Monthly Archives: January 2019

Indigo to open Bangalore Airport’s first MRO facility

InterGlobe Aviation (Indigo) has signed an agreement with Bangalore airport to build a Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility. The 20-year agreement will see InterGlobe build a 13,000 sqm hangar on five acres of land. The facility will be able to accommodate two narrow-body aircraft and support infrastructure, including an engine QEC shop warehouse and engineering offices. The MRO will …

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Air Italy discontinuing India flights from Feb 2019

Air Italy had announced its India flights in April of last year. The airline would operate flights to Mumbai and Delhi from October 2018. In October however, it significantly scaled down its launch and pushed the date back, finally beginning operations in December. Now just a couple of months into the operation, it appears that the airline will be discontinuing …

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GoAir to commence Kannur Abu Dhabi flights from March 2019

GoAir Airbus A320 VT-GOJ takes off from New Delhi. Photo by Devesh Agarwal.

Low fare carrier, GoAir, has announced it will commence four flights a week between Kannur in Kerala and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates from March 1, 2019. The airline will also commence flights between Kannur and Muscat, the capital of Oman, a day earlier, from February 28th. Flight Schedule Flt No From To Dep. Time Arr. Time Freq. …

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The Airbus 380: operations and outlook

Singapore Airlines A380-800 9V-SKD. Image copyright Devesh Agarwal

The Airbus 380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, entered commercial service in 2007 with launch customer Singapore Airlines. With a maximum takeoff weight of 575 tonnes (almost eight times the weight of an Airbus A320) and average seating of 575 passengers (800+ in high density configurations) Airbus built the A380 on the premise of slot-constrained airports needing a ultra-high capacity …

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Ural Airlines delays Mumbai flights to July

Ural Airlines Airbus A321 VP-BSW.

Russian carrier Ural Airlines has pushed back their Mumbai launch to 2 July 2019. The airline had previously planned to launch flights from 31 March 2019. The frequency of the new service has also been changed from a daily to four times weekly. The route will be operated by an Airbus A321. Flight Number Origin Destination Departure Arrival Frequency U6 …

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Indigo Q3FY19 results analysis: the fare wars have just begun

Indigo Airbus A320neo VT-ITK. Image copyright Vedant Agarwal.

Indigo Airlines reported its third-quarter results this Wednesday. While the results showed an improving trend compared to the last two quarters with a profit figure of 190 crores, overall the results highlight the core challenges in the Indian market. Key numbers fr Indigo’s third-quarter results: Revenue from Operations: 7916 crores Operating cost: 8038 crores EBITDAR: 1681 crores Net profit: 190 …

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Jet Airways announces Republic Day sale

Jet Airways' Boeing 737-800 VT-JBD

Full-service carrier Jet Airways has announced a week-long Republic Day sale today. The sale has begun today and offers up to 50% off on base fares through the airline’s domestic and international networks (except to Muscat and Sharjah). The sale is also valid to select destinations in Europe on Air France and KLM. Passengers can book tickets through the sale …

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Japan Airlines will begin Bangalore flights in 2020

Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 at Delhi Airport.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that it will begin direct flights to Bangalore from summer 2020. The flight will be the first direct flight between Bangalore and Japan and will be the second Indian destination for the carrier after Delhi. The airline will operate the flight with one of its Boeing 787-8’s which are equipped with the SkySuite business class …

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British Airways announces upgrades to World Traveller Plus

British Airways has announced changes to their premium economy – “World Traveller Plus” offerings. As part of the airline’s five-year £6.5 billion-pound investment plan, BA will update the cabin’s furnishings, service and dining options. Carolina Martinoli, Director of Brand and Customer Experience, British Airways “This latest tranche of our £6.5bn investment is set to improve World Traveller Plus and customers …

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Pictures: British Airways reveals BOAC 747 retro-jet

A Boeing 747 of BOAC - British Overseas Airways Corporation flying above the United Kingdom on 7 April 1971.

British Airways has announced that it is repainting one of its Boeing 747-400’s in a retro-livery of its predecessor British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as part of its centenary celebration. The aircraft G-BYGC will arrive at Heathrow from the paint shop in Dublin on 18 February in the BOAC scheme and will enter service the next day. The livery will …

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Emirates is reducing its economy baggage allowance

Over the years, the Big 3 middle eastern carriers (ME3) have been known for the full-service offerings. While most airlines were skimping on baggage and in-flight service, they were offering passengers more baggage, better food, etc. All of which has led to the three airlines expanding and developing a loyal customer base. The last couple of years have seen the …

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Bangalore Airport announces closure timings for Aero India 2019

The main passenger terminal building at Bangalore Airport.

Bangalore airport will partially close operations from 14th – 24th February due to the upcoming Aero India show. The biennial show is being conducted at the nearby Yelahanka Air Force Station and as always Bangalore Airport suspends operations during rehearsals and the show days. Date Timings of airspace closure Purpose February 14th – 17th, 2019 1330 – 1630 hours Practice Days …

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Airbus begins construction of A220 production line in America

European airframer Airbus has begun construction of company’s American A220 manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama. The new assembly line will be located at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley adjacent to the companies existing A320 family production line and will be used to produce A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft for U.S. customers. Aircraft production is planned to begin at the new facility …

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Analysis: Europe’s largest regional airline to be sold

Flybe Embraer 195 G-FBEJ. Photo by Mark Harkin.

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional carrier which flies 53% of all fights within mainland Britain (excluding London) and also the largest scheduled airline by air traffic movements at 13 UK airports, recently announced a sale to a consortium. This in part is driven by the uncertainty emanating from Brexit and also other structural issues. Overview of Flybe Average fleet: 80 Cities: …

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The Meghalaya mine rescue operations: can the aviation community do more?

As of this writing, there are 15 miners trapped inside an illegal mine in Meghalaya and rescue efforts have not quite seen the push that they require from government and citizens alike. This note is a call to the aviation community to come together and push for the rescue. On January 12th, before the break of dawn, 5 members of …

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AirAsia adds more flights from Delhi, Pune, Srinagar and Hyderabad

Low-cost carrier AirAsia has announced eight new flights across its existing network. The new flights will begin on 1 February 2019. The carrier will add a morning and evening service between Delhi and Hyderabad. AirAsia is also adding a second flight each between New Delhi and Pune and Srinagar. Time table of new AirAsia flights Flight No Station From Departure …

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US Air Force accepts first Boeing KC-46A Pegasus

The United States Air Force (USAF) has accepted the first KC-46A tanker aircraft which will allow the aircraft’s delivery to delivery to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas in the coming weeks. The KC-46 was selected as the winner of the USAF’s KC-X program in 2011 to replace its ageing KC-135 fleet. The aircraft is based on the Boeing …

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Bangalore Kempegowda airport embarks on expansion plan to cater till 2030

Bangalore Kempegowda Airport Terminal 2 Phase 1 - Artistic impression

Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) the operators of the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has officially announced the launch of a Rs 13,000 crore expansion programme. The expansion includes the second runway to the south called the New South Parallel Runway (NSPR), Terminal 2 (T2), and expansion of the access roads including an under-ground tunnel from the eastern boundary of the …

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Vistara offers 4X CV points on bookings

Vistara Airbus A320 VT-TTC arrives at Bengaluru performing the airline's inaugural flight UK889 from New Delhi.

Full-service carrier Vistara has announced a special offer on its fourth anniversary. Club Vistara members will earn four times the normal CV Points on every booking made between 10 January 2019 and 16 January 2019 for travel up to 10 April 2019. Customers will also get 10% Cashback on using American Express Credit Cards or ICICI Credit & Debit Cards …

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Boeing and Airbus set delivery records in 2018

Airbus and Boeing have both set delivery records in 2018 with 800 and 806 aircraft delivered by the European and American airframers respectively. Boeing Boeing delivered a total of 806 commercial aircraft in 2018 compared to 763 in 2017. The deliveries included:580 737 family (529 in 2017)6 747 family (14 in 2017)27 767 family -10 aircraft were delivered to Boeing’s …

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