Uncategorized

SpiceJet’s first Bombardier Q400 VT-SUA named Saunf flew past the delivery hangar on her ferry flight to New Delhi. She came up very quickly as we were rushed out from the hangar in which the delivery ceremony was being conducted. So apologies for a shaky and rushed video I flew a Porter Airlines Q400 between Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport and …

At a simple ceremony at Downsview Airport in Toronto, Canada on Friday 26th August, Indian low cost carrier SpiceJet took delivery of the first four Bombardier Q400 NextGen turbo-prop aircraft. SpiceJet has ordered 15 aircraft. The first aircraft VT-SUA named Saunf left on its ferry flight to India immediately after the ceremony. In fact the formal delivery ceremony was conducted …

In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a hurricane coming for the US East Coast. Irene is expected to make landfall in North Carolina on Saturday; and hit New York City and the like by late Sunday/early Monday. Therefore, I’ve put together a list of resources and advisories regarding the hurricane; I’ll be updating these over the next two days as …

Earlier this month, all 3 of India’s publicly traded carriers announced their results for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012. Devesh has already taken a look at the operating parameters for the quarter, so I’ll be digging into the raw data itself. The three carriers to be studied are; Jet Airways Group; composed of full service carrier Jet Airways …

Indian low fare carrier Spicejet will take delivery of its first Bombardier Q400 next gen turbo-prop aircraft this Friday at Downsview Airport, Toronto, Canada. SpiceJet, late last year, ordered 15 of these advanced regional turbo-prop aircraft with an option for 15 more. The airline has already announced a strong regional route network from its first Q400 base at Hyderabad, which …

India has three airline groups which are listed on the stock market and therefore regularly release information on their quarterly and annual financial and operating performance. Jet Airways group comprising of full service carrier Jet Airways and its low cost subsidiary JetLite, (the low fare service Jet Airways Konnect’s numbers are rolled in to those of Jet Airways), fellow full …

Earlier this week, QANTAS, the beleaguered Australian national carrier, announced part of its major restructuring plan for the international division; doing so ahead of the initially planned August 24th date. There were numerous changes announced, but the carrier plans to hash out the details in the coming weeks so more news is still forthcoming. QANTAS Airbus A380-800 VH-OQD lifts off …

Low cost carrier SpiceJet over the weekend revealed its initial Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 operations, with 225 weekly flights operating on 17 distinct city pairs (see end of post for the full operation). The new flights will all commence between September 21st and October 4th. Operations will be made possible by the delivery of 5 brand-new Q400s from Bombardier by …

Earlier this week, Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines both announced new orders for Boeing 777s. For Singapore Airlines, the order for eight Boeing 777-300ERs comes in addition to the 15 Airbus A330s that were ordered from Airbus (leased via Airbus as well) in late June. Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER at Mumbai. Photo copyright Vedant Agarwal. Deliveries of the new …

I am pleased to inform you that we have a new additional contributor to Bangalore Aviation — Vinay Bhaskara. Vinay is an aviation analyst and history buff based in New Jersey, United States and will bring a more global view of Asian aviation to Bangalore Aviation. Vinay does the monthly Asian aviation podcast along with Innovation Analysis Group (IAG) and …

Another edition of the Asian air scene podcast featuring Addison Schonland, Vinay Bhaskara and Devesh Agarwal. We covered the share swap between AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines and what benefits would it offer and what would it take away. In the India scene we covered the suspension of the application of national carrier Air India and the reported fait accompli presented …

India’s national carrier Air India has achieved a rather dubious first — the Star Alliance network of airlines, has suspended Air India’s membership application indefinitely — the first time it has done for any applicant airline. In a diplomatically worded release, the network says The member airlines of the Star Alliance network and Air India have jointly concluded that the …

Earlier this morning I had the opportunity to record a podcast on the state of Indian airline market along with IAG’s Addison Schonland and The Gate at FlyerTalk author Vinay Bhaskara. Amongst the topics covered — the mess called Air India, and the mega A320neo order by IndiGo. We hope to make this podcast a monthly affair.

After the announcement, yesterday, of the massive order by American Airlines to Airbus and Boeing, I took some time to read the analyses and views, of some of the people for whom I have high respect, especially when it comes to field of aviation. Addison Schonland of Innovation Analysis Group (IAG) highlights the monopolisation of production slots by the early …

Last week saw yet another dastardly attack against the citizens of India in general and Mumbai in particular. As per the Government of India, there was no prior intelligence warning of the Mumbai blasts. Across the world, governments have realised the importance of involving and engaging the local community to ensure a flow of information, especially on strangers or unknown …

Boeing brought its 787 Dreamliner ZA002 test registration N787EX in to India’s capital New Delhi earlier today. Fellow plane spotter Uday Krishna captured this photo and has graciously agreed to share it with Bangalore Aviation. Boeing 787 Dreamliner ZA002 N787EX on finals to runway 11 Delhi airport. Click on image for a larger view This photo courtesy of the airport …

Thai Airways recently upgraded its Bangkok Bangalore service to a Boeing 777-200ER five times a week. One of the neat features of this aircraft is a nose camera that gives a pilot’s view of landings and take-offs. Here is a capture from the flights IFE AVOD system. Loved the smooth approach to Runway 27 despite the mild monsoon turbulence. Regulars …

Boeing is bringing the 787 Dreamliner to India for the first time. ZA002 will arrive in Delhi on July 13th. It is scheduled to proceed to Mumbai, but Boeing officials refused to indicate their plans for Mumbai. It appears the plan as of now is for the aircraft to be in Mumbai on July 15th briefly and then return on …

Just completed an eight segment trip that took me from Bangalore to Thailand and Korea on Thai Airways. Thai Airways has upgraded its daily Bangalore Bangkok service to Boeing 777-200ERs, five times a week, the other two days remaining an Airbus A330-300. The Thai B772ERs are equipped with the lay-flat Recaro seats in business class in a 2-2-2 configuration with …

Driven by rising fuel costs, growing environmental legislation, and shrinking margins, airlines from across the world have sent a clear message to airplane manufacturers by ordering massive numbers of the fuel efficient A320neo. neo which stands for New Engine Option is a re-engined version of the single aisle Airbus A320 family aircraft equipped with new engines from Pratt and Whitney …