Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews March 21, 2013 GeoPolitics- thy name is bedlam. Even as tourism had picked up between the two neighbors, SriLankan airlines announced today it has decided to reduce its frequency of flights to Chennai from 28 to 14 per week, effective from today. Was it coincidence that the news followed India’s vote against SriLanka at the UNHRC, one will never know. SriLankan Airlines said it “has observed a drop in traffic between Chennai and Colombo due to recent developments in Tamil Nadu, hence it was decided to reduce its frequency of flights….Revised schedule involves two daily flights, departing Colombo in the morning and evening, to facilitate the passengers who board their flights to Middle East and far eastern destinations from Chennai. Flights to other Indian destinations will be operated uninterrupted. SriLankan Airlines is closely observing the situation and will take further action if necessary.” Interesting, the carrier is tapping India’s traffic to the Mi...

  Neelam Mathews March 25, 2012 Frankly, I have to come downright and say it. As a customer I’m beginning to feel I’m being taken for quite a ride both by the government and what seems to be the fast sinking ship of Kingfisher. Aerospace Diary is now hearing 28 stations of Kingfisher have been closed down since yesterday. A staff member told us, nothing had been indicated to them. Hyderabad is closed as is Kolkata and also all international destinations barring London till April 10. The ticket to London from Mumbai via Delhi, costs a meager Rs 65, 423, is available. Except ofcourse, if you try the toll free number- whether for booking a domestic or  international flight, the service has closed down! So good luck to all travelers facing delays or cancellations! I tried booking to Hyderabad, the efficient website had a message saying “Please call our call center for details.” And lo and behold, when I tried the number, a message said “The number does not exist.” Being pers...

IN FOCUS: Indian business aviation snagged by constraints  Print By:   Neelam Mathews  New Delhi 12:05 5 Mar 2012  Source: With no clear policy framework, the growth of India's business and general aviation - growing at double digits every year - is being increasingly stifled by limited infrastructure, regulatory hurdles and high taxation. India has the second-largest business jet fleet of 154 in the Asia-Pacific region, after China's 215. Even as the spectre of infrastructural restraint haunts the industry, new aircraft sales of about $12 billion are expected to be struck by 2020. ©Embraer The Phenom 100 was the first light jet to gain traction in India India's potential cannot be ignored, with an economy expected to maintain strong and sustained growth. Its GDP in 2011 was $1.84 trillion. At 7.5% annual GDP growth, this ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 18, 2012 In true Kingfisher style, have finally got a statement a few minutes back, reproduced below.  For some reason, the night owl  - as always- is at work here. There have been no references to the Kolkata airport issue. If KF sees that news as sensational, it needs to get its house in order! No reason has been given as to why it will take 4 days to get back to normal ops, besides bird strikes, that seem to be the perrogative of Kingfisher alone. As usual, it is the media to blame for sensationalizing hard facts such as AOGs that have increased, etc etc.   Here is the statement- 1.     With great respect to our friends in the media, it is not desirable to magnify or sensationalise any issue pertaining to Kingfisher Airlines. 2.     We would like to categorically state that we have not shut any stations nor do we have any intention of doing so . 3.     Admitt...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Dec 30, 2011 Emirates starts flights to Dublin Airport in January 2012.  The new route will expand direct links in the region and its onward connections into India, Africa, South East Asia, Australasia and China. It was the additional long-haul capacity provided by new boarding gates at Terminal 2 which clinched the deal, according to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).  Starting January 9, 2012, Air Seychelles will suspend its routes to London, Milan, Rome and although it had initially planned to continue some flights to Paris, these have also now been cancelled.  The carrier is looking at narrowbodies for its revised network strategy. The short-haul model will then form the backbone of an expansion in India, East Africa and the Indian Ocean. As it builds its presence in the Middle East market, Ethiopian Airlines inaugurated a three times weekly new route between its Addis Ababa base and Muscat   using a B737-700 on December 27....