PMO steps into Delhi airport’s dispute with small aircraft operators
The Prime Minister’s Office has intervened in a dispute over the Delhi airport putting curbs on small aircraft operators carrying out maintenance of their own aircraft. The PMO forwarded to the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) a letter written to it by a general aviation operator, which said DIAL’s decision would lead to a spike in cost for general aviation operators. Business jet operators at the Delhi airport were told that they would not be allowed to maintain their aircraft or do self-handling and their vehicle passes were not renewed for air side movement. When contacted, DIAL in an email response, said it has replied to the PMO’s letter. It said the rule to limit ground handling and maintenance of business jets at the Delhi airport to two companies is to maintain quality standards. “It was suggested by a global consultant to have two concessionaires with international presence at Delhi airport in order to provide competitive environment with respect to provision of quality services. Such a structure is prevalent at other international airports also. General aviation community had also opined earlier for similar structure to be implemented in Indian airports,” it said. Earlier, it said, there were multiple agencies working for general aviation and they had deployed more than 100 vehicles, making the sector fragmented and disorganised. Business jet operators also alleged that the treatment being meted out to the small aircraft segment at the Delhi airport contradicts the principles of the Regional Connectivity Scheme under the new Civil Aviation Policy, which aims to ensure economic growth and connectivity in small cities and towns through operations of small aircraft. DIAL, in its response, denied this claim, saying that non-scheduled operators were not allowed to operate under the regional connectivity scheme. Josh Ferguson Womens Jersey
Airport sector to see $6 billion investments: R N Choubey
Investments worth USD 6 billion are expected in the country’s airport sector in five years with around USD 1 billion to be utilised for reviving aerodromes, a senior government official said today. Bullish on future prospects of the domestic aviation sector, Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said passenger growth is anticipated to be more than 30 per cent in the coming years. In the new civil aviation policy, unveiled in June, the government has come out with various measures for improving regional air connectivity and developing airports, among others. Speaking at the inauguration of the GAD Asia conference here, he said India would see investments of “USD 6 billion in five years in airports (sector)”. At current exchange rates, USD 6 billion would translate to nearly Rs 40,000 crore. Out of the estimated total amount, around USD 1 billion would be used for reviving airports while about USD 3 billion would be for upgrading aerodromes owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), he added. As the domestic aviation space is projected to see substantial growth, Choubey said there would be need for around 100 small aircraft in the next three years. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), the government seeks to revive un-served as well as under-served airports, among others. Presently, around 75 out of 450 airstrips/airports have scheduled operations and revival of the remaining ones would be “demand driven”, depending on firm demand from airline operators, as per the new civil aviation policy. According to the policy, no-frills airports would be developed at an indicative cost of Rs 50-100 crore, without insisting on its financial viability. Patrick Roy Womens Jersey
IATA, BIAL ink agreement to improve airport processes
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in airport operations. The agreement is the first of its kind that the association has signed with an Indian airport. According to the MoU, IATA and BIAL would implement trials of new technologies and processes, and testing concepts at the international airport. “This will place BIAL in the forefront of airport operations. These trials will ensure that global best practice solutions can be appropriately adapted to the Indian environment, and will provide guidance for rolling out the implementation to other Indian airports,” said IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific Conrad Clifford. He said India’s passenger traffic by 2035 is forecast to exceed 400 million passengers, more than double that of today. The industry will support 19 million jobs and $172 billion of India’s GDP. “But for this potential to become reality, India’s airports need to have the necessary infrastructure capacity while implementing efficient processes that embrace the latest technologies,” said Clifford, adding that the association is looking forward to a similar cooperation with other like-minded airports in India. The IATA fast travel initiative, passenger facilitation programme and smart security are among the initiatives being considered as part of the MoU, a statement said. The MoU was signed by Clifford and BIAL’s President for airport operations Hari Marar. Sean Davis Jersey
Pentagon clears proposal to make F-18, F-16 frontline fighter jets in India
In a goodwill gesture of defence co-operation between India and the U.S., the Pentagon has endorsed a proposal to produce F-18 and F-16s fighter jets in India. The proposal was forwarded by the respective defence giants — Boeing, which manufactures F-18s, and Lockheed Martin, which manufactures F-16s — as part of their “Make in India” initiative. Pentagon’s endorsement to have a production line in India for F-18 and F-16 frontline fighter jets, along with the requisite transfer of technology and licences, was communicated during the recent meeting between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter in Washington D.C., the Hindustan Times reported. In view of India being designated as a major defence partner of the U.S., an India non-paper on broader export controls was reportedly accepted by the U.S. side. “Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to the US had significant outcomes with Pentagon agreeing to work on the Indian non-paper for easier export controls,” the news outlet quoted a senior official as saying. It makes sense for Boeing and Lockheed Martin to open production lines in India as they would have to invest back 50 percent of the total value of the deal. A single piece of the twin engine, twin seater F-18 fighter jets cost about $100 million and the single engine, single seater F-16’s cost comes around $70 million. J.R. Sweezy Authentic Jersey
Safety concerns trigger clearances from DGCA for defence airbases allowing commercial flights
In what may ensure more stringent implementation of air safety norms, at least 25 defence airbases hosting scheduled commercial flights have been asked to get safety and operational clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by 31 December. This comes in the wake of complaints that some of the runways at these defence airbases are unsafe for commercial flight operations. The clearance requirement from India’s civil aviation regulator follows concerns raised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations’ aviation watchdog. DGCA last month asked the state-run airport developer Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the carriers operating from these airbases, to complete the certification process by the end of this year, officials with knowledge of the development said. AAI manages 125 airports, which include 25 civil enclaves at defence airfields, 81 domestic airports, 11 international airports and eight customs airports. “Currently, defence aerodromes are exempted from licencing by DGCA for commercial operations, but they need to get the required certifications by 31 December this year,” said a senior civil aviation ministry official requesting anonymity. Welington Castillo Womens Jersey
Ministers to lay foundation stone for Jodhpur civil airport expansion work
The civil aviation minister and defence minister will visit Jodhpur to lay the foundation stone of the first phase of expansion work of Jodhpur Civil Airport, which will begin by the end of this month. Besides, they will also inaugurate the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) and a 100 KW solar plant installed at the airport. According to the IAF officials, the work of installation of ILS is in progress and would be completed around September 20. Moreover, it is the only airport to have introduced 24 hours free 4G Wi Fi connectivity in state. Director (Airport) S K Singh, while addressing the advisory committee meeting on Saturday, said the first phase of the expansion work, which would begin by end of this month, would comprise construction of apron, parking and taxi link from runway to the apron at a cost of Rs 36 crore. “With the expansion, the parking capacity will be enhanced to 9 aircraft from the existing 3. Also the car parking, which has current capacity of a meagre 70, would shoot up to 500,” said Singh, adding that this would be the second multilevel car parking in entire North India after New Delhi. Referring to the issue of bringing more flights to Jodhpur, MP (Jodhpur) Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that many airline companies have expressed interest in operating from Jodhpur but all of them have been waiting for the installation of ILS. Filip Chytil Womens Jersey
Surti fliers pin their hopes on intra-state air service’s success
With Gujarat signing up for Centre’s regional air-connectivity scheme, Surtis are looking at a major overhaul of Surat airport in the coming months. It is expected that the national carrier, Air India will show interest in the scheme as it already operates CRJ aircraft on Surat-Mumbai route. Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials believe many private airlines will be attracted towards Surat and other cities in the state under the regional air-connectivity scheme. Airport director, Surat airport, Pramod Kumar Thakre, told TOI, “The regional air-connectivity scheme would prove to be beneficial to the Diamond City. With central and state governments offering perks to the airlines in VAT, ATF and viability gap funding (VGF), they will be more than happy to set up operations in Surat too.” Thakre added, “With the 2,905-metre runway likely to be completed by January 2017, there are massive opportunities for the fliers in Diamond City. Surat airport will be classified as 4D airport, like the one in Ahmedabad.” For the passengers, the proposal of a fare cap of Rs 2,500 an hour of flight on regional routes would be a game changer. Though, the airlines are not convinced with the fare cap, they will have to accept it as decided under the scheme. Harold Carmichael Jersey
Exporters step up cargo handling demand at airport
A Russian cargo plane which landed in Madurai International Airport on Thursday with equipment for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli has raised eyebrows of exporters and trade body representatives demanding international cargo facility for the last couple of years. They alleged that despite receiving clearance in 2013, the international cargo facility is yet to be operational at the airport. Scanners and other required facilities were installed long back, but the Customs department was yet to take custodianship for the cargo, said exporters, adding that it was “due to the lack of will to execute things quickly.” They said that the Russian cargo was immediately cleared by the Customs department after receiving approval from the terminal director, as it was in the interest of the government. They demanded that the authorities show the same urgency in safeguarding the interests of farmers and exporters. The exporters said that there was a huge potential for export of vegetables, fruits and flowers from Madurai and the facility would help farmers get good price for their produce as they would be able to export directly. Derrick Thomas Authentic Jersey
Foundation-stone for new international airport to be laid around Dussehra
After a long wait of over four decades, Agra will finally get a civil air terminal outside the ambit of the Indian Airforce by Dussehra this year, following a campaign run by India Today. Talking to India Today, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal said that the foundation stone of the international airport at Agra will hopefully be laid by October around Dussehra at Dhanauli village near Malpura gate of the Indian Airforce Base. Singhal said that preparations for the construction of the airport are complete and the central government has informed the UP government of the requisite documentation required to sign over the land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the airport’s construction and operation. Following this declaration by the chief secretary, the Agra tourism industry is hoping that the timeline for the airport’s foundation stone laying will not be extended this time. Meanwhile, Air India has announced that a flight connecting Delhi to Agra will begin operating soon, utilizing the existing Civil Air Terminal inside the Air Force Base at present. It will transfer the operations to the new terminal as soon as it is ready. This flight is being seen as Air India’s attempt to cash in on the influx of tourists coming to Agra during the tourism season. The industry leaders expressed satisfaction to the positive outcome of a long struggle that the tourism industry of Agra fought against. Even the recent moving of the Taj International Airport project from Agra to Jewar by the then Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma was seen as an attempt of the Delhi-lobby to hurt the tourism prospects of Agra. Walt Frazier Jersey
AirAsia sees 10% growth annually
After a strong showing in earnings in the second quarter, AirAsia group boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes says the airline can grow by 10% every year despite operating in a competitive environment. He is looking at a 10% growth in available seat kilometre (ASK) every year for the next few years. ASK is a measure of an airline flight’s passenger carrying capacity, basically the number of seats available multiplied by the number of miles or kilometres flown. The airline is taking delivery of several aircraft over the next few years and it will be able to add capacity to grow. As it is, group wide, it has 180 aircraft in operation. “We will start growing aggressively in the next few years and will add 10% ASK. If we add 10% capacity, the growth will be 10%,” he says. Group wide, he expects the airline to carry 60 million passengers this year. Nolan Ryan Womens Jersey