Why the long delay in making Doon an international airport?
Over one lakh foreign tourists visit Uttarakhand every year. A significant number of NRIs also make a trip to the state. All of them have to take a circuitous route to reach the state as they are forced to break their journey in a big city like Delhi or Mumbai. Several hours of transit and flying time of these tourists can be saved if the long-pending proposal of converting Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport into an international airport is realised soon. Many feel that at least, as a first step, flights from Dubai or Kathmandu can be started. “All US and European cities are connected with non-stop flights to a place like Dubai and tourists would definitely prefer taking an onward flight from Dubai to Dehradun rather than flying Dubai- Delhi and then catching another flight to Dehradun,” said Rahul Semwal, a travel planner based in Dehradun. Albert Wilson Womens Jersey
Air India plans to rope in consultant to chalk out business strategy
Air India plans to rope in consultant for hand-holding and to help it chalk out short and long-term business plan strategy as it seeks to turn profitable by March 2019, much ahead of the original deadline of fiscal 2021-22. The government-owned carrier has recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of selecting a consulting entity that has expertise in airlines sector in this regard. Air India, which has reported an operating profit of Rs 105 crore for the fiscal ended March 2016, the first time since Indian Airlines merged with it in 2007, is staying afloat on a Rs 30,000 crore government bailout. “The consulting firm shall review existing internal processes and prepare business plan strategy for short and long-term (10 years), engagement would also include benchmarking as per industry standards,” Air India said in the RFP document. Besides, the firm would also carry out gap analysis, recommendations for changes and detailed implementation blue print, keeping in mind current and future market scenario, handhold Air India in implementing these plans, it said. Air India along with its two subsidiaries –Air India Express and Alliance Air — at present has a fleet of over 130 aircraft in its fleet, comprising Airbus, Boeing, ATR and CRJ planes. The airline commands 14.7 per cent market share in the domestic air space. David Pastrnak Authentic Jersey
Rs 250-cr for city airport revamp, 85K employments planned
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has planned to spend Rs 250 crore in next two-three years at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) and to generate 85,000 employments directly and indirectly. AAI Chairman Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra on Tuesday informed that the AAI will spend Rs 250 crore for its proposed land-side development project at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here thereby providing employment facilities to nearly 85,000 persons, directly and indirectly. “The AAI has identified nearly 60 acres of land for the proposed land-side development to facilitate the passengers and aviation related activities such as Hospitality and Convention, Airport Business District (Retail &Commercial) and Logistics and Warehousing to cater the growing dynamics of Bhubaneswar Airport wherein an investment of Rs 250 Crore has been anticipated with direct and indirect employment generation of 35,000 and 50,000 respectively,” Mohapatra told reporters here. Dan Hampton Jersey
Bengaluru airport sees highest growth in India this year
The Kempegowda International Airport has recorded the largest growth in passenger and cargo traffic in the January-September period compared to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. In passenger traffic, Bengaluru recorded a 22.4% growth followed by Delhi at 21.5%, Hyderabad at 21%, and Mumbai at 11.7%. In international passenger traffic too, the city has recorded the highest growth at 11.7%. For Bengaluru, this translated to 1.8 million passengers. Delhi comes second at 10.2%. In terms of cargo traffic, the Kempegowda airport is the only metro airport to have recorded a double digit growth at 10.8%. Hyderabad had the lowest growth rate at 3.8%. The city airport handled 11 million passengers, both domestic and international, during this period and has been witnessing a blistering growth. Hyderabad had seven million passengers. In terms of absolute numbers, the Delhi airport, however, handled the largest at 2.7 million passengers followed by Mumbai at 2.2 million passengers. Ali Marpet Authentic Jersey
Angry pilots go online to protest against DGCA draft, term it danger to air safety
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation draft, that proposed draconian measures against pilots who are found by the airline doctor to have falsely reported sick for duty, has precipitated anger amongst pilots across the country. Several pilots took to online platforms to denounce the draft and call it a danger to air safety. On November 7, TOI had reported that the DGCA had put out a draft that said the government could debar a person from temporarily or permanently holding a flying licence if…in its opinion, it is necessary to do so in public interest. The draft came in the wake of last week’s flight disruptions suffered by Jet Airways after a number of its pilots reported sick and went off their assigned flight duty, sans prior warning. Aviation safety experts criticized the draft that gives the airline management power to act against pilots it feels have reported sick ‘too often’, especially during festivals and weekends. An online petition by pilots on change.org received 1,979 signatures till Tuesday evening, in protest against the draft. The draft, which will come into effect from December 1, is open for suggestion and comments till November 23. Sharrif Floyd Jersey
India mulls more flexible dry-lease regulations
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has outlined proposed new legislation that would pave the way for the importation and dry-lease of foreign-registered aircraft by Indian operators using Indian crews. A government gazette issued Monday, November 7, says the revised legislation aims to foster growth in India’s fast growing market. “[The] operation of foreign-registered aircraft is ideal and convenient for start-up airlines, when exploring new routes or during seasonal fluctuations and sudden peaks in demand,” the DGCA said. “In addition, operation of foreign-registered aircraft arguably also fulfills the interim needs created by long-term fleet expansion plans, while maximizing market share in the immediate term.” Ronnie Stanley Authentic Jersey
Bhubaneswar Airport to be fully functional by 2nd quarter of 2018
The Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is expected to be fully functional and declared as an operational airport by April or May 2018, said Guru Prasad Mohapatra, chairman of Airport Authority of India (AAI). Talking to media persons soon after his arrival at the city airport from New Delhi today, Mohapatra said be it a domestic flight or international flight, resumption of flight service is the lookout of the concerned airlines. Under its hub and spoke model, the Air India at present conducts passengers, customs and immigrating checking at the old terminal of the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar for its international fights. Talking about the development of the city airport, Mohapatra said the Government of India has relaxed international flight regulations. “AAI has collaboration with the state governments which have provided land and financial assistance. Initially, there were problems in the resumption of work. But now the work is going on smoothly. We are expecting that by April and May, 2018, the Biju Patnaik International Airport will be fully functional and declared as an operational airport,” Mohapatra said. Justin Blackmon Jersey
West Bengal government accepts Centre’s air connectivity scheme with rider
The West Bengal government today accepted the regional connectivity scheme in civil aviation as proposed by the Centre, but at the same time, threatened to pull out of it if the state had to bear in excess of the 20 per cent share as has been committed by the Centre under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF). “The VGF is to be shared between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the state governments in the 80:20 ratio. We shall pull out of the scheme if the state has to bear in excess of the 20 per cent share as committed by the Centre,” state Transport Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said while briefing reporters on the outcome of a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport with the state government. “The chief minister has discussed several issues relating to our state at the meeting. She has urged the MoCA to restrict the flight fare from un-served and under-served airports to Rs 2,500. The Centre will have to bear 80 per cent, while for the state, it will be a maximum of 20 per cent if the fare exceeds the limit,” Bandyopadhyay said. Stephen Gostkowski Jersey
GMR inks deal with Goa govt to develop Mopa airport
Bengaluru-based GMR Airports, a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure, today signed a concession agreement with Goa government to develop and operate greenfield airport project at Mopa in North Goa. State Chief Minister Laxmikant Parskear was present for the event during which the government and GMR Airports formally signed an agreement to design, build, finance and operate the international airport for 40 years with the extension option for another 20 years. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by financial year 2019-20. “GMR is proud to be associated with the new airport. I am sure this airport is going to create new landmarks in terms of performance,” said Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman-Airports, GMR Group. The company has a track record of sticking to the deadlines, he said, adding that the Mopa airport will be completed in time. Zach Werenski Jersey
New Goa airport at Mopa to be ready by 2020
GMR Airports Limited (GAL), a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure Limited, today signed the agreement with Government of Goa for the development and operation of north Goa’s Greenfield International Airport at Mopa. GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, is one of the largest airport developers in the world; handling more than 70 million passengers per annum both in India & Overseas. GMR will design, build, finance and operate the international airport for 40 years with extension option for another 20 years. The construction period for the first phase of the project is three years from the date of financial closure and is expected to be operational by mid of 2020. Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman-Airports, GMR Group, said, “We are excited about the project and the opportunity to partner with the Government of Goa.. Goa is the marquee beach tourist destination of India. Given our vast experience in the airport space, we are confident that we will deliver an airport which not only reflects the rich cultural heritage & ethos of Goa but also augments Goa’s standing as the leading tourist destination of choice in Asia while boosting jobs for the local community and bringing economic benefits to the state of Goa.” Cory Schneider Womens Jersey