Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Marc 1, 2016 During the annual budget announcement on 29 February 2016, Indian minister of finance Arun Jaitley revealed plans to develop 160 unused airports and airstrips. The airports will be developed at a cost of USD7 million to USD14 million each, and "10 of 25 defunct airstrips will be developed in partnership with state governments", Jaitley said. There have been mixed reactions from aviation and finance experts. "If effectively managed, these investments would provide a huge impetus to regional airlines and help in unlocking significant potential in civil aviation. This is likely to be undertaken under the PPP....Read more in Janes Airports Review (Subscription)

AIN NEWS LIVE FROM AEROINDIA  »  2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS February 5, 2013, 7:27 AM India’s bid to design and develop its own indigenous civil aircraft is once again under discussion. According to government sources, a new policy decision is expected on the civil aircraft program by February 12. “We would like the model to be a public private partnership [ PPP ] under a special purpose vehicle. We are also looking for a foreign partner,” an official with the country’s National Aerospace Laboratories told   AIN . When queried whether Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) could handle another program when it is already weighed down by 12 projects he said, “Not all units of HAL  are occupied.” Meanwhile,  NAL ’s twin-turboprop Saras, the first Indian multi-purpose civil aircraft in the light transport aircraft category, is finally set to fly in the next two months. The certification basis for the n...