Indian-origin mom told to prove lactation at Frankfurt airport

Berlin: A 33-year-old Indian-origin Singaporean woman has said that she was "humiliated" by German police when was told to squeeze her breast at Frankfurt airport to prove she was lactating, a media report said on Tuesday.
Gayathiri Bose, a manager at a transport company who has a three-year-old child and a seven-month-old baby, said she has filed a complaint with German police alleging she was told to squeeze her breast at airport security to prove she was lactating.
She told the BBC she was "humiliated" and "very traumatised" by the experience and would explore formal legal action.
She said police at Frankfurt Airport were suspicious because she was carrying a breast pump but travelling without her baby.
German police declined to comment on the specific allegations, the report said.
But they said such measures were "clearly" not part of routine procedure.
Bose, who was travelling alone, said she was on her way to board a flight to Paris last Thursday when she was stopped at the security screening station.
She said that after her carry-on bag, which contained her breast pump, went through the X-ray machine, she was taken aside for questioning.
"[They had] an incredulous tone. 'You are breastfeeding? Then where is your baby? Your baby is in Singapore?'," she said about the 45-minutue episode.
They kept her passport and she was then led to a room by a female police officer for further questioning, she said.
Inside the room, "She asked me to open up my blouse and show her my breast... She wanted me to show her by hand- expressing a little."
Bose said she complied and squeezed her breast.
31/01/17 PTI/Times of India

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Stranded passengers lock Dir Airport, Station Manager at Leh airport

Leh:  Over 200 passengers stranded at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KGB) Airport in Leh shall be airlifted by additional flights to Delhi and Chandigarh from Wednesday.
This was assured by airport authorities after the irate stranded passengers locked the Director Airport Authority Leh, Sonam Norbu and Station Manager (SM) Air India (AI), Mahavir Kumar and Airport Manager AI, G.S Rana for about five hours at KGB Airport. Mahavir Kumar fainted and was shifted to hospital.
The agitated passengers expressed resentment against the airport authorities over the failure to manage alternative flights or hotel accommodation after the flights were cancelled due to inclement weather conditions for the last some days.
Agitated passengers even refused to accept boarding cards being issued by the concerned airlines. Later, Deputy Commissioner Leh Prassana ordering the expunction.
On the second occasion, Speaker said he would check the records and see if there was anything objectionable. On the third occasion, he claimed that he had not expunged anything from CM’s speech. He, however, added that Chief Minister herself needed to make her purported statement clear. Till midnight on Tuesday, she didn’t.
31/01/17 State Times

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International flights from Bihta, airlines to take call

Patna:  Patna district administration is likely to commence the land acquisition process for development of civil enclave at Bihta airbase from the first week of February. Patna DM Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said the cabinet coordination department would release funds to the tune of Rs 120crore sanctioned earlier by the state cabinet within a couple of days, following which land acquisition process would commence.
Sources in Airports Authority of India (AAI) claimed that survey of the land to be acquired has been completed and the design for the proposed enclave has also been finalised. The enclave is proposed to be a two-storeyed structure equipped with aerobridges and other modern amenities.
"We have been told by cabinet coordination department that a requisition letter along with corresponding amount would be sent to us in a day or two. The land acquisition process would commence soon after the receipt of the requisition letter. We intend to complete the acquisition of land by July-August," Agarwal told TOI.
31/01/17 Times of India

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Etihad adds third daily frequency to B’luru from March 26

Mumbai: The UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways today announced introduction of the third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Bengaluru from March 26.
“The triple daily schedule will provide greater choice to local passengers travelling between the two cities, and improved connectivity to destinations across the Gulf, North America and Europe from our Abu Dhabi hub,” the airline which owns 26 per cent in Jet Airways said in a statement.
Currently, the airline operates a late night departure from Abu Dhabi, and an early morning service from Bengaluru with a two-class Airbus 321, offering connectivity to and from Doha, Jeddah, London, Dublin, New York and Dallas.
Commenting on the new service, Etihad chief executive Peter Baumgartner said, the service expansion is in line with the airline’s strategy to offer greater travel options when aircraft availability and market conditions permit.
31/01/17 PTI/India.com

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A Tweet that changed the fate of Guwahati Airport!

Guwahati: The Airports Authority of India has put in place several decongestion measures to handle the 24 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger traffic at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport in Borjhar here.

“A slew of measures have been taken over the past few months to take care of the rise in passenger traffic. To name a few, we have introduced two additional baggage X-ray machines and put them in strategic locations. Queue managers have been stationed to assist passengers. We also have what we call flexible check-in counters (30 of them) to facilitate passengers of any airline so that the load is taken off from counters where there are more people,” LGBI airport director B.K. Tailong said.

At present, there are four baggage X-ray machines at the airport with authorities saying that the load of passenger rush on one of them, which serves two top airlines, has been divided. Tailong said this when asked about a tweet by Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju on passengers’ inconvenience at the airport during peak hours.

Rijiju had shared his observations at the airport and tweeted: “Passengers face inconveniences at Guwahati Airport during rush hour. I reviewed the whole issue with Guwahati Airport authority and security officials. Will take some steps to ease passengers’ concerns.” The minister, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, earned appreciation for his reaction by several people on Twitter.
30/01/17 The Telegraph/North East Today

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More frisking booth for women at airport

Chennai: After years of putting up with fewer frisking booths at the Chennai airport, women are finally going to get some relief. The domestic terminal will soon have two additional frisking booths for women. At present, there are only six booths for women in contrast to 14 for men, officials said.

This move comes after women passengers repeatedly raising the issue and even tkaing to social media such as Twitter.

Sriram V ‏@MadrasMobile tweeted recently: “Dear Airports Authority of India — what’ the logic behind 8 security queues for men and just one for women at #ChennaiAirport?”

Asha, another passenger, through the handle ‏@ashainks, posted: “Chennai airport security line — ONE for women, six for men!! Sexist much?!”


On different days, depending on air traffic, a certain number of booths are kept open for men and women. This would explain variances in the number of booths mentioned in the tweets.
31/01/17 Sunitha Sekar/The Hindu

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SpiceJet ready to shift part of its operations to Delhi's Terminal 2

SpiceJet is willing to shift part of its operations from Delhi's domestic terminal T1D to T2 so that the airport operator can undertake modernisation work.

The airport operator GMR-led Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has asked IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir to shift operations from Terminal-1 (T1D) they currently operate so that the expansion work of the terminal can begin.

"We are willing to shift our operations to Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru, provided we get more time to undertake the process," said SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh.


Singh felt the time given to undertake the process was too less. "One has to realign all the flights that has is connected to these three cities, we need some time for that operation," he said. DIAL Chief Executive Officer Prabhakara Rao wrote to the heads of the three airlines that as there was no consensus between them over who would shift, all three would have to partly shift operations from February 15.

"After careful consideration, it has been decided that flights operating to BOM (Mumbai), BLR (Bengaluru) and CCU (Kolkata) of all three airlines will be shifted to Terminal-2 from February 15 and accordingly, all resources will be allocated to T2," Rao wrote.

The letter has been addressed to IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh and GoAir CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer. While earlier, DIAL had asked SpiceJet and GoAir to shift operations, both the airlines refused to accept the demand terming that as a preferential treatment to IndiGo- the largest carrier by fleet size and market share.
31/01/17 Arindam Majumder/Business Standard

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AAI to construct 170 parking bays as airlines look to import more aircraft

The Airports Authority of India is to build 170 aircraft parking bays and six hangars at the airports that it runs in the country.

The exact number of parking bays and the airports they will come up in will be decided soon, a senior AAI official told BusinessLine. It is likely that the construction of the aircraft parking bays will not include the airports at the four metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Technically speaking, these airports are no longer with AAI but are run as joint ventures with the private sector.

The construction of the parking bays will allow airlines to park their aircraft late at night at these airports and possibly start early morning flights from these airports thus helping airlines to utilise their aircraft better.

The move to construct more parking stands is being taken up to accommodate close to 400 aircraft that airlines in India plan to import over the next few years. Joining the list of airlines which will require space for parking their aircraft is SpiceJet, which earlier this month signed an agreement with Boeing to import 200 aircraft.
30/01/17 Ashwini Phadnis/The Hindu Business Line

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Foreign tourists’ plans thrown into tailspin

Runway repairs at airports such as Khajuraho and Varanasi, which will take over two months to complete, confusion over flight schedules and lack of clarity from the government have thrown travel plans of several foreign tourists into a tailspin. Itineraries of over 100 groups of foreign tourists, which were drawn up over a year ago, are said to be threatened by the repairs and the ensuing confusion. According to travel operators, the groups will have to make major changes to their itinerary.

“At the moment no seats are available from and to Khajuraho from the first week of March till the end of May. Checking with Air India and Jet Airways, who operate on this sector, has fetched us no results,” said. Abraham George of Incredible Vacations India. George, who has group bookings from the United States scheduled in March and April, has contacted various travel trade bodies, and has been given to understand that the Varanasi airport will be closed from March 10 onwards for extension of the runway for a few hours every day. But, the Charni Road-based travel agent said that airport authorities in Varanasi have apparently not received any official mail of closure from the civil aviation ministry, or the Airport Authority of India. Surprisingly, airlines don’t seem to be aware of this development. “Currently, schedules have not been changed. People continue to purchase tickets from and to Varanasi at present. They will be shifted to inconvenient time schedules,” George said.

According to travel agents, the chaos might cause them to cancel tickets, and booking fresh tickets at the last minute will cost them massive amounts of money. “If the airport closures are indeed happening, people should be informed, and be given a clear picture,” said Pronab Sarkar, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.
31/01/17 Aditya Anand/Mumbai Mirror

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Gold smuggling racket busted at Mangalore International Airport

Sleuths of directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) on Monday busted an operation to smuggle huge quantities of gold jewellery of foreign origins into India through Mangalore International Airport (MIA) by concealing them inside aircraft. Acting on specific intelligence, officers of DRI rushed to MIA on Monday morning and thoroughly rummaged the aircraft under suspicion, which arrived at Kenjar as Jet Airways flight 9W531 from Dubai to Mangalore.
After an intensive search operation, officers discovered two black colored pouches cleverly concealed underneath the commode in one of the aircraft's rear toilets. Huge quantities of assorted gold ornaments comprising necklaces, bracelets, ear drops, chains with pendants were recovered from these pouches, gross weight of which was found 1233 grams. Current market price of the jewellery has been assessed at about Rs 29 lakh, Vinayak Bhat, deputy director, DRI said.
30/01/17 Jaideep Shenoy/The Times Of India

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Indian detained at U.S. airport

New Delhi/Ahmedabad: Amid enhanced security measures and immigration restrictions placed by the Trump administration, a Baroda-based businessman has been taken into custody at an airport in the State of North Dakota.

Law enforcement officials said he was booked for “terrorising”, and held at the Grand Forks County Correctional Centre.

Paraman Radhakrishnan was on a week-long business trip to the U.S., and preparing to return home when he checked in for a flight from Grand Forks to Minneapolis, Minnesota, early on Saturday.

Mr. Radhakrishnan then allegedly entered into an altercation with airlines staff, and was accused of threatening that there was a “bomb in his bag”, local newspapers reported. “Police say the leading theory behind what may have caused the suspect to make these threats is that he became disgruntled with airport staff, but they say regardless of the reason, any threat of this nature at an airport is taken seriously,” Grand Forks police spokesperson Jay Middleton said.
30/01/17 Suhansini Haidar/Mahesh Langa/The Hindu

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Businessman arrested at a US airport, Sushma Swaraj seeks report

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report from the Indian Ambassador in the US on the arrest of a Baroda-based businessman at an airport in the American state of North Dakota.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report from the Indian Ambassador in the US on the arrest of a Baroda-based businessman at an airport in the American state of North Dakota.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report from the Indian Ambassador in the US on the arrest of a Baroda-based businessman at an airport in the American state of North Dakota.

53-year-old Radhakrishnan was taken into custody at the Grand Forks International Airport by police for allegedly making a bomb threat at an airport as he told a travel agent that there was an explosive in his bag. He faces terrorism charges.
30/01/17 DNA

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Kavali airport project hits a road block

Nellore: In the final stages of commencement of work on the airport being developed at Dagadarthi near Kavali in Nellore district, the project has hit a roadblock.

This is because of the government’s preference to go in for a centrally located and commercially viable project, rather than one fraught with viability risks.

The priority has now changed to developing an airport nearer the special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial hubs located in the Krishnapatnam and Gudur areas. These places are also easily accessible to industries in Nayudupeta and Tada.

Accordingly, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has already instructed the departments concerned and also the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) to take a fresh look at the airport project.
30/01/17 G Ravikiran/The Hindu

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Corporation to check dumping of waste in airport vicinity

Thiruvananthapuram: In a fresh attempt to control garbage menace in the vicinity of Trivandrum International Airport, the city corporation has submitted a proposal to undertake a project to check waste disposal in the area.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) plans to take up the project worth Rs 53 lakh as part of its CSR initiative. The project consists of setting up units of aerobic bins at Sulaiman Street and Vallakadavu near airport.
According to Chackai ward councillor K Sreekumar, a permanent solution like aerobic bin is needed to maintain the area clean.
"Most of the dump yards are found near the boundary walls of the airport. A large quantity of waste, accumulated in the last 15 to 20 years, was cleared from the area last year during a cleaning drive as part of Haritha Keralam mission. After the cleaning drive, it was decided to install aerobic bins to control dumping of waste and a proposal was submitted to AAI. An aerobic bin will cost Rs 7 to 8 lakh. The aerobic bins will be maintained by corporation," said Sreekumar, who is also the health standing committee chairman.
The corporation will install eight aerobic bin units at different locations around airport. A unit will consist of 15 aerobic bins. Trained workers from corporation's health wing will be posted to monitor and maintain the aerobic bins at Chackai.
In addition to aerobic bin units, the proposal also includes laying of interlock tiles at footpath near fire and rescue station, Chackai. The area is among the dumb yards identified by corporation at Chackai.
30/01/17 Times of India

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Fog disrupts air, rail services across north India, over 40 flights delayed in Delhi

Dense fog has affected flight operations to and from Delhi airport on Monday morning. As many as 28 departures and 12 arrivals were delayed in last one hour.
The airport authorities activated CAT 3 early morning.
In northern India, flight services were disrupted in Lucknow, Varanasi, Amritsar and Chandigarh airports due to poor visibility caused by fog.
Visibility at Srinagar is minimal, operations are likely to be normal after visibility improves post 10 am. In morning visibility was 75m.
Patna too was blanketed under thick fog, however, operations are expected to improve by 10:30 hrs.
30/01/17 Shalini Lobo/Anindya Banerjee/India Today

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5 from Jammu and Kashmir held at Vijayawada airport for loitering

Vijayawada: Five residents of Kashmir were detained for questioning after they were found loitering at the premises of Gannavaram airport, here on Friday.
The five persons were identified as Javed Ahmadar, Javed Akbar, Ameerah Paal, Sanallah Bhatt and Basheer Ahmed Shaik.
All of them told the police that they were on their way to Kashmir after admitting their daughter in a college in Chennai.
Airport officials became suspicious as they found it odd to find persons on the Jammu and kashmir transit at Gannavaram airport."Three of them were loitering at the premises. We are checking their background as part of our routine check, to ensure the airport is secured," assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Rajeev Kumar said.
28/01/17 Times of India

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AAI plans a centralised system to ease air traffic

Air traffic congestion and travel times, especially for flights operating from busy airports like Mumbai and Delhi, are expected to drop significantly from April as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is betting big on a centralised platform to help flight operators and airports plan their operations better.

According to officials, the Rs 107 crore Centrally-controlled Air Traffic Flow Management (C-ATFM) system integrates data from airlines, airports, air-traffic agencies and the military, to give individual flights a projected wait period at the destination airport, even before it takes off.

Once fully implemented, it would reduce the holding time of planes over airports, an AAI spokesperson said. "The new system will be most beneficial for busy sectors like MumbaiDelhi where aircrafts are often unable to land due to congestion and are often forced to hover above airports resulting in delays."

AAI's own calculation project that adopting the new system will help airlines save as much as Rs 1,680 crore per annum, on account of savings on fuel, while also enhancing passenger safety and reducing the carbon footprint.

"It will also display weather details along with static information about airports, air spaces and air routes," said officials.

The system is currently being tested on the congested Mumbai-Delhi airspace and at the Delhi airport. It will be implemented at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata airports, in its first phase which will begin in April.
30/01/17 Aditya Anand/Mumbai Mirror

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Drone spotted at 12,000 feet by pilot of aircraft approaching Mumbai

Mumbai: The pilot of a GoAir aircraft, approaching to land at Mumbai airport on Saturday morning, spotted a drone flying at an altitude of 12,000 feet. The white drone reportedly had four rotors and was flying at a horizontal distance of about two kilometres from the aircraft.
While there have been at least three sightings of flying objects in the past two years by pilots and airport ground staff, it's the first time that an object has been spotted at such a height.
The incident took place when the A-320 aircraft operating flight G8-141 from Nagpur was on a descent to land in Mumbai airport. "The pilot was surprised to see the drone with rotors flying at such a height," said a source. A GoAir spokesperson confirmed the sighting and added the airline informed the air traffic control (ATC) about the "flying object".
The airline hasn't filed a police complaint. The Mumbai ATC couldn't be reached for a comment. O P Singh, director-general, CISF said: "We have been informed by the ATC and requested other stake holders to investigate."
29/01/17 Times of India

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Air scare at Delhi airport as laser light blocks pilot's vision

A major disaster was averted on Wednesday when the pilot of a Toronto-Delhi Air Canada flight, that was approaching runway 29 of Indira Gandhi International Airport for landing, had his vision obstructed by a laser light, spotted "very close to the runway." The pilot immediately reported the matter to the Airport Operation Control Centre which alerted the Air Traffic Control and the airport operator. Experts say that laser lights have become a growing menace due to farmhouses that host parties near the airport. These lights may cause temporary blindness to pilots leading to disaster.
Wednesday's incident took place around 10.20 pm when the pilot, Petrick Gagnon, reported that he had spotted a green colour laser light about three nautical miles away from the airport. According to officials, the information was shared immediately with concerned authorities and location of the origin of laser was identified near Mahipalpur.
Delhi Police was also roped in and a team was rushed to the spot to identify the miscreant. "We have begun investigations and a case under relevant sections was registered," said a senior police officer. A senior ATC official said it is a serious matter as this is not the first time a pilot has complained about laser lights, which are a common feature at weddings and other functions. They interrupt their view and could lead to a major tragedy as such lights, when they hit the eyes directly, could cause temporary blindness.
29/01/17 Anvit Srivastava/DNA

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Kothagudem, an ideal choice for setting up airport

Bhadradri Kothagudem: With the steering committee on greenfield airports granting site clearance for the proposed greenfield airport project at Kothagudem, the coal town, which is the administrative headquarters of the recently formed Bhadradri Kothagudem district, has emerged as the most prospective region in Telangana to promote regional air connectivity.

Kothagudem’s potential in terms of air traffic and cargo demand owing to its proximity to the vast industrial corridor, dotting a host of public sector and private industrial giants, and the famous pilgrim centre of Bhadrachalam, makes it the ideal choice for setting up of an airport.

The State government had identified 1,600 acres at Punukuduchelaka village, situated about 20 km from Kothagudem, for the project.

The site is located at a distance of about 240 km from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad and 232 km from the Indian Air Force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad.

Situated at 136 km in south east direction, Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh is the nearest civilian airport to Kothagudem. A civil enclave is situated on the Indian Navy airbase at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh about 280 km from Kothagudem. The defunct civil airport at Mamnoor near Warangal is located about 117 km from Kothagudem, sources added.
29/01/17 P. Sridhar/The Hindu

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Missing clarity on civil aviation airport

Jakranpally: The fate of the proposed civil aviation airport in Jakranpally mandal still hangs in the balance with no response from the Centre after earmarking the land for the same and conducting a survey twice. There is no decision on the proposal till date, even after the Telangana government entered into an MoU a few days ago with the MCA. Teams comprising senior officers from Department of Civil Aviation from New Delhi conducted a survey and arrived at a conclusion that the identified land touching the borders of Jakranpally, Argul, Manoharabad, Torlikonda and Kolipaka would be suitable for the construction of the airport and reportedly recommended the same to the government. Things moved fast as soon as the then Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy, announced sanction of the airport in the district in 2008. The official teams from Delhi reportedly wanted allocation of about 1,500 acres of land for the purpose. In consonance, the State government officials earmarked over 1,600 acres flat land comprising 826 acres of private patta land and an equal size of government land. The site identified was just one-and-a-half km from the National Highway-44 and closer to Telangana University. It would just be 25 km away from the district headquarters town if the road via Madanpally was widened and developed. That apart, in the two public hearings held with farmers and local residents, they expressed willingness to give up patta lands for the purpose.
29/01/17 P. Ram Mohan/The Hindu

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Airport Authority of India to step up security at Trivandrum International airport

Thiruvananthapuram: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has decided to strengthen the security arrangements inside the Trivandrum International Airport, following the suicide of a Russian tourist on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Daniil, 30, who had jumped off from reserved lounge of the multi-storey terminal.
The incident happened inside the high security zone has served as an eye opener for airport authorities. Airport director George G Tharakan said that the security wing of the airport has been asked to be more vigilant and plug all loopholes in the security apparatus.
"It was a rare and untoward incident. Even the airport staff had tried to prevent the person from climbing, but it was a difficult situation and the person had swiftly climbed the terminal building. The security personnel have been asked to be more vigilant and also requested to deploy more staff in such areas," said Tharakan.
29/01/17 Times of India

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Air traffic resumes at Srinagar Intl Airport

Srinagar: A day after the flight operations were hit at Srinagar airport, air traffic resumed from the aerodrome today, even as an extra flight was operated to clear the passenger backlog.
"Air traffic resumed today and flight operations took place," Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Srinagar Airport, Sharad Kumar told PTI.
He said the flight operations at the airport took place normally except for some delays.
"There was some delay for few flights but there were no cancellations," he said.
Kumar said an additional flight was operated to clear the passenger backlog.
29/01/17 PTI/India Today

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Now, no entry fee at Leh airport

Leh: Immediately after STATETIMES reporting about authorised entry fee being charged at Leh Airport by Ladakh Taxi Operators Cooperative Limited, Airport Authority of India in Leh issued a letter to the cooperative stating that it was unauthorised to such entry fee as the contract agreement was only for parking fee.
Director Airport Authority, Leh, Sonam Norboo has written to the cooperatives asking them to immediately stop it and accordingly this has now been stopped which has received appreciations from many people of Ladakh.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who earlier this month staged a protest at the airport refusing to pay the unlawful charge of entry fee of Rs 50 from private cars, has thanked authorities for the action and suggested the party collecting fee to either return money to the people or donate it to a charity organisation.
“I am now glad to see that airport authority of Leh has issued a letter saying this must be stopped,” Wangchuk wrote on Facebook and requested the party collecting this inappropriate fee to kindly return all money collected in this way to those who demand on the production of their receipts as proof and if no one comes to collect their money back the authorities, he suggested that money collected mistakenly should be donated to charity like the Baal Ashram.
28/01/17 State Times

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Airports authority of India’s Swachh Bharat relay cycle expedition

Surat: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has organised all-India relay cycling expedition to spread the message of Swachh Bharat 'Clean India, Green India'.
A group of 12 AAI cyclists will arrive at the airport from Bhavnagar and another group will leave towards Aurangabad from Surat. The flagging off ceremony will be held at the airport on January 30.
Every year, AAI organises All India Relay cycle expedition to spread the message of healthy living across the country. For the first time, such a relay cycle is traversing through Surat.
The All India cycle expedition-2017 will be covering a distance of 2,000 kilometre from Indore, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Surat and Aurangabad on January 29 and January 30, respectively. The expedition is divided into five legs and each leg consists of 12 cyclists who are the employees of AAI.
28/01/17 Melvyn Thomas/Times of India

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Online petition to rename airport after Quli Qutb Shah

Charminar:An online petition has now surfaced with a demand to rename Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) after the city's founder Quli Qutb Shah.
The petition floated by the Muslim Professionals Network (MPN) of India has received over 900 virtual signatures till now. The group claimed that due credit to the city's founder has not been given and that no major structure was named after Quli Qutb Shah. Speaking to TOI, MPN president and co-founder of startup BookMeds, Mohammed Abubakr, also clarified that the online petition was not a religious move.
28/01/17 Syed Mohammed/Times of India

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CIAL’s plan to set up solar panels hit

Kochi: The Cochin International Airport Ltd's (Cial) plan to set up solar panels at Chengalthodu canal to power its latest international terminal (T3) has met a roadblock after a local union opposed the move.
The 18-km-long canal runs through the Cial's property.
As per the plan, solar panels would be placed above the canal surface on pillars which run into the canal's dried-up bedding.
The work to place the panels has been completed for around 2km.
"We only found out when 70% percent of their work had been completed. If this solar operation is actualised, then it will affect water supply to Nedumbassery and Chengamanad. It will negatively affect farmers working in the area," said E M Saleem, a member of the local Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union.
He said they have met chief minister and district collector and expressed their concerns over the matter, and they were currently looking into the issue.
"The pillars will not block water flow. Even Cial has a vested interest in ensuring that the canal functions properly as if it does not, the Cial facility will be flooded," said airport director Chandrakumaran Nair A.
Solar panels across the canal's stretch were intended to generate 6MW of power. "We have panels with us but we have not been able to use it so far," he said.
29/01/17 Times of India

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AAI plans to invest Rs17,500 crore in 5 years to upgrade infrastructure: Ashok Gajapathi Raju

When do you plan to have the first flight under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), which offers a subsidised fare of Rs 2,500 per an-hour flight?
I think that February will pass in the reverse auction process and by March, the scheme should start. The response is good. We hope that the low-hanging fruit — the inoperative airports — will bounce back. After all, the purpose is to connect unconnected areas with unserved airports.
Will the infrastructure at unserved airports be ready?
In terms of infrastructure, the total list of 400 airports will not be available. But 31-32 airports that are inactive are low-hanging fruits. So, some flights will start from there. Now, it’s a demand-driven scheme. So, airlines have to express seriousness in connecting that area. Once that is done, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will restore the AAI airport, if they are  non-AAI airports, the owners will have to  restore it.
Apart from Air India have other existing major players put in the bids?
Lot of players. I would think NSOPs (Non-Scheduled Operators Permit) have taken the advantage of this. That’s what it looks like because we expressed readiness that they can come in.
Some airlines have gone to the court over the government’s decision to impose a levy on major flights, in order to subsidise regional flights. What are you doing to resolve this issue?
We are a democratic country. We work under the Constitution. Even a murderer is entitled to go to court. Governments are not expected to do something that is illegal. So, whenever we put a levy, we have a law department advising us. They have advised us and we have put the levy. Now, someone calls it illegal, courts are there to test it. And, who am I to tell anyone that you do this. We have to proceed according to the law and we are doing so.
28/01/17 Sunny Verma/The Indian Express

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Cargo operations resume at Biju Patnaik International Airport

The international cargo operations along with custom clearance facilities commenced at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here on Friday. Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, who inaugurated the services, said the international cargo operation at the airport has completed three principal routes of exports from Odisha - electronic route, sea route and air route.

Padhi said export facilities on air route would boost production, processing, packing and other allied activities in the sectors like gems, jewellery, costly minerals, fruits, vegetables, marine products, applique works, stone artefacts, handicrafts, manufacturing and food processing. All these would create more employment opportunities in the State.

Principal Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Laxmi Narayan Gupta said the total export from the State in 2015-16 was worth around Rs 20,591 crores.

The export has already crossed Rs 18,300 crores by October 2016 of current fiscal. In the scenario of growing exports from Odisha, resumption of international cargo facility would be an added advantage to the exporters in various sectors.
28/01/17 The New Indian Express

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Direct int’l flight from BPIA in March

The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here will have its first direct international flight in March this year, said top officials of Airports Authority of India (AAI) here Friday.

The AAI officials who came to the city for the inauguration of international cargo facility confirmed that the first intentional flight will be from Bhubaneswar to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Significantly, this flight by Air Asia has already received the necessary permissions and will start its operation March 27.

“We hope that Air Asia will commence its international flight operation from BPIA by March 27. They have already received the necessary permission from the office of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),” said Sanjay Jain, Eastern Region executive director of AAI.
27/01/17 Orissa Post

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AirAsia to operate flights on Patna-Delhi route from July

Malaysian budget airline AirAsia is most likely to start its flight operations from Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport here in July. It will operate two flights on Delhi-Patna-Delhi route from July following a final nod from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
In fact, different airlines have made proposals to operate total 32 flights from Patna airport under the summer schedule. Twenty flights operate from Patna airport at present under the winter schedule, which is likely to end by February 15.
Patna airport director Rajendra Singh Lahauria told TOI on Friday, "AirAsia has submitted a schedule to the DGCA for operating two flights between Delhi and Patna from July. The first flight will land here at 8:30am and the second at 8:30pm."
AirAsia apart, four other airlines operating from Patna airport — Air India, IndiGo, GoAir and Jet Airways — have also sought permission to increase their number of flights from Patna in July.
As flights are mostly not allowed to land at the city airport before 10am due to foggy conditions normally from first week of November, most airlines had cancelled or rescheduled their morning flights and added in the afternoon under their winter schedule, which came into effect from December.
28/01/17 The Times Of India

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IndiGo rejects IGI offer to split domestic flights

IndiGo has turned down the Delhi airport's proposal to split its domestic flights between the choked Terminal 1D and Terminal 2, which will soon be made operational. The low-cost carrier has made it clear that it wants all its domestic flights under one roof.
"We will support all efforts that make things better without splitting our domestic operations out of Delhi and thereby creating inconvenience to our customers," said IndiGo spokesman Ajay Jasra.
Low-cost carriers IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir operate their domestic flights from T1 in Delhi, while Air India, Jet Airways, Vistara and AirAsia India use T3 for all their flights.
With T1D becoming a nightmare for flyers, especially during peak hours, DIAL CEO I P Rao had given some options to the three low-cost carriers. These included relocating some flights from T1 to T2; from February 1, having all new flights at T2 or a higher frequency at the terminal; and from February 15, shifting their flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata from T1 to T2.
28/01/17 Saurabh Sinha/The Times Of India

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Tourist jumps to death at airport

A 30-year-old foreign tourist allegedly jumped to death from the multi-storey building of Trivandrum International Airport on Thursday. He was identified Daniil from Russia.
Daniil had arrived in the city on January 19. He had reached airport to board an Air India flight to Mumbai. The incident occurred around 11.30pm on Thursday.
According to Valiyathura police, he showed signs of mental ailment before jumping off the building.
27/01/17 The Times Of India

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Air India Joins Fellow Star Alliance Carriers at Heathrow Terminal 2

The national airline of India ( Air India ) operates up to eight daily flights in and out of Heathrow with either Boeing 777 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and has been serving London for nearly 70 years. At present it offers two daily flights to Delhi, one daily flight to Mumbai, four weekly flights to Ahmedabad and three weekly flights to Newark (New York).

“With 24 of our member airlines flying to Heathrow, the airport is served by more Star Alliance member carriers than any other airport in our worldwide network”, said Jeffrey Goh, CEO Star Alliance.

“Therefore our long term strategy for Heathrow has always been to locate all our members under the same roof. With Air India’s successful move to the Queen’s Terminal we have now accomplished this.”
Compared to Terminal 4, the check-in layout and concept in Terminal 2 allows customers to take greater control of their journey. This has been made possible through a combination of increased automation and common check-in. Travellers who have not checked in online can use any of 81 multi-airline check-in kiosks available throughout Terminal 2.
27/01/17 Defence Aviation Post

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Manipur teens, in quest of American dream, end up at IGI airport

Nedw Delhi: Two boys from Manipur, aged 15 and 12, who wanted to live the American dream, ended up at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) wondering how to get to the US without any documents.
The boys had filled their bag with around Rs 2 lakh in cash, which they had stolen from their grandmother's house, and come to the capital.
Senior CISF officers said that the duo was noticed by Air India staff members wandering around the ticketing counter on Wednesday. After some time, when the AI staff approached the boys, they sought help in going to America without any documents.
"The boys were questioned and it was found that they had come to Delhi from Imphal without informing their parents. The surveillance staff verified their credentials by calling up their parents. The officers found some clothes, books and around Rs 2 lakh cash from their bag," said a senior CISF officer.
Their parents had lodged a missing complaint in Imphal a few days ago after they were found absent from home. A relative of the two boys, who is a senior police officer in Manipur, is in touch with the security personnel.
Officers said that the exact reason why the boys left their house is yet to be ascertained.
27/01/17 Times of India

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Coimbatore airport receives bomb scare, police investigations on

Coimbatore: Coimbatore airport received a bomb threat on Friday causing a flutter in the city.

The airport director received a letter threatening to bomb the Coimbatore airport if the old pension scheme (CPS) was not brought back.

“We are post-office LIC agents, as temporary teachers, our main demand is that we should paid par with central govt employees and the new pension policy has to be dropped and old pension policy to be implemented. This demand should be accepted by state government. If our demands are not met, we have no option but to blow up the airport,” the letter reads.

The letter was signed by Bhaskaran, Chandrasekharan and B Gowri and stated that they were submitted their voter IDs.

The letter addressed to the airport director was received in the afternoon.
27/01/17 The News Minute

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Air traffic resumes at Srinagar airport after three days

Srinagar: With improvement in the weather conditions, air traffic at Srinagar airport resumed today after three days and an additional flight was operated to clear the passenger backlog.
The air traffic, which were suspended due to snowfall, resumed today and flight operations could take place after three days, Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Srinagar International Airport, Sharad Kumar told PTI.
He said the flight operations could resume due to improvement in the weather conditions.
Kumar said an additional flight was operated by Air India to clear the backlog of passengers.
27/01/17 PTI/India.com

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Flurry of special flights at Visakhapatnam airport

Visakhapatnam: The CII Partnership Summit-2017, which got under way in the city on Friday, witnessed the operation of 15 non-scheduled flights, which were handled by Visakhapatnam International Airport in addition to the scheduled flights operated from the airport every day.

“Though it was a big challenge for us, we ensured that the scheduled operations were not affected and all of them landed and took off at the right time. The chartered aircraft which flew down for the mega event include: a private Boeing 737 aircraft from the UAE in which the Industry Minister and 40 delegates from that country have arrived, special flights in which Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and Nirmala Seetharaman arrived from Delhi and a special flight came from Sri Lanka, Airport Director Vinod Sharma told The Hindu on Friday.

The arrival of chartered flights, which began on Thursday evening, continued through the night till morning. A total of 350 foreign delegates arrived for the two-day summit. Of the total 15 non-scheduled flights which landed in Visakhapatnam, about half a dozen flew back after disembarking the delegates, while the remaining aircraft were accommodated in the parking bays near the New Terminal Building and at the old apron at the old Terminal Building.
27/01/17 B. Madhu Gopal/The Hindu

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Goa tourist traffic to increase three-fold with new airport: Nitin Gadkari

Panaji : After the under-construction Mopa international airport in North Goa becomes operational, the state’s inbound tourist traffic will increase three-fold, Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari Minister said on Thursday. Addressing a poll rally in Shiroda constituency, 40 km from here, he said: “Today, 91 planes come to Goa every day, but after the Mopa airport comes into being, within a year and a half, Goa will get around 250 aeroplanes.
“That means, if Goa gets three times the tourists, hotels will increase threefold and youth will get threefold jobs.”  Goa, one of the most popular beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country, currently attracts more than four lakh tourists.
27/01/17 India.com

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Reddy paranoid: AP minister attacks him over airport protest

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao today criticised Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for his “behaviour” during a protest in Vizag airport yesterday, saying his claims of becoming a chief minister after two years was an “illusion”.
“In Vizag airport Jagan claimed he is the next chief minister and threatened to target police officials who stopped him from leaving the airport. These are the qualities of people who are suffering from paranoia,” the Irrigation Minister said.
YSR Congress Party president Reddy was not allowed by the police to leave the Vizag airport after he arrived from Hyderabad yesterday to take part in a protest scheduled at the city’s R K Beach demanding special status for Andhra.
Rao sarcastically said Reddy holds responsible position and “we offer support to him and his family members for cure”.
In a counter to Congress Rajya Sabha MP K V P Ramachandra Rao’s allegations that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took full credit for Polavaram project, Maheswara Rao said the Congress-led Union Cabinet in a meeting on 2nd March 2014 declined the request for issuing Polavaram Ordinance for the transfer of seven mandals to Andhra Pradesh.
27/01/17 PTI/India.com

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Stray dog menace at IGI airport keeps officials on tenterhooks

The stray dog menace is keeping Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) officials on their toes, posing a significant threat to the airport's day-to-day operations. Intelligence agencies have issued an alert about the possible use of canines to carry dangerous materials inside the airport, including chemical bombs, sources said.

Officials said, a few months ago, some taxi drivers beat a dog to death at T3 after it bit one of them. Many passengers and staffers working or arriving at the terminals have also been bitten by dogs. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) says it cannot relocate these canines as they are bound by the rules of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). At the same time, the AWBI maintains that the removal of dogs is not a permanent solution to the problem.

According to sources, in a letter written to the SDMC in August 2016, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said: "The IGIA has been named as the best airport in its class and category. Keeping in view its status, it becomes mandatory for the airport to provide world-class services to its passengers. The dog menace is so severe that their removal and proper relocation from the territory has become of prime importance, keeping in mind the safety of passengers and security of the airport."
27/01/17 Anvit Srivastava/DNA

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The truth behind the Madurai airport ‘security breach’ video

On Tuesday, a Sri Lankan website, Colombo Telegraph, published a story about ‘security breach’ at the Madurai airport. The story was picked up by newspapers in India, which claimed that the Sri Lankan Airlines pilot and crew gained entry through a restricted route, and entered the airport without going through security checks.

The video accompanying the story shows the pilot and crew, along with a few other men, walking down a dirt track where a few civilians are standing, and then crawling through a barbed wire fence to get to the other side.

In the background is a high building - which could be the Madurai airport.

But was there a massive security breach?

TNM spoke to the Madurai Airport Director, VV Rao, who denied the reports of a security breach and said that the video in question was shot 2km from the actual airport perimeters.

“We have solid, concrete fencing for the airport. There is no way that anyone can enter the airport through the fencing - we don’t have any barbed wire fencing,” he said.

VV Rao added: “The place shown in the video is Perungudi village, which is some 2.2 km from the airport perimeter. One part of the road there is managed by the village and the other part by the Airport Authority of India.”

Since the jallikattu protests were in full swing in Madurai last week, the crew was stuck in traffic. “What they should have done was to contact the airport security, who would have gotten them in safely. Instead, they decided to take the help of the local driver, who took them around through this village and got them to the entrance,” the Airport Director added.
26/01/17 The News Minute

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AAI's C-AFTM system to decongest air traffic at IGIA

New Delhi: Air traffic congestion over the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here is expected to be reduced significantly from early next fiscal as the AAI is set to put in place a new mechanism for regulating the traffic.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is working towards the implementation of a Centrally-controlled Air Traffic Flow Management (C-AFTM) system across country's airspace and major airports, particularly those with high traffic density, in its bid to cut travel time for fliers.

The C-AFTM system, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 107 crore, is to be initially implemented at the Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata airports. Once in place, it would reduce the holding time of planes over airports, an AAI spokesperson said.
26/01/17 PTI/Economic Times

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Airlines to save Rs 1680 crore every year with new air traffic system launched by AAI

New Delhi: State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Thursday launched the Central - Air Traffic Flow Management (C-AFTM) system which is expected to enhance fuel savings to the tune of Rs 1680 crore per year besides ensuring superior safety and reduction in operating cost of the airlines while also contributing to the green environment.

AAI in a statement said that the new C-ATFM system will cover the entire Indian airspace and major airports across the country.

Inaugurating the new Air Traffic Services Complex here on Thursday, AAI chairman Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra said, “India is on the threshold of becoming 7th country in the world to implement the air traffic flow control measures across the nation.”

This, he said will accrue benefits in terms of reduced carbon footprint, embarking on green environment concept, fuel savings and economic benefits to the air travellers.

ATFM will facilitate the display of weather information along with static information about airports, air spaces and air routes, which in turn will enhance safety.
26/01/17 Indian Express

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Ideal road builders out of Nagpur airport privatization race

Nagpur: After six private players responded to the offer to privatize Nagpur airport, M/s Ideal Road Builders (IRB) Group has practically dropped out of the deal. Floated by Mumbai businessman Dattatrey Mahiskar, IRB Group has a major stake in infrastructure business and had built the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The promoters are known to be close to union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari.
Global Vision Safety, a company in which Mahiskar is a director, was in the news four years ago as a loan by it of Rs164 crore was found in the books of Purti Group, formed by Gadkari. Mahiskar also has subscribed shares in Purti Power and Sugar Limited too.
In October 2016, six companies had responded to the request for qualification (RFQ) called by Mihan India Limited (MIL), the current operator of Nagpur airport. These included Essel Group, IRB, GVK, GMR Tata Realty, and PNC Infrastructure.
RFQ is the process of shortlisting the candidates. Based on the documents submitted by contenders in a RFQ, firms are chosen to offer financial bids under the request for proposal (RFP).
26/01/17 Shishir Arya/Times of India

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Dabolim Airport Won't Be Shut Down: Smriti Irani

Panaji:  Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani today said existing airport at Dabolim in Goa would remain functional even after proposed greenfield airport at Mopa becomes a reality.

"Congress is always busy confusing people. Even if there is some development work happening, then it creates fear in the mind of people about it," the Textiles Minister said.

She was addressing a party workers' meeting in Mormugao constituency of South Goa.

"When Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Mopa airport, the Congress leaders started creating confusion in the minds of people claiming that Dabolim airport will be shut down.

"I will assure you that Dabolim airport will continue to be operational even after Mopa comes into existence," the minister said.
26/01/17 PTI/NDTV

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GVK Sole Bidder for Navi Mumbai Airport

New Delhi: The Maharashtra government has received only one bid for building Mumbai's second airport in Navi Mumbai, placing a question mark over when the already delayed project would take off.

GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd, which runs the existing Mumbai airport, was the only bidder when the deadline, already extended once, ended on Wednesday afternoon.

"We got only one bid so we are giving an extension of two weeks now, so the next closing date will be 13th February," said Bhushan Gagrani, managing director, Cidco, the city-planning arm of the Maharashtra government.

Navi Mumbai is Asia's largest public-private partnership airport project, expected to cost around $2.5 billion.
26/01/17 Mcclatchy/AviationPros

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Jagan protests at Vizag airport after being denied entry into city

Visakhapatnam: High drama was witnessed at the airport here after police allegedly tried to prevent YSR Congress president and Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy from entering the city for a candle light protest scheduled later Thursday evening.
Jagan, along with his party MPs Y Vijaysai Reddy, Y V Subba Reddy and senior leader Ambati Rambabu, staged a sit-in on the apron at the Vizag airport in protest against the police plan.
Jagan and the YSRC leaders arrived here by a scheduled flight in the evening to take part in the candlelight protest on the Vizag beach demanding grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier in the day, Vizag Police Commissioner T Yoganand announced that anyone who tried to stage a protest in the city in violation of the prohibitory orders, would be arrested.
"We will arrest Jagan or anyone," he asserted.
Prohibitory orders were clamped in a 1-km vicinity of the airport, 15-km away from the city, which prevented YSRC rank and file from reaching there to receive Jagan.
26/01/17 Tribune

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AERA allows new airports to adopt hybrid model for tariffs

Regulator AERA has allowed upcoming airports to follow a hybrid model for determining tariffs that may lead to fliers shelling out more as airlines may pass on the additional burden to them.
Under the ‘Hybrid Till’ model only up to 30 per cent of the non-aeronautical revenues, which include segments like retail, food & beverages and parking, would be used for cross-subsidisation of aeronautical charges.
Aeronautical charges include those related to route and terminal navigation services.
Currently, most of the airports follow ‘Single Till’ model whereby non-aeronautical revenues are completely used to cross subsidise aeronautical charges.
With the new model, only up to 30 per cent of the non- aeronautical revenues would be used for cross subsidisation.
Such a tariff mechanism could push the expenses higher for fliers as airport operators might hike the user development charges.
The new national civil aviation policy, unveiled in June last year, had recommended ‘Hybrid Till’ model.
In a six-page order, dated January 23, AERA (Airports Economic Regulatory Authority) said that in the future tariffs at major airports would be determined under “Hybrid Till wherein 30 per cent of non-aeronautical revenues will be used to cross-subsidise aeronautical charges”.
25/01/17 PTI/India

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SriLankan Airlines crew breach airport security at Madurai, crawl through fence

In a bizarre incident that raises questions on airport security in India, an international airline crew trespassed into a restricted area at Tamil Nadu’s Madurai airport by crawling under the barbed wire fence surrounding the airport. On Tuesday, SriLankan Airlines staff bypassed the airport security as they couldn’t gain access to the airport’s entrance due to a protest held by locals. The Colombo Telegraph reported that Capt. R De Alwis of the airlines opted to gain entry through the restricted route instead of checking in to the airport after completing all security procedures.

A video of the incident, which surfaced on YouTube, showed the crew walking down a dirt path bordering the airport. Once they reach the fence, the crew members nonchalantly duck under the barbed wire. The stewardess, who were wearing sarees, however found it difficult to get past the fence.
25/01/17 The Indian Express

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Foreign currency worth Rs 43 lakhs seized at Mumbai Airport

During the intervening night of January 24, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai customs on suspicion intercepted one passenger namely Mohammed Shoaib Arab holding Indian passport at the time of his departure to Dubai with the Indigo flight.
After detailed examination of his hand baggage, the officers recovered 159000 UAE Dirhams, 6000 Saudi Riyals and 20000 USD from him, equivalent to Indian currency amounting to Rs 43,15,600.
25/01/17 Virendrasingh Ghunawat/India Today

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Navi Mumbai airport bids extended yet again to Feb 13

The dogged Navi Mumbai airport plan further delayed with the implementing agency Cidco for the second time today extending the deadline for submitting bids to February 13 as it received only one bid from the GVK-led Mumbai International Airport.
The second extension comes after the authority deferred the deadline for receiving bids for RFQ (request for qualification) for two weeks on January 9.
“Today we received only a single bid from GVK (which anyway has the first right of refusal being the operator of the Mumbai airport). Therefore, we have given a further extension to all the three bidders to submit their bids till February 13. This is the last extension,” a Cidco official told PTI.
The airport project has been in the work for over a decade but has not moved ahead even now. The main hurdles being the land acquisition, which has been completed only half needed for the crucial aeronautical activities.
The City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), which is the nodal agency for the over Rs 16,000- crore international airport project, had short-listed four consortia — GMR, GVK, Hiranandani groups and Tata Reality.
25/01/17 PTI/India

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AERA allows new airports to adopt hybrid model for tariffs

Regulator AERA has allowed upcoming airports to follow a hybrid model for determining tariffs that may lead to fliers shelling out more as airlines may pass on the additional burden to them.

Under the 'Hybrid Till' model only up to 30 per cent of the non-aeronautical revenues, which include segments like retail, food & beverages and parking, would be used for cross-subsidisation of aeronautical charges.

Aeronautical charges include those related to route and terminal navigation services.

Currently, most of the airports follow 'Single Till' model whereby non-aeronautical revenues are completely used to cross subsidise aeronautical charges.

With the new model, only up to 30 per cent of the non- aeronautical revenues would be used for cross subsidisation.

Such a tariff mechanism could push the expenses higher for fliers as airport operators might hike the user development charges.

The new national civil aviation policy, unveiled in June last year, had recommended 'Hybrid Till' model.
25/01/17 Outlook

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We need more airports rather than more airplanes

New Delhi: The aviation sector is firing on all cylinders. In 2016, a total of 99.88 million people flew with scheduled commercial airlines, a jump of 23.91 per cent over the previous year. In December, the air traffic peaked to 9.55 million, the highest for the entire 2016. The airlines, as a result, have lately swung into action to create sufficient supply.
SpiceJet, the fourth-largest carrier in terms of market share, have ordered 205 aircraft from Boeing, comprising of a firm order of 155 Boeing 737 MAX 8, and purchase rights for another 50 B737 MAX 8 and wide-body aircraft. Its competitor in the budget airline category, GoAir, too has firmed up order of 72 Airbus A320 neos (new engine option).

GoAir had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for these aircraft at Farnborough International Airshow in July last year. Recently, there were reports that state-run carrier Air India is inducting 100 more aircraft to its existing fleet of 132 by 2020.
The multi-billion dollar orders ensure that passenger demand is adequately met; there are concerns over infrastructure constraints and manpower availability. Experts say that there's not enough parking and landing slots at the airports, it will be difficult to accommodate the newer ones. While some existing aircraft will find their way out over the next few years, the net addition (of aircraft) is still going to be significant.
According to aviation consultancy CAPA, India needs to build 50 new airports with an estimated investment of Rs 2.72 lakh crore to handle the growing air traffic. At present, some 67 per cent of the country's total air traffic is handled by metro cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Many of these airports may reach saturation point in around five years. Even if additional runway and terminals are developed, each metro will require a second airport by 2025-2030.
25/01/16 Manu Kaushik/Business Today

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Chances of Code E aircraft operations at Calicut bleak

Kozhikode: The chances of wide-bodied aircraft operating from the Calicut International Airport, which until May 2015 had been one the 10 busiest international airports in the country, appear slim even as the airport is getting ready to resume full-scale operations of mid-sized aircraft on March 1.

Officials point out that the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are willing to expand the runway at Calicut Airport to facilitate the resumption of operation of wide-bodied aircraft if the State government acquires the land required for the project. But given the hurdles and costs, acquisition of a large stretch of land in the area is a tough challenge.

The AAI suspended the operation of wide-bodied aircraft since May 1, 2015 following a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on grounds of flight safety. The operation of Boeing B-747 and B-777, Airbus A-330, and other wide-bodied aircraft under Code E has since been discontinued.

“In fact, the decision to disallow the operation of Code E was taken in 2013 in the wake of the Court of Inquiry (CoI) report on the Air India Express Boeing 737 crash in Mangalore in May 2010 that claimed 158 lives,” says Calicut Airport director K . Janardanan. “But the decision could be implemented only in 2015,” he adds.

The CoI had found that the direct cause of the accident was Capt. Zlatko Glusica’s failure to discontinue the “un-stabilised approach and his persistence in continuing with the landing”.

However, the report had also mentioned the security lapse at the Mangalore airport, which has a tabletop runway. The aircraft had overshot the runway and plunged into a gorge.

The Calicut Airport is also situated on a hillock with a tabletop runway.

The operation of wide-bodied aircraft not only posed a huge risk, but also damaged its runway. “After Air India got an exemption for operating Haj flights in 2008, the official carrier began to operate wide-bodied aircraft. Soon afterwards Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) and Emirates followed suit, throwing caution to the wind, ” says Mr. Janardanan.

The runway with Takeoff Run Available (TORA) and Landing Distance Available (LDA) at the airport is 9,383 feet.

Only an extension of the runway by at least 10,500 ft will facilitate large aircraft to operate from the airport.
25/01/17 The Hindu

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Chances of Code E aircraft operations bleak

The chances of wide-bodied aircraft operating from the Calicut International Airport, which until May 2015 had been one the 10 busiest international airports in the country, appear slim even as the airport is getting ready to resume full-scale operations of mid-sized aircraft on March 1.
Officials point out that the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are willing to expand the runway at Calicut Airport to facilitate the resumption of operation of wide-bodied aircraft if the State government acquires the land required for the project. But given the hurdles and costs, acquisition of a large stretch of land in the area is a tough challenge.

The AAI suspended the operation of wide-bodied aircraft since May 1, 2015 following a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on grounds of flight safety. The operation of Boeing B-747 and B-777, Airbus A-330, and other wide-bodied aircraft under Code E has since been discontinued.
25/01/17 The Hindu

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Those fancy airport stores may help lower airfares

The next time you confuse an airport with a mall, don't fret and fume. Because higher "non-aeronautical" earnings will help the airport operator levy lower charges on airlines. This will in turn mean lower fares for flyers.
The passenger-friendly move comes as the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has decided to determine the future tariffs of major airports under the `hybrid till' model. Under this, 30% of non-aeronautical revenue will be used to subsidise aviation charges. It will also provide a boost to investment in airport sector by ensuring funding to projects without burdening airlines -and in turn passengers -with skyhigh charges.
However, the tariffs of Delhi and Mumbai airports will not be impacted by this and continue to be determined as per the agreements with the airport operators at these metros. "`Single till' may not be appropriate at this juncture when there is high growth and capacity expansion is the need of the hour. The Authority's methodology for tariff determination should be consistent with the government policy ," AERA order says.
25/01/17 Saurabh Sinha/The Times Of India

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Maximum City’s airport, minimum eco damage

Mumbai’s Mithi river, which is more popular for its stench rather than its water, will soon turn into a source of energy that’ll power the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai. A mesh of solar panels are being created to use the part of the Mithi river that flows through the airport as real estate to generate 600 KW of energy.

This initiative is not a one-off case. Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd, the body that runs the airport, is going all out to turn the airport carbon neutral by the end of 2017 and use every inch of space it has to generate more and more renewable energy.

Compared with its peer Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport in Mumbai is severely constrained by space. India’s second-busiest airport has an area of just 1,850 acres as against the more than 5,000 acres with Indira Gandhi International Airport.

That makes any sustainability effort a lot tougher. For starters, none of the solar panels can be installed on ground as there isn’t practically any space available. Rooftop panels are thus the only option. However, even there the angle of reflection needs to be adjusted carefully to avoid any inconvenience to the aircraft trying to land at the airport.

But amid landing and takeoffs of hundreds of flights each day, MIAL has been able to create space for 2 MW of solar panels atop old terminals of the airport. And the aim is to cross 7 MW capacity generation within two years.
24/01/17 Varun Aggarwal/The Hindu Business Line

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Centre OKs land transfer for airport building expansion

The Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport of Patna may soon live up to its billing, to a great extent, as an international airport with the Union cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday approving a land transfer proposal for expansion of the airport to handle 30 lakh passengers per annum.
The proposal pertains to transfer of Airports Authority of India (AAI)’s 11.35 acre of land in Patna’s Aneesabad to the Bihar government in lieu of 13 acres of land near the airport. The land near the airport will be used for construction of a world-class two-storey terminal building and development of other facilities.
The state government has already okayed the transfer of its land to the AAI.
The new terminal building will have the arrival area on the ground floor and departure lounge on the first floor. It will also have provision for operating six aerobridges for fliers to board flights from the first floor.
“The Union cabinet’s nod was essential to commence work. We have begun the bidding process for selection of project management consultant, but the actual construction is likely to commence from July,” airport director R S Lahauria told TOI.
Though the need for airport terminal expansion was being felt for over a decade, talks for the same gathered steam from April last year when Union civil aviation officials, including secretary R N Choubey, held a meeting with state chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh at the airport. CM Nitish Kumar gave his approval in July last year.
25/01/17 Piyush Tripathi/The Times Of India

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Navi Mumbai International Airport may have only 3 bidders – GVK’s MIAL, GMR, Hiranandani Group

GMR, Voluptas Developers (a Hirandanani Group company) along with Zurich Airport, and the GVK-led Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) are likely to end up as the only bidders for the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The last date for submitting the request for proposals (RFPs) is January 25.
City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) — the nodal agency tasked with executing NMIA — had extended the last date for submission of bids on January 9 after three bidders pulled out of the process.
FE learnt from sources in Cidco and the civil aviation ministry that of the three bidders who pulled out on January 9, Tata Realty (TRIL) will continue to refrain from bidding. This would leave MIAL, GMR and Voluptas Developers to compete against each other.
Government sources also told FE that the stage-II forest clearances for NMIA have been granted and a formal announcement will be made shortly.
25/01/17 Rouhan Sharma & Malyaban Ghosh/The Financial Express

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Dogs hamper landing at Juhu aerodrome

The presence of dogs and garbage on runways has led delay in landings at Juhu aerodrome several times. The operators at Juhu aerodrome have written to the Airport Authority of India’s (AAI) headquarter in Delhi, pointing out the difficulties they face due to the excessive garbage and dogs on the runway.

The operators have complained that they had to deny landing permission to the flights due to the presence of dogs on the runway. AAI has claimed that it has taken up the matter with the collector as well as the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). The Juhu aerodrome is the third highest airport with the net profit of Rs.60.08 crore. One of the letters accessed by The Asian Age mentioned that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) that pays 23 crores per annum as rent, has expressed its disappointment to AAI and has offered its assistance to the stakeholders to clear the Juhu aerodrome runway.

One of the stakeholders claimed, “On December 22 there has been an instance where a pilot was asked to go around due to the presence of eight dogs on the runway but wasn’t denied landing permission.” Senior officials claimed that the dogs would continue to hinder the operation until the slums around the aerodrome are cleared. The aerodrome has even approached PETA to clear the dogs from its runway.
25/01/17 Neha L.M.Tripathi/The Asian Age

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CM’s support sought for Thiruvambady airport

The Malabar Development Council has urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to back the proposed Malabar international airport at Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district, which it says will neither cause any financial burden on the government nor harm the prospects of the Calicut and Kannur airports.

C.E. Chakkunny, president of the MDC, who is also the chief coordinator of the proposed greenfield airport, in a memorandum, pointed out that the State government’s support was crucial in turning the Thiruvambady airport into a reality.

Mr. Chakkunny told The Hindu that the MDC had in November applied to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Civil Aviation Ministry for sanction to build the airport at Thiruvambady. The AAI had asked it to route the application through the State government. The MDC had forwarded the 17-page application format to the government.
25/01/17 The Hindu

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Rise in international passengers from Chandigarh airport: Officials

The International passenger traffic at Chandigarh International Airport is increasing every month, revealed the traffic statistics of the Airport Authorities of India(AAI) on Tuesday. The international operations at the airport had started in September last year. As per the statistics provided by the AAI, in September, total international travelers to have used the airport were 2,902.
It started picking up in October when the number rose to 7,626. The number of international passengers in November and December were 12,127 and 12,797 respectively.
Air India was the first firm to start international flight operations from Chandigarh to Abu Dhabi. In October last year, Indigo Airlines also started its daily flight to Dubai.
According to an AAI official, there has been an exponential domestic traffic growth of the Chandigarh airport in 10 years. In 2006-2007, the traffic was 1.54 lakh while in 2015-16, the total number reached 15.34 lakh.
“It is a good sign that the traffic is increasing. It will attract more operators to start flights from this airport,” said Chandigarh Airport CEO Sunil Dutt.
25/01/17 Adil Akhzer/The Indian Express

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Finding Kempegowda International Airport's halt-lines

Bangalore: The pitch for a halt station at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is growing louder as many feel that this will be a boon not just for KIA commuters but also for those working at the country’s third busiest airport. As per a recent survey by a group of people, it is estimated that a halt station underneath the Trumpet Flyover can be constructed for Rs 40 lakh and in a shorter duration!

“While a cab takes close to three hours from Electronics City to reach the airport, a train can complete the journey in about an hour. Apart from picking up passengers from dozens of locations, it can do so even during the peak hours. Added to this, the biggest advantage of a train journey would be skipping three major traffic jams:

Central Silk-Board, KR Puram and Hebbal. Now that the airport may be closed from 10-5 and passengers will need to be there a few hours in advance, they would spend seven hours to take a 35-minute flight till Chennai. Or they can take a Shatabdi for faster service!!! So, we surveyed the area around the railway line near Trumpet interchange and found that the best place for an “Airport Halt” was just below the Trumpet as there was ample space for even buses to cross-over for both arriving & departing passengers. Apart from passengers, we also thought about people working at the airport, as they too don’t seem to have affordable options to reach the airport.

We also found another place for an “Airport Halt” almost one km from the Trumpet that even has a road going under the Trumpet-Airport road,” said Narendra Kumar, member of Citizens for Bengaluru.
25/01/17 Bangalore Mirror

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Jet Airways plane hits runway: Crew put off roster

New Delhi: The crew of the flight B737-800 has been placed off roster in order to assist with the investigation following a narrow escape for 168 people as tail of the plane hit the runway on landing at the Dhaka International airport on January 22.
The incident has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).  In a detailed statement, Jet Airways said the crew of the flight has been placed off roster in order to assist with the investigation as a standard practice.  “Jet Airways flight 9W-276 of December 22, 2017, from Mumbai to Dhaka with 8 crew and 160 guests, had a tail-strike on landing. There were no injuries to guests or crew, all of whom deplaned safely and have since proceeded onwards to their final destinations,” said the statement.
24/01/17 India.com

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NHRC notice to AAI over delayed relief to Dalit families

Nine years after they were evicted from their village to make way for the expansion of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, over 50 Dalit families are yet to be rehabilitated, forcing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to issue notices to the authorities concerned on Monday.

As per media reports, a total of 122 Dalit families of Nangal Dewat village in Delhi were removed from the area when Terminal-3 of the IGI Airport was being expanded. So far, 59 of these families have not been provided alternate accommodation by the authorities.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the media reports, which it termed “painful” and “indicative of grave violation of human rights, the NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government and the chairperson of the Airports Authority of India, asking for reports within six weeks.

The commission asked the two officials about what steps had been taken and proposed for the rehabilitation of these families.
24/01/17 The Hindu

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Narrow escape for 168 as tail of Jet Airways plane hits runway on landing in Dhaka

New Delhi:  168 people onboard a Jet Airways flight from Mumbai had a narrow escape after the tail of the aircraft hit the runway on landing at the Dhaka International airport last week, prompting the airline to remove the pilots from duty.
The B737 aircraft has been grounded and a team from Boeing company is expected to visit Dhaka to assess the extent of damage to the plane while engineers from Jet Airways have already started the assessment, sources said.
The incident, which happened on January 22, has been reported to aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
DGCA sources said Bangladesh's aviation authorities are expected to investigate the incident since it happened in Dhaka.
According to them, if the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Bangladesh, which is the country's aviation regulatory body, decides not to probe the incident, then AAIB may take up the investigation.
24/01/17 PTI/Times of India

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Cool deal for Bagdogra fliers this summer

Kolkata: The number of daily flights to north Bengal, which serves as the gateway to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the Dooars, is set to increase to 11 from seven over the next couple of months.
While IndiGo and SpiceJet operate two flights each and Jet Airways, Air India and Go Air have a daily connection, IndiGo is increasing its frequency to four a day. Jet is set to add one and Air Asia will start flights on the sector from February 19.
The flight timings are also crucial. Unlike now, when the first connection to Bagdogra from the city lands at 11.40am and the last flight out of there is at 4.30pm, one will be able to reach Bagdogra as early as 7.40am on a Jet Airways flight. The last flight out is at 4.50pm.
"Bagdogra is set to become one of the busiest airports in the region with 13 daily flights to Delhi, three to Guwahati and one each to Mumbai and Hyderabad," said Bagdogra airport director Rakesh Sahay.
The increase in flight frequency also poses a challenge as the terminal has a capacity of only 7 lakh. With 13 arrivals and 11 departures scheduled in two hours (12pm-2pm), the facility will face pressure.
24/01/17 Times of India

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37 flights suffer delay at Chennai airport due to protests

Chennai: Congested North Chennai remained cut off from others part of greater Chennai as protestors in labour dominated Pulianthope, MKB Nagar, Royapuram and Pattalam staged demonstrations till late in the night. Passengers to Chennai airport were the worst affected as all roads leading to airport were also closed due to protests.

The ripple effect saw the delay in departure of both domestic and international flights in the city airport. Chennai airport sources confirmed that a total of 37 aircraft including three international flights suffered a delay of a minimum of 30 minutes to over 3 hours. Majority of those stranded included the crew and the passengers who could not reach the airport on time.


Though the aircrafts arrived as per the schedule, passengers were stranded at different parts of the city and the departure of flights continued till late in to the night. “Departures are delayed due to traffic difficulties,” Airport Director G. ChandraMouli told DC.
24/01/17 Deccan Chronicle

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Airport Authority of India proposes 2 parallel runways at Surat airport

Surat: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) finalised the master plan for Surat airport with two parallel runways and submitted it to the Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA) for its incorporation in its development plan 2035.
AAI had signed an agreement with the state government in 2003 to develop and expand the Surat airport in next two years. But since the additional land required was not provided by the state government, the project was on hold.
Now, the state government has decided to provide an additional 630.49 hectares land to AAI to further develop Surat airport. "Surat airport had received 317.43 hectares land by August 2009. As per earlier master plan passed in 2007, AAI had demanded 1,067.5 hectare land. The final master plan was further reviewed by AAI planning directorate in 2016 and revised master plan was submitted to SUDA for incorporation in their development plan-2035," Surat airport director Pramod Kumar Thakre.
The revised master plan includes extension of runway from 2,905 meters to 3,810 meters to achieve an overall passenger handling capacity of maximum 25-30 million per annum. It also includes development of two parallel runways with simultaneous operations.
24/01/16 Ashleshaa Khurana/Times of India

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B'luru airport to be partially closed from Feb 8

The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here is gearing up for a major disruption in its operations from February 8 to April 30. The runway will be closed partially first for the Aero India rehearsals and show days, and later for its upgrade work. These closures will trigger massive changes in flight schedules.

The airshow is scheduled to be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station from February 12 to 18. Since the Air Base is too close to the Devanahalli-based KIA, all flight operations will be cancelled during show rehearsals from February 8 to 11. The runway will again be closed partially during the show days.

Airlines with scheduled aircraft operations that will be impacted during this period have received communication on the reduced operating hours, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said in an official release. “Passenger convenience will be ensured with the respective airlines sharing timely communication on the change in airport operations and the cancelled/revised flight timings during the length of the 2017 Aero India show,” it said.

A day after the airshow, the runway will again be closed partially for a planned upgrade work, to be carried out in a phased manner. This closure will be effective from February 19 to April 30, 10.30 am to 5 pm. BIAL said the upgrade will also involve partial closure of facilities without any impact on airport operations.

The upgrade has been designed to support the growing air traffic at the Bengaluru airport. “The runway closure has been planned and aligned to commence along with Aero India 2017. BIAL has taken proactive efforts to ensure that any discomfort caused as a result of this closure remains minimal.”
24/01/17 Deccan Herald

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Airport parking charge imperative amid chaos, security issues: MIAL tells HC

Mumbai: Justifying its decision to levy parking charges on vehicles entering its premises, the Mumbai International Airport Limited has told the Bombay High Court it was imperative considering the chaos and security issues.
A charge of Rs 110 is levied on each vehicle for entry into Terminal 2. A fine of Rs 1,100 is levied on those vehicles which lose their parking receipt.
The MIAL filed an affidavit in response to a PIL by city resident Akhil Chitre, seeking direction to the authority to stop levying parking charges on vehicles entering the international airport.
MIAL, in its affidavit, said the situation at Mumbai’s airport is chaotic with security concerns and hence, a systematic navigation system needed to be implemented.
“When there was no charge or minimum time prescribed for a vehicle entering or staying during pick-up, grave problems were noted on a daily basis. It was noted that commercial vehicles would park at pick-up points endlessly, leading to chaotic situation,” it said.
“Such chaotic situation was a security nightmare and the Mumbai airport being a highly sensitive location and also a probable target for terrorist attacks, the security of the airport was being compromised,” the affidavit said.
24/01/17 PTI/India.com

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Mumbai doctor helps save passenger’s life at airport

A doctor from Thane resuscitated, gave first-aid and helped save the life of a passenger at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here early on Monday.
Anaesthesiologist Gayatri Patankar had arrived from Dubai and just cleared customs when she saw an obese man in his mid-50s slumped on a wheelchair with a crowd gathered around him, around 11.30 pm.
“The onlookers informed that he suddenly fell and lost consciousness, I checked and he was cyanosed, limp and pulseless,” Patankar told IANS. As the Mumbai International Airport Ltd. medical emergency team was summoned, she wasted no time and placed him on the floor and gave him a cardiac massage.
A medical team arrived with an emergency kit and they continued CPR on the patient, giving shocks with a defibrillator. After the third shock, the patient started breathing and the airport medical team also reached by then at the spot.
The patient, said to be from Mumbai, who arrived by an international flight, was administered certain injections and medicines.
As he showed gradual signs of improvement, he was shifted to the Seven Hills Hospital at Marol, early Monday.
24/01/17 IANS/Indian Express

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Cabinet approves land swap between Bihar govt, AAI for Patna airport

New Delhi: : The government today cleared swapping of land between Bihar government and Airports Authority of India for the expansion and development of Patna airport, which handles traffic more than three times of its existing capacity.
Union Cabinet, which met here under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved transfer of 11.35 acres of (Bihar government) land to AAI by way of exchanging equivalent area of AAI's land at Anisabad, an official release said today.
The AAI plans to expand Patna airport as the existing terminal building was built for a capacity of 0.5 million passengers per annum, against which 1.5 million passengers per annum are already using the airport.
24/01/17 PTI/Economic Times

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BIAL & Govt working on alternative roads to airport, says Civil Aviation Minister

The Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) is working with the State Government on building alternative routes to the Kempegowda International Airport, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said.
The alternative connectivity project includes (a) widening and improvements in Jala-Mylanahalli road from Mylanahalli to Begur and (b) land acquisition and construction of approach road from Begur to southwest corner of the airport boundary, the Minister said in a letter to Bengaluru Central MP P.C.Mohan. The airport, Raju said, has recognised the need and urgency for a second road connectivityto the airport for both operational and emergency reasons.
"BIAL understands that land survey has been completed and preliminary notification has been issued for land acquisition. PWD has been identified as the implementation agency for external road construction and the road within the airport boundary will be construction by BIAL," the Minister said.
24/01/17 Economic Times

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Passengers reach Delhi, glitch holds back luggage

Ahmedabad: As many as 60 passengers on an Ahmedabad- Delhi flight got a rude shock upon landing at their destination when they discovered that their baggage had been left behind at Ahmedabad airport. While the airline has claimed that a few bags could not be loaded due to a broken luggage belt at Ahmedabad airport, the passengers claim the airline had failed to transport the bags by other flight later in the day. Airport Director AK Sharma acknowledged that there had been some technical glitch in the luggage belt that affected operations for a few hours and two flights had trouble loading luggage.

“However it was sorted out within couple of hours and operations is back to normal,” Sharma said. According to sources, the Delhi-Ahmedabad Indigo flight landed in Delhi around 9 am on Monday. “When the passengers deplaned and went to collect their luggage, they discovered that it had not arrived with them. As many as 60 passengers were affected. We are still sitting at Delhi airport waiting for the bags. Indigo has assured they will send the bags on the last flight,” said Nirmesh Kapoor, one of the passengers. An elderly passenger Krishna Kapoor said that her medicines were in her bags that was left behind in Ahmedabad. “I can’t go too long without the meds. I hope they give us our bags soon,” she said.

A senior officer of Indigo airlines in the city confirmed that some of the bags were left behind in the city airport.
24/01/17  Zahid Qureshi/Ahmedabad Mirror

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Delhi airspace to remain available for civilian aircraft tomorrow

New Delhi: Delhi airspace will remain available for civilian aircraft operations for the entire day tomorrow with the Indian Air Force (IAF) deciding not to conduct flypast for the Republic Day rehearsal after the exercise went off well today.
Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages the civilian airspace, had earlier issued a NOTAM to the airlines, making Delhi skies out of bounds for commercial flights arriving and departing out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here for more than an hour every day from January 19 till January 24 and for a similar period on January 26.
An IAF official said the force normally keeps one day as a “backup” for flypast rehearsal.
“Since the rehearsal went off well today, we decided to not continue the exercise tomorrow,” said the official.
According to NOTAM, no landing or take-off of any commercial flight will be allowed from IGIA in New Delhi between 1035 hours to 1215 hours from January 19 to 24 and then again for the same duration on January 26.
23/01/17 PTI/India.com

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Bengaluru airport closure schedule announced

Bengaluru:Flying in or out of Bengaluru is set to get tougher for the next two months as the runway at Kempegowda International Airport will be partially closed as part of the preparations for Aero India 2017. This period will also be used to build rapid exit taxiways for the runway.

An advisory issued by the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) on Monday said that the runway will be partially closed for rehearsals from February 8-11 and subsequently for the Aero India show from February 12-18.

From February 19 till April 30, the runway will be closed for a few hours to carry out upgradation work. “The work will be carried out in a phased manner. Certain phases will involved closure of the runway. At other times, airport operations will not be affected. These works have been necessitated by the need to support the growth in air traffic at Bengaluru airport,” the statement read.

Changes to flight schedules will be put up on www.bengaluruairport.com, on the Twitter handle @BLRAirport and the BLR Airport App.
23/01/17 The Hindu

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Man held for trespassing into Coimbatore airport

Coimbatore: A 35-year-old man was arrested on charges of trespassing into the airport here after he tried to board a Chennai-bound flight without a ticket, police said today.
Rangarajan of Perumbalur district, who possesses an Australian citizenship, was found roaming near the aircraft around 5.30 PM yesterday but failed to produce the air ticket, following which he was taken into custody, they said.
23/01/17 PTI/India.com

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Delhi airport bags Corporate Social Responsibility award in aviation sector

GMR Group-led consortium Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) on Sunday said it has bagged the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in the aviation transport sector for 2016.

The award was presented on Friday at a special presentation ceremony during the 11th International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility, a DIAL release said here.


"The award reaffirms our commitment towards achieving exemplary results for our society while following the best practises," DIAL Chief Executive Prabhakara Rao said.

The Golden Peacock Awards were founded by the Institute of Directors, India, in 1991 and are globally regarded as a benchmark of corporate excellence.

The National Quality Award Scheme was instituted to encourage total quality improvements in both manufacturing and service organisations in India.
22/01/17 Business Standard

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Juhu runway extension impractical as stilts in sea will flood beachfront areas

As India's domestic air passenger traffic continues its double-digit growth, the one big question that surrounds Juhu airport is whether it can play a supporting role and take some burden off the lone, congested Mumbai airport?
Officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are divided on the issue. Top officials in the AAI headquarters in Delhi believe Juhu airport can be developed to decongest, to some extent, the Mumbai airport.After the private consultancy firm submitted a report that wasn't technically sound, AAI appointed another firm, this time for an indepth study on how best to use the Juhu airport.
But Mumbai air traffic controllers say the only solution is construction of the Navi Mumbai airport. "AAI pays crores to consultants who haven't told us anything that we don't already know. The first consultancy firm they hired over six years ago didn't even have a technical expert and they submitted a poor report.Why was that firm hired? It's a racket that needs investigation," said Mangala Narasimhan, AAI deputy general manager, aviation safety.
Senior air traffic controllers explained the technical problems that make the Juhu plan financially unfeasible. The plan is to extend the Juhu main runway into the Arabian Sea on stilts to make it long enough to accommodate ATR aircraft (Jet Airways and Air India together have about 35 ATRs). Currently , only small aircraft and helicopters operate out of Juhu. "If the runway is extended to 1,700 m, then the threshold will need to be displaced by 1100m. So effective landing length available won't be enough for ATRs (see graphic)," said Mangala.
23/01/17 Manju V/The Times Of India

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