime, etc., and ultimately reduces the aircraft weight. This directly translates to enhanced fuel efficiency by minimising fuel burn.By meticulously maintaining the cleanliness and integrity of the aircraft’s exterior, this innovative approach will safeguard against structural damage, prevent corrosion caused by environmental factors and oil/fluid leakages, and extend the lifespan of the aircraft. Vistara has been conducting demo/proof of concept of AeroWash for sometime.Pankaj Handa, Senior Vice President – Ground Operations, Vistara said,”We are delighted to become India’s first carrier to implement this one-of-a-kind initiative that underscores our unwavering commitment to invest in innovative, purpose-driven technologies since inception. This is yet another step as part of our ongoing efforts towards enhancing efficiencies across various areas of our operations through automation while also constantly looking at improved, and more sustainable ways to do business.”Dr. Ashwani Khanna, Executive Director, AeroTech Support Services Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are excited to get associated with Vistara as it becomes the first airline to adopt this futuristic technology after a detailed assessment. Vistara is the first airline in India to sign up for this solution and lead the way for other airlines to follow. I am also happy with how the relationship with AISATS has evolved to a collaborative partnership that has the potential to have a deep positive impact on the entire industry in the coming years.”

Kuwait, 5th June 2023: Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low cost carrier,is operating direct flights from Kuwait to the Sphinx International Airport in Egypt.The airport is only an hour away from downtown and two hours away from Cairo International Airport. For tourists, the airport offers a convenient route to other parts of Egypt including historical sites such as the Pyramids, the Great Sphinx and even the forthcoming Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.It also connects to the popular Red Sea resorts like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. Rohit Ramachandran, Chief Executive Officer, Jazeera Airways said, “We are delighted to fly to our seventh destination in Egypt,with Jazeera Airways being the first GCC carrier to operate direct to Sphinx International Airport. With four flights a week to this great leisure destination, we also offer a convenient and affordable travel option for toursits as well as locals. I would like to especially take this opportunity to thank the Egyptian Civil Aviation authorities for their tireless efforts to open up greater connectivity to this beautiful country. ” The two terminals at the airport handle up to 900 passengers an hour with an annual capacity of 1.2 million passengers per year. This facilitates a faster journey for arriving and departing passengers through the airport. The airport also helps reduce congestion at the Cairo Airport as well as traffic in the capital. Travellers can actually save up to two hours in the rush hour traffic by opting to travel through this airport. Jazeera Airways now serves a total of 66 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central & South Asia and Europe.

New Delhi, 5th June, 2023: SUGAM “Sustainable Green Airports Mission”, a publication on the various initiatives taken up by Airports Authority of India (AAI) on sustainability was launched on World Environment Day by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in the presence of the Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.),Rajiv Bansal, Secretary,MoCA,Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman, AAI. This booklet highlights the various initiatives taken up by AAI on sustainability and becoming carbon neutral, in line with the Panchamrit goals declared by the PMa at COP26. The objective of this booklet is to document and inform all stakeholders about the initiatives being taken by AAI, learn over time, track progress, and seek cooperation in enhancing actions towards efficient and sustainable airport operations and achieving the target of carbon neutrality. At the launch of the booklet, Jyotiraditya Scindia appreciated the efforts and initiatives taken by the AAI to publish SUGAM which highlights AAI’s commitment towards sustainable development and concern towards climate change. SUGAM is the first such effort showcasing the sustainability initiatives taken at AAI airports, emphasising renewable energy and energy-efficient measures. It also provides an in-depth analysis of energy performance and emission intensities across Indian airports. AAI has devised a roadmap to shift from fossil fuel-based energy to green power from renewable sources to reduce the carbon footprint. AAI has also planned to optimise energy efficiency and onsite solar capacity, and to adopt other renewable energy options to switch over its operations on 100 percent renewable energy. AAI is already meeting about two thirds of its energy requirements through renewable energy. Encouraging the usage of green energy at the airports, Solar plants with a combined commissioned capacity of 55 MWp have been installed & commissioned at AAI airports with 42 airports running on 100% Renewable Energy. SUGAM, developed under the guidance of Hon’ble Union Minister, encapsulates his vision to and commitment to India’s updated 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term net zero goal by 2070. The booklet aims to promote transparency and knowledge sharing, encouraging other airports to learn from AAI’s experiences and contribute to the collective goal of achieving net zero emissions.

Dubai, 01 June 2023: flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, today marks 14 years of operations. On 01 June 2009, the carrier welcomed its first passengers on board its inaugural flight FZ 157 from Dubai to Beirut. Since then, flydubai has been changing the way people travel around the region by enabling them to travel to more places, more often. Commenting on the airline’s 14th anniversary, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said:“flydubai has been at the forefront of opening previously underserved destinations from Dubai; facilitating flows of trade and tourism, and strengthening the cultural and social ties between people from different countries. flydubai has proven its ability to adapt and take decisive actions, even during challenging times, thanks to its operational efficiencies and robust business model. This was evident in the way the airline navigated the challenges during the pandemic: preserving the workforce, continuing to grow its network and returning to pre-pandemic levels in record time. All of which was achieved capitalising on its internal resources. We congratulate flydubai on its fourteenth anniversary and recognise the hard work and dedication of the entire team for making this success possible. We look forward to even more success in the future in line with the vision of the UAE’s Leadership.” Over the 14 years, the airline has achieved many milestones, including: • Created anetwork of 120 destinations spanning from Italy to Thailand in 52 countries. • Opened more than 75 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai. • Grown its work force to almost 5,000 skilled professionals representing 136 nationalities. • Grown its fleet to 78 Boeing 737 aircraft. • Carried more than 90 million passengers. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive officer at flydubai, said: “14 years ago, our first flight took off with the commitment to make travel more accessible, supporting Dubai’s economic and tourism goals while keeping passengers at the core of everything we do. I am proud of the growth we have achieved along the way, we have evolved to adapt to the changing market and customer needs, we have played a vital role Dubai’s aviation success story and we continue to invest in further improving our operational efficiencies to overall customer experience to exceed expectations and challenge conventions of travel in the region.” “Our recent record financial performance, the continued investment in our colleagues and product innovation, and the ongoing recruitment drive are key indicators of how well-positioned we are to reach new heights. Every new milestone we achieve is only possible with the continued hard work and commitment of everyone at flydubai,” added al Ghaith.