Page 19 - Aviation

Asian airlines eye growth as int'l passenger traffic soars by 171% till Oct

As the international air passenger traffic grew by 171 per cent in the first nine months of 2023, a top airline association on Thursday said it looked forward to celebrate growth of the industry and focus on sustainability. Ahead of the 67th Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) to be held here on Friday, the Association said, the number of international air passengers in Asia Pacific reached 79 per cent of 2019 levels in September 2023, behind other regions given that borders in Asia fully re-opened only six to 12 months after the rest of the world after the pandemic induced lockdowns across nations. Nevertheless, demand is robust, with international air passenger traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) growing by 171 per cent in the first nine months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, AAPA said. Seat capacity measured in available seat kilometres increased by a comparatively slower 130 per cent in the first nine months

SpiceJet records lowest OTP at 60.11% among all major Indian carriers

SpiceJet's operations in October were also affected due to its involvement in repatriation operations from Tel Aviv

Electric planes, once a fantasy, are beginning to take to the skies

The first will be the CX300, a sleek plane with a 50-foot wingspan, large curved windows and a rear propeller

Airlines to operate 8.16% more flights this winter, shows DGCA data

Akasa Air, which recently reduced flights due to the exodus of 43 pilots, is slated to operate 64.9 per cent more flights

Five accidents in six months: DGCA grounds flight training at Redbird

This is not the first time the DGCA has cracked down on flight training academies in the country

Navi Mumbai airport construction facing delays, may start ops in 2025: CAPA

Adani Group says project on track, operations to commence by Dec 2024

Air India starts programme to boost pilots' mental health: CEO Wilson

DGCA had in February asked airlines to institute such a programme for pilots, cabin crew members and air traffic controllers

Alaska Air cuts full-year profit view as rising labour costs cast shadow

Excluding items, Alaska Air reported quarterly profit of $1.83 per share, missing analysts' average estimate of $1.87, according to LSEG data

DGCA issues amended norms for operating powered hang gliders

Aviation regulator DGCA has issued amended norms for operating powered hang gliders in the country. Now, a person cannot fly a powered hang glider without being authorised by a DGCA approved examiner/ instructor. Besides, the examiner/ instructor should be a person who has done 50 hours on a powered hang glider and has at least 10 hours on a dual machine. "Such approved examiner/ instructor shall check out and authorise other persons to fly," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said. Certain changes have been made by the watchdog to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) pertaining to 'Manufacture, Registration and Operation of Powered Hang Gliders'. Among others, DGCA has said that no person shall carry out a test flight on a powered hang glider unless the person meets certain requirements. The person should be a pilot holding valid CPL with 25 hours of flying experience on a powered hang glider or holding authorisation with 50 hours of flying experience on a powe

A-I Express unfurls new logo, livery; to induct 50 planes in 15 months

Air India Express said it has a fleet of 58 aircraft comprising 28 Boeing 737s and 28 Airbus A320s

IndiGo launches flights to 20 international destinations in last six months

The international flights include new routes and the resumption of flights within the airline's network

Spicejet, lessor reach interim settlement, next hearing in February

SpiceJet is supposed to pay over $2 million to the engine lessor by January according to settlement terms

Wadias likely to leave Go First, show no intent to bid for grounded airline

Cash-strapped Go First filed for bankruptcy in May, blaming 'faulty' Pratt & Whitney engines for the grounding of about half its fleet

Wadia Group to stay away from Go First insolvency process: Report

A third source involved in the insolvency process said while the law does not prohibit the Wadia Group from joining the process at a later stage, there was no current indication it would do so

On-time performance of all Indian carriers falls in September, shows data

An airline executive mentioned that key cities like Delhi and Mumbai experienced heavy rainfall on certain days in September, compelling the airlines to either cancel or postpone flights

Pilot exodus: Akasa stops flights on 8 routes, reduces service on 10 others

The airline's spokesperson said that the airline is poised to take delivery of additional aircraft from Boeing in the remainder of 2023-24

Delay looms over Go First's revival as another bench will now hear matter

The bench highlighted that since the requests made by all involved parties were based on similar grounds, a fresh bench could determine the outcomes

Lenders of Jet Airways question source of revival infusion by JKC

Say payment not in compliance with resolution plan; consortium questions lenders' intent to transfer airline's ownership

PM Gatishakti: 3 upcoming airports on fast track to get rail connectivity

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have been coordinating in recent months on these projects

Global aviation leasing body downgrades India in light of Go First case

With AWG's downgrade, it is probable that lessors will increase the aircraft leasing rates for Indian carriers