HAL floats radar tender for its Light Combat Aircraft
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has floated a limited tender for the purchase of AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars for an under-development Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’ from global aviation firms. “The tender in the form of Expression of Interest (EoI) was floated on Wednesday to five of the global aviation technology firms,” a top HAL source said. The EoI was floated by the Aviation Research and Design Centre (ARDC), one of the 10 design centres of HAL, which is engaged in the design and development of LCA ‘Tejas’, source added. The source said Israel is a front-runner in the race, along with a firm from the United States. The India head of one of the contender companies told IANS on the condition of anonymity: “We have been in touch with the HAL for the last two years. We have given them an extensive presentation on the matter.” The HAL has been engaging with global manufacturers vis-a-vis the AESA radars. J.J. Hardy Authentic Jersey
Airlines, airports seen ramping up IT budgets: Study
Airlines and airports in India are expected to rapidly ramp up their spend on new technology over the next three years to keep up with surging growth which will see passenger traffic double to 370 million by 2020. According to SITA 2016 India IT trends benchmark study released at the India ICT Aviation forum 2016 on Friday, all airlines in India are expected to see IT budgets increase in 2017 compared with last year. SITA is a global communications and IT solutions provider. Jonathan Ogden Authentic Jersey
India introduces Scheduled Commuter airline category
In an effort to increase participation in the Indian government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has unveiled a new category of commercial operator aimed specifically at the commuter carrier niche. “In order to promote/enhance regional connectivity, the concept of Scheduled Commuter Air Transport Services has been introduced,” the aviation regulator said in a proposal issued last week. The Commuter sector will be broken down into two categories: Scheduled Commuter Operator (Small) for operators whose aircraft do not exceed a gross-weight of 5,700kg and Scheduled Commuter Operator (Large) for those whose aircraft’s gross-weights are more than 5,700 kg and up to 40,000 kg. In the event a mixed fleet is operated, the requirements for a Scheduled Commuter Operator (Large) shall have to be complied with. In terms of capitalization, Scheduled Commuter Operators (Small) with up to three aircraft will need to have a paid-up capital of at least INR50 million (USD740,000) which increases to a maximum of INR150 million (USD2.2 million) for each additional aircraft added to its AOC. Willie Brown Authentic Jersey
Government takes up Air India slots issue with Dubai, Hong Kong
Government today said it has taken up the slots issue being faced by Air India at Dubai and Hong Kong airports with the aeronautical authorities of both the countries. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju informed the Lok Sabha that Air India is facing issues with airport slots in Dubai and Hong Kong. “The issue of slots in Dubai and Hong Kong has been specifically raised with their aeronautical authorities for immediate resolution,” Raju said in a written reply. He said Air India did not get uniform daily slots for its flights to and from Dubai during NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) at Calicut from September 1, 2015 to March 25, 2017. He added that the national carrier is “unable to start new flight on Mumbai-Hong Kong route due to non-availability of slots at Hong Kong”. In a separate written reply, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said two cases related to Air India are “under investigation by the CBI”. He was responding to a query by BJP member Nana Patole regarding irregularities in purchase of aircraft, including Boeing 737 at exorbitant prices by Air India in connivance with the Ministry during 2004 and reasons for not taking any legal action in this scam. The member’s another query was whether the government proposes to probe the matter again in view of the judgement given by an Ontario court in Canada. According to Patole, a paid agent of Canadian firm Cryptometrics and officials holding top posts in the Ministry and Air India were found involved in disputed and unnecessary projects including biometric system undertaken by the Ministry during 2004-2008. “Both cases are under investigation by the CBI,” Sinha said. Meanwhile, the government has made an equity infusion of Rs 23,993 crore into Air India till November this year under the turnaround plan for the carrier. “Till November 2016, the government has already infused an amount of Rs 23,993 crore in the form of equity infusion into Air India. “The company has achieved most of the targets set out in the TAP (Turnaround Plan) milestones, and has made progress in both operational as well as financial areas,” Sinha said in another written reply. As per the TAP/FRP (Financial Restructuring Plan) for Air India, the government is to infuse Rs 30,231 crore as equity support and repayment of the government guaranteed loans/ interest till FY 2020-21. Jon Weeks Jersey
Airlines shrug off notes ban concerns to fly high in November
While demonetisation has dampened demand across sectors, the aviation sector has clearly defied this trend and has posted over 20% growth in passengers flown during November. Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), accessed exclusively by ET, shows that air passengers during November has grown by 20.6% over the same month last year. The data shows that domestic airlines flew about 7.7 million passengers during November this year, compared with 6.3 million during the same month last year. “This is despite the fact that November last year was the Diwali month. So, the growth this November is over a higher base, which clearly shows that there has been no impact of demonetisation on the aviation sector,” said a senior aviation ministry official, who did not want to be identified. On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 note will not be legal tender from midnight. Industry insiders say that post the announcement, the bookings fell for the following couple of days but picked up eventually. Airlines also announced series of discounts to arrest the fall in bookings. Travel industry analysts termed the growth as excellent. “There could be a couple of reasons for the growth during November. The fares in the industry are low due to various reasons, which is fuelling the growth momentum. Apart from that, airlines also announced discounts and that might have helped the sector,” said Sharat Dhall, chief operating officer at Yatra-.com, India’s second largest online portal. The biggest reason, he said, could also be the fact that only a small percentage of booking in this sector is done through cash. “About 80% of the bookings in the sector is online and corporate, which is always booked digital. Even among the rest 20%, which is booked through agents, payment of a large percentage is made digitally,” Dhall said. Mario Addison Womens Jersey
Airlines to be blamed for most fog delays, says DGCA
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) believes airlines are to be majorly blamed for passenger hardships due to fog-induced flight delays and cancellations. The aviation regulator has found that almost all delays and cancellations have happened either due to the aircraft being non-CAT III compliant or pilots not being trained to handle compliant aircraft. DGCA joint chief Lalit Gupta has been warning the airlines to pull up their socks. On Thursday, TOI had reported the pulling up of two airlines. Top officials of those airlines said similar warnings have gone to almost every Indian carrier. On November 30, Gupta had emailed all airlines and named Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, SpiceJet, Jetlite, Go Air and Emirates for their poor preparedness. But subsequent flight diversions even when visibility was way above the instrument landing system (ILS) or CAT III minimum range showed that the warning wasn’t heeded. DGCA now has a new chief in senior IAS officer B S Bhullar, and it remains to be seen what action he takes. “Every year we see the same thing. Airlines or airports are not prepared to handle flights during fog. Aviation authorities issue the usual warnings, and by the time this drill is over, March sets in and fog goes away. Passengers are fed that airlines or airports have been warned but nothing changes. It’s the same story every year,” said a senior official of an airline. Jeff Heuerman Womens Jersey
Sudhir Nayak elected to IBAC governing board
In an indication of India’s growing influence in the global aviation space, Sudhir Nayak, Business Head of the Mukesh Ambani’s aviation venture Reliance Commercial Dealers Ltd, has been elected to the Montreal-based International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) governing board. This is the first time in the history of IBAC that an Indian national would be a part of the prestigious aviation body. Nayak, who has been elected for the post of Treasurer at IBAC, would hold this executive position at IBAC for a three year term, commencing January 2017. IBAC is the flag bearer of business aviation worldwide, with permanent observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN Specialized Agency for aviation matters. “It is an honour and a matter of privilege to be part of the governing board at IBAC. We look forward to greater interactions on this global platform to enable a more efficient policy structure for our sector and inculcate best practices from across the world,” Nayak, who is also member of governing board of the Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), said in a statement to PTI. The BAOA is the apex body of domestic business and general aviation operators. “This is the first time that we will see an Indian being part of the Governing Board of IBAC. His appointment is a testament not only to his skills, but also to the growing scope of India’s Business Aviation sector,” Jayant Nadkarni, BAOA President, said on Nayak’s election to the post. Nayak’s election to the executive position in IBAC is a unique honour and exemplifies India’s growing recognition in global business aviation frontiers, Nadkarni added. “It is an honour and a matter of privilege to be part of the Governing Board at IBAC. We look forward to greater interactions on this global platform to enable a more efficient policy structure for our sector and inculcate best practices from across the world,” said Sudhir Nayak, Member of Governing Board, BAOA. IBAC comprises 14 business aviation associations around the world, representing the industry for their 11,000 members in 77 countries across six continents. It actively works to ensure that global aviation standards reflect business aviation’s needs and benchmarks industry-leading standards for safety and efficiency. Shaq Thompson Authentic Jersey
Fog flop: AI, SpiceJet get DGCA rap
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) pulled up Air India and SpiceJet for poor preparedness in running operations during fog, despite advisories on November 30 and December 1. In a letter dated December 12, the regulatory body said both airlines had to divert flights either because aircraft were operated by nonCAT III qualified captains or the aircraft themselves being non-CAT III compliant. “During low-visibility procedures, there were three diversions, one each of Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet. Further, there had been 38 cancellations (24 departures and 14 arrivals) and 362 delays (179 departures and 183 arrivals),“ the letter stated. The letter added that “it seems the airlines are not geared up for safe operations during low-visibility period of the season“. DGCA warned that unless CAT-III qualified pilots were deployed to and from IGI airport during low visibility , “this office will be constrained to cancel the approval granted to the flights, which get diverted during low visibility and operated by nonCAT III qualified crew“. Air India refused to comment on the letter, while SpiceJet couldn’t be contacted for a reaction despite repeated attempts. Earlier, DGCA had mandated the close monitoring and planning of flights according to weather forecasts and in coordination with IMD, DIAL, DGCA and Airports Authority of India. It had also said that in case of zero visibility, no flight should be planned for Delhi. DGCA had also said that non-CAT III compliant air craft would have to be rescheduled between 10am and 8pm during fog. It wanted prior information of any delay or rescheduling of flights to be given to the passengers. Between December 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016, there were 25 diversions (13 international, 12 domestic) at IGI airport as compared to 59 diversions in the corresponding period in 2014-15. Flight disruptions still happen despite more advanced equipment as there are range limitations even in these. A CAT IIIB equipped aircraft needs minimum visibility of 50 metres against 300 metres in CAT II aircraft. Joe Berger Authentic Jersey
Sinha lauds Hyderabad airport for becoming carbon neutral
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha today appreciated the Hyderabad Airport achieving carbon neutral status. “Hyderabad Airport sets a standard in aviation achieving carbon neutral status in the age of Climate Change,” he said on a social networking site. John Carlson Jersey
IATA full marks for ‘open’ aviation policy; will now assess implementation
The Modi Government came in for some praise from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for putting together a civil aviation policy although the head of the global aviation body was quick to add that how it is implemented will also be assessed. “It will be among the most open. But then you have the plan and then you have the execution of the plan. So, we will of course judge the plan as it is designed, but we will also assess the way the Government will implement it practically. We know that the devil is in detail everywhere,” Alexandre de Juniac said in a response to a question from BusinessLine. de Junaic ADJ, added that IATA felt that in terms of developing infrastructure and international air traffic, the Indian plan is positive and will have a positive effect on aviation. The IATA DG said that he did not see protective issues in the Indian market, which is borne out by the fact that more and more foreign operators are coming to India like Singapore Airlines with Tata and AirAsia for setting up domestic arilines. “We see the Indian aviation market as more and more open,” he added. Danilo Gallinari Jersey