Aerospace Diary

By  Neelam Mathews Dec 10, 2018 Air Italy COO Rossen Dimitrov oversees a route expansion into the U.S. that again has raised allegations over improper government subsidies. (Photo: Air Italy) Air Italy’s recent announcement that it would double its destinations across the Atlantic from two to four, adding Los Angeles and San Francisco to New York and Miami on April 3 and April 10 next year, respectively, has created fresh consternation among U.S. airlines. Now flying a fleet of 15 aircraft, Air Italy plans to increase its complement to 50 by 2022. It won’t do so without resistance from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines and several U.S. labor groups, however, who claim Air Italy has already undermined fifth freedom rights and exploited Open Skies policies by accepting subsidies from the government of Qatar. Of course, Air Italy CEP chief operating officer Rossen Dimitrov disagrees, calling the claims “a lot of nonsense” during ceremonies...

Land Warfare 28th November 2016 - 16:31 by  Neelam Mathews  in Delhi  The governments of India and the US have finally agreed on a  Foreign Military Sale of 145 M777  ultra-lightweight howitzers ........ more  on Shephardmedia

Neelam Mathews June 15, 2015 Prme Minister Modi and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, left, have taken the relationship between his nation and India "out of the closet." India’s thrust in the past year to get a greater slice of the international defense equipment pie has resulted in a host of agreements being signed in the first five months of 2015, under the new Narendra Modi government. The country is aggressively tapping the world for hi-tech equipment. Underscoring India’s aerospace technology plans, Minister of State for Defense Rao Inderjit Singh said the focus is to “open opportunities for innovative minds to exploit the globally evolving spirit of teaming up and pooling resources.” Modi has not been shy of talking openly about relations with Israel, which is a top-three exporter of arms, following India’s establishing of diplomatic relations with the country in the early 1990s (which it kept under wraps due to sensitivities). He will become the fi...

DEFENCE NOTES 03rd March 2015 - 14:46 by  Neelam Mathews  in Delhi  The US-India Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) appears to be at a standstill. Three unsigned agreements remain to be signed before the four Pathfinder projects that will introduce co-development and co-production of defence equipment with the US move forward. They have as yet not been approved by India because of sovereignty issues. Speaking to  Shephard  at a media briefing, Frank Kendall, US under-secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) ‘is an important agreement. We would like to get that in time.’ CISMOA is one of the three agreements and is the administrative framework for sharing communications. The other two include the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), a cross-servicing agreement, to enable the two militaries a quid pro quo for logistics support, r...

Neelam Mathews Jan 17, 2015   My past writings have shown a definite leaning towards quality and efficiency of military equipment whether it be bought from home or abroad and most would agree that would stand us in good stead in time of crisis. Something India has learnt bitter lessons from. Yes, waiting for the LCA and engines for many a project has delayed many a procurement. Now with ‘Make in India’ a slogan and the practice being adopted and implemented, one might have to revisit some clauses before we jump in to manufacture basic foreign equipment that could perhaps have its strength in India. Take for example the US mini UAV- an agreement for manufacture that could be announced at President Obama’s visit to India with US AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven, a small hand-launched remote-controlled UAV that can fly upto 10km. One does know of a similar model designed in India by Kadet Defence Systems, SilverBee. So what makes us rush into the arms of the Amer...

3 Resources still lacking at some airports 10-10-2014   |   By Neelam Mathews Following the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the US on permitting visas on arrival (VoA), “in October itself," the plan has been delayed.  US visitors comprised 16% of arrivals last year. Nine airports at which visas were to be given on arrival are also yet to be announced, as resources will be needed to deal with the additional numbers. Delhi International Airport is already geared with five of 48 immigration counters solely allotted to VoA. "Instructions have been issued to embassies and consulates that apart from special circumstances, US nationals should get visas for 10 years," Modi said in a statement.  This will “further strengthen our bond with the diaspora”, it added.   There is also a proposal to allow applicants to apply for visas online that will be issued within five days. This is being hailed as a st...

Neelam Mathews Nov 19, 2013 As the dates draw nearer for the FAA to follow up on its International Aviation Safety Assessment Program   (IASA) on India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 33 areas of compliance pointed out in its September audit, we are hearing the present DGCA Arun Mishra will be leaving his position on Dec 31, this year as Mamata Banerjee has not approved his extension and wants him back in her state. AerospaceDiary could not confirm this. If this were to happen, moving forward, this will be a big blow to the many initiatives introduced and in planning stage at the DGCA.  Apparently, FAA is not buying what the Indians hoped would have helped them cross the murky waters of compliance following Mishra’s stint and experience at ICAO.  If FAA gives DGCA a Cat 2 rating, air carriers from India cannot initiate new service and are restricted to current levels of any existing service to the US while corrective actions are underway. FAA...

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ _________                                                              August 30, 2013 PRESS BRIEFING BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ON SYRIA Via Conference Call 1:20 P.M. EDT      MS. HAYDEN:  Hi, everyone.  Thanks for joining us on what we know is a busy day.  We are doing this call on background with senior administration officials to talk to you about the documents you just received -- the U.S. government assessment of the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons on August 21st.      The call is on backgro...