Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Oct 20, 2017 JAR The Sri Lankan government continues to search for a joint venture (JV) partner to expand the underused Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA). The JV has two main objectives: to boost trade in tourism in the southern and eastern provinces of the island; and pay off a loan to the Exim Bank of  China , which supported the construction of MRIA. An Expression of Interest in 2016 for developing and running MRIA – the second international airport in  Sri Lanka , alongside Bandaranaike International Airport serving the capital Colombo – received ..........Read more in Jane's

DEFENCE NOTES 13th February 2016 - 1:47 by  Neelam Mathews  in Delhi  The Indian Navy’s international fleet review, held off the Andhra Pradesh coast and featuring 75 warships plus 24 international warships, sent out a loud message. The force is moving beyond its initial role of protecting coastal waters to expand its role as a world-class blue-water navy. Already, India’s ‘Look East’ policy is gaining ground with Narendra Modi’s government upgrading it to ‘Act East.’ India has viewed with caution China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, and its large investments in ports in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India’s policy has been led in part by a balancing act with China, and a desire for a greater international role following its economic growth.  In recent years, India’s readiness to play a bigger regional strategic role has expanded maritime relations with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Mari...

Opinion By- Subhash Chandra Agrawal (Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist) Silence of Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on ‘the mystery woman in red’ marching in front row of Indian contingent at inaugural function of London Olympics is equally mysterious, especially when Indian Olympics Association (IOA) has officially lodged a complaint in this regard. It is even more significant that the woman was prominently highlighted in the shortest 22-second TV-coverage of marching Indian sportspersons in largely-viewed ceremony across the world. There are many possibilities about the mysterious woman including also her being some close relation or friend of some prominent Indian personality, bureaucrat, diplomat or politician. Matter affects security of Indian sportspersons at a time when sword of global terror and militancy hangs over London Olympics as well. Union government should also report the matter at Interpol. MEA should take up both the matters...

April 3, 2011 Bangkok Airways has launched its inaugural service to Dhaka. The airline plans to begin service to Chennai and Bangalore by the end of this year. It is also looking at   starting flights from Samui to Kuala Lumpur in 2012 and service from Bangkok to Singapore and Hong Kong in 2013.  Ethiopian Airlines to launch Chennai service from May 2011 Ukrainian Aerosvit Airlines will start twice weekly flights between Kiev and Colombo from Oct 22 using a Boeing 767-300ER from Royal Brunei Airlines. Around 5,000 passengers travelled on the sector in the past year, mainly connecting in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai for onward connections from Etihad Airways and SriLankan Airlines. Iranian carrier Mahan Air has launched twice weekly service flights from Shiraz to Kuala Lumpur operated by an Airbus A310.  Approximately 147,000 passengers travelled between Iran and Malaysia in the year ending January 2011. Meanwhile, Mahan Air is also launching a twice weekl...