As I was returning to Bangalore on Saturday, I spotted this very unusual aircraft at the ramp across the passenger terminal at Mumbai CSI airport, an Antonov An-74-TK-100. UR-CKC belongs to Cavok Air, a Ukranian cargo operator. The striking feature of this aircraft is the overwing engines which are used to perform short take-off and landings by using the Coandă …

Passengers flying out of New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will receive some relief on the airport fees they pay. Based on an order issued by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority, the Airport Development Fee (ADF) rates at IGI Airport will be halved to Rs. 100 per embarking domestic passenger and Rs. 600 per embarking international passenger starting midnight tonight …

Less than 18 months after it commenced international operations, Indian low fare carrier appears to be withdrawing from three critical and what are considered lucrative routes. Mumbai Singapore, Delhi Singapore, and Mumbai Bangkok. A search for seat availability on the airline’s booking engine shows no flights available on these three routes from March 1, 2013 onwards. This is normally routine …

by Devesh Agarwal A week ago, Airbus S.A.S. rolled out an A320 aircraft serial number MSN 5437 from its assembly line. This aircraft is destined to become Indian budget carrier IndiGo’s first ‘Sharklet’ equipped A320 VT-IFH, and when delivered only the second airline aircraft in the world to be fitted with the new fuel saving large wing-tip device. Photo copyright …

Our two videos today come courtesy Air France. Have you ever wondered what happens around your plane while you are waiting for your flight to board and depart? In first video, Air France reveals an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the frenetic activity performed by hundreds of people prior to the departure of an A380. Next go behind the scene at …

Air India operated its first flight to Agra earlier today. Following a circuitous route (Delhi-Varanasi-Agra), this flight has a schedule that leaves much to be desired. Image courtesy gcmap.com The flight will be operated with an all-economy class Airbus A320 aircraft, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flight AI 406 departs New Delhi at 1245, arrives Varanasi …

Effective January 3, 2013, Jet Airways, will fly six times a week on the Mangalore-Dubai sector. The airline will deploy a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 170 Economy seats on this route. 9W 532 will depart Mangalore at 2000 and arrive Dubai at 2230 (all times local) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. On Tuesdays, flight 9W 532 will depart Managalore …

Hope you had a good holiday. Turn the volume up for this one. Another of our videos from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, thanks to the team at Delhi International Airport Ltd. This one focusses on the sounds heard at the runway from various aircraft and their many engines. Hope you enjoy. As usual comments, praises, or brick-bats are …

The entire team at Bangalore Aviation joins me in extending our warmest wishes for your safe and happy holiday celebration. We thank you for your consistent support. A few days back we crossed the 3 million annual page views mark. Making us the dominant aviation enthusiast site in India. You can see the annual views in the right column mid …

A well made video showing off the first Wingtip device (called Sharklets) fitted A320, which was delivered to AirAsia.

dnata’s ground handling teams at London’s Heathrow airport have recently commenced provision of passenger services for three daily flights for Air India. Air India, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, operates three flights daily using Boeing 777 aircraft, from Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi. Under the new contract, dnata is now providing passenger services to the airline, which include checking …

As we wind down the week, and the year, we present a video showing the action on the ground. In the world of aviation, a lot needs to happen on mother earth, before the beautiful birds take to the sky. Special thanks to the friends at Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. who made this happen. For our readers who subscribe …

The Indian Navy has taken on-site delivery of the first of its ordered eight Boeing P-8i long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The order was placed on January 1, 2009. Indian Navy pilots are training on this aircraft in the USA, and expect to ferry this aircraft to India around May 2013. The Boeing P-8I is a long-range anti-submarine …

Boeing Names Michael Kurth as VP/GM, Unmanned Airborne Systems Programs David Pitchforth to lead Boeing Defence UK Ltd. ST. LOUIS, Dec. 17, 2012 — Company veteran Michael Kurth will oversee Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] unmanned airborne systems as of Jan. 1. Kurth, currently managing director of Boeing Defence UK Ltd. (BDUK), will relocate to St. Louis as vice president and general …

DATE: December 17, 2012AD #: 2012-26-51 Emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-26-51 is sent to owners and operators ofAirbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. BackgroundThe European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0264-E, dated December 17, 2012 (referred to after this …

by Devesh Agarwal Recently, with permission of the DGCA, the Aviation Photographers India Foundation visited the air-side at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) as guests of the airport operators, Delhi International Airport Ltd., for which each member of the foundation, including me, express our grateful thanks. The famous “mudra” wall at Terminal 3. Mudras are hand gestures used …

By Devesh Agarwal Thanks to one of our loyal readers, below is the type-wise aircraft fleet and order matrix for Jet Airways and JetKonnect.

By Devesh Agarwal Thanks to the Aeroblogger, we have a copy of Air India’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Rohit Nandan’s letter to all the Air India employees. Dear Colleagues, I wish you and your family members a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year! May the year 2013 usher in peace, progress and prosperity for all Air …

Dear Readers From today, we are starting a new feature called Press Releases. Every day we receive many releases from companies, despite our best efforts, we are unable to cover all of them. However, it is our endeavour to keep you, our readers, to be informed, and therefore we will post the raw releases in one batch for the day. …

by Devesh Agarwal Two days ago, two Times of India group newspapers, The Bangalore Mirror and The Economic Times reported UAE national carrier Etihad buying a 48% in financially disabled and grounded Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines. The Bangalore Mirror may be a tabloid, but The Economic Times is no slouch when it comes to financial matters. This went against the …