India's SpiceJet mulls Goshawk, De Havilland settlements

SpiceJet is reportedly working towards settling a lawsuit filed by Irish lessor Goshawk and its trustee Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin), a subsidiary of the American holdco M&T Bank Corporation, and is also edging closer to an out-of-court settlement with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada over a separate court case.

Goshawk and Wilmington had allegedly tried to block the planned spin-off of the budget carrier's cargo and logistics business, SpiceXpress and Logistics Private Ltd, to a separate company, a source close to the matter told the Indian financial daily Mint. The agreement paves the way for the airline to complete the transfer by January 2022.

Goshawk leases three aircraft to SpiceJet, according to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, namely two B737-8s and one B737-800. But when the carrier announced the spin-off, the lessor approached the High Court of Delhi to halt the process until about USD16.2 million in outstanding leases had been paid, the sources explained. SpiceJet and Goshawk had already been embroiled in a case at the High Court of Justice in London over debts owed.

The Delhi court issued an interim order in September restraining the debtor from "transferring or alienating its assets to the tune of the decretal amount" and the court was to have heard the case again on November 29. The SpiceXpress "slump sale" would generate INR25.56 billion rupees (USD340 million) for the debt-encumbered carrier which, it claimed, would "wipe out a substantial portion" of its negative net worth.

The development comes after the airline revealed earlier this month that it had settled with Boeing over outstanding claims related to the grounding of its B737 MAX fleet. According to unconfirmed sources cited by the Times of India on November 29, SpiceJet will be given two B777-200(ER)s as part of the compensation for the thirteen B737-8s it has so far taken delivery of and were grounded for around 19 months. The airline has begun the process of hiring pilots for these two widebodies, the airline's first, and will use them for long-haul passenger or cargo flights depending on the Covid situation.

Meanwhile, talks between SpiceJet  and De Havilland over the non-payment of dues for the delivery of fourteen DHC-8-Q400s are at "advanced stages" and are likely to be resolved in the coming weeks, "people in the know" told the Business Line newspaper on November 30.

De Havilland had asked Delhi High Court to force SpiceJet to pay USD42.9 million in damages awarded - and then upheld earlier this year at the High Court of Justice in London - over a 2017 purchase agreement for twenty-five of the Dash 8 turboprops, claiming the airline paid for and took delivery only five of them and halted pre-delivery payments for most of the remainder.

30/11/21 ch-aviation

Read More

IndiGo renews its partnership with French hospitality group Accor

Budget carrier IndiGo on Monday said it has renewed its partnership with French hospitality group Accor. Through this partnership, IndiGo's 6E Rewards members can now avail a 15 per cent discount, when they book directly with Accor and earn up to 6 per cent 6E Rewards as feature partner on any spends across Accor properties in India, Sri Lanka and participating hotels in Maldives, IndiGo said in the release.

These offers are also valid at the newly-launched Accor properties in Udaipur, Chandigarh and the most recently launched property at Vikhroli, in Mumbai, it added.

"We are pleased to extend our partnership with Accor to offer enhanced benefits, as we strive to offer the best service to our customers every single day," said William Boulter, Chief Commercial Office, IndiGo.

Through this partnership, Accor and 6E Rewards will be putting forward exclusive offers to members in addition to the other benefits across hotel stays, dining and events, as per the release.

Besides, 6E Rewards members can also earn additional reward points on hotel stays and dining by signing on to Accor's ALL - Accor Live Limitless - loyalty program, it added. 6E is the airline code for IndiGo.

"With our recent additions to our loyalty program - Accor Live Limitless - we now provide a range of extended offers on social gatherings as well as business events. This partnership consequently aligns our collective vision to provide our guests a memorable experience," said Jad Doumet, VP Partnerships, India, Middle East and Africa; and Turkey.

A leading global hospitality Group, Accor has more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

29/11/21 PTI/Economic Times

Read More

Omicron: India adds Bangladesh to list of ‘at risk’ countries

Bangladesh has been added in a list of "at risk" countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures, including RT-PCR test on self-expenditure, on arrival in India against the backdrop of rising concerns over the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The other countries in the list updated today, by the Indian Health Ministry, are the countries in Europe including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Under the revised guidelines released today by the Indian Health Ministry for international arrivals, passengers from these "at-risk" countries will undergo RT-PCR test post-arrival and quarantine if tested negative and stringent isolation protocols if tested positive, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The passengers on arrival must submit sample for Covid-19 test on their own expenditure and they will be required to wait for their test results at the airport before leaving or taking a connecting flight.

If tested negative, the passengers will follow home quarantine for seven days and subject themselves to re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India. Also, if tested negative, these passengers will further self-monitor their health for the next seven days.

However, if such travellers test positive, their samples would be sent for genomic testing -- to confirm for Omicron variant -- at India's consortium laboratory network and they would be kept at separate isolation facility and treated as per laid down standard protocol, including contact-tracing.

The contacts of such positive case would be kept under institutional quarantine or at home quarantine monitored strictly by the concerned state government as per laid down protocol.

International travellers arriving through seaports or land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol except that facility for online registration is not available for such passengers currently.

Such travellers would have to submit the self-declaration form to the concerned Indian authorities at seaports and land ports on arrival.

Children under five years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. But if found symptomatic for Covid-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, these children will have to undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol.

According to the new guidelines, contacts of the suspect case are the co-passengers seated in the same row, three rows in front and three rows behind along with identified cabin crew.

29/11/21 Daily Star

Read More

Omicron blows off all itineraries, fliers and travel companies left stranded

The government’s announcement on resuming international flights and subsequent retrieval of it on concerns about a new coronavirus variant have got travellers, airlines and travel companies in a tizzy even as airlines have started flights to Singapore under a new deal.

Portals such as Cleartrip and Ixigo said they are flooded with passenger queries on new testing and quarantine rules in India and possibilities of travel bans by other countries.

“We have seen a spurt in queries on international travel over the last few days,” Prahlad Krishnamurti, chief business officer at travel portal Cleartrip, told ET. “We expect this to persist over the next few weeks as governments adapt their rules based on the impact of the new variant being reported.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has termed the Omicron mutation, first detected in South Africa, as ‘variant of concern’ that poses “very high” global risk, prompting several countries to impose travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, IndiGo, Air India, Vistara and Singapore Airlines on Monday resumed daily flights between India and Singapore under the new ‘vaccinated travel lane’ (VTL) agreement – a Singapore initiative that allows vaccinated travellers to enter both countries quarantine-free. Singapore, though, deferred VTL deals with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on concerns about the Omicron.

The travel industry has adopted a wait and watch stance over the new development.

“This is a reality, the new normal that we will all have to accept. As not enough data is available on the new variant, we are awaiting more details from our health authorities,” said Madhavan Menon, chairman and managing director of Thomas Cook, India. “While we have received a couple of cancellations, this is clearly not a trend.”

Rajesh Magow, group CEO of Makemytrip, said it is too early to assess and quantify the potential impact on international travel from India. “At MakeMyTrip, we are continuing to keep a close watch on the evolving travel guidelines and we would encourage travellers to adhere to all travel protocols and practice COVID-safe behaviour at all times,” he said. “Our teams are working closely with airline partners to ensure that guidelines for domestic and international travel are updated real time on the website and the app.”

An executive working for a travel and tours company said they were getting cancellations for South Africa and queries on protocol changes for other countries. “Travellers are asking us for updates and about changes in protocols in other countries. We are trying to apprise them of our flexible terms and policies in case they would like to change their plans.”

On Sunday, the government tightened rules for incoming international passengers and decided to review its plan to resume international flights from December 15 that it had announced on Friday.

According to the latest guidelines, all incoming passengers will have to submit travel plans for the next 14 days and upload a negative Covid-19 report on a state-run portal that maintains real-time air travel data.

Passengers from 14 countries including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel will have to undergo RT-PCR test on arriving.

Meanwhile, Japan has shut its borders on air travel, while many countries including Mauritius have tightened restrictions on travellers from South Africa.

Under the new VTL agreement with Singapore, Air India will operate seven flights a week from Delhi and two from Mumbai, Vistara will operate two flights from Mumbai, and Indigo will operate seven flights from Chennai. Singapore Airlines will start daily VTL services from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai.

SIA will also resume non-VTL services daily from Kolkata, four times weekly from Bengaluru, three times weekly from Hyderabad and Kochi, and once a week from Ahmedabad, an airline spokesperson said.

Airline executives reported a rise in bookings and “healthy loads” on flights.

Detection of the Omicron variant comes at a time when travel demand has been on the rise.

“Pent up travel demand continues to be strong despite high occupancy and rates/air fares, and our domestic demand is even higher than pre-pandemic levels,” said Menon of Thomas Cook. “With a calibrated reopening of international commercial flights, we look forward to increased capacity and rationalisation of fares – creating a healthy pipeline towards recovery in 2022.”

Top India executive at a European carrier that operated more than 50 weekly flights to India before the pandemic said, “Demand has been consistently growing since August.” He said the government is “being prudent” in restricting travel instead of shutting it down again. Even if international travel were to resume today, going back to pre-Covid capacity would take more than a year, he said.

An executive working for a top hotel chain that runs hotels in India and overseas locations such as Maldives, the UK, South Africa and the UAE said considering the year-end season, the demand was exceeding even pre-Covid levels in some destinations over the last weekend.

30/11/21 Anirban Chowdhury & Anumeha Chaturvedi/Economic Times

Read More

Cathay Pacific’s new Economy fares offers Indian customers more choices, flexibility

Mumbai: Cathay Pacific has redesigned its Economy fares, offering Indian customers greater choice and flexibility when booking flights. The airline has introduced new and simple-to-understand Light, Essential and Flex fares that are tailored to customers’ travel needs and will be introduced in India on November 30, 2021.

Each fare brand offers more control and extensive benefits, from enhanced baggage allowances to flexible rebooking and upgrade options. Additionally, the consistent and clearly defined attributes associated with each fare type provides more visibility for customers on what they are purchasing, helping them choose the fare that suits them best.

Cathay Pacific will also progressively introduce the redesigned Economy fares across the network in phases.

Light fares enable customers to enjoy great value when they have confirmed travel plans and are travelling light. One piece of checked-in luggage is included and customers can pay for additional luggage and other benefits like seat pre-selection after their booking is made.

Essential fares offer the perfect balance of everything customers need, such as an extra piece of luggage, seat pre-selection and the option to upgrade using Asia Miles. This fare type is ideal for those travelling with family, heading for a longer trip or simply seeking more comfort and convenience.

Flex fares give customers maximum flexibility for their next business trip or holiday, with full control over their travel plans as and when changes are needed. Greater convenience and peace of mind is assured.

Cathay Pacific Regional Head of Marketing and Sales, South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Anand Yedery said, “We understand our customers’ travel preferences have changed over time and that no two journeys are the same. Our aim has always been to develop and provide offerings that are in line with what they are looking for. The new fare categorisations allow our customers to choose the fare that resonates best with them, whether that is value fares, having the flexibility to opt for an earlier flight, or upgrade using Asia Miles. We are confident these changes will provide our customers with even greater choice, flexibility and value when they fly with us.”

29/11/21 Business Line

Read More

Over 2,17,000 Flights Operated Under Vande Bharat Mission: Civil Aviation Ministry

New Delhi: The Minister of State in the Ministry Of Civil Aviation Gen. Dr. V. K. Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday informed that more than 2,17,000 flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission this year.

“During the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of India has undertaken the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indian nationals and also to facilitate travel of passengers between India and various parts of the world,” MoS V. K. Singh said.

“As on 31.10.2021, more than 2,17,000 flights have been operated under Vande Bharat Mission and over 1.83 crore passengers have been facilitated. State-wise distribution of inbound and outbound passengers may be seen at Annexure-A,” he said.

“The operations under Vande Bharat Mission were commercial operations by the airlines and air fares were paid by passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has not provided any subsidy/grant for the Vande Bharat Mission,” he added.

29/11/21 Pragativadi

Read More

India-Singapore Flights Commence Under The Vaccinated Travel Lane

New Delhi: Flight services between India and Singapore under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) commenced on Monday even as Singapore deferred similar travel arrangements with some countries amid the 'Omicron' scare.

Vistara and IndiGo said they have started operating flights to Singapore, while there was no comment from Air India. VTL allows quarantine-free travel to Singapore for fully vaccinated travellers.

"There is no change as of now in terms of our Singapore operations - our first flight went at 1:50 am today," a Vistara spokesperson said.

While there is no change as of now, the spokesperson said the situation is being reviewed and a decision will be taken accordingly.

"We can confirm that we are operating our flight on Chennai-Singapore as per schedule," an IndiGo spokesperson said.

Last week, Singapore Airlines also announced that flights to and from India will resume from November 29. There was no immediate comment from the airline on Monday regarding the services.

Various countries have imposed travel curbs in the wake of the emergence of the new COVID variant ''Omicron''. India too will review its decision to resume scheduled international passenger flights from December 15 on the basis of the evolving scenario. Earlier this month, Singapore and India agreed on resuming scheduled commercial flights between the two countries under the VTL from November 29, with six designated flights daily from Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Vistara, last week, said it would operate Airbus A320neo/A321neo planes five times a week between India and Singapore starting from November 29.

Meanwhile, Singapore has deferred VTL arrangements with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as a "precautionary move" to reduce the risk of importation and spread of 'Omicron'.

29/11/21 PTI/NDTV

Read More

Situation Being Closely Monitored Regarding 'Further Decision' On Int'l Flights Resumption: Scindia

On November 26, the government decided to restart scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India from December 15. These services remain suspended since March 23 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, on November 28, the government said the decision to resume the services will be reviewed in the wake of the cases of people getting infected with the COVID variant 'Omicron' in different parts of the world.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Scindia said the decision to resume the flights from December 15 was taken after recognising the increased vaccination coverage across the globe, changing nature of the pandemic and considering the health protocols, which have been put in place for international arrivals.

"However, in view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other Ministries, with regard to taking any further decision on the issue," the minister said.

Currently, international passenger flights are being operated under bilateral air bubble arrangements with various countries in a restricted manner. As on November 24, India had formalised air bubble arrangements with 31 countries.

These arrangements provide air travel bubble arrangements provide direct/indirect connectivity to more than 100 countries, Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh said in a separate written reply to the Upper House.

To a query on whether airfares for returning students and family members from Europe and North America are doubling and even quadrupling this winter, Singh said that as per details of fare submitted by airlines, the average fares for travel by economy class under the air bubble arrangements are comparable to the average fares during the Winter 2019 schedule.

The minister's remarks in a separate written reply are based on the details of fares by Air India, the only Indian carrier operating to Europe and North America, United Airlines and Lufthansa.

29/11/21 Outlook

Read More

Will Omicron upset Indian travellers plans; impact international aviation recovery?

On November 26, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, subsequently named Omicron, as a variant of concern. To quote the WHO, “Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes.”

WHO, in updates published on the WHO website, left more questions than answers, stating that research is ongoing and more details should be available in the days ahead about the effectiveness of current vaccines on this strain. Dr Angelique Coetzee, the South African doctor who first spotted the new variant, has in various media interviews, maintained that the patients so far have extremely mild symptoms.

The new variant was first identified in Botswana on November 11. However, since the reports of the new variant, it has already spread in various parts of the world. Reportedly, the Omicron variant has now been identified in Australia, Austria, Belgium,

Botswana, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Reunion Island (French territory), South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Information about the new variant surfaced just when after a long grounding, the world had started to open up. While the WHO did not suggest any travel restrictions be imposed, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and European Union were some of the countries/blocs that imposed new requirements or restrictions for arrivals from south African nations, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Other countries such as Israel and Japan have gone one step further to stop almost all foreigners from arriving on their soil.

As we have adequately seen over the past 18 months or so, travel bans don’t help. Most countries failed to bar the virus from entering their frontiers since information about any variant being discovered always comes around with a lag, rather than ahead of time. This means no one is prepared for them when the first cases are beginning to circulate around the globe. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned against travel bans, stressing that restrictions are "not a long-term solution" when it comes to managing coronavirus variants.

While India has taken a more measured approach at this point in time, it is almost bound to create inconvenience and affect travel yet again. November 26 was also the day when India announced that they will allow commercial flight operations to resume effective December 15, 2021, after a long 20-month hiatus. Over the weekend, the stance shifted, and the Government of India indicated that the resumption of international commercial operations would be “reviewed.” We still don’t know if this means there will be a postponement of flights resumption or not.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has required that all in-bound travellers from southern African countries (such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa) Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Bangladesh, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Israel will be subject to an on-arrival RT-PCR test at the first port of entry, effective December 1. To add to this, the Government of India requires a 2 percent random sample of passengers on each international flight arriving in India to be tested, with the job of picking these passengers handed over to the airline.

However, what is bound to create chaos is the requirement that passengers cannot leave the airport before their report is received. This means that there will be a perpetual crowd build-up at major airports in the coming weeks, and passengers will be required to wait at the airport for about 4-6 hours before they can catch a connection or exit the airport.

With the fading mask discipline, this could mean the airports themselves could be hotspots for transmission. For instance, on December 1, there are scores of wide body aircraft scheduled to arrive at Delhi Airport in the wee hours (KLM from Amsterdam and Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London, apart from Qatar Airways and Emirates who could be carrying passengers from Brazil and Europe, apart from their own countries into India).

30/11/21 Ajay Awtaney/Free Press Journal

Read More

Omicron Scare In India: Botswana Woman Goes Missing In Jabalpur

 In Madhya Pradesh, a search is on to find a woman from Botswana who arrived in Jabalpur on November 18. In wake of the new variant omicron, India has adopted a stricter screening and tracking process for travellers from affected countries.

The search has been launched by the district administration and the Department of Health. Along with a search team, they have distributed a helpline number to get the information on the missing woman. Air India had promised to offer details on the woman.

The teams have searched guest houses and hotels in the city of Jabalpur have not been able to locate the woman. They have identified the woman as a 24-year-old and her name is Khumo Oremeet Selyn.

An official from the Department of Health said that the team had reached out to a woman whose phone number was mentioned on the passenger list. However, the woman has denied landing at Jabalpur and said that she is with the embassy in New Delhi. The officers from Jabalpur to Bhopal have been put to work to locate the woman.

Meanwhile, all the passengers on the said Air India have submitted samples for the genome sequencing process. The same would be taken from the woman, once found.

According to the News18 report, the woman was found by the authority in the Military hospital at Jabalpur today. She has been quarantined and her samples have been sent for the genome sequencing process as per the regulations set by the Ministry of Health on Friday.

Similarly, two citizens of South Africa who arrived in Bengaluru on November 11 and 20 tested positive for COVID-19 after an RT-PCR test was conducted. The authorities were able to trace them back and they were isolated immediately. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Rural district K Srinivas, the test result shows that they have tested positive for the Delta variant.

29/11/21 She The People

Read More

Nurse at University Hospitals Sussex delivers baby on flight

Leela Baby, who is a senior oncology nurse at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, volunteered for action after a woman who was only seven months pregnant went into labour on their Air India flight from Heathrow to India.

Within a couple of hours Simi Maria Phillip had given birth to baby Shawn, and the flight was diverted from its flight path to India, and touched down in Frankfurt, so that mother and baby could be taken to hospital.

Leela was helped by Dr Inshad Ibrahim, an A&E physician from North Wales, and Dr Richu Philip, a junior doctor working at Birmingham City Hospital, who were both on the flight and offered their services.

Upon arriving in Cochin, India after their stop off in Frankfurt, Germany – Leela was presented with an award in October for her assistance in safely delivering the baby.

Leela said: “I was travelling with my husband, Joseph, from Heathrow to Cochin, when all of a sudden there was an announcement asking for any experienced doctors or nurses on board who can help with an emergency labour.

“It’s a long time since I delivered a baby so I waited at first but when a second announcement went out I came forward and volunteered.

“They asked me if I had experience working in labour and I said I have experience of working in labour when I first started working as a nurse in India, and although I’m working as a chemotherapy nurse now, I am confident I can help.

“They told me there was a woman - Simi - who's 29 weeks pregnant and in emergency labour.

“I then went ahead and asked Simi how she was doing and how the pain was. She said she was in a lot of pain and that she was having contractions. Soon after this, her waters broke so we took her to a bed by the cabin crew area.

“We examined her and the baby's head was crowning. Then we delivered the baby safely. Both mother and baby were safe. Whilst the doctors looked after the baby, I carefully took out the placenta.

“The flight then landed in Frankfurt, Germany and both mother and baby were taken to the University hospital.”

After getting her award for excellence, Leela said she did not expect it but was grateful to receive one.

She added: “I am in touch with Simi and she and the baby are doing fine now. I am just glad I, and others, was able to help.

“It was nice, and much unexpected, to be given the award. It was certainly an eventful flight!”

30/11/21 George Carden/Argus

Read More

International Flights Resumption: Jyotiraditya Scindia Makes A Big Statement Amid Omicron Variant Scare

New Delhi: Amid the growing tension over the new covid variant, Omicron, Union Civil Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday said that the government is closely monitoring the situation and in consultation with other ministries regarding “any further decision” on resuming scheduled international passenger services.

To recall, the Modi government had recently decided to restart scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India from December 15. On Monday, in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha, Scindia said that the decision to resume flights from December 15 was taken after recognising the increased vaccination coverage across the globe, changing nature of the pandemic, and considering the health protocols, which have been put in place for international arrivals. 

“However, in view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other Ministries, with regard to taking any further decision on the issue,” the Civil Aviation Minister wrote, as quoted by news agency PTI.

On Sunday, the Home Ministry stated that the Union government will review the decision on December 15 resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger service.

“Decision on effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service, to be reviewed, as per evolving global scenario. Closer watch on emerging pandemic situation within the country will be maintained,” the MHA statement read.

29/11/21 India.com

Read More

Fliers can head to 10 new int’l destinations

Ahmedabad: Flights to some 10 new international destinations have been announced from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in Ahmedabad, during the winter schedule.

The winter schedule was recently announced by the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and was implemented effective October 28 this year. More flights to Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Doha, Qatar; Kuwait; London, UK; Muscat, Oman; Nairobi, Kenya and Najaf, Iraq have been announced.

“International flights are running full at this point with a lot of businessmen as well as family members travelling by these flights to meet their loved ones. People have not been able to travel much last year due to the pandemic situation and the restrictions on international travel,” said Manish Sharma, chairman, Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI), Gujarat.

A total of 76 flights have been announced as part of the winter schedule for international operations by various airlines including Indigo, SpiceJet, GoAir, Fly Dubai, Emirates, Etihad, Kuwait Airways and Air India, among others. Of these, 47 flights have already been operationalised.

“The starting of international operations will benefit travel and tourism sector in a big way as tourism industry will get the much-needed boost. That apart, even the hospitality sector will also get a lot of business in Gujarat with international movements beginning,” said Sharma.

29/11/21 Niyati Parikh/Times of India

Read More

Singapore Airlines to resume services from Kochi airport

Kochi: After a gap of 20 months, the Singapore Airlines has announced the resumption of services at the Kochi airport from November 30 (Tuesday). Three passenger flight each will operate weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. They will arrive in Kochi at 10.15pm and depart at 11.05pm.

CIAL managing director S Suhas said the chairman and the board of directors have taken proactive steps to re-establish air connectivity to Kochi from all international travel hubs. "We are happy to have Singapore Airlines back here after a long hiatus. With the resumption of flights, passengers can finally reunite with their friends and family in Singapore," he said.

Passengers arriving from Singapore have to take a COVID RT-PCR test at the Kochi airport and undergo a seven-day home quarantine. On the eighth day of their arrival, they must take one more test and continue quarantine for another week if found positive.

CIAL now handles 185 weekly departures to the Middle East. The airport operator also facilitates flights to the UK, Sri Lanka and Male. It hopes that the airport’s international flight operations will be back to normal by the end of the year.

29/11/21 New Indian Express

Read More

Flying to India? Here’s what you need to know

Union Health Ministry revised guidelines for international arrivals in India on Sunday to be effective from December 1 amid the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant termed Omicron. The revised guidelines mandate

submitting 14 days’ travel details and uploading a negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey.

All travelers will need to submit a self-declaration form before the scheduled travel under the new guidelines, including details of the last 14 days of travel. Travelers will also need to upload a negative COVID-19 RTPCR report 72 hours before undertaking any journey.

“The existing guidelines have been revised in view of reporting of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529; named Omicron) which has been now classified as Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization,” the Health Ministry said.

Passengers coming from ‘at-risk’ countries will have to undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival in India now.

If tested negative, they’ll follow home quarantine for seven days. Re-test will take place on the 8th day, which if negative, further self-monitoring will happen for next seven days.

A sub-section (5% of total flight passengers) will undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival.

The Health Ministry has classified countries in Europe, including UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel as ‘at-risk’.

Earlier today, the central government said it would review the resumption of scheduled international commercial flights.

Full service carrier Vistara on Sunday said it was looking forward to the guidance from the government on normalisation of international flight services amid the emergence of a new COVID variant.

Two days after announcing that scheduled international flight services to and from India will resume from December 15 subject to certain conditions applicable for ‘at risk’ countries, the government on Sunday decided to review the decision on effective date as per evolving global scenario.

Scheduled international passenger flights remain suspended since March 23 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic and on Friday, aviation regulator DGCA said the suspension will continue till 2359 hours of December 14. Limited air services are being operated between India and select countries under the air bubble agreements.

29/11/21 Bangalore Mirror

Read More

Passengers from 'at risk' countries will have to undergo RT-PCR test on arrival in Delhi

New Delhi: In wake of Omicron variant, Delhi’s IGI Airport has from Sunday morning started conducting RT-PCR tests on all arrivals from the 12 areas designated as high risk countries — countries in Europe including UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Arrivals from three Omicron hotspots — South Africa, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong — will be required to wait at the airport for their test report and only those found negative will be allowed to leave, say sources. Those testing positive will be sent to designated Covid centres.

Arrivals from other at risk countries will be allowed to leave after their sample and the result will be conveyed to them electronically, with the same protocol for those testing positive or negative.

The government on Sunday morning is learnt to have conducted a review of travel rules after the new mutant has been found in Southern Africa and subsequently in some other parts of the world, including the UK.

Many countries have started imposing new restrictions or test rules which mainly include suspending flights to southern Africa for some period. UK, for instance, has changed testing and isolation rules for all arrivals starting November 30, 4 am (local time). All international arrivals to the UK will need to take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative test.

28/11/21 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

Read More

Model design of India’s biggest airport mocked by netizens for passing off exactly like Beijing airport

The upcoming Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, India, which is expected to surpass Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to become the largest in the country, went viral on social media over the weekend for having used a photo of Beijing Daxing International Airport as its model design, drawing ridicules from both Indian and Chinese netizens. 

The Noida International Airport project was launched on Thursday by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who laid the foundation stone of the first phase. It is scheduled to be completed by 2024 with a capacity of 12 million passenger flows annually, local media reported. 

"By the last phase of development, the Noida International Airport will even surpass IGI and become India's leading airport," said the country's aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia at the ceremony. The final phase is expected to be completed by 2040-50 with a capacity to handle 70 million passengers annually, reports said. 

However, the mega project flopped on Twitter shortly after releasing the news, as netizens found that the concept photo illustrating model design of the airport, which was shared widely among local officials and media outlets, turned out to be the Beijing Daxing International Airport in China's capital. 

"The [Modi's] party cannot make an original design, just a design, how will they build the real structure itself? It's Shame," said one netizen on Twitter. 

"It's extremely shameful," noted another, "Our legends in non-political fields have spent years to make India shine. Don't spoil our nation's image like this just for your political advantage," said another Indian netizen. 

The Beijing Daxing International Airport, which locates in the southern part of the Chinese capital, was put into use in September 2020, and handled nearly 39 million passenger trips the first year. The airport, nicknamed "Starfish," is featured by cutting-edge technology with high efficiency, and is expected to handle 72 million passengers by 2025.

28/11/21 Global Times

Read More

India revises Covid-19 guidelines for international arrivals amid Omicron fears

Union Health Ministry revised guidelines for international arrivals in India on Sunday to be effective from December 1 amid the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant termed Omicron. The revised guidelines mandate submitting 14 days' travel details and uploading a negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey.

All travelers will need to submit a self-declaration form before the scheduled travel under the new guidelines, including details of the last 14 days of travel. Travelers will also need to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report 72 hours before undertaking any journey.

"The existing guidelines have been revised in view of reporting of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529; named Omicron) which has been now classified as Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization," the Health Ministry said.

Passengers coming from 'at-risk' countries will have to undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival in India now.

If tested negative, they'll follow home quarantine for seven days. Re-test will take place on the 8th day, which if negative, further self-monitoring will happen for next seven days.

A sub-section (5% of total flight passengers) will undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival.

The Health Ministry has classified countries in Europe, including UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel as 'at-risk’.

28/11/21 Economic Times

Read More

Two passengers from South Africa test Covid positive at India’s Bengaluru airport, quarantined

Bengaluru: Two passengers from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 at an airport in India’ southern Karnataka state.

The authorities from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru city on Saturday said that their test samples have been sent to a virology lab to ascertain whether they are infected with Omicron variant of coronavirus.

The health department officials said the test results will take another 48 hours to arrive.

Both have been sent to quarantine centres, and they will stay there till their test results confirm the new variant.

Around 584 people landed in Bengaluru from 10 “high-risk” nations, out of which 94 individuals have come from South Africa alone, according to Bengaluru Rural Deputy Commissioner K Srinivas.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting with top bureaucrats to assess the Covid situation in the country.

During the meeting, Modi asked officials to review their order on easing international travel restrictions in the light of Omicron variant that is slowly being reported from various parts of the world.

He also asked officials to step up screening at all international airports and ensure that strict Covid guidelines are followed.

27/11/21 WION

Read More

Families stuck after decision to ban flights to and from South Africa

Johannesburg: Hundreds of foreigners on family or business trips in South Africa desperately tried to get back home on the last available flights as several nations imposed restrictions on travellers due to the discovery of the new Omnicron variant of COVID-19 in this country.

The UK announced on Thursday that all flights to and from South Africa and five neighbouring countries would be banned from Friday noon following an announcement that the new Omnicron variant of COVID-19 had been detected in South Africa.

Many other countries followed suit, most of them indicating that only their own citizens would be allowed back, subject to a quarantine period.

In New Delhi, the central government asked all states and union territories to conduct rigorous screening and testing of all international travellers coming from or transiting through South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana, where a new variant has been detected.

According to the government's decision on Friday, airlines will be allowed to operate 50 per cent of their pre-COVID scheduled passenger flights between India and South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana from December 15.

India does not have an air bubble arrangement -- which allows special passenger flights between two countries amid COVID-related restrictions -- with South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana. Also, these three countries are classified under the "at-risk" category by India's ministry of health.

Tourists from Britain, one of the largest in South Africa's tourism and family visit sectors, were particularly hard hit.

I need to get home to be with my family for Christmas, and now it looks like I might be stuck here with my friends, said a tearful Joanne Johnson as airline employees explained the cancellation of flights, adding that arrangements were being made to repatriate British nationals only.

South African pensioners Johan Vermeulen and his wife Annemarie had been looking forward all year to join their son Andre, who had settled in the UK in 1999, and his family.

We haven't seen our grandchildren for more than two years now and thought that the pandemic was now easing enough to go there, Annemarie said.

Jarred Sampson said even if he did manage to get onto a flight, he would be faced with the unbudgeted expense of going into quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the UK.

27/11/21 Press Trust of India/Business Standard

Read More

Review Easing Of International Flight Curbs: PM Amid New Strain Worries

 New Delhi: Amid growing global concern over the spread of 'Omicron' - the new and potentially most infectious COVID-19 variant discovered so far - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked officials to review plans to ease restrictions on international travel to and from India.

Briefed on developments concerning the new variant, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to monitor all international arrivals, and conduct Covid tests with a specific focus on those arriving from countries designated as 'at risk' by the Union Health Ministry.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need to continue following Covid safety protocols, including wearing face masks in public, washing hands regularly, and maintaining social distance.

Prime Minister Modi today chaired a meeting of senior officials, including the Cabinet Secretary, the Health Secretary, and the chief of India's Covid task force, to review the situation in the country.

The meeting was held a day after the Civil Aviation Ministry said scheduled international passenger flights could return to pre-Covid frequencies from December 15, with certain exceptions.

Countries listed as 'at risk' by the Health Ministry will continue to have restrictions on the number of weekly flights, based on existing 'air bubble' deals (or lack thereof) with India.

South Africa, Botswana, Israel, and Hong Kong are on the list of 'at risk' countries with 'air bubble' deals in place, meaning 75 per cent of scheduled passenger flights will be allowed till further notice.

The new variant was first detected in South Africa earlier this week, with several cases rapidly reported in neighbouring Botswana, as well as Israel and Hong Kong.

27/11/21 Akhilesh Sharma/NDTV

Read More

Why has the PM asked to review plan to ease international flights?

Just a day after the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the resumption of international scheduled commercial flights effective December 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed senior government officials to “review” plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emergence of new evidence regarding the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Friday, the ministry announced that international scheduled commercial flights will resume from December 15 after a 21-month ban. According to the ministry, the resumption was to happen in a calibrated manner with a staggered reopening for countries considered ‘at-risk’. These include Europe, including the UK, in addition to South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel. Among these countries, if India has an air bubble arrangement, flights will be resumed at a 75% capacity as decided in bilateral agreements, and for those without an air bubble, at 50% capacity. For all the remaining countries that are not a part of the ‘at-risk’ category, 100% of the flights were allowed to resume.

Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a two-hour long meeting with senior government officials to review the public health preparedness & vaccination related situation for Covid-19, where he was briefed about the Omicron variant of Covid19. The mutation has been declared by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern. During the meeting, Modi asked officials to review plans for easing of international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence. In addition to the relaxations announced Friday, India also eased visa restrictions — having resumed granting of tourist visas for those flying on chartered flights from October 15 and for other flights from November 15.

Yes, a number of countries are restricting travel from south African countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, etc in addition to curtailing travel from jurisdictions where the new variant has been detected. The New York Times reported citing US government officials that starting Monday, the administration will prohibit travellers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi from coming to the United States. Similarly, Canada, the UK and several EU countries have also introduced restrictions for travellers from South Africa and its neighbouring countries.

Some states and local jurisdictions have already started imposing travel restrictions for passengers coming from these countries. Mumbai Mayor has announced that all passengers arriving from South Africa to the Mumbai airport will be compulsorily quarantined and samples will be sent for genome sequencing. Gujarat government, on the other hand, has made it mandatory for passengers coming in from Europe, the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong to undergo an RT-PCR test upon arrival at any airport in the state.

27/11/21 Pranav Mukul/Indian Express

Read More

Flyers look forward to eased int’l travel as bars are lifted

Kolkata: An increase in frequency of flights to Dubai, Bangkok and Dhaka; resumption of flights to Abu Dhabi, Kathmandu and Paro; improved connectivity in flights to Europe and the US and a slash in international fares that have gone through the roof: these are among the offers that flyers from Kolkata can look forward to following the aviation ministry’s decision to allow scheduled international flights from December 15.Scheduled international flights were suspended on March 22, 2020. The only international flights that have been operating to and from India are those under air bubble agreements signed between India and 31 countries. But these flights had severe capacity constraints as frequency was less than that before Covid times. Also, these flights did not allow passengers to undertake onward travel.

Though some capacity restriction has been announced on flights to countries that have been categorised as “risky”, like the UK and Bangladesh, Kolkata airport director C Pattabhi expects several carriers that are currently operating bubble flights to increase frequency from January and a few others, which had stayed away, to again link Kolkata. “We now have three-four international flights a day. That number should go up to 10-12 in January and then, steadily improve as the situation normalizes across the globe. It will be great to see the international wing of the terminal abuzz again,” he said.

The travel trade community feels Emirates, FlyDubai and Qatar to be among the first airlines to increase frequency from three times-a-week to Dubai and two times-a-week to Doha at present to a daily service some time in January. Travel agents also expect IndiGo to hike its frequency to Dubai and reintroduce flights to Bangkok, and Air India to increase frequency to Bangkok and reintroduce flights to Dubai. Both Dubai and Bangkok are high-demand sectors from Kolkata that were constrained due to the limitations on flight.

“There are indications of SpiceJet restarting flights to Bangkok,” said an industry source.

Etihad is expected to return to Kolkata and connect the city to Abu Dhabi.

The big difference though will be in the long-haul routes, such as Europe and the US, where economy fares have touched business class rates. “As scheduled operations resume, frequencies will increase and airlines can carry onward traffic, like before. This will bring down fares drastically,” said travel agent Anil Punjabi.

27/11/21 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

Read More

India to resume scheduled international flights from Dec 15: Govt

New Delhi: Scheduled international flights to and from India will be resumed from December 15, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Friday.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scheduled international flights have been suspended in India since March 23 last year. However, special passenger flights have been operating since July last year under air bubble arrangements with around 28 countries.

The Civil Aviation Ministry wrote a letter to aviation regulator DGCA asking it to take "further necessary action" for the resumption of scheduled international flights.

"The matter of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and it has been decided that scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India may be resumed from December 15, 2021.

"Resumption of commercial international passenger services would imply reversion to bilaterally agreed capacity entitlements and termination of air bubble arrangements," the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

If a country wants to operate scheduled passenger flights to another nation, a bilateral air services agreement has to be negotiated to decide how many airlines, ports of entries and total flights (or seats) weekly can be allowed between the two.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a formal notification about the resumption of scheduled international passenger flights after the receipt of the Aviation Ministry's letter.

The countries that the Health Ministry has identified as not "at-risk" of COVID-19 will get "full capacity entitlements according to the bilateral air service agreements", the Aviation Ministry noted.

In a circular on Friday, the Health Ministry has put countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, and South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel under the 'at-risk' category.

The Aviation Ministry said if a country has been identified to be "at-risk" of COVID-19 and has an air bubble agreement with India, then "75 per cent of pre-COVID scheduled international flight operations of Indian or foreign carrier whichever is higher or a minimum of seven frequencies per week subject to availability of entitlements under bilateral agreements will be permitted".

For a country that has been identified to be "at-risk" of COVID-19 and does not have an air-bubble agreement with India, then only "50 per cent of bilateral capacity entitlements or 50 per cent of pre-COVID operations of Indian or foreign carrier, whichever is higher", will be permitted.

Under an air bubble agreement between the two nations, airlines of both countries can operate special flights between their territories with certain restrictions.

26/11/21 PTI/Business Standard

Read More

Air Astana to Resume Flights Between Almaty and New Delhi, India

Air Astana will resume flights between Almaty and New Delhi, the capital of India, on 16 December 2021.

The airline will operate the route with thrice weekly flights using Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration.

The departure from Almaty on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays is scheduled for 07:50 with arrival in New Delhi at 11:10.

The return flight from New Delhi is timed for 12:20 with arrival in Almaty at 16:40.

The flight time is roughly 3 hours and 50 minutes in each direction.

The timing of the flights enables Air Astana to offer convenient connections for passengers travelling from Kyiv, Bishkek, Istanbul, Tbilisi and Baku.

All passengers travelling to New Delhi including children need to fill in an online form on New Delhi's website.

Passengers over 5 years of age additionally need to upload results of PCR test with a negative result obtained within 72 hours before arrival.

Prior to boarding on departure and again after arrival, passengers will undergo a thermometric test procedure.

In the case of any symptoms of coronavirus being detected, passengers will be sent to a medical facility.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers are required to take a COVID19 test on arrival and repeat it at the end of a seven-day home quarantine period.

Fully vaccinated passengers are exempted from PCR test on arrival and from home quarantine.

26/11/21 TNA

Read More

Nurse Baby helps deliver baby on plane during ‘eventful flight’

A nurse called Leela Baby has been given an award after she helped to deliver a baby on an aeroplane.

Ms Baby, a senior oncology specialist nurse at the University Hospitals Sussex Foundation Trust, was called into action as she travelled on a long-haul flight from the UK to Cochin in southern India.

Another passenger on the Air India flight, Simi Philip, was seven months pregnant and going into labour, so the pilot called on the intercom to ask if there was a nurse or doctor on the plane.

Ms Baby, who was travelling with her husband, volunteered her help, and along with two doctors who were also on the flight, she safely delivered baby Shawn to Ms Philip, within two hours of her labour beginning.

The flight then had to be diverted to make an emergency landing in Frankfurt, Germany, to allow Ms Philip and Shawn to be taken to hospital as a precaution.

When she got to Cochin, Ms Baby was given an award for helping with the emergency delivery from the Rotary Club based in the Indian city.

“I was travelling with my husband, Joseph, from Heathrow to Cochin, when all of a sudden there was an announcement asking for any experienced doctors or nurses on board who can help with an emergency labour,” Ms Baby explained.

“It’s a long time since I delivered a baby so I waited at first but when a second announcement went out I came forward and volunteered.

“They asked me if I had experience working in labour and I said I have experience of working in labour when I first started working as a nurse in India, and although I’m working as a chemotherapy nurse now, I am confident I can help.

“They told me there was a woman - Simi – who’s 29 weeks pregnant and in emergency labour. I asked Simi how she was doing and how the pain was. She said she was in a lot of pain and that she was having contractions. Soon after this, her waters broke so we took her to a bed by the cabin crew area.

“We examined her and the baby’s head was crowning. Then we delivered the baby safely. Both mother and baby were safe. Whilst the doctors looked after the baby, I carefully took out the placenta.”

26/11/21 Graham Clews/Nursing Times

Read More

Have taken up with Pakistan issue of overflight clearances for Srinagar-Sharjah flights: India

India on Friday said it has taken up with Pakistan the matter of overflight clearances for flights from Srinagar to Sharjah, but has not got a response yet.

Earlier this month, government officials said Pakistan has denied use of its airspace to Go First's Srinagar-Sharjah flight. According to officials, till October 31, the flight was going through Pakistan airspace.

Asked about the issue at a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have taken up the matter with the government of Pakistan for overflight clearances of flights from Srinagar to Sharjah. We have not received a response."

Asked if India was considering reciprocal measures and stop overflight clearances to PIA flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Bagchi said, "I don't have any indication of whether we are looking at the kind of steps you had alluded to."

To a separate question on a cargo ship from Karachi to China detained by Indian authorities and media reports on the "seizure of possible radioactive material", he said that there was a seizure of a ship, rather of containers, and the Department of Atomic Energy has sent a team to look at what exactly the containers contain

26/11/21 PTI/Economic Times

Read More

SriLankan Airlines committed to serve India as the Airline continues to consolidate operations to pre-COVID-19 levels

Colombo: SriLankan Airlines, today, assured to Indian travelers that the Airline is committed to increase the flights to destinations that were temporarily halted due to the pandemic, restore operations to pre-COVID-19 levels, and offer Indian travelers a wide range of connections to Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines’ Chairman, Ashok Pathirage, said “India is our biggest market, and we are dedicated to re-establish operations to full scale where the Indian market is concerned. We continued to operate both passenger and cargo flights to and from India even during periods of lockdown and despite many global travel restrictions.

“ It is an ideal time to create awareness about SriLankan Airlines’ operations in the Indian market and build confidence among travelers to book with the Airline as lockdowns are being lifted and global travel restrictions are eased, added Mr. Pathirage.

“The inflow of tourists from India to Sri Lanka has increased considerably in the last few months, with Sri Lanka being one of the first few countries to open borders and welcome fully vaccinated Indian travelers including those who have taken Covaxin. India continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s most significant source markets for international travelers, “he said.

“The Airline was able to adapt to meet the changing needs of the industry as the pandemic raged on and played a key role in bridging countries and facilitating the movement of people and critical supplies, including between India and Sri Lanka,” stated Richard Nuttall, Chief Commercial Officer of SriLankan Airlines.

Accordingly, Cargo operations emerged as a key activity in the Airline’s business model, and SriLankan plans to introduce more dedicated Cargo flights to its operation.

SriLankan Airlines’ Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution, Dimuthu Tennakoon, said that the Airline is now forging ahead with plans and investments to reestablish its presence in the Indian market.

26/11/21 ColomboPage

Read More

Sign air transport pact with Singapore, Malaysia to resolve plight of Tamil diaspora, urges TN CM

Chennai: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to make a temporary Air Transport Bubble Agreement with Singapore and Malaysia at the earliest to provide airline services and resolve the difficulties faced by the Tamil diaspora in Singapore and Malaysia.

The Chief Minister explained that Tamils who are having permanent residentship of Singapore and Malaysia and other travellers who visited India during the pandemic period are facing hardships for their return journey due to the non-availability of direct flight services.

“They have to travel through Dubai, Doha and Colombo which is causing inconvenience and financial burden as they have to pay more air charges and travel a longer distance due to the detour,” he added.

The Chief Minister also said due to the lack of agreement of temporary Air Transport Bubbles with Singapore and Malaysia, the travel business is being cornered by other foreign airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates and Sri Lankan Airlines and not India’s airlines.

25/11/21 New Indian Express

Read More

Kolkata-Bangkok services set to resume after Covid break

Kolkata: Air India and Thai Airways’ subsidiary airlines Thai Smile are set to resume services between Kolkata and Bangkok, a key international sector for business and tourism. Coming a day after Singapore Airlines announced daily services between Kolkata and Singapore from November 29, it marks the gradual return of international flights to Kolkata airport after a 20-month hiatus. Sources said IndiGo Airlines is also working on a daily flight schedule between Kolkata and the Thai capital.

Air India will start its services to Bangkok from December 8, initially operating two times-a-week on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Prior to the pandemic, the airline had three day-a-week services between Kolkata and Bangkok.

Flyers travelling to Thailand require to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the travel date. On reaching Bangkok, tourists and visitors have to undergo an RT-PCR test and will have to check into one of the listed hotels till the arrival of the report. Thai tourism authorities have assured travel agents that the report will be available within 24 hours, necessitating a day’s hotel stay in Bangkok before being allowed to check into other hotels of choice or travel to other cities and seaside resorts.

Thai Smile has also introduced flights between Kolkata and Bangkok from January 1 on the ticket reservation platforms. Sources said the airline would initially operate a three day-a-week late-night schedule, arriving in the city on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and departing post midnight on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The carrier could thereafter increase the frequency if loads are encouraging. In fact, Thai Airways officials have indicated that it could also return to Kolkata if the loads are good.

Sources in the travel trade industry said Thai Airways’ decision to withdraw its services and shut down its Kolkata office followed lack of business during the pandemic. “The airline operated cargo flights from other Indian cities. But there was not much from Kolkata,” a source said.

25/11/21 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

Read More

Looking to increase number of international flights under air bubble pact: Jyotiraditya Scindia

The civil aviation ministry is progressively looking at increasing the number of flights to international destinations under the air bubble travel arrangement, which as of November 17 stands with 30 countries.

“I am progressively looking at every country to increase the number of flights under the air bubble arrangement,” Jyotiraditya Scindia, civil aviation minister, said at the Indian Chamber of Commerce annual session. The present focus is on countries where seat load factors have exceeded 70-80%, both ways, he said, adding tourism was the flip side of civil aviation, driving the seat load factor.

India has made air bubble or temporary flight arrangements between countries aiming to restore commercial passenger services with regular international flights suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The arrangement is reciprocal, meaning airlines of two countries getting into an air bubble agreement will get the same benefit.

Scindia said the air bubble arrangement required coordination with the home, health and other concerned ministries, and the civil aviation ministry was collaborator in this regard. While acknowledging the fact that the 4,500 International Air Transport Association (IATA) agents didn’t have a point to collaborate and that there was a lack of policy in terms of securing passengers’ ticket when airlines go belly up, Scindia said his ministry could collaborate with other concerned ministries even when it came to issues (raised by ICC) like insurance against every air ticket or lack of level-playing field for online travel aggregators. But the issues required to be pertinent with the growth and prospects of the Indian civil aviation sector.

Many people lost their money when airlines went belly up during the pandemic. However, Scindia said the sector was moving towards a paradigm shift — from a travel mode for the niche to a travel mode for the mass. Regional connectivity like airports at Darbhanga in Bihar, Jharsuguda in Odhisa and Rupsi in Assam, air connectivity would bring about hyper localisation, driving the growth of the sector. But the helicopter market still remained untapped, prompting the government to frame a helicopter policy.

The civil aviation ministry jointly with the ministry of road transport and highways would create helipads on expressways for emergency evacuation. Under the 100-day programme, there would be 6 new heliports, 5 new airports and 50 new air routes under the Udan scheme within the next one month, Scindia said.

25/11/21 Financial Express

Read More

Normalisation of international flights likely by year end, says official

New Delhi: Normalisation of international flights is likely before the end of the year, according to a senior official.

India banned scheduled international flights on March 22, 2020. Over the past 18 months, however, it has entered into “air bubble” arrangements with 31 countries under which a limited number of flights are permitted with several restrictions.

Scheduled international flights are likely to resume “very soon” and “by the end of this year”, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal told reporters.

Several airlines, embassies, tour operators and travel agents have appealed to the Government to allow pre-COVID capacity as restrictions on the number of flights under “air bubbles” have led to fares soaring. For example, as per the agreement with Dubai, its airlines Emirates and flydubai are allowed only 4,800 seats per day, or 33,600 seats per week, whereas they were allowed 65,200 flights per week pre-COVID under the bilateral air service agreement.

As a result, airlines say, the capacity has come down to half on India-Dubai route leading to doubling of fares to ₹40,000 to ₹45,000.

As different Ministries sit down to chalk out a strategy to reopen flights, the key focus will be on ensuring safety of health.

“I am all for regaining our space in the civil aviation arena in the world and making a hub in India and for more wide body aircraft. We will get there but bear with me and trust me, I am on your side. We will work together but in a safe environment,” Mr. Bansal said.

24/11/21 The Hindu

Read More

Bookings open for SIA, Scoot VTL and non-VTL flights from India

Singapore: Bookings for daily vaccinated travel lane (VTL) flights from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai to Singapore that will start from Nov 29 are now open on the Singapore Airlines (SIA) website.

The flights, which are subject to regulatory approval, are indicated as VTL flights on SIA's website, said the airline on Wednesday (Nov 24).

"These arrangements will allow families and loved ones to finally reunite, as well as support the demand for business travel between the two countries," it said.

SIA also announced it will progressively operate non-VTL flights from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata to Singapore from Nov 29.

Meanwhile, SIA's budget arm Scoot announced that it will operate non-VTL flights between Singapore and Hyderabad four times a week from Nov 30, and between Singapore and Tiruchirappalli three times a week from Dec 2. These flights are now open for booking.

SIA said customers must ensure that they are eligible to travel under the VTL arrangements before their flight.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which announced the VTL between Singapore and India on Sunday, said fully vaccinated Singaporeans and permanent residents, as well as children aged 12 and below, need not apply for a vaccinated travel pass to enter Singapore under the VTL.

24/11/21 Anjali Raguraman/Straits Times

Read More

India a very important market, believe bilaterals have to expand, says flydubai’s Ghaith Al Ghaith

The Boeing 737 MAX on static display at the Dubai Airshow was turning out to be a big hit. Visitors to the show were lining up to view the business class section of the aircraft which offers lie-flat beds, something that is rare in a narrowbody aircraft like the MAX or the Airbus 320 family. Seeing the crowds, Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer, flydubai, shifted to the economy class section of the aircraft for the interview. “As far as business is concerned we are going through a very difficult time now,” but “the Indian market being the largest provides huge potential as we move forward,” Al Ghaith said.

Here are the edited excerpts >>

Read More

International flight operations to return to normalcy soon: Civil aviation secretary

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal on Wednesday, November 24, said international flight operations are expected to return to normal soon. “We expect normalcy to return in international flight operations very soon,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on October 29 had extended the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights till November 30. The DGCA notice, however, stated that the restrictions would not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.

Speaking about its loss-making carrier Air India, Rajiv Bansal said it is likely to be handed over to the Tata group by the end of the year. “We are making efforts to handover all operations of Air India by the end of December,”

The government in October issued a letter of intent (LoI) confirming the sale of its 100 per cent stake in Air India to Tata Group for Rs 18,000 crore, a senior official said.

Tatas beat the Rs 15,100-crore offer by a consortium led by SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and the reserve price of Rs 12,906 crore set by the government for the sale of its 100 per cent stake in the loss-making carrier.

24/11/21 India Today

Read More

Centre looking at resumption of international commercial flights: Jyotiraditya Scindia

New Delhi: The Government of India is looking at the resumption of commercial international flights on a daily basis, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Scindia said that the Civil Aviation ministry is looking at the resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger flights on a 'daily basis'.

"This has to do with multiple ministries. This has not got to do with my domain alone. I am having detailed conversations with MHA [Ministry of Home Affairs] and the Ministry of Health. Very shortly, as talks come to fruition, we will come to a decision," said the Union minister.

Earlier in the day, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal told India Today that scheduled international commercial passenger flight operations are to resume very soon.

However, the official did not specify a date for the same.

In its latest notification last month, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had said that scheduled international commercial passenger services will stay banned till 30 November. This, however, does not to apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

India has been operating international flights under the Vande Bharat programme and specific 'air bubble' or bilateral arrangements with nations.

24/11/21 Poulomi Saha/India Today

Read More

IndiGo to resume Chennai-Singapore flight under vaccinated travel lane

 New Delhi: IndiGo said on Wednesday it will resume Chennai-Singapore flight under vaccinated travel lane (VTL) from November 29 onwards.

Air travel to Singapore is currently happening on VTL and non-VTL. VTL allows quarantine-free travel to Singapore for fully vaccinated travellers.

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) had on Sunday announced that Singapore and India have reached an agreement to resume commercial passenger flights between the two countries from November 29.

IndiGo said in a press release that it will operate a daily flight on Chennai-Singapore route from November 29 onward.

"Following incorporation of air bubble between India and Singapore, IndiGo has been allocated a total of 3,618 seats per week, of which 1,624 seats will be operated on the ChennaiSingapore route under VTL," the airline said.

The rest of the capacity will be utilised under non-VTL conditions for travel to and from Singapore, it added.

24/11/21 PTI/Business Standard

Read More

UAE-India travel: Airlines push Sharjah, RAK flights with ticket rates under Dh1,000

Dubai: Flights to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are providing the low-cost option for Indians wanting to fly into the UAE.

While a one-way ticket from the south Indian city of Kochi to Dubai costs between Dh1,000 to Dh2,000 this weekend, a flight from Kochi to Sharjah is available at around Dh800, with a return flight dropping even lower to Dh490.

A travel agent said that the lower rates to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah is due to the lower landing and ground handling costs at the airports. “When you compare Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, there’s a big difference (in terms of flight ticket prices),” said Suraj Ramesh from Al Badie Travel Agency. He also said that the introduction of more flights from Abu Dhabi to India will make the emirate more competitive in terms of fares.

Recently, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the launch of flights to Kerala – with introductory rates of under Dh600 - and New Delhi, and there are indications that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, UAE’s newest airline, will also join in.

The joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s ADQ and Hungary’s Wizz Air plans to add the A321XLR aircraft to its fleet, which would allow the carrier to fly to destinations in India and Africa.

“The crew can operate at a five-hour distance from Abu Dhabi and come back again the same day,” said Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air. With the XLR, “that number will become seven hours and we’ll be able to reach Western Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.”

With these new routes, Abu Dhabi’s low-cost carriers are drawing more traffic directly towards the emirate. “A significant amount of labor movement from Abu Dhabi is currently flying from Dubai and Sharjah,” said Ramesh.

“Traffic on the India-UAE route has traditionally been higher during the year-end season and we have been observing some improvement in demand this year too,” said Vinod Kannan, Chief Commercial Officer at Vistara.

More Indian carriers are increasing the frequency of services to Sharjah. Vistara, a joint venture between India’s Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, raised the frequency of its Delhi-Sharjah flights to five times a week from three earlier. The airline now operates four weekly flights from Mumbai to Sharjah, up from three.

23/11/21 John Benny/Gulf News

Read More

Emirates open to tie-ups with Tata, other airlines: CCO Adnan Kazim

Emirates Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim has said the company is open to more ties up with Indian carriers, including Tata group that recently won the bid for Air India. Tata also owns a majority stake in Vistara and budget airline AirAsia India. In an interview during the recently concluded Dubai Air Show, Kazim tells Moneycontrol why India should move from air bubbles to bilateral arrangements and how the country has room for more players. 

Edited excerpts >>

Read More

Aviation handling firm appoints GMD/CEO – designate

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc has appointed Mr Indranil Gupta as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer-designate with effect from December 7.

According to the statement, the appointment is following the impending retirement of the GMD/CEO of the company, Mrs Olatokunbo Fagbemi, with effect from December 19, 2021, upon the completion of her contract tenure.

It said, “Gupta has Bachelor of Science from Bardhaman Raj College in 1991 and Master of Business Administration (Marketing and Foreign Trade) from L N Mishra Institute of Business Management in 1994.

“He has 26 years’ experience in managing various aviation businesses in India, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa. He worked at Mumbai/Kolkata/Bangalore International Airports as the senior airport manager in 2007; deputy general manager in 2011; general manager 2016; vice president-airport operations and project delivery at GVK Airports 360 Indonesia in 2017; managing director, GSEZ-Airports in 2018; and director-general, AEROPORT De Libreville, Gabon in 2020.”

23/11/21 Adepeju Adenuga/Punch

Read More

Singapore Airlines offers up to 50% off on India flights starting Nov 29

Mumbai: Singapore Airlines is offering upto 50 per cent discount on return fares as it resumes flights to India on November 29. It will operate daily vaccinated travel lane (VTL) flights to Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, providing quarantine free entry into Singapore. In addition the airline will progressively operate non-VTL services from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Kochi from November 29. Passengers from these flights must meet entry requirements into Singapore and will face health control measures including quarantine.

Round trip fares start from Rs 13,000 all inclusive and customers can avail this offer November 23-30 for travel before December 31.

"This is a momentous occasion for us as we will be resuming our passenger flights to India after a 20 month long hiatus," said Sy Yen Chen, general manager, Singapore Airlines, India.

23/11/21 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

Read More

How passenger on Dubai-India flight concealed gold in fruit juicer

A man travelling from Dubai to India has been arrested on charges of smuggling gold, which he concealed in a juice extractor to avoid paying import tax.

The passenger hid 6.7 kilograms of gold inside the machine's handle and carried it in his hand luggage on an Air India flight on November 13.

Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in the Indian city of Hyderabad received a tip-off and intercepted the man.

He was arrested shortly after landing at 6.15am and gold worth about $45,000 was recovered.

A video posted on social media by the local customs office showed an angle grinder slicing through the machine’s metal handle to reveal a thick tube of solid gold.

A week later, authorities at the same Indian airport seized three gold bars weighing 3.5kg, worth about $22,000.

A woman travelling from Dubai on a flight operated by IndiGo, an Indian budget carrier, carried the gold in her hand luggage without declaring it to customs in Hyderabad.

23/11/21 Nick Webster/National

Read More

Month on, Srinagar-Sharjah flight witnessing 90% occupancy

Srinagar: The Srinagar-Sharjah direct flight, which completes one month of operations on Tuesday, has been a runaway success as the flight is presently witnessing 90 per cent passenger occupancy.

The flight was flagged-off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 23 and despite witnessing initial hiccups, the flight operating from a longer route now, has gained popularity among the Kashmiri travelers.

An official told Greater Kashmir that as many as 5000 passengers have travelled to and fro on the Srinagar-Sharjah flight during the last one month.

“We have been operating 4 flights per week and almost 170 passenger occupancy in each flight. This direct flight at present is witnessing almost 90 per cent passenger occupancy and if all goes well we expect the passenger footfalls to increase in days to come,” said the official.

Despite all odds, the flight has gained popularity among travelers especially trade fraternity. The official said the flight is now taking an additional 40 minutes to reach Sharjah, after Pakistan refused to allow the flights to use its air space. However, the official said despite a longer route, people prefer to travel on this flight.

Musadiq Shah, vice-president of Kashmir Pashmina Organisation said people in general and trade community in particular have been benefited by the direct flight. Shah said there should be more direct international flights connecting Srinagar to other overseas destinations.

“This has not just provided a boost to the travel community but those travelling to visit friends and relatives also find it quite convenient to board this flight” said Shah.

Shah who also heads the Kashmir Art Retailers in Dubai said the direct flight has also provided an impetus to tourist influx from the UAE to Kashmir.

“We are getting to hear that there are plans to start direct cargo goods service between Srinagar and Sharjah. That will be a huge boost to trade in Kashmir” Shah said.

22/11/21 Saqib Malik/Greater Kashmir

Read More

Qantas doubles down on India with new flights

Qantas is doubling down on its move into India, launching direct flights between Melbourne and New Delhi for the first time in its history alongside a new service from Sydney set to start next month.

The airline’s chief executive Alan Joyce said he expected strong demand for the service given Melbourne has a large Indian community, and based on the “unbelievable” number of bookings on its new Sydney-Delhi service since the flights went on sale last month.

“In December there are only nine empty seats on our operation for that month, and we saw a lot of connecting traffic from Melbourne to Sydney, and that gave us confidence to fly direct from Melbourne to Delhi,” he said from Melbourne Airport on Monday.

Qantas has not flown direct commercial flights to India for almost a decade, instead servicing the country via Singapore where passengers connected on its codeshare partner Jet Airways, which went bankrupt in 2019.

But Mr Joyce said that since the COVID-19 pandemic customers wanted to fly to their destination directly and avoid transferring through an overseas hub.

“We think the demand for that is going to be quite substantial,” he said. “And we’re hopeful that once we see also tourists... and students, the demand will be even bigger because we’re missing a couple of very big parts of the market and already the flights are very full.“

On Monday, Qantas operated its first international commercial flight out of Melbourne in 20 months as it gradually restarts its long-haul network, with flight QF35 to Singapore departing at 11.50am.

Australia and Singapore opened a two-way travel bubble on Sunday, allowing vaccinated residents move between the two countries without going into quarantine. That marked the first time since March 2020 that non-residents, other than New Zealanders, have been able to travel to Australia without isolating on arrival.

22/11/21 Patrick Hatch/SYdney Morning Herald

Read More

Singapore Allows Quarantine-Free Travel For Fully Vaccinated Indians, 6 Flights To Operate Daily From Nov 29

Here comes a piece of good news for fully vaccinated Indian tourists for they will now be able to fly to Singapore without being quarantined. An announcement to this effect was made by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Sunday. Giving further details, the CAAS said it has reached an agreement with India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation on the resumption of scheduled commercial passenger flights between Singapore and India. It said a quarantine-free travel on Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from India to Singapore will be facilitated between the two countries from November 29 and 6 VTL flights will operate daily.

“It’ll facilitate quarantine-free travel on Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from India to Singapore, which will start from 29 November 2021 with 6 designated VTL flights daily from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Airlines can also operate non-VTL flights between India and Singapore,” the CAAS said in a statement.

21/11/21 India.com

Read More

Free ticket offer by Air India Express at Expo 2020 India Pavilion

Dubai: Lucky visitors to the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai stand a chance to win free air tickets to India.

India Pavilion has tied up with Air India Express (AIE) for the promotional offer for visitors who fly into Dubai on the low budget carrier’s flights.

AIE is the official travel partner of the pavilion. Passengers who have flown and are visiting Expo 2020 can deposit their coupon (boarding passes) at the airline’s kiosk at India Pavilion.

Every month, two lucky winners stand a chance to win free round trip tickets to any city in India where the carrier operates.

21/11/21 Gulf News

Read More

Aviation Exchange Group partners with Aero Flight Aviation to market its ATR Training in India

Aviation Exchange Group (AEG), Spain, partners with Aero Flight Aviation (AFA), India, at the Dubai Airshow on 16th November 2021. The alliance will empower AFA to promote EASA approved Type Rating and Recurrent Training courses to self-sponsored pilots in India in the ATR72-500/600.

The strategic collaboration between the two companies will increase flexibility and streamline the training process for individuals based in India. Aspiring pilots for the ATR Type Rating will have ease of access to the necessary course information through AFA in the comfort of their own home country. On the other hand, AEG provides top-of the-tier training for ATR72-500 and 600 with highly experienced ATR instructors in compliance with Indian DGCA.

“We are thrilled to team up with Aero Flight Aviation, the synergy between the two companies will allow us to connect with self-sponsored pilots based in India and support them in progressing in their career. As part of our zeal to grow globally, we have partnered with a company that will support us to make a real difference in the long run. We are looking at the bigger picture here and we can’t wait to share with you the evolvement of this partnership,” said Vijay Dhanwani, CEO, Aviation Exchange Group.

21/11/21 AFM

Read More

Six daily flights to operate from Nov 29 under Singapore-India vaccinated travel lane

Singapore: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Sunday said that Singapore's vaccinated travel lane (VTL) with India will start on November 29, with six designated flights daily from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai.

CAAS said that it had reached an agreement with India's Ministry of Civil Aviation on the resumption of scheduled commercial passenger flights between the two countries, reported Channel News Asia (CNA).

The authority added that VTP applications will open for those intending to enter Singapore from November 29 to January 21, 2022.

However, it "strongly encouraged" those who intend to enter Singapore after December 1 to apply after November 24, reported CNA.

Applications for vaccinated travel passes (VTP) for short-term visitors and long-term pass holders from India will start on November 22 at 6 pm Singapore time.

"All short-term visitors and long-term pass holders who meet the requirements of the VTL will receive a VTP," it said.

Airlines can also operate non-VTL flights between India and Singapore, although passengers on non-VTL flights will be subject to the prevailing public health requirements, said CAAS.

"CAAS understands that travellers are looking forward to the launch of the VTL and would like to assure travellers that there is no need to rush to apply for the VTP," the authority said.

The authority also urged short-term visitors and long-term pass holders to apply for a VTP to enter Singapore under the VTL, reported CNA.

21/11/21 ANI/Times of India

Read More

Devas to continue fight for Air India’s assets

New Delhi: Shareholders in Devas have written to a U.S. District Court asserting that Air India’s sale to the Tatas did not impact its petition seeking seizure of the airline’s assets to recover the arbitration award it won against the Indian government. They have also claimed that the Tatas could be liable for damages.

Dated November 15, the letter follows AI’s supplemental letter where the airline has underlined that its forthcoming privatisation weakens the merit of the enforcement action sought by Devas. Air India (AI) has also demanded a stay on discovery pending its forthcoming motion seeking dismissal of Devas’s petition.

“Air India is incorrect. India’s sale of Air India will not moot this case... will not impair — much less destroy — the Court’s ability to grant Plaintiffs effective relief,” law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher contended in the letter. In June 2021, Devas Shareholders had filed a petition in a New York court seeking to seize AI assets in the U.S. as reparation for India’s failure to pay the satellite firm. The letter said Devas’s shareholders hold an arbitral award of more than $111 million against India under the India-Mauritius Bilateral Investment Treaty.

Across multiple awards, Devas The sums total in excess of $1 billion across multiple awards. In 2011, state-owned Antrix Corp. had cancelled contracts with Devas, resulting, the latter said, in erosion of investment value.

The letter said the airline was an “alter ego of the Republic of India” and was jointly liable for the debts and obligations of India.

AI has argued that its sale to the Tatas will eliminate any possibility that the airline could remain an alter ego of India. Devas’s lawyers claimed that “the relevant time period for determining whether Air India is India’s alter ego is before this action (the June petition) was filed.” A message sent to Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, elicited no response.

The lawyers said the question now was whether AI was an alter ego of India in the period immediately following the issue of the award. “If Air India is found to be India’s alter ego at the time of the arbitral award, Air India’s transfer must be subject to Plaintiffs’ claims. Tata will take control of Air India with notice of Plaintiffs’ claim on a portion of its assets,” they said in the letter.

19/11/21 The Hindu

Read More

International Flights: Air India Resumes Direct Flights to Sri Lanka

As the coronavirus cases have declined, India’s flagship carrier Air India has resumed flight operations to Sri Lanka. As part of the air bubble agreement, both Indian and Sri Lankan airlines are allowed to operate flights between the two countries.

Taking to Twitter, the airline said it will operate direct flights between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Delhi, Chennai.

As per the flight schedule shared by Air India, the airline will operate two weekly flights from Delhi and three weekly flights from Chennai to Colombo. Air India has scheduled 2 weekly flights from Delhi, while from Chennai the airline will operate three weekly flights to Colombo.

19/11/21 India.com

Read More

Paras Aerospace India launches Universal UTM from High Lander Israel enabling BVLOS missions in India

New Delhi : Paras Aerospace Private Limited, India, a subsidiary of Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited announces the launch of Universal UTM product for enabling Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) with High Lander, Israel, an industry-leading drone technology provider with significant experience in the aviation field. The association with High Lander will allow professionals and commercial establishments to enjoy best-in-class drone features, mission efficiency and automation from preflight authorization to mid-mission changes and post-flight logs through an easy-to-use dashboard with the Universal UTM and Mission Control platform products.

With increased volumes of Drone use, it is important to bring in products to support Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management, or UTM. Drone traffic is a relatively new concept, but traditional aircraft have been slowly taking over our skies for over a century, and that industry can serve as a foundational model for understanding how the future of drone traffic will be managed. Universal UTM from High Lander is a complete airspace control platform that offers the next-generation UTM solution for managing increasingly crowded skies and enables efficient management of all aspects of airspace control with the concept of universal integration of diverse autopilots. The system can serve as an enabler for the BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) missions in India.

The High Lander Mission Control Platform gives complete control over the drone operations by solving the key obstacles limiting drone fleets. The platform builds, saves, and automates both recurring and ad-hoc missions through their intuitive operations center. It also controls all aspects of the missions from takeoff to landing. This allows for both complex and real-time tasks (including changes while in action), all from the comfort of the dashboard. High Lander cloud-based mission control platform is best suited for high end applications such as drone deliveries and perimeter inspection. The drone can be operated from any location in the world with an Android/IOS Device connected to the drone or on-board installation of High Lander protocol for all commercial DJI drones, Parrot drones, Proprietary Autopilots and Pixhawk based drones via the Internet. The High Lander Mission control platform provides live feed from the UAV to the ground control station with complete access to flight mission data.

20/11/21 APN News

Read More

Despite Pak's refusal to allow overflights, India determined to strengthen Srinagar-Sharjah air corridor

New Delhi: Despite Pakistan's refusal to allow overflights, India is determined to strengthen the Srinagar-Sharjah air corridor, by increasing flights (already 4 a week and likely to go up to 6) and strengthening trade ties.

India is building a new cargo terminal in Srinagar for the export of goods to Sharjah and other parts of West Asia. It should be ready in a month. To ensure more international travel out of Srinagar and not just to Sharjah, a new terminal is under construction as is one in Jammu. 

Despite the threat of violence and attacks on workers from other parts of India, air traffic out of Srinagar -- always a sign of economic activity-- is growing rapidly.

In September 2020, there were 1,093 flights into and out of Srinagar, carrying 140,077 passengers. It went up to 1,227 flights with 163,053 passengers in October. While this is already impressive, the corresponding figures for 2021 show a significant increase.

In September this year, there were 2,152 flights with 270,380 passengers and in October, 2,460 flights and 331,914 passengers. This includes international flights that Pakistan is desperate to hinder.

A similar rise is seen from Jammu airport. From 806 flights and 97,030 passengers in October 2020, the airport saw 1331 flights and 1,36,665 passengers last month-- more sign of economic activity in the union territory.

20/11/21 Srinjoy Chowdhury/TimesNowNews.com

Read More

Why was this young woman from Kerala studying in Zurich not allowed to board a plane?

Chennai: A young woman from Kerala who is studying in Zurich, Bibiya Suzanne Kakkattu, has alleged that the check-in counter staff of Sri Lankan Airlines denied her entry into the plane for her air travel from Kochi to Zurich via Columba and Doha, despite her following all rules and regulations.

Bibiya has taken to Facebook to narrate her bitter experience. In a video she has posted she says that the check-in counter staff of Sri Lankan Airlines (who operate flights in code-share with Qatar Airways) denied her entry into the plane. Some reports suggest that she was denied entry because she was wearing a churidar but from what she says in her FB video one comes to know there were some issues between SriLankan Airlines and Qatar Airways.

According to Bibiya she had booked her ticket directly with Qatar Airways and the flight schedule involved a flight from Kochi airport to Columbo, Srilanka, and then a flight from Columbo to Doha, Qatar, and then a final flight from Doha to Zurich.

A native of Koothattukulam in Kerala, Bibiya is a student at Zurich.

Bibiya says that she followed all rules and regulations for international travel. She had done an RT-PCR test for Covid, carried her vaccination certificate, passport and was at the Kochi international airport at the prescribed time by the airlines. 

"On top of that I hold a Swiss passport with OCI card," she noted.

After many repeated attempts to understand the reason for the denial, she was informed that Srilankan Airlines do not have any code-sharing contract with Qatar Airways anymore. So she asked for a written confirmation letter so that she can show it as proof to Qatar Airways which they denied and didn't want to give any proof of her attempt.

Shocked by the response of SriLankan Airlines, she then contacted the customer support of Qatar airways, who confirmed to her that her booking is correct and she should be allowed to board. But the representatives of Srilankan Arlines outright refused to talk to Qatar Airways representatives in any form or shape. And also refused to talk or call either Qatar Airways or Srilankan Airlines representatives. 

"Furthermore, I also contacted the embassy also to try to seek some help. After hearing my situation, the diplomat also wanted to talk to the representatives of Srilankan airlines, but the representatives of the SriLankan Airlines India Staff refused to talk to the diplomat also. The diplomat was very surprised about the rude behavior which she experienced," Bibiya says.

"This has been a very horrible experience for me. I feel cheated not just for the insane amount of money that I spent on a ticket that I was not allowed to use but also I will be forced to book a last-minute very expensive ticket as being a student, I need to travel to continue my studies, she said.

"It is my hard-earned money and saving which I had to use to buy a last-minute ticket. I was not even offered a compensation ticket or a refund. I feel cheated by Qatar Airways for not showing the responsibility to at least arrange a flight ticket to Zurich. In addition, I would like to also point out that this has been a very difficult experience for me also emotionally. The handling of the whole situation by Srilankan Airlines at the airport not only made me feel helpless but also resulted in an emotional breakdown for me at the airport. This was a very difficult as well as embarrassing situation for me, crying in a public place like this, feeling so helpless. This in my opinion is no way to treat a woman in this country," Bibiya signed off.

18/11/21 New Indian Express

Read More