Indian Carriers
Bomb hoax calls menace continues, disrupts over 20 Indian flights today
More than 80 flights have been affected by hoax calls since Monday
 "Bomb hoax calls menace continues, disrupts over 20 Indian flights today")
Indian carriers soar on international routes but foreign rivals lead
On the popular India-Singapore route, Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary Scoot remain dominant despite competition from IndiGo, Air India (A-I), A-I Express, and Vistara
 "Indian carriers soar on international routes but foreign rivals lead")
Mounting trouble: Indian carriers least punctual in last six months
Flight disruptions in July were caused by a faulty update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that led to an outage of Microsoft apps and services, heavy rains in Mumbai and Delhi
 "Mounting trouble: Indian carriers least punctual in last six months")
Indian carriers should be strengthened for long-haul flights: Eco Survey
"A large proportion of Indian international traffic for the long haul goes through connectivity hubs in the Middle East and Southeast Asia"
 "Indian carriers should be strengthened for long-haul flights: Eco Survey")
Fly91 to operate first commercial flight from Goa to Bengaluru on March 18
DGCA has given the air operator permit to Fly91 on March 6
 "Fly91 to operate first commercial flight from Goa to Bengaluru on March 18")
DGCA imposes penalties worth Rs 2.75 cr on India carriers in 2023
DGCA said it imposed fines on domestic carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, AirAsia India and SpiceJet for issues related to non-compliance in 2023
 "DGCA imposes penalties worth Rs 2.75 cr on India carriers in 2023")
Indian carriers could incur up to $1.2 bn per year for 200 grounded planes
The standard monthly cost an active aircraft incurs is about $1 million and if it's grounded, the cost comes down to $0.5 million, according to CAPA's 'conservative' estimates
 "Indian carriers could incur up to $1.2 bn per year for 200 grounded planes")
Indian carriers' on-time performance plummets in November, shows data
AIX Connect's OTP dropped from 83.33 per cent in October to 73.63 per cent
 "Indian carriers' on-time performance plummets in November, shows data")
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
 "Airlines to operate 8.16% more flights this winter, shows DGCA data")
DGCA eases norms for Indian carriers launching new foreign destinations
Current 33-point checklist pruned to 10 points related to airlines' preparedness for intended operations
 "DGCA eases norms for Indian carriers launching new foreign destinations")
Airlines carried 9,593 more domestic fliers per day in April, shows data
International air passenger traffic down 1% ahead of May tourist season
 "Airlines carried 9,593 more domestic fliers per day in April, shows data")
Soaring variety in in-flight meals is giving a lift to ready-to-eat brands
Poha to biryani, instant food firms have a full plate as airlines focus on in-flight experience
 "Soaring variety in in-flight meals is giving a lift to ready-to-eat brands")
Daily domestic flyers' number jumps 60%, but still below pre-Covid levels
India's largest carrier is currently operating 12,568 flights per week, which is 18 per cent higher than March last year
 "Daily domestic flyers' number jumps 60%, but still below pre-Covid levels")
Air traffic to grow 20% in FY24 as Indian carriers add 132 aircraft: Report
Turbine fuel cost and declining yields to put pressure on airlines, says CAPA India
 "Air traffic to grow 20% in FY24 as Indian carriers add 132 aircraft: Report")
Indian carriers to operate 22,907 weekly domestic flights in summer
Indian carriers will operate a total of 22,907 weekly domestic flights during the summer schedule starting from March 26. The number of flights to be operated is 4.4 per cent higher compared to 21,941 weekly flights operated in the winter schedule, according to aviation regulator DGCA. The summer schedule is from March 26 till October 28. As many as 11 airlines will be operating domestic services, with maximum weekly flights by IndiGo at 11,465. In the 2022 summer schedule, the airline's number of flights is 10,085 flights. Among the 11 airlines, Alliance Air, Air Asia, SpiceJet and Vistara will be operating fewer flights in the upcoming summer schedule compared to the 2022 winter schedule, which is from October 28, 2022 to March 25, 2023. SpiceJet will be flying only 2,240 weekly flights in the summer schedule. This is nearly 30 per cent lower than 3,193 weekly flights in the winter schedule. In a release on Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said 22,907 .
 "Indian carriers to operate 22,907 weekly domestic flights in summer")
India to withdraw licenses for oil tankers, bulk carriers older than 25 yrs
"Age norms will assist in ensuring gradual phasing out of fossil fuel ships and ushering in of alternate/low carbon energy efficient ships," the order said
 "India to withdraw licenses for oil tankers, bulk carriers older than 25 yrs")
The airlines we deserve
Two stories this week showed what's wrong with the attitudes of airlines and passengers
 "The airlines we deserve")
DGCA removes 50% capacity cap on SpiceJet flights from October 30
The DGCA on Friday also approved Indian carriers' winter schedule. Indian carriers will operate 21,941 weekly flights, 1.55% less during the season compared to the previous winter season, it noted.
 "DGCA removes 50% capacity cap on SpiceJet flights from October 30")
Indian airlines revamp their in-flight menus amid intense competition
Air India latest carrier to update menu, but others have tweaked their offerings too
 "Indian airlines revamp their in-flight menus amid intense competition")
DGCA warns airlines against offering passengers unserviceable seats
Earlier this year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had conducted an audit of seats and other cabin fittings in aircraft of airlines, and found that many had broken or unserviceable seats
