Preparations underway to bring more South African cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

As per recent reports, India is planning on bringing another batch of cheetahs from South Africa by the end of this year. When that happens, the plan is to relocate them to the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Apart from Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, another site called Nauradehi is being prepared.

As of now, with 15 cheetahs and a cub, Kuno National Park is almost reaching its carrying capacity of 20 cheetahs. New sites are being developed to accommodate the newcomers by the end of this year.

Today, September 17, 2023, marks exactly one year of the first time a batch of cheetahs from Namibia were released into a special quarantine facility at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

This year, authorities are going to take extra precautions to bring in cheetahs that do not develop thick winter coats. This is because, from last year’s lot, some of the cheetahs developed thick winter coats in the Indian summer and monsoon months, which caused severe infections and deaths.

Here, it is important to note in South Africa, June to August is the winter season. When the relocated cheetahs started developing thicker coats in Indian summer months, it adversely affected their health as per the experts’ understanding.

Measures are being taken to do careful selection of cheetahs that do not develop thick coats at all or develop thinner ones for the next lot. Authorities are of the opinion that by doing so, they will be able to prevent untimely demise of the animals due to infections.

17/09/2023 Times of India

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London-Bound Air India Flight Returns to Delhi Due to Technical Glitches

ALondon-bound Air India flight, specifically a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, abruptly reversed course and returned to New Delhi shortly after entering Pakistani airspace.

According to Times Now, Air India flight AI0111 departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Thursday. The flight, however, made a return to the IGI airport, after a 30-minute journey due to a technical issue encountered when the aircraft reached an altitude of 36 thousand feet in Pakistani airspace. A passenger onboard the flight shared that the pilot made a mid-air announcement regarding the technical problem and the decision to return to IGI Airport.

After making the unexpected U-turn, the flight safely touched down at New Delhi Airport at approximately 9:30 a.m. A passenger named Yashvardhan Trikha, who was on that flight, shared his experience on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He expressed frustration, stating, “Hundreds of passengers are being stranded at the airport because of the poor service of Air India. There was a technical glitch in the flight today (AI0111) as the AC was not working and other issues were also there. Pilot was having an experiment in the air."

18/09/2023 News18

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India’s Quest To Export LCA TEJAS Hits ‘Roadblock’; HAL Must First Meet Indian Air Force’s Needs

India’s quest to emerge as a net exporter of arms will depend on its ability to sell the ‘Tejas’ aircraft to friendly foreign nations. But that ambition must wait at least a decade or more as the Light Combat Aircraft’s manufacturer is busy supplying these fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and developing the Mk2 variant, the final product.

Already, several nations have begun showing interest in the Tejas LCA. India is also keen on showcasing the aircraft abroad at air shows and even bidding for some contracts to gain experience competing against other aircraft in tenders on foreign shores.

Nigeria is the latest to have expressed its interest in the LCA as part of a US$1-billion deal it seeks with India to enable the development of the former’s military-industrial complex. But the details of Nigerian interest in LCA — whether to buy it for its armed forces or seek industrial cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — are not yet precise.

In July this year, when Argentinian Defense Minister Jorge Taiana was on an official visit to India, kite flying happened over Argentina trying to clinch a deal with India for buying the Tejas aircraft for its air force. As several Indian media platforms carried the news of Argentinian interest in buying LCA, it did surprise the manufacturer.

An HAL official told EurAsian Times, on condition of anonymity, that right from the beginning, it was clear to the manufacturer that the Argentinians were interested in buying the helicopters that India had built indigenously, especially the Light Utility Helicopters and the Medium Utility Helicopters.

HAL also hosted Jorge Taiana in Bengaluru, where its headquarters is situated, for two days during that July visit of the Argentinian defense minister to India, who had a day earlier met with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in Delhi.

In Bengaluru, Tainana and HAL Chairman and Managing Director CB Ananthakrishnan signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on “productive cooperation and acquisition of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters” for the armed forces of the Argentine Republic.

18/09/2023 NC Bipindra/EurAsianTimes

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Bangladeshi nat'l held with fake passport

Mumbai: A 30-year-old man was arrested on Friday for trying to fly to Hong Kong with an Indian passport that he had procured for Rs 6 lakh from the Mumbai regional passport office (RPO) using fake documents like Aadhaar and PAN card, he also got a Hong Kong visa recently.

Anaet Housen Abdul Bashar (30) is the sixth Bangladesh national caught at the Mumbai International Airport for trying to fly abroad with a fake Indian Passport in the last three and a half months.

18/09/2023 Times of India

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London-Bound Air India Flight Enters Pakistani Airspace, Takes U-Turn To Return To Delhi

An Air India London-bound flight -Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner– on Thursday entered Pakistani airspace, however, it quickly took a U-turn to Indira Gandhi International Airport due to a technical snag. A passenger onboard the flight said the pilot of the Air India flight announced mid-air about the technical glitch in the aircraft, and that the flight was returning to the IGI airport.

As dramatic as it can be, an Air India London-bound flight – Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner– suddenly returned to New Delhi minutes after entering into Pakistan’s airspace. Air India flight number AI0111 reportedly took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 7.15 am on Thursday.

The Air India flight returned to IGI Airport within 30 minutes after its take off due to a technical snag when the plane entered Pakistan's airspace at a height of 36 thousand feet.

A passenger onboard the flight said the pilot of the Air India flight announced mid-air about the technical glitch in the aircraft, and that the flight was returning to the IGI airport.

Taking a U-turn, the plane landed successfully at New Delhi Airport at around 9:30 am. A passenger, Yashvardhan Trikha, took to X and said that all the passengers were stranded at the airport due to the poor service of Air India. "There was a technical glitch in the flight today(AI0111) as the AC was not working and other issues were also there. The pilot was having an experiment in the air," he added.

15/09/2023 Times Now

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Argentine Pilots Test India’s Accident-Prone ALH ‘Dhruv’ Choppers; HAL Looks At ‘Redemption Deal’ After Ecuador Debacle

The debacle with Ecuador has long haunted the Indian-made Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Dhruv,’ but its MK III variant could redeem its reputation. An Argentinian team has been in India for the trials of the MK III and MK IV variants of the helicopter.

Sources tell the EurAsian Times a team of Argentinian Army was at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Bangalore and flew both ALH MKIII and MK IV.

“It was not a customer demonstration but a trial by the Argentinian pilots. The team was very satisfied by the performance of the helicopters,” sources added. Argentina is looking at ordering 20 of these units.

The ALH MK III has many improvements over the first ALH iteration, which was India’s maiden export to Latin America. Since the new impetus on defense exports, the Indian foreign service and defense attaches have been burning midnight oil to find buyers for Indian-made aircraft – both rotary wing and fixed wing.

After several crashes, Ecuador grounded its fleet of Indian-made helicopters and put the choppers up for sale. The country also unilaterally canceled its order for more ALHs from India. India, in turn, took the Ecuadorian government to court over the matter.

Over 300 units of ALH are currently deployed with the Indian Armed Forces. The major change in the ALH MK III is that it is powered by a Shakti engine, developed under a joint venture between HAL and French engine makers Safran. With its glass cockpit, it has advanced maritime patrol radar, electro-optical payload, and a Night Vision device.

15/09/2023 Ritu Sharma/EurAsian Times

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Vistara announces daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Hong Kong

Pune: Vistara on Friday announced daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Hong Kong, starting October 29. The airline will operate its A321neo aircraft featuring a three-class configuration on this route. Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including travel agents.

Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are delighted to add Hong Kong to our fast-growing global network. Hong Kong is one of the world’s most premier financial and commercial hubs that continues to draw significant corporate traffic from India. It has also been a very popular destination for Indian tourists. With the addition of Hong Kong, we are now able to offer our customers direct connectivity to and from three of the world’s top financial centres, the others being London and Singapore.”

15/09/2023 Joy Sengupta/Times of India

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After Smoke In Cabin, Ethiopian Airlines Flight Enroute To Addis Ababa Returns To Delhi Airport

 An Ethiopian Airlines flight which was travelling to Addis Ababa had returned to New Delhi after taking off early morning on Wednesday, September 14. The aircraft returned to the national capital after there was smoke detected in the cockpit according to a report by the Press Trust Of India. The report cited sources, who mentioned that the flight ET687, which is operated by Boeing 777-8 aircraft made an emergency landing at the Delhi Airport. This happened around 3 AM on Wednesday and a passenger who was on the flight revealed to the PTI that many other passengers had panicked due to the smoke.

14/09/2023 Anupriya Mishra/Curly Tales

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From Amsterdam To Dacca, Air India Shares Throwback On Maharaja’s Adventures Across The World

Air India has been providing services and taking customers to their destinations for many decades. Commencing operations back in 1946, the Tata group-owned airline has flight connections to different parts of the world. From Sydney to Dubai, Hong Kong, and more, passengers can fly to many global destinations with Air India. Recently, the airline surprised the Netizens with some throwback glances.

Taking to the X (formerly Twitter) platform, the airline shared some pictures of coasters presenting the travel diaries of Maharaja in different nations around the world.

Recently, the airline uploaded images of some coasters that represent the global air connection of India and other countries with Air India. The airline has connections in so many countries around the world and these are just a few of them. On Throwback Thursday, Air India posted coaster images of Amsterdam, Dacca, Dubai, Frankfurt, and Sydney. These showcase “Maharaja’s adventures in various countries, connecting India with the world.”

While sharing this blast from the past, Air India also gave a small reminder about the return of the flight operations between Delhi and Dhaka. The airline is all set to initiate air connectivity between these two capital cities of the neighbouring countries. Read on to learn all about this air route.

14/09/2023  Shreya Ghosh/Curly Tales

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Dubai Aerospace flags corrosion in plane leased to India's Go First

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Capital has told an Indian court it detected corrosion of some parts and "a greenish deposit" on a plane leased to bankrupt airline Go First, after another lessor complained about "robbed" parts.

Foreign lessors have been engaged in a legal tussle to repossess their aircraft after the Indian airline was granted bankruptcy protection in May, imposing an asset freeze that blocked the recovery of 50 plus grounded Airbus planes.

The lessors currently are only allowed an occasional inspection of the grounded Go First planes, which DAE and others claim are not being properly maintained.

In a Sept. 6 filing seeking to ensure the airline carries out maintenance, DAE submitted pictures to the Delhi High Court showing corroding plane parts and said the aircraft will "continue to deteriorate, resulting in a sharp decline in the value of the asset."

Go First did not respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this month, lessor ACG Aircraft Leasing, asked a court to direct the airline to replace "robbed" parts from its leased jets and allow it to appoint around the clock security to guard grounded aircraft, after it found many parts were missing.

DAE court documents show it was worried about a lack of covers on cabin and cockpit seats "which would eventually lead to fungus formation", according to an internal e-mail contained in the filing.

14/09/2023 Reuters/ET Infra

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Ball pythons, black squirrel seized from passenger at Chennai airport

Chennai: Customs sleuths at Chennai airport seized ball pythons and a black squirrel from a passenger who arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday night. This is the second similar seizure of wildlife species within 10 days.

Air intelligence unit intercepted a man who arrived from Bangkok. A search on his checked-in baggage led to the seizure of 16 ball pythons of different varieties as well as a black squirrel.

All the species were found active. They were identified with the help of wildlife officials. They were given appropriate feed.

The snakes and squirrel were deported to Bangkok.

14/09/2023 Venkadesan S/Times of India

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US aircraft maker Boeing invites startups, students in India for its innovation leadership programme

 The aerospace industry leader Boeing has invited applications from Indian university students and early-stage startup entrepreneurs for the third edition of its annual flagship aerospace innovation, leadership and talent development program Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD). The last date to apply for the program is November 10, 2023. 

The program started in 2019, is designed for university graduates and early-stage startup entrepreneurs. The program has partnered with seven incubators such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Madras, IISC Bangalore, T-Hub Hyderabad, and KIIT Bhubaneshwar.

The students who are either graduating or would have graduated in 2023 in the engineering stream for a bachelor’s or a master’s degree/or have enrolled in a Ph.D. program or a post-doctoral program are eligible to apply for the program. The early startup entrepreneurs in the pre-seed conceptualising phase with no funding can apply for the program. 

Boeing will train the selected applicants in sectors such as Aerospace and Defence, technology, social impact, sustainability, manufacturing, and healthcare, among others. Under the Aerospace and Defence, the program will focus on Aviation, defence technology, space technology, and autonomous vehicles and technologies.

Under the technology startups, emphasis will be laid upon IoT and Connectivity, Robotics and Automation, AI and machine learning, Digital Aviation, and Supply Chain Innovation.

13/09/2023 Girish Khurana/Financial Express

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Cathay Pacific to resume direct flights between Chennai and Hong Kong

Hong Kong-based international airline Cathay Pacific is all set to resume operations of its non-stop weekly flights between Chennai and Hong Kong from February next year. 

According to a statement issued by the airline on Tuesday (September 12), Cathay Pacific is returning with its Boeing 777 aircraft after a hiatus of four years, ensuring a comfortable and premium travel experience for passengers between Chennai and Hong Kong.

The airline also highlighted that Chennai serves as an aviation hub that connects southern India to the rest of the world and the airline is gearing up to embark on a new chapter of connectivity, convenience, and customer satisfaction. 

These flight operations by the airline would serve as a gateway offering exceptional connectivity for business and leisure travelers via Hong Kong to other cities including the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland, the Southwest Pacific, North America and Northeast Asia.

It may be noted that these flights to Hong Kong would be operated from Chennai on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In the return direction, the airline would fly from Hong Kong to Chennai on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Moreover, the configuration of seats comprises – 40 business class, 32 premium economy, and 296 economy class seating.

13/09/2023 Financial Express

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Exercise Bright Star-23: Indian Air Force refuels Egyptian Rafale fighter aircraft

New Delhi: An IL-78 tanker of the Indian Air Force refuelled Mig 29 M and Rafale fighter aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force as part of Exercise Bright Star-23, the IAF said on Tuesday. IAF Mig 29 UPG was also part of the mission."Interoperability in the Egyptian skies! An IL-78 tanker of the Indian Air Force refuels Mig 29 M and Rafale fighters of the Egyptian Air Force as part of Ex Bright Star 23. IAF Mig 29 UPG also seen as part of this mission," the Indian Air Force said.

In a post on X, the Indian Air Force stated, "Exercise #BrightStar 23 moves on to its culmination phase. The last phase follows a build-up to more complex joint missions and will involve assets of all participating forces. @indembcairo #DiplomatsInFlightSuits."

The IAF IL-78 air-to-air aircraft had earlier in September, refuelled an aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force during Exercise Bright Star-23, the IAF said.

“Showcasing the bonds of friendship in the skies over Egypt during Exercise Bright Star, where the Indian Air Force IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force,” IAF said on X.

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sumedha arrived at Port Alexandria, Egypt on September 6 to participate in ‘Exercise Bright Star- 23’. This edition of the multinational Tri-Services military exercise will see participation from 34 countries.

13/09/2023 Times of India

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Ex-Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor is now the New CEO of Flyadeal

Jeddah: The renowned aviation and travel veteran Sanjiv Kapoor has reportedly been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Saudi Arabia’s LCC Flyadeal (F3) Airlines.

Before his appointment at Flyadeal, Kapoor, previously designated as the CEO of Jet Airways, served as an advisor to the Director General of Saudi Arabia’s national airline, SAUDIA (SV).

Following Sanjiv Kapoor’s departure from Jet Airways, he transitioned within the aviation industry from India to Saudi Arabia. In May of this year, he assumed the position of Advisor to the Director General at Saudia.

The formal announcement of his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of Flyadeal was made internally yesterday. Kapoor has chosen not to provide any comments on the matter at this time, reports The Hindu BusinessLine.

His prior experience at Saudia, although relatively short, is expected to provide valuable insights and preparation for his upcoming role at Flyadeal.

Sanjiv Kapoor, a US citizen, takes over from Con Korfiatis, who led Flyadeal since its inception in 2017. During Korfiatis’s tenure, the airline expanded its fleet and extended its route network to cover West Asia, Turkey, and Central Asia.

Mr. Kapoor is a well-known veteran in the Travel and Aviation Industry. He is the man who needs no introduction. However, some of you may not know his education and experience, so here’s a glimpse.

Sanjiv, back in 1986, completed his Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. The college is a private Ivy League research university.

Furthermore, he completed his master’s at another well-known institute. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is the world’s first collegiate business school. He did his MBA in Strategic Management.

After graduating from Wharton, he worked at renowned companies such as Oracle, Northwest Airlines, Bain & Company, and more. He returned to India and joined Spicejet Airlines as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, he joined Vistara in 2016 as Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer. He also led the Oberoi hotels as the president for almost a year before joining Jet Airways as Designated CEO.

13/09/2023 Bhavya Velani/Aviation A2Z

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IAF Chief VR Chaudhari to receive first C-295 transport aircraft for India in Spain

Seville: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari will on Wednesday receive the first C-295 transport aircraft made for India by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus at a facility in Seville in Spain.

The aircraft is the first of 16 C-295 that will be produced in Spain and the remaining 40 will be made in an Indian facility in Gujarat's Vadodara under a joint venture of Tata and Airbus.

“The IAF chief would receive the first aircraft from Airbus at their facility in Seville, Spain on Wednesday. The aircraft would be flying to India from there after the ceremony,” defence officials earlier told ANI.

The aircraft is expected to be inducted formally into the service at a ceremony in Hindan around September last week.

The Indian Air Force chief was personally involved in the contract at important stages as Deputy Chief of Air Staff where he was leading the contract negotiations.

Indian Defence Ministry and Airbus Defence and Space, Spain signed a contract for procurement of 56 C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force in September 2021. C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and paradropping of troops and cargo. Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract and forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within 10 years of the signing of the contract.

This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.

13/09/2023 First India

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Air India unit to overhaul first foreign plane in 8 years

The Air India Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) depot at Mihan-SEZ is expected to get its first ever foreign flight since nearly a decade after it began operations in the Mihan-SEZ.

The MRO became operational in 2015.

Originally to be run by US aircraft maker Boeing, it was among the first major investments in the SEZ at Nagpur. The MRO was part of the offset deal arising out of 111 aircraft purchased for Air India and the then Indian Airlines. At that time Praful Patel was the civil aviation minister.

Now, a Boeing 777 from Kuwait is expected to land at the MRO for a C check in the next 4 to 5 days.

This is an advanced level maintenance job. For the first time the MRO would be catering to a foreign player directly, though exports of goods or services is the basic mandate of a unit in the SEZ.

In turn, the units in a SEZ get tax relief. The SEZ also has another MRO of AAR Indamer Technics Private Limited which mainly caters to Indigo Airlines.

13/09/2023 ET Hospitality World

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Air India Express to operate direct flight from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram

New Delhi: Low-cost airline Air India Express recently announced a direct flight service on the Doha-Thiruvananthapuram sector, providing relief to air travel woes experienced by expatriates in the southern Kerala districts for a long time. The service will start on October 29.

There will be services on four days a week from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram and back, and the ticket booking has already started. While the services from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, those from Thiruvananthapuram to Doha will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The new non-stop service has been announced in the winter schedule of Air India Express.

The direct services of Air India Express will benefit people from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts, those from southeastern parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, besides those from Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu, who have been struggling with travel issues for years.

Thomas Kurian Nedumthara, the general convener of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Users' Forum in Qatar (Taufiq), recently said the new announcement of Air India Express comes as a big relief to the people of southern districts who were disappointed as no action had been taken for long despite submitting representations and complaints to the Central and State Governments in this regard.

13/09/2023 Manorama

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Justin Trudeau 'declined' India's offer of Air India One service to return to Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly 'declined' India's offer of Air India One services. Trudeau and his delegation decided to wait for the replacement aircraft.

The prime minister and his delegation were in New Delhi for two-day G20 summit. They were stranded in the national capital due to technical issues with their aircraft.

News agency ANI on Tuesday quoted its sources as saying that Trudeau had rejected Air India One services. They finally flew out on Tuesday afternoon on another Canadian plane.

The report came at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada to his Canadian counterpart on the sidelines of G20 Summit.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship," the Ministry of External Affairs had said.

13/09/2023 CNBCTV18.com

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Malaysia Airlines to Start Amritsar Flights: Diaspora, FAI Welcomes Greater Connectivity

In a significant development for travelers hailing from Punjab and the global Punjabi diaspora, Malaysia’s leading carrier Malaysia Airlines is set to become the third Malaysia airline to offer direct flights connecting Amritsar with Kuala Lumpur.

This momentous development has been met with resounding enthusiasm from the FlyAmritsar Initiative, a prominent civil society advocacy dedicated to the development and expansion of Amritsar airport as a major regional and international gateway and the Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), a non-profit organization committed towards sustainable growth of Amritsar.

In a press release Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener and Yogesh Kamra, Convener (India) for the FlyAmritsar Initiative and Secretary Amritsar Vikas Manch shared that starting from November 8, Malaysia Airlines will initiate non-stop flights connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (SGRDJIA) in Amritsar, Punjab. Presently, Batik Air operates three weekly direct flights while Air Asia X is poised to commence four weekly flights on this route from September 3 onwards.

According to the schedule available on its website, the airline will launch this route with two flights per week on every Wednesday and Saturday. The airline will deploy its 160-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft for this route. Departing from KLIA at 6:50pm, the flight will land at SGRDJIA Amritsar at 10:10pm. The return flight will take-off from Amritsar at 11:25pm and arrive KLIA at 7:30am in the following morning.

12/09/2023 IANS/Punjab News Express

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Trudeau leaves for Canada after at least 36-hour delay due to plane snag

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday finally left India for his home after he was stranded for 36 hours due to a technical snag in his plane.

Trudeau and his delegation had been stranded in Delhi since they arrived for the G20 Summit on September 8. They were supposed to fly back home two days later. But a snag in his Airbus plane forced Trudeau to prolong his stay in the city.

News agency ANI quoted Mohammad Hussain, Press Secretary of Canada Prime Minister's Office (PMO), saying that the technical issue was resolved and the aircraft was cleared to fly.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was at the airport to see Trudeau off and thanked him for attending the G20 Summit.

"On behalf of PM Narendra Modi Ji and my colleagues in government, I was at the airport today to thank Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada for his presence at the G20 Summit and wished him and his entourage a safe trip back home," the minister wrote on X.

Earlier, CBC News reported that the Canadian Air Force's CC-150 Polaris plane, which was on its way to pick up Trudeau, was diverted to London. No reason was given for the unscheduled diversion.

12/09/2023 India Today

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Etihad Airways Partners With Katrina Kaif As Brand Ambassador

Etihad Airways unveiled its partnership with Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as the new brand ambassador. Her association with the airline is to be unveiled through a series of videos to be showcased across Etihad and Katrina’s social channels.

Katrina Kaif shares her excitement about the association: “I am thrilled to be back with Etihad Airways, a brand synonymous with world-class travel experiences. The airline's commitment to excellence and its dedication to bringing people together resonate with my own values. I am excited to be part of a team that aims to create thoughtful connections and memorable experiences. I look forward to representing Etihad and being a part of their journey."

The new partnership builds on Katrina’s collaboration with Etihad in 2010 when she was featured as a discerning traveller showcasing Etihad’s travel experience. Her prior partnership showcased her appreciation for the airline's commitment to comfort and service. Returning again, her partnership with the airline bolsters its foothold in the Indian market, where it currently serves 8 Indian cities.

Amina Taher, Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship at Etihad Airways, explains the significance of this collaboration: “We are thrilled to welcome Katrina Kaif to the Etihad Airways family as our brand ambassador. Our partnership with Katrina is far from ordinary, it embodies the spirit of innovation and sophistication our airline represents while celebrating our commitment to uniting cultures and communities. With her remarkable journey and global recognition, we're not only showcasing Etihad's offerings but also fostering authentic connections that genuinely resonate with Indian travellers and celebrating our commitment to India.”

12/09/2023 Everything Experiential

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Kenyan Woman Arrested in India With Cocaine Worth Ksh211 Million

A Kenyan woman was arrested on September 10, at Bengaluru airport in India attempting to smuggle Ksh211 million worth of cocaine into the country.

The Kenyan was arrested by India’s Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) with 1.02 Kg of cocaine.

According to CISF, she had concealed the drugs in capsules inside her undergarments.

Records indicate that she had flown in from Addis Ababa landing in India at 11.09 am. 

A routine airport security search raised the suspicions of CISF officer, Laxmi Meena, prompting her to take a closer look at the Kenyan woman and her belongings.

“The cop conducted a pat down search, took her to a separate room and asked her to remove her clothes. Many capsules were found in her undergarment. One of the capsules was open and we realized that she was carrying high-quality cocaine,” a source said to the India Times.

12/09/2023 Brandy Kemunto/Kenyans

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India’s LCA Tejas, ALH Dhruv & LCH Prachand Draw Nigeria’s Interest; HAL Provides 1st Demonstration

Nigeria has shown interest in the Indian-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand,’ Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Dhruv.’

A few days ago, Africa’s most populous country approved inking of defense deals worth US $1 billion, aimed at helping Nigeria become self-reliant in defense manufacturing.

A HAL official confirmed to the EurAsian Times that a Nigerian delegation had seen the demonstration of the aircraft. The Nigerians are, however, yet to fly them. The negotiations for these military purchases are still in preliminary stages.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactures these military aircraft, has trained six pilots of Nigerian Army Aviation on Chetak Helicopters. Phase I of the training was completed in December 2021 and the second phase was completed by December 2022. Each Nigerian Army Aviation officer was given 70 hours of flying training as part of the training.

India has been offering LCA, ALH, and LUH to Nigeria, saying the platform will augment the strength of the Nigerian forces. Defense Advisor to Nigerian High Commission in India Commodore Anthony Victor Kujoh noted in 2022: “Nigeria would not only like to further enhance the business relationship with HAL for training, but also towards asset acquisition.”

In 2020, the Nigerian Army and Air Force indicated an interest in acquiring combat helicopters. The Army is keen on attack helicopters to give air support to its field-deployed troops in the northeastern region.

The helicopters will be required to conduct ground attacks and fend off air attacks from small drones. They would also be conducting armed escort and tank plinking.

The Indian Air Force Tejas performs at the opening ceremony of the Singapore Air Show on February 15, 2022.

The Nigerian Army blamed the lack of airpower for the prolonged battle with the Boko Haram insurgents. The service also contended that it needed its own “air force to deal with the insurgents swiftly.”

Besides HAL, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Turkish TAI have pitched their helicopters to Nigeria.

12/09/2023 Ritu Sharma/EurAsianTimes

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Mamata Banerjee's Dubai-Bound Flight Delayed Due To Technical Issue

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's flight to Dubai was delayed by at least three hours due to technical glitches, an official said on Tuesday. Banerjee and her team were scheduled to leave for a 12-day tour of Spain and Dubai from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 8.30 am. She will attend business summits to attract investments to the state.

However, her flight was delayed by at least three hours due to technical glitches, sources in the chief minister's office told PTI. A senior official of the airport said that the flight, which was supposed to take Banerjee and her team to the United Arab Emirates, arrived late from Dubai. Banerjee is scheduled to spend the night in Dubai due to the unavailability of connecting flights, before flying to Spain's capital Madrid the next day.

12/09/2023 PTI/ZeeNews

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Cathay Pacific To Resume Chennai-Hong Kong Direct Flights From February 2024

Hong Kong-based international airline Cathay Pacific will resume operating non-stop weekly flights between Chennai and Hong Kong from February 2024. The airline in a statement on Tuesday said that after a hiatus of four years, it is returning with its Boeing 777 aircraft, ensuring a comfortable and premium travel experience for passengers between the two cities. As Chennai serves as an aviation hub that connects southern India to the rest of the world, Cathay Pacific is gearing up to embark on a new chapter of connectivity, convenience, and customer satisfaction, the statement said.

The flights to Hong Kong would be operated from Chennai on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays while on the return direction, it would fly from Hong Kong to Chennai on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The configuration of seats comprises 40 business class, 32 premium economy, and 296 economy class seating. For both business and leisure travelers, the flights would serve as a gateway offering exceptional connectivity via Hong Kong to other cities including the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland, North America, Northeast Asia, and the Southwest Pacific.

"We are delighted to once again serve the residents of Chennai. As a group, we have had a long-standing history with the city and now we will be taking to the skies thrice a week to and from Chennai International Airport on February 2, 2024," said Anand Yedery, the Regional Head of Customer Travel and Lifestyle, South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Cathay Pacific. "A Boeing 777 aircraft on this route will not only cater to the travel needs of corporate and leisure travelers but will also provide each segment with a cabin and allow them to travel with enhanced comfort to Hong Kong and beyond," he added.

12/09/2023 PTI/ZeeNews

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Indian Air Force refuels Egyptian Air Force's MIG 29, Rafale fighter jets mid-air

Recently, an air-to-air refuelling operations was conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the Egyptian Air Force amid the ongoing BRIGHT STAR-23 Exercise.

The exercise, which started on 27 August 2023, at Cairo (West) Air Base in Egypt, became a platform for strengthening strategic relations and enhancing defence co-operation among participating nations.

In the video footage of the exercise, which was posted by news agency ANI on social media platform X, the IL-78 tanker can be seen refilling Rafale aircraft and MiG-29 mid-air.

On Monday, the IAF announced that Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 is in its final phase.

The last phase, after a build-up to complex combined missions, will need the resources of all the participating forces.

On Monday, the IAF announced that Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 is in its final phase.

The last phase, after a build-up to complex combined missions, will need the resources of all the participating forces.

“Showcasing the bonds of friendship in the skies over Egypt during Exercise Bright Star, where the Indian Air Force IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled fighter jets from the Egyptian Air Force,” the IAF stated.

12/09/2023 Cairo/Wion

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CISF Seizes 2.5kg Gold Paste Worth ₹1.5 Cr From Couple At Mumbai Airport

Mumbai: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials at the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted a couple in the early hours of Tuesday morning and seized 2.5 kilos of gold paste valued at Rs1.5 crore.

CISF staff at Terminal 2 noticed a passenger near the glass partition between domestic gate No 86 and 87, on Level 3, behaving in a suspicious manner. The flier, identified as Jalal Y Jalaludeen, accompanied by Shajitha Begum, was supposed to travel to Coimbatore by Air India Flight AI609. The couple were observed picking up a black pouch thrown from the glass partition of the international boarding gate No 86 on Level 4. “Both passengers were intercepted and, along with their hand baggage, brought to the customs office for interrogation and examination,” an official said.

A joint interrogation by CISF and customs officials and physical check of their baggage led to recovery of six oval-shaped yellow metal balls wrapped in black tape.

An international passenger had thrown the contraband over the glass sheet that bifurcates the domestic and international boarding gates area to evade customs.

Both passengers were arrested by Customs Air Intelligence Unit for smuggling gold and evading customs duties.

12/09/2023 Free Press Journal

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Air India Flight To SFO Diverted To Alaska After Technical Snag

New Delhi: An Air India flight from Bengaluru to San Francisco was diverted to Anchorage in Alaska due to a technical snag, an official said.

The B777 aircraft had over 280 passengers on board, and the flight ultimately reached its destination, albeit with a delay of roughly four hours.

“AI 175 operating from Bengaluru to San Francisco was briefly diverted to Anchorage in Alaska due to a technical reason. All passengers were well looked after, and the flight thereafter continued to its destination San Francisco, where it landed safely. Air India regrets any inconvenience that the delay may have caused,” said the spokesperson.

12/09/2023 IANS/India West Journal

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38-year-old returning to Chennai from Muscat dies on flight

Chennai: A 38-year-old passenger returning to Chennai from Muscat allegedly died mid-air in a case of suspected cardiac arrest on Sunday.

The deceased was identified as K Dhanasekaran of Ilayankudi, Sivaganga district.

Dhanasekaran was working in Muscat and was returning home for vacation, police said. When the flight landed at Chennai international airport on Sunday, Dhanasekaran was found seated even after all the passengers alighted.

The cabin crew thought that he was asleep and tried to wake him up. Since there was no response, the crew checked him and found him unconscious. They later alerted ground authorities.

A medical team took him to the emergency medical centre in the airport. After checking his vitals, the doctors declared him dead. Airport police recovered his body and sent it for post mortem. The family members have been informed, police said.

11/09/2023 Times of India

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India To Receive Its First Airbus C-295 Transport, IAF Chief Visits Spain To Recieve Airframe

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari - the chief of the Indian Air Force, would be in Spain this week where he would receive the first C-295 transport plane made for India by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus for India at a facility in Seville. The Indian Air Force has signed a contract for 56 of these planes of which 16 would be made in Spain while the remaining 40 would be produced by the joint venture of Tata and Airbus in their facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. “The IAF chief would receive the first aircraft from Airbus at their facility in Seville, Spain on Wednesday. The aircraft would be flying to India from there after the ceremony,” defence officials told ANI.

The aircraft is the first of the 16 planes that India has ordered. The aircraft is expected to be inducted formally into the service at a ceremony in Hindan around September last week. The Indian Air Force chief was personally involved in the contract at important stages as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff where he was leading the contract negotiations.

The Indian Defence Ministry and Airbus Defence and Space, Spain signed a contract for procurement of 56 C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force in September 2021. C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.

11/09/2023 ANI/ZeeNews

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Unemployed T labourers in Gulf turn gold couriers

Hyderabad: Gold smugglers have found a new target - unemployed migrant labourers from Telangana struggling to survive in the Gulf countries.

Under the pretext of bailing them out, smugglers are luring such workers into becoming couriers for their illegal trade. On offer are a fully paid trip back home and a small commission of 10,000 to 15,000 for the assignment.

"Post Covid-19, dozens of people from the rural parts of the state have been travelling to the Gulf countries in hope of employment. But many of them are failing to find any work. It is these men who have become soft targets for smugglers," said a source from Customs at RGI Airport. Another source from Hyderabad police added: "Since the men go to these foreign countries with just a meagre sum of money, they find it extremely difficult to survive if they do not get work. They often do not have enough money to even buy a one-way return ticket."

Sources said, these men are contacted by smugglers through agents, aware of their adverse situation.

"For every consignment successfully smuggled into India, these couriers are promised a payment of 10,000 to 15,000. Many see this as their only ray of hope to return to India and fall prey," the source added.

11/09/2023 Srinath Vudali/Times of India

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India court warns SpiceJet of 'drastic action' if Credit Suisse dues unpaid

India's top court on Monday directed SpiceJet to pay $1.5 million in a case related to unpaid dues to Credit Suisse by Sept. 15 and warned the budget airline of unspecified "drastic action" at the next hearing if it failed to do so.

A third of the amount is part of a monthly settlement plan SpiceJet had previously agreed with Credit Suisse, and the rest are unpaid dues to the bank which have accrued since last year after the airline failed to keep up with the payment schedule.

If SpiceJet fails to pay, the Supreme Court will take "drastic action" at the next hearing on Sept. 22.

"Enough of this dilly-dally business ... We are not bothered even if you die," one of the two judges said during the hearing which was attended by SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh.

11/09/2023 Reuters

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Woman Molested On Late-Night Mumbai-Guwahati IndiGo Flight, Man Arrested

Recently, an IndiGo passenger onboard the Mumbai-Guwahati flight, groped a woman passenger sitting next to him. The man was arrested soon after the flight’s arrival at Guwahati airport after an FIR was lodged for sexual harassment by the female passenger. The woman reveals that her co-flyer groped her, while the lights of the cabin were dimmed. The airline reveals - an FIR was filed against the man, and he was handed over to police in Guwahati. The IndiGo flight - 6E-5319, took off from Mumbai at around 9:00 PM and landed in Guwahati at 12:15 AM. This is the fifth incident of its kind to be reported in a duration of five months. 

Narrating the incident, the woman passenger shares that she found the male passenger’s hand on her. Since he was pretending to be asleep, she didn’t jump on to any conclusion. However, she observed him only to find out that the man started to touch her inappropriately and groped her. She said that I wanted to shout but I froze. Although, she turned the lights on, called the cabin crew and narrated the incident to them. The man started apologising soon after, the woman revealed.

11/09/2023 ZeeNews

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Air India's SFO flight diverted to Alaska due to tech issue; later lands at SFO

A San Francisco (SFO)-bound Air India flight from Bengaluru, with more than 280 people onboard, was diverted to a city in Alaska due to a technical issue, according to an airline official.

After fixing the issue, flight AI 175 took off and landed at San Francisco at around 1000 hours India time on Monday, the official said.

The flight, operated by a B777 aircraft, faced a technical issue enroute to San Francisco. It was diverted to Anchorage, a city in Alaska.

There were more than 280 people onboard and the flight later landed at its destination after a delay of around four hours.

11/09/2023 PTI/ZeeBiz

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Two Nepali Citizens Held With Forged Indian Documents At Airport

Airport authorities have filed a case against two individuals for attempting to travel to Nepal on fake documents. Although they were citizens of Nepal, they possessed Indian documents.

The accused have been identified as Sherbahaddur Bhandari (53) and Sonali Bhandari (24).

On September 8, at 1.53 p.m., they arrived at Mumbai International Airport with the intention of traveling to Nepal. During the security check, an immigration officer grew suspicious and requested to inspect their documents. They submitted their Indian voting cards.

Further investigation revealed that they were in possession of Nepali passports and certificates of Nepal citizenship.

10/09/2023 Free Press Journal

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Canada PM Justin Trudeau’s aircraft develops snag; PM to stay in Delhi till alternate travel arrangements made

New Delhi: The over 30-year-old aircraft supposed to fly Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation back home on Sunday night developed a snag just before departure. The technical issue was detected by Canadian Armed Forces. Trudeau and his entourage are now staying back in Delhi till either the snag is rectified or alternate travel arrangements are made. A Canadian High Commission official the alternate plan will be informed when confirmed.

“Upon our departure for the airport, we were made aware by the Canadian Armed Forces that CFC001 was experiencing technical issues. These issues are not fixable overnight, our delegation will be staying in India until alternate arrangements are made,” the Canadian Prime Minister’s office told TOI.

An official of the Canadian High Commission in Delhi said the travel plan will be shared once finalised.

The wide body Airbus A310 had flown Trudeau to Delhi from Singapore on September 8 and was to leave for Ottawa via Rome on Sunday when a glitch as detected. Incidentally in the summer of 2018, the aircraft had developed a snag when Trudeau was to leave for Delhi. The flight was delayed that time too. There have been other instances too of this ageing aircraft suffering issues. The Canadian government is in the process of replacing the old VVIP aircraft.

10/09/2023 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Air Force chief to visit Spain to receive first C-295 transport aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) VR Chaudhari will depart for Spain on Monday to receive the first C-295 transport aircraft built by Airbus in Spain's Seville, IAF officials informed India Today on Sunday.

The C-295 transport aircraft will then land in India a few weeks later where it will be formally inducted into the IAF by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. In 2021, India inked a deal with Airbus for the delivery of 56 C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

The C-295 is a transport aircraft with a 5-10 tonnes capacity. It is enabled with contemporary technologies and will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

The C-295, a twin-turboprop aircraft, is capable of traversing across long distances with fully geared troops and can also land on smaller airstrips. According to the IAF, all 56 aircraft will be installed with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) to enhance its capabilities in the operational areas.

According to the deal, Airbus will supply 16 aircraft in a flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of the signing of the deal, while the remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by the Tata consortium within 10 years of the signing of the contract.

This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private entity.

According to the IAF, the project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India, wherein several MSMEs, involved in manufacturing of parts of aircraft, will also benefit.

10/09/2023 Manjeet Negi/India Today

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2.3 kg of gold worth nearly Rs 1.4 crore seized by DRI from Jaipur airport; one held

A team of DRI on Thursday seized 2,300 grams of gold in paste form worth nearly Rs 1.4 crore from a passenger who deboarded a flight from Sharjah to Jaipur international airport on Thursday.

The passenger was intercepted and later arrested by the DRI team and found gold in paste form concealed in the undergarments and trousers of the passengers.

TOI on Friday spoke to the officers to know the developments.

"Acting on an intelligence input that a passenger from Sharjah was coming to Jaipur with smuggled gold, our team was on alert. The passenger has properly been checked. We found a paste which was nearly 2700 grams. Finally we found 2300 grams of gold out of the paste which worth nearly Rs 1.4 crore," said an officer of DRI on the condition of anonymity.

08/09/2023 Ashish Mehta/Times of India

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Delhi-Male Direct Flight by Indigo Restarts Operations From Nov 1

IndiGo has announced the reintroduction of its direct flight from Delhi to Maldives. The direct flight service is set to start from November 1. This decision is strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming peak holiday season and reinforces IndiGo’s position as the airline with the most extensive flight network connecting the two countries. The introduction of these non-stop flights is expected to boost tourism traffic between India and the Maldives, offering passengers enhanced travel convenience.

IndiGo recently announced to relaunch of its direct flight service connecting Hyderabad in South India to Male in the Maldives, starting on October 31. The airline’s Flight 6E 1137 will operate this route regularly, offering flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Travellers looking to plan their trips can easily book tickets through the official IndiGo website, ensuring convenient access to this new flight option.

The Maldives has consistently remained a preferred destination for Indian travellers, witnessing a significant surge in Indian visitor numbers. Given India’s crucial role in promoting tourism in the Maldives, these additional flight options will cater to the needs of Indian travellers, further strengthening the relationship between the two nations.

IndiGo Airlines will introduce flight number 6E 1135, connecting Delhi and Male. This route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It will depart from Delhi at 8:50 AM, passengers can expect to arrive in Male at 12:25 PM. Additionally, the return flight, 6E 1136, will operate on the same days, with a departure time of 13:25 PM from Male and an arrival time of 18:05 PM in Delhi. These flights aim to enhance connectivity between these two destinations and offer travellers convenient options for their journeys.

09/09/2023 News18.com

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India's IndiGo eyes Amsterdam with A321neo(XLR)s

IndiGo Airlines is mulling services to Amsterdam Schiphol if the incoming A321-200NY(XLR)s can cover the distance in a single flight, according to CEO Pieter Elbers.

Speaking to the Elsevier Weekblad (EW) outlet, Elbers said he wanted to expand existing international codeshare arrangements, including with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol). "At a certain point, we have to start thinking about ourselves." The CEO expects the first of sixty-nine A321neo(XLR)s to start arriving in 2025. With a claimed maximum range of 8,700 kilometres, it puts Western European destinations within range of some Indian cities.

"Rome Fiumicino is perfectly feasible from India. Mumbai International - Amsterdam is just not possible. Depending on the final specifications, the XLR will reach Amsterdam from Delhi," he said.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, KLM and Air India (AI, Mumbai International) already fly on the Delhi - Amsterdam city pair using B787-8s and B787-9s. An existing codeshare arrangement with KLM also sees IndiGo pass passengers back and forth at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore International. Elbers did not say how or whether his possible flights to Amsterdam, which remain far from a sure thing, would impact that codeshare relationship.

IndiGo is India's largest domestic airline but its market share on routes in and out of India is only around 16%, something Elbers is keen to increase. The airline has recently launched flights to new markets in Africa, West Asia and Southeast Asia, and aims to double its international capacity by the end of the decade. The low-cost carrier is also rapidly scaling up its fleet. In June, the airline ordered 500 Airbus A320 family aircraft, extending their aircraft delivery pipeline into the next decade. The A321neo(XLR)s come from an earlier order for three hundred A320N family aircraft signed for in late 2019.

08/09/2023 ch-aviation

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'We saved Dh700 on flight tickets': Why more UAE travellers are choosing to drive an hour, fly out from nearby emirates

UAE travellers are showing a growing preference for booking flights departing from Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports. According to industry experts, passengers increasingly request travel agents for tickets to fly out from the Northern Emirates.

These airports are gaining popularity as they offer more affordable airfares and smoother immigration processes, thanks to fewer crowds.

Sharjah resident Rahmat Ali, who recently flew from out RAK airport to the Indian city of Hyderabad, said he completed his immigration procedures within 20 minutes of entering the airport.

"I opted to fly from RAK to Mumbai as the airfare was quite lower as compared to flying from Dubai and Sharjah. The journey was seamless, and it took (me) no time to go through immigration and other airport formalities," said Ali.

He added, "When I searched for flights last month, the lowest ticket price from Dubai was Dh680 and from Sharjah, it was Dh590. But from RAK, I got the ticket for Dh400 and the airline provided a free airport shuttle."

It was a similar scenario for Yasmeen Ansari, a Sharjah resident who arrived from Lahore at the RAK airport last Thursday. "There were no queues at the airport. The experience was quick and hassle-free, with a shorter wait time. The stress of travel was actually very minimal," said Yasmeen.

07/09/2023 SM Ayaz Zakir/Khaleej Times

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Airbus & Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya Forge Partnership to Strengthen India's Aviation Sector

Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara and Airbus have entered into a collaboration to significantly strengthen the Indian aviation sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi between Rémi Maillard (President and Managing Director, AIRBUS India and South Asia) and Prof. Manoj Choudhary (Vice-Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya).

The MoU was signed in the presence of Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and IT, who is also the First Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. Jaya Varma Sinha, the Chairperson and CEO of Railway Board, and senior officials of the Railway Board were present on the occasion.

Airbus and Tata recently announced a partnership to design, innovate, manufacture, and develop a C295 aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. Airbus is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft and a leading producer of helicopters, defense, and space equipment. The company has a long-standing relationship of symbiotic growth with India and recognizes India as a key driver of global aviation, as well as an indispensable talent and resource hub. Airbus is committed to maturing all the necessary building blocks to develop a fully integrated aerospace ecosystem in the country. "Make in India" is at the heart of Airbus’ business strategy in India, and the company is steadily increasing India’s contribution to its global products.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “GSV will focus on intense industry-academia partnerships. All its courses will be designed in collaboration with the industry. The students who study at GSV will be industry-ready and highly sought after for employment in the transportation and logistics sectors. Today’s MoU with Airbus is a significant step in achieving this goal.”

Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia, said, “As a company committed to developing the aerospace ecosystem in India, we realise our responsibility to invest in human capital development. The partnership with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will develop a strong pipeline of skilled workforce in the country that will be future-ready to serve its fast-growing aerospace sector.”

This industry-academic partnership will enable the co-development and co-delivery of sector-relevant skilling courses and programs for regular students and working professionals. It will also involve joint research and industry experiences for faculty, internships and placements for students, and scholarship programs. The collaboration is expected to create job opportunities for students according to industry requirements, with an estimated placement of 15,000 students in Airbus Indian operations.

08/09/2023 Kamal Mishra/Free Press Journal

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Man held for hugging airhostess, trying to kiss her as Vistara flight was scheduled to land in Mumbai

Mumbai: A 30-year-old Bangladeshi national was arrested here for allegedly sexually harassing a woman flight attendant on board a Muscat-Dhaka flight travelling via Mumbai, a police official said on Friday.

The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday some time before the Vistara flight was scheduled to land at the Mumbai international airport, he said.

"Mohammed Dulal, a Bangladeshi national, was going to Dhaka from Muscat via Mumbai on a Vistara flight. Half an hour before the plane was to land in Mumbai, Dulal got up from his seat, hugged a woman flight attendant and tried to kiss her," the official said.

He also tried to flash at other cabin crew members and passengers when they tried to intervene, he said.

The accused flyer also did not listen to the flight captain when the latter was reading out a red warning card, declaring him an unruly passenger, he said.

After landing at the Mumbai airport, the accused was handed over to security officers, who took him to the Sahar police station, the official added.

Based on a complaint lodged by the flight attendant, an FIR under relevant sections of the IPC was registered against the accused and he was placed under arrest, he said.

He was produced in a local court, which remanded him in police custody till Friday, he said. 

In a statement, a Vistara spokesperson said, "An incident regarding an unruly passenger was reported on Vistara flight UK 234 operating from Muscat to Mumbai on September 6. In view of the gross misconduct, the captain issued a warning letter and made the decision to restrain the customer."

"In accordance with the guidelines and our stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs), the security agencies on-ground were informed to take immediate action upon arrival," the airline official said.

08/09/2023 PTI/Tribune

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Guangzhou-bound Emirates flight diverted to Delhi due to medical emergency

New Delhi: An Emirates flight from Dubai to Guangzhou was diverted to Delhi on Friday due to a medical emergency, according to a source.

Specific details could not be immediately ascertained.

The source in the know said the flight EK 362 landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital at around 1605 hours on Friday.

08/09/2023 PTI

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Syiem revisits Air India Boeing crash theory

Shillong: Social activist Michael N Syiem has claimed that the United States of America was behind the explosion of Air India Boeing 747 Kanishka that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people on board.

Speaking to reporters on September 6, he said, “I had released this report of mine in 2011 regarding the explosion of Air India Kanishka on June 23, 1985 killing all 329 people on board.”

He added that since then, it has been under development and he is presenting the findings again.

Syiem said, “Till now, there is no proof of which possibility or theory is correct. My coming here is to get the government to re-investigate the cause of the explosion and maybe go into the details and facts of the ‘Star Wars’ experiment.”

“I was interested in this explosion and made my own investigation and found out that there are five possibilities as to why the plane crashed,” Syiem said.

He said that the possibilities behind the explosion can be due to mechanical or structural failure, mid-air collision with falling space debris, insurance fraud, sabotage by the Indian Intelligence agencies, or sabotage by a bomb explosion.

Stating that till date, no one knows the cause of the explosion, the activist said, “I gave the sixth theory. In my research, I found out that the US government was behind the explosion of Air India in 1985.”

He stated that the US government back then started the ‘Star Wars’ experiment during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

The Star Wars experiment involves shooting a laser to a missile causing it to explode mid-air, which according to Syiem, the US government spent billions of dollars on the experiment.

He informed reporters that the first space test of the laser technology was on June 19, 1985 which failed and the US government made a second attempt on June 21, 1985 which was successful.

Having been successful with the second attempt, the third attempt was at the same time when Air India Kanishka exploded mid-air.

“After the explosion of Kanishka, the experiment was shelved and it was not tested anymore,” Syiem said.

07/09/2023 Meghalayan

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Air India enters into interline partnership with Bangkok Airways

Air India has entered into an interline partnership with Bangkok Airways that will allow the Tata group airline's customers seamless connections to 10 Southeast Asian destinations beyond the Thailand capital.

The two carriers have also entered a Special Prorate Agreement that allows them to file 'through fares' on routes covering each other's networks. This arrangement means that a passenger can have a single fare for a single ticket covering all destinations in an itinerary.

The partnership enables Air India passengers to take convenient connections via the airline's Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore gateways to and from 10 destinations in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia on Bangkok Airways' route network, a release said on Thursday.

An interline arrangement refers to a pact to issue and accept tickets for flights that are operated by the partner airline. When selling an interline ticket, the operating airlines' own flight numbers are used.

The collaboration with Bangkok Airways also includes Inter Airline Through Check-In (IATCI) implementation. This will enable guests to receive their boarding passes at the first point of departure for all the travel sectors on a single ticket, and have their baggage checked-in through to their final destinations, Air India said in the release.

Currently, Air India operates daily flights to Bangkok from Delhi and Mumbai, to Singapore from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, and thrice a week to Hong Kong from Delhi.

Moreover, Air India passengers taking connecting flights on Bangkok Airways will also receive complimentary access to the Thailand-based airline's boutique lounges and courtesy corners at available airports, irrespective of the class of travel, it said.

07/09/2023 PTI/ZeeBiz

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Airbus to hire 2,000 engineers from India in next two years

New Delhi: Global aerospace major Airbus is looking at hiring 2,000 engineers from India in the next two years and taking their total number to 5,000. Rémi Maillard, president of Airbus India and MD of South Asia said the company sees India as a “talent hub” and not just as a market.

Airbus signed an MoU with the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara in the presence of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, paving the way for roll out of a new engineering course for aerospace sector. Malliard said as a company that is committed to developing the aerospace ecosystem in India, they realise their responsibility to invest in human capital development. He added that the partnership with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will develop a strong pipeline of skilled workforce that will be future ready to serve its fast-growing aerospace sector.

In response to a question from TOI about the company’s roadmap to hire more Indian engineers, Milliard said, “As on today, we employ more than 3,000 engineers in our design and digital centres. By 2025, we will be more than 5,000. So, we are going at a very fast pace. We invest in India; we bet on India because we believe India offers the right combination of competency and competitiveness.”

On the industry-academia cooperation to Vaishnaw said, “In the coming few months, we should be able to sign a MoU with Alstom, Deutsche Bahn, and Siemens…Talks are also on with other transportation sectors like railways, maritime, trucking, and warehousing.”

07/09/2023 Dipak K Dash/Times of India

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Passengers misbehaved with Hema Malini on Qatar Airways flight, no action taken yet

In a case of indecency, Qatar Airways flight passengers reportedly misbehaved with Bollywood actor and Mathura MP Hema Malini. The incident took place when the actor turned MP, was travelling on Qatar Airways flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai to Hamad International Airport, Doha.

According to sources, the passengers were trying to take a picture of Hema Malini with flash when she was sleeping. The horrific incident occurred at around 2 am on Wednesday. The crew members of the airlines allegedly did not take notice of the incident. Notably, there was no response from Qatar Airways after complaints were lodged. Hema Malini was travelling on a business class of Qatar Airways.

Reportedly, Hema Malini’s assistants have expressed displeasure over the rude behaviour of the fellow passengers in the Qatar Airways flight and the delay in taking action despite the complaint. In the complaint, the actor has sought action against the negligent crew members and demanded the airways to ascertain that such a situation does not take place during the return flight on September 11. Actor Hema Malini’s close aides asserted that the Qatar Airways customer service team had merely sent an automated acknowledgement.

07/09/2023 APN Live

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Over 200 Lion Air Passengers Stuck At Thiruvananthapuram Airport For 24 Hours

Over 200 passengers travelling from Achmad Yani International Airport, Semarang, Indonesia to King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia had a harrowing experience after getting stuck in India for over 24 hours. As per a report on PTI, 212 passengers travelling on the Lion Air flight -- JT052 -- got stuck at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India due to a technical fault in the aircraft. The incident took place on Tuesday, when the flight landed at 3 PM for refuelling.

During refuelling of the aircraft, a technical issue was spotted at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport. The plane was travelling from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia. Following the detection of the technical fault, passengers were deboarded and moved to the airport's security holding area.

The incident that took place at 3 PM on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, lasted for 24 hours, as the passengers were in holding area till Wednesday 4 pm when an alternative aircraft arrived from Indonesia to take them onward to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the source said.

07/09/2023 ZeeNews

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Indian pilot praises Dubai airport for finding her watch she lost a month ago

Abu Dhabi: Hanaa Mohsin Khan, a commercial pilot with an Indian airline, praised the lost and found department of Dubai International Airport for finding her watch, which she lost a month ago.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Hana wrote, “Last month while operating a Dubai back flight, I had gone to the duty-free. During the security check, I had taken my watch off and forgot to pick it up. I had thought it was forever lost when I was flying back and discovered that I no longer had it.”

However, she decided to reach out to her ground staff in Dubai in a hopeful attempt.

With the help of ground staff and after exchanging three emails, the airport’s lost and found department was able to successfully trace the missing item.

“I was on another flight to Dubai yesterday, and I went to their office in Dubai duty-free. Took me 5 minutes and I had my watch.”

She further added, “Super impressed with the lost & found department there. I’m in awe that I got my watch back with such little hassle! That’s how life is there. It was a good reminder! Growing up in the Middle East, it took us a long time to remember to lock our car doors and house doors. Law and order is just brilliant!”

This post was shared on Monday, September 4. Since being posted, it has garnered more than one lakh views, 1000 likes and 81 times reshared. Many of them shared similar experiences.

05/09/2023 Sakina Fatima/Siasat

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FlyArystan expands international network, launches flights to Delhi

FlyArystan, the low-cost subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana, is expanding its international network with the launch of a new route between Almaty (ALA) and New Delhi (DEL). 

The Kazakh airline will be competing on this route with Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, which is starting its own thrice-weekly service between the two cities on September 23, 2023. 

In the last few years, Kazakhstan and Central Asia have seen the establishment of new direct air routes, operated by narrow-body aircraft, towards destinations in the Middle East, the Caucasus, and South Asia.  

Since its launch in 2019, FlyArystan has already expanded to markets outside its home country, and currently flies to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. 

The recent launch announcement is likely to be followed by others, since FlyArystan also stated that it is evaluating the launch of new international services to Abu Dhabi (AUH), as well as to destinations in Oman and Saudi Arabia. 

04/09/2023 Miquel Ros/Aerotime Hub

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UAE-India flights: $100 tickets announced from the Fujairah to Kerala

Travellers from the UAE to the Indian state of Kerala can rejoice as the Omani low-cost carrier Salam Air has announced new flights from Fujairah to Kozhikode starting October 2, 2023.

The airline is offering a promotional fare of just Dh361 for this route on its website.

Salam Air's service will be a relief to the Indian expats travelling to Kerala and neighbouring states, due to the current exorbitant airfares. The service to and from Fujairah, via Muscat, will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from October 2.

The flight departs from Fujairah at 7.50 pm and arrives in Kozhikode at 3.20am, with a duration of six hours - including a layover at Muscat.

Another flight which departs from Fujairah at 10.20 am will have a layover of 11 hours and 10 minutes at Muscat, with the total duration of the journey being 15 hours 30 minutes. Residents flying by this flight can opt to spend a day in Muscat by applying for an e-visa online.

From Kozhikode, the flight departs at 4.20am and arrives in Fujairah at 9.50am after a journey of 7 hours, with a 2 hour-45 minute transit in Muscat. This ticket costs Dh554.

The second flight departs Kozhikode at 4.20am and arrives in Fujairah at 7.20pm, with a total flying time of 16 hours and 30 minutes. This journey will have a stopover at Muscat for 12 hours 15 minutes.

03/09/2023 SM Ayaz Zakir, Khaleej Times/Zawya

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Oman, Etihad, and Malaysia Airlines to launch International services from TVM airport

Thiruvananthapuram: The number of international flights from Thiruvananthapuram Airport will increase with the launch of new services by Oman, Etihad, and Malaysia airlines.

Oman Air will operate daily flights to Muscat beginning in October. Etihad Airways will conduct five services per week to Abu Dhabi starting January next year. Air India Express will conduct services between Doha-Thiruvananthapuram four days a week.

Talks are held with Air India on launching direct flights to European countries from the state capital. Furthermore, reports suggest that Batik Air Malaysia will some time in the future launch its services from Thiruvananthapuram

01/09/2023 Rakesh K Nair/Mathrubhumi

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NAC to fly to Bangalore from Bhairahawa via Kathmandu

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has announced its plans to conduct flights to Bangalore, India, with a layover in Kathmandu, departing from the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa.

Starting from September 15, the airline will operate flights on the Bhairahawa-Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur route every Tuesday. Furthermore, as of August 29, Nepal Airlines began accepting ticket bookings for Hong Kong and Delhi departures from Bhairahawa. This initiative allows passengers to book tickets for Hong Kong and Delhi flights departing from Bhairahawa every Tuesday.

Under the new flight schedule, the flight departing from Bhairahawa at 8:15 AM will arrive in Kathmandu at 9 AM. The airline has outlined its plan to facilitate seamless connections for passengers traveling to Hong Kong and Delhi. Those bound for Hong Kong will continue their journey on the same day, with a flight scheduled for 11 AM, while passengers heading to Delhi will have a flight option at 1:25 PM. Ramesh Poudel, spokesperson for the airline, confirmed that the subsequent flight to Bangalore is scheduled for 1:25 PM.

01/09/2023 MyRepublica

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Brazil's Embraer Mulls Indian Assembly Line For C-390 Aircraft Amidst IAF Contract Race

Brazil's aviation powerhouse, Embraer, has set its sights on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) medium transport aircraft requirement, revealing plans to establish an assembly line for its cutting-edge C-390 Millennium planes within India's borders. The move comes in response to the IAF's need to replace its aging AN32 fleet, for which it's seeking to procure 40-80 new medium transport aircraft. 

Joao Bosco Costa Junior, the President and CEO of Embraer Defence and Security, unveiled the company's strategic discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and select Indian private enterprises. The aim is to forge potential partnerships and create a joint bid for the coveted contract. Embraer's C-390 Millennium, along with Airbus Defence and Space's A-400M aircraft and Lockheed Martin's C-130J, have emerged as the frontrunners for this contract. 

Speaking to a group of journalists, Costa Junior emphasized the uniqueness of Embraer's C-390 Millennium, asserting its suitability for India's operational requirements. The aircraft boasts cutting-edge technology, multi-mission adaptability, operational flexibility, and cost-efficiency, giving it an edge over its competitors. Costa Junior asserted, "The C-390 will bring more value to the IAF." 

Embraer's commitment extends beyond merely delivering aircraft; the company envisions setting up an assembly line in India, accompanied by a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. This two-pronged approach not only ensures a streamlined supply chain but also paves the way for long-term support and maintenance, a crucial factor in military aviation. 

01/09/2023 Yuvraj Tyagi/Republicworld

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Airport major GMR seeks opportunities in Greece, eyes Kalamata Airport

New Delhi: Infra major GMR Group on Friday said it "was actively looking for new investment opportunities in Greece". The airport major is developing a greenfield airport at Crete in Greece in partnership with GEK TERNA and wants to expand its presence in the country which it sees as 'gateway to Europe for Indians', — especially Kalamata Airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently in Greece, the first visit by an Indian PM to the country in four decades. PM Modi and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis had elevated the bilateral relationship to 'strategic partnership'. GMR's business chairman (energy & international airports) Srinivas Bommidala was part of the business leaders at a luncheon hosted by the Greek PM in Modi's honour. Bommidala said: "Greece has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to foreign investors like us from India … GMR is passionately exploring investment opportunities in the country, notably at Kalamata Airport."

Heraklion International Airport (HER) in Crete is Greece's second busiest after Athens Airport. In collaboration with GEK Terna, GMR has undertaken a Rs 6,000-crore project to build a greenfield airport project in Crete which is expected to commence operations by February 2027.

01/09/2023 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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