Global air traffic results announced by industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) for January 2016 show India leading the world in air passenger demand. Domestic Passenger Markets: Compared to the previous year, India’s domestic air traffic demand shown by revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose by 22.9% in January. The growth is the highest in the world by a wide …

American airframer Boeing and French national carrier Air France celebrated the milestone delivery of 70th 777 yesterday. Air France was the launch customer for both the 777-300ER in 2004 and the 777 Freighter in 2009. It took its first 777-200ER delivery in March 1998 and is now the second largest 777 operator in the world. “We are honored that a …

The Tata-SIA Airline, Vistara has announced additional frequencies to its existing routes while also adding new ones. Starting May 12th, the airline is introducing its third daily return flights for the Delhi-Bengaluru route and the second daily return flight between Delhi and Goa. An additional third flight will also fly these routes during the weekends. Vistara has also introduced a new …

National carrier, Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi has launched a new, innovative app for the iPhone. The app is aimed at making every aspect of the passengers’ journey simple and easy. Guests using the app get a 10% discount while members of the Etihad Guest loyalty program will receive 250 bonus miles for every booking made through the mobile app before …

Lockheed Martin’s first LM-100J commercial freighter has reached its major production assembly phase. The LM-100J’s wing construction taking place in Marietta is a first in 24 years as a derivative of the C-130 Hercules. Meanwhile, the Clarksburg facility in West Virginia is delivering panels alongside floor structure development in Meridian, Mississippi.  The aircraft is a civil-certified version of the C-130J Super Hercules …

Priority Pass, world’s largest independent airport lounge access program has crossed 900 airport lounges. It has also shown highest growth in a year by adding 51 lounges so far. Its continued success in Asia Pacific is yet another contributor to its fast growth as the program has added 24 lounges this year alone with a total of 80 since last …

Trio of European airlines were fined by the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) for inadequate response to complaints lodged by passengers with disabilities. Air France and Lufthansa were each fined $200,000 and British Airways was fined $150,000 and ordered to desist a repeat of the incident. “When air travelers file complaints with airlines, they deserve prompt and complete responses that …

American airframer Boeing and Dublin-based low-cost carrier Ryanair celebrated the delivery of airline’s 400th NG 787-800. Taking its first delivery in 1994, Ryanair now operates the largest 787-800 fleet in the world and is the largest European Boeing operator with over 1,800 daily flights carrying 106 million passengers annually to more than 30 countries. The airline has over 130 unfilled orders …

German flag carrier Deutsche Lufthansa AG has signed a major framework contract with airline IT company Amadeus to deliver a new load control system. The airline will adopt the Amadeus Altea Departure Control Flight Management (Altea DC-FM) system across its network carriers, starting with Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo. The system to be adopted will …

China Eastern, one of the nation’s top three airlines has announced aircraft orders with American airframer Boeing and the Europe-based Airbus. Last week, the airline first finalized an order with Boeing for 15 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft valued approximately $4 billion at list prices. The very next day, it announced another big order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 aircraft. This order, valued $6.16 …

Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines announced that it will be receiving 26 new aircraft from American airframer Boeing this year. The order, predicted by Boeing’s Middle Eastern facility for the year is the largest placed by the airline. It is also the largest order placed for Turkey. The order of 26 involves six 777-300ERs and 20 Next-Generation 737-800s. The new aircraft …

XiamenAir, China’s only all-Boeing carrier finalized an order with American airframer Boeing for 10 787-800 aircraft, valued at approximately $ 960 million at current list prices. The airline currently operates a fleet of 135 aircraft that includes 17 737-700s, 108 737-800s, four 757-200s and six 787-8 Dreamliners.

European airframer Airbus delivered the first aircraft to be produced at it’s US plant in Mobile, Alabama yesterday. The aircraft an A321 for JetBlue was delivered with the entire team of Airbus employees from the American assembly line gathered to present their very first completed product. Airbus announced it’s commitment to build a single-aisle assembly line in Mobile in 2012, …

The Indian government is in the final stages of finalizing the civil aviation policy and the 5/20 rule remains one of the core issues of contention. With the rule being integral to international operations and expansion strategy, airlines are lobbying hard for/against it depending on their own plans. The 5/20 rule was introduced in 2004 and stipulates that an airline …

Munich airport will begin operations from it’s new satellite terminal today. The new terminal is a 60/40 joint venture between Munich Airport and Lufthansa and is also the first midfield terminal in Germany. It includes 27 gates, reducing the airport’s need for bus transportation. Following passport screening and baggage checks, the facility’s underground transport system will take the passengers to the …

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has opened the renovated section of Terminal E. Gates E11 through E17 along with the corresponding ticketing hall for Alaska and Delta Airlines have been renovated as part of DFW’s Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP), in time for the upcoming summer travel period. Baggage claim and security checkpoint area of gates E13 and E14 that …

Brazilian airframer Embraer and Horizon Air have signed a contract for 30 E175 jets with options for 33 more. The order which is the largest in the airline’s history is valued at $2.8 billion at current list prices and will be delivered over a three year period beginning next year. Horizon Air will use the E175’s to fly lower density …

Vistara (Tata-SIA) began services to Kochi from Delhi via Mumbai yesterday. Kochi is the 15th destination to be serviced by the carrier, the carrier’s next destination will be Chandigarh. Flt No. Effective Period Frequency Route 995 14/04/16 – 29/10/16 Daily DEL 10:20 BOM 12:25 995 14/04/16 – 29/10/16 Daily BOM 13:10 COK 15:20 996 14/04/16 – 29/10/16 Daily COK 15:50 …