Aerospace Diary

Abu Dhabi enjoys the big race spotlight By Neelam Mathews   /  November 24, 2014 Etihad Airways has become the longest title sponsors in Formula One history through its recent extension of title sponsorship of the FORMULA 1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX .  Sealing the deal..Etihad Airways chief James Hogan and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone The airline has been the title sponsor of the Middle East’s biggest sporting event since the inaugural race in 2009.   The airline has been the title sponsor of the Middle East’s biggest sporting event since the inaugural race in 2009. The partnership extension was finalised between James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive, and Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group of companies. Hogan said the event showcased the airline and Abu Dhabi "to a global audience of more than 500 million people".  “The F1 event is now firmly established as one of the major highlights of the Formula 1 calendar, with Yas ...

AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS  »  DECEMBER 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS December 3, 2013, 12:15 AM India’s newly acquired status as a host for one of each season’s Formula One Grand Prix car races has provided a prime opportunity for the country to demonstrate its readiness to embrace business aviation. The world’s highest profile auto sport has continued to be a strong magnet for private and corporate jets, and the race in Delhi on October 27 was no exception. From an aviation perspective, the event ran relatively smoothly, especially compared with its first staging in India in 2011 when delays related to clearing customs and onerous taxes soured the experience for visiting operators. However, the difficulties race organizers encountered in meeting their obligations to operate special helipads around the race venue–primarily to allow for emergency medical flights–revealed the continued inadequacy of the regulations covering Indian roto...

AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS  »  SEPTEMBER 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Despite tough times, India’s Nirma Group took delivery of an AgustaWestland GrandNew light twin outfitted in full VIP configuration. September 4, 2013, 3:10 AM Even as the presence of helicopter  OEM s doubled in India (to 10 from five), double-digit growth in its civil helicopter fleet in the seven years preceding 2011 gave way to negative growth last year when the fleet reduced from 293 to 266. High operational costs, exacerbated by a depreciated rupee that fell 35 percent in the past 40 months, are posing challenges for the industry. “It’s a cumulative result of lack of optimum utilization, safety performance, infrastructure constraints and regulatory issues,” said K. Sridharan, president of the Rotary Wing Society of India ( RWSI ). The cost-related issues of the helicopter industry range from micro to macro even as the  RWSI  has call...

                                                       Neelam Mathews                                                        Oct 29, 2 012  

Neelam Mathews Oct 23, 2012 As Sanjay Agarwal, CEO of Kingfisher Airlines bravely battled his way through through a barage of tough questions yesterday from journalists and staff during the day,one couldn't but help admire his fortitude, given that his boss is in hiding. There are many in the industry who say this effort by the airline is primarily, to stop employees creating a rukkus outside the Formula One race track in Greater Noida as they have threatened to do, to embarrass the Force India team owner, Vijay Mallya. Or else, how come the management, that has been so cagey with the buck, suddenly comes up with an offer for one month's salary and upped it to three months within hours? Also, call it intuition, but I am seeing a chasm developing between the engineers on their decision to go back to work. Any guesses? Lets not forget, the airline needs engineers and pilots to run just 5-7 planes. And when Agarwal said at the press conference there were just 1500 people...

Neelam Mathews Oct 20, 2012 Even as Kingfisher’s deadline to present a valid restructuring plan ended today, DGCA has suspended its license. Now, by the looks of it, some 4000 employees and their families will have a dark Diwali and be left without 8 months salary dues. The King of Good Times, remains just that. We hear that plans for parties for Formula One are afoot. Is there no such thing as bad karma?

  Neelam Mathews on Buddh International Circuit Oct 29, 2011

Neelam Mathews Oct 20, 2011 Formula-1 cars have landed at Delhi’s airport. The cargo team has successfully handled 120 pallets from Incheon airport in South Korea. Top participants in the race like- Ferrari, Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull have already sent their racing cars.   DIAL says it has been in constant touch with F1 organisers since December last year. The international F1 logistics team that visited the IGIA cargo was fully satisfied with the preparations.

BREAKING Neelam Mathews April 25, 2011 Time: 9:10 PM IST Organisers and builders of the Formula One Grand Prix racetrack called the Buddh International Circuit under construction near Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) is planning to operate three helicopters solely for emergency medical services for the week of Oct 24. JPSI has signed an agreement with Fortis Hospitals for emergency aid. The helicopters are likely to be leased from Pawan Hans. The company expects to receive 15,000 visitors from abroad. “”For this we are tying up with the Delhi International Airport to (extend) hospitality…..around 4000 rooms that were to be ready for the Commonwealth Games, can now be gainfully  used for F1 guests,” said Sameer Gaur , managing director and CEO, Jaypee Sports. Helicopter operators in India have been proposing the launch of such a service in India for years. While the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already issued ...