The congested Air Traffic Control (ATC) system at Mumbai airport is under-going a major leap forward with trials of the SITA Departure Clearance System (DCL) through Data Link Communication (DLC). The Datalink Control and Display Unit (DCDU) the pilot interface for CPDLC messages. Image courtesy Wikipedia. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) which manages civilian ATC operations across most of …

British national carrier is supporting the 2012 London Olympic games encouraging the citizens of the island nation not to fly during the games. Enjoy the advertisement, and then see the video where the creators explain the idea behind the ad. We think its an innovative ad, but would like to ask British Airways if they paid the congestion charge for …

Richard Branson promoted, British carrier, Virgin Atlantic will introduce a new Airbus A330 aircraft equipped with a re-designed and upgraded Upper Class (business class) Cabin National, on its London Heathrow New Delhi service starting July 11, 2012. The state of art cabin boasts of the longest bed in business class in a modified herringbone layout, a 2.7 meters long bar …

A revamp of taxi operations at the Bengaluru International Airport has taken place, with the airport operating company BIAL launching an all new fleet of taxis under a new unified service brand called “The Airport Taxi”. Bangalore becomes the first airport in India to develop and offer a taxi service with a unique identity. The all white taxi fleet will …

Norwegian Air Shuttle AS which operates under the brand Norwegian has confirmed an order, earlier announced in January, with Airbus S.A.S. The order makes Norwegian a new Airbus customer, and as well, one of the biggest A320neo customers. In January this year, Norwegian had also announced a firm order for 100 737 MAX airplanes which was developed by Boeing in …

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will introduce a fourth flight between Singapore Changi and London Heathrow from September 9th onwards. The fourth flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER which features the ultra-luxurious Raffles business class, along with the latest cabin product of the airline which has a state of the art in-flight entertainment (IFE) system with full AVOD (Audio-Video On …

AirAsia Japan, a 67%-33% joint venture between Japan’s ANA Group, which owns All Nippon Airways, and Malaysia’s AirAsia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft in Toulouse, France. The Japanese low cost carrier will start commercial services on August 1st from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to the Japanese cities of Sapporo and Fukuoka, and from August 3rd to …

After almost two years after it commenced international flights, low fare carrier SpiceJet is expanding its destination portfolio by adding Dubai. The airline will commence daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Dubai later this month from June 25th. The flights will be operated by narrow body Boeing 737-800 aircraft and SpiceJet has announced a special inaugural fare of Rs. …

The topic of the week is the on-going pilot’s strike at national carrier Air India by members of the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) which began last month on the 7th making this strike almost a month old. The strike has caused estimated losses exceeding Rs.350 Crore ($64 million) to airline. This at a time when the airline is on life …

Just a little over nine months ago, Indian low fare carrier SpiceJet took delivery of its first Bombardier Q400 turbo-prop on August 26th last year, and commenced commercial flights with the aircraft on September 21st. In a recent internal publication, aircraft manufacturer Bombardier, claimed a 99.8% despatch reliability for the Q400 at SpiceJet, an enviable number considering the high and …

The income tax department has frozen two of Kingfisher Airline’s bank accounts for alleged non-payment of dues. However the airline has clarified in a statement The IT department attached two of our bank accounts on May 24th which was not in accordance with the speaking order of the Hon’ble IT Appelate tribunal during the hearing. Subsequently, in a written order …

Airbus has delivered to national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) the first of its ordered six Airbus A380 superjumbos. Malaysia Airlines becomes the eighth A380 carrier. The MAS A380 has 494 seats in a three class configuration with 8 seats in first class, 66 in business, and 420 in economy. The first class is in a 1-2-1 configuration and boasts the …

Virgin Atlantic shows off the first of its “face-lifted” Boeing 747-400’s G-VROM named ‘Barbarella’. The aircraft features the new Virgin cabin interiors and new in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.

Singapore Airline’s low cost carrier Scoot revealed its livery painted on its Boeing 777-200 registered 9V-OTA. What are your thoughts? Share your views via a comment. For more images visit Scoot’s Facebook page. Images courtesy Scoot.

MSN 5000 The first Airbus A350 XWB static airframe fuselage roll-out at the A350 Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France.

The newly travelling youngsters may not have the pathos, but the Maharaja of national carrier Air India is a brand cherished by most persons of my age, with ties to India. We remember, with pride, the fact that Air India was the first all jet airline in the world; one of the earliest adopters of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet …

The below mail from Jet Airways is self explanatory. So please carry your ticket prints with you. Dear Mr. Agarwal, This is to bring to your notice that effective immediately, requests received for duplicate e-ticket printouts at Airline Ticketing Offices and City Ticketing Offices in India across Jet Airways and JetKonnect will attract a fee of Rs. 50 per e-ticket (revenue …

For the last week members of the Indian Pilots Guild are causing huge losses to the national carrier Air India, by going on strike. On CNN IBN noted journalist Karan Thapar interviewed the civil aviation minister Mr. Ajit Singh. Mr. Singh was candid, agreeing to the failures of the carrier, even admitting that government had no business running any service …

Some high resolution photos of the first Airbus A380 super jumbo destined for Malaysia Airlines in the new livery.