Despite having as many 100 aircrafts in its own fleet, Air India has floated an open tender to charter aircraft from outside to fly back 6,500 Indian nationals stuck in conflict-struck Iraq. The reasons cited for the decision range from crew's reluctance to expenditure estimates, said sources.
The tender issued on June 27 asks, on an urgent basis, for aircraft--both narrow and wide body--on a full charter to bring back the Indians from Iraq and...
Showing posts with label Foreign Jun 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foreign Jun 2014. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2014
Competition from Gulf carriers has made Indian mkt tough: Air France-KLM
Paris : Competition from Gulf carriers has made the burgeoning Indian aviation market “tough” and Air France-KLM would have to upgrade its image to address this challenge, the airline’s global CEO has said.
“Of course, Indian market is an important one, (mainly due to an) enormous population and a growing economy but it is a difficult one,” Air France-KLM CEO Alexandre de Juniac told PTI in an interview here, stressing that competition was “tough”...
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's sarod goes missing on British Airways flight
New Delhi: Classical musician Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's sarod, which he has been playing for the last 45 years, has gone missing while he was returning to Delhi from London by a British Airways flight.
The Padma Vibhushan sarod maestro had gone to London along with his wife Subhalaxmi for a performance at Dartington College to celebrate the life of Rabindranth Tagore on June 21 and returned on the night of June 28.
30/06/14 PTI/India Tod...
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Evacuation plan in the works, 2nd MEA team to visit Iraq
New Delhi: For the second consecutive day, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth chaired a high-level meeting aimed at drawing up a firm evacuation plan for around 2,000 people in strife-torn Iraq, which is roughly one-fifth of the estimated number of Indians there.
Significantly, it has been decided that a second team from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) be sent to Iraq to assess the ground situation as well as the number of Indian nationals who are...
To fly a lakh to Iraq, tender floated
Lucknow: The Anjuman-e-Haidery, headquartered at the Dargah Shah-e-Mardan in Jorbagh, Delhi, and which claims to be managing “the largest number of Shia Waqf properties in Delhi,” has floated a tender to fly a lakh volunteers to war-torn Iraq and its adjacent countries to protect Shia shrines from Sunni insurgents.
The tender, floated Friday, invites Expression of Interest from aviation and travel business entities “having capacity to carry passengers...
Indian aviation market tough but important: Air France-KLM
Paris: Competition from Gulf carriers has made the burgeoning Indian aviation market "tough" and Air France-KLM would have to upgrade its image to address this challenge, the airline's global CEO has said.
"Of course, Indian market is an important one, (mainly due to an) enormous population and a growing economy but it is a difficult one," Air France-KLM CEO Alexandre de Juniac told PTI in an interview here, stressing that competition was "tough"...
Embraer Issues Aircraft Safety Alert Over Loose Engine Bolts
Montreal: With carriers still jittery as the fate of missing MH370 aircraft is still a mystery after almost four months, a new safety alert has gone out.
American Airlines Group Inc and other carriers inspected engine pylon bolts on Embraer SA E190 aircraft after the Brazilian planemaker recommended the checks. The E190 can carry 98 to 114 passengers.
American found that the engine bolts “were loosened to some degree” on 12 of its 20 E190 aircraft,...
Expired drugs from India seized at Juba Airport
Juba:The Pharmaceuticals and Foods Control Authority (PFCA) seized a shipment of expired drugs at Juba International Airport on Thursday manufactured by the banned India-based Flamingo Company.
PFCA Director General Peter Aguek told Al Maugif newspaper that the Flamingo Company was banned two years ago from importing medicine to South Sudan because it had brought in fake and expired drugs.
Aguek said they will also sue the Kim Lab Company (KLC)...
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Rafale Deal Likely to Figure During French Foreign Minister's India Visit
New Delhi: The multi-billion dollar Rafale combat aircraft deal, the Jaitapur nuclear power plant and climate change are expected to figure prominently during talks French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius' will have with Indian leaders during his two-day visit here starting on Monday.
The two sides are also likely to discuss the over Rs 20,000 crore Maitri surface-to-air missile system project alongside holding parleys on the regional and...
US Teen Pilot, an MIT Student, Reaches India Flying Solo
Nagpur: A 19-year-old American attempting to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world solo reached India on Thursday, more than a month into his aerial odyssey.
Matt Guthmiller, a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), smiled and flashed a thumbs-up after he landed his single-engined Beechcraft A36 Bonanza aircraft in the city of Nagpur in western Maharashtra state early Thursday.
"It's been good, actually...
Modi calls top meeting to discuss evacuation options
New Delhi: In a preliminary move to assess the possibilities to evacuate Indians in Iraq, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a meeting of top officials here on Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Lavasa and senior intelligence officials, who were asked to give contingency plans on what would be the best route to evacuate Indian...
Nitin Fire bags Rs 250 crore order from Abu Dhabi airport; stock surges over 5%
Mumbai: Shares of Nitin Fire Protection surged over 5 per cent in trade after the company bagged Rs 250 crore order from Abu Dhabi Airport.
According to Nitin Shah, CMD, Nitin Fire Protection Industries, the order will be completed in next two-and-a-half years time.
The current orderbook of the company stands at Rs 450 crore.
27/06/14 Economic Tim...
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Will US Airlines operating from India be affected by High Court order in Pan-Am related issue?
Will US airlines operating from India be affected by the Punjab & Haryana High Court asking the Central Government to take up the issue of discrimination by the US government against Indian victims of the 1986 Pan-Am flight 73? It may be recalled that the flight was hijacked in Karachi by terrorists from Libya on 5 September 1986. As many as 13 Indians were killed and around 120 Indian passengers were injured in the attack.
This was the flight...
Air India sees 4-5% rise in revenue post entry in Star Alliance
Reeling under financial stress and increasing competition from Gulf carriers, industry experts said that the inclusion of Air India into Star Alliance will do little for the airline to revive from the current position.
National carrier – Air India on Tuesday announced its much-awaited entry into Star Alliance – the biggest grouping of global airlines. After being rejected by the alliance 3 years ago, the airline is now officially set to join the...
Air India’s Star Alliance entry is a win-win for the carrier, the flyers and the club
New Delhi: Air India has finally been given the nod to become a part of Star Alliance. Entry to the exclusive international club consisting of 26 airlines including Lufthansa, Air Canada and Thai Airways, came at the end of a meeting of the Chief Executives’ Board of the member airlines in London on Monday.
The formal announcement of the membership was made by the Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju here on Tuesday.
All the benefits...
Local interests to govern new air bilateral deals
New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry is developing an entirely new framework for bilateral air services agreements (ASAs) that will focus more on the needs of domestic carriers. The ministry has been criticised for granting bilaterals in a manner that causes domestic players like Air India to lose business to foreign competition. Emirates, for instance overtook Air India in 2013 with a 13% market share.
A senior civil aviation ministry official...
Etihad Airways Offers Enhanced Access To India
Mumbai: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a major expansion of its codeshare agreement with Jet Airways, offering travellers enhanced connections throughout India, and linking India with even more destinations worldwide.
The two airlines have obtained regulatory approval to codeshare on 43 additional routes, bringing the total number of services in their codeshare agreement to 71.
As part of the expansion,...
Indian Expat Held For Money-Laundering
Kuwait City: An Indian expatriate has been arrested at Kuwait International Airport in possession of KD 12,000, says Al-Seyassah. According to sources, a female customs officer discovered undeclared amount of KD 12,000 in the luggage of an Indian passenger who had arrived at the airport from India. According to the Kuwait law, passengers are not allowed to carry more than KD 3,000 cash. Based on instructions given by the Airport Customs Supervisor...
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Air India joins Star Alliance group
New Delhi: Air India Ltd has joined the Star Alliance group of carriers, a spokesman said on Tuesday, a move that could help boost revenues at the loss-making state-run airline.
Executives at Star Alliance met with Air India officials in London on Monday and agreed for the airline, which has been in talks to join since last year, to become its 27th member, Air India spokesman Praveen Bhatnagar said.
Air India will formally complete the process by...
Tatas to build Dornier aircraft with Swiss RUAG
Hyderabad: Tata Group aims at further consolidation in the aviation and aerospace sector by rolling out a fully built new generation Dornier aircraft from its Hyderabad facility, in association with aircraft maker RUAG Aviation of Switzerland.
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), which is spearheading the conglomerate’s interests in the aerospace sector, on Monday tied up with RUAG to set up a manufacturing unit in Hyderabad to make fuselages and wings...
Airlines asked to pay elderly passenger
Chennai: A consumer court here has ordered Etihad Airways to pay a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh to an elderly passenger for causing agony, detaining her illegally and causing embarrassment in front of other passengers. The order was passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (South) bench.
The complainant, Arumugam Kanthimathiammal (68) of Adyar, had booked tickets on Etihad Airways for a journey to Chicago, via Abu Dhabi, and back....
British Academic Denied Entry to India
Officials of Birkbeck, University of London have confirmed a report in The Hindu that one of their scholars was unexpectedly denied entry to India to attend an international academic conference. Indian officials have not confirmed the incident or commented on it.
The statement from Birkbeck follows: “We can confirm that Dr Penny Vera-Sanso, Principal Investigator for research projects on poverty and ageing in India, at Birkbeck, University of London,...
Charity attends Air India disaster memorial
The international chairman of a Whitley Bay-based charity has attended a memorial to mark the 29th anniversary of the Air India disaster in Ireland.
Vishwanath Pullé from the Angels of the North, who has organised and officiated as Master of Ceremonies at all the memorial services in County Cork, Ireland, was joined by fellow-trustees, relatives and friends who lost loved ones in the disaster, to remember all those who perished in what was then...
Air India anniversary memorial service planned for Stanley Park tonight
Vancouver: A memorial service is being held in Stanley Park tonight to mark the 29th anniversary of the June 23, 1985 Air India terrorist attack that left 331 dead.
Former Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer said the service will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Ceperley Playground, where a memorial has been built with inscriptions of the names of the victims.
Air India Flight 182 exploded off the coast of Ireland after a B.C.-made bomb had been placed in a suitcase...
5 Indians held with 36 gold bars in Bangladesh
Dhaka: Five Indians have been detained in Bangladesh for allegedly trying to smuggle in 36 gold bars concealed inside their rectum into the country believed to be a major conduit to sneak in the yellow metal into India. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials detained them from a bus in Jessore district and seized the gold bars weighing 4.4 kg yesterday, The DailyStar reported.
Bijoy Kumar Chandra, Ruhith Ashok, Komal Otharar and Raj Kumar of Nagpur,...
Monday, June 23, 2014
GMR deal is not valid by Maldivian laws, insists Azima
The contract with India's GMR to develop and run the Maldives' main international airport was not valid under Maldivian law, despite a Singaporean arbitration tribunal saying otherwise, former Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor said on Saturday.
Azima's comments come days after an arbitration court in Singapore declared that the concession agreement between the Maldives and GMR was prematurely terminated by the Maldivian government unlawfully.
Azima,...
Decision on Air India's induction into Star Alliance today
New Delhi: The brass of Star Alliance will meet in London on Monday to decide on Air India's induction into the 26-member global airlines’ grouping which could give the government-owned carrier's passengers the facility of seamless travel to over 1,200 destinations. If the membership is granted, it would end Air India's seven-year wait to access the alliance's global network of 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.
The member-airlines...
Jet, Etihad Airways stop discount fares for children on UAE sector
Mumbai: Travelling with children may become more expensive on Jet Airways and Etihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India.
The two airlines have stopped giving discounts to children aged between 2 and 11 on direct flights from Abu Dhabi/Dubai to India, it is reliably learnt. A ticket for a child will now cost the same as that of a regular ticket.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for Jet Airways said: “Effective June 16,...
Recalling Air India Flight 182
It was a suggestion that Ann Venketeswaran has regretted for 29 years.
Her husband Trichur Krishnan hadn't returned to his native India in over 10 years and, with a family wedding on the horizon, Ann suggested he take a trip to attend the nuptials.
On June 23, 1985, her husband, known to everyone as T.K., bid farewell to Ann and their two children at Pearson International Airport.
The family had no idea it would be the last time they would see each...
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Decision on Air India's Induction Into Star Alliance on June 23
New Delhi: The top brass of Star Alliance will meet in London on Monday to decide on Air India's induction into the 26-member global airlines' grouping which could give the national carrier's passengers the facility of seamless travel to over 1,200 destinations.
If the membership is granted, it would end Air India's seven-year-long wait to access the alliance's global network of over 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.
The...
Tigerair launches pay only one-way fare on return journey offer for ICICI Bank customers
Mumbai: Tigerair, the budget arm of Singapore Airlines has launched a special offer for ICICI Bank customers, which allows them pay only one-way fare on a return journey ticket to Singapore, as per a PTI report. During the offer period, the debit, credit and pre-paid card holders of the ICICI Bank can avail the opportunity to pay fares only for one way to Singapore, while the return ticket will be complimentary except for airport taxes and other...
Friday, June 20, 2014
Turbulence for Jet-Etihad deal in Singaporean skies
New Delhi: After crossing several regulatory hurdles in India, the over R2,000-crore deal between Jet Airways and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad may be in for another spot of minor turbulence. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) is now scrutinising the ‘proposed commercial alliance’ between the two airlines to see if it will have an impact on Singapore's aviation industry.
CCS has sought feedback from third parties on the Jet-Etihad commercial agreement...
Civil aviation ministry clearance for flights to Dubai, Bangkok from Chandigarh
Chandigarh: The ministry of civil aviation on Thursday gave clearance to start international flights from Chandigarh for Dubai and Bangkok. This decision was taken by the Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati during a meeting held with Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in New Delhi. Sources said the minister for civil aviation confirmed to Punjab CM that Indigo, Spice Jet and UAE airlines had been given permission...
Zimbabwe, India sign Air Service Agreement
Government has signed an Air Service Agreement with India which seeks to regularise the operation of air transport services between the two countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Air Services Agreement in Harare, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Obert Mpofu said the agreement seeks to achieve the promotion of an international aviation system based on competition among airlines.
He said the agreement ensures the highest...
Thursday, June 19, 2014
GMR says Maldives govt, aviation agency liable to pay damages
Hyderabad: The GMR Group, which had to exit the Male airport project, today said a tribunal has declared the Maldivian government and the nation's airport agency "jointly and severally liable in damages" to the company for loss caused by the wrongful repudiation of the agreement.
GMR Male International Airport Ltd (GMIAL), a unit of GMR Infrastructure, had entered into a concession agreement with the government of Maldives and Maldives Airport...
SLA refutes allegations of inaction in sexual harassment case
Mumbai: SriLankan Airlines on Thursday refuted allegations of inaction in a "sexual harassment" case filed by one of its Delhi-based woman employees, saying a competent committee set up under the Vishaka guidelines has already investigated the matter before closing it in 2012.
However, at the same time, the Airline, in a statement, said it is already in the process of obtaining legal advice from its lawyers in India and will take appropriate action.
An...
Air India to fly B787 Mumbai–Chennai–Singapore
Air India will introduce the B787 Dreamliner to its daily Mumbai–Chennai–Singapore service from October 25.
The carrier's Boeing 787-8, which will replace the incumbent A330-200 on the route, offers a two-class cabin layout with 18 seats in business (2-2-2) and 238 in economy (3-3-3).
Business class passengers will appreciate the new seat offering available on the B787 — the current product on the A330 only offers a 13-inch recline and 52-inch pitch,...
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Emirates Airlines to serve Indian regional dishes
Dubai: Those travelling to and from India on an Emirates flight can now enjoy regional Indian culinary offerings like 'sarson maach' and 'dhabe da ghost'.
The Dubai-based airline has introduced enhanced menus across 10 destinations in India that reflect regional tastes and customer preferences from across the country.
For example, customers on the Kolkata route can enjoy a sarson maach (mustard fish curry). Similarly, regional dishes such as turiya...
Airline Employee Moves HC for Implementing Vishaka Guidelines
An Indian woman employee of Srilankan Airlines here moved a petition in the Delhi High Court today for action against the air carrier for alleged non-implemention of the Vishaka guidelines which deals with cases of sexual harassment at workplaces.
The petition was mentioned before a vacation bench of justices Siddharth Mridul and Sunita Gupta which agreed to hear the matter on June 20.
The petition by the woman, a sales executive in the airline,...
Foreign airlines like Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and others bring more business class seats to India
Mumbai: Foreign carriers are bringing a higher number of business class seats in their flights on India on growing demand as positive sentiment returns to the country's economy. German flag carrier and Europe's biggest airline Lufthansa has brought in its new Boeing 747-800 on the Mumbai-Frankfurt route on which it currently operates the 747-400. That will increase the number of business class seats to 80 from 66, making it the foreign carrier offering...
Indian carriers may benefit from Changi Airport's fee reduction drive
Munbai: In a move that could improve the profitability of carriers offering flights between India and Singapore, the Changi Airport Group is set to reduce the operational charges for airlines. Though the move has been welcomed by carriers, passengers may not see an immediate reduction in fares, according to analysts.
Currently, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Indigo, TigerAir and Air India offer direct flights between various Indian...
Go exotic and sample low airfares to India, South Africa and the Maldives
It's a big world out there -- and planes fly to and fro all day. While many of the price-cutting airfare battles are fought close to home, occasionally the war spills into international markets.
This is one of those times.
As Delta Air Lines spools up its international hub in Seattle, Alaska Airlines is focusing on some of its partnerships with other carriers including American Airlines, British Airways and Emirates. Emirates, by the way, flies...
Monday, June 16, 2014
Air India jet hit by truck at Newark airport, damaged
A catering truck hit an Air India aircraft at Newark airport in the US on Wednesday evening. The airplane, Boeing 777-300ER, was getting prepared to flyAir_India_ as AI 191 with 335 passengers to Mumbai.
While AI will seek compensation from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which runs the Newark Liberty International Airport, the airline faces a major handicap with an ultra-long range aircraft down.
“The aircraft has been severely...
Lufthansa banks on Air India to check Gulf carriers
The impending entry of Air India into Star Alliance, the biggest grouping of airlines globally, has got Lufthansa excited as it may help the German carrier check the growing dominance of Gulf carriers in Indian skies.
Air India's entry into Star alliance, which was mentored by Lufthansa, is likely to be a reality by July. Wolfgang Will, director, South Asia for Lufthansa, recently in an interview told dna Air India's entry would benefit both airlines...
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Royal Bhutan Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Kolkata
Kolkata: A Royal Bhutan Airlines flight from Paro to Mumbai was forced to make an emergency landing at the NSC Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Sunday after the windshield of the aircraft cracked during the journey.
The captain of the flight sought permission of the ATC for emergency landing as the aircraft suffered windshield crack during the flight, said an official at NSC Bose International Airport.
15/06/14 PTI/Indian Expre...
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Airbus’s $6.8 Billion Kingfisher Order Hinges on Takeover
Airbus Group NV (AIR) said it’ll keep an 82-plane order from defunct Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. (KAIR) on its books while there’s still a chance that the Indian carrier might find a buyer which would require new aircraft.
The order concerns 67 A320 narrow-body jetliners and 15 twin-aisle A330s with a list price of $6.8 billion.
“If Kingfisher finds a new buyer for the airline that buyer would need single-aisle planes, so for that reason we’ll keep...
Indian-American boy fighting for life after plane crash
Los Angeles: An 8-year-old Indian-American boy, who wanted to be a pilot, is fighting for his life after a deadly plane crash that killed the pilot.
Sebastian Joshua Grewal underwent a second surgery to relieve pressure on his brain on Tuesday, after recovered in critical condition from Monday's crash in Hesperia, California, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The 47-year-old pilot, identified by Los Angeles Fire Department as Brian Lee, died in...
Friday, June 13, 2014
India establishes crucial air navigation link with Nepal
New Delhi: India has established a crucial air navigation link with Nepal for exchanging real-time data on various aviation-related aspects, including weather charts and aeronautical maps.
The link, called AMHS (Air Traffic Service Message Handling System), was operationalised between Mumbai and Kathmandu on June 2 by the Air Navigation Services (ANS) Directorate of Airports Authority of India (AAI), its officials said today.
AAI is already implementing...
Thursday, June 12, 2014
CBI to examine top Airbus executive in aircraft deal probe
New Delhi: A CBI team will visit London by next week to examine Airbus's executive vice-president Kiran Rao in connection with alleged irregularities in the over Rs 8,000 crore deal for supply of 43 aircraft to the erstwhile Indian Airlines in 2005.
Sources said some clarifications were needed from Rao on alleged non-fulfillment of conditions given in the supply contract. Sources said order for the visit of the team headed by a superintendent of...
India may get top aviation safety rank back from US
New Delhi: Indo-US ties are on the rebound, with the election of Narendra Modi as PM helping the two countries get over strained relations witnessed in last days of UPA-II. America, which had downgraded India's aviation safety ranking this January, is now helping the country get back its top billing.
The US Trade Development Agency (USTDA) is funding the appointment of America's The Wicks Group (TWG) as advisors to the downgraded directorate...
Air India flies new Dreamliner to Italy
Earlier this month the national carrier welcomed its 14th Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and has used the fuel-efficient jet to launch a new triangular route between Delhi, Rome and Milan.
The Delhi-Rome-Milan-Delhi route will operate four days a week. Services depart Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1420 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 1905.
The flight then leaves the Italian...
Flydubai Begins Kochi Service
Kochi: Visa-on-arrival facility and bilateral agreements between India and GCC countries are likely to reduce tariff in the region, said Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Flydubai Airlines, a UAE government-owned company.
Speaking to media here on Wednesday, he said that the recently held IPL matches in Dubai had attracted a sizable number of people to the region and if the visa-on-arrival facility is in place there will be a rush to India...
ISI using Pakistan consulate in Colombo to target South India, says arrested Lankan national
Terrorists backed by the Pak ISI were planning to target Chennai port and central railway station as well as airports in Chennai and Bangalore in what now appears to be a deliberate and well coordinated strategy by Pakistan to encircle India through its terror consulate at Colombo, as per sensational revelations by Mohammed Sakir Husain arrested at Chennai in last week of April 2014.
Rattling details contained in the interrogation report (IR) of...
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Intense rivalry in the air
New Delhi: The first flight of AirAsia India will take off tomorrow at 3.10pm from Bangalore for Goa, intensifying the competition in the local skies.
Analysts said AirAsia’s entry could trigger a fresh round of price wars at a time some leading players have reported huge losses.
AirAsia India, the domestic arm of the Malaysian no-frills airline AirAsia Berhad headed by Tony Fernandes, will become the fourth budget carrier in the country after IndiGo,...
Etihad Fined Rs 3 Lakh For Boarding Pass Mess
Chennai: A 68-year-old wheelchair bound woman from the city, who sufferred a harrowing detention of nearly 12 hours at the Abu Dhabi International Airport due to an error on the part of Etihad Airways, a UAE-based air carrier, was awarded a compensation of `3 lakh by the consumer forum.
The senior citizen, Arumugam Kanthimathiammal, a resident of Adyar, returning from Chicago on July 24, 2010 after visiting her son’s family, was disembarked from...
flydubai also open to investing in an Indian carrier
flydubai (FZ, Dubai Int'l) has become the latest Gulf-based carrier to put the word out that it would be open to an investment in a viable Indian carrier should the opportunity arise.
“The focus from shareholders is to grow the airline in Dubai, and right now we have no mandate to go outside. But we have a dialogue with Indian airlines all the time. If we find a good opportunity, we will consider it. We will then go and seek approval from the shareholders,”...
Mactan airport capacity seen to hit 8 million
Manila: The capacity of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is expected to nearly double to 8 million passengers from its current capacity of 4.5 million passengers per year, the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) said on Wednesday.
The consortium of Megawide Corp. and GMR of India, which was awarded the airport’s development and operation contract, said the increased capacity will be seen after the first phase of the modernization...
Qatar Airways CEO calls on India to rethink aviation policies
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker has called on the new Indian government to rethink the country’s aviation policies to bring “prosperity” to the Indian people.
The airline is seeking to increase its seat capacity to India and is also chasing an investment opportunity in Indian carrier Indigo.
“I have always said that India is a great country, a sleeping economic giant, and there are opportunities and capabilities in India that others don’t have,...
Dubai-bound jet makes unscheduled landing at Hyderabad airport
Hyderabad: A Dubai-bound plane today made an unscheduled landing at the international airport here after an Australian passenger fell ill, airport officials said.
The A380 jumbo jet operated by Emirates was on its way to the Gulf city from Melbourne when it was diverted to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad near here.
The 64-year-old passenger was deplaned and taken to a private hospital here, they said.
The plane left...
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
flydubai eyes stakes in India's budget airlines
Close on the heels of Qatar Airways showing an interest in the country’s largest budget carrier IndiGo, Dubai-based low-cost carrier flydubai on Monday said it was “open” to investing in an efficient Indian airline.
“The focus from shareholders is to grow the airline in Dubai, and right now we have no mandate to go outside. But we have a dialogue with Indian airlines all the time. If we find a good opportunity, we will consider it. We will then...
flydubai says ready to fly to any destination available to it
New Delhi: Gulf budget airline 'flydubai', which launched its flights to Delhi and two other cities last week, today said it was ready to operate from any other city which could be made available by the Indian government.
"We are ready to take any challenge... Any destination that is available for us, we can operate," 'flydubai' CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said here. However, all this would depend on the bilateral air services agreement between India and...
India condemns Karachi airport attack
New Delhi: India strongly condemned the Karachi airport attack saying there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism and that this scourge must be fought urgently and comprehensively, without making any exception.
"The attack yesterday on Karachi International Airport by 10 suicide bombers must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,'' the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The attack underlines the magnitude of danger...
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Air Asia temporarily suspends four flights on Tiruchi-Kuala Lumpur sector
Low cost carrier Air Asia will temporarily suspend four flights a week on the Kuala Lumpur-Tiruchi-Kuala Lumpur sector from June 16 to October 15 due to “operational reasons.”
One of the major operators from the city, the airline currently has 21 flights a week, with three flights a day, on the sector. The airline will now withdraw its afternoon flights on four days a week. However, it will continue to operate three flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays,...
Premier Inn to expand in India as low-cost airlines grow
The hotel chain Premier Inn is expanding in India to meet the demand for budget hotels amid a growing middle class and the rise of low-cost airlines in the country.
There are three existing properties in India under the Premier Inn brand, which is part of the hospitality group Whitbread and is the largest budget hotel chain in the UK. The India division is planning to open hotels in Goa and Chennai in the coming year, according to VV Giri, the regional...
Saturday, June 07, 2014
Missed flight costs man his job, panel awards him Rs 20L
New Delhi: A District Consumer Forum has directed Gulf Air to pay Rs 20 lakh as compensation to a man who lost his job, after the airline officials reportedly refused to allow him to board the flight on the grounds that his visa, which was in Arabic, did not allow him re-entry into Doha.
The man was working as a project manager with a private firm in Doha at the time of the incident.
While reprimanding the airline for causing “unparalleled agony...
Air India launches direct flights to Rome, Milan from Delhi
Mumbai: Flag carrier Air India today launched direct flight services to Italian cities of Rome and Milan, providing a seamless connectivity to the south-central European country.
The state-run airline will operate a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-class configuration - 18 business and 238 economy class seats - on the route. These flights will be operated from Delhi to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome and Malpensa Airport in Milan on a triangular...
Friday, June 06, 2014
CBI presses ahead with Airbus probe
New Delhi: A year after registering a case for alleged irregularities in the Rs. 8,399-crore deal struck by the erstwhile Indian Airlines with Airbus Industrie for supply of 43 passenger planes, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has decided to send a team to the U.K. to record the statement of a top executive of the European consortium.
“Investigations conducted so far have thrown up some questions on the basis of which we will seek clarifications...
Aircraft Deal High on Agenda during French Minister's Visit
New Delhi: Delays in India’s bid to sign an estimated Rs 1-lakh-crore deal for 126 combat aircraft is all set to be on the discussion table when France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius visits here later this month seeking to ramp up engagement with the new Narendra Modi Government.
Fabius’ visit will coincide with the official talks on counter-terrorism efforts between a team of French experts and their Indian counterparts, against the backdrop...
Thursday, June 05, 2014
Air India jet hit by truck at US airport, damaged
New Delhi: An Air India aircraft was hit by a catering truck at Newark airport in the US on Wednesday evening. The Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) was being prepared to fly as AI 191 with 335 passengers to Mumbai.
"The aircraft has been severely damaged in the mishap and had to be grounded. Alternate arrangements are being made for the passengers and the aircraft was being prepared for take off when it was hit," said an official.
While AI...
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Lufthansa wants to fly super-jumbo A380s in India, seeks government nod
German carrier Lufthansa on Wednesday said it plans to operate high-capacity double-deck Airbus A380 aircraft in India from the winter schedule for which it has approached the government for permission. The proposed deployment of the super-jumbo plane on some of its local routes is a part of the airline's India growth plans that it had chalked for the fast-growing market, a senior Lufthansa official said in Mumbai.
"We have interest in operating...
Baron Launches Jet Card for India’s Wealthy Travelers
India’s Baron Aviation has launched a jet card program to encourage the country’s growing ranks of wealthy individuals to fly in a fleet of aircraft operated by an alliance of selected operators. The company’s fleet of eight aircraft consists of two Challenger 604s, a Global Express, a Falcon 2000, a Hawker 750 and three helicopters (an Airbus AS355N TwinStar and a Bell 412 and 407).
Baron has committed to buying blocks of flight time from several...
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370: British Sailor Claims Seeing Missing Jetliner ‘On Fire’ Near Thailand
A British sailor told Australian authorities that she saw what she now believes to be a plane on fire flying in waters off Thailand on the same day that Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared with 239 people on board, according to media reports.
Katherine Tee filed a report with the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, which is leading the search effort for the missing plane from Western Australia, claiming that a burning flying object that she...
IATA stresses need to work on security in airline industry following MH370
Doha: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday it expects airline companies to record combined net profits of $18-billion (R191bn at R10.66/dollar) this year.
Revenues were forecast to reach $746-billion (R7.9 trillion) IATA director general Tony Tyler said in Doha, pointing out that net margins stood to average 2.4% only.
"It sounds impressive. But the brutal economic reality is on revenues of $746-billion dollars we...
Maths formulas can help find MH370: Oz academics
Canberra: A series of complex mathematical formulas, which were used to find the wreckage of Air France Flight 447 in 2011, could be used to solve the mystery of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Australian academics said on Tuesday.
It took two years but statisticians eventually found the Air France flight at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean using the complex formulas, Xinhua reported.
Professor Michael McCarthy of the University of Melbourne...
Emirates chief asks why no fighter jet tracked MH370
Emirates chief Tim Clark has reportedly questioned why fighter jets did not intercept Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 when it veered widely off course, but said he believed the missing plane will be found.
Clark said that more information on the disappearance of the Boeing jet, which was carrying 239 people from Kuala to Beijing, was needed before the industry changes its aircraft tracking procedures.
The Emirates boss told The Australian Financial...
Air India joins Star Alliance
Air India’s forthcoming membership of Star Alliance will be a welcome start to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) governmental term, according to aviation intelligence expert OAG. As the BJP’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises to revive economic growth in India, Air India’s new position will improve India’s connectivity to high-growth economies and give Star Alliance members access to India’s vibrant domestic air market.
“With a population...
MMRCA deal: Rafale negotiations expected to be wrapped up in 3 months
New Delhi: India is closer to finally sealing the almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multirole combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 French Rafale fighters, which IAF has identified as a top-priority for the Narendra Modi government.
Defence ministry sources said the final commercial negotiations for the MMRCA project, which IAF considers "critical" to retain its air combat edge against Pakistan and maintain "dissuasive deterrence" against China,...
Monday, June 02, 2014
India’s air safety fit for Category 1 upgrade: DGCA to FAA
Mumbai: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has written to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) saying that it has completed all the requirements necessary for the latter to upgrade India’s air safety rating back to Category 1. While the original plan was to approach the FAA for a fresh safety audit this month, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India now expects to start the process in August 2014.
Two issues had...
Airline group to recommend plane tracking options
Doha: An organization representing airlines worldwide will offer a list of recommendations in September to improve the tracking of aircraft after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the group's director said today.
Tony Tyler made the comments to industry officials and airline CEOs at the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Doha, just three months after the disappearance of the Malaysian plane with...
Etihad Airways offers enhanced access to India
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced a major expansion of its code-share agreement with India's Jet Airways.
The new arrangement offers travellers enhanced connections throughout India, and linking India with even more destinations worldwide.
The two airlines have obtained regulatory approval to code-share on 43 additional routes, bringing the total number of services in their agreement...
Air India signs code-share agreement with Hong Kong Airlines
Mumbai: Air India, national carrier of India has signed a code-share agreement with Hong Kong Airlines (HKA).
Pankaj Srivastava, commercial director, Air India and Li Dianchun, commercial director, Hong Kong Airlines, signed the agreement at a ceremony at Airlines House, New Delhi.
Under the code-share agreement, HKA will place its code on direct flights operated by Air India between Hong Kong and three cities including Delhi (DEL), Osaka (KIX)...
Qatar Airways keen on picking up equity stake in IndiGo
Doha: Premier Gulf carrier Qatar Airways, on Monday, said it was keen to acquire a stake in IndiGo ‘if available’, praising the Indian no-frill carrier for its efficiency in containing costs.
The statement came from the Qatari national carrier’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, when he was asked whether the Gulf airline was keen to pick up stake in the low-cost Indian carrier, which now has the largest market share among all its competitors.
“We are keen...
Double standards by US in PAN AM 73 flight incident, HC directs Centre to take action
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Central government to take up the issue of discrimination by the USA government against Indian victims of 1986 PAN AM 73-hijack case.
The directions, passed on May 29, have come in the wake of a petition filed by Chandigarh resident Aneesh Bhanot whose sister, Neerja Bhanot, a chief purser with Pan Am Airlines, was gunned down by the terrorists who had entered the aircraft posing as...
Emirates to ask new Indian gov't for more landing rights
Emirates Airline will imminently ask the new Indian government to increase the carrier's seat capacity to the Asian nation, CEO Tim Clark has revealed.
UAE airlines are continuously fighting for more access to India, which provides about 900,000 workers to the Gulf country.
The previous Indian government had long restricted landing rights but it was replaced in May by new right wing Prime Minister Narenda Modi, who has a track record of economic...
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Jet Airways may lease three planes to Etihad Airways
Mumbai: Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways is likely to lease three of its Boeing 777-300 ERs to its equity partner Etihad Airways after they return from Turkish Airlines later this year, according to sources.
Jet was earlier planning to induct these wide-bodied planes, which are on lease with Turkish Airlines and will be coming back by October this year on completion of the lease period.
However after Etihad’s proposal, it shelved the plan, they...
Air India posts staff abroad for ghost flights
New Delhi: Notwithstanding the accumulated loss of Rs.33,200 crore it has piled up, the perpetually sick Air India has posted an absurd number of staff at foreign stations like New York, Paris, London and in many other Gulf countries. It has on its rolls highly- paid staffers at cities in the US and Canada, even at the stations where it does not operate any flight. AI has 53 foreign stations of which 24 are offline, where the carrier does...
IATA meet to focus on MH370 disappearance, financial stress
Doha: Continuous tracking of aircraft following the mysterious disappearance of MH370, carbon- neutral air travel and financial stress hitting the airline industry would be the focus of debate among global aviation chiefs at the IATA meet starting here tomorrow.
At the three-day International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 70th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, heads of over 300 airlines, aircraft manufacturers and other...