Alliance Air to connect challenging airfields of the Himalayas with two brand new ATR 42-600

Market-leading aircraft manufacturer ATR and Alliance Air, the only Indian public airline, have signed a deal to acquire two ATR 42-600 via lessor TrueNoord. These new aircraft will support Alliance Air’s mission of serving challenging airfields in the Himalayas. The first deliveries to Alliance Air will start in mid-2022.

The former regional subsidiary of Air India, which already operates 18 ATR 72-600, has chosen to complement its fleet with brand new ATR 42s as their unique credentials, both in terms of versatility and economics, make it the perfect aircraft to serve even the least accessible regions of India. The aircraft will be able to operate on the short runways of the Shimla and Kullu airports, both located at high altitudes, and exposed to high temperatures.

Vineet Sood, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Air, said: “Our relationship with ATR started 20 years ago, and ever since we have been building a network that truly serves Indian communities, delivering comfortable, reliable and affordable air services. Thanks to the unique features of the ATR 42-600, Alliance Air will proudly fulfil the mission assigned by the Indian government to make the most inaccessible regions accessible.”

The high commonality between the ATR 72 and 42 will help make the introduction of this new aircraft type seamless. The airline will also continue to benefit from the manufacturer’s pay-by-the-hour maintenance programme, the ATR GMA, to optimise its operations and maintenance activities.

ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli said: “Renewed confidence from a historical customer is the best recognition of the efforts we are making every day to remain at the higher edge of technology whilst providing concrete solutions to operate the aircraft with the most sustainable business model. The fact that we will deliver the aircraft by the middle of this year is testament both to the recovery of the Indian domestic market and the essential need for affordable and reliable connectivity throughout the country.”

15/02/22 André Orban/Aviation24.be

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Delhi to sell Air India groundhandler, Alliance Air

India’s central government will attempt to privatise the groundhandling arm of Air India (AI, Mumbai Int'l) that remains in state hands during the coming financial year (starting April 1), starting the process by issuing an expression of interest (EOI), an unnamed official has told the Press Trust of India news agency. It has also received the green light to sell domestic carrier Alliance Air (India).

“We already have Cabinet approval for selling the subsidiaries of Air India. So we will come out with an EOI inviting bids for one of the groundhandling arms in the next fiscal,” the official said without specifically naming the company.

Four former Air India subsidiaries are currently positioned under Air India Assets Holding Ltd, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established in 2019 to hold the flag carrier’s non-core assets and most of its debt. These are the groundhandling firm Air India Air Transport Services Ltd; Airline Allied Services Ltd dba Alliance Air; MRO unit Air India Engineering Services Ltd; and the Hotel Corporation of India Ltd.

When Indian conglomerate Tata Sons took 100% control of loss-making Air India towards the end of January, it also took on 100% of the equity of low-cost subsidiary Air India Express (IX, Mumbai Int'l) and 50% of groundhandler Air India SATS. Singapore-based groundhandling and inflight catering provider SATS Ltd owns the other 50% of the latter.

Like Air India Air Transport Services, Alliance Air was not part of that deal. The government has reportedly said that it intends to sell Alliance Air and use the proceeds to pay off some of the debt now held in the SPV.

16/02/22 ch-aviation

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Indian Regional Alliance Air Adds ATR 42s To Fleet For Himalayan Routes

Indian regional carrier Alliance Air has signed a deal to acquire two ATR 42-600s via lessor TrueNoord, with deliveries to start in the middle of this year.

Alliance Air, a former Air India regional subsidiary that is now government owned, has 18 ATR 72-600s operating more than 125 daily flights to over 50 destinations within India. The airline said the new aircraft will be able to operate on the short runways at Himalayan airports in Shimla and Kullu, which are both located at high altitudes and exposed to high temperatures.

The ATR 42 lease was announced at the Singapore Airshow, a rare new aircraft deal at a show that has seen subdued activity in the commercial sector as the Asia-Pacific region continues its long recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

The Indian government is looking to connect its most inaccessible regions by air. In 2021, 40 new routes were created with ATR aircraft.

“The fact that we will deliver the aircraft by the middle of this year is testament both to the recovery of the Indian domestic market and the essential need for affordable and reliable connectivity throughout the country,” ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli said.

For regional aircraft leasing specialist TrueNoord, these will be the third and fourth ATR 42s added to its portfolio. The lessor bought two ATR 42-600s in December that are being placed with U.S. regional Silver Airways.

16/02/22 Aviation Week

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India's Alliance Air Leases Two ATR42-600s

Indian regional carrier Alliance Air plans to add a pair of ATR 42-600 to its fleet under a lease agreement with asset manager TrueNoord. Deliveries of the 50-seat twin turboprops will start in the middle of this year, ATR said on Tuesday at the Singapore Airshow.

The former Air India subsidiary operates in remote northern parts of the country near the Himalayan mountains and needs to access short runways at high altitude airports such as Shimla and Kullu. It already operates 18 of the larger ATR72-600 aircraft.

According to ATR, its aircraft were used to open 40 new routes in India during 2021. In December, TrueNoord bought another pair of ATR 42-600s and leased them to U.S. carrier Silver Airways.

15/02/22 Charles Alcock/AINonline

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Mumbai-Bhuj Alliance Air flight takes off without engine cover, probe initiated

An Alliance Air flight took off from the Mumbai airport without its engine cowl (cover), which fell off on the runway. The flight was destined to fly from Mumbai to Bhuj airport. "Alliance Air was scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Bhuj. In contrast, the aircraft`s engine cowl fell on the runway and took off without an engine cover," a Mumbai airport source told in his statement.

"The flight landed safely at Bhuj airport. While the aircraft's engine cowl fell on the runway and took off without an engine cover," a Mumbai airport source told in his statement. "The flight landed safely at Bhuj airport. An investigation has started against the airlines," a DGCA official told in his statement. 

Soon after the flight took off from Mumbai, the Mumbai Air traffic controller (ATC) reported the issue. Mumbai ATC said that "Engine Cowling has been found on the runway side after takeoff. It appeared to be from ATR aircraft VT-RKJ at BOM, operating 91-625(BOM-BHJ). The aircraft is still in continuation of flight," Mumbai airport official told reporters.

Captain Amit Singh, an aviation expert, blamed poor maintenance work for the incident. "Incidents of cowl separation usually occur post maintenance activity if latches are not secured. The crew is also expected to ensure that the engine cowl is sited before commencing the flight," he said. 

10/02/22 ZeeNews

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