Indian aviation continues to show tremendous aviation potential with growth forecast to be in the double digits for the next few years. Consensus forecasts indicate that India will be the third largest aviation market by 2026 after the United States and China. Both India and China will propel growth in the Asian region and consequently for the world economy. The Asian …

Lockheed Martin has rechristened the F-16V Block 70 as the F-21 multi-role fighter for the second MMCRA procurement. The aircraft which would be produced in India by Lockheed and Tata Advanced Systems would have a number of unique features compared to existing F-16s like, extendable hose-and-drogue refuelling probe, a large display in the cockpit. Dr. Vivek Lall, vice president of …

Aero India 2019 opened today at Yelahanka Air Force Station. The show which was inaugurated by the defence minister of India began with a series of flypasts, one of which was a missing man formation to commemorate Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, the pilot who lost his life in the Surya Kiran crash yesterday. Innugural Flypast The show began with a …

Two aircraft of the Indian Air Force aerobatic display team the Surya Kirans have reportedly crashed at the final rehearsal day of Aero India 2019. The pilots have reported having ejected and their condition is unknown at this time. Two suryakiran aircraft have just collided. I see smoke and saw two chutes. No word on anything more at the moment. …

A few weeks back I had written about British Airways’ plan to repaint one of their Boeing 747s, with a retro British Overseas Aircraft Cooperation (BOAC) livery. The livery was the standard BOAC livery between 1964 and 1974. The aircraft G-BYGC entered the paint shop at Dublin Airport on 5 February, with the aircraft having been repainted and put back …

Aero India 2019 is just around the corner and for the last couple of days, the airspace around the air base has been closed with the various display aircraft taking to the skies to practice their routines. (See our Photographer’s guide and check-list to air-shows) What can you expect to see flying at Aero India 2019 (Note: These are our …

Middle-eastern carrier Emirates has placed an order for 70 Airbus aircraft, which includes 40 A330-900 and 30 A350-900 aircraft. The order comes following discussions regarding the airline’s A380 order, which resulted in the airline cancelling 39 of their pending A380’s for this order. The change has also prompted the announcement of the closure of the Airbus A380 production line. Emirates …

European airframer has announced the end of its A380 program with the final delivery of the type in 2021. The decision comes after discussions with the aircraft’s biggest customer resulted in them cancelling its 39 orders for the A380 and replacing them with other Airbus twin-jets. Tom Enders, CEO, Airbus “As a result of this decision we have no substantial …

SpiceJet, reported its third quarter results of the fiscal year 2018-19 (FY19) this Monday. There were mixed views on the performance. While a profit of 55.1 crores is definitely good news, when compared to the same period last year the profit declined by 77%. Performance also cannot be cited as definitive as this came during the strongest quarter of the …

American airframer Boeing opened its 2019 order book with an addition of 43 aircraft. The manufacturer booked 28 orders for the 737 family which included nine 737 MAXs for unidentified customers and 19 P-8A Poseidon for the US, UK and Norway. Boeing also booked 18 787 orders with 14 787-9s and four 787-10s for unidentified customers. Deliveries Boeing delivered a …

European airframer Airbus will be demonstrating the latest edition to its widebody line, the A330neo at the upcoming Aero India airshow. (Read our analysis on why Indigo may buy the A330neo) The aircraft will be performing flying displays and will be on static display. The airframer will also be flying its C295 tactical airlifter. Airbus will also have the H135 …

European airframer Airbus began the year with an order deficit. The airline recorded five cancellations for their smallest A220 aircraft and eight for the largest A380. The A380 cancellation reflected that of Qantas which had been previously announced. Airbus has not disclosed the customer for the cancellation of the A220. However Swiss carrier PrivatAir had ordered five of the then …

Jet Airways has revised its cancellation and change fees for domestic flights from today. The airline will now charge different fees depending on whether you if you change or cancel your ticket within seven days of travel. For economy fares, there is a difference of Rs. 800 in fees for changes or cancellations made within seven days of the flight …

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet has announced a daily flight Hyderabad and Jeddah. The airline will begin operating the flight from 25 March 2019 on its new Boeing 737 MAXs. Jeddah will be the third destination for the airline in the Middle East after Dubai and Muscat and ninth international destination in total. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet “It is …

European airframer Airbus has confirmed talks with Dubai based Emirates airlines over the carriers A380 orders, with reports that the carrier is considering switching its orders to the smaller A350. Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the A380, with 109 aircraft and 53 on order. The carrier extended a lifeline to the struggling program in February 2018 by placing …