Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Nov 8, 2016 Sector firms have role in statue construction; when completed, they will be among the world's tallest. Ram V. Sutar, an 89-year-old sculptor known for designing scores of large monuments in his native India, is observing construction on two statues in the western part of the country to honor a pair of historical figures. Besides making a political statement, the works are intended to “commemorate the icons and enhance tourism,” he said. Both statues, when completed, will stand among the tallest in the world. As planned at present, there is a difference in height of around 10 meters between the two. However, an engineer hinted that this detail could likely change. “The challenge is to give each statue a lasting memory," he said. "These are two legends and there are sentiments attached to each. One cannot be taller than another.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails from the state of Gujarat, dedicated to independence and freedom fighter ...

Neelam Mathews Nov 5 2015 Dubai Air Show (AIN) In 2013, Boeing placed its first CH-47 Chinook helicopter contract in India with Bangalore-based Dynamatic for aft-pylon and cargo ramp assemblies. India’s aerospace design and manufacturing industry is finally coming home to roost. Boeing (Stand 900) chairman James McNerney echoed confidence in the industry and the new government during a global summit, “India’s Time to Fly,” held in Delhi last month [October] when he announced that Boeing was “much closer to having final assembly [of] Apache or Chinook helicopters here.” McNerney added: “That will play out, and that is our strategy. Companies like Boeing are always on the lookout for competitive advantages that come with innovative new technologies and long-term partnerships.” He said India, with its broad, deep engineering capability and skilled workforce, was a natural partner “that offers us the long-term opportunities…” The statement came on the heels of India finalizi...

Record Info hide Publication: Jane's Airport Review Author: Neelam Mathews Section: AIRPORTS Last posted: 2014-09-17 Officials from Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) have approached potential business partners in India for its airport city scheme. In a recent roadshow, investors in New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai were informed about the planned DWC Business Park, which would combine residential, industrial, commercial, and logistics facilities in a Free Economic Zone. India is Dubai's main trading partner - trade between the two countries totalled ...more on IHS Janes....

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS Established Indian carriers like SpiceJet and Air India will now face tougher competition on both domestic and international routes. [Photo: Neelam Mathews] May 13, 2014, 3:00 PM Indian airlines are facing stiffer competition and downward pressure on air fares with 40 new aircraft due to join the country’s fleet, taking the total capacity to around 400 jets by year-end. Existing carriers are now facing new competition in the shape of AirAsia India , which has just received its air operator permit ( AOP ) for domestic services. The new joint venture between Indian group Tata and Singapore Airlines ( SIA ) is hoping to get its  AOP  ready to start service to nine Indian cities with 87 flights from the capital Delhi in September as a prelude to planned international routes. Further competition is coming from the new A380 service into India by both  SIA  and Emirates Airlines. The increa...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS March 12, 2014, 3:09 PM International trip support provider United Aviation Services ( UAS ) is looking for a partner in India. Viney Garg, the Dubai-based group’s business development manager, said it wants to get a partnership up and running this year. One possible complication is the Indian government’s requirement that ground handling companies in the country are 51-percent owned by Indian nationals, and India’s complex tax rules could also be problematic. However, there is clearly strong demand among business and private aircraft operators for help in India with flight and landing permits and all aspects of trip support in a country that remains short on infrastructure and where bureaucracy can be an impediment to smooth operations. “India is a promising market but continues to face regulatory issues,” Garg told  AIN . “For instance, while the notice period for an arriving flight has been reduc...

Neelam Mathews Jan 10, 2013 AI has started a 787 daily flight to Paris. The flight AI-143 will leave Delhi Airport, Terminal-3 at 1310 hrs and arrive at Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport (also known as Roissy Airport) at 1805 hrs. The return flight, AI-142, will depart from Charles de Gaulle at 2130 hrs and arrive at Delhi’s T-3 at 1010 hrs next day.  Air India is gradually expanding operations of its B-787 aircraft to more international destinations. Presently, the Dreamliners fly from Delhi to Dubai and Frankfurt, in addition to some domestic sectors.  Air India has received six B787 aircraft so far, with the last aircraft having arrived in Delhi on January 4, 2013. The aircraft is configured to accommodate 256 seats - 18 full flat Business Class seats, with flat-bed recline and 238 Economy Class seats.  The In-Flight Entertainment system (Top Series i8000) is supplied by M/s Thales – US.

Neelam Mathews Dec 28, 2012 Starting Jan 18, Jet Airways, will introduce a second service between Delhi and Dubai with a 737-800 enhancing its connectivity to the UAE with a day time flight. This will complement the night flight presently operating between Delhi and Dubai. The introduction of this new flight between Delhi and Dubai further strengthens the presence of Jet Airways in the Indo-Gulf sector. Jet will offer a twin class  configuration of 16 Premiere and 138 Economy seating. Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways said the new service “will offer guests wider options of preferred departure time whilst travelling to Dubai, or travelling onwards throughout our ever-expanding global network.”

Posted- Neelam Mathews Aug 6, 2012 Starting August 7, IndiGo is starting its new daily and direct flight between Hyderabad and Dubai and second daily between Delhi and Dubai. The carrier’s 57 new Airbus A320 aircraft fly daily 357 flights connecting to 32 destinations.  Aditya Ghosh, President, IndiGo said, “We are looking at providing affordable fares on these new routes for 6E travelers.  It is our constant endeavor to provide more flexibility of choice for our customers as IndiGo continues to offer them on time, hassle free and always affordable flying experience.” Flight schedules for new routes are:                        Flight Origin Destination Departure Arrival Frequency Fare* 6E 26 Hyderabad Dubai 1:20 PM 3:45 PM Daily Rs 5600 6E 25 Dubai Hy...

Neelam Mathews June 18, 2012 India ’s largest third-party MRO provider for business aviation, Air Works India Engineering has become the first MRO in the country to provide aircraft management services (AMS) through its recent acquisition of Dubai based- Empire Aviation Group. Taking   ownership of the complexity of day-to-day flight operations, Air Works will provide a turnkey Aircraft Management program for management of aircraft, with the added option of turning the asset into revenue by chartering the private jets when not in use. The company will negotiate for joint insurance rates, encourage owners to have similar model of aircraft and get pilots on call.   “An owner only wants the pride of owing his aircraft, to be able to fly at short notice and doesn’t want to be involved with the nitty gritties of daily operations,” says Vivek Gour, Managing Director of Air Works to Aerospace Diary. While India has 118 business jets and 80 turbo props, Gour says...