In this week’s plane spotting, we have the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sarang Aerobatic team. The Sarang Aerobatic team is the evolution of the erstwhile Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) evaluation flight team which was formed at Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE), Bangalore, in March 2002. After the completion of field trials of the ALH, the team was tasked …

Oneworld member, Malaysia Airlines has launched its refurbished Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The 43,284 square-foot lounge which can accommodate 400 passengers, is located in the satellite terminal, is open round the clock to first and business class passengers, platinum and gold level Enrich frequent flier members, and oneworld Saphhire or above elite members departing or transiting …

Earlier this week, low cost carrier SpiceJet reported its latest round of disappointing financial results, reporting a Rs. 172.80 crore net loss for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013~2014 (3Q FY14), swinging from a net profit of Rs. 102.01 crore during the same period last year. The carrier blamed high fuel prices and rupee depreciation for the net loss, …

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have agreed to form an alliance enabling Air New Zealand to fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and Singapore Airlines to operate the Airbus A380 to New Zealand for the first time. Air New Zealand last operated to Singapore in 2006. The A380 would be operated daily by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and Auckland, progressively …

The world’s largest grouping of airlines, the Star Alliance has released the Android version of its Navigator App meant to provide various travel related services and information. What the app is supposed to offer Under travel services the app offers the ability to search schedules and then proceed to the particular member airline’s website to make a booking. Flight status …

National carrier, Qatar Airways will launch a new daily all business class service from its hub in Doha to London Heathrow. The airline’s sixth daily flight to Heathrow will commence from May 15, 2014, using an Airbus A319 aircraft in an all business class, single aisle, 2–2 seating configuration with 40 seats. QR15 will depart Doha at 14:50 and arrive …

Bell Helicopter, has made the first delivery to an Indian customer of the Bell 407GX. SpanAir, the country’s leading air charter company which specialises in customized travel options, is the proud recipient. Built on the proven and well respected 407 platform the 407GX features the first integrated Garmin G1000H™ flight deck which provides critical flight information at a glance for …

If you fly Air New Zealand, from the end of February be prepared to see this video of your favourite bikini-clad super-models demonstrating the safety procedures. The airline known for its forward-looking, racy, and anything-goes approach to air safety videos, has released a new four minute ten second one titled “Safety in Paradise” featuring Sports Illustrated swimsuit super-models Chrissy Teigen, …

India’s junior minister for civil aviation K.C. Venugopal today informed the Lok Sabha about incentives being offered to encourage operation of flights to airports which are of low density or do not have current flight operations. No landing charges levied on aircraft with maximum certified capacity of below 80 seats being operated by domestic scheduled airlines and helicopters of all …

Russian national carrier Aeroflot, has taken delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets, the new wing tip devices. Aeroflot’s A320, powered by CFM56 engines, features a two class cabin, seating 158 passengers with right seats in business class and 150 in economy. The aircraft is named after a famous Russian chemist Alexander Butlerov. Aeroflot was the first airline …

National carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas has signed a purchase agreement for four Airbus A330-200s. The airline will announce the engine selection at a later date. Argentina’s flagship carrier will deploy the new A330 aircraft for medium and long haul routes from their Buenos Aires hub to destinations throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States. The airline currently operates eight A340-300s, …

Vijayawada based Air Costa has agreed with Brazil’s Embraer S.A. a firm order for 50 E-Jets E2s with an additional 50 purchase rights options. The order is a mix of 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s and has an estimated value of USD 2.94 billion based on list prices, though it is standard practice for manufacturers to extend hefty discounts on …

That Indian politicians and their cohorts make unreasonable demands of the national carrier Air India is a well known fact. But now, it appears this disease is afflicting the common passenger as well. Last week some of the 50 passengers on board Air India’s flight AI-433, a 250km 20 minute hop from Gaya to Varanasi, went on a rampage clashing …