Dedicated import cargo storage area coming up at Tiruchi airport
Amid slight improvement in international import freight, a dedicated import cargo storage area is being established at the Tiruchi international airport. Civil works are apace at the new import cargo area that is coming up adjoining the export freight terminal. The need for such a facility was warranted as the existing place has been converted into an exclusive international courier terminal, poised for commissioning soon. Airport sources said that the new import cargo area is being set up at a cost of around Rs. 9 lakh with facilities such as examination area and storage room. Nearly 60 per cent of the works had been completed at the new area. Consequent to the setting up of the new import cargo area, the entry to the operations area at the airport would be shifted. Unlike export cargo which showed a robust growth over the years, international import freight did not show any appreciable rise despite a steady rise in overseas flight operations. Orlando Pace Womens Jersey
Raju to look at improving air connectivity to Surat
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said he plans to convene a meeting with airlines to discuss ways to improve air connectivity to Surat. “Delighted to meet delegations from Surat, a city with a lot of potential. Have asked for a meeting with airlines to improve connectivity,” Raju said in a tweet. In May, Air India decided to run daily services from the national capital to Surat, almost five months after it had curtailed operations to the diamond city due to paucity of aircraft. T.J. Green Authentic Jersey
Oman Air to challenge Gulf rivals in India
Oman Air, the sultanate’s state-owned carrier, is carving out its own position in the Indian market as it looks to take on its larger Gulf rivals. The Muscat-based airline said last month it wants an extra 8,000 weekly seats on flights to India within two years, increasing its current share by around 40 per cent to 29,820. That would give it more than Qatar’s 24,800 weekly seats but less than Dubai’s 65,000 seats and Abu Dhabi’s 49,670 seats, according to Indian newswire PTI. Oman Air, who is targeting to at least break even in 2017, is counting on increasing demand for international travel from one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The move is likely to challenge Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, who are some of the largest foreign carriers flying in and out of India. “Demand is certainly there for Oman Air to expand. There are opportunities to grow transfer traffic as well as origin-destination traffic,” Binit Somaia, Director South Asia at CAPA — Centre for Aviation, told Gulf News by email. Passenger traffic in India increased by over 20 per cent in 2015, according to the International Air Transport Association. By comparison, air travel in China grew by roughly 10 per cent and by less than 5 per cent in the United States. Tom Brady Jersey
Air service in western Orissa still pipedream
Residents are up in arms against the repeated negligence of the state government and the Centre to provide permanent commercial air service to the town. Bowing to the pressure of the western Orissa people, Air Orissa started its service in the town January 19. However, as the carrier failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement made by the state government, the service was stopped in April. Since then, the government has not clarified on whether to resume the service in the region. With uncertainty looming large over resumption of air service in the heart of the western Orissa, people are preparing for a major stir against the lackadaisical attitude of the government. In the mean time, the Centre has started a survey in Bargarh to extend air service to the region. But silence of the government over resumption of air service at Sambalpur has drawn flak from several quarters. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had inaugurated the Jamadarpali airstrip in the district during construction of the Hirakud dam with an aim to facilitate education, commerce, health and economy in the backward region. However, no measure has been taken over last 60 years to improve the airstrip or to develop it into a full-fledged airport. Protests by residents of Sambalpur and western Orissa region have gone in vain. Both the Centre and the state government are silent over the matter. The airstrip at Jamadarpali was built on 65.76 acres of land with a 4800-ft-long runway. The residents said if the full-fledged airport requires a 9000-ft-long runway, the authorities can use the 235.03 acres of government land (at Talaba and Goudapali) adjacent to the airstrip. They said the district administration should identify the government land and take steps to develop it into a commercial airport. Jordan Willis Womens Jersey
Not fit to fly
In a clear violation of air safety guidelines, the state government has allowed the high and mighty to fly in the state-owned aircraft without a flying permit from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). For the past six years, the nine-seater Beech Super King Air B-200 and Dauphin AS 365N3 helicopter have flown chief ministers, governors and VVIPs without the mandatory Operator Permit (OP) from the DGCA. The aircraft has been in operation since May 29, 2000, and the chopper since August 20, 2007. During this period the flying machines have flown the likes of chief ministers Keshubhai Patel, Narendra Modi, Anandiben Patel, governors Kamla Beniwal and O P Kohli, besides others. Following the death of the then Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy in an air crash, a slew of safety standards were made compulsory by the DGCA. Issue 1 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Air Transport series ‘C’ section 10 came into existence on June 2, 2010 with guidelines for state/ central government and public sectors to ensure better security of passengers like CM, governor and other important dignitaries. Hank Aaron Authentic Jersey
Black money scheme ads to feature on Air India and Vistara and other airlines’ boarding passes
In a first of its kind nationwide publicity drive, Income Tax Department has tied up with seven airlines including Air India and Vistara to publise one-time black money compliance window by printing the scheme’s details on the back of boarding passes. Armed with a total budget of Rs 100 crore, it will employ the services of the government’s publicity department, DAVP, to advertise the four-month window provided to domestic black money holders to come clean by paying a total tax and penalty of 45 per cent. It will also hold townhall meetings. The Income Tax Department has tied up with seven airlines for Income Declaration Scheme (IDS) 2016. These include Air India, Spicejet, Indigo, Vistara and Air Asia. “Beginning July 15 till September 30, the backside of the boarding passes issued by these airlines will have information relating to the IDS,” an official said. The Income Tax Department has also asked its officers to make “all-out efforts” to attract potential declarants by assuring them of confidential and hassle-free disclosures. Harrison Butker Authentic Jersey
New airline to connect capitals in Northeast likely
The Modi government is going to launch a new airline based out of Guwahati which would connect all state capitals in that part of the country, a move that’s going to give a big fillip to connectivity in Northeast India. The company will be a subsidiary of Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd and is likely to operate a fleet of 6 fixed-wing planes and 5 helicopters. The subsidiary, with an equity base of Rs 150 crore, will be 51 per cent owned by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd and the rest will be owned by North Eastern Council (NEC). The decision to create a new airline was taken at a meeting of all state chief ministers from the Northeast and Department of North Eastern Region minister Jitendra Singh. “A proposal has come to the aviation ministry and has also been sent to NEC for approval,” said a government official, who did not want to be identified. This is the first time that the government is launching a subsidiary to provide connectivity within the Northeast. Currently, Alliance Air provides air connectivity to select cities in the region, which is based on the viability gap funding from the government. Analysts believe that the model is a proven one and will surely fetch money for Pawan Hans. “Pawan Hans’ plan is path-breaking and based on a proven model that countries like Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Chile and many others have tried,” said Mark Martin, CEO and founder of Martin Consulting, an aviation advisory firm. Ross Stripling Authentic Jersey
Mumbai Man Falls Sick After Being Served Cockroach In Meal On Flight
Jet Airways’ breakfast platter served to business class flier Birju Salla yesterday had a variety of dishes – paratha, croissant, fruits and, last but not the least, chana masala with cooked cockroach. A vegetarian, Salla claimed that he immediately fell sick but the flight crew instead of offering him medical help, just apologised and offered to replace his food. Salla (35), a Peddar Road resident, had boarded the airline’s flight 9W 7129 from Mumbai to Rajkot for a business trip yesterday morning. But on reaching Rajkot, he was not able to work due to immense stomachache. “I have never seen such an act of gross negligence from an airline crew. All they could offer was a replacement meal. Pathetic!” said Salla. “I had to eventually consult my Mumbai doctor over the phone and he prescribed medicines. My plans for the day went for a toss because of their negligence,” he added. Salla then complained to the airline authorities via email. “I am a regular premier JP Platinum flyer. You just can’t imagine the state of my mind. I have been harassed by your so-called esteemed airline,” the complaint read. “Sometimes there are safety issues like your own crew forgets to lock the cart in gallery. I always try to ignore and assume we are humans and mistakes do happen but not this time,” he added. He also wishes to raise this issue before food safety and quality department. Eric Bledsoe Jersey
Emergency runways planned on Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway
The state government, which is constructing a six-lane expressway between Mumbai and Nagpur, plans to develop three special stretches on the highway where aircraft can make emergency landings for rescue operations during a calamity or a major accident. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has asked its consultants to identify sections on the highway that can be used as a runway. A normal runway is at least 5 km long, and there can be no obstructions (electricity or mobile towers) in its vicinity. The Uttar Pradesh government has created such emergency runways on the six-lane Yamuna Expressway between Lucknow and Agra. In May last year, the Air Force landed a Dassault Mirage 2000 on the expressway near Mathura, a first in the Indian aviation’s history. Germany, South Korea, Finland, Switzerland and Singapore have dedicated highway stretches where aircraft can land during emergencies. Luke Stocker Womens Jersey
Mahesh flies too high, only to crash-land
Curiosity kills the cat. Sometimes controversies can kill too. Mahesh Sharma, who lost the crown of junior civil aviation minister in yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle, has learnt that the hard way. Sharma, who retains his additional portfolios of culture and tourism, has lost the ministry he was apparently most “interested” in, sources close to him said today. The 56-year-old BJP MP from Gautam Budh Nagar, who often shoots from lips and lands in controversies, was replaced by Jayant Sinha. “In fact, a day before the reshuffle, till late evening we were hoping for a call from party president Amit Shah’s office that he could be elevated to cabinet rank – so the snatching of the aviation portfolio came as a big disappointment,” a source said. “When that did not happen, we were hoping that at least all three portfolios would remain with him. But that also didn’t happen. The minister will not show it, but this has come as a blow to him,” another aide, who looks after his constituency affairs, said. JuJu Smith-Schuster Authentic Jersey