Aerospace Diary

Some of SpiceJet's Boeing 737-800s stand subject to repossession in the next ten days. (Photo: Boeing) By  Neelam Mathews   December 17, 2014, 1:07 PM Travelers faced serious disruption   at major airports in India on Wednesday when low-fare airline SpiceJet canceled operations for the day as oil companies refused to supply aviation fuel until it paid past dues. A skeleton service started by late evening, however, after India’s civil aviation ministry asked fuel providers to extend credit to the airline for 15 days. SpiceJet defaults have created a panic reaction as lessors flock to repossess their aircraft “before a situation arises similar to Kingfisher Airlines when aircraft were cannibalized and up to $40 million an aircraft was borne by the lessors to refit aircraft,” one aircraft lessor told  AIN ,  speaking on condition of anonymity. Of the airline’s 19 Boeing 737s, 17 remain in operation and five stand subject to repossessi...

Neelam Mathews March 11, 2013 The ministry of civil aviation's decision to permit airlines form a JV, a subsidiary or "a consortium," for ground handling in Oct last year, was echoed by minister Ajit Singh at a recent conference in Delhi. The case, subjudice, is expected to come for a hearing in the Supreme Court in a few days and bring the matter to rest. That there will be congestion in the apron area if every airline handles on its own, was brought out by the minister who made it clear that airlines could not independently do the ground handling. His suggestion that airlines create a consortium has resulted in more queries. A fact that is little known is that the airlines will only be allowed to form a JV when the ministry releases a new bid! If this were to happen, questions remain. "How does an airline handle two flights at a time for instance? Besides, they are all competitors! Also, can an airline afford all the expensive equipment that is mandated now ...

Neelam Mathews Sept 20, 2012 Even as the opposition cries itself hoarse on the FDI, the government has issued an official notification that now permits foreign companies/airlines to invest in Retail and aviation, Aerospace Diary learns. "Rather smart move," says an industry official. "Given that today was the Bandh." The notification, in layman's language now means it cannot be rolled back and foreign airlines are free to announce their moves/plans for India