May 10, 1974, European airframer Airbus Industrie delivered to launch customer Air France, the world’s first twin-engined wide-body commercial jetliner, the A300. The delivery was also the very first delivery of an aircraft by the fledgling manufacturer. At a time when wide-body meant three or four engines, Airbus took the risk of developing a two engined widebody aircraft. To reduce …
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Announcing a $325 million investment in upgrading 19 of its Boeing 777-300ERs to its newest generation cabin product currently in service (read our story with pictures), Singapore Airlines has also announced the airline will introduce a premium economy class in the second half of next year. The new class will be initially offered on the airline’s 777-300ERs and later, on …
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In the aftermath of Malaysia Airlines MH370, Bangalore Aviation salutes the initiative of Inmarsat plc on their proposal provide a global airline tracking service free of cost. The global satellite and communications major, has proposed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) a free global airline tracking service over the Inmarsat network. This service is offered to all 11,000 commercial …
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Airbus’ newest aircraft the A350 XWB has successfully performed certification testing which demonstrates the aircraft’s ability to operate on wet runways. One of the flight test aircraft, MSN00 performed these tests at Istres in France. During the tests, the runway was modified by adding groves to the runway surface, and inserting rubber strips in the grooves to retain water. A …
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This Monday’s spotting photo comes from Boeing and its 787-9 launch customer Air New Zealand. The first Boeing 787-9 which is expected to be delivered to Air New Zealand later this year is in a special ‘all-black’ livery with the iconic New Zealand ‘Koru’ logo (loop in Maori language), and the famous fern mark. ZK-NZE is the first 787-9 airplane …
Read More »The largest of the middle east big 3 (MEB3) airlines, Dubai-based Emirates recorded a massive 43% increase in annual profits as it reaped the benefits of a significant expansion of its route network and induction of new aircraft. The airline recorded an annual profit of 3.3 billion dirhams (US$ 887 million) at a margin of 3.9% on a record annual …
Read More »Following neighbour and competitor IndiGo, Gurgaon-based SpiceJet has also launched a family group fare offering a discount of 25% on the base fare for groups of four to nine passengers. The “Friends and Family special” offer is available only on domestic flights. An example Delhi – Mumbai sector for travel on May 10th to compare fares before and after friends …
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I had the pleasure of joining industry stalwarts Amber Dubey, Ayaz Memon, Govindraj Ethiraj, and Jitender Bhargava on Boom News’ Google+ India Hangout discussing the impending entry of new airlines AirAsia India and Tata-SIA and their potential impact on the Indian airline industry. Govindraj Ethiraj is a journalist of repute and the moderator. Amber Dubey is the head, aerospace and …
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German flag carrier Lufthansa has announced effective July 15, it will upgrade the existing Boeing 747-400 on the daily Mumbai Frankfurt service, and fly the new Boeing 747-8i. Mumbai will be the third city in India, following New Delhi and Bangalore to receive the newest variant of the legendary Jumbo-jet also called the “queen of the skies.” Lufthansa’s new business …
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AirAsia India has been granted its air operating permit (AOP) by India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). AirAsia (India) Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between the Tatas, Telestra, and AirAsia. Commencing the process in April, AirAsia received a no objection certificate (NOC) from the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) in September 2013. As the …
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Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, unveiled its over the top ultra-luxurious first class called First Apartments which will be offered on its Airbus A380 super-jumbos. The nine 39 square feet ‘apartments’ which are about 74 percent larger than standard first class suites will be located on the front upper deck and unlike the twin aisles …
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Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, has gone beyond over the top, and unveiled the world’s first private multi-room cabin on a commercial passenger aircraft. Called The Residence, the uber-luxury 125 square feet three room cabin is meant for single or double occupancy and is located in the forward upper deck of the airline’s soon to be delivered Airbus A380 super-jumbos. It …
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Last evening, at London Heathrow airport, a high-lifter service truck belonging to ASIG (airport service international group) caught fire just below Jet Airways’ Boeing 777-300ER VT-JEQ as it was preparing to depart to New Delhi as flight 9W 121. Below are rather dramatic pictures of the ASIG truck on fire. We emphasize there was no fire on the aircraft itself, …
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National carrier Air India is finally starting its long expected flights between New Delhi (Indira Gandhi airport) and Rome (Fiumicino, Leonardo da Vinci airport) and Milan (Malpensa airport). The flights will be operated triangular routing using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in a two class configuration with 18 business class seats and 238 economy class. Effective June 6, 2014: On Tuesdays, …
Read More »Driven by its recent industry leading on-time performance (OTP) over the last few months, Gurgaon based low fare carrier, SpiceJet, has announced an ‘On-Time Guarantee’ program for its passengers. All SpiceJet passengers travelling from today May 6, 2014 will be given discount vouchers redeemable on their next travel, for flight delays due to reasons in the control of SpiceJet. In …
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India’s largest domestic carrier, IndiGo, is offering a ‘Family Fare’ which offers up to a 25% discount on a family of four up to nine people travelling together one one reservation. From today, passengers can book family fares by checking the ‘Family Fare’ box on the IndiGo website. Partial cancellation of passenger(s) booked under this fare will be possible with …
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As both the US and European economies show cautious recovery, US major, Delta Air Lines will commence new services from its New York John F. Kennedy airport hub to to Zurich Kloten and expanded service to Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci airport. The Zurich flight will be operated daily, effective June 16, 2014, using a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring full flat-bed …
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In late 2013, India’s civil aviation regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced a Civil Aviation Policy, CAP-3100, in line with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation, pronounced eye-kay-oh) guidelines, to guide an organisation on the steps required to obtain an Air Operator’s Certificate, or an AOP. The AOP is required for an operator to offer air transport services, …
Read More »National carrier Air India is offering upgrades on a seat available (SA) basis at the airport on its international and domestic sectors under its the “Get Up Front” promotion. On domestic routes, from 43 stations, Air India offers economy class passengers an opportunity to upgrade to Executive Class, based on seats available and on a first come first served basis …
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Over the weekend, Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways made a series of announcements about the cabin products on their new Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s, including the new first class apartments the largest first class cabins in the sky, as well as “The Residence” which is the only three-room product in the sky. We will cover the announcements in detail …
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Bangalore Aviation News, Reviews, Analysis and opinions of Indian Aviation