Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews July 6, 2013 We're hearing Etihad Airways is nearing an agreement over an equity investment in loss-making Serbian national carrier, JAT Airways. Jat arrives in Abu Dhabi airport in 2009 Last month, Etihad and JAT signed a preliminary agreement over a possible equity investment, pending due diligence and regulatory approvals. Local publication Blic said talks between Etihad and JAT also involved purchase of maintenance company JAT Tehnika and JAT Catering. The deal could be signed within two weeks, the report said. JAT operates 10 Boeing 737-300s and four ATR 72-200s within Europe and to the Middle East. Interestingly,in 2007, reports had emerged that Air India and Aeroflot were bidding to buy controlling stakes in JAT that was then expected to choose its partner for privatization that year in June. As with most things here, indecision triumphed!

                                                           Indian Aviation: hazy picture Opinion Neelam Mathews Aug 8, 2012 Things are not good at all in our sector - barring a slight escalation in yields- because of two airlines pulling out capacity. What happens when those two get back on track or another carrier fills in, one wonders. So, the false optimism might be just that, and lows might be around the corner. Some thoughts: One has no idea if Kingfisher has put in another note recently informing the DGCA of reduction in its fleet given that the last time its fleet count rate was around 20. Today with the flying fleet size down to approximately 10 and with appro...

Neelam Mathews Aug 5, 2012 Starting August 16, narrowbody aircraft such as A-320 and Boeing 737 will no longer operate from Patna airport following re-notification/ reduction of the runway length by AAI on the recommendation of DGCA that called it “unsafe.” Now only turboprops that need short landings will be permitted to fly into Patna. This order follows the Bihar government’s refusal to cut or prune trees near the runway following warnings given in May. According to the forest department, some 3,700 trees may have to be cut including semal, bamboo, amaltas, banyan, kusum and arjun trees, says a news wire report.  Patna Airport, known as the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport is approximately five km from Patna city. The airport has been categorized as a restricted international airport by the Airport Authority of India. Its longest runway has a length of 6,545 ft  at an elevation of 171 ft. Indian Airlines is the major airline  operating from this airport. Ind...

Just saw this on Speedbird103.com. The UK High Court, says the story,  has ruled that Kingfisher Airlines owes the Bank of Scotland $21.6 million. The airline owes the the Bank of Scotland  overdue lease payments for 10 ATR 72-500's. "The Bank of Scotland has begun to seek assets from United Breweries Holdings to pay for the outstanding sum. United Breweries Holdings is the parent company of the Indian based airline Kingfisher. Interaction with the local jurisdiction may be required, depending on where the assets are based. "On Jan 13th Mr Justice Eder said: "I am satisfied that the amounts claimed are due and owing and that therefore in those circumstances the claimants are entitled to summary judgment in the sum claimed, that is $21,589,972.56." "

Neelam Mathews February 18, 2012 It’s not the best of times for five star airline, Kingfisher, that is believed to have flown only around 20 of its fleet of 66 on Saturday. Aerospace Diary now hears this will be cut down to another four aircraft on Sunday (Feb 19). Interestingly, these will be a mix of ATRs and A-320s. This was confirmed by officials who told Aerospace Diary over five Kingfisher aircraft each were parked at Delhi and Mumbai airports. Attempts to reach the corporate communications head to confirm or deny the report were met with no repsonse. A letter to Kingfisher Airlines employees from senior management states that Kolkata will be pulled off from its routes from monday, while hinting Hyderabad will follow soon. The carrier is also looking at withdrawing from all its international routes starting with Dacca, Kathmandu, Colombo, Bangkok, and then London and Hong Kong. It is not clear if the DGCA has been informed of this decision. A distraught employee tells u...