Indian Air Force C-17, C-130J aircraft back from Afghan evacuation ops

After helping in the evacuation of more than 500 Indians from Afghanistan, Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft have returned to their respective home bases in the country.

The Indian Air Force had deployed its C-17 Globemasters and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for evacuation operations of Indians stuck in Afghanistan, which is now under the reins of the Taliban.

"The C-17 and C-130J aircraft have returned to their respective bases after deployment in Tajikistan and Afghanistan for people stuck in Kabul and other cities of the war-torn country," sources told ANI.

India had stationed a few of its planes in Dushanbe at the Ayni airbase there. A C-130J was also used to bring passengers from Kabul to Dushanbe from where they were flown back to India.

IAF aircraft were also used for evacuating Indian officials stuck in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kandahar consulates.

The operations after the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban were also carried out under extreme conditions as the runway had to be cleared for the plane to take off.

The Garud commandos of the Air Force had joined hands with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel being evacuated from there to clear the path for allowing the C-17 to take off with the Indian officials including the Ambassador there, sources said.

30/08/21 ANI/Business Standard

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Centre seeks CM Naveen Patnaik's intervention into improving Odisha's aviation infrastructure

Bhubaneswar:  Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has requested the personal intervention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in expediting strengthening of aviation infrastructure in the State.

In a letter, Scindia has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister on several issues which are impacting the implementation of various projects relating to the aviation sector in Odisha.

The Union Minister said that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has projected a requirement of 178 acres of land at Jharsuguda for Phase-II expansion of the airport. However, the land is yet to be handed over, he added.

He said that the AAI has embarked upon development and expansion of airports in the country at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore in the next four to five years in order to meet the growing passenger demand in the country.

The Union Minister said that Jeypore and Utkela airports need to be developed at the earliest by the State government for operations of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN flights. The State government had recently announced that flight operations from Jeypore and Rangeilunda airstrips will begin soon.

Flight services will be started by the State government's own initiative and not included in the UDAN scheme of the Centre, Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera had said, adding that flights will operate on routes like Jeypore-Vizag, Rangeilunda-Vizag in the first phase.

Scindia also drew the attention of the Chief Minister to the fact that `1.48 crore is  outstanding on part of the State government as Viability Gap Fund (VGF) share for Regional Air Connectivity Fund Trust (RACFT).

28/08/21 New Indian Express

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What Are Air Taxis? Will the New Drone Policy Pave Way for Air Taxis?

The Ministry of Aviation published its new liberalised drone policy on Thursday, 26 August, hinting at the launch of air taxis in the near future. "Air taxis are being researched globally... and many startups are coming up. The time is not far when like taxis that you see on roads, like Uber, etc, you will see see taxis in the air under the new drone policy. I believe this is very possible," Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a press conference.

And what are Air Taxis and  will the New Drone Policy pave way for Air Taxis? Read >>

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India's aviation market to be 'very large' by FY30, to accomodate domestic, Middle Eastern carriers: CAPA

The impact on competition from the Gulf airlines has been a key concern for Indian carriers but as the market is expected to be very large by the financial year 2030, it can accommodate Indian as well as Middle Eastern carriers without strategic conflicts, CAPA Advisory said on Thursday. In a post-webinar presentation, CAPA Advisory projected that by 2029-30 India's international traffic is estimated to increase by 50-60 million annual passengers from pre-COVID levels to reach 115-125 million.

Hosted by CAPA, the webinar was on 'India-Middle East Aviation Dialogue: A Win-Win Outcome is Feasible and Likely'. It said more than 30 per cent of the country's international origin destination traffic is on long- and ultra-long haul routes. The domestic carriers are expected to add just around 70 wide-body planes by FY30, which is likely to address only half of the incremental long-haul demand, it added.

"However, the market will be very large and can accommodate Indian and Middle Eastern carriers without strategic conflicts. In fact, Indian carriers alone will not be able to meet projected demand. Such a scenario would constrain economic outcomes," CAPA said in the presentation.

It expects the air passenger traffic to double again by 2039-40 to around 240 million passengers and continue to grow. There are reasons to be bullish about the prospects for Indian carriers to expand and compete more aggressively on international routes, for example Air India privatisation, large fleet of long haul narrow-bodies, and possible revival of Jet.

But, supply will still remain short of demand, even based on conservative estimates, it added. Given the positive and strengthening outlook for Indian carriers, "we believe that win-win co-existence is feasible and likely. But, Middle Eastern markets must recognise that they will have to clearly spell out and tangibly demonstrate the benefits that they can bring to India's economy and tourism industry", it stated.

In particular, as Air India's financials deteriorated, the bilateral regime became more inward looking, CAPA said. "Broader strategic cooperation will be the pivot around which a more liberal approach may be seen.

"We recommend that stakeholders, of the likes of AACO (Arab Air Carriers Organization), the regional association of Arab airlines, could take the lead in defining a new approach based on shared interests, focusing on complementarity rather than conflict," it stated.

27/08/21 BusinessToday.in

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India's aviation fuel demand surges with rebound in tourism

People across India are taking to the skies after months stuck in their homes during a deadly Covid-19 wave, driving a spike in demand for jet fuel, the oil product hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic.

Indians have flocked to tourist spots across the country from the beaches of Goa on the west coast to the mountainous north on planes and in cars after the easing of restrictions. Air travel has climbed sharply, said Subhash Goyal, the Chairman of STIC Travel -- one of India’s biggest travel agents -- estimating that domestic flights this month are around 75 per cent of pre-virus levels.

That’s translated into the biggest month-on-month increase in jet fuel sales in more than a year, according to preliminary data for the first half of August, although sales are still 45 per cent below the same period in 2019.

India is proving to be a bright spot for jet fuel demand after the fast-spreading delta variant of the virus interrupted a recovery in air travel from the US to China. However, the revival might be fleeting with the government warning of a surge in infections as early as October if vaccination rates don’t accelerate.

“I missed an office paid holiday to Mexico due to the international travel ban,” said Surojit Dasgupta, 46, who has been on a whirlwind family tour since last month to places including Goa. “That was frustrating and I decided to make up the loss by traveling to domestic locations wherever allowed before another wave puts us back in our homes.”

Airlines started to see an increase in demand last month. More than five million passengers took domestic flights in July, a 61 per cent jump from June, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. STIC Chairman Goyal is predicting August will be an even better month for air travel across India.

Jet fuel sales during August 1-15 rose 25 per cent from a month earlier to about 1,65,600 tons, and was 48 per cent higher from the same period in 2020, according to figures earlier this month from officials familiar with the data. At least one refiner is taking a cautious approach to the outlook for jet fuel, however.

26/08/21 Bloomberg/Business Line

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India Lifts Boeing 737 Max Ban, Leaving China as Last Hurdle

India lifted its ban on Boeing Co.’s 737 Max jet, a major boost to the American planemaker that leaves China as the only leading aviation market yet to allow the aircraft to resume service. 

India’s decision comes after it observed “no untoward reporting” on jets already flying since 17 global regulators allowed it to resume flights, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in an order posted on its website on Thursday. 

Boeing was little changed at $221.56 at 9:50 a.m. in New York. The stock had climbed 3.3% this year through Wednesday while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 16%.

The Max was grounded worldwide more than two years ago following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people. While the U.S., Europe and most other major markets allowed the jet to resume flights in late 2020 or earlier this year following extensive fixes, India and China held back.

Boeing has met local requirements, including setting up a simulator in the South Asian nation, and India is now satisfied with the jet’s performance, Bloomberg News reported earlier this month. Boeing is still working with Chinese authorities to lift the ban there and has conducted a test flight in the country, though it could take months before commercial flights resume. 

While Airbus SE A320s dominate the skies in India, the country is increasingly important for Boeing, where it has only one customer with orders -- SpiceJet Ltd. The planemaker is in advanced discussions with Akasa, a new Indian airline backed by billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, to sell it as many as 80 Max planes, Bloomberg News has reported.

26/06/21 Anurag Kotoky/Bloomberg

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HAL surges 17% in 5 days after it signs $716-mn deal with GE Aviation

Mumbai: Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,245.90 after they surged 7 per cent on the BSE in the intra-day trade on Wednesday. The stock of the state-owned company surpassed its previous high of Rs 1,214.95, touched on August 25, 2020. It had hit a record high of Rs 1,424 on August 14, 2020.

HAL is a public sector enterprise, engaged in the design, development, manufacture, repair, overhaul, upgrade and servicing of a wide range of products including aircraft helicopters, aero-engines, avionics accessories and aerospace structures.

In the past five trading days, the market price of HAL has swelled 17 per cent after the company said it has signed $716 million deal with GE Aviation for procurement of 99 engines for manufacturing 83 LCA Tejas for Indian Air Force (IAF).

Earlier, on February 3, HAL had informed exchanges that the government had formally sealed the deal of around Rs 48,000 crore (inclusive of taxes and duties of around Rs 7,000 crore; infrastructure and design & development cost of around Rs 2,300 crore) for procuring 73 indigenous LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft from the company.

The demand in Aerospace and Defence (A&D) manufacturing sector in the country is dominated by the demands from Defence sector. Defence projects, policies and funding of Government of India play crucial role in the growth of A&D industry in India and in-turn HAL, because of the major dependence on the Defence sector.

"There is a strong push from the government through the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan', the policy formulations and reforms post Covid, which is giving significant impetus to self-reliance and local production. This is expected to favorably impact the operations of the company. The Defence Services are looking for more indigenous options as compared to import and HAL is expected to benefit from this as there are a slew of indigenous products like LCA Tejas and its variants," the company had said in its annual report for fiscal year 2019-20 (FY20).

25/08/21 Business Standard

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Lockheed Martin bags $328m Indian contract to support C-130J aircraft fleet

New Delhi: Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $328.8 million, five-year contract from the Indian Air Force (IAF), to provide dedicated and comprehensive support for the IAF’s fleet of 12C-130J-30 Super Hercules Aircraft. Lockheed Martin is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of these planes.

Through this Follow On Support II (FOS) contract, Lockheed Martin teams manage the programme, logistics and engineering support elements necessary to sustain the IAF’s C-130J fleet, informed an official release.

The contract spans a five-year period, is a Direct Commercial Sale, and is a continuation of a prior five-year FOS I contract where Lockheed Martin provided similar support for the IAF’s C-130J fleet.

“As the C-130 OEM, Lockheed Martin brings forth an outstanding team of experts who offer deep knowledge and unmatched insights of the C-130 to our operators,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, Lockheed Martin.

“It is an honour to continue to partner with the Indian Air Force to support one of the most active C-130J fleets in the world. Through an integrated team and dedicated support, Lockheed Martin ensures the IAF’s C-130J fleet is available and ready for every mission.”

The Government of India announced its purchase of six C-130J Super Hercules airlifters via a Foreign Military Sale with the US Air Force in 2008. All aircraft were delivered on or ahead of schedule between 2010 and 2011. India received additional C-130Js in 2017 and in 2019.

The IAF’s C-130J Super Hercules have a highly integrated and sophisticated configuration primarily designed to support India’s special operations requirement. The aircraft also are equipped with air-to-air receiver refuelling capability for extended range operations.

24/08/21 ANI/Gulf News

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India's airline ticket rates on domestic flights set for steep drop in September

Dubai: Air fares within Indian cities are changing almost every other week as attempts by the Indian government to set a cap on rate increases add to the confusion.

A flight from New Delhi to Mumbai costs up to Dh300 right now – but these are likely to plunge to Dh120 by next month. A New Delhi to Kochi seat starts at Dh450 now, but could fall to Dh180 in September.

India’s aviation regulator has increased the minimum and maximum limits on fares. As per the update, the minimum and maximum fares for the shortest flights have been raised to Rs2,900 and Rs8,800 from Rs2,600 and Rs7,800, respectively. Fares on the longest sector have increased to Rs9,800 and Rs 27,200 from Rs 8,700 and Rs 24,200, respectively.

India also increased domestic passenger capacity to 72.5 per cent of pre-Covid levels from the 65 per cent earlier. The move comes at a time when daily domestic flights are increasing.

“Unlike in the West, where the airline industry got billions of dollars in bailouts to survive the Covid crisis, In India, the government never gave any cash handouts to the airline industry,” said Vinamra Longani, head of operations for Sarin & Co, an Indian law firm specializing in aircraft leasing and finance.

“To protect cash poor airlines, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation put these capacity and fare caps in place. At this point in time, there's only one Indian airline, Indigo, which has significant cash reserves to survive the crisis.”

Indigo reported a net loss of Rs31.7 billion for the quarter ended June 2021, compared to a loss of Rs 11.5 billion for the quarter ending March 21.

“Revenue is improving - this quarter (June to August) is shaping up to be better in terms of revenue numbers,” said Rono Dutta, Indigo’s CEO during a conference call last month. “Our forward bookings are picking up - but they are not as strong as they were in February.”

24/08/21 John Benny/Gulf News

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From military to civil aircraft – HAL set to enter the civil aviation market

Last week, the state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced that it had successfully carried out ground run and low speed taxi trials of a commercial aircraft `Hindustan -228’. This successful trial is for `Type Certification’ by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). As has been reported earlier, after the 14 seater Saras aircraft development programme was shelved in 2009, this is the second attempt by HAL to develop civilian aircraft the 19 seater Hindustan-228 or the Do-228.

So far the company has been focusing on building aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) for almost six decades including the Hindustan Trainer-2 and its variant – the Hindustan Propulsion Trainer 32 (HPT-32). And most recently has successfully bagged a major contract for 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the IAF.

Hindustan-228 or the Do-228 is for the first time ever that any company in India has produced an aircraft for the commercial market for civil transport.

The National Aeronautics Laboratory (NAL) shelved the 14-seater Saras aircraft development program as there were multiple problems in its development. And it had to be shelved following a major crash which killed three test pilots in 2009.

The Kanpur based Transport Aircraft Division has been identified to work on the civil aircraft and has been working on Hindustan -228. This division has been responsible for the transport and trainer aircraft for its defence and security customers.

According to the HAL officials, such small civil aircraft are going to be of immense help in the country’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) programme. This aircraft can be used both by the civil and state authorities can use this indigenous aircraft for their intra and inter-state connectivity. And all the training, logistics and maintenance will be provided by the HAL.

23/08/21 Financial Express

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JetSetGo Becomes The First Indian Leasing Company To Bring An Aircraft Under The Direct Leasing Arrangement

JetSetFleet Management Services IFSC Private, a leasing arm of JetSetGo Aviation, has become the first Indian leasing business to directly import an aircraft, marking a historic event in India’s aviation history.

The aircraft, a Hawker 800 XP, leased through GIFT City, IFSC was imported from the United Kingdom and towed into the MRO after landing at Nagpur airport. Parking and warehousing services were provided by Air India MRO.

This aircraft was brought into the SEZ for the purpose of leasing, promoting MRO and offering other ancillary services in the region. This transaction is being hailed as the country's first-ever after the Ministry of Finance established a framework for Aircraft Leasing and Tax SOPS were granted, to shift the leasing business from Ireland or other locations to Indian Territories.

Commenting on this mega milestone, Kanika Tekriwal, Founder & CEO, JetSetGo Aviation said “With the import of the Hawker 800 XP, we are extremely proud to be the first Indian leasing company to bring an aircraft into the country directly. This is not just a big milestone for us as a business, but also a historic move for India’s aviation industry as a whole. We are thrilled to have been able to do this as it is a step forward towards putting India on the global aviation map and enabling many industry-firsts going forward. With this initiative, we want to ensure that the leasing of aircrafts becomes feasible in India. Furthermore, we are planning to bring in at least six aircrafts by the end of 2021-22, and by the end of 2022, we will also look at leasing planes to international locations.”

20/08/21 T3

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First aircraft leased from GIFT City Ahmedabad

New Delhi: In a first for India, a desi aviation company here has taken an aircraft by leasing it from India. Leading private aircraft and helicopter operator JetSetGo said it is the first Indian leasing business to directly import an aircraft (Hawker 800 XP) through a lease of IFSC GIFT City, Ahmedabad. Earlier, a helicopter was leased from Gift City and this is the first time for an aircraft.

The Hawker 800 XP imported from the UK landed at Mihan-SEZ on Thursday. It was later flown to Delhi to be delivered to Indo Pacific Aviation, an arm of JetSetGo.

“This aircraft was brought into the SEZ for the purpose of leasing, promoting MRO and offering other ancillary services in the region. To lease out the aircraft, the company is experimenting with a novel financing strategy wherein JetSetGo plans on using the ‘pay-as-you-go’ arrangement.

Under this model, the company gets compensated based on how much the aircraft flies. In addition to this, JetSetGo is also looking into revenue-sharing arrangements,” JetSetGo said in a statement.

JetSetGo Aviation founder-CEO Kanika Tekriwal said: “With the import of the Hawker 800 XP, we are proud to be the first Indian leasing company to bring an aircraft into the country directly. This is… a historic move for India’s aviation industry as a whole…. we want to ensure that the leasing of aircrafts becomes feasible in India. Furthermore, we are planning to bring in at least six aircrafts by the end of 2021-22, and by the end of 2022, we will also look at leasing planes to international locations.”

20/08/21 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Why defence aircraft manufacturer HAL is building a civilian aircraft for use in India

Despite producing aircrafts like the Hindustan Trainer-2 and its variant – the Hindustan Propulsion Trainer 32 (HPT-32) – for the Indian Air Force six decades ago, and more recently the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the IAF, the Indian aviation sector has not produced any civil transport aircraft.

On August 15, the public sector aircraft manufacturing company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) carried out a successful ground run and low speed taxi trials of a commercial aircraft – Hindustan-228 – for ‘Type Certification’ by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Read why is HAL building a civil aircraft >>

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Vice President Visits HAL’s Aircraft Manufacturing Facilities In Bengaluru

Bangalore:  Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today emphasized the need to develop cutting-edge technologies indigenously to make India self-reliant in defence technology and emerge as an export hub of modern military hardware.

Addressing scientists and engineers of Hindustan Aeronautical Limited and Aeronautical Development Agency at HAL complex, Bengaluru, the Vice President said that indigenous products will play a key role in leapfrogging India as an Aerospace and Defence powerhouse in the coming years.

While noting India’s capability to manufacture the state-of-the-art missiles, satellites and space vehicles, he said, “the paradox remains that we are still among the largest arms importers in the world”. He called for changing this situation by quickening the pace of indigenous development of critical technologies.

Drawing attention to multiple security challenges faced by the country due to a highly complex geopolitical environment, the Vice President lauded the security forces for their exemplary courage and professionalism. “It is our duty to ensure that our armed forces are fully equipped to handle any challenge and repel any security threat firmly”, he said.

The Vice President said that India wants friendly relations with all its neighbours but some countries are funding and supporting terrorism against India and some harbour expansionist tendencies. “Therefore, security and safety of our borders is very important for the peace and prosperity of the nation”, he added. Stressing that India has never been expansionist in its outlook, Shri Naidu said that our approach is of peaceful coexistence and to deter the forces of terror and disruption. “India wants to become strong for the progress and development of its people,” he said.

20/08/21 India Education Diary

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GE Aviation wins $716m engine contract for Indian fighter aircraft

Indian aerospace company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has signed a $716 million contract for 99 General Electric F404 engines.

The deal with GE Aviation will see the F404-GE-IN20 engine power the Tejas, a light combat aircraft (LCA) with a single engine

“This is largest ever deal and the purchase order placed by HAL for LCA," said R. Madhavan, chairman and managing director of HAL.

HAL is working closely with GE for its support in pursuing LCA exports and also to supply spares to the global supply chain of GE 404 engines.

Chris Cyr, vice president, business development and sales at GE Aviation, who attended virtually, said his company is proud of the 16-year-long partnership with HAL and is happy to extend the relationship with this new order.

“The F404 family of engines has proven itself in operations all over the world and we have committed to deliver all 99 engines and support services by 2029," he added.

The indigenously-built Tejas aircraft has been in service since 2004. Ordering of the engines marks a major milestone in the execution of 83 LCA contract with Indian Air Force.

The co-operation will be enhanced with the manufacturing of GE F414 engines in India for the upcoming LCA MkII programme.

19/08/21 Aerospace Manufacturing

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DRDO develops advanced chaff technology for IAF's fighter aircraft

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an advanced chaff technology to safeguard Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets against hostile radar threats.

The technology has been developed by DRDO's defence laboratory in Rajasthan's Jodhpur in collaboration with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

Chaff is a critical defence technology used to protect fighter aircraft from hostile radar threats. A very small quantity of chaff material deployed in the air acts as a decoy to deflect enemy missiles and ensures the safety of the fighter aircraft.

The advanced chaff material and chaff cartridge 118/I will help meet the qualitative requirements of the IAF. The IAF has started the process of induction of this technology after completion of successful user trials.

The technology has been given to the industry for production in large quantities to meet the annual rolling requirement of the IAF.

Lauding DRDO, IAF and the aviation industry for indigenous development of this critical technology, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it was another step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and DRDO chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the teams on the successful development of this advanced technology that will further strengthen the IAF.

19/08/21 Abhishek Bhalla/Manjeet Negi/India Today

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Mihan to provide smooth landing to country’s directly imported lease aircraft

Nagpur: The country’s first aircraft under direct leasing arrangement, which by-passes the foreign subsidiary route, will land at the Mihan-SEZ on Thursday. The SEZ here will provide a tax-free landing to a Hawker 800 XP aircraft set to be delivered to the lessee at Delhi. The transaction is being dubbed to be the first its kind in the country.

Here is how the chain of events will take place. The plane is being imported from UK by Jetsetgo Fleet Management Services Private Limited. This is an entity under the GIFT City IFSC, near Ahmedabad. The IFSC is a deemed-foreign area and part of multi-service SEZ. The IFSC framework allows leasing companies to operate from its jurisdiction.

Jetsetgo is the first leasing company based in India to import an aircraft. Even as the import would be tax-free, GIFT City IFSC does not have an airport of its own. Taxes would apply if the aircraft lands at a regular airport, including the one at Ahmedabad.

Here is where Mihan-SEZ comes into play. Mihan is connected to the airport through the taxiway connecting Air India’s maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) depot. Being a SEZ, any imported item entering Mihan will not attract any duty.

After landing at Nagpur airport, the aircraft will be towed inside the MRO. The customs clearance will happen at Mihan. From here, the plane will further take off for Delhi to be delivered to the lessee — Indo Pacific Aviation, which is an arm of Jetsetgo. The duty will be attracted only when the plane is moved out of the SEZ to be delivered to the lessee, as per rates applicable to non-scheduled operator.

There are only two SEZs linked to an airport. One is Mihan and the other of GMR at Hyderabad.

Even as Jetsetgo will be the first Indian leasing company to directly import an aircraft, Air India MRO also sees an opportunity in providing parking and warehousing services for such aircraft imports.

Clearance to the aircraft is expected to be completed within two days. So far aircraft are imported into India by leasing companies through their foreign subsidiaries in countries where taxes are low. Jetsetgo will do it directly.

The arrangement has been facilitated by Moon SEZ Consultants Private Limited.

18/08/21 Shishir Arya/Times of India

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HAL signs largest ever deal for LCA: Rs 5,375 crore contract for 99 GE engines

Bengaluru: HAL on Tuesday placed a Rs 5,375 crore order with GE Aviation for supply of 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines to power the aircraft as well as for support services. This is one of the largest deal signed related to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas.

The order is considered a major milestone in the execution of HAL’s contract with the Indian Air Force to deliver 83 LCAs, and will be further enhanced with the manufacturing of GE F414 engines in India for the upcoming LCA Mk-II program.

Chris Cyr, Vice President, Business Development & Sales, GE Aviation, who interacted virtually in the contract-signing event, said, GE has committed to deliver all 99 engines and support services by 2029.

"This is the largest ever deal and purchase order placed by HAL for LCA," said HAL Chairman & Managing Director R Madhavan.

The F404-GE-IN20 engine is the highest thrust variant of the F404 family and incorporates GE’s latest hot section material and technologies as well as full authority digital engine control (FADEC) for reliable power and outstanding operational characteristics. The F404 family engines have logged in more than 14 million engine flight hours, and powered 15 different production and prototype aircraft.

17/08/21 New Indian Express

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How airlines adjusted departures even before government changed rules

Since Indian aviation was opened up again after lockdown last year, it has been in a vice-like grip of regulations. Be it fares or capacity, airlines can’t seem to catch a break. While fare caps have only moved up, capacity caps have varied a lot. Only IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has been vocal about asking the government to remove any capacity caps and allow unrestricted capacity. This, despite the fact that it lost Rs  34 crore a day in the first quarter of FY22.

An exclusive analysis shared by ICF, a global consulting and digital services company, throws light on multiple aspects of capacity and its bearing on Indian aviation in recent months. Read >>

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HAL’s ‘Made in India’ civil aircraft carries out Ground Run and LSTT

Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said on Monday it has successfully carried out the Ground Run and Low Speed Taxi Trials (LSTT) of the Hindustan-228 (VT-KNR) aircraft for Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ‘Type Certification’.

The event was part of 75th Independence Day celebrations at HAL’s Kanpur facility on Sunday, the Bengaluru-headquartered HAL said in a statement.

“This is a major milestone for the first fixed wing Made-in-India civil aircraft in India. It is a step forward towards strengthening regional air connectivity”, said CEO of HAL’s Accessories Complex, Sajal Prakash.

DGCA Director Indranil Chakraborty said the type certification will also enable HAL to get the international certification for the aircraft. The aircraft complies with the latest “FAR 23 certification” requirements.

HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, has been in the business of transport and trainer aircraft for defence customers.

The Division has ventured into the manufacturing of Hindustan-228 aircraft to support the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) of the Government of India.

16/08/21 PTI/The Hindu

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