India starts exporting fuel for small planes, enters $3bn global market

In a first, the country's largest oil refiner and marketer, IndianOil Corporation has exported a consignment of AVGAS 100 LL, a special aviation fuel meant for piston engine aircrafts and unmanned ariel vehicles, to Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

The consignment consisted of 16 KL of AVGAS packed in 80 barrels. This is the first ever instance of India exporting AVGAS.

“The global aviation gasoline market is projected to grow at 5% CAGR. The Aviation traffic in India is also likely to grow by 7%. The indigenous production of AVGAS 100 LL in India will not only help in saving foreign exchange on imports but will make pilot training in domestic flying institutes economical for budding pilots,” said S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndiaOil Corporation.

In India, until very recently, AVGAS 100 LL fuel primarily used by Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) and Defence forces was imported at a huge cost from European countries for decades.

IndiaOil launched the indigenous production of aviation fuel AVGAS 100 LL on September 26, 2022 at Air Force Station, Hindan and the same is now being extensively used in the domestic market. The present production of AVGAS 100 LL is being done from IndiaOil’s Gujarat Refinery which has a capacity of 5TMT per annum.

The domestic production of AVGAS 100 LL produced by IndiaOil at its Gujarat Refinery will make flying training more affordable in India and abroad, the company said in a statement.

There is a significant consumption of AVGAS in countries in South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Europe. Therefore, there is a great opportunity to export AVGAS beyond the shores of India, the company said.

29/01/23 Economic Times

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KIA sees 97.5 per cent jump in flyers compared to last year, shows report

Bengaluru: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has recorded a 97.5 per cent increase in passenger traffic from April to December 2022 of the ongoing financial year compared to the same period during the previous fiscal, said Airports Authority of India (AAI).

International travellers have seen a huge surge this fiscal with 27.53 lakh departing from Bengaluru relative to just 7.12 lakh during same period last year. AAI has released its Air Traffic Report for December 2022 and the traffic figures for three quarters of this financial year.

Festive month of December has seen a whopping surge in air traffic in 2022 at KIA with 3,90,888 flyers, more than double the figure in December 2021. The stats reveal that 2.27 crore flyers, both domestic and international, flew out of the airport in 2022-2023 while it was just 1.15 crore in 2021-2022.

Only Kalaburagi airport has recorded around 2,000 passengers less this fiscal compared to the previous year while two airports have seen a dip in flyers in December 2022 compared to December 2021. Belagavi saw a huge fall of 9,000 while Kalaburagi was down by 1,000-odd flyers.

Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan said, “This surge was helped by the lifting of lockdown, which had left the public frustrated who were unable to travel. It would only go down in future because of the overall surge in costs across sectors.”

28/01/23 S Lalitha/New Indian Express

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Airlines to reimburse up to 75% ticket cost if flight ticket downgraded

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has amended its Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) rules on facilities to be provided by airlines to passengers due to cancellation of flights, denied boarding, and delays in flights. It added that the amendment will allow passengers, who are downgraded involuntarily and are carried in a class lower than that for which the ticket he purchased, to get reimbursements online.

The DGCA proposed that airlines need to refund the full value of such tickets, including taxes, and that the said passenger will be flown free of cost in the next available class in December 2022. Here's all that you need to know about the development:

- As per the new rules of the aviation, airlines will have to reimburse 75% of the ticket costs, including taxes, to passengers whose domestic* flight tickets have been downgraded.

- The reimbursement will differ between 30-75% in case of international ticket downgrade. This will also be including taxes, depending on the distance (1,500 km or less) that is covered by that particular flight. As per the DGCA, the amount will be 50% if the flight covers a distance between 1,500 and 3,500 km, including taxes, whereas the reimbursement amount will be 75% of the cost of ticket, if the flight covers a distance of over 3,500 km.

- Referring to this, a DGCA official added that these norms will be effective from February 15.

- If reports are to go by, the DGCA has decided to amend the norms following the complaints from air travellers about their tickets being downgraded by airlines.

- These changes have been done to facilitate the travel and strengthen the rights of air travellers, who are affected by the downgrading of their tickets, the DGCA added.

28/02/23 Times Travel

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Decorated Air India Pilot shocked to find her photo in misleading ad

India’s most well-known and decorated female commercial pilot Zoya Agarwal was shocked to find a dubious company using her photo to attract aspirants in an advertisement calling for admission in an aviation program in South Africa. Agarwal, on Wednesday was bombarded with queries on whether she was starting a training program at the said company after an advertisement was  published in a leading newspaper on 23 January with her photo in it. Agarwal was in New York when the incident happened. “I was informed by my father about the advertisement. This is a case of identity theft. They are trying to use my credibility to dupe gullible parents and aspirants. It is Indian parents and students who are going to be affected.” said Agarwal in a phone conversation with The New Indian. 

Agarwal wasted no time in raising the matter with the Delhi police. “A certain Krapa Study Abroad Private limited put an advertisement in some aviation programs in South Africa. They have given a toll free number 18003099831 and other non toll free numbers such as 9999194957,9999664957 +4 other numbers. My photograph was published by Krapa  whose director’s names are Kaushal Jemini and Mamta Rani. When my father spoke to  Kaushal on phone and asked them how they have my photograph in their advertisement, he could not give an appropriate answer,” she said.

The credentials of the company are questionable. A random google search doesn’t throw any website result. The said advertisement is full of spelling and grammatical errors and doesn’t carry any specifications about their course. “By using my photograph they are trying to cheat numerous innocent individuals of their money. This company tried to use my brand name and gave out the impression that I was associated with this venture. This can have dangerous consequences. This is a way to cheat the people of India and rob talented girls and boys of this country of their future.” said Agarwal.

Delhi police is yet to respond to her complaint. As someone  who is a  spokesperson at the UN for women empowerment alongside Greta Thunberg and Anne Hathaway, becoming a victim of fraud has left Agarwal disappointed.

26/01/23 New Indian

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British Airways sees strong India demand, adds third flight from Mumbai

British Airways is getting strong demand from India, its second-largest market after the US, said Moran Birger, the airline's head of sales for South Asia, Middle East and Africa.

"India is an incredibly important market for us. Last month, we launched a third daily service between London Heathrow and Mumbai. The flight is operated with Airbus A350 aircraft, which has a new business class product. We are seeing demand from the leisure segment. Business travel demand has recovered too," Birger said in Mumbai.

British Airways weekly operates 56 flights between London and India. Other than Mumbai, it flies to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

British Airways is adding capacity as it sees increased competition in the India-UK market. Air India has announced seventeen additional weekly flights to London: five to Heathrow and twelve to Gatwick from Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi.

26/01/23 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

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Ticket downgraded involuntarily? Airlines will now have to refund up to 75% cost

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the regulatory body for civil aviation in India, has announced new reimbursement policy for passengers who are affected by the downgrading of their tickets.

The DGCA has amended its Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section-3 to allow the passenger, who is downgraded involuntarily and is carried in a class lower than that for which the ticket is purchased, to be reimbursed by the airline.

The reimbursement will be as follows:

For domestic sector: 75% of the cost of ticket including taxes

For international sector:

1) 30% of the cost of ticket including taxes for flights of 1500km or less

2) 50% of the cost of ticket including taxes for flights between 1500km to 3500km

3) 75 % of the cost of ticket including taxes for flights more than 3500km

25/01/23 Poulomi Saha/India Today

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DGCA amends ticket refund rules for air travellers

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has amended its Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) for passengers who are unable to board due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights, and delays in flights.

The amendment of CAR will allow the passengers, who are downgraded involuntarily and are carried in a class lower than that for which the ticket is purchased, will be reimbursed by the airline.

For domestic sector flights, 75 per cent of the cost of the ticket including taxes will be reimbursed.

Also Read: Pee-gate shocker: Air India amends existing in-flight liquor policy

For the international sector, 30 per cent of the cost of the ticket including taxes for flights of 1500 km or less; 50 per cent of the cost of the ticket including taxes for flights between 1500 km to 3500 km; 75 per cent of the cost of the ticket including taxes for flights more than 3500 km.

The amendment in the Civil Aviation Requirement, the civil aviation regulator in a statement, said, is to strengthen the rights of air travellers affected by the downgrading of their tickets.

25/01/23 ANI/Mid Day

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The homecoming of Biju Patnaik’s Dakota, a symbol of Odia pride

Finally, the iconic Dakota (DC-3) aircraft flown by legendary aviator and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik has found a new address — Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). Just a few hundred metres separate the aircraft’s new home and the late commander’s house, Naveen Niwas.

The 8-tonne and 65-foot-long aircraft, bearing registration number VT-AUI, was lying abandoned in a remote corner of Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport for 55 years. It took its first flight in February 1944.

The heroic tales of Biju Patnaik, the pilot, and the Dakota aircraft he flew are an inseparable part of the illustrious history of Indian aviation.

Last week, as three trucks carried the dismantled aircraft to Bhubaneswar, hundreds of people lined up on either side of the Kolkata-Bhubaneswar national highway to witness history in motion.

Biju’s son and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed the aircraft by showering petals on it at the Bhubaneswar airport.

“I am happy that the Dakota flown by Biju Babu has reached Bhubaneswar. He had undertaken several daring operations with this aircraft,” Naveen said.

“His most daredevil act was the rescue of Indonesian freedom fighters from the control of Dutch forces. My mother Gyan Patnaik was the co-pilot of Biju Babu on that Dakota,” he added.

The aircraft will be displayed for public viewing from March 5, Biju’s birth anniversary. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has allotted 1.1 acres of land for this purpose at the airport.

According to BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan, repair works are underway at the state government hangar in the airport. Following the repairs, the aircraft will be taken to the allotted space at the airport and reassembled before being installed on a pedestal for display.

The Odisha government has entrusted Bhubaneswar-based Aerospace Research and Development Center the job for its repair and installation at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The company also looked after the transportation of the aircraft from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar.

Before joining politics, Biju had in 1947 formed Kalinga Airlines with its base in Calcutta. He was the airlines’ chief pilot.

In 1946, Biju was asked by Jawaharlal Nehru to help the Indonesian freedom fighters and their cause by ferrying planeloads of medicines and humanitarian assistance. Along with his pilots, Biju flew numerous sorties, evading the Dutch who had put up land and sea blockades. The planes would fly from Calcutta with fuel stops at Mohanbari and Singapore.

On July 21, 1947, at the behest of Nehru, the 32-year-old Biju, along with his co-pilot and wife Gyan, leaving behind their 14-day-old son, took off on an old Dakota to Singapore enroute Jakarta. In Singapore, he received a message from the Dutch, threatening to shoot down his aircraft if it entered Indonesian airspace.

An unruffled Biju replied: “Resurgent India does not recognize Dutch colonial sovereignty over the Indonesian people. If my aircraft is shot down, every Dutch plane flying across the Indian skies will be shot down in retaliation.” He also dashed off a short message to Nehru: “Take necessary steps should my aircraft be shot down.”

In a dare-devil rescue act, the ace pilot, landing on an improvised airstrip and using leftover petrol from abandoned Japanese military dumps, eluded the Dutch to land in Jakarta. On July 24, he flew out Indonesian Vice-President Md Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and landed in Delhi.

For his act of bravery, Biju, who was a personal friend of the Indonesia’s first president Sukarno, was honoured with ‘Bhoomi Putra,’ the highest Indonesian award.

24/01/23 Debi Mohanty/Federal

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Airlines look to attract customers with lower airfares as domestic demand plummets after new year

Domestic airfares have tumbled on many major domestic routes after peaking in recent months, fuelled by high costs and large domestic demand around the new year and Christmas.

Budget carrier GoFirst has slashed airfares as part of its Republic Day sale. Passengers can book domestic fares starting at Rs 1,199, while international airfares start at Rs 6,599.

Similarly, Air India last week offered discounts on its flight tickets across the airline's domestic network. Starting from an incredibly low one-way fare of Rs 1,705, the discounts will be available on over 49 domestic destinations.

SpiceJet also announced a Republic Day sale where the airline is offering 26 percent off on domestic flights, with airfares starting at Rs 1,126. Akasa Air has also cut prices across its routes.

While the country's largest airline, IndiGo, has not yet announced a Republic Day sale, it has matched the lowest rates offered by domestic airlines on routes. IndiGo is also offering up to Rs 1,000 off on tickets booked through its mobile application.

Airfares in January have decreased by 15-20 percent month-on-month (MoM), said Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO and Co-founder of Ixigo.

Similarly, online travel agents Yatra.com and Cleartrip said that airfares in January are down by around 15 percent compared to December.

According to data available with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, daily domestic passengers travelling in India has fallen from around 435,500 as of December 24 to around 406,684 passengers as of January 23.

Aviation experts said that the new prices reflect the competitive landscape present in India. The fact that all the airlines have reduced prices is a positive sign for the industry, going forward.

Lower prices are not only a reflection of airlines looking to grab or retain market share, but are a product of competition, demand, supply, costs, and potential cargo revenues.

Senior airline officials said that the fall in prices on many routes across India is also due to lower demand in the ongoing January-March quarter, which is the off-season for travel in India.

"Forward bookings for February and early March have dropped significantly in the last two weeks. Discounts will be key in driving demand in the market in the current quarter," the official added.

Another official from a domestic airline in India said that airlines are looking to cannibalise on the market share of the market leader, IndiGo.

24/01/23 Yaruqhullah Khan/Moneycontrol

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Pratt & Whitney expands Bengaluru operations

Pratt & Whitney announced it has officially opened the doors to its new India Engineering Center (IEC) in Bengaluru. The facility is co-located with Pratt & Whitney’s India Capabilities Center (ICC), which opened in 2022 to provide integrated global supply chain support, and the recently inaugurated Collins Aerospace engineering and global operations centers. The IEC, which was designed to meet the LEED Platinum certification, further enhances Raytheon Technologies’ combined presence in India of over 5,000 employees and facilitates collaboration across the company’s businesses.

“The Indian aviation market is growing at a rapid pace and Bengaluru is a hub for that growth,” said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney. “The work conducted at the IEC – by some of India’s best and brightest minds – will support cutting edge technology that will drive the future of flight.”

More than 50 employees are now based in the state-of-the-art facility, with an additional 450 jobs to be filled over the next four years. Work performed at the IEC will encompass elements such as aero and mechanical and control systems for various products in Pratt & Whitney’s broad portfolio of large and small commercial engines. It will also extend across the entire product lifecycle from development to field support and sustainment.

“The IEC will fully integrate with our existing global engineering footprint across Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland to advance world-class technology such as the geared turbofan and other sustainable propulsion solutions,” said Paul Weedon, vice president, Engine Development, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. “The IEC team will be key to improving commercial engine performance, extending time on wing, reducing airline operating costs, and decreasing fuel consumption.”

The opening of the IEC further illustrates Raytheon Technologies’ long history of investing in India. “I am truly excited about the future of Pratt & Whitney in India, and the significant investments we are making towards building a stronger aerospace ecosystem in-country,” said Ashmita Sethi, Managing Director of UTCIPL. “Beyond the $40 million-plus in financial investment in both the IEC and co-located India Capability Center, we are collaborating with local universities and investing in emerging technology companies to further enhance India’s homegrown capabilities.”

23/01/23 Asian Aviation

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Indian aviation sector witnessed 48.9 per cent yearly increase in domestic traffic: Jyotiraditya Scindia

The Indian aviation sector witnessed “a 48.9% yearly increase in domestic traffic”, informed the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Saturday. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “strengthening the sector”.

“A 48.9% yearly increase in domestic traffic highlights PM @narendramodi Ji’s approach of strengthening the sector through integral policy reforms, critical technology & strategic investment. Indian aviation is indeed leading the road to robust recovery,” tweeted the minister. 

Domestic traffic was 827,45,079 in December 2021. In December 2022, it increased to 1232,42,014. YoY (year-on-year) growth was 48.9 per cent, the minister further informed.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aviation in India is the fastest-growing aviation market in the world. Reportedly, the hub of India’s aviation manufacturing industry is Bangalore which has had a huge share of this economic sector since 1924. 

The Government of India’s UDAN – regional connectivity scheme – is driving the growth of civil aviation and aviation infrastructure in the country.

Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) is a regional airport development program of the central government. It is also a part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of upgrading under-serviced air routes in the country. It was launched on 21st October 2016 by the Modi government.

22/01/23 Anurag Kumar/Financial Express

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Intra-city helicopter service to start soon in Bengaluru

Ever experienced the iconic Bengaluru travel experience, that is, the city traffic? You probably have; it is impossible to miss something that big and that frequent. But here's good news – soon, the city will have intra-city helicopter service. This means, a simpler commute from north to south and vice versa, more specifically, an easier and shorter commute from Bangalore International Airport to Hosur in the southeast of the city.

A BLADE India initiative, this intra-city helicopter service will make the lives of many travellers commuting to and from Bangalore International Airport easier, especially from the IT hub – Hosur.

From the airport, one will be able to take the morning flight (and evening flight for those taking the service from Hosur) to their destination in the south of the city. This is a big one, given the fact that it takes up to three hours on the road for someone travelling from South to North or vice versa. With this heli service, the total commute time will be under 20 minutes!

That’s a lot of hours one way!

For someone on a quick business trip, this is a golden option as now they can save a lot of time doing something productive instead of spending several hours in the commute alone.

The morning flights will be from 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM, and the return trip will be between 3:45 PM to 5 PM. The cost of the ticket per person will be INR 6000.

16/01/23 Times Travel/Times of India

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IIFCL gives wings to aviation sector; extends Rs 6,630 cr loans for development of airports: MD

To support the massive growth in the aviation sector, the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) has extended a credit of Rs 6,630 crore for the development of six major airports in the country and looks forward to increasing its exposure in the coming years, said its managing director P R Jaishankar.

Bullish on the growth of the aviation sector in the country, he said, the IIFCL also given in-principle approval of Rs 638 crore for the development of a greenfield airport in Andhra Pradesh.

Over the past few years, India has seen massive growth in the airport sector, with increasing investments from both government and private sector, thanks to a rising proportion of middle-income households, infrastructure build-up at leading airports and supportive policy framework.

"With an aim to finance development of world class airport infrastructure in India, IIFCL has, till date, sanctioned Rs 6,630 crore to six major airports in India in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Noida (Jewar) and the newly developed Manohar International Airport in Goa," Jaishankar told PTI.

"These airports are of national importance and have been facilitating and improving connectivity across the nation. We are committed to supporting the government in its mission to improve connectivity for the masses and lower down the logistics cost to benefit the economy at large,” he said.

He further said, IIFCL will continue to extend its support to develop world class airport infrastructure in India and exploring opportunities in funding the greenfield airport projects, as well as Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities under PPP mode by way of term loan, subscription to bonds, refinancing, or credit enhancement etc.

Highlighting the importance of the airport sector, Jaishankar said it holds the potential to provide a huge positive impact on the economy, with an economic multiplier of 3.1 and employment multiplier of 6.

To meet the growing demand for air travel in India, he said, it has become imperative to increase the capacity of airport infrastructure.

15/01/23 PTI/Moneycontrol

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Intra-city helicopter service connects Bangalore International Airport & Hosur Aerodrome

Bengaluru: As part of its expansion strategy for its intra-city helicopter services, FlyBlade India, a joint venture between Hunch Ventures and BLADE Air Mobility, Inc., will be connecting Bangalore International Airport to Hosur Aerodrome. 

Every weekday, the on-demand service will cost Rs 6000 per person. Powered By Bengaluru: As part of its expansion strategy for its intra-city helicopter services, FlyBlade India, a joint venture between Hunch Ventures and BLADE Air Mobility, Inc., will be connecting Bangalore International Airport to Hosur Aerodrome. Every weekday, the on-demand service will cost Rs 6000 per person. The first flight from the airport will depart in the morning, while the last flight will depart in the evening. According to the urban air mobility company, BLADE India, this route was established to make it easier to commute between North and South Bengaluru.ional-airport-hosur-aerodrome-777468

Normally, the drive from Hosur to the airport takes up to three hours, but BLADE will complete it in about 20 minutes. Bookings for this route are now being accepted on the BLADE India website since it has begun operating. Flights can be reserved for Rs 6000 per person, just like any other flight ticket.

Additionally, BLADE has expanded the number of daily flights between its helipad near the airport and the city centre, now operating three flights per day from 8:45 am to 10:30 am, with return trips taking place between 3:45 pm and 5 pm. More landing places will be added to the city in the upcoming months, with Electronic City and Whitefield on the list.

13/01/23 Hans India

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From Urinating Men To Shirtless Brawls: How In-flight Chaos Are Making Headlines Of Late

After about two years of Covid-19 pandemic-induced restrictions on domestic and international flights, air travel has now resumed its normal course. However, several mid-flight instances in the past few months have shocked travelers, crew members, and the public at large. Considering the frequency of such incidents, people have questioned the wisdom of serving alcohol on international flights, claiming it to be a major cause of most such incidents. 

Here are some of the most appalling incidents in flights in recent time >>

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Ram Charan To Nayanthara: South Film Stars Who Own Private Jets

South Indian films have successfully crossed the language barrier over the years. They have been widely celebrated by audiences in the Hindi belt, too, in recent times. Similar to Bollywood celebrities, they also spend an exorbitant amount of money on exotic properties and fancy vehicles. Some even own luxurious private jets. 

Here is a list of five famous South celebrities who are proud owners of private jets >>

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Brain stroke patient airlifted from Bhvanagar to Surat in 26 minutes

A 56-year-old man, who had a brain stroke was airlifted from Bhavnagar to Surat, his hometown, Sunday through the state government’s air ambulance service.

Kanjibhia Sanspara, a resident of Ghod Dod road in Surat, was airlifted from Bhavnagar airport to Surat airport in 26 minutes, officials said.

According to 108 medical emergency services staff, the 56-year-old man had gone to attend an event in Bhavnagar, where he suffered a brain stroke. Sanspara was rushed to BIMS hospital in Bhavnagar. His family members then decided to shift him to Surat.

According to officials, shifting the patient in a an ambulance via road would have taken 10 hours.

The family members of the patients paid the charges for airlifiting the patient to Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Limited (GUJSAIL) and the air ambulance stationed in Ahmedabad flew to Bhavnagar.

It took less than an hour to shift the patient to Surat, 108 services Surat station head Jitendra Shahi said.

“It took 15 minutes to take a patient from BISM hospital to the airport in Bhavnagar. The air journey was around 26 minutes and from Surat airport, it took to 17 minutes to reach INS hospital,” he said adding that the patient is still undergoing treatment in the hospital.

10/01/23 Indian Express

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Aviation Ministry Instructs Airlines To Promptly Report Unruly In-flight Behaviour

The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued strict instructions to all airlines to immediately report any unruly behaviour by any passenger, sources close to the ministry said. This comes shortly after another incident of inappropriate behaviour aboard an Air India flight surfaced amid the 'pee gate' investigation.

Earlier on Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) called on Air India seeking an explanation for not reporting two incidents when passengers misbehaved aboard flights on December 5 and December 6, 2022. 

The first incident involves a passenger smoking in the lavatory despite being instructed not to by the cabin crew, whereas in another incident, a man urinated on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she was in the lavatory.

"Air India didn’t report the incident until DGCA sought the incident report from them on 05.01.2023. After perusal of the reply submitted by M/s Air India through email dated 06.01.2023, prima facie it emerges that provisions related to the handling of unruly passengers as per DGCA CAR Section -3, Series-M, Part-VI have not been complied with. It has been noted that the response of the airline has been lackadaisical and delayed", DGCA's official statement read. 

09/11/23 Harsh Vardhan/Republicworld

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Punjab govt school principal offers free air travel to students figuring in Board exam merit list

An overjoyed principal of a government school in Punjab's Ferozepur district honored four students who appeared on the merit list of the state board exams, ending a 12-year wait. In Ferozepur, Shaheed Gurdas Ram Memorial Government Senior Secondary School (Girls) principal Rakesh Sharma is paying students' air travel expenses himself.

Since 2012, none of the school's students have made it to the merit list of the Punjab School Education Board exams for the 10th and 12th grades. In an effort to motivate students to study hard, Sharma asked them about their wishes that he would fulfill if they were selected.

''I announced in a prayer meeting that if any student of 10th or 12th class secures merit positions in board exams, I will ensure air travel for any destination of their choice within the country,'' as per the PTI he added.

Sharma said another 22 students have now registered themselves for merit positions in classes 10 and 12 after two students used the air travel facility.

08/01/23 India Today

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