Aerospace Diary

MEBA CONVENTION NEWS » DECEMBER 11, 2012 by  NEELAM MATHEWS December 10, 2012, 12:00 PM As India’s general aviation sector limps back to life after temporary stagnation, Middle East companies have been reaping the results of its tax-infused, straight-laced policy on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The country is fast losing the advantage of its strategic geographic position that places it midway on the vital Middle East and Southeast Asian routes that could enable faster turnarounds. Another merit in India’s favor, namely a pool of qualified engineers that speak English, is getting eroded and diluted as the workforce moves to Middle East countries. It is losing its inexpensive-labor/high-skills edge as neighbors hasten their efforts to keep up with changing trends, adopting newer technology and serving a growing base of dedicated customers. India’s inert market, tied as it is with stringent policies, has resulted in an exodus to the Middle East and Singapore of tr...

AIN AIR TRANSPORT PERSPECTIVE  »  SEPTEMBER 3, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Indonesian carrier Lion Air emerged as one of several big-spending Asian carriers this year when Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Asia Pacific and India sales Dinesh Keskar (left) and Lion Air president Rusdi Kirana signed a big order for Boeing 737s at February’s Singapore Airshow. September 3, 2012, 8:30 PM With leasing companies taking positions on Boeing’s new 737 Max, the Asia-Pacific region holds the key to large narrowbody orders, according to Boeing’s senior vice president of sales for Asia Pacific and India, Dinesh Keskar. “We have three potential customers in India and more in Asia [that can take the Max] on lease or direct buy: Jet Airways, SpiceJet and even Air India Express,” he told  AIN . “[The Max] can go 500 additional miles, which will be a big boon for the Asian market.” Keskar said Boeing’s latest 20-year foreca...