Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews June 30, 2014 Air Indias B-777s and crew put on standby to fly to Iraq to bring stranded Indian citizens back home, is a misplaced decision. Simultaneously, the government has released a tender on June 26 for a wet lease charter to fly to Iraq. While it is still not clear whether any response has been received to the tender   ( http://aerospacediary.blogspot.in/2014/06/breaking-air-india-wants-to-charter.html ) which we have viewed, it was clearly urgent. Questions come to the fore as to why a commercial national carrier is carrying out a role meant for the Air Force and Indian Navy. "Clearly India has no military clout and political leaders need to address this. Indian military aircraft will not be allowed in the war zone," said a former Indian Air Force official. After all, we did get the C-17s. It is clear that more needs to be done on the strategic front.” Recently a C-130J transporter of the IAF crashed. The investigation results have not been...

Neelam Mathews June 29, 2014 And this is exactly what is happening between the aviation industry and the DGCA that views all operators as violators. We at AerospaceDiary, have received umpteen calls, all boiling down to the same thing- the DGCA does not have any faith in the industry despite the total powers moving from E Part, 7 to 8 years ago to Part 145 that moves control to airlines to take decisions and to enable the regulator to move on its own business. In essence, the quality manager and engineer hired for precisely the same purpose by the airline have ended up as mere appendages. DGCA interference has led airlines ending up with higher costs and AOGs. Given that DGCA has incorporated EASAs Part 145 with so much conviction- including the spelling mistakes- it should now follow it to the last word. "Give a chance to airlines to grow. If you find a defaulter-and there are bound to be some- keep them under scrutiny," said the official. However, he adds, "w...

  Neelam Mathews June 27, 2014 Air India has floated a tender for aircraft for charter to “bring passengers from Iraq/ Kuwait to India immediately.” The carrier wants aircraft (narrow body and wide body aircraft ) on full charter for bringing approximately 15000 passengers from Iraq/ Kuwait to India. These charter flights have to be carried out under supervision by Air India.” Payment shall be made as per number of block hours of operation. So urgent is the requirement that the tender clearly states: “This is an open tender with preference to the party that can undertake immediate operations.” The word “Immediate” occurs several times in the tender.

Neelam Mathews June 24, 2014 There are so many woes domestic airlines are facing that one never hears of, that are often sniffed away. They range from something as basic as two aerobridges in Indore festering for 6 months for boarding that havent been fixed, to common terminal charges at airports, which some have referred to as "match fixing by the airports authority," (not our view!) . Do we really need aerobridges (Indore) for two flights a day?," AerospaceDiary is asked. Logic says no, but economic logic says something else, we guess. The query: "Why not create facilities where they are needed, instead of the other way around,?" makes sense again. One hopes presentations made to the PM recently took major issues in account. A case in point deeply resented by most airlines is that of Bangalore airport. "You increase  UDF, landing charges by 64% and then offer a discount of 25% on non-peak flights, still an increase of 40%," moans an operator...

Neelam Mathews June 23, 2014 Looks like it's good news all the way. Either ways, whether the MMRCA is signed or not at Farnborough Air Show, it is pretty clear, things are moving at a fast pace in the corridors of power. Clearing the MMRCA deal fast is being viewed as a way to showcase India and the fact the new government is open to business, AerospaceDiary learns. The question is, one hears whether the announcement should be made in the country or at a global forum Two main issues still need to be cleared, we learn. And while not all defense contracts can be signed this year- given the empty state of coffers, some like the MMRT might see the light of day. The ill-fated 197 LUH could be rebid. Those sceptical of India and defense exports might be in for a surprise once the 49% and 74% FDI for transfer of production comes in. Hopefully, 'on a case to case basis ' won't follow the route the Congress Govt swore by! So here's to hope and good days ahead. ...

Neelam Mathews June 23, 2014 Air India will officially join Star Alliance on July 10, when  its systems -all ready to go- will be integrated into the global alliance systems, AerospaceDiary learns. We apologize for the long lapse in not connecting with you. This will follow approval-likely to be given- by the Board of members of Star in London on June 23, today. "The road has been an ardous one, but we've got there," said an AI official. Now we look forward to happier days ahead!