Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews , Delhi 25-Jan-2019 Indian government policy to connect Tier 2 and 3 cities has received a boost, after the Airports Authority of  India (AAI) and  Saab  announced they will research a pan-Indian air traffic management automation system for airports in the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).... Read more in JAR

Neelam Mathews  -  December 6, 2018, 10:34 AM India’s initiative to connect Tier 2 and 3 airports under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) appears likely to provide a boost to the fledgling maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry in India. The RCS, which offers incentives to airlines flying to underserved and remote destinations, has expanded with flights connecting 49 airports and 31 helipads in its first two phases. The RCS has opened 325 routes to 15 airlines and heIndia’s initiative to connect Tier 2 and 3 airports under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) appears likely to provide a boost to the fledgling maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry in India. The RCS, which offers incentives to airlines flying to underserved and remote destinations, has expanded with flights connecting 49 airports and 31 helipads in its first two phases. The RCS has opened 325 routes to 15 airlines and helicopter operators to include 23 new airports ...

by  Neelam Mathews  -  March 29, 2018, 9:08 AM Budget airline SpiceJet wants India to extend its Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to international destinations, the airline’s managing director, Ajay Singh, told  AIN  during the Wings airshow held in Hyderabad recently. In an effort to lower the cost of air travel, Indian authorities action and award routes identified under the RCS to airlines asking for the least amount of subsidy and willing to submit to ticket price ceilings. Also called "Udan," the RCS—introduced last year—aims to develop remote regional airports. “We are looking at a version of Udan,” said Singh, referring in particular to the untapped potential of eight hilly states of the Northeast Region (NER), many sharing a common border with China and Southeast Asia. A purchase agreement  signed  last year for 25 specially configured Bombardier Q400s will make SpiceJet the first airline in the world to operate a 90-seat ...

by  Neelam Mathews  -  February 20, 2018, 12:22 PM The hybrid-electric XTI TriFan 600 is designed to be able to fly like an airplane but land and take off like a helicopter. It is slated to enter service in late 2022/early 2023. (Photo: XTI Aircraft) Denver-based XTI Aircraft received the first order from an Indian customer for its hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the TriFan 600. Arvind Lal, chairman and managing director of Dr. Lal’s Path Labs, placed the milestone order for the $6.5 million TriFan 600, which is expected to enter service in late 2022/early 2023. Dr. Lal’s Path Labs has more than 170 pathology laboratories and 1,600 collection centers across India. “We have plans to run these VTOL/STOL aircraft that suit our needs for picking up samples in underserved remote areas, which will help in speeding up results for our patients.” Lal also runs an alternative therapy resort in the Himalayan foothills that...

SINGAPORE AIR SHOW AIR TRANSPORT by  Neelam Mathews  -  January 31, 2018, 6:00 PM IndiGo’s A320 fleet will be augmented by ATR turboprops for rural service. India has rolled out a plan designed to encourage rapid growth in transportation services to, from, within, and between its regions. The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), titled “Udan” (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik, or “let the common man fly”), has been designed to act as a catalyst for growth as the Indian economy matures. The RCS was launched last year, after two phases of bidding for laid out routes, and now seems well on its way to maturity. Demand is clearly there­. Already growth in populated metropolitan areas has been spilling over to the hinterlands, opening numerous opportunities for regional aircraft, helicopters, and seaplanes to interconnect remote, underserved, or unserved airports, towns. and cities. Domestic ticketin...

Neelam Mathews , New Delhi Apr 19 2017 The state government of Arunachal Pradesh in northeast   India   is actively encouraging commercial flights for regional connectivity from six upgraded Indian Air Force (IAF) Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs). The six ALGs are Ziro, Mechuka, Walong, Along, Pasighat, and Tuting. Two other ALGs are not included in the regional connectivity plan. Tawang ALG, near a 17th-century Buddhist hilltop monastery, is undergoing an upgrade but the area is claimed by  China  ...more in  Jane's Airport Review

by  Neelam Mathews  -  February 13, 2017, 4:31 PM Business aircraft operators are encountering barriers to participating in India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme ( RCS ), which is supposed to stimulate cost-effective air service to second- and third-tier cities. The first flights under the program, which is intended to boost service to some 325 airports and airstrips around the vast country, are due to be made in March, according to the Airport Authority of India ( AAI ). To date, prospective operators have bid to add service at just 19 of these airports. “ It is a good policy plan that has fallen short of implementation,” said Rohit Kapur, former president of India’s Business Aviation Operators Association ( BAOA ). For instance, charter companies wanting to operate under the  RCS  now need to complete a new certification process to qualify under the new designation of scheduled commuter airline ( SCA ). “This is an extra conservativ...

  Neelam Mathews  March 3, 2016 The Indian government is aggressively promoting its Regional Connectivity Scheme, which encourages charter operators to run scheduled services, including some operating business jet types. To support that program by making new aircraft purchases more viable and help stimulate business aviation in general, the Punjab Haryana Delhi ( PHD ) Chamber of Commerce, supported by India’s Business Aircraft Operators Association ( BAOA ), has appealed to central government for an interest subsidy to bring prevailing interest rates from Indian finance agencies more in line with international rates for small-aircraft loans. Bhupesh Joshi,  CEO  and director of Indian operator Club One Air, told  AIN , “The present rate of interest is very high in India; at retail commercial rates of 14- to 16 percent, making it unviable. We have suggested the interest rate be capped at 9 percent.” To ensure lending institutions have le...