Recent News

Recent News

SpiceJet to launch seaplane operations on multiple routes in 2025

Vijaywada, 9th Nov 2024: Once again, SpiceJet is looking forward to start Sea plane operations from 2025 in Andhra Pradesh,to be very precise from Punnami Ghat in the Krishna River in Vijaywada. Later, the services will be expanded to 20 other routes including Hyd, Lakshadweep, Guwahati & Shillong. Today, the CM N Chandrababu Naidu launched the Sea plane demo flight from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam in Nandyal District. The flight will operate under Spice Shuttle whose CEO is Avni Singh, daughter of Ajay Singh. The aircraft will be provided by De Havilland.( Pix: Social media handles)

Recent News

Air India Group Announces Management Changes

Gurugram, 08 November 2024: Air India Group announced a number of management changes occasioned by the merger of Air India and Vistara scheduled for 12 November 2024. • Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer of Vistara who has also been holding the role of Chief Integration Officer for the full-service airlines’ merger, will continue in the latter role post-merger. He will be a member of the Management Committee and report directly to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. • Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer of Vistara, will take up the Chief Financial Officer role at newly-enlarged Air India Express, reporting to CEO Aloke Singh. He will also support Group CFO Sanjay Sharma in strategic initiatives and projects. Consequently, Vikas Agarwal, the current CFO of Air India Express, will move to a new role in Air India. • Capt. Hamish Maxwell, SVP Flight Operations of Vistara, has assumed an advisory role to Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh, while Capt. Pushpinder Singh, Chief Operations Officer of Air India Express, returns to flying. A successor for Capt. Singh will be announced in due course. • Deepa Chadha and Vinod Bhatt, SVP HR & Corporate Affairs and Chief Information Officer of Vistara respectively, will take on senior roles at other Tata group companies, while Vistara CFO Niyant Maru, who had graciously continued beyond his superannuation date to see through completion of the merger, will retire at the end of his current term. All other Air India Group CXO roles and reporting lines roles remain unchanged. Announcing these transitions, Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said,“Over the past two years the four Tata airlines have worked hard to prepare for and execute one of the most complex mergers in aviation history, consolidating from four airlines to two in the context of dramatic growth and wholesale transformation. As we now approach the end of that process, we are delighted to formalise a Group leadership comprising colleagues from all four antecedent airlines to drive the next phase of our journey. I would also like to acknowledge those who, whether retiring or taking up other roles within the Tata group, have contributed so significantly not just to the consolidation process but, over many years, to the DNA of what is now the new Air India.”

Recent News

Air India advances partnership with Sabre with launch of NDC content

New Delhi,Nov.7, 2024: Sabre Corporation,software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, announced a major milestone in air travel distribution for India, with the launch of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content for Air India, the country’s flagship airline. As part of Air India’s strategic modernization efforts, the introduction of NDC offers through Sabre will enhance the way Sabre-connected travel agents shop, book and service Air India reservations. Sabre’s NDC capabilities, a core component of its multi-source content platform, will provide agencies with rich content and real-time offers from Air India, ultimately, giving travelers greater transparency, choice, and flexibility. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “At Air India, our aim is to deliver superior customer service through innovative technologies. By continuing to enhance our partnership with Sabre, we’re able to advance our NDC journey to meet the evolving needs of travel agencies and passengers, providing an enhanced experience.” Sabre and Air India already have an agreement in place to distribute Air India’s traditional content, both in India and globally. With the launch of NDC offers through Sabre, Air India aims to further optimize its distribution strategy, providing travel agencies with a broader range of real-time offers. By using Sabre’s technology, the airline will be able to offer a more streamlined, efficient shopping experience that meets the dynamic needs of the modern traveller. “We’re energized to extend our collaboration with Air India by launching their NDC content and helping to enhance their distribution capabilities,” said Kathy Morgan, Senior Vice President of Product Management, Distribution Experience, Sabre Travel Solutions. “India is a key market for Sabre and for the travel industry overall as it fuels increased demand for travel. It’s important that the airline can distribute its NDC content easily to third party sellers and, in turn, that travel agencies can shop, compare, book and service multiple types of air content to provide the travellers they serve with a compelling experience.” Thousands of Sabre-connected agencies in more than 150 countries around the world are already shopping, booking, and servicing NDC content through Sabre’s global travel marketplace.

Recent News

Air India gears up for merger day with multiple initiatives for Vistara customers

Delhi, 06 Nov 2024: As the date for merger with Vistara coming closer, Air India is undertaking multiple steps to ensure a smooth on-ground experience for customers as Vistara merges with Air India on November 12, 2024. In the first month after the merger, nearly 115,000 customers who had purchased Vistara tickets pre-merger are expected to fly on unified Air India. Post the merger, the experience offered by Vistara will continue for customers. Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India and will be identified by a special four-digit Air India code beginning with the digit “2”. For instance, UK 955 will become AI 2955, helping customer identify them while booking on www.airindia.com after November 12. The routes and schedule operated by Vistara will continue to be the same, alongside the Vistara in-flight experience that includes the product and services. It will also be serviced by the same crew. Air India has deployed additional resources across touch points in India and is working closely with partner airports to undertake the following steps: • Help desk kiosks at the curbside, before terminal entry at hubs and metro city airports • Deploy customer support staff wearing “How may I assist you?” Air India x Vistara branded t-shirts for support • Work with airport security to guide customers with old Vistara tickets to the nearest help desk or to Air India customer support staff • Progressively Vistara airport ticketing offices will become Air India offices • Progressively Vistara check-in terminals will become Air India • Deploy customers advisory on Self-Service Kiosks: “For Vistara flights under code AI2, please select Air India for check-in starting 12-Nov-2024.” At international airports: • Customer support staff wearing “How may I assist you?” Air India x Vistara branded t-shirts will be available for support • Directions and information for customers will be placed near check-in desks at all relevant airports Customers calling the Vistara contact centre will be automatically directed to Air India representatives, who will ensure a seamless experience during this transition. Over the last few months, 270,000 customerswho had booked Vistara flights have been migrated to Air India and have been notified about the change. Further, over 4.5 million Vistara loyalty programme members are being migrated to Air India’s loyalty programme. The unified Air India opens up limitless possibilities for customers including unparalleled connection to over 90 domestic and international destinations and over 800 more destinations through codeshare and interline partners. Further, Air India’s narrowbody fleet continues to be upgraded with new aircraft being delivered, legacy aircraft being refitted with entirely new interiors and Vistara’s catering now also extended to Air India. Air India’s widebody fleet has also been augmented with the entry of six A350 aircraft that have started to fly between Delhi and London and Delhi and New York. Air India has started its retrofit program with the first A320neo narrow body aircraft being sent for retrofit. 27 narrow body legacy aircraft will be totally refurbished and retrofitted and this retrofit is likely to be completed by the middle of 2025. The retrofitted A320neo aircraft will feature 8 luxurious seats in Business, 24 extra legroom seats in Premium Economy and 132 comfortable seats in Economy, offering wider choice to its guests. Subtle cabin lighting, spacious legroom and wider pitch, and modern features, like portable electronic device (PED) holders and USB ports with type A and C options to charge mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets, among others, will contribute significantly to offer guests an inflight experience catering to the needs of today’s discerning flyers. Carpets, curtains, upholstery, cabin panels will be refreshed with new tones and design motifs reinforcing the brand livery.

Recent News

IATA and ASA Strengthen Cooperation

Geneva, 05 November 2024: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airport Services Association (ASA) are strengthening their collaboration to improve ground handling safety and efficiency. Together, the organizations will work to reinforce standardization, promote safety data sharing, and explore new approaches to enhance sector resilience. “Global standards make aviation safer, and ASA and its members have been pivotal in helping develop the IATA ground handling standards we rely on today. By sharing data, we will be able to support this vital activity with data-driven insights and decisions. Maximizing the impact of data relies on broad contributions. We encourage ground handler participation to strengthen our collective insights,” said Nick Careen, Senior Vice-President Operations, Safety and Security at IATA. “This partnership is a significant milestone that leverages the expertise of both IATA and ASA. By coordinating our approach, we will ensure more robust support for ground and cargo handling professionals worldwide. Our goal is to ensure that standards and best practices are in place that the entire industry can rely on,” said Fabio Gamba, ASA’s Director General. IATA and ASA collaboration will include: • Safety Data: Through ASA’s Safety Incident Database and IATA’s Incident Data Exchange (a part of IATA’s Global Aviation Data Management—GADM—initiative), both organizations will share and analyze safety information to proactively address safety issues related to ground and cargo handling. • Industry Standards: ASA will continue to work with IATA in the development of industry best practices and standards related to ground and cargo handling, taking advantage of relevant data. In particular, this work will focus on key documents such as the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) and the IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM), their adoption by the industry and reduction of variations.

Recent News

Jazeera Airways Posts 66.1% increase in 3Q 2024 net profit at KD 11.6 million

Kuwait, 4 November 2024: Jazeera Airways announced strong set of financial results for the third quarter of 2024 with a net profit of KD 11.6 million—and posting a 66.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Group operating revenue also saw growth, reaching KD 64.6 million, reflecting a 5.7% increase. Fueled by strong summer travel demand, passenger traffic grew to 1.4 million, representing a 1.8% increase from 3Q 2023, with load factors at 80.6%. The increased passenger numbers and passenger mix led to an 5.8% revenue increase at Jazeera Terminal 5 (T5). Jazeera Airways’ performance for the nine months of 2024 demonstrates continued momentum, with operating revenues climbing 2.9% to KD 163.5 million. EBIT rose by 14.5% to KD 20.7 million, while passenger traffic for the nine-month period reached 3.7 million, a 3.9% increase, with a load factor of 78.1%. Financial and Operational Highlights 3Q 2024 : ◆ Operating revenue: KD 64.6 million, up 5.7% from 3Q 2023 ◆ EBIT: KD 12.7million, up45.4% from 3Q 2023 ◆ Net profit: KD 11.6million, up66.1% from3Q 2023 ◆ Passengers: 1.4 million, up 1.8% from 3Q 2023 ◆ Load factor: 80.6% 9M 2024 ◆ Operating revenue: KD 163.5 million, up 2.9% from 9M 2023 ◆ EBIT: KD 20.7 million, up 14.5% from 9M 2023 ◆ Net profit: KD 14.4 million, up 8.2% from 9M 2023 ◆ Passengers: 3.7 million, up 3.9% from 9M 2023 ◆ Load factor: 78.1% Marwan Boodai, Chairman of Jazeera Airways, said,”Our results for the third quarter of this year reflect our unwavering commitment to enhancing connectivity through Kuwait’s air hub and supporting the local economy. By expanding our network and transforming our service offerings, we are not only ensuring sustained growth for Jazeera Airways but also contributing to the broader Kuwait aviation story and making travel more affordable and accessible. We are excited about the future as we continue on this growth trajectory, connecting more destinations and providing valuable services that benefit both our passengers and the community.” Outlook for 2024 Starting from this winter,Jazeera Airwaysis operating year-round flights to Larnaca and Sharm El Sheikh.The airline has also restarted flights to Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram and will be connecting with Bhairahawa very soon. While the outlook for the rest of the year is positive, it is also contingent on the geopolitical situation in the region. By sustaining the current momentum, Jazeera Airways is set to expand further and transform the business in the coming future.

Recent News, Technology

SITA partners with Accelya, to deliver new digital retailing solutions for passengers

Geneva,30th October 2024: SITA is partnering with Accelya to deliver new digital retailing solutions for passengers, removing the reliance on dated, legacy systems.This strategic partnership with Accelya, global software provider to the airline industry, will allow airlines to migrate to modern airline retailing for passengers, including a contactless airport solution based on biometric recognition, which will also drive operational efficiency and reduce costs. Through this partnership, Accelya’s FLX ONE Delivery—part of their new FLX ONE platform, a comprehensive Offer, Order, Settle Deliver (OOSD) solution—will be integrated with SITA’s advanced Flex APIs. This will enable airlines to streamline their airport o perations, reduce dependency on traditional Departure Control Systems (DCS), and create a more personalized, seamless passenger experience all while reducing costs. In a major development that supports the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Offer, Order, Settle Deliver (OOSD) initiative to advance customer centricity with a seamless digital experience, the partnership will focus on integrating Accelya’s commercial systems with SITA’s passenger touchpoints for airport and off-airport passenger processing. “The rise of digital expectations among passengers, coupled with demand for more personalized travel experiences, shows the need for modern, agile and integrated systems,” said Nathalie Altwegg, Senior Vice President of Airports at SITA. “This partnership with Accelya marks a significant milestone in our commitment to drive the digital transformation of retailing within the aviation industry. By integrating technologies, we can use our deep industry expertise to drive a more efficient and passenger-centric future. We are empowering airlines to deliver a more personalized and seamless travel experience to passengers, setting new standards in how they serve customers and manage their operations.” Legacy systems such as Passenger Service Systems (PSS) and DCS have long been the backbone of airline operations but are increasingly seen as barriers to innovation due to their complexity and lack of flexibility, as the industry seeks to drive operational efficiencies, enhance passenger personalization and improve security protocols. Sam Gilliland, Chief Executive Officer of Accelya, added: “Accelya is delighted to partner with SITA for our FLX ONE Delivery solution and integrate with their best-in-class airport experience and delivery capabilities. Airlines now have the flexibility, when partnering with Accelya, to seamlessly extend their offer, order, and settle retailing capabilities to the airport through FLX Delivery, which leverages SITA’s technologies and leading airport capabilities. This partnership demonstrates the open nature of the Accelya platform and enables us to bring our comprehensive, yet modular, FLX ONE OOSD solution to airlines, empowering them to control their own journey to modern retailing.”

Events, Recent News

CII to host Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025

Delhi, India, 29 October 2024: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in strategic partnership with Hunch Mobility, is set to host the Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025, a groundbreaking event scheduled for January 19-22, 2025, in Greater Noida. The Expo will be a part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, India’s premier platform for global mobility solutions. Following the successful ASHA Conference in 2023, this expanded event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to shape the future of urban air transportation. With support from the Government of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the 4-day expo will showcase cutting-edge technologies in UAVs, drones, eVTOL aircraft, and Advanced Short Haul Air Mobility. “The Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025 represents a crucial milestone in India’s journey toward revolutionary urban transportation solutions,” said Amit Dutta, Chairman CII Task Force on Advanced Air Mobility and MD, Hunch Mobility. “India’s unique landscape and diverse mobility needs make it the perfect environment for pioneering Urban Air Mobility (UAM) innovations. As urbanization accelerates, this platform will drive solutions to critical challenges like congestion and pollution. By blending global expertise with local innovation, we are not just imagining the future of mobility – we are actively creating it.” India, as the world’s third-largest aviation market with 341.05 million passengers, is set to take the lead in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) revolution. The country’s commitment to electric air mobility and the increasing use of UAVs in areas like precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and disaster management highlight its readiness for technological advancement. With substantial opportunities in pilgrimage travel, air ambulances, last-mile deliveries, and mega-events, India is emerging as a significant hub for UAM innovation, paving the way for a transformative shift in the mobility sector. The event features comprehensive conferences addressing critical industry topics, including policy frameworks, ecosystem development, and regulatory roadmaps. Attendees will experience live demonstrations of eVTOLs and drones, alongside exhibits from leading OEMs and suppliers. The conference program will deep dive into crucial areas such as UAM policy development, infrastructure requirements, manufacturing opportunities, and urban air traffic management systems. Industry professionals can participate through various channels, with exhibition space available at USD 200 per sqm for raw space and USD 220 per sqm for built-up booths. Conference registration is open to delegates at INR 2500 per day for Indian participants and USD 250 per day for international delegates. The Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025 will serve as a pivotal platform for the global UAM community to network, explore partnerships, and collaborate on innovative solutions that will define the future of urban transportation. For more information and registration details, visit:  https://urbanairmobilityexpo.in/

Recent News

SriLankan Airlines Is New BARIG Member

Frankfurt, 29th October,2024: SriLankan Airlines is a new member of the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG), which is advocating the interests of national and international airlines operating to and from Germany. With a fleet of 24 Airbus aircraft, SriLankan Airlines, member of the oneworld alliance, operates flights to 114 destinations in 62 countries. This includes three non-stop flights a week from Frankfurt to Colombo, the capital of the South Asian island country. “Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination that welcomes more than 100,000 guests from Germany alone every year,” says BARIG Chairman and Executive Director Michael Hoppe, who has already visited this very interesting country for the first time back in 1992. “We are looking forward to the exchange and collaboration with this renowned airline.” Sharadha Senevirathne, Country Manager Germany of SriLankan Airlines states: “BARIG’s collaboration with authorities in the political and economic spheres as well as key players in the German aviation industry, is crucial. We are therefore pleased to be a part of this airline association, particularly since BARIG engages in many topics that are important for the efficient and future-oriented development of the aviation industry.” Since its foundation in 1979, SriLankan Airlines has been dedicated to service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality. Its new fleet of Airbus A330-300 aircraft is equipped with a variety of modern technical features.

Recent News

BEL registers 39% growth in PAT during 1st Half of FY 2024-25

Thiruvananthapuram/Bengaluru, October 28, 2024: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has achieved a Turnover of Rs. 8,530.43 Cr during the 1st half of FY 2024-25, registering a growth of 15.83% over the Turnover of Rs. 7,364.82 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the 2nd Quarter of FY 2024-25, BEL achieved a Turnover of Rs. 4,425.29 Cr as against Rs. 3,918.13 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit Before Tax (PBT) during the 1st half of FY 2024-25 stood at Rs. 2,488.22 Cr, with a growth of 40.05% over the PBT of Rs. 1,776.69 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the 2nd Quarter of FY 2024-25, PBT stood at Rs. 1,450.88 Cr as against Rs. 1,072.94 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit After Tax (PAT) during the 1st half of FY 2024-25 stood at Rs. 1,867.41 Cr, with a growth of 39.03% over the PAT of Rs. 1,343.18 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the 2nd Quarter of FY 2024-25, PAT stood at Rs. 1,091.27 Cr as against Rs. 812.34 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. The order book position of the company as on 1st October, 2024, stood at Rs. 74,595 Cr.

FOREWORD

Dear Reader’s,

 

The current edition of Aviation World has covered many areas of Aerospace & Defence based on the latest development in the sector. The front cover highlights three different images, first for the Union Civil Aviation Minister ….. who is leading from the front to steer Indian Civil Aviation sector to witness one of the most interesting phases. He is also facing most tumultuous timing due to the ongoing financial stress in the Aviation sector due to ATF rising cost and long airspace restrictions resulting in mounting losses for Indian carriers. Despite of all the ground level challenges,the minister is addressing new things on regular basis which keeps the sector motivated. We have featured many such developmental works in this edition done under his guidance which will be interesting to read.

Our lead story on “ The West War” is another important feature which covers the ground level reality of the challenges faced by the Aviation sector. Its though time ahead and we believe it will pass soon .

There are features on Regional connectivity and MoCA revised rules on the UDAN 2.0 and how its going to transform the flying experience within India.

In this edition, we have covered topics on MRO,Various Policy changes,Sea Plane Operations by SkyHop Aviation, TATA-Airbus joint project on C295 military aircraft under Make In India which is expected to roll out soon and many other interesting contents which will be good to read.

We are covering Farnborough International Airshow 2026 from 20-24July 2026 in London and our next edition will be based on the same event.For features, you may contact our team on priority basis.

 

Happy Reading!

NEWSLETTER

Aviation World Magazine is India’s premier aviation magazine and has been actively supporting the development of the Indian and global civil aviation sector. We started our journey in year 2015 and its been 12 years now and the response and acceptance is really encouraging. Thanks to all our associates and writers who remained with us in our progressive journey.

We have started 2026 on a very positive note and we look forward to increase our footprints to more locations and induct many more new companies in our campaign.. Do write to us at : editor@aviationworld.in

Disclaimer

The contents published in this website are news covering Aviation, Aerospace and Defence sector. The objective is to provide news in informative form to keep our readers updated of the latest development. We also publish content featured in our print publication Aviation World.We try our best to avoid any factual errors or image displayed here but we ensure immediate corrections to any such thing brought to our notice that might have been published inadvertently. All images and contents are sourced from the relevant organisations media team.

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