New Indian aviation policy may give wings to Air Kerala project
The Indian government’s green signal for a new civil aviation policy has once again rekindled hopes for the much-awaited Air Kerala to take off. The Central Government on Wednesday scrapped the 5/20 clause which required an airline to have at least five years of domestic flight service experience for starting an overseas service. However, the condition that the airline must have at least 20 aircraft to launch an international service has been retained. Easing the rule would mark an important step towards liberalising India’s aviation market, the world’s fastest growing. The change is expected to increase regional connectivity, boost cargo operations and make flying cheaper. V. J. Kurian, additional chief secretary to the government of Kerala and managing director of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), said now that the deck has been cleared for the airline, it’s up to the new Left Democratic Front government to take a final decision. He said a CIAL board meeting at the end of the month will take stock of the situation. Talking to Khaleej Times, Kurian said the cabinet decision is a welcome change. “Starting an airline is not an easy business. There is risk involved in it. But once a policy decision is taken, we will look at the viability of the whole thing, not forgetting so many carriers are running services from here.” “The world over, airlines have never been a great business, except for some like Lufthansa, Emirates, AirAsia etc. Most of them are not making big money. But a policy decision has to be taken based on the social aspect as well. Air Kerala will be a boon to millions of people, especially the low-income group, working in the Middle East,” he said. Dennis Smith Authentic Jersey
Jaipur Int’l Airport to have direct flights to Japan, Singapore soon
People of Rajasthan will be saved from travelling all the way to Delhi for boarding International flights as a number of flight operators are starting operations from Jaipur International Airport (JIA) from October. JIA, named as one of the best airports in Asia Pacific Region, would soon have direct flights to Japan, Singapore and other countries as its runway has been upgraded to Category-E. In April, Airport Council International (ACI) had awarded first rank to JIA for catering to two to five Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA). The up-gradation of the runway from 2709 to 3410 metres, built at a cost of Rs189 crore, has been readied and it would accommodate planes with a capacity of 350 passengers from October this year. Besides the runway, 150 metre strips on either side were cleared from dried grass and central inset lights have also been installed on the runway for planes to land or take off easily during foggy weather. DaeSean Hamilton Authentic Jersey
New aviation policy: Now, just fly, forget Indian Railways
Consumers hailing from smaller towns and cities hitherto unconnected by flight have something to look forward to as they may soon get to fly more often and at affordable rates. The civil aviation policy has unveiled a regional connectivity scheme (RCS) that aims to connect smaller towns and cities to the main hubs and has capped the fare at Rs 2,500 per passenger for one-hour flights on the RCS routes that include unserved airports. To implement this policy, the government plans to revive 160 airports and airstrips each at a cost of Rs 50-100 crore. What this means is that while there would not be any change in fare for a Delhi-Chandigarh flight, for a destination not connected by air from Delhi today that gets connected tomorrow and can be reached in an hour, the fare would be capped at Rs 2,500 per passenger. To bridge the gap between actual cost and the capped fare, the government will provide viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines plying on the RCS routes. The VGF will be shared between the ministry of civil aviation and state governments. The burden will be shared on an 80:20 basis for RCS airports while for the northeastern states the ratio will be 90:10. The VGF will be funded by a small levy per departure on all domestic routes, other than Category II and IIA routes, RCS routes and small aircraft, at a rate decided by the ministry from time to time. “We plan to impose a small levy per departure on all domestic flights other than CAT II /CAT IIA routes,” said Rajeev Nayan Choubey, civil aviation secretary. However, he added that this will be so small as to have any impact on the fares of flights plying on these routes. In the draft, the aviation ministry had proposed a cess of 2% on most of the domestic and international routes to raise funds to improve regional air connectivity, which it has dropped. “We have right now only come out with the broad contours of the RCS, we will be coming out with the detailed scheme within 10 days,” said Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union minister for civil aviation. Tyler Ervin Authentic Jersey
New aviation policy to usher in no frills airports
The cabinet on Wednesday approved the civil aviation policy that allows development of greenfield airports within 150 km radius of an existing Airport Authority of India (AAI) airport. However, the policy provides for ‘suitable compensation’ to the state-run airport operator if its airport is not fully saturated. “Airport Authority of India (AAI) will continue to develop and modernise its airports and upgrade quality of services. AAI will be suitably compensated in case a new greenfield airport is approved in future within 150 km radius of an existing operational AAI airport which is not yet saturated,” the government said in a statement. Out of 125 airports belonging to AAI, about 95 are operational and 71 had scheduled operations as of July 2015. The policy paves the way for AAI to take up no-frills airports, which will be done at a cost not exceeding Rs 50 crore. For such airports, the requirement for 12% internal rate of return (IRR) on the project will be relaxed for revival of these airports. Additionally, If such airports fall under the regional connectivity scheme, it will be made operational only in those states that reduce value added tax (VAT) on aviation fuel to 1% or less. Lawson Crouse Jersey
Yokogawa Receives SCADA System Order for Gas Distribution Pipeline Project
Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced that Yokogawa India has received an order from the Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) to supply a monitoring and control system for the gas pipeline system in Bangladesh. This project will involve the revamping, modernisation, and expansion of GTCL’s existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. GTCL owns and operates a network of pipelines for the nationwide transmission of gas from gas fields that are primarily concentrated in the eastern part of Bangladesh. GTCL is planning to build an integrated SCADA monitoring and control system that will ensure the stable and efficient supply of gas to three of the country’s eight administrative divisions: Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet. GTCL plans to increase its gas transmission volume to 550 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), up from 400 MMscfd in 2013. This order is for FAST/TOOLS SCADA software and a STARDOM™ network-based control system for pipeline monitoring, DPharp EJA and DPharp EJX series differential pressure/pressure transmitters, other field instruments, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, and a telecommunications system for central monitoring and control. Targeting delivery within 22 months, Yokogawa will be responsible for the engineering, installation, and commissioning of these systems. Yokogawa proposed a bespoke automation solution which was selected because of Yokogawa’s reputation for quality and extensive experience in supplying SCADA systems for oil & gas pipeline projects. Tsutomu Murata, managing director of Yokogawa India, comments, “I am honoured to receive this order, which is Yokogawa India’s largest project to date in Bangladesh. By carrying out this large project, we aim to help ensure a stable energy supply for the people of Bangladesh.” In accordance with its Transformation 2017 mid-term business plan, Yokogawa is strengthening its efforts to drive up sales by providing solutions for pipelines and other oil & gas midstream applications. Encouraged by its success in winning this order, Yokogawa plans to expand its control business in the midstream applications segment. Tramon Williams Womens Jersey
Monsoon to wash away diesel demand surge
The monsoon is expected to dump above-average rainfall on the South Asian nation after two years of drought, cutting its use of diesel for irrigation pumps and generators over the third quarter and potentially rejuvenating exports of the oil product. India is a net exporter of diesel – which accounts for about 40 percent of its oil demand – but a jump in imports by state refiners since April helped erode an Asian surplus of the fuel, lifting its regional profit margins to the highest for the year so far at the end of May. The state refiners ramped up diesel imports in the second quarter after supplies from private oil processors Reliance Industries and Essar Oil became too expensive in the absence of discounts on taxes and shipping. Now, as the rains come and domestic demand drops, diesel imports could halt and exports rebound. “During the monsoon demand for diesel sees a blip (down) because industrial activity slows, transport movement gets affected and demand from agriculture also reduces,” said Tushar Bansal, a Singapore-based senior consultant at energy consultancy FGE. India’s weather office has forecast above-average rains in the four-month season from June. The monsoon rains are crucial for farmerswhich otherwise use diesel-powered pump-sets to draw water to irrigate their land. Officials at state refiners, which dominate the local retail fuel markets, said they also see diesel demand softening during the monsoon season. “Major construction activities including road construction virtually stops during rains, so there is bound to be an impact on diesel demand,” said Y. K. Gawali, head of marketing at Hindustan Petroleum Corp. More rain also boosts hydropower generation alleviating electricity shortages and reducing demand for diesel to power small diesel generators to keep lights burning. “We have seen very high diesel demand in April-May. In June also it is rising. But I expect diesel demand (in the third quarter) to be 50 percent of the April-June quarter,” Gawali said. Morgan Burnett Authentic Jersey
India now looks to set up reverse SEZ in Mozambique
Government is now also planning to set up a reverse Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Mozambique mainly for the fertiliser and petrochemical sector, while it is already in talks with Iran for a proposed SEZ there, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar said. “It is our endeavour to establish reverse Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in oil and gas rich countries with dedicated exports back to the country. After Iran, now we are also considering setting up SEZ in Mozambique,” Kumar said at the launch of India Chem 2016 here today. He said the talks on setting up SEZ in Iran are progressing especially after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. Government is in talks with Iran for setting up a natural gas-based petroleum plant-cum-petrochemicals complex there. “Modi’s visit to Iran, and bilateral talks with the topmost leadership of the country have strengthened the move (setting up of SEZ). I think, our Iran engagement will continue on the same lines and we are going to have engagement with Mozambique as well,” Kumar said. The minister said that when India is able to set up the reverse SEZs in oil and gas rich countries, feed stock and intermediaries — considered to be building blocks — are required to be made available at affordable prices so that the petrochemicals industry will become globally competitive. He further said the talks with Mozambique are at preliminary stage and therefore, it will be difficult for quantification of amount of gas required and determine its pricing. “Once the talks are fructified, we will be able to give the details,” Kumar added. “The way Chabahar port SEZ in Iran will be a huge gateway of opportunity for bilateral trade between the two countries, we will develop similar ties with Mozambique,” he said. Rickey Henderson Womens Jersey
ONGC sets Indian rig move record
India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has, with the support of Aqualis Offshore, set a new pre-monsoon rig move record offshore India. ONGC executed a total of 33 mobile offshore drilling unit rig moves—31 on the west coast and two on the east coast—in mid-March, April and May. Aqualis Offshore, working together with the ONGC Rigmove cell, assisted with nearly all of these moves, placing each on its respective monsoon location before the onset of the seasonal adverse weather conditions. Aqualis Offshore carried out this work with the help of mariners from the company’s Dubai office and with engineering support from London. “This is an impressive milestone in Indian offshore operations and is a tribute to the professionalism of all involved,” said Rodger Dickson, group marine director, Aqualis Offshore. Joe Colborne Authentic Jersey
India, Japan, S. Korea Talk Joint LNG Buying
Energy-hungry India has restarted talks on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchasing alliance with Japan and South Korea and may also include China as Asian demand for the fuel grows. “For the next two to three decades, gas is going to be a major part of the energy basket for Asian energy consumers,” Dharmendra Pradhan, Indian minister of petroleum and natural gas told reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday. “We want to bring together the countries and form a network which can together source reasonable, rational and affordable LNG,” he said, adding that talks with Japan and South Korea have begun and China may also come onboard as a partner. State-owned GAIL Ltd is spearheading the talks, which follow a similar attempt in 2013, on India’s behalf. Natural gas currently accounts for about eight percent of India’s overall energy mix. In the last decade, while India’s domestic natural gas production has grown by 10 percent, imports of LNG have risen by 335 percent. This is likely to grow further as India gradually shifts to a gas-based economy, the minister told Reuters in a recent interview. India’s gas demand stands at 120 million standard cubic meters per day (mscmd) whereas domestic supply is 80 mscmd, making imports imperative, government data showed. Louis Vasquez Authentic Jersey