Aerospace Diary

DUBAI AIR SHOW  »  2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Paras Dhamecha, executive director at Empire Aviation with a Challenger 300 managed by AEG in Bangalore. November 15, 2013, 10:30 AM Dubai-based aircraft sales and aircraft management specialist and operator of the region’s largest fleet of business jets,Empire Aviation Group, which has been a subsidiary of  Air Works India Engineering  since 2012, is looking to expand support to the booming Southeast Asia market. A strategic tie-up is to be announced in the first quarter of 2014, Paras Dhamecha, executive director at Empire Aviation, told  AIN . Empire started its services in Bangalore early this year and is now taking “the  Air Works marriage  forward,” said Dhamecha. As markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand boom, he added, “we will create an international brand east of India–not China. Southeast Asia and Hong Kong are active [markets]…Our f...

MEBA CONVENTION NEWS » DECEMBER 11, 2012 by  NEELAM MATHEWS December 10, 2012, 12:00 PM As India’s general aviation sector limps back to life after temporary stagnation, Middle East companies have been reaping the results of its tax-infused, straight-laced policy on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The country is fast losing the advantage of its strategic geographic position that places it midway on the vital Middle East and Southeast Asian routes that could enable faster turnarounds. Another merit in India’s favor, namely a pool of qualified engineers that speak English, is getting eroded and diluted as the workforce moves to Middle East countries. It is losing its inexpensive-labor/high-skills edge as neighbors hasten their efforts to keep up with changing trends, adopting newer technology and serving a growing base of dedicated customers. India’s inert market, tied as it is with stringent policies, has resulted in an exodus to the Middle East and Singapore of tr...

Neelam Mathews, Cochin, Aug 17, 2012: We’ve been hearing about CIALs plans for MRO for two years now with its two hangars ready to do business. By the looks of it, the chicken has come home to roost. CIAL will soon be signing a joint venture with a third party provider- the discussions of which are in the final stages, Aerospace Diary learns from an OEM. The announcement is expected to made in a month’s time. “The MoU has already been executed and the non disclosure agreement signed,” we are informed. The draft shareholders agreement is also being finalized. Plans are to start with 'C' checks on Boeing 737s by May 2013. CIAL, an official informs, has kept its overheads low by building the hangar at a low cost. The facility will be provided to the JV partner through a lease agreement. CIAL presently does line maintenance for Air Arabia, Qatar, Tiger, Etihad and SriLankan at Cochin airport that gets 440 flights a week, was just given a CAR 145 for A checks on the A-3...

Pixs: Neelam Mathews Aug 13, 2012                       Umbrellas for my lady? In security lounge! Goes to show somebody is buying before they board a flight! Worried about a leak in the roof of the plane maybe?                                  Dosas at newly opened food court. Cost? A magnificent Rs 50!                                           An espresso at Costa Coffee cost me Rs15- am I dreaming!!                                                             Even Santa couldn't help!                        ...