In my recent interview with SpiceJet CEO Sanjay Aggarwal, he highlighted some of the innovative cost cutting methods adopted at SpiceJet. These methods have won SpiceJet the coveted Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) award for Excellence in Cost Management. It is the only airline to win this award. A distinguished jury of eminent persons from industry, …

During my visit to the Bengaluru International Airport on March 14th, I observed a Dragonair Airbus A330 B-HWH parked on the apron at 08:00 Obviously something was wrong. Normally the Dragonair flight is scheduled to arrive at 01:40 and leave by 02:40. Found out today that the Dragonair aircraft had an engine problem on the outbound flight back to Hong …

An audit team of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is meeting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi today. The team will check if India is following the international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program. During its 2006 audits, ICAO had found several violations …

Some updates on the production progress of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, courtesy of the A380 production forum. MSN027 (F-WWSY) the fifth for Qantas (VH-OQE Lawrence Hargrave) came out of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) hangers and made its taxi tests. MSN029 (F-WWSA) the sixth for Qantas (VH-OQF Charles Kingsford Smith) has been outside since it came out of the FAL …

Cathay Pacific recently launched a promotional return fare of Rs 7,999 on its direct Delhi-Bangkok service, against a normal fare from other airlines in the range of Rs 15, 500-19,000. Including the recently introduced Rs 1,300 Airport Development Fee (ADF) charged by the Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL), the total fare works out to an astoundingly low Rs. 9,299. The …

As I sign off for the week, a light hearted story from British Airways with a serious intent. There will be Red Noses on the ground and in the air at British Airways this week, in support of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day on 13 March. (Picture by Nick Morrish/Seven Squared/BA News) Staff will be encouraged to Do Something Funny …

Driven by the whopping discounts offered by airlines, domestic passenger traffic in India, increased very marginally, to 3.336 million in February 2009, up from 3.326 million in January. Kingfisher Airlines retained the top spot as India’s largest domestic carrier for the month with 904,000 passengers representing a 27% market share. Jet group which includes the low cost subsidiary Jet Lite …

….. Continued from yesterday. Read the first part. FinancialsFor the third quarter ended December 31, 2008, SpiceJet declared a profit of Rs. 19.48 million. In today’s economic meltdown, any profit is welcome. The financial statements have an explanation for a one time charge of Rs. 187.82 million. The Company entered into a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) on November 26, 2008 …

Following two engine thrust rollback events on Boeing 777 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce engines, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendation today calling for the redesign of a Rolls- Royce engine component. The Safety Board also recommended that, after the redesign is completed, the new system be installed on all affected Boeing 777 airplanes …

Qatar Airways unveiled an aggressive expansion plan today, with plans to expand operations to India and Europe, and launch new flights into Australia from the start of the Northern Winter 2009 schedules. Over the next nine months Qatar Airways will commence flights from Doha to Goa and Amritsar, taking their count to 11 destinations in India, Sydney and Melbourne in …

SpiceJet has been quietly adjusting to the global meltdown in the airline industry and focussing on its profitability. With gentle yet deliberate steps it has built back its financial strength, and is now poised to benefit from the consolidation wave sweeping the industry. Something, its full service counterparts like Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines are struggling to achieve. …

Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet are the only three publicly listed airlines in India, and are required to release their quarterly results. Using the results of the third quarter which ended December 31, 2008, I compiled three graphs to analyse their expenses. Depreciation and interest is included as part of expenses and other income is included as part of …

Following the recent warning by British Airways chief Willie Walsh, Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson and President Edward H. Bastian issued a warning to all the airline’s employees today in a memo. To: Delta Colleagues Worldwide From: Richard Anderson and Ed Bastian Subject: Responding To A Worsening Global Economy The worsening global economy continues to place additional pressure on …

Lufthansa has launched a new website devoted to its upcoming Airbus A380 which has a planned entry into service during the 2010 summer schedule. The airline invites visitors to discover more about its future flagship including details about the current status of Lufthansa’s first Airbus A380. The site is meant for both passengers and A380 fans who can find out, …

I came across some interesting photos by fellow Flickr user A380spotter. ATR42-500 MSN503 VT-ADI in the old Air Deccan livery, still sporting the common man by R.K. Laxman. ATR72-212A MSN785 F-WWED supposed to be VT-DKL. This aircraft is painted in the Kingfisher livery, but obviously delivery has not been taken. The aircraft has been stored at Toulouse since early 2008 …

In a space of just two days, Mumbai airport authorities received a dual shock. Virgin Atlantic is suspending its London Mumbai service from May 3rd, while Finnair will suspend its Helsinki Mumbai service by mid May. Clearly the economic woes are playing havoc. The Mumbai London route has excess capacity with British Airways, Jet Airways, and Kingfisher Airlines operating non-stops, …

Thai Airways International has announced it will stop using the old Don Mueang airport at Bangkok from end of March. It will operate all flights from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport also at Bangkok. Thai Airways has been under tremendous financial pressure, and the state-owned carrier is expected to save about $16.5 million annually in salaries and operational costs. Thai said …

Saturday morning, still shocked by the crash of the Saras VT-XRM, got up early morning to drive to the Bengaluru International Airport for some plane spotting along with Photoyogi. Took photos both morning and evening. Even managed the Emirates A330-200 which comes to Bangalore only once a week. I hope you enjoy. Taking the images, then selecting, cropping, balancing, editing, …

The National Aeronautical Laboratories Saras, India’s first Indian multi-purpose light civilian transport aircraft crashed at Bangalore today. Photo credit : Photoyogi. Used with permission. VT-XRM departed HAL airport at 14:55 (09:25Z) for an “engine off” test with a crew of three. HAL ATC lost contact with the aircraft at 15:30 (10:00Z) and reports the plane crashing were received at 15:40 …