Classroom-Based Refresher Training For Indian Commercial Pilots To Move On-Line

Gurugram/New Delhi: Classroom-based refresher training for Indian commercial pilots will move online for the first time with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) notifying FSTC, India's most advanced Full Flight Simulation training company, as an approved centre for the conduct of key courses through distance learning.
The approval to move to distance learning mode applies to refresher or gap in flying courses for the time being. Physical presence of the pilots in these courses will now be required only for simulator sessions. This will minimise disruption of pilot training due to COVID-19 restrictions and in turn provide convenience for the cadets.
FSTC (Flight Simulation Technique Centre) is also seeking an extension of distance learning approval from DGCA for other training programmes such as Initial Type Rating on the Airbus A320neo, Boeing Bombardier Dash-8 and ATR72-600. It operates eight simulators for these aircraft at its facilities in Hyderabad and Gurugram.
"FSTC is fully prepared and confident in maintaining the effectiveness of training through the distance learning mode. We would like to thank the DGCA officials in showing the belief in our online course delivery methodology," shared Capt D S Basraon - Director FSTC, while speaking on the approval sought.
FSTC is a preferred training partner for various Indian carriers as well as International airlines based out of South-East Asia. It provides high-quality end-to-end training, including grant of commercial pilot licence (CPL) followed by ab-initio Type rating on a range of leading commercial aircraft.
In the last eight years, FSTC has provided over 100,000 hours of simulator training to more than 1,100 pilots. It also runs a CPL programme at the Gujarat Flying Club.
The Centre received the TRTO qualification from the DGCA in 2013 and an EASA certification for its training courses in 2015. Its infrastructure is world class, and the curriculum conforms to the best in the class. Training programs are tailor-made for a host of airlines.
31/07/20 ANI/Business World

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Domestic flights running smoothly: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

New Delhi: Sixty-eight days after resuming domestic flight operations post-COVID-19 lockdown, things are operating smoothly, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday.
Taking to Twitter, the minister said, "Domestic operations continue smoothly. 30 July 2020 till 2359 hrs was day 68. Departures were 840. 74,451 passengers handled. Arrivals were 837. 72,043 passengers were handled. Total movements were 1,677. Footfalls at airports were 1,46,494. The total number of flyers was 74,451."
Following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, all domestic and international flight operations were suspended in March. Domestic operations were resumed on May 25.
31/07/20 ANI/New Indian Express

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Indian Rafale Jets Come Under Attack By Iranian Missiles In The UAE – Reports

As India very recently received the Rafale jets from France, there are reports that at least three Iranian missiles landed near the Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 28 where the Rafale jets were stationed.

The first batch of five Rafale fighter aircraft arrived in India today – July 29. The Rafale jets landed at Al Dhafra base as part of an overnight halt. Al Dhafra base is located about an hour from UAE’s capital city Abu Dhabi.

CNN reported that alert was sounded at UAE’s Al Dhafra base and Al Udeid airbase in Qatar after intel indicators hinted at an incoming “Iranian missile possibly headed that way”. CNN added that personnel present at these two bases were told to take cover but no missile landed at these bases.

Fox News also reported the incident claiming that two bases in the Middle East housing US troops and aircraft were put on high alert when “3 Iranian missiles splashed down in waters near the bases Tues. (Tuesday) as part of Iran’s military exercises.”

Iran launched missiles strikes targeting a mock aircraft carrier in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, an exercise that included firing a barrage of missiles towards US bases in the Middle-East.

State television footage also showed a variety of missiles being fired from fast boats, trucks, mobile launchers and a helicopter, some targeting the fake carrier. A commander said that the IRGC also planned to fire “long-range ballistic missiles” as well during the drill that will continue Wednesday.

Ballistic missile fire detected from the drill resulted in US troops being put on alert at Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Al-Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command in Qatar, the military said.

“The incident lasted for a matter of minutes and an all-clear was declared after the threat … had passed,” said U.S. Army Maj. Beth Riordan, a Central Command spokeswoman. Al-Dhafra also is temporarily home to five French-built Rafale fighter jets on their way to India for that country’s air force.
29/07/20  EurAsian Times

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Indian aviation industry at breaking point, warns CAPA

Indian aviation industry is at its breaking point due to massive losses on account of COVID-19, aviation consultancy firm CAPA India has warned.

"The record quarterly loss of $380 million posted by IndiGo in 1QFY2021 is consistent with CAPA India's earlier projection of a consolidated industry loss of $1.50-1.75 billion. With Q2 largely a washout due to poor demand, the industry is at a breaking point," CAPA India wrote on Twitter.

It further added that most airlines in India do not have the holding power to survive and multiple airline failures could set back air connectivity in India by 3-5 years.

The sharp remarks from CAPA India comes at a time when the two largest airlines in the country reported massive losses for January-March and April-June quarters due to unprecedented drop in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and complete shutdown of regular passenger flights for two months starting March 25.

Today, IndiGo, the largest airline in India, posted a net loss of Rs 2,844 crore for the April-June period. It had recorded a net profit of Rs 1,203 crore in the same period a year ago, primarily on account of gains after the shutdown of Jet Airways, the second largest airline then.

The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rent margin for IndiGo stood at (-) 185 percent for the June quarter. It had posted a EBITDAR margin of 29.5 percent in the same period a year ago. Total cash balance for IndiGo as of June 30 was down by Rs 1,927 crore since March 31 and stood at Rs 18,450 crore.
29/07/20 CNBC TV18

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Air passengers alert! Booking tickets through travel agents? Modi government has this message for you

Are you one of those air passengers booking tickets through travel agents on international flights operating under the Vande Bharat Mission? The Civil Aviation Ministry under the Modi government has an important message for you. Government has said that you must not pay more than the fares mentioned on Air India's website.

"Passengers booking tickets for #VBM flights through travel agents, may please note that they should not pay more than the fares mentioned on the Air India website. Passengers facing issues of overcharging by travel agents may write to gmsm@airindia.in," the ministry said on Twitter.
Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, since May 6, international charter flights have been operated by Air India under the Vande Bharat Mission to help stranded people reach their destinations. Private carriers have also operated a certain number of flights under this mission.

India had on July 16 formed bilateral air bubbles with countries like the US, Germany and France that allow airlines of both the countries in the pact to operate special international charter flights.

The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the coronavirus pandemic. All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, leave without pay and firing of employees in order to conserve cash.
20/07/20 Prashant Singh/ZeeBiz

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Over 8.78 lakh Indians have returned from abroad under Vande Bharat Mission: MEA

New Delhi: Over 8.78 lakh Indians have returned from abroad after the government launched the “Vande Bharat” evacuation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

Under the Phase 4 of the Vande Bharat Mission, a total of 1,083 flights have been scheduled so far, including 849 international flights and 234 feeder flights, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing.

“These flights are operated by the Air India Group, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir from 29 countries to 31 airports in India,” he said.

“As we begin dovetailing phase 4 into phase 5, (a total of) 8,78,921 Indian nationals have returned as on July 29, 2020. (A total of) 1,07,452 Indians have returned from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan and Bangladesh by land borders,” he said.

The phase 5 of the Vande Bharat Mission will start from August 1, he said.

The MEA spokesperson said a total of 792 flights (692 international and 100 domestic feeders) have been scheduled to repatriate Indians from 23 countries.
30/07/20 PTI/The Hindu

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Pawan Hans's first UDAN-RCS service launched

In a major development, Pawan Hans's first UDAN-RCS service has been launched in Uttarakhand. Flagging off the first helicopter service by Pawan Hans in Uttarakhand under the UDAN-RCS scheme, Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS, I/C, Civil Aviation said that launch of the heli service and opening of these new routes will bring people of the state closer and support tourism in the region.

This service will enable connectivity between Dehradun, New Tehri, Srinagar and Gauchar.

274 UDAN routes have been operationalized so far connecting 45 airports and 3 heliports since the launch of the first UDAN flight in April 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Good News For The People Of Uttarakhand! Shri @HardeepSPuri, HMCA, Shri @tsrawatbjp
, CM, Uttarakhand, along with other officials of MoCA flagged off @PawanHansLtd's first #UDAN-RCS route in Uttarakhand connecting Dehradun to New Tehri to Srinagar to Gauchar. #SabUdenSabJuden," Ministry of Civil Aviation tweeted.
Ministry of Civil Aviation added in another tweet, "By reducing the travel time from over 3 hours by road to just under 25 mins, this will provide much needed air connectivity to the people of the region. With new heliports added at New Tehri & Srinagar, 274 routes, 45 airports & 5 heliports have been operationalized till now."
29/07/20 Prashant Singh/ZeeBiz

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Telecom, aviation crumbling, when will government pay attention: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday said the government should acknowledge what he alleged is a "deepening economic crisis" in the country, pointing out that the telecom and aviation sectors require its intervention.
He said the two sectors are struggling and may cost thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
"When will the BJP government acknowledge the gravity of the deepening economic crisis in the country? When will the Prime Minister acknowledge his failure and the failure of his economic managers," Chidambaram asked on Twitter.

"Will the government realize that one of our major telecom companies is on the verge of collapse and the government has no plan to save the struggling telecom industry," he asked in a tweet in Hindi.

The former finance minister also asked if the government realizes that the aviation industry has suffered massive losses and claimed that "each one of them will go the Air India way" unless the government steps in with a rescue plan.
30/07/20 PTI/Times of India

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International flights permitted in limited manner, to further open up in calibrated way

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday issued Unlock 3 guidelines. As part of the fresh guidelines, international flights will be allowed in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission, and further opening-up will take place in a calibrated manner.

Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 amid the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in the country. Since May 6, international charter flights have been operated by Air India under the Vande Bharat Mission to help stranded people reach their destinations. Private carriers have also operated a certain number of flights under this mission.

India had on July 16 formed bilateral air bubbles with countries like the US, Germany and France that allows airlines of both the countries in the pact to operate special international charter flights.
The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, leave without pay and firing of employees in order to conserve cash.
29/07/20 India TV

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Airlines offer Starbucks coffee, insurance cover, full body checkups to woo fliers

Cash-back, discounts on fares and flying miles are no longer enough to woo passengers, especially when fears around COVID-19 and quarantine regulations have subdued sentiments.

Instead, airlines are now offering discounts on doctor consultation, insurance covers and full body check ups to entice customers to book tickets. There are also special offers for doctors, nurses and the armed forces, in line with the current sentiment in the country, with regards to COVID-19 and the standoff with China.

The offers come even as domestic flights, which resumed on May 25, continue to see capacity utilisation of just up to 30 percent, and loads that hover around the half-way mark.

"We are observing that most of the current demand is for emergency travel. This is borne out by the fact that more than 90 percent of the bookings are for one way trips and more than 80 percent of the bookings are for travel dates within two weeks," Balu Ramachandran, Global Head for the Air Business at Cleartrip, told Moneycontrol.

"Traffic volumes on our website indicate that there is pent up demand for travel, but customers are being cautious due to the pandemic and are placing higher emphasis on safety and flexibility as compared to pricing. Hence, we have offers available on our website," added Ramachandran.

Much of the focus, given the fear of COVID-19, has been on health and safety. GoAir is offering customers online doctor consultation packages with each booking. There are also offers on full body check ups.

SpiceJet has tied up with insurance provider Digit, to offer cover against COVID-19. The cover, with a premium ranging from Rs 443 to Rs 1,564, promises to cover hospital expenses.

To honour the frontline warriors against the virus, IndiGo is offering a 25 percent discount to doctors and nurses. The discount will be offered till December 31, 2020.

“The nurses and doctors will be required to provide valid hospital IDs at the time of check-in as a proof of their identity," the airline had said in a statement.
30/07/20 Prince Mathews Thomas/Moneycontrol.com

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5th Phase Of Indian Repatriation Flights To Begin Tomorrow

India will launch the fifth phase of its Vande Bharat Mission tomorrow to repatriate Indian nationals that are stranded abroad. The fifth phase, which will run during August, will bring stranded nationals home from 23 countries. The mission is expected to bring a further 130,000 Indian nationals back.
The Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) will enter its fifth phase in August. The scheme, organized by the Indian government, will be offering flights from more destinations at a lower price, as an increase in the number of international airlines entering India is driving prices down.

A total of 792 flights, of which 692 are international, have been scheduled between August 1st and 31st. Indian nationals will be able to fly from 23 countries including, the UAE, the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Israel, and Kyrgyzstan.

Air India will be offering VBM flights to five destinations in the US; New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco. These flights will operate thrice weekly. The airline will also be offering flights to Paris and London three times a week and Frankfurt four times weekly. Air India Express is scheduled to operate a total of 118 flights from the UAE to India during this fifth phase of VBM.

During a media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava, said that the flights would cater to 21 different airports in India and bring 130,000 more Indian nationals home. He added that so far under the VBM, 878,921 Indian citizens have returned home. Not all of these returned by flight however, with 107,452 people crossing land borders into India from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
30/07/20 Lindy Whitehouse/Simple Flying

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‘Air passenger traffic won’t return to pre-Covid levels until 2024’

New Delhi: Global air travel is recovering more slowly than expected and will take until until 2024 to return to pre-pandemic levels, the trade association for the airline industry said Tuesday.

The International Air Transport Association pushed back its prediction by one year due to the slow containment of the outbreak in the US and developing countries. The industry is seeing a rebound from the depths of the shutdowns in April, but the bad new is that any increase “is barely visible,” IATA chief economist Brian Pearce said Tuesday during an online briefing for journalists.

Pearce said that air travel is not rebounding along with rising levels of business confidence in Europe, the U.S. and China.

Traffic was down 86.5 per cent in June from the same month a year ago, compared with a drop of 94.1 per cent in April, measured as revenue passenger kilometers, or the distance travelled by all revenue-generating passengers.

That improvement is “nowhere near the increase in business confidence,” Pearce said. China is bouncing back more than some other places, while an upturn in the US has been knocked back by the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases in a number of states. Besides renewed outbreaks, travel is also being held back by weak consumer confidence and constrained travel budgets at companies that are struggling.
Despite parking many of their planes, airlines are struggling to fill seats with enough people to make money. Planes were only 62.9 per cent full on domestic flights around the world, well below levels at which airlines make money, and an abysmal 38.9 per cent for international travel.
28/07/20 Indian Express

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Low Cost Flights In Uttarakhand, Aviation Minister Tweets, "Delighted"

New Delhi: Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter and congratulated the people of Uttarakhand after inaugurating a low cost helicopter service on the Dehradun-New Tehri-Srinagar-Gauchar route. On Wednesday, Pawan Hans Limited launched the helicopter service on the new route under the Central government's regional connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)
The Aviation Minister said he was "delighted" to inaugurate the UDAN route along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

UDAN, a flagship scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is playing a vital role in providing connectivity to people in far flung areas of the country. Since the launch of the first UDAN flight, in April 2017, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Shimla to Delhi, 268 routes are functioning connecting 45 airports and three heliports.
"With this, we have added six more routes and two heliports at New Tehri and Srinagar," Mr Puri said, adding that these routes provide a much-needed affordable air connectivity to the people of the hill state.
29/07/20 PTI/NDTV

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IndiGo's layoffs and salary cuts to trigger 20% job losses across industry

The country's largest airline IndiGo has taken two big steps in the past week that's going to set the stage for the domestic aviation in times to come. After laying off 10 per cent of its workforce or nearly 2,300 employees, IndiGo, on Monday, said that it's slashing salaries of its senior staff by 15 to 35 per cent depending on their grades. This was a steep cut from its previous decision in March to reduce salaries between 5 and 25 per cent across the board. These cuts are on top of the compulsorily leave without pay (LWP) scheme of 10.5 days per month.

Experts say this is just a beginning of a painful road ahead for the sector as the demand for air travel continues to remain muted due to a variety of reasons. Since the opening up of the domestic aviation sector in late May, the capacities of airlines remain quite low - 30-35 per cent. This is despite MoCA (ministry of civil aviation) permitting carriers to deploy 45 per cent capacity from July 1.

In May, domestic carriers hoped that once they resume operations, the traffic would gradually pick up. But that didn't happen. The domestic passenger traffic data for June fell 83.5 per cent as compared to last year. The July data is expected to be no different. Kinjal Shah, Vice President and Co-Head, Corporate Sector Ratings at ICRA says that the daily passenger traffic of domestic carriers ranges between 65,000 and 70,000 which is substantially lower than 3.94 lakh in 2019. "Airlines are not expecting any improvement in traffic; their general perception is that the revival is going to take time," says Shah.

What makes the situation more worrying is that if the largest and most-cash rich airline IndiGo has started firing people, it's sending a message to other airlines to follow suit. Mark Martin, founder of Martin Consulting says that for Indian carriers, the four biggest operating cost items are fuel, aircraft finance, maintenance and people. "Lufthansa which has a somewhat similar cost structure has retrenched 16 per cent of its workforce (22,000 people) recently. In the base case scenario, the domestic industry would see 10 per cent job cuts, and this number could go up to 20 per cent," he says.
28/07/20 Manu Kaushik/Business Today

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Five Rafale jets land in India: All you need to know

New Delhi: The new five Rafale fighters arrived in India on Wednesday and touched-down at the Ambala air base in Haryana after covering a journey of 7,000-km from France. The journey included a mid-air refueling and an overnight pit stop in the UAE. The three single-seat and two twin-seat omni-role fighters, flown by seven IAF pilots of the 17 "Golden Arrows" squadron were led by commanding officer Group Captain Harkirat Singh.
Here is all you need to know about the aircraft & the deal >>

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Expensive but exclusive: Private charters take off amid Covid-19 fears

New Delhi: With the pandemic grounding the aviation sector like never before, private charter services are emerging as a green shoot. Even as flying has resumed, it’s still quite restricted and stressful. No wonder then that nine private jets have landed in Goa in the past fortnight, as per airport officials, with the state emerging among the top destinations for the well-heeled who either own second homes there or are leasing private villas to spend leisure time with families. Most of the flights come from Mumbai and Delhi, India’s two worst-affected cities, adds an airport official.

According to Sachit Wadhwa, Founder and CEO, Book My Charters, “There has been a surge of 60 per cent in charter inquiries since lockdown; most of these flights are one-way and originate in Mumbai and Delhi. Goa is currently one of the top destinations for private charters, and there is a constant demand for the Delhi-Goa and Mumbai-Goa routes.”

Kanika Tekriwal CEO & Founder, JetSetGo, also confirms that the company is receiving a query after every alternate day for Goa and other places which are safe and don’t have too many cases. “A lot of queries are also received from people who want to travel internationally, which at the moment, due to the restrictions, is not a possibility,” she says, adding that many are trying to get to places which are safe, to kickstart their much-awaited annual holiday.

Tekriwal says that apart from Goa, they are receiving requests for destinations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, while internationally, requests for Dubai, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand have been registered. The Delhi-based plane-aggregator and charter company, also called ‘Uber of the skies’, claim they are getting around 20 requests a day, out of which, 70% are from first-time customers.

Wadhwa says that the trend is catching up and they are receiving more and more enquiries from newer segments of customers, beyond business travel. Today, the typical Book My Charters customer is above the age of 50 and looking to travel to a vacation home within India or to visit family. Some wish to travel with pets, says a company spokesperson.
28/07/20 Divya A/Indian Express

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Govt notifies amended FDI policy on civil aviation

New Delhi: The government has notified changes in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms on civil aviation, which will permit non-resident Indian nationals to own 100 per cent stake of Air India.
The gazette notification comes amid the ongoing process of strategic disinvestment of Air India.

Last month, the government for the third time extended the deadline to bid for Air India as the COVID-19 fallout has disrupted economic activities globally. The deadline was extended by two months till August 31. The divestment process for the national carrier was initiated on January 27.

"These rules may be called the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2020," the official notification dated July 27, 2020 said.

They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, it said.

"Foreign investments in M/s Air India Limited, including that of foreign airlines shall not exceed 49 per cent either directly or indirectly except in case of those NRIs, who are Indian Nationals, where foreign investments is permitted up to 100 per cent under automatic route," it said.

Substantial ownership and effective control of Air India Limited shall continue to be vested in Indian Nationals as stipulated in Aircraft Rules, 1937, it added.

As per the present FDI Policy, 100 per cent FDI is permitted in scheduled Air Transport Service/Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline (Automatic up to 49 per cent  and Government route beyond 49 per cent).

However, for NRIs 100 per cent FDI is permitted under automatic route in Scheduled Air Transport Service/Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline.

The government permits 100 per cent FDI under automatic route in helicopter services/seaplane services requiring Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval.
28/07/20 PTI/Outlook

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JRD Tata– From Unpaid Apprentice to the Chairman of Tata Group

The man who made Tata Group one of the most prestigious and successful industrial groups in India, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, better known as J.R.D.Tata, was a fearless aviator and a visionary ahead of his times. Born in France to an Indian father and a French mother, Tata had an idyllic childhood. His family was wealthy and had the means to fulfill the curiosities of his young mind. He began his career as an unpaid apprentice in the Indian company Tata & Sons and within years rose to the position of the company’s Chairman.
Read A K Srivastava's note on JRD >>

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Five Rafale fighter jets took off from France on Monday morning for induction into No. 17 ‘Golden Arrows’ squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Ambala airbase upon arrival on July 29.

Five Rafale fighter jets took off from France on Monday morning for induction into No. 17 ‘Golden Arrows’ squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Ambala airbase upon arrival on July 29.

The immediate focus post arrival is on operationalisation of the aircraft at the earliest which has gained urgency with the ongoing tensions with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
“All five Rafales have landed safely in Al Dhafra airbase in United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a sortie in excess of seven hours,” the IAF said on Monday evening. The jets were accompanied by mid-air refuelling aircraft of the French Air Force on the first leg of the visit from Merignac airbase at Bordeaux in France to the UAE.

After a night halt in the UAE, the jets will take off on Tuesday to their home base in Ambala, covering a total distance of close to 7,000 km between India and France.
“These five include three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft. The aircraft are likely to arrive at Air Force Station, Ambala, on July 29 subject to weather,” the IAF said in a statement.

The Air Force had stated that the final induction ceremony would take place in the second half of August.
27/07/20 Dinakar Peri/The Hindu

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Corporate air travel down to 10-15% of pre-virus level, says Yatra CEO

COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption in the aviation industry and there are very little signs of recovery. Even after two months of resumption of domestic flights, corporate travel numbers have recovered by a very small amount, said Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO at Yatra.com.

Shringi said during a briefing that presently business travel is only about 10 to 15 per cent of the pre-COVID-19 level. Shringi also said that much of the air travel happening right now is essential in nature. "It is mostly essential travel that is happening now. Customers are also visiting friends and relatives. But there is no leisure travel at the moment," Shringi said.

Domestic flights, as well as international, were suspended back in March when the first nationwide lockdown was announced to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Two months later on May 25 domestic flights were resumed. International flights are still banned but the government has allowed a few of through its Vande Bharat Mission repatriation exercise, and air bubbles.

"The recovery in travel is gradual. It may not be a V or W-shaped recovery," said the Yatra.com CEO. "If one goes by the daily update provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, about 60,000 to 70,000 people are travelling a day. This is in comparison to about 4.5 lakh tickets that were sold on an average daily, before COVID-19," Shringi added.

To attract customers, fares have been 'meaningfully low' as compared to last year. Shringi added that yields are down by 7-8 per cent from last year.
Yatra.com has been put in a tough spot as nearly 50 per cent of their business comes from corporate travel. To make up for the slump in corporate travel the company has expanded its horizons.

Shringi said that Yatra is becoming a digital service platform for its corporate clients. Its clientele includes 800 large corporates, 20,000 small and medium enterprises, and over one lakh hotels, Money Control reported.
28/07/20 Business Today

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IAF: India's oldest fighter pilot turns 100

New Delhi: Dalip Singh Majithia, who holds the distinction of being the oldest living IAF fighter pilot, turned 100 on Monday. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria extended his greetings to the centenarian who had retired in August 1947 when India achieved Independence.
"IAF extends its best wishes to Sqn Ldr Dalip Singh Majithia (retd) on his 100th birthday today. He retired in Aug 1947 & holds the distinction of being the 'oldest' IAF fighter pilot now," the IAF tweeted.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria conveyed warm greetings and heartiest congratulations to Majithia on behalf of all air warriors, the IAF said. On August 5, 1940, Majithia, the young Sikh pilot took off on his first training flight in a Tiger Moth aircraft from the Walton airfield in Lahore with his two British instructors. 17 days later, Dalip Singh Majithia, 20, flew his first solo flight that that paved the way for a lifetime in aviation.
"I still feel that I'm in it, when I meet [Indian Air Force] officers," says Squadron Leader Majithia (retd.). "My batch people aren't there anymore, we used to have our meetings on the first of August every year for some time." With the surrender of the Japanese and the Second World War winding down, Dalip Singh Majithia was selected to be a part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces and moved to BCOF Headquarters in Melbourne, where he met Joan Sanders (whose father was with the British Indian Army).
28/07/20 Briti Roy Barman/One India

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FICCI Suggests Easing of Restrictions in Aviation, Tourism

New Delhi: Industry body FICCI has recommended easing of restrictions on aviation, tourism, sports and schools in ‘Unlock-3’.
It has recommended that Indian and foreign carriers be allowed to operate between two countries and India should allow foreigners to travel to India on reciprocal basis.
FICCI has suggested that the authorities should accept the COVID negative certificate issued by the origin country. Visas should be revived for persons from such origin country, it has said.
Airports should provide support and resources to set up ‘safe corridor’, it said.
Further, it has recommended that testing labs should be identified and designated which will issue the aCOVID Negative Certificate’ and that would be accepted by other countries.
27/07/20 IANS/India.com

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Five Rafale jets fly out of France to India

Five Rafale fighter jets operated by Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots took off from Merignac in France on Monday morning for India  in a big boost to country's air power at a time of military stand-off with China.

These five jets include three single seater and two twin seater aircraft.
The aircraft are likely to arrive at Air Force Station, Ambala, on Wednesday subject to weather.

The Rafale aircraft will cover a distance of nearly 7000 kms from France to India with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop en route in UAE.

These flights are being undertaken by the  IAF pilots who have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft. The air to air refuelling planned during the first leg of the ferry will be undertaken by these pilots with dedicated tanker support from the French Air Force.

The first Rafale fighter was handed over to IAF in October 2019 in a ceremony attended by the French Minister for Armed Forces Madame Florence Parly and Defence Minister Mr Rajnath Singh. The delivery of ten Rafale aircraft has been completed on schedule. Five will stay back in France for training mission. The delivery of all thirty six aircraft to IAF will be completed on schedule by the end of 2021.
27/07/20 Pawan Bali/Deccan Chronicle

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Up In The Air

As rules and regulations shift, our experience as travellers will also change. Air travel may be a completely different story in the future.
Anshika Nagar writes >>

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India to remain key global supply chain partner: Boeing India

New Delhi: Despite Covid-19 induced economic turbulence, aero space major Boeing India plans to maintain its systems and components sourcing activity in India.

The company sources components close to $1 billion a year from more than 200 suppliers in India.

"India will continue to be a key contributor to our global supply chain. Our sourcing from India stands at close to $1 billion a year from more than 200 suppliers who are manufacturing critical systems and components for some of Boeing's most advanced products," Boeing India president Salil Gupte told IANS.

"Our commitment to India remains strong and is for the long term. We want to contribute to the growth of India's aerospace industry; that's why we're investing in commercial aviation and defence...."

According to Gupte, the aerospace major supports the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives by developing Indian MSMEs through skilling and upskilling initiatives.

"Our growing installed platform base with commercial and defence customers in India and our expanding supplier base makes it imperative for us to invest, develop and nurture talent," he said.

"Through our skilling initiatives, we are training hundreds of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, technicians, and frontline factory workers across India with our industry partners like Tata, Rossell Techsys, Jaivel and Lakshmi Machine Works. With these initiatives, among others, we are focused on creating a robust aerospace and defence ecosystem in India."
27/07/20 Rohit Vaid/IANS/daijiworld

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Aviation sector faces Covid-19 turbulence: What analysts expect from Q1 nos

The April-June quarter of FY21 (Q1FY21) brought mixed cues for the aviation sector. While airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet were allowed to resume operation from the last week of May, albeit with capped fares, air traffic remained thin amid fears of Covid-19 outbreak and the varied quarantine rules in different states.
Yet, decline in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, mark to market (MTM) gains on appreciating rupee, and continued cargo operation may trim losses to some extent, analysts say >>

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Infant with heart condition airlifted to Kerala for treatment, dies

Kochi: In a heart-rending incident, a nine-day-old infant suffering from serious heart ailment died on Sunday despite being flown in a chopper from Lakshadweep islands to the port city for better medical care. The infant was brought to Cochin International Airport in a helicopter arranged by the Lakshadweep administration.
The child, however, died due to cardiac arrest while it was being transported in a special ambulance to a private hospital here, a hospital spokesman said.
The infant's death was confirmed by the doctors at the hospital. The ailing new-born was airlifted from Lakshadweep under the supervision of a medical board.
26/07/20 PTI/India TV

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India Should Outspread Bilateral 'Air Bubble' Agreements Globally To Carry Eligible Passengers

The move from Vande Bharat Mission to bilateral "Air Bubbles" for the smooth resumption of international flight operations is significant in the Indian aviation industry.  The Union Civil Aviation Ministry announcement to resume international air travel through bilateral air bubbles between select countries such as the US, France, and Germany, after almost 4-months of its suspension will bring cheers from all over the world.
Why India should extend 'Air Bubble' Agreements to more countries, expalins Biji Eapen >>

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Indian Aviation Demand Likely To Be Subdued In Current Financial Year: Report

The demand scenario in the Indian aviation sector is likely to remain very subdued until at least the end of second quarter of financial year 2021, with no certainty of revival in the second half, advisory firm CAPA India (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation-India) said in its June Report, as the daily acceleration in Covid-19 cases across the country continues to weaken consumer confidence. Traffic between metros has witnessed a more significant impact as these have been most affected by coronavirus, the report highlighted.
In its report released on July 3, 2020, CAPA India said that since the resumption of domestic operations on May 25, 2020, demand has been weaker than expected. The industry has achieved a load factor of just around 55 per cent in the first quarter of the ongoing financial year, despite operating at 30 per cent of its usual capacity.

The month of June saw around 70,000 daily passengers on an average, compared to nearly 400,000 daily domestic airline passengers in the same month last year, amounting to a year-on-year decline of around 80 per cent.

There was hope that demand would pick up after the strict lockdown began to be eased in June. But the pent-up demand has proven to be elusive as different states differ in their quarantine requirements, and these are often inconsistent and confusing.

And with projections of domestic traffic declining to 55-70 million in FY2021, the airlines in India are likely to have a surplus fleet of 200-250 aircraft over the next 6-12 months.
27/07/20 NDTV.com

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Rafale fighters to take off from France tomorrow, can be operational within a week

New Delhi: At least five Rafale fighter aircraft will take off from Merignac in France Monday to arrive in India Wednesday and, if required, these aircraft can also be operationally deployed within a week amid the India-China standoff in Ladakh, ThePrint has learnt.

According to sources in the defence and security establishment, a total of 12 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have been fully trained on the fighter aircraft, which is considered a game-changer in the region with its unmatched fire power.
Several other pilots are completing their training in France — the contract stipulates that a total of 36 pilots will be trained by French authorities, including those who will undergo training in India.

While, in an official statement, the IAF had said that five aircraft will land Wednesday, as reported by ThePrint on 29 June, the figure could be six.

“The exact number of aircraft that will take off will be known only on Monday. The IAF has said that five would land on July 29 in India but this number could even be six,” a source said.

According to the contract signed in September 2016, 12 aircraft are supposed to be delivered every year.

French defence major Dassault Aviation, which is manufacturing the Rafale jets, had since October last year handed over a total of nine aircraft to the IAF. The 10th is undergoing acceptance trials by IAF pilots in France.
The source also added that the aircraft can be operationally deployed, if needed, “within a week”.
26/07/20 Snehesh Alex Philip/Print

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The Storied Career Of India's Oldest Fighter Pilot, Who Turns 100 Tomorrow

New Delhi: On August 5, 1940, a young Sikh pilot took off on his first training flight in a Tiger Moth aircraft from the Walton airfield in Lahore with his two British instructors.
17 days later, Dalip Singh Majithia, then just 20, flew his first solo flight, a flight that paved the way for a lifetime in aviation - first in the Air Force and then as a private pilot.  Tomorrow, Dalip Singh Majithia, who retired as a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force in August 1947, the year of our independence, turns 100.
Read the story of India's oldest living fighter pilot >>

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The Role of Conglomerate Tata in Indian Aviation

The history of Indian civil aviation closely linked to that of the Tata Group, the Mumbai-based global conglomerate. While it may now be famous in aviation circles of its investments in AirAsia India and Vistara, the Tata’s history in aviation stretches back to the beginning of commercial aviation in India.
Here is a glimpse of that history >>

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India domestic flights: Where all can you fly, how much are ticket fares?

Keeping in mind the increase in Covid cases, the Union Aviation Ministry has extended restrictions on domestic flights till November 24, including the cap on airfares. This comes even as the Ministry has allowed gradual resumption of international flights to the US, France and Germany under the temporary reciprocal arrangement.
At what capacity are domestic airlines operating? Till when will the restrictions be in place? How have been flights classified and what are the fares? Are domestic flights operating in all states?-
Read the answers for, these questions >>

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DGCA extends domestic flight restrictions, fare brackets to November 24

New Delhi: The Centre has extended restrictions on domestic flights till November 24 from August 24 earlier. In a notification late Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that flight capacity curbs — as per which airlines are only allowed to deploy 45 per cent of the pre-COVID capacity on domestic routes — and fare brackets have been extended for three more months with a month left to go for the earlier deadline.

“The current situation with respect to coronavirus spread in the country warrants this (decision),” a senior government official told The Indian Express. The government had put in place these curbs on May 21, ahead of restarting domestic flight operations May 25 onwards, two months after they were fully prohibited. However, the restrictions notwithstanding, the Indian domestic aviation industry has not been able to get back on its feet completely in terms of demand for air travel.

In June, the first full month since domestic flights were allowed to resumed flying, only 19.84 lakh passengers travelled within the country, as per DGCA data. In June 2019, the number was 1.21 crore. Notably, for most part of last month, airlines were allowed to operate with 30-35 per cent of the total number of flights they operated prior to the COVID-19-related lockdown.
Airlines have attributed the poor air travel demand to passengers’ fear of contracting the virus onboard an aircraft and a flurry of quarantine rules and restrictions imposed by state governments.

Upon request from the West Bengal government, the Civil Aviation Ministry had earlier asked airlines to suspend flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad due to high-prevalence of COVID-19 in these cities from July 6-19. However, this was further extended indefinitely.
25/07/20  Pranav Mukul/Indian Express

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Jobs are being wiped out at airlines worldwide, and there’s worse to come

About 400,000 airline workers have been fired, furloughed or told they may lose their jobs due to the coronavirus, according to Bloomberg calculations.
The aviation industry has suffered more than most as the pandemic destroys ticket sales and strips companies of cash. Airlines the world over have drastically cut back on flights due to border restrictions and a lack of appetite for travel, particularly internationally, because people are worried about contracting the virus and spending lengthy periods in quarantine.
British Airways, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Emirates Airline and Qantas Airways Ltd. are among the carriers announcing thousands of dismissals and unpaid leave programs. Many more are expected in the U.S. after a ban on job cuts -- a condition of a $50 billion government bailout -- is lifted at the end of September. Delta Air Lines Inc., United Airlines Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. have already warned about 35,000 employees that their jobs are at risk. The trio’s combined personnel losses could top 100,000 by year-end.
Even the pilots and cabin crew who manage to keep their jobs are, in general, facing salary cuts.
The 400,000 job-loss figure is for airlines worldwide and covers pilots and cabin crew, who have found themselves on the front lines of the virus fight when they are at work. It includes planned cuts by U.S. carriers and was compiled from company statements, Bloomberg News stories and other media reports.
24/07/20 Anurag Kotoky, Manish Modi and Matt Turner/Bloomberg/Economic Times

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Domestic Flight Fare Not to be Increased Until November 24, Orders Civil Aviation Ministry

As domestic flight operations are lagging behind its target, the civil aviation ministry has announced that the price caps on domestic flights, which were initially applicable until August 24, will now be extended to November 24. No airlines can hike fares beyond the cap determined by the ministry.
The price cap was announced when domestic flights resumed operations FromMay 25 after a gap of nearly two months. The target was to encourage people to take flights without fearing that COVID-19 will spread inside the flight or at the airports. Though the airlines were reporting losses at that time, following the two-month lockdown, the price cap was imposed not to discourage people from taking flights.
According to the price cap, domestic flights with less than 40-minute duration have lower and upper limits of Rs 2,000 and Rs 6,000, for 40-60 minutes Rs 2,500 and Rs 7,500, for 60-90 minutes Rs 3,000 and Rs 9,000, for 90-120 minutes Rs 3,500 and Rs 10,000, for 120-150 minutes Rs 4,500 and Rs 13,000, and for 150-180 minutes Rs 5,500 and Rs 15,700.
24/07/20 India.com

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Passengers Await Refund On Cancelled Flight Tickets

Srinagar: In a clear violation of Supreme Court orders and the directions of the Civil Aviation Ministry, the airline companies are not refunding the passengers for the flight tickets booked since March 25 when lockdown across India was imposed to combat coronavirus pandemic.

Tens of thousands of people have been left in lurch by airline companies like Go Air, Spice Jet, Vistara, Air India and Indigo after their flights got cancelled due to the lockdown.

The airlines have failed to refund for the cancelled flights to the passengers even after a gap of four months. Many passengers allege that the airline companies were resorting to dilly-delaying tactics and mischief to grab their money.

“How can an airline withhold passengers’ money unendingly and force them to purchase fresh tickets?” Zamrooda Dar, a flier told Kashmir Observer.

Dar along with three others had booked an Indigo flight from Bangalore to Srinagar for March 31. However, the flight was cancelled due to the lockdown. She later rescheduled the flight for May 7.

“That flight too was cancelled. We again rescheduled the flight for June 10 and that too was cancelled.”

Dar later booked an Indigo flight from Bengaluru to Delhi on May 27. However, that flight again got cancelled. Since airlines could not reschedule her flight on next date she was left with no choice but to purchase a new ticket for June 10 against a hefty sum. The flight finally took off bringing her home along with three of her co-passengers.

However all her pleas for refund of repeatedly cancelled previous flights has met with negative response.

“I was left in the lurch after Indigo airlines informed me that my money was put in the ‘credit shell’. Meaning I have to travel again on the same flight within the validity period of the credit voucher to utilise the amount,” she said.
24/07/20 Kashmir Observer

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Centre reviews arrangements for travellers arriving through flights under air bubbles

New Delhi: All international passengers arriving through flights arranged under air bubbles are subjected to two layers of health screening besides mandatory seven days institutional quarantine at their own cost followed by a seven day home quarantine, officials said on Friday.

The arrangements being made for passengers arriving through air bubbles flights were discussed at a high level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Thursday.

Secondary health screening at the final destination state, deployment of additional health personnel for triage in the arrival area and for health checkup in the departure area were some of the key issues reviewed by Bhalla along with top officials of the Ministries of Health, Civil Aviation and Bureau of Immigration, a home ministry official told PTI.

On July 16, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri had announced that India has established individual bilateral bubbles with France and the US that would allow airlines of each country in the pact to operate international flights.
Air France is operating 28 flights between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Paris from July 18 to August 1 while American carrier United Airlines is flying 18 flights between India and the US from July 17 to July 31. Similar arrangements with Germany and the UK will soon be permitted.

As per the government mandate, passengers arriving at Delhi airport by international flight with no onward connection must undergo seven days institutional quarantine at their own cost followed by seven days of home quarantine.

All passengers will have to undergo the mandatory health screening which includes a primary screening by Airport Health Officials (APHO). This includes thermal temperature screening by discreetly mounted, highly accurate, mass screening cameras.

The travellers who are planning to stay on in Delhi-NCR will also be required to undergo a secondary screening at the Delhi government post after which they will be allowed to proceed to the approved quarantine location, another official said.

The officials from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are positioned at the separate triage facilities created at 'Meeters & Greeters' area and passengers belonging to these states should report directly at the respective state post, the official said.
24/07/20 PTI/New Indian Express

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India's air passenger traffic dips 84% in June; GoAir records sharpest fall

Domestic air passenger traffic declined 83.5 per cent year-on-year to 1.98 million in June 2020. In the previous month, nearly 3 lakh passengers had travelled after the resumption of domestic flight operations on May 25.
GoAir reported the maximum decline of 93 per cent to 1 lakh passengers from 1.3 million in June 2019. IndiGo and SpiceJet each reported 82 per cent y-o-y decline to 10 lakh and 3.3 lakh passengers, respectively. According to a Centrum research report, in July so far, average daily passenger growth has grown marginally by 2.1 per cent to 67,553 versus 66,133 in June while load factor (based on seats/departure factor of June-20) has moderated to 58.5 per cent.
Among airlines, SpiceJet had highest load factor at 68 per cent in June compared to 93.7 per cent in corresponding year-ago period. IndiGo reported 60.8 per cent load factor (90.1 per cent in June 2019). Air India's load factor stood at 56.5 per cent versus 81.2 per cent in the matching period last year.
Based on passenger traffic, Centrum research tracks a set of top 90 routes every fortnight for travel seven-day ahead and two months ahead. For this data set, average fare for seven-day ahead travel dropped by 4.4 per cent month-on-month in July 2020. Average fare for metro to metro routes declined 4.9 per cent and for metro to non-metro 12 per cent with significant variation in terms of individual routes. However, fares for non-metro to metro routes grew 8.1 per cent likely indicating improved return loads for airlines.
22/07/20 Niti Kiran/Business Today

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Air Bubble flights await State Government nod

Bangalore: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has given approval for launching Air Bubble flights, under which foreign airlines can operate flights to India. However, in order to make it operational to Bengaluru, the airlines would require consent from the State government.
Last week, the MoCA announced that air bubble arrangement with countries like the US, France, Germany and UAE has been worked out to allow foreign airlines to operate flights to India. Following this, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said it is in discussion with airlines to operate flights on select routes. “BIAL is in discussion with airlines on opening up select routes to countries approved by the Government of India. Currently, these are France, Germany, US and UAE. While the DGCA has given approvals, operationalisation of these routes is subject to individual airlines getting Government of Karnataka approvals too, “ BIAL spokesperson told BM.
International airlines have been barred from operating flights in the Indian airspace since March 25 and MoCA has extended this ban on commercial international flights operations to India till July 31. India has been operating only repatriation flights to fly back Indian nationals from abroad under the Vande Bharat mission. Initially, only Air India was allowed to operate flights and later, private operators like Indigo, SpiceJet and GoAir were also roped in. But, in June, France and the US announced restrictions on Air India’s repatriation under the mission. The US Department of Transportation had issued an order, which required Indian air carriers to apply to the Department for statements of authorisation before conducting charter flights.
23/07/20 Hemanth CS/Bangalore Mirror

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Air ambulances for Covid patients?

Is it possible to provide air ambulance services for Covid-positive patients under emergency conditions? While there are no regulations in transferring Covid patients, efforts are being made to ensure that the patients get the required medical care.

The head of marketing, International Critical Care Air Transfer Team (ICATT), Fahim Husain, told Express that efforts are made to reach out to Covid patients requiring emergency care and that ICATT is awaiting for clearance from the government.

This comes after Chennai Airport witnesses the first Covid related Aero-Medical transfer in India, when a patient with severe lung damage was airlifted from Delhi by an air ambulance.  “The patient initially tested positive for the virus. Giving him some time, only after he tested negative, we airlifted him to Chennai, in a first ever attempt by any organisation in India,” he said.

Fahim said there is an urgent need to provide emergency care to the Covid-positive patients, who need to be transferred from one place to another, as there is a surging demand for hospital beds and quality care.
 “We have been getting a lot of queries. Regulations can be brought in when the service rolls out. But, there is an utmost need for an Air Evacuation Pod (AEP) for safe evacuation of patients from remote locations,” he added.
23/07/20 New Indian Express

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What IndiGo layoffs mean for India’s aviation sector

India’s largest airline IndiGo, which is also the country’s only cash-positive airline announced laying off 10 per cent of its workforce because of the economic crisis triggered by the Covid19 pandemic. IndiGo’s move is worrying for other airlines in the country given that the company has the strongest balancesheet among its peers.

Pranav Mukul explains the impact of IndiGo's cutting down of employee numbers >>>

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From Leh to Delhi: Mom’s milk for her baby from 1,000km away

New Delhi: Every day for the past three weeks, 31-year-old Jikmet Wangdu has been going to IGI Airport to collect an ice box that reaches him from Leh in Ladakh. The box making the 1,000-km journey each day contains breast milk sent by his wife for their 35-day-old son, who is undergoing treatment at Max Super Specialty Hospital in northwest Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh.
Soon after his birth on June 16, the mother, Dorjey Palmo, 30, noticed her son was unable to suckle. When the doctor in Leh consulted paediatric experts in Delhi, they discovered that the baby’s oesophagus and trachea, or the windpipe and the food channel, were connected and required immediate surgery.
The baby’s uncle flew him to Delhi on June 18, while Wangdu, a teacher in Mysuru, Karnataka, also reached the city.
The surgery to separate the two vital pipelines was performed on June 19. As the baby recuperated, the family made arrangements through acquaintances travelling from Leh to Delhi to deliver six 60ml bottles of milk to Wangdu for the infant. Recognising the need to have the milk delivered every day, the airlines stepped in a few days later to transport the baby’s food for free.
The good news is that Wangdu and his son will be heading home in a couple of days. The infant has responded well to treatment, and doctors have also begun to give him oral feeds. “My son is recovering and getting stronger and I am grateful to the hospital for taking such great care,” said Wangdu.
21/07/20 Sakshi Chand/Times of India

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Aviation To Witness Consolidation In Coming Months

The global aviation has witnessed negligible or no movement in the last three months where governments across the globe closed borders and skies for tourism. The Asia Pacific market which was looked upon as the most lucrative market for aviation in this decade has been unfortunately battered by the covid-19 pandemic. Experts feel that the aviation may not hit pre-covid numbers anytime soon.
Read why >>

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Spl discounts offered by airlines fail to woo flyers

Jaipur: Though passenger load of various airlines operating from Jaipur has touched 40% in few circuits, it is yet to reach the desire level. Special discounts offered by them have failed to attract the flyers. Jaipur airport has been handling 12-15 flights per day for the last two months as compared to its usual capacity of 60 flights.

Airport authorities and those close to the aviation sector believe that passengers are still scared and avoiding travel as long as it is possible.

“While interacting with the passengers, it is found that those who have emergency are only flying,” said a senior officer of the Jaipur airport.

Since the commencement of the domestic flights, there has been no major increase in the number of flights and their frequency.

“On May 25, when domestic operations resumed, there were 10-12 flights daily which have increased to 14-15 these days. Though special discounts and schemes are being offered, there are hardly any takers for it,” said Balbir Singh, a Jaipur-based travel agent.

Airlines are offering a variety of offers to increase passenger load. Airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air Asia etc. are offering many options for passenger fare concession. “Some of the operators are also giving Covid-19 insurance by charging Rs 300 to Rs 450 per passenger per ticket,” said an officer.
20/07/20 Times of India

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Govt sets up single-window clearance to expedite aviation sector proposals

The civil aviation ministry has set up a single-window clearance mechanism to expedite various investment proposals in the domestic aviation industry.

"MoCA (Ministry of Civil Aviation) has an Investment Clearance Cell (ICC) for prompt assistance and clearance," the ministry said in a tweet.

The setting up of the ICC was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in 2020-2021 Union Budget in February this year, as per MoCA.

According to a ministry order of July 16, the link of which has been attached with the tweet, the cell was also set up following an order from theDepartment of Promotion of Industry and Trade (DPIT) on July 1 in this regard.

The 10-member ICC will be headed by Amber Dubey, joint secretary in the aviation ministry, according to the MoCA order.

The ICC has been mandated to serve as a single-window system for attracting investment and its terms of reference include accelerating investments, bringing projects to the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) which require special incentive, policy interventions, expeditious clearances and systematic references, among others, the MoCA order said.

The ICC will also identify projects and report to EGoS and maintain active contacts with investors and work with the states, duly adopting ways of on-boarding the states to make them a part of the institutional set-up, it said.

Besides, the ICC will also identify policy and regulatory issues that come in the way of investments and engage with potential investors to bring the proposal for consideration of EGoS, the order stated.
21/07/20 ConstructionWeekOnline

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Navy's P-8Is deployed in Ladakh; MiG-29K jets may be moved to North bases

New Delhi: The Indian Navy's Poseidon 8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft have been deployed in eastern Ladakh to carry out surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and some of its MiG-29K jets are likely to be stationed in key IAF bases in the northern sector amid the border row with China, sources said on Tuesday.

The sources said the military brass is considering deploying Indian Navy's MiG-29K fighter jets in a couple of air bases in the northern sector as part of efforts to bring in tri-services synergy in dealing with national security challenges.

The maritime fighter jets will complement the Indian Air Force's efforts to significantly boost deep strikes and air dominance capabilities, they said.   

At present, the Navy has a fleet of around 40 MiG-29K jets and at least 18 of them are deployed on board the country's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The IAF has already positioned almost all its frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft in the key frontier air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the LAC, a move that came against the backdrop of the border row with China. Diplomatic and military talks between China and India are continuing for complete disengagement of troops from a number of friction points in eastern Ladakh.

The IAF has been carrying out night time combat air patrols over the eastern Ladakh region in the last few weeks as part of its preparedness to deal with any eventualities in the mountainous region.
21/07/20 Tribune

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Why air travel in India may shrink further

Analysts and rating agencies seem to affirm what many had already dreaded. The Indian aviation sector will be sucked into an air pocket that will further aggravate its problems.

Curtailed mobility of people due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions will shrink India’s air passenger traffic in both domestic and international sectors by 40-45 per cent and 60-65 per cent, respectively, this fiscal, according to Crisil. The demand destruction can be gauged from the fact that even after resumption of domestic air services, the load factor is hovering at 50-60 per cent, with the primarily unidirectional flow of traffic, limited largely to essential travel and those returning to their home cities or countries.
In the milieu, Indian carriers are expected to log operating losses this fiscal despite lower crude oil prices. And with the pandemic still raging in much of the world, a revival to pre-pandemic levels appears unlikely even in the next fiscal. This is a serious jolt to the Indian domestic air travel industry that had logged double-digit growth in seven of the past ten fiscals before its fortunes took a turn for the worse with the bankruptcy and grounding of a couple of major carriers, Crisil said. The number of domestic air passengers is expected to be 78- 83 million this fiscal, similar to fiscal 2016. In the first quarter, passenger demand was weak as air services, grounded since March 25, resumed only on May 25, and with capacity limitations in place. Domestic demand is likely to be subdued in the seasonally weak second quarter as well. But, the third and fourth quarters are expected to see increased travel owing to the festive season, although it will still be lower on-year.
Delayed resumption of international operations is likely to translate into a steep drop in passenger numbers for fiscal 2021. Crisil projects passenger numbers at 25-30 million, which was the level last seen in fiscal 2008.
20/07/20 MG Arun/Mail Today/dailyO

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Hate boarding flights? Coronavirus will make everything you dislike about flying worse

Global air traffic is projected to decline by at least half in 2020. Most airlines believe business won’t return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023, at the earliest. Even then, it will still feel like a depression for an industry that had expected to be as much as a fifth larger by that point. The financial consequences for large carriers and their employees will be wrenching — and those passengers who do start flying again will have to bear the costs. The drawn-out recovery will accentuate all the aspects of flying that travelers bemoan.
Read David Fickling's analysis in full >>

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Coronavirus: When will international air travel restart in India?

New Delhi: India is all set to resume international flight operations as the country established individual bilateral bubbles with France, Germany and the US that will allow airlines of each country in the pact to operate international flights. A similar arrangement with the UK will soon be permitted.
Air France will be operating 28 flights between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Paris from July 18 to August 1, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at a press conference. American carrier United Airlines will be flying 18 flights between India and the US from July 17 to 31, he added. "They (United) are flying a daily flight between Delhi and Newark and a thrice-a-week flight between Delhi and San Francisco," Puri noted. The minister on Thursday said India is planning to establish a bubble with the UK soon under which there would be two flights per day between Delhi and London.
"We have got a request from Germans also. I think the arrangement with Lufthansa is almost done...We are processing that request," Puri said. However, later during the day, the Civil Aviation Ministry issued a statement that said, "Air bubbles established with US, France and Germany...Lufthansa will also be operating (flights)."
The statement also said, "Talk of an air bubble in an advanced stage with the UK." From India, Air India will be operating flights to France, Germany and the US under these bubbles.
20/07/20 Shreya/One India

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Domestic air traffic dropped 83% in June to 19.84 lakh, says DGCA

As many as 19.84 lakh passengers travelled by air domestically in June 2020 – a sharp 83.5 percent decline compared to June 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on July 17.
The occupancy rate or passenger load factor for the month was between 50 percent and 60 percent for five of the six Indian airlines, it added. SpiceJet far outran the competition with 68 percent occupancy in June, followed by IndiGo (60.7 percent), GoAir (57.9 percent), Vistara (56.6 percent), AirAsia India and Air India (both 56.5 percent), DGCA data showed.
India resumed domestic passenger flights on May 25 after being shut in March-end due to the country-wide lockdown. Airlines are allowed to operate a maximum of 45 percent of their pre-COVID domestic flights. From May 25-31, a total of 2.81 lakh passengers travelled by air, the DGCA had said in June.
The DGCA data mentioned that Vistara had the best on-time performance at four metro airports – Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai - at 96.1 percent in June.
IndiGo and AirAsia India were at number two and three at these four airports with 95.5 percent and 94.7 percent on-time performance, respectively, the regulator said.
In June, IndiGo carried 11.89 lakh domestic passengers, which is 52.5 percent share of the total domestic market, the DGCA data revealed. At number two, SpiceJet carried 3.82 lakh domestic passengers in June, indicating a 16.9 percent share of the total market.
Air India, AirAsia India, Vistara and GoAir carried 2.9 lakh, 1.62 lakh, 1.3 lakh and 89,000 domestic passengers respectively in June, the DGCA noted.
18/07/20 moneycontrol.com

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India to resume international flights, confirms air corridors with US, France, Germany

New Delhi: For the first time since March, India is allowing scheduled international flights into the country.
During a press conference on Thursday, Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed the establishment of "air bubbles" between India and the US, France and Germany.
"Until international civil aviation can reclaim its pre-Covid situation in terms of numbers, the answer lies through these bilateral air bubbles, which will carry as many people as possible but under defined conditions," said Puri.
"Because many countries are still imposing entry restrictions, as are we, it's not that anyone can travel from anywhere to anywhere. You need permission."
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23, with the exception of repatriation flights.
As of July 15, nearly 690,000 Indian nationals have been flown home on these flights, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Puri told media the ministry has already signed an agreement with France. Air France will operate 28 flights on the Delhi-Mumbai-Bangalore sector to Paris between July 18 and August 1.
The minister indicated that Air India will also be operating daily flights between India and France for the rest of the month but added that these plans are subject to change as details are finalized.
17/07/20 Swati Gupta/CNN

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Restrictions on flights to Kolkata from six cities including Delhi and Mumbai extended till July 31

The Kolkata Airport on Friday announced that restrictions on flights arriving in Kolkata from six cities--Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad has been extended till July 31, amid the prevailing coronavirus COVID-19 crisis.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, "The restriction on arriving flights to Kolkata Airport from 6 cities viz Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur & Ahmedabad has been extended upto 31st July."
Earlier on July 4, the state government restricted the flight movements to Kolkata airport from the six metro cities till July 19. The West Bengal government has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to suspend flight operations to Kolkata from high-risk cities.
The airlines that will be impacted include Indigo, Spicejet, Vistara, and Air India. Airlines are operating on domestic routes with upto 30 per cent network capacity, as per the DGCA orders.
17/07/20 ZeeNews

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Aviation Turbine Fuel price hiked by 1.5 per cent

New Delhi: Jet fuel or ATF price on Thursday was hiked by 1.5 per cent, the fourth increase in six weeks, while petrol and diesel rates were unchanged. Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price was hiked by Rs 635.47 per kilolitre (kl), or 1.5 per cent, to Rs 42,628.28 per kl in the national capital, according to a price notification by state-owned oil marketing companies.

This is the fourth straight increase in ATF prices in six months.

Rates were hiked by a record 56.6 per cent (Rs 12,126.75 per kl) on June 1, followed by Rs 5,494.5 per kl (16.3 per cent) increase on June 16. Price was hiked by Rs 2,922.94 per kl or 7.48 per cent on July 1.

ATF prices are revised on 1st and 16th of every month based on average of benchmark international price and foreign exchange rate in the preceding fortnight.
16/07/20 PTI/ET Energyworld.com

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What are Air Bubbles flights and how are they different from those operated under Vande Bharat?

With India establishing 'air bubbles' with countries such as the US and France, there is relief among passengers who have been unable to fly into or out of the country. As of now, United, Air France, airlines from the Middle East have confirmed services.
But there is also confusion among fliers. Can everyone travel in and out of India on these air bubble flights? Can they do transit travel? How about quarantine, does one need to? Are the guidelines same as those for the Vande Bharat Mission flights?
Some of the finer details are still not clear.
Prince Mathews Thomas sheds some light on these questions >>

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Lack of social distancing by other passengers top concern among flyers: IndiGo survey

New Delhi: Lack of social distancing by other passengers is a top concern among flyers, stated a survey by IndiGo on Thursday that was conducted online between June 20 and June 28 among 25,000 travellers.
The survey found that air transport is considered the safest form of travel by a wide margin for inter-city travel -- 68 percent of respondents felt air travel is safe. While driving was considered safe by 24 percent of the travellers, rail travel was considered safe by just 8 percent.
"Factors such as lack of social distancing by other passengers (62 pc of respondents), quarantine measures by states (55 pc) and sitting in the aircraft with so many people (55 pc) have been identified as key deterrents for air travel," said the survey.
Nearly 54 percent respondents said they want to travel in the next 3 months, the survey noted.
India resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the airlines have been allowed to operate only a maximum of 45 percent of their pre-Covid domestic flights. Occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights have been around 50-60 percent since May 25.
IndiGo survey noted, "About 38 pc of customers are considering international travel, while 62 pc will focus solely on domestic travel in near future. 27 pc customers are considering a mix of domestic and international travel and 11 pc focussing solely on international travel."
16/07/20 PTI/Deccan Herald

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International Flights to Begin Soon But Only Through Air Bubbles, Says Hardeep Singh Puri

Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said air bubbles with some foreign countries are completed, while some others are at an advanced stage. “Unless the international civil aviation space reclaims its pre-covid space, air bubbles are the only answer to international flights,” the minister said in a press conference on Thursday.
“We will carry as many people as we can through these air bubbled. But it will not be free. There will be some checks and balances and the foreign countries are also imposing restrictions. So even if you have visa and all, special permission will be required,” the minister said.
International flight services will be resumed with limited scope, the minister said.
16/07/20 India.com

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Airlines reopen bookings on 6 routes as ban on incoming flights nears end

Kolkata: Airlines have reopened bookings on six of the busiest routes in anticipation of the ban on flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad to the city being lifted on July 20.
The fortnight-long ban on travel from Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat — states with higher incidence of Covid infections than Bengal — had been announced by the civil aviation ministry, following a request from the state government and came into effect on July 6.
“We are ready to resume flights on all the sectors that had been off the radar for the past two weeks. Although flights from Kolkata to these cities were not banned, it was not feasible to operate one-way flights,” an official of a private airline told TOI on Wednesday.
The embargo on flights had seen daily departures dip from 65-70 to 40-41. Passenger figures had gone down from 16,000-17,000 a day to just over 9,000. Once the flights resume on Monday, airport officials expect a spike in travel to meet the pent-up demand. Though a few people who were desperate to reach Kolkata took flights to the city via other airports like Patna or Guwahati, many did not travel fearing quarantine at the transit point or on arrival in Kolkata.
While other airports like Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad have also restricted the number of arrivals to check the number of travellers in the belief that it will slow down the rate of Covid infection in the states, the travel trade fraternity pointed to the spike in Covid cases since the ban. While new Covid cases in Bengal increased by 12,301 since July 6, the 10 days preceding that had recorded 6,478 cases. In Kolkata, 3,867 new cases have been recorded since the ban on flights against 1,975 cases in the 10 days preceding that.
16/07/20 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

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'Home quarantine option has helped aviation sector'

Guwahati: The provision to send air passengers directly to home quarantine in Assam, if found negative in rapid antigen test after air travel, has yielded encouraging response for the aviation sector in northeast.

Assam is one of the first states in the country to allow people to go home directly from the testing site.

"Airlines were finding it difficult to increase the number of flights, as there are restrictions from the state government on such an increase. Under the prevailing situation, we have been able to operate about 30 flights from the Guwahati airport every day. But, after the Assam government introduced relaxations on quarantine rules for air passengers recently, a 2-5% increase in the number of air passengers in Assam has been recorded. This is significant considering the situation the aviation industry has faced since lockdown," Sanjeev Jindal, regional executive director, Airports Authority of India (AAI)-Northeast, told TOI on Wednesday.

He said the "fear" of institutional quarantine under government supervision and "comfort issue" had been a major reason that discouraged people to return to Assam by air over the past few weeks, except for those for whom the journey was essential.

"Since the home quarantine option has now been made available, we are hopeful that the number of air passengers will increase further," said Jindal, who himself quarantined himself at home after arriving at the Guwahati airport from New Delhi on Sunday.


State health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday held a video conference with the deputy commissioners of the districts, where the districts having the airports have been asked to start the process of rapid antigen test for air travelers and facilitate home quarantine for those who test negative. In Assam, there are six airports - in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Jorhat, Tezpur and Lilabari in Lakhimpur, but the LGBI Airport in the city sees the maximum traffic.
16/07/20 Kanghan Kalita/Times of India

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Travel bubbles likely to help stranded desis

The Union government is likely to announce the creation of travel bubbles with some countries, like Germany and France, and possibly the US and UK, too. This would allow the airlines of India and the other country to fly eligible travellers to and from India.
Some foreigners, including diplomats, OCI card-holders and Indians stranded abroad, are expected to be allowed to fly to India on the airlines of countries with which travel bubbles are created. Aviation minister H S Puri has called a press briefing on Thursday afternoon. Whether these announcements are made then remains to be seen.

For instance, the India-US bubble will allow Air India and United and Delta to fly passengers from the US to India and out of here as per home ministry norms for eligible travellers.
16/07/20 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Indian aviation: Hit hard by corona pandemic, but this crisis should not go waste

Like everywhere else in the world, Covid-19 crashed the Indian aviation party: air travel was suspended or severely curtailed, airports closed, aircraft parked, and passengers deferred travel. As India has headed into its un-lockdowns, air travel is reviving itself again.
Akhilesh Tilotia & Sunil Bhaskaran explore a few aspects of what the future ahead might look >>

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India’s domestic air passenger traffic to shrink by 40-45% in FY21

Even though there lower crude oil prices currently, yet this could safe Indian aviation industry from witnessing heat of Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in a nationwide lockdown. In its research note titled "Stormy flight", CRISIL an S&P Global company, said, Covid-19 to crimp airline margins despite lower crude prices this fiscal.

On Wednesday, CRISIL's note said, "Curtailed mobility of people due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions will shrink India’s air passenger traffic in both domestic and international sectors by 40-45% and 60-65%, respectively, this fiscal."

On the domestic front, the air passenger traffic is expected to be 78-83 million this fiscal, similar to fiscal 2016. While CRISIL projects international passenger numbers at 25-30 million, which was the level last seen in fiscal 2008.

CRISIL's note adds, "The demand destruction can be gauged from the fact that even after resumption of domestic air services, the load factor is hovering at 50-60%, with the primarily unidirectional flow of traffic, limited largely to essential travel and those returning to their home cities/ countries."

In the milieu, CRISIL's note says, "Indian carriers are expected to log operating losses this fiscal despite lower crude oil prices. And with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging in much of the world, a revival to pre-pandemic levels appears unlikely even next fiscal."

According to the rating agency, one would have assumed that the expected plunge in crude oil prices to $38-42 per barrel in fiscal 2021
compared with $64-66 per barrel in fiscal 2020 would have helped airline companies to an extent on the margin front as it forms a sizeable 30-45% of an airline’s cost base. However, because of the outsized impact of the demand destruction, airlines are curtailing capacity deployment, thereby restricting opportunities for airline companies to accrue the benefit of low crude oil prices.
16/07/20 India Infoline

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India and Maldives are likely to be connected with special air bubble

It is very likely that India will be establishing an air travel bridge or air bubble with the Maldives. Maldives, which reopened recently for tourism, was shut for four-month long months due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Reportedly, an agreement will be reached in the next few days, as the Maldives Government has put forward a formal request to New Delhi in this regard.

On June 23, Maldives President Ibrahim Solih announced that the atoll nation would reopen resorts and hotels as it gears up to welcome tourists. He added there will be no mandatory quarantine and visas will also be free, on arrival, except for those who have symptoms on arrival.

As per the officials in the know-how, establishing this air corridor between India and the Maldives will facilitate travel of people between the two countries.
The Maldives’ economy is primarily driven by tourism, and this makes up 70 per cent of its GDP. As per officials, the air bubble will also be a ‘special gesture’ toward a country that has traditionally warm ties with India.
16/07/20 TimesTravel

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Domestic air passenger traffic expected to shrink by 40-45% in FY21: Crisil

Curtailed mobility of people due to the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to shrink India's domestic air passenger traffic by 40-45 per cent in FY21, rating agency Crisil said on Wednesday.

Similarly, India's air passenger traffic in the international sector is expected to plunge by 60-65 per cent, Crisil Research said in a report.

"The demand destruction can be gauged from the fact that even after resumption of domestic air services, the load factor is hovering at 50-60 per cent, with primarily unidirectional flow of traffic, limited largely to essential travel and those returning to their home cities or countries," the report said.

"In the milieu, Indian carriers are expected to log operating losses this fiscal despite lower crude oil prices. And with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging in much of the world, a revival to pre-pandemic levels appears unlikely even next fiscal."

The report cited this as a serious jolt to the Indian domestic air travel industry that had logged double-digit growth in seven of the past ten fiscals before its fortunes took a turn for the worse with the bankruptcy and grounding of a couple of major carriers.
Consequently, the report said the number of domestic air passengers is expected to be 78-83 million this fiscal, similar to fiscal 2016.

"In the first quarter, passenger demand was weak as air services, grounded since March 25, resumed only on May 25, and with capacity limitations in place," it said.

"Domestic demand is likely to be subdued in the seasonally weak second quarter as well. But, the third and fourth quarters are expected to see increased travel owing to the festive season, although it will still be lower on-year."
15/07/20 IANS/Business Standard

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Air Passengers Association of India president D Sudhakara Reddy dies in Chennai

Chennai: Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) national president D Sudhakara Reddy, who fought for the rights of passengers, died in Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Monday following a cardiac arrest. He was 72.
He is survived by his daughter Deeptha Reddy.
Reddy founded APAI in 1990 and was at the forefront of several measures that helped make aviation in the country passenger-friendly.
After helping frame standard operating procedures (SOP) for restarting aviation post lockdown, Reddy, through APAI, had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court for full refund of tickets for domestic and international flights cancelled during lockdown period.
In a message, APAI said, "Greatly knowledgeable, passionate in his endeavours, strong in perseverance yet mild in demeanour, Reddy had dedicated himself to the cause of APAI. To lose him at this critical juncture is more saddening. We mourn his death and celebrate the cause he lived for."
Behram Mehta, chairman, APAI Gujarat, said, "He was an industrialist, hotelier, owned a flight kitchen and was from the establishment side but still he stood for the passenger rights."
He said Reddy was instrumental in bringing about the free sky policy of the 90s and successfully campaign against the 5-20 rule that required an Indian airline to have 20 aircraft and five years service to fly abroad.
13/07/20 V Ayyappan/Times of India

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Stranded Indian expats rush to get back on first flights to UAE

Expats stranded in India for months are rushing to book flight tickets back to their 'second home'. This came as the UAE and Indian civil aviation authorities signed an agreement to allow special repatriation flights to take Indians home and for residents currently in India to return to the UAE.

Starting July 12, passengers will be flying on flights operated by the UAE carriers and the Indian government's Vande Bharat Mission for 15 days. Eligible passengers travelling on India-UAE flights will need to carry a Covid-19 negative test result, conducted not more than 96 hours before departure.

Shariq Khan, who went for a family wedding, had not imagined that his return would be so difficult. "I came to India in February. I have finally booked my tickets and am returning on July 20. I feel the anxious wait is finally over. My mother and I are returning to my father who has been alone all this while. That has been quite a matter of concern for us, apart from the fact that my business has also been suffering," said Khan, a Dubai resident and founder of Gravity Events Management.

"I am paying Dh1,465 for each ticket on Air India Express from Delhi. I did thorough research before booking my tickets as a lot of flights were getting cancelled. It took me a while to make my bookings as it kept saying seats are sold out until I finally managed to do it. I am happy I'll be flying back to the UAE - the country where I was raised and call home."

Anupam Nair, the lead singer of a Dubai-based band, had travelled to Delhi in mid-March for his shows. While his gigs kept getting cancelled one after the other due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his desperate attempts to return also kept failing.

"I had booked tickets on two chartered flights earlier and both got cancelled. There was no communication and no clarity. Luckily, I got my money back. Then we heard about this India-UAE travel pact. I paid Dh3,028 for a business class ticket on a flydubai flight. I am finally due to travel tomorrow and I still can't believe it," said Nair, lead singer of Rooh.

"I have never been so eager to pay for anything ever before. I paid quite a bit of money for my return travel, but it's still far less than what many of the chartered flights were charging. I want this stress to be finally over and can't wait to get to Dubai."

Saniya Wahi, another eager resident, is also waiting to set foot in the UAE. "I came to India for my brother's wedding that also got cancelled. These past few months have only been about searching for ways to travel back and work-related Zoom meetings. Dubai has opened up and I can't wait to get back. Upon arrival, I have lined up work meetings from July 16," said Wahi, a wedding planner.
13/07/20 Khaleej Times/MENAFN

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Indian aviation, linked sectors could see over 30 lakh job losses this year: IATA

New Delhi: Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region will be the hardest hit by COVID-19 pandemic, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). APAC airlines are likely to lose $29 billion in 2020, accounting for more than a third of the $84.3 billion industry losses globally.
IATA has estimated India could see over 30 lakh job losses in aviation and sectors dependent on aviation as its airlines could see a 49% fall in passengers flown this year over last and a revenue fall of $ 11,610 million in the same period.
“The Asia-Pacific region was the first region to feel the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis. The region’s airlines will see passenger demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometres, RPK) collapse 53.8% this year, while capacity (in available seat kilometres, ASK) will be reduced by 39.2%,” the global body said.
13/07/20 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Passenger demand for air travel to contract by 49 per cent for Indian airlines in 2020: IATA

The passenger demand for air travel will contract by 49 per cent this year for Indian carriers in comparison to last year due to the COVID-19 crisis, said global airlines body IATA on Monday. In a statement, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the Indian carriers’ revenues will decrease by USD 11.61 billion this year in comparison to last year due to the pandemic.

It said the airlines of the Asia-Pacific region will see passenger demand collapse by 53.8 per cent this year in comparison to last year. The passenger demand or RPK (revenue passenger kilometers) for a flight is calculated by multiplying the number of passengers sitting in the flight to the distance travelled by that flight.
“This is the worst year in aviation history and airlines are in survival mode. The carriers in Asia-Pacific will experience the largest losses at USD 29 billion. That’s a loss of USD 30.09 per passenger,” Conrad Clifford, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, said.

“It will take a few years for the industry to get back to 2019 levels of activity,” said Clifford.

India resumed its scheduled domestic passenger flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in the country.
13/07/20 PTI/Financial Express

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Want to take a flight? Be corona-free for 3 weeks

New Delhi: Air-passengers will have to submit a self-declaration form that they have not tested positive for Covid-19 during the three weeks prior to the departure date to be allowed to take their flight. Earlier, passengers had to submit a self declaration form that they did not tested positive during last two months.

Sources said that the Union Civil Aviation ministry has asked the airlines to follow the updated guidelines. Earlier, on May 21, the Centre had made it mandatory for all passengers to submit the self-declaration form before a flight stating that they did not test positive for Covid-19 during two months prior to the departure date.

Officials said that the update has been made keeping in view the fact that as there are a large number of people in India now who have recovered from the deadly virus and the updated form will only help them.
“Persons who have recovered from Covid-19 and who fulfil the three-week criteria will be allowed to travel by flights if they show a Covid-recovery or Covid-discharge certificate from their hospital,” they mentioned.
13/07/20 New Indian Express

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Meet the real pilots of Indian politics

Whether it’s a political fight or a routine flight, turbulence can take you by surprise. In both cases, you need a cool, calculative mind to weigh the options and ride out the rough weather. No wonder some Indian politicians also started as top-notch aviators. Some flew bombers and fighter jets, but a vast number are hobby pilots. Like, Congress MP from Rajasthan Sachin Pilot, who holds a private pilots’ licence (PPL) from a flying club in the US. Former Railways Minister and TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi is also a passionate aviator. And last we heard, former BJD MP from Odisha Kalikesh Singh Deo was also earning his wings. The list is longer, but for now, here is a look at five prominent Indian politicians who clocked some serious airtime:

Bhubaneswar’s international airport is appropriately named after Odisha’s two-time chief, and a man with some serious flying cred. Bijoyananda Patnaik, an alumnus of the Delhi Flying Club, joined the Royal Air Force in the 1930s. During the World War, Patnaik flew missions for the British campaign against the Japanese in Burma. He even made an appearance in the European theatre, flying sorties during the German siege of Stalingrad. When he returned home, even while he was flying for the RAF, Patnaik remained a nationalist at heart. He supported India’s independence movement by covertly flying leaders of the struggle across the country. Eventually, the British caught on and jailed him from 1942-46. But his story was not to end there. In 1948, Prime Minister Nehru deployed the ace pilot on another rescue mission. He flew Indonesia’s besieged Prime Minister and President out of Dutch hands to India. Both Russia and Indonesia honoured Patnaik for his services. Patnaik eventually went on to set up Kalinga Airlines. You wouldn’t believe who the Chief Pilot was!

Here’s a man who loved flying so much, it went on to become an indelible part of his identity. Rajeshwar Prasad Singh Bidhuri was drafted into the Indian Air Force as a pilot in 1966. In the 1971 war against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Bidhuri flew several missions as a bomber pilot in a modified de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou. In 1977, he went on to become a squadron leader before being talked into active politics a couple of years later. What about the name? It came at the advice of an election officer when he was filing his nomination papers. It would work with the voters, he was told. Not a bad punt—as a Congress leader, Rajesh Pilot went on to hold several ministries at the Centre. But you couldn’t keep a man like that out of the cockpit for too long. Despite health concerns, in 1988, he went on to fly the supersonic F-16, and later, the MiG.

India’s most prominent politician-pilot was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A 22-year-old Gandhi earned his wings at the Delhi Flying Club. In 1970, he joined state-owned Indian Airlines as a commercial pilot, where he flew for over 15 years. Gandhi typically flew on the Delhi-Jaipur sector, and drew a monthly salary of Rs5,000. In 1980, when brother Sanjay—also a pilot—died in a plane crash, Rajiv was advised by a seer to give up flying and take up active politics. Gandhi gave up his job as a pilot, but continued flying every now and then to keep his flying permit alive.

On 25 May, when domestic flights resumed after a two-month lockdown, the first IndiGo flight from Delhi to Patna had a VIP in the cockpit: BJP MP and first officer Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Though his political work doesn’t let him fly full time, Rudy has been flying regularly for the past 10 years, usually with IndiGo on an honorary basis, as a way to keep his credentials active. Earlier in May, he also flew medical cargo to Dhaka. His experience in the cockpit must have helped when he served as the Minister for Civil Aviation in the early aughts.

This BJP leader from Odisha has a serious passion for the skies. Skydiving stints apart, he is qualified to fly aircraft and helicopters–and has clocked over 1,800 hours in a chopper. Panda also reportedly owns his own bird, which he flies for work and pleasure and sometimes, to surprise his followers, as one man from Rourkela found out. In 2017, when a Twitter user said he’d love a chopper ride but couldn’t afford one, Panda took him for a spin in his “personal chopper”. A politician generous with seats? Commendable.
14/07/20 Conde Nast Traveller

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