Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews April 17, 2012 Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it will further expand its presence in India with a new twice-weekly freighter service to Hyderabad, making it the first airline to offer an air cargo service linking India’s fourth most populous city with East and North Asia, says a press release.  In addition, a third weekly freighter flight to Bengaluru will be added to meet high demand to and from India’s leading information technology hub. Both services will commence on 17 May 2012. The launch of the new Hyderabad service and the added frequency to Bengaluru will give shippers more choice and flexibility for connecting to the airline’s international cargo network through the Hong Kong hub. Cathay Pacific Director Cargo Nick Rhodes said: “India is an increasingly important market for our cargo business. Hyderabad is one of the major hubs for the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in India, accounting for around one-third of the country’s drug production...

Neelam Mathews April 10, 2012 One had barely got used to the new tongue twister names of Bengaluru and Thiruvanthapuram, and now Bangalore International Airport will soon be getting a name "to reflect the aspirations of the local populace," says a daily. The airport will be named after Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore, or shall we say Bengaluru?. The approval for change has come even as the city celebrates the 502nd birth anniversary of its founder. The ICAO code of KEM  (now for a short and sweet history lesson) - belongs to Kemi (Northern Sami: Giepma), airport, a town and municipality of Finland. It is located very near the city of Tornio. It was founded in 1869 by royal decree, because of its proximity to a deep water harbour. So for the moment Kempegowda airport will have the code of BLR. Mumbai airport has the code BOM! We really should stick to names we are familiar with!