Aerospace Diary

By Neelam Mathews | IANS  –  45 minutes ago tweet 0 Email Print Istanbul, Jan 30 (IANS) With India's air cargo and passenger traffic growing at a frantic pace and efficiency and security becoming a major concern, a Turkish firm is investing $100 million by 2015 in ground handling and equipment at Delhi and Mumbai airports . Celebi Holdings has already spent $35 million on construction and $12 million towards purchase of equipment and security upgrade at Delhi International Airport Ltd's (DIAL) 70,000-sq mts cargo facility expected to be completed by early next year. In addition it has a holding fee of $25 million deposited with DIAL. 'It is good that India is looking seriously at its cargo infrastructure upgrade. India exports pharmaceuticals, for instance, in a big way. Lack of facilities will hold up growth,' says Canan Celebioglu Tokgoz, vice chairman of the Turkish company. Celebi, a 53-year old entity and one of the top three cargo handlers ...

Business & Operations Overhaul & Maintenance Feb 01 , 2011 , p. 37   Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI Though a list of potential partnerships has fallen through, India’s aftermarket potential remains high. By Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI—As the Indian economy swings back post-recession with an 18% increase in passenger traffic over last year, the fleet of 421 aircraft will increase by 50 in 2011, paving the way for regenerated interest in MRO facilities. Despite exaggerated promises, the MRO industry in India has not been able to deliver. The country’s only third-party provider, Air Works India Engineering, has been on an expansion spree for want of competition to get the first-mover advantage. “The Indian aviation industry is one of the most dynamic, with potential for exponential growth as fleets are expected to grow to over 720 in the next four years,” says Ravi Menon, executive director of Air ...

Aerospace Daily Jan 31, 2011 FUNDING & POLICY NEW DELHI — The U.S. government has removed all remaining Indian space and defense-related organizations from the Department of Commerce’s so-called “Entity List”—a roster of organizations that must clear additional U.S. export licensing hurdles due to their perceived proliferation risk. It is mostly laboratories within India’s Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) that are affected. “This realignment ... will strengthen global non-proliferation efforts, opening new doors for space and defense cooperation and high-technology trade between our two countries,” says Timothy Roemer, U.S. ambassador to India. Now, organizations formerly on the Entity List will have access to technologies that will enable government and private businesses to enter into transactions involving sensitive dual-use equipment, technology and software in an expeditious way. According to a Jan. ...

Aviation Week Daily Jan 27, 2011   By Neelam Mathews ISTANBUL Turkey-based Celebi Holdings believes the development of a cargo terminal at Delhi International Airport, which it started in August 2010, will be completed by September and meet global quality standards. The company has already spent $35 million on construction and $12 million for purchase of new equipment. The company is also bidding for a similar cargo complex in Mumbai expected to be finalized this year. “We believe in three to four years, growth in the economy will lead to cargo growing to one million tons,” says Cemil Erman, president Cargo, Celebi. With Mumbai’s second new airport now announced, Celebi expects to participate in that too. Erman says it is likely that cargo operations will move to the new Greenfield airport in Mumbai once it is ready in three and a half years. Celebi, one of ...

Aviation Week Daily Jan 26, 2011 Neelam Mathews With security an imminent consideration in London because of the Olympic Games in 2012 and other reasons, the U.K. government is expected soon to announce a pilot program using the trust-based security (TBS) method at London Stansted Airport. A U.S. airport and a mid-sized Indian airport are also viewing the TBS model, crafted by security consultant AR Challenges, company representatives tell Aviation Week. The system incorporates suggestions made by the Air Line Pilots Association in a white paper. AR Challenges, based in Israel, the U.S. and Canada, is in discussions with information technology integrators involved with Indian Safe Cities projects. "It is essential that all systems are put together and integrated,” says Rafi Sela, the company’s founder. Sela has made presentations to the Airports Authority of India. “In India, we are saying, just give us the security tax at the airport...

Airports Indian Operator Signs MOUs To Develop New Airports In Indonesia Aviation Daily Jan 26 , 2011 , p. 01 Neelam Mathews GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited (GVK), operator of India’s two leading airports—Chhatrapati Shivaji International in Mumbai and Bengaluru International—has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Indonesia to develop and manage greenfield international airports in Bali and Java. The scope of the agreements provides exclusivity to GVK and includes planning, design and development, operations and management, as well as all associated infrastructure, land and commercial development. The MOU for the Bali airport is a three-way agreement among Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal (BKPM), a board set up by the government of Indonesia for the facilitation of domestic and foreign investment; PT Pembangunan Bali Mandiri, a special purpose vehicle for airport development, and GVK. The MOU ...

News AWIN First Jan 24 , 2011 Neelam Mathews Malaysia Airlines and CAE, provider of simulation and modeling technologies and integrated training, have launched a new Boeing 737-800 simulation training center for pilots in Subang, Kuala Lumpur. The new training center, maintained and operated by CAE, features a CAE 7000 Series Boeing 737-800 Level D full-flight simulator and a CAE Boeing 737-800 Integrated Procedures Trainer acquired from CAE in November 2009. “The relationship also marks the more innovative, professional and international way MAS is moving forward in terms of business operations … [to] meet our high safety standards. It is a big step for us,” says CEO Tengku Azmil Zahruddin. “MAS has been a great customer of CAE since our first sale of simulation equipment 28 years ago,” says Jeff Roberts, CAE group president-civil simulation products. “Advanced flight simulators are essential to the safe and efficient operations o...

Aerospace Daily Jan 25, 2011 PROGRAMS NEW DELHI — The Indian air force soon will begin technical evaluations of resubmitted bids for six midair refueling transport aircraft from contenders Airbus Military and Ilyushin. The revised bids were submitted Jan. 12. After the original request for proposals (RFP), released toward the end of 2007, Airbus Military’s A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) was disqualified as being too expensive. Ilyushin’s bid also was disqualified when it did not deliver clarifications on its IL-78 proposal to the ministry of defense on time. Since the price of both vendors’ offerings is already known, the new RFP asks for lifecycle costs, which were not covered in the earlier RFP.While the initial costs of the Russian aircraft are lower, their operating costs are much higher than for the Western tankers due to their age, a defense official says. The A330 MRTT is in the process of being delivered to Australia. “This time, we have an even bet...

Aerospace Daily Jan 21, 2011 PROGRAMS Jan 20, 2011   By Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI Delays in India’s acquisition process are hurting the critical needs of its homeland security forces, with a program to supply transport aircraft for border security caught up in a turf battle. A contract for the supply of two Airbus Military C-295M transport aircraft for the Border Security Force (BSF) is in limbo after contract discussions were disrupted last October because of indecision on whether the aircraft should receive civil or military certification. If the decision is made in favor of civil certification, the BSF will be the owner. If it is made in favor of military, it will be under the management of the Indian air force. The 2008 request for proposals stated the military version should come with a weather radar, emergency locating transmitter and survival equipmen...

News AWIN First Jan 19 , 2011 Neelam Mathews mathews.neelam@gmail.com Mumbai Air India says it has performed 124 engine washes in Mumbai since being appointed a Pratt & Whitney EcoPower franchisee in July 2010. It is carrying out the service under a five-year agreement that made it the first airline to get the patented engine wash technology, which claims to reduce fuel burn by around 1.2%. In addition to growing its service network, Pratt has made other moves that signify its investment in EcoPower services. On Jan. 18, it completed an agreement with Gas Turbine Efficiency to purchase its aviation business, including the patented technology behind EcoPower. Pratt has held exclusive rights to use the technology since launching EcoPower services in 2004, but it now will own that patent itself. The EcoPower engine wash system at Mumbai Santa Cruz domestic airport could be supplemented by a second system at another Ind...

Funding and Policy   Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Jan 20 , 2011     Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI — India and Russia have held discussions ranging from the operational philosophies of their two navies to ongoing Indian navy projects and mutual training exchanges, following the visit of the Russian naval chief, Adm. Vladimir Vysotskiy, to New Delhi. Training of Indian naval personnel for the operation of the Russian-built aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (once Gorshkov) is scheduled to start later this year. An area of interest is the maritime environment, with emphasis on the growing threat of piracy and opportunities for the two navies to cooperate. The Indian and Russian navies have conducted regular joint exercises called Indra since 2003, and there is a possibility they may increase the scope of exercises in the future. Five exercises have been held so far. The last Indra, in 2009, was conduct...

Aviation Week Jan 19, 2011   By Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI India’s longest serving Minister of Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, is moving to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Patel will be replaced by 73-year-old congressional leader Vayalar Ravi who has been given additional charge of the aviation portfolio in the cabinet reshuffle undertaken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, effective Jan. 19. Ravi continues as minister for overseas Indian affairs with cabinet rank. The change comes at a time when Air India will be approaching the Bureau of Public Sector Enterprises for a hefty revival package. BPSE, under Patel’s ministry, is likely to ease the national carrier’s financial woes. Patel has been credited for giving a boost to the civil aviation sector through liberal policies aimed at helping the private sector. Of late, he had been said to have asked ...

Defense Aviation Week & Space Technology Jan 17 , 2011 , p. 26 Neelam Mathews New Delhi Printed headline: Troubles for Tejas and . . . The euphoria over the initial operating clearance for India’s Light Combat Aircraft, achieved Jan. 10, is dying down as concerns arise over whether the design has lost the edge it promised the Indian air force when it was launched 25 years ago. India’s cabinet has approved 20 purchases of the initial version, the Mk. 1 powered by a General Electric GE-F404-IN20 engine, but it is still considering purchase of 20 of the evolved type the Indian air force wants most, the Mk. 2 powered by GE F414s . “The air force will probably use the LCA Mk. 1 as a flying club aircraft,” says one cynical defense official. The initial operating clearance (IOC) for the LCA, or Tejas, came with only 55% of the fighter, a project of government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), actually airworthy. Still missing are cle...

Technology Transfer Aviation Week & Space Technology Jan 17 , 2011 , p. 44 Neelam Mathews New Delhi India’s broadening of its offset list should help manufacturers Printed headline: More Possibilities A much anticipated shift in India’s offset policy will allow foreign manufacturers to apply work they do in internal security and civil aerospace to defense projects. Announced early this month as part of 2011’s defense procurement procedures policy, the new rules will be applied retroactively to Jan. 1 and widen the opportunities for foreign manufacturers to satisfy India’s strict requirements for 30% offsets in the value of any defense contract. Vivek Lall, vice president of Boeing Defense, Space and Security in India, is looking for the move will benefit large programs such as the pending Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition. “This is clearly a very forward-lookin...

Aviation Week & Space Technology Jan 17 , 2011 , p. 37 Neelam Mathews Mumbai AFI KLM finds Indian partner for component repair center Printed headline: Component Thrust India will gain its first component repair shop in a joint venture between Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Mumbai-based Max Aerospace and Aviation Ltd.’s Max MRO Services. Construction is to start early this year and finish in the first quarter of 2013, says AFI KLM E&M President Franck Terner. Terms were not disclosed, but the company, as yet unnamed, is expected to start operations with a 10,000-sq.-meter (108,000-sq.-ft.) facility. Plants are under construction in Bengaluru and Nagpur, which offer tax-free zones established to encourage industry. Nagpur is home to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center and taxiway Boeing is establishing for Air India . ...

Air Transport Aviation Week & Space Technology Jan 17 , 2011 , p. 34 Robert Wall Paris Neelam Mathews New Delhi Printed headline: Stepping Up IndiGo’s plan to field 150 A320 new engine option (NEO) narrowbodies is giving a big boost to the carrier’s ambitions and Airbus ’s reengining program. For Airbus, the huge 180-unit order (including 30 non-NEO A320s), is just the first step after launching the reengining effort without a traditional launch customer. But a second commitment—likely for the initial operator—is expected Jan. 17, indicates EADS CEO Louis Gallois. Airbus will have to build regular A320s alongside the NEO just to sustain demand. All the single-aisle aircraft to be delivered under the new order—to be made firm in the next two months—will be handed over after 2015; the NEO is to enter service in early 2016. The IndiGo commitment for 30 regular A320s—featuring winglets—was ...

Aerospace Daily Jan 14. 2011 India Confirms MMRCA Ineligible For New Offset Policy Jan 13, 2011   By Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI Indian Defense Minister A.K Antony says the defense ministry’s new, more liberal offset policy will not be applicable to the country’s largest defense procurement, the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), quashing the hopes of many vendors. Program offsets require foreign vendors to provide work for Indian industry up to a certain percentage of the program’s value. The $11 billion MMRCA project was viewed as a potential major boost to India’s still-maturing defense industry. “The new policy will be applicable to requests for proposals issued from January 2011 onwards,” Antony says. “This is a big disappointment,” says Puneet Kaura, executive director of Samtel Display Systems. “We see it as an opportunity lost. We would have...

Asia-Pacific Aviation Daily Jan 13 , 2011 , p. 11 Neelam Mathews With budget carrier IndiGo signing a Memorandum of Understanding for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft, of which 150 will be A320NEOs and 30 A320s, Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) and other airports are stepping up to vie for its business. DIAL, which opened its new Terminal 3 late last year and wants to improve its hub-and-spoke status, says it considers IndiGo an important part of its own growth. The Delhi-Mumbai city-pair, with about 55 daily flights, comprises 45% of the total domestic air traffic in India. Night parking is considered to be a good source of revenue by all airports. An additional advantage for the airport is being used by airlines as a point of origin. "Night parking is usually tied to the operational need of the airline, so they have the ability to leave on time for the most crucial departure bank, which in a metro area li...

Asia-Pacific Aviation Daily Jan 13 , 2011 , p. 12 Neelam Mathews A code-share alliance signed with Turkish Airlines may be a step for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) toward becoming a member of Star Alliance , a PIA spokesman was quoted telling a national daily, but this could not be confirmed with Star Alliance. PIA will operate daily flights from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to Istanbul and onward to more than 128 international destinations under a code-share arrangement with Turkish Airlines. The code share had created misgivings that were later cleared with the PIA employees associations that their jobs would be cut as a result of the agreement. PIA has embarked on a five-year cost-cutting plan for human resources, fleet maintenance and yield enhancement, Chairman Ahmed Mukhtar said in October last year. PIA was the first airline in the world to operate all three variants of the 777 family—the 777-2...

News AWIN First Jan 10 , 2011 Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI India and the U.S. are now soon expected to sign a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA), civil aviation Secretary Nasim Zaidi tells Aviation Week. “The BASA timeframe is going through a procedure. The Executive Agreement will have to get India’s Cabinet clearance, which is no issue. Next is the implementation procedure for airworthiness agreement, which the FAA has to set the time frame for. The final signing is expected in April/May,” says Zaidi. An initial step was FAA’s technical assessment report—now a completed document—which established the competency of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the existence of an aircraft certification system able to produce results equivalent to the U.S. system. Following this, the FAA recommended to the Department of State that they initiate negotiations for the agreement. “BASA will be a great step forward in the aerospace i...

Jan 7, 2011   By Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI The Asia-Pacific air transport industry showed steady improvement in 2010 in its safety record. “It is fully comparable to the safety performance of the leading European and North American airlines,” says the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA). Globally, the aircraft loss rate in 2010 was 21%, which was lower than the average for the last five years. In 2010 there were 13 major accidents involving large western-built commercial airline jets, eight of which resulted in a total of 555 fatalities, or one fatality for every 4 million passengers flown. With over 25 million commercial jet flights operating annually worldwide, the result reflects an average aircraft loss rate of one major accident for every two million flights. “Safety is a shared responsibility. AAPA remains committed to working with regulatory agencies and ...

Funding and Policy Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Jan 07 , 2011 , p. 08 Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI — India’s ministry of defense has expanded the list of projects that foreign vendors can use to fulfill their defense offset obligations, to include domestic security and civil aerospace work. The policy change is part of the ministry’s long-awaited Defense Procurement Procedures (DPP) for 2011, which took effect Jan. 1. While the change is being hailed by foreign vendors who have found Indian defense offset requirements onerous, some analysts say the ministry’s original intention with the policy — to help build an indigenous defense industry — may now be undermined. Boeing and EADS would expect to benefit from the new policy, given that they already have products in the civil aerospace and internal security markets. “This is clearly a very forward-looking policy change [and] a positive step toward broaden...

News AWIN First Jan 06 , 2011 Neelam Mathews mathews.neelam@gmail.com NEW DELHI Malaysia-based budget AirAsia says high taxes (User Development Fee by airports) are affecting its business model, which has led it to pull out of Hyderabad International Airport, starting Jan. 11. The carrier is also leaving Trivandrum Airport in South India. Hyderabad Airport recently lost business from Sri Lankan Airlines and Gulf Air, which terminated operations to the destination. AirAsia is also suspending service from Chennai to Penang, starting Jan. 21, although it is increasing frequencies on other sectors. Aviation Week learned the pullouts could be temporary because the carrier is not giving up its slots. The carrier is now turning its sights to Delhi International Airport. Along with India’s domestic budget carriers, it has asked the facility to convert the terminal being used by low-cost airlines into an international and domestic budget t...

DPP 2011 released Neelam Mathews The ministry of defense has released its DPP 2011. It has expanded the list of products Eligible for Discharge of Offset Obligations from defense products to products  for internal security and  civil aerospace products. A quick list includes- Internal Security • Arms and their ammunition including all types of close quarter weapons. • Protective Equipment for Security personnel including body armour and helmets. • Vehicles for internal security purposes including armoured vehicles, bullet proof vehicles and mine protected vehicles. • Riot control equipment and protective as well as riot control vehicles. • Specialized equipment for surveillance including hand held devices and unmanned aerial vehicles. • Equipment and devices for night fighting capability including night vision devices. • Navigational and communications equipment including for secure communications. • Specialized counter terrorism equipment and gear, assault platforms, ...