No flights, Keralites stuck in Israel sans money, jobs

Kochi: At least about 250 Indians, most of them women from Kerala, are stuck in Israel after the country suspended international flights from January 25 to slow the spread of Covid-19. Many women, who were working as caregivers in Israel, are stuck after their job contracts expired in January. Some others want to return for medical purposes.

Though they have sought the help of the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, they were told to take a flight to Frankfurt, and from there to Abu Dhabi/Dubai, which is highly expensive and time-consuming as there is a huge queue for getting the transit visa too, said Bessy Siby, a native of Changanassery, whose job contract in Israel ended on January 15.

“After I lost the job, I have been trying to return to India. But with the consecutive operational freezing of Israeli airport the returning is impossible,” she told TNIE over the phone. Bessy has been in Israel since 2011. “Using the Frankfurt route alone will cost over Rs 1.5 lakh. Then there is an additional cost for taking the transit visa, etc,” she said.

In a letter to the Indian Embassy, she said many are finding it difficult to survive in Israel without proper income and urged the Indian government to take proper action for their return to India as soon as possible. 

The Israeli government, which initially closed the inbound and outbound flights by foreign airlines till January 31, later extended the ban to February 21, and further to March 6.

“We learn that the ban is likely to be extended till the Passover, which means till April,” said another Keralite, who is stuck there. Vinod Kumar Sharma, Attache (consular), Indian Embassy, Tel Aviv, in response to the letter by the Indians stuck in that country, pointed out that there were no regular commercial flights in the New Delhi-Tel Aviv sector, but only VBM flights, which are one-off or ad-hoc flights arranged by the Indian government and mostly operated by Air India or Air India Express. 

28/02/21 New Indian Express

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Chapman Freeborn moves aircraft engines on Ilyushin 76 in India for emergency

The global aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn announced that it moved aircraft engines on an Ilyushin 76 aircraft as there was an AOG (aircraft on ground) incident at a challenging airport in North India and the client urgently needed a new engine delivered from Delhi and for the damaged engine to be returned.
“Some operations are harder than others, and when the cargo is as fragile and high value as aircraft engines, a very specialised handling process is required. Chapman Freeborn recently conquered this, and all under strict time constraints,” noted the release.

This required impeccable teamwork from Chapman Freeborn, as not only were permits needed, but there were also legal and compliance issues to address, dealt with by Chapman Freeborn Directors Pierre Van Der Stichele and Daniel Carriett. Additionally, ground time was restricted meaning that only daytime operations were permitted.

The groundwork had to be precise and efficient, as an AOG can be incredibly costly in any situation and the knock-on effects can be drastic. But with over 47 years of experience, the Chapman Freeborn team was able to transport the new engine carefully and promptly in an Ilyushin 76, significantly reducing the client’s stress.

27/02/21 ITLN

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Jet's New Owner Jalan to Operate Airline, Build Airport at Uzbekistan

New Delhi: UAE-based Indian businessman Murari Lal Jalan, who is part of a two-member consortium chosen to revive Jet Airways (India) Ltd by its creditors, is in an advanced stage of talks with the Uzbekistan government to start a full-service airline and also build a new airport in the central Asian country, lawyers representing the lenders and their chosen resolution professional informed the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday.

Jalan, whose net worth stood at $138 million ( INR939 crore) as of 31 December 2019, plans to launch the airline in the June quarter in collaboration with the Uzbekistan government. The airline will have more than 25 planes comprising Boeing 737Max, Airbus330 and Boeing 787-Dreamliner aircraft, and it will primarily cater to CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and European Union.

The airport is likely to be developed jointly by the Uzbekistan government and Jalan at Namangan city, the lawyers informed the NCLT.

However, the signing of a binding agreement for the airport development has been delayed due to the pandemic.

26/02/21 Rhik Kundu/Mint/AviationPros

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India-SL air travel bubble in final stages

An air travel bubble between Sri Lanka and India aimed at boosting tourism is in its final stage, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said yesterday. 

He told the Daily FT another round of discussion to resume flights and to launch a travel bubble between SL and India was discussed with Indian High Commissioner Dr. Gopal Bagle, Aviation State Minister D.V.Chanaka, Tourism Ministry Secretary S.Hettiarachchi, Aviation State Ministry Secretary Madhava Devasurendra and Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando on Wednesday.

“The arrangement for an air travel bubble between the two countries has now reached the final stages. Once completed and in force, we are confident tourist arrivals from India will pick up,” Ranatunga added.

India is the largest source for tourists for Sri Lanka, with 355,002 arrivals in 2019. 

The Indian Government proposed to launch a tourist air bubble between the two neighbouring countries in early February. Thereafter, authorities of both countries commenced exploring possibilities of initiating an air travel bubble, adhering to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines to support revive and resume tourism and aviation industries that were severely hit by the pandemic. 

At present, no travellers are allowed from India and only two SriLankan Airlines cargo flights are operating to India.

Sri Lanka is a favourite destination for India’s leisure travel market, with its value for money hotel rates, bargain shopping and wide variety of climates and environments, ranging from mist-swathed mountains to lush jungles teeming with wildlife.

26/02/21 Charumini de Silva/Daily FT

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New flying rules catch Telugus off guard in US

Hyderabad: The sudden change in travel rules for those intending to return to India from the US has reportedly left many, especially those from the two Telugu States, stranded at American airports. Amid the scare of a second Covid wave, the new rules have made a negative RT-PCR test, taken 72 hours prior to the journey, a must for adult passengers as well as infants.

Many flyers, who had booked their tickets before the change in rules, were caught off guard at US airports when officials asked them to furnish the test reports even for their children. Ever since, they have been flooding Twitter and Facebook support groups with messages for help. It all began when the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that from February 22, all passengers, irrespective of age, would need to upload a negative RT-PCR report on the Air Suvidha portal before their journey. Several travellers, who had booked their tickets prior to the release of the notification on February 17, missed taking note of this rule, leading to confusion and many missing their flights.

“My wife and infant son were to travel to India on February 22 by Air India from Chicago as my mother-in-law is critical. But my wife was stopped at the airport and the authorities told her that even infants need to have a negative RT-PCR test. We did not receive any email or message from the airline regarding the updated guidelines. When we contacted the customer service, they told us that the test is not mandatory for children under two years,” Sunil Jampana said.

Several others in Canada, who booked their tickets prior to the notification, faced a similar problem. “Many were stuck at Vancouver airport due to the new requirement of a negative RT-PCR test report for infants. The airline customer care says we are allowed to travel but the Air India counter at IVR says otherwise,” tweeted Prabhanshu Pandit from Canada. The lack of flexibility in proceedings has also irked passengers. 

26/02/21 Donita Jose/New Indian Express

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SpiceJet launches scheduled freighter services to Singapore

Kolkata: SpiceXpress, the dedicated cargo arm of SpiceJet, has launched scheduled cargo flights connecting Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai with Singapore. 

 The airline will deploy its Boeing 737- 700F/800F aircraft on these routes. SpiceJet’s scheduled flights will operate twice-a-week to Singapore’s Changi Airport. The first scheduled flight carrying 13 tonnes of cargo was operated on February 20.

 In addition to Singapore, SpiceXpress operates scheduled cargo flights to Hong Kong and Bangladesh. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said, “We are delighted to commence our scheduled freighter operations to Singapore. This development would strengthen air trades between the two countries by providing faster and seamless logistics solutions. In addition, this strategic move would help SpiceXpress build its network in South East Asia. Singapore is also well-positioned as a springboard for SpiceXpress into other markets such as Europe and Australia.” 

 Lim Ching Kiat, CAG’s Managing Director of Air Hub Development said, “CAG has been engaging SpiceJet for several years to mount scheduled services to Singapore, hence we are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to Changi’s family of airlines. In these challenging times when air cargo capacity is constrained, the introduction of SpiceJet’s freighter service is much welcomed. The additional capacity helps support the transportation of essential goods such as medical and food supplies between the two countries.” With a network spanning 63 domestic and 50 international destinations and a fleet of 19 cargo planes, SpiceXpress is capable of flying over 600 tonnes of cargo daily to domestic and international destinations.

24/02/21 UNI

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Covid Negative Report Mandatory For Passengers Flying To India: Air India Express

New Delhi: In the wake of a sudden rise of coronavirus cases, Air India Express on Thursday rolled out new guidelines for the passengers travelling to India making it mandatory for them to submit a valid negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report on the website prior to their departure.

It has also stated that the travellers are required to take coronavirus screening test "not more than 72 hours before departure".

"All passengers travelling to India must carry the original negative RT-PCR test report with the test conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure. Fill in the self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal. Upload the negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha prior to departure. Carry a printout of the self-declaration and PCR Test update done on Air Suvidha while checking in," the guidelines from the Air India Express read.

All the passengers are also advised to download and install the Aarogya Setu app on their phones before boarding their flights, it added.

25/02/21 ANI/NDTV

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Air Arabia, India's SpiceJet could add more routes from Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai: There will be more flights and routes operated by budget airline Air Arabia and India’s SpiceJet from Ras Al Khaimah International.

The airport, which resumed taking in flights in October last, is banking on such deals to boost connectivity as the emirate attempts to position itself as a major tourist hub within the UAE.

Currently, SpiceJet passengers travelling from RAK International to Delhi can fly to multiple destinations through the carrier’s domestic service, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and Kozhikode.

The low-cost carrier also operates direct flights between UAE and seven Indian cities. And there could be even more.

“We expect even more Indian destinations to be added to SpiceJet’s direct service from Ras Al Khaimah within the coming months and years,” said Sanjay Khanna, CEO of RAK International Airport.

25/02/21 John Benny/Gulf News

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Eight held for obtaining Indian Passports fraudulently

Hyderabad: Shamshabad police have arrested eight persons for obtaining Indian passports in fraudulent manner. 

 On credible information, police arrested Nitai Das (20) of Bodhan, Nizamabad and a native of Bangladesh, Mohammed Rana Mia (20) of Bodhan and a native of Bangladesh, Mohammed Hasibur Rehman (20) of Bodhan and a native of Bangladesh, Sameer of West Bengal (absconding), Parimal Bain (31), passport agent of Bodhan and a native of Bangladesh, Shahnaj Pail (34) of Nadia district, West Bengal, Mateen Ahmed Mirza (26) of Bodhan, Manoj of Iraq and a native of West Bengal State (absconding), Peruka Mallesh Rao (51) of Bodhan (Police officer) and B Anil Kumar (49) of Nizamabad (Police Officer), a police release here said on Tuesday. 

 A complaint was received from Immigration Officer, RGI Airport, Shamshabad, Ranga Reddy district on January 25 at 1400 hours and stated on January 24, while the complainant team was on duty at RGI Airport, Shamshabad meantime at about 2240 hrs three Bangladesh Nationals-- Sanjib Dutta, Ramu Das and Mondal Sandip approached the departure immigration counter and they were intending to depart to Dubai by flight No. FZ-8426 on the strength of fraudulently obtained Indian passports. 

 During profiling all the three Bangladesh nationals revealed that they stayed at Bodhan, Nizamabad Dist and with the help of one agent Shahnaj Pail from West Bengal, got arranged fake Aadhar cards and helped them obtain Indian passport fraudulently. 

 The modus operandi was that the accused Nitai Das, Mohammed Rana Mia, Mohammed Hasibur Rehman and Parimal Bain are the foreigners hailing from Bangladesh Country. The accused Sameer is a mediator who helps the foreigners to cross illegally into India. Shahnaj Pail arranges flight ticket through his friend Sadham Hussain, Mateen Ahmed Mirza who created fake and fabricated Aadhar card, Manoj arranges visa, Sadham Hussain of Mumbai is the flight ticket Agent, Peruka Mallesh Rao and Anil Kumar are the Police Officers who conducted enquiry during the verification of passports.

23/02/21 UNI

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Pakistan PM Imran Khan to use Indian air space for travel to Sri Lanka

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will be using Indian Air space for travel to Sri Lanka. He will be on a two-day visit to the country from today, his second visit that comes months after his visit to Afghanistan.

 Pakistan had requested for use of air space, which India gave permission for. As protocol, whenever heads of state or governments pass through the air space of any other country, the country is alerted and due permission taken. WION has learnt that permission was sent 10 days ago to New Delhi by Islamabad. India gave permission on Monday.

 Important to note, in the aftermath of India removing special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan had denied permission for overflight for President Kovind's plane one time, and PM Modi's plane two times.

 In September 2019, Pakistan denied the use of its airspace for President Kovind's plane during his Europe visit. In the same month, it denied overflight to PM Modi's plane to attend the UNGA session, followed by no permission to Air India one during PM's Saudi Arabia visit in October 2019. India had taken the matter with the International Civil Aviation Organization.

23/02/21 Sidhant Sibal/Anas Mallick/DNA

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Dhaka, Morocco & Brazil top three on Mumbai airport's vaccine export list

Mumbai: About 43 million doses of vaccines have been transported from Mumbai airport from the time the distribution began in mid-January, said Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).

Out of this, 8.5 million doses were distributed within India, while 34.5 million doses were exported to countries across the globe. The highest export of the vaccine was to Dhaka with 9 million doses followed by Morocco with 6 million doses and Brazil with 4 million doses.

In all, so far, about 113 tons of the vaccine has been sent to over 57 destinations, including over 29 international and 28 domestic destinations.

"On the domestic front, a total of 2.1 million doses of vaccines were distributed to Raipur, Cochin and Guwahati," said MIAL adding that the airport has supported over 18 airlines for vaccine distribution across the globe.

"Air India, Emirates and Royal Air Morocco emerged as the top 3 airlines operating the highest number of vaccines to international destination with 15 million, 6.1 million and 6 million doses respectively whereas SpiceJet, Indigo and GoAir were the top airlines catering to the domestic destinations with 3.1 million, 2.7 million and 1.5 million doses respectively," it said.

"The SOPs implemented by the airport in anticipation of the vaccine distribution saw the terminal register an average cargo processing time of just 10 minutes for domestic delivery and 25 minutes for international, right from goods acceptance to dispatch at the ramp," said MIAL.

23/02/21 Manju V/Times of India

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UAE-India flights: New PCR Covid test rules deter travel

An FAQ published on the New Delhi Airport website, an Air India official, and several travel agents in the UAE have confirmed the reports and said the existing processes were revised by the government of India in a bid to control the spread of mutant strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. India’s new travel regulations are expected to come into force by Monday, February 22.

But in the UAE, expatriates, especially those with families, are reconsidering their travel plans home.

See why >>

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Hyderabad: E-boarding now live for Intl passengers on Emirates airlines

Hyderabad: As part of its aim to go completely paperless, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on Monday went live with e-boarding for international passengers of Emirates Airlines.

Indigo and GoAir Airlines scheduled International carriers had already gone live with paperless e-boarding from the Hyderabad International Airport, and Emirates is now the latest addition to this list.

Emirates Airlines on Monday began its e-boarding facility when it’s Dubai bound passengers e-boarded themselves on the EK 527 flight. The RGIA is credited as the first and only airport in India to offer an end-to-end paperless e-boarding to all its domestic passengers across all flights.

Pradeep Panicker, chief executive officer, RJIA, said, “We are glad that Emirates has also started using our indigenously developed e-boarding process. It is the first in the fleet of international airlines to do so. We are confident that in the days to come all international airlines will start using e-boarding towards our goal of paperless airport”.  

22/02/21 Siasat Daily

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Air India to Commence Delhi-Moscow International Flight Services from February 27

Air India has announced that it will be operating direct flights between Delhi and Moscow from February 27 to March 28, 2021. The flights will be to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo A.S. Pushkin Airport and the bookings for the same can be done through the Air India website, booking offices, call centres and authorised travel agents.

Recently, Russian carrier Aeroflot announced that it will be commencing twice-a-week flight services between Delhi and Moscow from February 14, under the air bubble agreement between the two countries. Aeroflot has deployed its 293-seater Airbus 333 aircraft in a three-class configuration — business, premium economy and economy — to operate these services, a release said on Thursday.

The flights will depart every Monday and Saturday from Delhi to Moscow, it added. Prior to the suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger flights from and to India on March 23 last year, the Russian airline was operating two daily services between the capital cities of the two countries.

Visa for all categories (including student visa) for the Indian citizens and persons who have a residence permit of Russia has resumed and all passengers will be allowed to enter Russia via air checkpoints, it said. However, travellers must present a certificate of a negative COVID PCR before boarding the international flight. The test must be not more than 72 hours before their time of arrival to Russia, it added.

21/02/21 News18.com

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SpiceJet launches scheduled freighter services between Singapore and India

Indian airline SpiceJet, has launched twice-weekly services between Singapore and three Indian cities – Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. The carrier’s first flight from Chennai landed at Changi Airport on February 20 at 1115 hrs. Operated under SpiceJet’s cargo arm, SpiceXpress, using a B737F aircraft, the new services will provide additional airfreight capacity between Singapore and India.

SpiceJet launched its cargo operations under SpiceXpress in September 2018 and has since expanded its fleet to 19 cargo aircraft, including five widebody aircraft (as of January 2021). Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline has aided in the transportation of critical goods and medical supplies internationally. It has emerged as India’s largest air cargo operator by fleet and cargo carriage.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a reduction in global air travel. To address the reduction in bellyhold cargo capacity due to the fall in passenger traffic at Changi Airport, Changi Airport Group (CAG) has been working closely with its airline partners who operate the Singapore-India route to ensure that supply chains are kept open. In 2020, India was Changi Airport’s sixth largest air cargo market, with cargo tonnage reaching 75,000 tonnes for the year.

Between April and December 2020, SpiceJet operated over 230 chartered cargo flights, comprising freighter and cargo-only passenger flights, between India and Singapore. The air cargo capacity injected by SpiceJet has helped support air trade and the conveyance of humanitarian goods, including medical supplies and perishables, between the two countries.

In addition to SpiceJet, there are four other cargo airlines (AeroLogic, FedEx Express, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Cargo) operating freighter flights between Singapore and India. In 2020, airlines such as Emirates, IndiGo, Singapore Airlines and SriLankan Airlines have also operated cargo-only passenger flights between India and Singapore.

22/02/21 STAT Times

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Changi welcomes SpiceJet’s scheduled cargo service

Changi Airport is set to see more cargo capacity between Singapore and India as SpiceJet has launched two weekly services between the city state and three Indian cities, including Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.

A B737F, operated by its cargo arm SpiceXpress, flew in from Chennai on 20 February, and the new scheduled services is expected to add much needed capacity.

This is a welcome development for Singapore’s air hub particularly as it has been in talks with the Indian carrier for several years to become a partner airline. Changi said the carrier had operated over 230 charter flights (freighter and cargo-only pax) from April to December last year to help transport humanitarian goods, such as medical supplies and perishables, between the two countries. The airline recently drafted two wide-body planes—B767 and A330—to its cargo fleet, to meet the demand for long-haul routes to Europe and North America.

“CAG has been engaging SpiceJet for several years to mount scheduled services to Singapore, hence we are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to Changi’s family of airlines,” Lim Ching Kiat, CAG’s managing director of air hub development.

“In these challenging times when air cargo capacity is constrained, the introduction of SpiceJet’s freighter service is much welcomed,” he added.

Changi Airport, much like other air hubs, had to endure the previous year which succumbed to the fall in passenger traffic due to coronavirus-related measures across the globe.

Much of the industry had to re-evaluate resources to accommodate cargo and offset the fall in demand, and the air hub said it has been working closely with airline partners on the Singapore-India route to ensure that supply chains are kept open.

22/.02/21 Payload Asia

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Nepal gets 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine bought from India

Kathmandu: Nepal on Sunday received the one million doses of Covishield vaccine it bought from India's Serum Institute, in a major boost to the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) which has collaborated with Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for making the vaccine.

An Air India aircraft carrying the consignment of COVID-19 vaccines landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport in the morning, according to sources at the Indian Embassy here.

The Nepal government has decided to procure a total of two million doses of the vaccine manufactured by the SII.

Last month, India gifted one million doses of Covishield vaccine to Nepal. The Nepal government has already started administering the vaccines on health workers, security personnel and journalists on priority basis.

It is planning to soon start a vaccine rollout for elderly citizens, according to the Health Ministry. Nepal has so far reported 2,73,431 COVID-19 cases and 2,061 fatalities.

21/02/21 PTI/New Indian Express

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Bangladesh man held with Indian passport at airport

Chennai: While scanning the passports of passengers, the immigration officials found out that the passport of one Solaiman (29) of Tiruppur was fake and detained him. His flight tickets were cancelled and the flight left to Dubai without him. 

Investigation revealed that his original name is Miyak and that he is Bangladesh national. Immediately, Q branch sleuths and intelligence officials confined him in a room and held inquiries to ascertain if he had links with any terrorist organisation. 

After questioning him for hours and recording his statement on how and when he entered India and how long he had been staying in Tiruppur, Miyak was handed over to the passport wing of Central Crime Branch sleuths. Further investigation is on.

22/02/21 DT Next

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Bangla man collapses at Kol airport, dies

Kolkata: A 51-year-old Bangladeshi man who landed at the Kolkata airport on Friday evening collapsed during immigration clearance and was declared dead on being taken to a private hospital. He had come to Kolkata for treatment.

The man, Biplab Saha, a resident of Dhaka flew down to Kolkata around 4.40pm by an Air India flight and was at the immigration counter along with his relatives when he suddenly collapsed around 5pm. He was attended to by airport’s medical team who performed CPR and provided initial treatment. He was then taken to Charnock Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

“He had been suffering from a cardiac ailment for a long time. It seems he suffered a cardiac arrest while coming out of the airport. By the time, he reached our hospital, he had passed away,” said a hospital official.

21/02/21 Times of India

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One million doses of Covishield vaccine arrive from India

Kathmandu: One million doses of vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today from an Air India flight.

The government had signed an agreement with the Serum Institute on February 17 to purchase 2 million doses of vaccine.

The first batch of vaccines has come under the same agreement. The second batch of vaccines likely to arrive within March 7, according to the Ministry of Health.

Vaccines from India will be stored in the cold room at Teku from the airport. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the vaccination campaign will be distributed from the district health offices through the state health supply management center to the vaccination centers across the country.

21/02/21 Khabarhub

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Kuwait resumes direct flights from 35 countries, including India, from tomorrow

Nizamabad: The Kuwait government has resumed direct flight services from 35 countries including India from Monday. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of Kuwait issued orders in this regard. The decision would help guest workers from India easily reach Kuwait for their employment.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, direct flight services were suspended to and from Kuwait since September last year. As a result, guest workers were forced to travel to Dubai where they had to undergo 14 days of quarantine.

They could travel onwards to Kuwait only after that, where they faced another 14-day quarantine. It cost the guest workers about Rs 50,000 in additional expenses.

Following the resumption of direct flights, guest workers can go to Kuwait and head for the 14-day quarantine. They will need to book hotel rooms in Kuwait, and the authorities advised foreigners, especially the guest workers, to enroll details in the Kuwait App and get hotel reservation, otherwise they will be repatriated to their native countries.

21/02/21 Deccan Chronicle

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S. African police seize illegally imported medicine at airport

The South African police on Friday said they have seized unregistered medicine believed to be Ivermectin worthy of R126 million (8.6 million U.S. dollars) at the OR Tambo International Airport early this week.

The police said they seized the illegal drugs which were in tablet form when inspecting a cargo container from India.

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) confirmed that the medicine was imported without the necessary written approval and authorization.

“While no arrests have been made as yet, the police through its Interpol office are working with authorities from India to establish the exact delivery address of the consignment in the country. The latest confiscation of unregistered medicines is the largest bust concerning the illegal importation of medicines since the beginning of the year,” said police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

20/02/21 Xinhua/CGTN Africa

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Airbus, FlyBlade India tie up for on-demand helicopter services market in South Asia

European aviation major Airbus has signed an initial pact with the US-based helicopter transport services provider BLADE's Indian subsidiary, FlyBlade India, to help develop the on-demand helicopter services market in South Asia.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Airbus and BLADE will collaborate to create awareness about on-demand helicopter services, among helicopter operators, customers and other stakeholders in the region, a statement said on Friday.

BLADE had in December 2018 formed a joint venture with equity investment firm Hunch Ventures to launch its services in the country.

"BLADE recognises Airbus as an industry leader in aviation and is looking to leverage its global knowledge and networks in creating a sustainable urban air mobility ecosystem," said Karanpal Singh, founder of Hunch Ventures.

This, coupled with the company's on-ground consumer knowledge, will help find mobility solutions for various on-demand and mission critical applications such as healthcare, he added.

Besides, the two partners will also work together to identify ways to increase BLADE's fleet size in South Asia. One of the ways to do so will be by supporting BLADE to gain access to the Airbus fleet of helicopters available with its operators in the region, it said.

19/02/21 PTI/Economic Times

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Air India Express flight with 104 on board makes precautionary landing at Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: A Calicut-bound Air India Express flight with 104 passengers on board made a precautionary landing at the Trivandrum International Airport at noon on Friday due to a technical snag in the hydraulic system of the aircraft.

The 737-800 Air India Express Boeing flight from Sharjah to Calicut was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram after the pilot received a technical snag indication in the cockpit, said a senior officer from the airline.

Following the indication, the pilot decided not to land at the Calicut airport where the length of the tabletop runway was relatively low against the total runway length of Trivandrum or Cochin international airport. The airline also denied reports that it made an emergency landing, adding that it was a precautionary landing.

All the passengers are safe and were deplaned from the aircraft. The airline has also made all necessary arrangements to accommodate passengers in another flight. The aircraft took off from Sharjah by 7 am and it was to land at 12.40 at Calicut.

19/02/21 New Indian Express

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Vistara Commences Flight Operations To Germany From India

Full service carrier Vistara on Thursday commenced its flight operations to Germany from India with the launch of a non-stop flight to Frankfurt from Delhi under the air bubble agreement between the two countries.

The inaugural flight, operated by a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departed Delhi at 3.30 am (IST) on Thursday and landed in Frankfurt at 7.55 am (CET), Vistara said in a release.

The Tata-Singapore Airlines jointly-owned carrier will fly between the two cities twice a week – on Thursdays and Saturdays, it said.

'The launch of our services to Frankfurt is another important step ahead in our commitment towards growing our global network and strengthening our presence in Europe,” said Vistara's Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Thng.

As one of the world's busiest aviation hubs, Frankfurt promises great opportunities for India's best airline to grow in the global market, Thng added.

18/02/21 Business World

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Free air tickets for Indian passengers stranded in UAE

The Consulate-General of India in Dubai has offered to provide free repatriation tickets to Indian citizens who are stranded in the UAE.

They were supposed to fly to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait but got stuck in the country because of Covid travel restrictions.

The tickets would be issued on a ‘means-tested' basis to those who cannot afford to buy them, a consulate official told Khaleej Times.

The tickets are sponsored under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) and will be offered to individuals who do not have the means to return.

Indian community groups and budget carrier Air India Express are also offering special all-inclusive fares of Dh285 and Dh330, respectively.

The decision to provide free air tickets follows an advisory issued by the Indian missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, discouraging Indians from travelling to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait via the UAE. The mission also urged stranded citizens to return home.

'The current travel situation is highly dynamic and we have urged Indians to avoid planning travels until their destination countries clear the entry restrictions, the official said.

Most of the stranded travellers were exoats who wanted to return to their jobs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

17/02/21 Khaleej Times/MENAFN

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South African woman caught with 3 kg heroin at Mumbai airport

Mumbai: A woman from South Africa was apprehended at the Mumbai international airport early on Thursday and nearly three kilograms of heroin was recovered from her by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), an official said.

Besides the banned drug, 10,000 South African rands in cash were also recovered from her, he said.

"Based on specific intelligence inputs, the NCB laid a trap at the passenger arrival area of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airportin the early hours of Thursday. During the operation, a woman who travelled from Johannesburg to Mumbai via Doha by Qatar Airways flight, was caught," the official said.

She was identified as Khanyisile Promise Khalishwayo, he said.

"After intercepting the woman on her arrival, the NCB team, led by zonal director Sameer Wankhede, searched her trolley-bag and found that a cavity has been created inside it," he said.

Two packets of heroin were found concealed in the cavity, while one more packet was hidden elsewhere in the bag, he said, adding that 2.960 kg of the banned drug was recovered.

18/02/21 PTI/Outlook

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Two Youths Held at Chennai Airport Over Alleged Illegal Travel to Yemen

Despite government ban due to adverse security situation, two youths planning to travel to Yemen were deboarded and arrested at Chennai airport on Wednesday. The accused, Jilani (26) from Kerala and Hasan (28) from Puducherry, were about to depart via Air India flight from Chennai to Muscat, Oman when officials found their passports and visas suspicious.

Immigration officials detained the two on suspicion that they were going to Yemen via Muscat in defiance of a government ban. Officials cancelled the travel and the two men were subjected to interrogation.

The Indian government has banned Indian travellers from entering Yemen since 2016, due to the fragile security situation and armed hostilities by ISIS extremists in the region. The government has made Indian passports and travel documents invalid for travel to Yemen.

17/02/21 CNN-News18/News 18

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Lufthansa India aims to reach out-of-court settlement with 100 terminated staff

Mumbai: A petition was filed by Senior Advocate Mohan Bir Singh under Sections 2-A, 9 (A), 10 (1) and 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act. The matter is set to be heard on Friday. They have also represented to the Ministry of Labour.

In response to a notice sent by the employees to the company, Lufthansa’s legal team has said that it is reviewing the issues raised by the terminated employees, said a source close to the development.

The employees had alleged that they were terminated without prior notice, and were not given job security even after signing a leave-without-pay agreement for two years.

Sources added that Lufthansa’s legal team indicated that the airline is considering the offer of settlement discussions with employee representatives. An employee requesting anonymity said that because of the “terminated” stamp on their resume, none of the employees who were asked to leave were able to find a job in the aviation industry.

BusinessLine has learned that the employees have also made a presentation to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) over the issue of termination.

17/02/21 Forum Gandhi/Business Line

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Indian-Origin Doctor Known For Preventing Communicable Diseases Via Air Travel Dies

Dr Jarnail Singh, an Indian-origin doctor who gained the limelight as an expert on stopping the spread of communicable diseases via air travel died on Wednesday.

The 67-year-old doctor headed several local and global aviation medicine organisations and was the first chairman of the Civil Aviation Medical Board of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

He coordinated the international response during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 that allowed the aviation sector to get back on its feet, the Straits Times reported.

Dr Singh also used his expertise to chair the CAAS' ultra-long-range task force, which put Singapore on the map by launching the world's first non-stop ultra-long-range commercial flight from Singapore to New York in 2004.

Singh died on February 6 in Singapore. His death has prompted tributes from those in the aviation and medical sectors worldwide.

Professor Chew Chin Hin, an emeritus consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said Dr Singh had a large part to play in establishing aviation medicine as a speciality in Singapore.

He had focused on training younger medical examiners who are responsible for health assessments of pilots and air traffic controllers.

"Aviation medicine has advanced immensely in recent decades. Certainly, Jarnail has contributed in a large measure to the training and in establishing high standards of the speciality, to the benefit of the many aviation medicine physicians we have today," said Prof Chew.

"Internationally, he was greatly respected as a much sought-after authority for expert advice. He will be greatly missed," the report quoted Prof Chew as saying.

Aviation medicine focuses on the safety and health of air crew and passengers and tackles the spread of disease through air travel, which makes pandemics a transborder and transcontinental event.

In an interview with the Singapore Medical Association in 2015, Dr Singh described humans as "the weak link in the entire safety chain", which aviation medicine hopes to strengthen.

17/02/21 Outlook

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Antonov Airlines transports 54-tonne power generation rotor from Ghana to India

Antonov Airlines has safely completed an urgent order to carry a 54-tonne rotor, used in power generation, from Ghana to India for repairs and back to Ghana after. Fellow members of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG), Rhenus Project Logistics USA, chartered the flight to carry the 10.50m long, 3.89m wide, 4.13m high rotor from Accra, Ghana, to Mumbai, India, and back.

The cargo carrier used loading equipment designed by its in-house engineering team, while the external cranes for loading and unloading at airport were arranged by Rhenus Project Logistics USA to ensure the highest levels of safety for the teams and cargo. Antonov Airlines developed technical instructions and Rhenus Project Logistics USA assisted the client in redesigning the skid to ensure the bladed rotor fitted inside the fuselage. 

“This transport operation required well-coordinated preparation and actions from both partners to fly such outsized and heavy cargo safely,” said Vladyslav Ishchuk, commercial executive, Antonov Airlines. He added, “Antonov Airlines showcased its flexibility by providing the AN-124 aircraft on the required dates during an extremely busy period for the customer to minimise any disruption that could have been faced.”

“Rhenus Project Logistics USA and Antonov Airlines have an association going back over 15 years, which has involved multiple charter performances for mutual clients and is a testimony to the strength and expertise members of THLG bring to their clients,” said Ritesh Nair, global sales director at Rhenus Project Logistics USA.

17/02/21 STAT Times

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Indian Air Ambulance Makes Emergency Landing at Islamabad Airport

An Indian air ambulance made an emergency landing late Sunday night at the Islamabad International Airport.

According to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, the flight had taken off from India and was heading towards Tajikistan. It had to make an emergency landing after the flight ran out of fuel.

The ambulance stayed in the capital for two hours. A British patient, a doctor, and two nurses were on board.

17/02/21 Daily Times

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Travelling to India from another country? Here's everything you need to know about updated COVID-19 SOPs

To reduce the risk of getting the new mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2 into the country, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for international passengers arriving in the country have been updated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Here's what you need to know >>

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HAL, Safran sign MoU for Rafale engine production in India

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for local manufacture of components and assembly of Smecma M88 engine that powers Rafale jets.

Under the terms of the MoU, HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines will explore opportunities to assemble Safran M88 engine and manufacture components for the engine with HAL for additional batch of Rafale Aircraft for India and for any aircraft manufactured in India by HAL fitted with M88.

The transfer of a significant amount of technology in the assembling/manufacturing programmes is also contemplated. The MoU also encompasses collaboration between HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines for indigenisation programmes relating to design and  development of high thrust engines of 110 kN power and above with transfer of key technology in the framework of this development.

"We are looking forward to expanding our collaboration with HAL, by exploring opportunities in strategic areas", said Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines. "Broadly, we remain committed to supporting the "Make in India" policy through major investments, synergy, and high-skilled job creation."

"Safran is our key partner in respect of engines in HAL’s helicopters like Chetak, Cheetal, Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter. HAL and Safran have successfully co-developed ‘Shakti' Engine for Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopter. We have manufactured more than 450 Shakti engines in India at HAL Engine Division in Bangalore, which is testimony of success of our collaboration,” said Mr R Madhavan, chairman and managing director of HAL.

15/02/21 domain-b

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Two Nepalis arrested at Mumbai Airport with fake NOC

Mumbai: Two men from Nepal landed in police custody after they were found carrying a fake NOC for a job in the UAE.

According to reports in Indian media, they were found of paying 40,000 Indian rupees each to a Delhi-based agent to help them get visas and a NOC from the Nepal Embassy at New Delhi required flying from India to the UAE.

The two —Karan Mahara (30) and Lal Singh Bhat (23)— claimed to be victims.

The two were stopped by immigration officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on February 10 before they could board the UAE flight, Times of India reported.

“Officials found the NOC fake which they got confirmed from the Nepal Embassy… We are getting information about the two agents, Anil Lama and Kapangi from New Delhi, who gave them with the fake NOC,” said a police official.

Sahar police senior inspector Dinkar Shilvate said immigration officials found the NOC fake after consulting with Nepal Embassy, the report added.

In the complaint, immigration official Vijay Chavan said, “We found the seal on the NOC too light. We mailed it to the Nepal Embassy. They replied saying they had not issued them.”

16/02/21 Khabarhub

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Romance in the air: This Valentine's Day, Bengaluru Airport delivers 2.76 lakh kg roses across the world

Bengaluru: A whopping 2.76 lakh kilogram of roses were exported to 41 national and international destinations from Bengaluru Airport in the run-up to Valentine's Day this year. 

This included a despatch of roses weighing 1.73 lakh kg and 1.03 lakh kg to international and domestic destinations respectively. 

An official release from the operator of Kempegowda International Airport said that a total of 6.4 million rose stems were flown across the globe. Some of these included cities such as Singapore, London, Kuala Lumpur, Beirut, Manila and Auckland. 

The release further added that close to 2.6 million stems were sent to domestic airports of Kolkata, Delhi, Bagdogra, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai and Ahmedabad among others. 

The  Cargo service operators at KIA, Air India SATS Airport Services Limited and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bengaluru Pvt Ltd facilitated these transfers. 

14/02/21 New Indian Express

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Sharjah flight resumes after 11 months; 23 of 60 flyers quarantined, 37 exempted

Nagpur: After 11 months, one of the two international flights — from Sharjah — resumed operations at city airport on Sunday. Of the 60 people who arrived, 23 were quarantined and remaining 37 got exemption.

Following pandemic, flights from Sharjah and Doha were stopped on March 24. Once a daily flight, the Sharjah aircraft will arrive here once a week on Sundays till February 28. The decision to continue once a week or at higher frequency is likely to be taken on March 2.

A 15 member team of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and MIHAN India Limited (MIL) received all passengers. Two doctors and one nurse of the civic body reportedly checked temperature and oxygen saturation level of all flyers.

NMC additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Nipane told TOI, “We gave 37 flyers exemption from 7-day quarantine. There were seven couples with children below five years so total 21 were exempted. Remaining 16 were given exemption for other reasons, like cancer patients, arrived for attending funeral etc. Some were from other districts so respective district administrations were alerted. RT-PCR test of all these people is supposed to be done on 5th day and all have to strictly follow home isolation norms.”

Nipane added the remaining 23 passengers were informed in detail about two types of facilities for institutional quarantine at airport itself. “Four of them had already booked rooms in a private hotel before landing here. Eleven others too wished to stay in private hotels. Eight were quarantined at VNIT Hostel as they wished to avail free of cost quarantine facility provided by NMC. I thank MIL officials as well as staff of the airlines, who had already guided flyers about system of 7-day quarantine along with paid and free facilities before landing here,” he said.

NMC engaged five city buses with a driver, attendant and two security guards. Four buses took 15 flyers to seven private hotels and one bus ferried 8 to VNIT hostel.

On the confusion created by NMC regarding paid and free quarantine facilities, Nipane said, “Government guidelines say international flyers have to be quarantined in paid facilities. The NMC took decision to also provide free quarantine facility. The same was done when flyers from Europe, Middle East and South Africa arrived in November and December last year,” he said.

15/02/21 Anjaya Anparthi/Times of India

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'India remained top destination for Dubai Airport in 2020'

New Delhi: India remained the top destination country for air travellers from Dubai, one of the world’s busiest airports, in pandemic 2020.

According to Dubai Airports, it saw 43 lakh passengers head to India; followed by the United Kingdom with 19 lakh and Pakistan coming with 18 lakh. The top three cities were London (11.5 lakh passengers), Mumbai ( 7.7 lakh) and New Delhi with 7.2 lakh, it said. Delhi-Dubai is the world’s second busiest international route globally at the moment in terms of seat capacity deployed by airlines, according to UK-based aviation firm OAG.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) saw 2.6 crore passengers in 2020, a 70% decline from 2019. Last April commercial flights were stopped there due to the pandemic. Then on June 23, 2020, UAE airspace was officially re-opened and travel to Dubai for tourism was allowed from July 7, 2020. Since then traffic has been gradually reviving.

“From a markets and destination perspective, the recovery is strong. There are now 142 destinations (61% recovery) served from DXB in 80 markets (85% recovery) on 56 airlines (75% recovery)…. India retained its position as the top destination country for DXB by passenger numbers,” Dubai Airports said in a statement.

15/02/21 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Delhi-Dubai currently world’s second-busiest international route

Delhi-Dubai is the second busiest international air route in the world right now, providing a much-needed boost for UAE carriers after the UK market was all but cut off earlier this month following Britain’s ‘red list’ ruling.

The UK government’s decision to add the UAE to Britain’s travel ‘red list’ caused the usually popular Dubai-Heathrow route lose its place as the world’s busiest international route in February.

But data from OAG shows that Dubai remains a central hub in February 2021, with 129,683 seats scheduled on the popular Delhi-Dubai route, putting it just behind Orlando-San Juan.

India and the UAE have an air travel bubble agreement in place, allowing free travel between the two countries. Routes like Delhi-Dubai are very important for UAE carriers now as airlines like Emirates and Etihad seek to redeploy capacity lost on lucrative UK routes.

India in 2020 was the top destination country for DXB by passenger numbers, with traffic reaching 4.3 million over the year, followed by the United Kingdom with 1.89 million customers. The top three cities were London (1.15 million customers), Mumbai (772,000 customers) and Delhi with 722,000 customers.

According to an Indian airline boss, the UAE’s vaccine rollout is increasing confidence among passengers and is boosting demand on routes between India and the UAE.

Vinod Kannan, chief commercial officer of Vistara, said recently that the carrier’s India-UAE route network has grown overall during the pandemic “due to the consistently high demand for travel between the two countries – whether for business, tourism or VFR (visiting friends and relatives)”.

15/02/21 Hotelier Middle East

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Fly to Male from Mumbai. Air Fare Starts at Rs17,699

Mumbai: Full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, just announced special, non-stop flights between Malé and Mumbai.

Starting from March 3, 2021, the airline will fly three times a week under India’s travel bubble agreement with the Maldives.

The Airbus A320neo aircraft will be deployed on the routes, with its three-class cabin configuration.

Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents.

Introductory all-inclusive, round-trip fares are as follows: Economy for INR 17,699, Premium Economy for INR 23,799, and Business for INR 46,9991.

This makes Vistara the only airline to offer travellers the choice of Premium Economy in addition to Business and Economy cabins, on flights between India and the Maldives.

14/02/21 Outlook

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Vistara to connect Mumbai-Malé from March 3, round-trip fares start from Rs 17,399

Tata-SIA Airlines Ltd, operating as Vistara will operate special Mumbai to Malé flights under the updated air travel bubble arrangement from March. The airline will deploy its Airbus A320neo on the route thrice a week.

“Now, fly the new feeling to the Maldives on India’s Best Airline. We are thrilled to announce our direct flights to Malé from Mumbai,” the airline tweeted.

The round-trip, all-inclusive fares for Mumbai-Malé start at Rs 17,699 for economy class and at Rs 46,999 for the business class. This flight to the Maldives will operate three times a week – Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The airline recently commenced its daily flight service from Delhi to Sharjah in the UAE, also under the air bubble agreement.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended other scheduled international flights in India since March 23, 2020, due to the coronavirus contagion.

However, certain air bubble arrangements have made it possible for airlines to operate select international flights since July last year between India and 24 other countries.

Tata-SIA Airlines Ltd is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines with the former holding the majority stake in the company.

13/02/21 CNBC TV18

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‘No Airline Has Shown Interest In Regular Int’l Air Service From Sgr

Srinagar: A parliamentary panel has recommended to the Centre and administration of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory to sort out the problems due to which the airlines are not interested in operating international flights from Srinagar.

The department-related standing committee on Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has made the recommendation after Centre submitted its action taken report on the panel’s earlier suggestion that that the Ministry of Home Affairs along with the J&K government should engage with the ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India to facilitate the operation of international flights from Sheikh ul-Alam Airport, Srinagar.

“The committee recommends MHA to take up the matter with the ministry of Civil Aviation and administration of UT of J&K and sort out the problems due to which the airlines are not interested in operating international flights from Srinagar. The result of such consultations may also be intimated to this Committee,” reads the report.

In its earlier report, the panel had recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs along with the J&K government should engage with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India to facilitate the operation of international flights from Sheikh ul-Alam Airport, Srinagar.

“The Committee also recommends that the infrastructure provided at Srinagar Airport must be improved for the same,” read the earlier report.

In its action taken report, the Centre submitted that the UT of Jammu and Kashmir is also engaged with ministry of Civil Aviation to facilitate introduction of regular international flights to and from this airport to various international designations including those in South East Asia, Middle East, and Europe.

12/02/21 Kashmir Observer

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Air India offers special fare tickets for Keralites stranded in UAE

Dubai: Air India has come up with a “special all-inclusive fare” tickets for Keralites who are stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to the recent flight ban.

Air India Express on its official Facebook page announced that it was offering a “special all-inclusive fare” of Dh330 to stranded Non-Resident Keralites in Dubai and Sharjah who wish to return to Kerala but faced difficulty due to the recent entry restrictions introduced by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Earlier this week, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi advised Indian nationals against travelling to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait via the UAE.

The surging numbers of COVID-19 cases have also led the authorities in Saudi to suspend entry by banning flights from 20 countries including India, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).

According to an official from the Indian Consulate in Dubai, since December 2020, at least 600 Indians, who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia, are stranded in the UAE.

12/02/21 Nikita Venkatesh/Siasat Daily

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Lufthansa lays off 103 out of its 140 Indian cabin crew members

New Delhi: German mega carrier Lufthansa has laid off 103 India-based cabin crew almost a year after its flights to and from here were restricted due to the pandemic.

In pre-pandemic times, it used to have 56 weekly flights between its German hubs of Frankfurt and Munich and four Indian metros — a number that is now down to 10.

Lufthansa had about 140 cabin crew based in India to be rostered on these flights. Some of the laid off employees are planning a protest at Delhi Airport’s Aerocity on Friday.

A Lufthansa spokesperson said the airline “regrets to confirm that it will not be extending the fixed-term employment contracts of its Delhi-based flight attendants. The severe financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic leaves Lufthansa no choice but to restructure the airline. This includes personnel-related measures in Germany and Europe as well as in key international markets like India.”

“We exhausted every possible option and had even already reached an agreement with the Indian union we were in close consultation at all times. It would have avoided compulsory redundancies for our cabin staff. We had signed an agreement with the Indian union providing for two years of unpaid leave, with Lufthansa continuing to provide the local health insurance – even for enrolled family members."

"Lufthansa was also willing to absorb all associated premiums during this period. Unfortunately, consent to the agreement was revoked by the union on December 31. Indian cabin crew with unlimited contracts are not affected as Lufthansa was able to reach individual agreements with the these flight attendants. Not being able to reach an agreement for cabin crew with fixed-term employment contracts forces us to take this step as part of an inevitable restructuring of Lufthansa Group. It should be noted that this restructuring is not limited to India but affects all our worldwide markets and to a great extent includes our home markets, especially Germany. However, there we were able to reach initial agreements with unions to help weather the crisis,” the Lufthansa spokesperson said.

After India suspended scheduled international flights last March, airlines — both India and foreign — are allowed to operate on air bubble routes. Indian carriers operate Vande Bharat Mission flights.

“Lufthansa has terminated the services of its 103 Indian flight attendants on fixed term contracts based in Delhi overnight citing Covid Pandemic as the reason. No such terminations have happened in Germany or worldwide till date. Lufthansa was granted state aid by the German Government in June 2020. These terminations happened overnight without giving any prior notice. Some of these terminated people had been employed for nearly 15 years,” said one of the affected employees.

Airlines globally have been hit hard by Covid restrictions on travel and many of them are struggling to survive by taking all possible cost-cutting measures.

India had formed an air bubble with Germany last July. In the initial days of this arrangement, Lufthansa was operating 20 flights a week while Indian carriers were having 3-4 flights a week to Germany. India had objected to this disparity in numbers.

As a result of this disagreement over the disparity, Lufthansa had cancelled all its planned India flights between September 30 and October 20, 2020.

After this Germany had withdrawn permission for AI to operate flights to Frankfurt in the first half of October, 2020.

Later an agreement was reached in October between India and Germany under which Lufthansa was to operate 10 weekly flights to India and Air India seven flights to Germany.

12/02/21 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Air-bubble arrangement between India, Russia to come into effect from tomorrow

New Delhi: India and Russia have concluded an air-bubble arrangement and it will come into effect from Friday, the Russian Embassy said.

Under the pact between the two countries, special international passenger flights can be operated by their airlines into each other's territories under restrictive conditions.

"We would like to inform that the Russian and Indian sides have concluded an air bubble arrangement coming in to effect on February 12, 2021," the Russian Embassy said in a statement on Thursday. "We also would like to emphasise that the entry of tourists from Russia is not yet possible."

Scheduled international flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, special flights have been permitted under air bubbles since July last year.

According to the statement, three categories of passengers would be permitted to travel from India to Russia under this bubble: "Stranded citizens of Russia; any Indian national or Nepalese national or Bhutanese national holding a valid Russian visa; seamen planning to work in Russia".

The statement said four categories of passengers can travel from Russia to India under this bubble: "Indian nationals or Nepalese nationals or Bhutanese nationals stranded in Russia; all overseas citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and person of Indian origin cardholders holding passports of any country; seamen from Russia; Russian nationals intending to visit India for any purpose (including the dependents holding appropriate visa), except tourism".

11/02/21 PTI/Economic Times

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Jalan Kalrock Consortium rubbishes rumours of its withdrawal from revival of Jet Airways

The consortium of UAE-based businessman Murari Lal Jalan and London's Kalrock Capital, in a joint statement, have disregarded all rumors of its withdrawal from the revival plans of Jet Airways calling it 'baseless'.

In the statement released by Mr Jalan, Lead Member of the Consortium, and Mr Manoj Narender Madnani, Board Member of Kalrock Capital, it said, "all rumours surrounding around the withdrawal of the Consortium from the revival of Jet Airways are baseless and the Consortium denies the same".

The statement read that it is 'committed towards their submitted Resolution Plan and have no intentions of withdrawing from the ongoing resolution process'.

"The Consortium has faith in the Indian judicial system and is confident that their plan would be approved by the Adjudicating Authority as is, and at the earliest", said the statement.

In December 2020, the consortium, which had won the bid to revive Jet Airways, expected to start operating the airline by the summer of 2021. Two months back, the consortium was awaiting approvals from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and other regulatory approvals.

In fact, in a joint statement on December 7, the consortium had said that talks had been "extremely positive" between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to reinstate airport slots and bilateral traffic rights of Jet Airways.

However, the NCLT hearings have been constantly getting delayed. As per reports, the Mumbai Bench will give its order on February 22 whether or not to share the resolution plan of Jet Airways with its employees.

11/02/21 Moneycontrol.com

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As Jet Airways revival awaits final nod, winning consortia says it remains ‘committed’

New Delhi: With the final nod for reviving Jet Airways taking some time in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the Jalan-Kalrock consortium on Thursday said it remains “committed” to their resolution plan; has “no intentions of withdrawing from the ongoing resolution process” and remains confident the plan will be approved at the earliest.

The consortium was allowed by Jet creditors to revive the airline which was grounded in April 2019.

According to law firm Sarin and company, “State Bank of India has filed an appeal with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi, seeking a direction to the NCLT (currently seized of the Jet Airways matter) to hear and dispose of the resolution plan approval application of among others pending matters, expeditiously. The matter is now listed for March 1, 2021.”

In a joint statement, M L Jalan, lead member of the consortium and Manoj Narender Madnani, board member of Kalrock said: “The Jalan Kalrock Consortium is committed towards their submitted resolution plan and for the revival of Jet Airways and have no intentions of withdrawing from the ongoing resolution process. The consortium has faith in the Indian judicial system and is confident that their plan would be approved by the Adjudicating Authority as is, and at the earliest.”

"The plan submitted by the consortium takes care of all the stakeholders of Jet Airways, including its financial and operational creditors and the revival of Jet Airways is of utmost importance for Indian aviation sector and for its longstanding loyal customers in India and abroad,” the joint statement added.

While the committee of creditors (CoC) had approved Jet’s revival plan last year, NCLT’s final nod is awaited.

11/02/21 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Delhi-Dubai 2nd busiest international route this month

Mumbai: The three-and-a half-hour route from Delhi to Dubai is the world’s second busiest international route this month, according to UKbased aviation data firm, OAG. The top slot for February is occupied by the threehour-long route between Orlando in the US and San Juan, capital of Puerto Rico.

Apart from their short flying times, what also connected these busy international routes were the dirt-cheap, last-minute fares on offer, indicating the low demand due to Covid.

Delhi-Dubai return ticket on non-stop flight costs at least Rs 14,500

On Wednesday, the cheapest, 24-hour advance purchase, Delhi-Dubai return ticket on a non-stop flight cost the same as a Delhi-Goa non-stop return, that is, about Rs 14,500. For short haul international flights, the same story repeats in other parts of the world. The cheapest, 24-hour advance purchase return fare on the current busiest international route of the world, Orlando-San Juan, too sold cheap at Rs 16,300, offered by Spirit Airlines.

11/02/21 Manju V/Times of India

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India’s only seaplane still in Maldives for maintenance

Ahmedabad: India’s only seaplane that operates between Kevadia and Sabarmati riverfront was sent to the Maldives on February 3 for maintenance purpose.  Spicejet that operates it had said that it will return in three days.

However, it is still in the South Asian Country and there is no clarity when it will return to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Hindustan Times reported.

It is not the first time, earlier too, it had flown to Maldives.

The seaplane service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on October 31 to promote tourism. However, the service was discontinued within a month of its launch. Later, it resumed on December 30.

It may be mentioned that the plane is owned by Maldivian company.

11/02/21 Sameer/Siasat Daily

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International flyers fell 90% in March-December; Indian carriers’ revenue fell 75%

New Delhi: The number of international air travellers to and from India fell over 90% in the pandemic-ravaged March-December period last year, with just 18.5 lakh travellers, down from almost 2 crore in same period during 2019.

The pandemic saw 6.3 crore domestic air passengers, 56.3% lower than 14.4 crore in 2019, according to DGCA data.

The travel sector, including aviation and hospitality, are among the worst hit during the pandemic.

In response to a question in Parliament, aviation minister H S Puri on Wednesday said that since the outbreak of the Covid-19 “airline carriers have been severely affected due to restrictions on domestic and international passenger movements… Revenues of major Indian scheduled carriers fell from Rs 46,711 crore during April-September, 2019, to about Rs 11,810 crore during April-September 2020. Their full time and contractual employment which was 74,887 as on March 31, 2020, fell to 67,906 as on September 20, 2020.”

Scheduled international flights were suspended on March 23, due to the pandemic. Since then, India has been operating Vande Bharat Mission flights to many places and has formed air bubbles with over 20 countries on which allowed categories of travellers can fly.

Scheduled domestic flights were suspended for two months last year before being allowed to resume partially on May 25, 2020. Airlines are currently allowed to operate 80% of their pre-Covid domestic capacity.

Minister Puri added that two airlines — Deccan Charters and Air Odisha — ceased operations last July.

“Domestic air cargo handled fell from 1.15 million metric tonnes (MMT) during March-December 2019 to 0.72 MMT during March-December 2020, while international air cargo handled fell from 1.74 MMT to 1.19 MMT,” he said, while listing some steps to revive the sector.

10/02/21 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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India-Russia International Flights Now Allowed Under Air Bubble Pact, 25th Country on the List

India has created an air bubble arrangement with Russia with effect from 12.02.2021. Indian and Russian carriers are now permitted to operate flights between India and Russia. This is the 25th country under the Under Bubble Pact enabling flights between various countries and India for the ease of flyers. India temporarily discontinued all scheduled international flights since March 2020 and is allowing flights under the bilateral bubble agreements.

The flights on the India-Russia route are allowed to carry the following categories of persons:

A. From India to Russia:

i. Stranded nationals/residents of Russia;

ii. Any Indian national or national of Nepal or Bhutan destined for and holding a valid visa of Russia. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian/Nepalese/Bhutanese nationals to enter the destination country before issue of ticket/boarding pass to the Indian/Nepalese/ Bhutanese passenger; and

iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities and Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. Seamen should be destined for Russia only.

B. From Russia to India:

i. Indian nationals or nationals of Nepal or Bhutan stranded in Russia;

ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and Person of Indian Origin(PIO) cardholders holding passports of any country;

iii. Russian nationals intending to visit India for any purpose (including their dependents on appropriate category of dependent visa) except those on Tourist Visa; and

iv. Seamen from countries of Russia.

Passengers traveling on flights from India to Russia should be destined for Russia only. Similarly, only passengers originating from Russia should be allowed to travel on the flights from Russia to India.

09/02/21 News18.com

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Why airlines charge higher for Vande Bharat flights

Last April, the government launched the international repatriation flights under Vande Bharat Mission (VBM). The mission was aimed at giving a chance to people who were stranded overseas due to pandemic restrictions to come back to the country. Nearly all airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, Vistara and others have flown under this mission to bring back people.

Although the mission has done well, it has come at a hefty cost for the stranded passengers. How? In a reply to the Lok Sabha, civil aviation ministry has said that the higher fares on flights operated during VBM are due to a variety of reasons. The ministry said that VBM flights carry just one-way traffic due to visa restrictions. Then, many of the points where Air India is operating VBM flights are not regular points, and therefore, the national carrier had to sign short-term contracts for handling these flights at those stations. As a general rule, short-term contracts are priced higher than normal contracts.

"The Covid situation [has] added to the cost of operation towards PPE [personal protective equipment] kits, new guidelines for ground handling, sanitisers etc. Additional cost due to extra-precautions taken in view of operating under Covid conditions for the crew and passengers. Turnaround time was more at many places due to restrictions on crew and pilots, and additional seat blocks for extra set of crew due to no layover at the destination stations," the ministry reply said.

The ministry also said that the VBM fares are all one-way fares, which are generally higher than return fares. Air India, for instance, is charging fares between Rs 320,078 (first class) and Rs 51,341 (economy class) for one-way direct flight between Delhi to New York. However, with the introduction of air bubble arrangements with various countries since July, the VBM fares have started to come down.

08/02/21 Manu Kaushik/Business Today

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COVID-19 patient flies from Singapore to Tiruchy; district administration seeks explanation

In a serious lapse of health security that could trigger a domino effect of infections, a 38- year-old woman, with a Covid-19 positive test report, was allowed to fly from Singapore to Tiruchy on Sunday. The Air India Express flight that had 168 other passengers on board landed at 7.30 am.

The incident came to light only when her travel documents were being scrutinised at the Immigration counter. By then her co-passengers had already left the airport. Airlines sources said the ground-handling agency in Singapore was responsible for the goof-up.

“We have instructed our airlines manager in Singapore to conduct an inquiry, and have sought an explanation from the ground-handling agency, ‘SATS’,” Air India Express chief of corporate communications told The New Indian Express.

An official at the Tiruchy airport said the woman, who is from Pudukkottai district, was taken to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Tiruchy. “Her co-passengers can easily be traced since their details are with the Immigration department and district administration. But several people will have to be screened, since passengers went home by taxis or were picked up by their family,” said a source. 

“The district administration may also have to conduct RT-PCR tests on those working at Immigration and Customs, and other staff at the airport. This serious lapse by the airline has left a humongous task for the district administration to manage,” the source added.

Officials said the airport was later sanitised to ensure the safety of other passengers, and added that this issue has been conveyed to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. When contacted, Tiruchy District Collector S Sivarasu said officials have started taking steps to ensure the safety of the public. “We have sought an explanation from the airline. Our officials have started tracing the passengers, and steps will be taken to ensure their safety,” he stated.

07/02/21  Jose K Joseph/New Indian Express

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Feds Bust Man at Airport Smuggling Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

A passenger flying from India to Savannah, Georgia was intercepted by federal officers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Thursday carrying nearly $100,000 worth of erectile dysfunction pills, according to the Chicago Tribune.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesman Steven Bansbach said authorities found eight black-and-white boxes in his luggage totaling 3,200 pills of Vigore, an erectile dysfunction medication with active ingredients similar to Viagra.

The pills were worth an estimated $96,608, according to a news release. The man said he had items that he needed to declare when he arrived at O’Hare so he was sent to a secondary inspection site by CBP. It was there that officers found the pills.

Asked what the pills were and why he had so many, the traveler said they were purchased over-the-counter in India and that he was bringing them back to the U.S. for his friends. But Vigore is considered a prescription medication, which is not allowed to be transported into the U.S. from another country.

“Prescription medications manufactured in non-regulated foreign companies often contain dangerous contaminants or ineffective compounds, and though their packaging and labeling can be similar to genuine products, inconsistent ingredients and subpar quality controls can endanger the consumer,” said the agency in a news release.

The upshot? The man surrendered the pills but will not face any further charges or fines, Bansbach said.

07/02/21 Travel Pulse

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India looking at Tejas exports at Rs 309 crore per aircraft, HAL chairman says

Bengaluru: India is actively scouting for export potential for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at a vanilla price of just Rs 309 crore per aircraft, as countries from Southeast Asia and the Middle East have evinced interest, R. Madhavan, chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), said at Aero India being held in Bengaluru.

Responding to a query from ThePrint on the export potential and the costing, Madhavan said while the contract cost for the 83 Tejas fighters is about Rs 48,000 crore, it will come down to around Rs 36,000 crore if one takes away the tax component and escalation in foreign exchange.

“Some are calculating the price of the Tejas MK1 A based on the Rs 48,000 (crore) bill. This is wrong. If one takes out the taxes and duty, besides foreign exchange increase, the cost of the contract comes down to about Rs 36,000 core. Actually, the total order cost for the 83 LCA is about Rs 25,150 crore,” he said.

Explaining the break-up, Madhavan said the taxes and customs work out to be around Rs 9,200 crore, and another Rs 11,000 crore is for spares, ground equipment, training aides and manuals, among others.

“Cost per aircraft is Rs 309 crore. The trainer will cost Rs 280 crore. This is a very competitive price. Other countries have found this cost and have realised that it is the cheapest offer for a four-and-a-half generation aircraft,” he said.

04/02/21 Snehesh Alex Philip/Print

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State-run Alliance Air has highest number of foreign pilots among all airlines

Chandigarh: State-run Alliance Air employs the highest number of foreign pilots flying on domestic routes among all airlines in the country. It is also among the top airlines to hire retired personnel for flight operations.

Amongst 125 foreign pilots employed by 21 air operators as on date, 45 are working for Alliance Air followed by 33 with private sector Indigo, according to data made available by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Foreign pilots are hired by Indian operators to overcome the shortage of aircrew in the country in the backdrop of the aviation sector having witnessed consistent growth, with a significant increase in the fleet sizes as well as the number of destinations over the past several years.

Civil aviation rules require security clearance for the issue of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation to foreign pilots for flying in India. Requests by operators for verification of the antecedents of foreign pilots are forwarded by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to intelligence agencies.  

The ministry’s data also reveals that Indigo and Alliance are among the top airlines that have hired retired personnel for carrying out flight operations. Indigo has hired 31 retired persons while Alliance has employed 22.

06/02/21 Vijay Mohan/Tribune

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Qatar court orders review of Mumbai couple’s conviction for drug trafficking, family sees hope

New Delhi: In relief to a Mumbai couple convicted for ten years in a drug trafficking case in Qatar, the highest Qatari court has set aside the conviction and ordered a “review of the case”.

Mohammad Shareeq and Oniba Qureshi had been arrested in 2019 from the Hamad International Airport in Doha for carrying 4.1 kg of hashish in their luggage. The couple was convicted for the offense and has since been in jail. Qureshi even delivered a daughter inside prison.

However, according to the couple, it had gone to Qatar for a “second honeymoon” — a trip sponsored by Shareeq’s paternal aunt Tabassum Riyaz Qureshi. She allegedly gave the couple a drug packet, falsely claiming it contained tobacco to be delivered to a friend in Qatar.

Since their conviction in 2019, Shareeq and Oniba’s families had been running pillar to post for relief.

In its order Wednesday, the Court of Cassation noted the verdict of the appeal court, equivalent to a high court, was “defective and worth for challenge” as it did not take into account the defense.

“The verdict hasn’t replied for the defense supported with the documents as they hadn’t criminal intent as they were not knowing that the captured matters as narcotics and they were cheated by one of their relatives. This makes the verdict defective and worth for challenge (sic),” said the order, which was originally in Arabic and translated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in India. ThePrint has accessed a copy of the order.

The court returned the case to the appeal court for a review, where it will be scrutinised under a new bench.

Speaking to ThePrint, the couple’s lawyer Nizar Kochery said the case will now be heard again by the appeal court and he expects full relief.

06/02/21 Ananya Bharadwaj/Print

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Man excretes 86 wraps of cocaine at Abuja Airport

Abuja: A suspected drug trafficker intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has excreted 86 wraps of cocaine, according to the agency.

NDLEA’s spokesperson, Jonah Achema, said, the suspect, Oluchukwu Onu Friday, aged 39, was arrested during the outward clearance of India bound Ethiopian Airline ET910 en route Abuja-Addis Ababa-New Delhi.

Achema, in a statement on Saturday, said, Onu, a native of Umuaku-Isiochi village in Abia State, was intercepted at the boarding gate screening and referred for scanning where he proved positive for ingestion.

The Deputy Commander of Narcotics said the suspect then excreted 86 wraps of substances which proved positive for Cocaine after the drug test and weighed 1.527 kilograms.

The statement reads, “Onu, a Lagos based dealer in building materials was promised N1.5m upon successful delivery to a recipient in New Delhi, India. ‘I deal in building materials in Lagos. I have decided to undertake this journey so that I can use the money to support my business. I have lost so much money during this COVID 19. So I need another source of income’, Onu admitted.

“Onu, a primary school leaver, got married last year and the wife is expectant. According to Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, the investigation is on to dismantle Onu’s drug trafficking network.

“This arrest is spectacular in that it is about the highest number of wraps to be swallowed or ingested by an individual. We have also discovered that this is the first case of Cocaine moving from here to India. We will explore and exploit all angles in ensuring that this particular drug chain is disrupted and dismantled.”

06/02/21 Nicholas Kalu/Nation

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Indian held at Chicago airport with 3,200 viagra pills: Officials

Washington: An Indian national was held at the Chicago airport for unlawful import of 3,200 pills of viagra worth over USD 96,000, according to an official statement.

The passenger, whose identity has not been revealed, had travelled back to the US from India and was caught with the tablets during a baggage scan, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement on Friday.

The officials said the passenger was held by the authorities after he could not give a satisfactory justification for carrying such high quantity of viagra tablets.

“During a baggage exam officers found the passenger was in possession of 3,200 Sildenafil Citrate tablets (100 mg). When the traveller was asked why he was in possession of the pills he stated they were for his friends and they are considered over the counter medication in India,” the CBP said in a statement.

"The nine pounds of pills were seized for unlawful importation of mediation. The pills have an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately USD 96,608,” CBP said.

CBP said that as a general rule the Food and Drug Administration does not allow the importation of prescription drugs that were purchased outside the US.

06/02/21 PTI/Indian Express

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HAL, GE Aviation sign over Rs 100 crore contract for supply of forgings

Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd NSE 3.79 % on Thursday signed a contract valued over Rs 100 crore with GE Aviation for development and supply of ring forgings for its Aviation military and commercial engine programs.

The five-year contract involves supplying both steel and nickel alloy forgings for shrouds, cases, rings and seals, HAL said in a release.

With this contract award, GE Aviation has initiated the development of a raw material supply chain in India as part of its 'Make in India' and 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' strategy, it said, adding that the award of contract followed HALs successful bidding in GEs Global request for quotes (RFQ).

Chandrashekhar Yavarna, Senior Director, Global Sourcing Strategy, GE Aviation, handed over the contract document to M S Venkatesh, Executive Director, Foundry Forge Division during the ongoing Aero India 2021 here.

The ring forgings will be manufactured at HALs newly established, state-of-the-art ring rolling facility at the Companys Foundry and Forge Division in Bengaluru.

The division has, after a rigorous audit process, obtained GE Aviation approvals for its quality system and special processes, HAL said.

HALs Foundry & Forge Division in Bangalore specialises in manufacturing of seamless rolled rings in aluminum, nickel and titanium alloys and various grades of steel for civil and military aero-engines and space applications, the company added.

04/02/21 PTI/Economic Times

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Boeing announces tie-up for P-8I patrol, IAF VIP aircraft

Bengaluru: Aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Thursday announced strategic collaboration agreements with Air Works of India for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Navy’s P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and the VIP transport fleet of the IAF.

“This strategic agreement with Air Works positions us to generate significant value for our defence customers locally by delivering faster turnaround, exceptional operational capability and mission readiness on Boeing aircraft,” said Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India in a statement at Aero India.

The Navy operates nine P-8I and will receive another aircraft by year end. A proposal for six more P-8Is is also under negotiation.

Air Works undertakes base maintenance for ATR 42/72, A320 and B737 fleet of aircraft from its facilities in Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur and Kochi. It also undertakes modification and assembly of rotary-wing aircraft and is an Authorized Service Centre (ASC) for Bell and Leonardo helicopters.

The Boeing India said the collaboration is an important first step under its recently launched initiative, the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub, which is an in-country network and alliance of suppliers led by Boeing that envisions a competitive MRO ecosystem for engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft. The hub aims at growing capabilities in heavy maintenance, component repairs, training and skilling of IAF and Navy maintainers, it said.

04/02/21 The Hindu

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Lockheed Martin signs MoU with HAL to explore cooperation in India's aerospace sector

New Delhi: US defence major Lockheed Martin on Friday said it signed an agreement with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to explore potential industrial collaboration in India's aerospace sector. Lockheed Martin said it was strengthening its relationships with the Indian industry and was working towards integrating it into the company's global aerospace and defence ecosystem.

'We are excited to explore potential opportunities with HAL, one of the largest aerospace companies in Asia,' said JR McDonald, Vice President of Business Development – Integrated Fighter Group of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

'We are committed to continuing to integrate Indian industry into our aerospace and defense ecosystem and demonstrating Lockheed Martin's commitment to India now and in the decades to come,' he said.

R Madhavan, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, said his organisation is looking forward to working with Lockheed Martin in exploring opportunities in the domestic and international markets.

'Lockheed Martin is strengthening and growing its relationships with Indian industry to generate jobs and economic benefits in support of 'Make in India', 'self-reliant India', and 'start-up India' initiatives, as well as in support of India's air power mission,' the company said in a statement.

The company is one of the key contenders in the race for a mega contract to supply 114 fighter jets to Indian Air Force.

Last year, Lockheed Martin had exclusively offered its F-21 combat jet to India with a 'Make in India' proposition.

05/02/21 PTI/Yahoo! News

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SpiceJet and SmartKargo Renew Agreement for Air Cargo Technology; As Airline Begins Critical Distribution of Vaccines

Cambridge, Mass.: QuantumID Technologies, Inc. today announced that SpiceJet has renewed its contract with SmartKargo to continue the delivery of real-time shipment data and innovative air cargo technology that powers key operations for the carrier's air cargo business arm, Spice Xpress.

Since 2015, SpiceJet has utilized the SmartKargo platform to support and grow its domestic and international Cargo business, including its important Pharma Pro cold-chain services.

Since the pandemic lockdowns of early 2020, SpiceJet and Spice Xpress have together played a critical role, working relentlessly to ensure that India's supply chain remained intact; providing the transportation of vital goods and medical supplies to all corners of India and the world. SpiceJet has operated more than 12,906 cargo flights since the lockdown began and carried around 1,04,800 tones of cargo. Most recently, the airline has partnered with a variety of airports and logistics entitles to safely and efficiently transport Covid-19 vaccines.

04/02/21 PRNewswire/Yahoo!Finance

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US flies B-1B heavy bomber at Aero India 2021

Bengaluru: The US flew its B-1B Lancer heavy bomber for the first time in India at the 13th biennial Aero India 2021 on Wednesday to showcase its capabilities.

"The Boeing's B1-Bomber flew along with the Made in India Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas during the flying display of various military aircraft at the inaugural event of the three-day air show at the Yelahanka base of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the city's outskirts," a defence official told IANS here.

The long-range, multi-role heavy bomber flew to Bengaluru last week from the Ellsworth Air Force base in South Dakota in 26 hours to perform a 'fly-by' at the Indian defence expo.

"The supersonic bomber is capable of carrying out missions worldwide from its bases in the US and from forward deployed locations," said the US consulate in a statement here.

With conventional payload of guided and unguided weapons in the US Air Force onboard, the massive aircraft is considered the backbone of America's long-range bomber force.

Powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines with afterburner, the Bomber has 137 feet wingspan, 146 feet length, 34 feet height and weighs a whopping 86,183 kg.

"The bomber's maximum take-off weight is 2,16,634 kg and it has a capacity to carry 1,20,326 kg and can fly at 900 miles per hour at over 30,000 feet," Boeing said in its factsheet.

Nicknamed 'The Bone', the B-1 has been deployed in combat operations over Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.

As a major partner, the US is participating in the air show to strengthen its defence ties with India, reflecting its shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

04/02/21 IANS/Economic Times

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Delhi NCB seizes Heroin and Cocaine worth crores at IGI Airport; 2 Ugandan women, Nigerian man held

New Delhi: The Delhi Zonal Unit of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted an international drug-smuggling ring at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

Sources associated with the NCB said that in its bid to strike against the drug traffickers, officials made seizure of 8 kg Heroin and 1 kg Cocaine worth crores of rupees.

Two Uganda nationals and one Nigerian national have also been arrested.

"The Delhi Zonal Unit was working on the intelligence received from the accused persons arrested in December, from whom about 5.350 kg Heroin was recovered. The information was developed, which led to a successful operation," officials said.

Uganda nationals Jascent Nakalungi, 42, and Sharifah Namaganda, 28, who are cousins, were intercepted by the Delhi unit of the central probe agency on January 28 after they landed at the IGI Airport in Delhi.

The two had a medical visa for the treatment of Namaganda, the NCB said.

The Nigerian national, identified as Kingsley, was also arrested after leads provided by the women were followed.

The case is a reflection of the common route employed for trafficking of Cocaine, which is manufactured illegally in South American countries, an officer said.

05/02/21 Divyesh Singh/India Today

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Air India Express announces resumption of nonstop flights from Mangaluru to Abu Dhabi

Mangaluru: As the world lifts travel restrictions, which were imposed amid pandemic, the aviation sector is witnessing a revival. Now, for the benefit of the passengers Air India Express has announced the resumption of nonstop flights from Mangaluru to Abu Dhabi.

The flights will begin services from February 11 and will operate once a week on Thursdays.

The flight from Mangaluru IX1815 will depart at 5:15 pm and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 7:45 pm. 

Meanwhile, the flight from Abu Dhabi IX1816 will depart at 8:45 pm and arrive in Mangaluru at 01:35 am

The nonstop flights will operate from February 11 to March 23.

03/02/21 daijiworld

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Aeroflot to commence twice weekly Delhi-Moscow flight services from February 14

Mumbai: Russian carrier Aeroflot will commence twice-weekly flight services between Delhi and Moscow from February 14, under the air bubble agreement between the two countries. Aeroflot has deployed its 293-seater Airbus 333 aircraft in three-class configuration -- business, premium economy, and economy -- to operate these services, a release said on Thursday.

The flights will depart every Monday and Saturday from Delhi to Moscow, it added. Prior to the suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger flights from and to India on March 23 last year, the Russian airline was operating two daily services between the capital cities of the two countries.

"We are excited to resume our (twice) weekly flight from Delhi to Moscow under the air bubble agreement. These flights are a positive step forward after COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions,” said Andrei Alimov, General Manager for India, Aeroflot.

The Moscow-Delhi route is one of the most long-established and high-demand routes. With Aeroflot’s competitive advantages, passengers will get a high-quality and comfortable experience”, Alimov said.

Visa for all categories (including student visa) for the Indian citizens and persons who have a residence permit of Russia has resumed and all passengers will be allowed to enter Russia via air checkpoints, it said.

However, travellers must present a certificate of a negative COVID PCR before boarding the international flight. The test must be not more than 72 hours before their time of arrival to Russia, it added.

Also, the Russian citizens arriving in the Russian Federation on international flights must fill in a special form on the Unified Public Services Portal before their departure, the release added.

04/02/21 PTI/India TV

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Russia in talks with India to upgrade Su-30MKI fighters

The project of modernizing Su-30MKI multirole fighters operational in the Indian Air Force is at the stage of discussion, head of the delegation of Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport (part of the state tech corporation Rostec) Sergei Kornev told TASS at the Aero India 2021 international aerospace show on Wednesday.

“The project is at the stage of discussion and the Russian side is ready to offer India a modern upgrade package,” Kornev said.

“Considering the years-long experience of the joint work and the degree of cooperation between the industries of our countries that is unique for the world market, we believe that the Indian enterprises will express desire to participate in the modernization of Su-30MKI fighters assembled at the production capacities of HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) Corporation,” he added.

04/02/21 TASS/Defence Aviation Post

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Airbus Signs MoU With GMR Group To Collaborate On Aviation Services In India

The MoU was signed at Aero India 2021. Airbus and GMR Group will team up to explore potential synergies in several strategic areas of aviation services, including maintenance, components, training, digital and airport services. 

“As one of the leading operators of airports globally GMR is pleased to partner with Airbus to bring the best possible experience and services to the airlines and passengers who are our shared customers, leveraging our complementary strengths and market presence. Under this partnership, Airbus and GMR teams will work together and innovate across areas such as maintenance, airport operations and air cargo supply chain among others to realise our shared goals,” said SGK Kishore, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director, South at GMR.

As part of the MoU, Airbus and GMR will collaborate to explore a broad scope of aviation services both for commercial and military aircraft to benefit the entire aerospace ecosystem in the country.

“Airbus and the GMR Group are committed to high standards of operational efficiency, innovation and sustainability. Through this partnership we will align in our mission to provide world class aviation services in the region,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India & South Asia. “We will work together towards developing solutions that will shape the future of aviation services and boost the development of aviation infrastructure in the region.”

04/02/21 Business World

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Aero India 2021: Airbus To Partner Flytech To Train Drone Pilots In India

Bengaluru: Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Flytech Aviation Academy, a leading Indian aviation training academy, to explore collaboration opportunities in Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) training.

The MoU was inked at Aero India 2021, the country's premier defence and aerospace show, which began here on Wednesday.

Airbus said in a statement that it brings a wealth of experience in aviation training, courseware development, safety and quality standards, while Flytech excels in aviation training services, including the training of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

The two will look for synergies.

"The drone technology is being rapidly adopted as its potential and applicability in multiple industries and domains, including commercial entities, individuals, armed forces and government organisations is being recognised,"said Captain Mamatha, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Flying Instructor at Flytech Aviation Academy.

According to the statement, the government estimates that there are 40,000 drones in the country and expects the number to reach one million in five years.

That will require some 500,000 drone pilots.

"The drone and remotely piloted aircraft industry is evolving rapidly.

This increases the demand for drone pilots equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge of safety and flying regulations along with technical proficiency," said Remi Maillard, President and Managing Director Airbus India & South Asia.

03/02/21 PTI/NDTV

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Israel’s Rafael unveils new variant of Spice weapon guidance kit, says will offer it to IAF

Bengaluru: Israeli defence major Rafael plans to offer the Indian Air Force its new weapon guidance kit, Spice 250 ER, which has an extended range of at least 150 kilometres.

The new variant from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which was unveiled at the Aero India show here, comes with an additional integrated turbojet engine.

Dubbed Spice 250 ER (Extended Range), the new system is the smallest of the Spice family that includes the Spice 250, Spice 1000 and the Spice 2000 guidance kits.

The IAF had used the Spice 2000 during Balakot air strike in 2019.

“We have unveiled the new extended version for the Spice 250. India currently uses the Spice 2000. However, we plan to offer the 250 ER in due course of time to the IAF,” a senior Rafael executive told ThePrint.

Israel’s Rafael unveils new variant of Spice weapon guidance kit, says will offer it to IAF.

Asked if there were any plans to extend the range of the Spice 2000, the executive said each system has its unique capabilities.

“They are all part of the Spice family. Each system has its own unique characteristics,” he said, indicating that there were no plans at present to increase the range of the Spice 2000.

03/02/21 Snehesh Alex Philip/Print

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