Centre cuts UDAN levy on air tickets
In a relief to passengers flying on major domestic routes, the Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to significantly reduce the levy on air tickets imposed to fund the Centre’s new regional connectivity scheme UDAN. From June 1, it will only charge a uniform levy of Rs. 5,000 per flight on major routes, down from Rs. 7,500-Rs. 8,500 per flight it had ordered to charge earlier. The move will come as a relief to passengers taking flights on major domestic routes as each passenger will have to bear about Rs. 30 as cess against about Rs. 50 as per government’s previous order in November 2016. “The Central Government has decided to revise the levy on scheduled flights being operated within India to fund the Regional Air Connectivity Fund at a uniform rate of Rs. 5,000 per flight till further revision. The said levy will now come into effect from June 1, 2017,” said an order sent by the Civil Aviation Ministry to all Secretaries of Central government and chief secretaries of State governments on May 9. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been directed to issue a circular on the revised levy amount. The Centre had ordered imposing a levy of Rs. 7,500 for flights up to 1,000 km, Rs. 8,000 for flights between 1,000 and 1,500 km and Rs. 8,500 for flights beyond 1,500 km, except north-eastern states and regional routes, effective from December 1. A reduction in levy is also seen as government’s efforts to bring domestic airlines on board its UDAN scheme as most domestic airlines refused to charge a levy on air tickets. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir, had dragged the Centre to the courts challenging the levy to finance the regional connectivity scheme. Only AirAsia and Air India had imposed a regional connectivity scheme surcharge on its tickets so far. Michael Hoomanawanui Womens Jersey
India’s first ATR simulators inaugurated in Gurugram
In an attempt to uplift the country’s civil aviation sector, the Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC) acquired India’s first ATR 72-500 full flight simulator in the previous year. Issued to be certified by the European Air Safety Agency (EASA) and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India, FSTC officials informed that it was the first of its kind simulator in the South East Asian region. FSTC, one of the largest training organisations registered under Approved Training Organization (ATO), has a substantial number of full flight simulators catering to all the airlines in India flying various fleet types. The pilots trained by the institution are placed in major domestic airlines like Indigo, Vistara, Jet airways, Spice Jet and Air India. According to the official announcements, the ATR simulator will help pilots who have to travel to Toulouse, Madrid and Bangkok for type-rating training. ”This is a fruitful measure that will help trainee pilots gain more confidence and also reduce the cost and time spent on training,” the spokesperson stated. The move was welcomed as a part of the Centre’s increased emphasis on Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). According to the official report, IndiGo announced that it will be purchasing 50 ATR 72-600 aircrafts. Air India’s subsidiary, Alliance Air also plans to expand its fleet by leasing 10 ATR planes this year. Captain Sanjay Mandavia, MD & Accountable Manager, FSTC, commented, “FSTC’s decision to bring India’s first ATR 72-500 state of the art simulation in the heart of the Gurugram, where we are already providing instructor-led ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ training for the Airbus A320 & Boeing B737 further extends FSTC’s commitment to the aviation community in India and the region. Positioning this simulator close to Indian customers and operator’s base of operation will enable them to be more efficient while continuing to train the pilot skills and decision making that enhances safety and effectiveness.” Zaza Pachulia Womens Jersey
SWISS to abolish two-persons-in-the-cockpit rule framed after suicidal crash
Is it safe to have just one crew member in the cockpit? It was not thought so after a suicidal Germanwings pilot locked the captain out and deliberately crashed the plane into a mountain, killing all 150 people on board in 2015. As a precautionary measure after the crash, two-persons-in-the-cockpit rule was recommended by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and adopted by several airlines. The rule requires two crew members to be present in the cockpit all the time. When one goes out, he has to be replaced by a third member. Two years later, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has decided to abolish this rule, with effect from May 1. A press release by the airline says that the the action follows an extensive safety and security review which has concluded that the rule does not enhance flight safety. The action is being taken following a structured safety, security and risk analysis that has been conducted by the carrier and coordinated with similar risk assessments by its fellow Lufthansa Group airlines, the release says. These analyses have concluded that the requirement of having two crew members in the cockpit at all times during a flight does not enhance safety, and actually introduces additional risks to daily operations in flight safety terms (such as the fact that the rule results in more and longer openings of the cockpit door). The European Aviation Safety Agency had revised its recommendation in 2016, offering airlines the option of abolishing the two-persons-in-the-cockpit rule provided they met the relevant further criteria.
New Delhi To Shimla Flight Will Cost You Less Than Rs. 2000
Good news for Delhi people who have an unconditional love for Shimla. The tourist Shimla was the summer capital of British India and is also the capital of Himachal Pradesh. People of Delhi had to travel long distances to reach Shimla but now they will be able to travel in less than Rs. 2000 and also in one hour. New Delhi to Shimla flight or vice versa will just cost Rs. 1920 and will just take one hour. Finally, after four and a half years, Shimla will be having an aerial connectivity. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Of India will be flagging off the inaugural flight on April 27, 2017. The flight will be flagged off from Jubbarhatti airport at around 11:45 am. There will be a flight daily from Delhi to Shimla and back (ATR-42) of Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India. The Union Secretary (Civil Aviation) and Chief Managing Director of Air India flew down to the Jubbarhatti airport to have a look at the launch of the New Delhi-Shimla flight to be flagged by the Prime Minister. There is also a possibility of another private airline starting from Shimla. No flights have been scheduled from Shimla since 2012. Only the chartered flights which include Army and Air Force land in Shimla. The New Delhi-Shimla flight will cost Rs. 1920 and will only be 50% of the total seats. The other 50% of the seats would cost between Rs. 5000 – Rs. 20000 and the rates would fluctuate depending on the demand. Deatrich Wise Jr Womens Jersey
Air India cruises on expansion mode
Air India, which is on a route network expansion mode, hopes to boost profit “significantly” this year after making a dramatic turnaround from losses in 2016. The airline, which for the first time in nearly a decade, reported an operating profit of Rs1.05 billion in 2015-16 fiscal, has been taking various steps such as rationalisation of certain loss-making routes, closure of overseas offline offices at certain locations, phasing out of old fleet and consequential reduction in maintenance costs to sustain profitability. The main factors that helped to turn around the airline were increased operational efficiency and reduced oil prices. Plans for 2017-2018 Air India has a fleet of nearly 140 planes, and is expanding its domestic network to cater to the fast growing demand by adding new aircraft to its fleet and adding new International routes in 2017. Air India, which currently has 23 Dreamliners and 15 Boeing 777 in its fleet will be adding four B787 Draemliners by end of 2017 and 3 B777 – 300ERs in its fleet by mid of 2018. For domestic deployment, we have placed an order for 29 Airbus 320 aircraft on lease. The on-going expansion plan will see Air India adding more international destinations and increase frequencies on domestic routes like Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Leh. Following the commencement of direct non-stop flights to San Francisco, Madrid, Vienna and Ahemdabad-Newark via London, Air India plans to start direct flight operations on Delhi-Washington-Delhi route in July 2017. This flight will be the fifth direct connection with the US and will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft. Air India also plans to start services to Tel Aviv in May 2017. In order to establish connectivity with the Scandinavian countries Air India will commence a direct non-stop flight to Scandinavia in Aug/Sep 2017. This flight service will offer convenient onward connections to Scandinavia and other countries in the Nordic region.Currently, Air India’s regional arm, Alliance Air has eight ATRs in its fleet and 70 pilots who fly these small planes for short haul operations. We are in the process of recruiting at least 200 more pilots for ATR operations. We will be adding 20 more ATR planes by this year end. We are also planning to set up a simulator unit in the national capital by this year- end for training pilots for the ATR aircraft – largely meant to be deployed for short haul operations. Pete Rose Womens Jersey
Brussels Airlines sees strong demand in Indian market
Sounding optimistic about the Indian market, Lufthansa group subsidiary Brussels Airlines today said it sees “strong” demand for its offering from here. Brussels Airlines, which is 100 per cent owned by the German airlines’ group Lufthansa, commenced its air services into India last month with a flight to Mumbai from Brussels. The airline currently operates five flight per week from Brussels airport to the Chhtrapati Shivaji International Airport here. “The demand for direct flights for passengers as well as for cargo is high. With our new service, we offer the diamond and travel industry direct flights, which is an important investment in our network expansion, but also in the economic relations between India and Belgium,” Brussels Airlines Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Management Board Brussels Airlines, Bernard Gustin said during a media briefing. He said that Brussels Airlines was very much “encouraged” by the strong presence of its parent Lufthansa in India, adding “Brussels is a very important catchment area and the capital city can’t be left unserved with India.” Naresh Goyal-owned Jet Airways had made Brussels as its hub for the European operations in December 2007, making it the first Indian carrier to have full-scale operation in the European Union capital, but replaced it with Dutch capital Amsterdam last year, citing commercial reasons. There was a high demand from various industries including pharmaceutical, diamond, maritime, among others, as well as from leisure travelers to reinstate a direct service. William Nylander Authentic Jersey
UP govt seeks fresh technical evaluation for airport in Jewar
The newly appointed BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has approached the Centre seeking technical evaluation for an airport in Jewar, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha, said today at a press conference here. The State cabinet cleared the proposal for Jewar airport recently. Currently, the rules do not allow a new airport to come up within 150 km of an existing airport and the Jewar proposal could get stuck under this clause as it will fall within 150 km of Delhi airport. Sinha added that the State government has sought a fresh technical evaluation of the Jewar airport project as the earlier one was done some time ago. “In the next 4-8 years the capacity at Delhi airport is likely to be saturated. It will be necessary to have another airport in the National Capital Region at that time,” the Minister added. Meanwhile, he said that a discussion has also been held with all the stakeholders on how to enhance the capacity of Delhi airport from 67 aircraft movements an hour to 95 movements in the next three years. Close coordination The Minister pointed out that given that Delhi has three runways this should not be difficult and will require close coordination between the various stakeholders, including the Air Traffic Controllers, airlines and others. The Delhi airport currently handles 60 million passengers a year. Sinha also announced that a flight operation committee has been set up which will meet every month to assess capacity enhancement at the Delhi airport. Dion Lewis Womens Jersey
Jayant Sinha conducts aerial survey of Navi Mumbai International Airport site
Union Minsiter of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha conducted an aerial survey of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) site Wednesday during his visit to Mumbai. During his tour, he reviewed the progress of work and promised speedy redressal on issues delaying the project. On Wednesday, Sinha visited TajSATS office — the catering service of the national carrier Air India — for a review. Later, he conducted a heli-survey of the NMIA site followed by a tour of the City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the nodal agency for the airport project. “Sinha conducted a helicopter survey of the airport to identify obstacles around the area. He later reviewed the status of works and got an update on clearances required for completing the work at the central level. He guaranteed quick redressal of the problems,” a senior CIDCO official said. The airport awaits a stage II environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), which would allow the agency to begin work on the construction. Other technical clearances for constructing high voltage line and making steel overbridges are also awaited. Shaq Mason Authentic Jersey
In a country of VIP worshippers, Air India shows some spine
“Every Indian is special,” said prime minister Narendra Modi on April 19, as his government banned the use of red beacons on official cars. “Every Indian is a VIP,” Modi insisted, perhaps signalling an appetite to crack down on India’s pervasive VIP (very important person) culture. For long, most Indians have been familiar with the unwritten rule that in the world’s largest democracy some are more equal than others, especially if they are law-makers. So, most instances of misbehaviour by the powerful are simply brushed under the carpet. However, in recent weeks, and even before Modi’s assertion, there’s been staunch defiance of such high-handedness from an unexpected quarter: Air India. India’s flag carrier has reportedly written to the Delhi police, asking why no action has been taken against Shiv Sena member of parliament (MP) Ravindra Gaikwad, who physically assaulted an airline staffer on March 23. “The airline is understood to have said that the morale of the employees is being impacted as no action has been initiated against the MP despite nearly a month after the incident,” the Press Trust of India reported. The airline has reasons to be aggrieved. Gaikwad first beat up an Air India staffer for no reason, then shamelessly bragged about it, and finally just refused to apologise. For all the prime minister’s recent insistence on the common man’s importance, there was barely a reprimand from the government—even after other Shiv Sena MPs behaved indecorously towards aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in parliament. Instead, it was Air India, the perennially beleaguered national carrier, that showed much-needed spine, and provided a playbook of sorts to deal with bratty politicians. Without delay, the assaulted staffer went straight to the cops and filed a first information report (FIR) against Gaikwad. Alongside, Air India launched its principal act of protest (not likely without the government’s tacit support), which was to simply not let Gaikwad fly on its aircraft. The Federation of Indian Airlines, which represents all major private carriers, also enforced an embargo, effectively grounding the MP. Gaikwad tried and tried to book a ticket, especially on Air India, but nothing came of it. Colton Parayko Authentic Jersey
Domestic air passenger traffic grows 18% in March
Passengers carried by domestic airlines during the month of March was higher than the same period last year registering a growth of 18.59%. “During Jan-March 2017 were 272.79 lakhs as against 230.03 lakhs during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a growth of 18.59%,” DGCA report said on Thursday. The total number of passengers in the month of March alone amounted to 90.46 lakh. In February the passenger count was 86.55 lakh. However the passenger load factor (PLF) in the month of March, the report said had declined slightly when compared to previous month, due to lean period. SpiceJet recorded the highest PLF of 93.7% as opposed to 91.4% in February 2017. Overall cancellation rate of scheduled domestic airlines for the month was 0.41% with the highest cancellations being recorded by Air Carnival at 9.68%. Brock Osweiler Jersey