In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Dr. Omkar Goswami says our governments have created a state that is completely unprepared to deal with growing terrorism. Dear Prime Minister On 13 January 1898, Emile Zola wrote an open letter to the French president in a major daily titled J’Accuse (I Accuse). It accused the government of anti-Semitism and the …

Coupled with the recent terror attacks in Mumbai which will hit air traffic, this step by Air India (merged with the old Indian Airlines), will definitely increase the pressure on private carriers Jet and Kingfisher to reduce air fares by pruning the fuel surcharges. Air India announced a reduction in fuel surcharge for all domestic sector flights by INR 400 …

PTI reports, V P Agarwal, a senior Board member of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), will take over as its Chief from January 1, 2009. As per official sources, the appointment of Agarwal, who will replace Dr K Ramalingam, has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet. Agarwal has been Member (Planning) of the state-owned airports …

The National Security Guards (NSG) has finally received the go-ahead for its own fleet of dedicated aircraft. The decision comes after the Mumbai terror attacks where commandos of the elite force battled terrorists at three major landmarks and killed eight of them. The NSG will also change its tactics after having tackled terrorists in Mumbai, which follows a full debrief …

With the advent of the new 20mW 532nM green laser pointers, a dangerous trend is emerging in the skies. According the Civil Aviation Authority, at least five attempts have been made to dazzle pilots with laser pointers in the skies over Northern Ireland in the last six months. Unfortunately, this trend is not limited over the skies of Northern Ireland …

I came across this rather provocative article, and while I do not fully subscribe to the author’s views, it nonetheless raises some interesting questions about governance in a democratic system, and the tendency of politicians to subvert the democratic ideals in favour of vote-bank politics. Having spent a significant portion of my life outside India, in the US and in …

JetLite introduces a direct flight connecting Gorakhpur to Delhi five times a week with immediate effect. The flight operated by 50 – seater Canadian Regional Jet -200 Series will give connections to passengers from Gorakhpur to major metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Ahmedabad, via New Delhi. Flight S2 6125 will depart New Delhi at 1430 hrs and arrive Gorakhpur …

The United Kingdom Treasury Monday said it plans to increase air passenger duty rates by length of haul and class of service on Nov. 1, 2009, instead of its previous per-plane tax proposal. The United Kingdom said it is moving from two to four “distance bands” in efforts to “improve environmental signals.” The new air passenger duties, set to take …

Reuters, quoting The Mail, reports, British airline Flybe is in talks to buy British Midland’s (BMI) subsidiary operations bmi regional and bmi baby. The two airlines are not core to the strategy of British Midland’s new owner, Lufthansa (LHAG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), it said. Lufthansa took over British Midland last month, but the German airline has indicated it …

As per a press release Air France and KLM will operate “rescue” flights to Phuket on 1 and 2 December from Amsterdam and Paris-CDG respectively. Due to the closure of Bankok’s Suvarnabhumi international airport, Air France and KLM will operate one flight on 1st December and one flight on 2 December 2008 from Phuket Airport. Departure from Phuket on 1 …

banThe US Embassy in Bangkok has posted this message on its website. However, many Americans have been complaining about the unhelpful nature of the embassy staff. More importantly are some contact numbers that may be helpful. American citizens travelling or living in Thailand should be aware that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has entered and forced the closure of …

PTI reports an anonymous e-mail threatening to blow up the international airport in New Delhi has prompted authorities to step up security by deploying additional forces inside and outside the facility. The information about the e-mail was passed on to higher officials of the CISF, which is handling security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), from Gujarat, CISF sources …

New Italian airline to be established – Lufthansa Italia to offer direct connections from Milan Malpensa to European destinations – Flights already available for booking from 99 euros Lufthansa has launched its new “Lufthansa Italia” brand in Italy. Lufthansa is to found its own Italian airline under the new brand early next year and apply for an Italian Air Operator …

The tiny U-Tapao Airport (UTP), also spelled Utapao and U-Taphao, is a public airport serving Rayong, a city in Thailand. Primarily a naval aviation base, it is approximately 90 miles (140 km) southeast of Bangkok, near Sattahip on the Gulf of Siam. It south of route 3 (Thanon Sukhumvit) at km 189, about a 45 minute drive from Pattaya (Thailand’s …

I thankful the situation in Mumbai is finally under control. I am sadder and angrier compared to 60 hours ago. I salute all the heroes of Mumbai, both in, and out of uniform. I stand in full support of the strong and defiant spirit of the people of Mumbai, who have promised to rebuild all that was damaged or destroyed, …

They are India’s Men in Black, the “Black Cats”, nicknamed after their black nomex coveralls, and balaclavas. They may not have the toys of Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones, but with their specialised equipment and training, they far more deadly. They’re frequently seen guarding the high and the mighty of the land, forming a protecting ring around them with …

The troubles of Australian carrier Qantas just don’t seem to end. Qantas A330-300. Image Courtesy QantasEarlier today, the captain of a Qantas Airbus A330-300 flying to Singapore, had to shut down an engine and turn back to Perth, after an oil warning light flashed, according to the airline. The plane flew back to Perth, on the west coast of Australia, …

As Mumbai recovers from the dastardly terror attacks, all major airports across India, especially those in the western region, have been put on ultra high alert and extra vigil has been mounted.Image Courtesy FT.comExtra surveillance has been mounted, with additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police personnel being deployed to keep an eye not just around the terminals, but …

Nutplates are small anchoring devices generally attached to the inner skin surface to hold wire and cable bundles in place. These small devices are driving aircraft major, Boeing, nutty. Boeing 737-900ERDuring the recent 57-day long machinists’ strike, which has already led to a 10-week delay on deliveries of all Boeing aircraft, and pushed back the 787 programme into 2009, Boeing …

An Air New Zealand Airbus A320 passenger plane, on a test flight, crashed off France’s southern coast Thursday, killing all seven people onboard, authorities said. The plane plunged into the Mediterranean at 4:46p.m. local, officials said. A witness told French radio he saw the Airbus dive and plunge into the sea. “It was flying straight, then it turned brutally towards …