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Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd’s. (BAPL) first private airport in Bardhaman district in West Bengal is likely to be operational by end of 2011. According to a report in Projects Today, the project, which is a part of the USD 2.5 billion (approximately Rs 12,500 crore) Durgapur Aerotropolis, has got an approval from the West Bengal government and has also overcome …

The remote location of Bengaluru International Airport adds to the responsibility of the airport promoters BIAL, to ensure proper and adequate facilities for the people who work at the airport. I have always maintained that it is imperative to take care of the people who take care of us. Their comfort ensures efficiency and alertness. Two vital aspects in any …

A potentially explosive report in today’s Deccan Chronicle The state government has illegally helped the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to develop commercial real estate on some 200 acres of forest land. BIAL is developing a star hotel, restaurants and office space on this land — all in violation of the Union government’s rules, regulations and Acts. Documents available with …

Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport has been shut down by heavy fog which has reduced visibility to less than 100 meters. No flight has been able to land for the last 12 hours, and there have been no departures since this morning.

Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have been slashed by over 11 per cent by state-run oil companies. This is the seventh straight reduction since September as price surged to an all time high of Rs 71,028.26 a kilolitre (in Delhi) in August. ATF in Delhi has been cut by Rs 4,208.37 to Rs 32,691.28 a kilolitre effective midnight tonight, said …

The disagreement between Kingfisher Airlines and GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has become murky. Yesterday, Daily News and Analysis (DNA) newspaper reported “In a major setback to Kingfisher Airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has de-registered three of its aircraft on account of rental payment default. These aircraft will be grounded and not permitted to fly on commercial …

As per the Times of India, the “left luggage” facilities for transit passengers at the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, which were closed well before the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, still remain closed. Airport operator GVK promoted, Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) had closed down the luggage rooms, where transit passengers could leave their luggage behind and go about …

Reuters reports that talks between striking unions and Budapest Airport, a unit of Hochtief of Germany, broke down on Sunday, over over demands for improved labour conditions, a new collective agreement and a halt to layoffs. The airport operator said longer delays were expected later following relative calm in the morning. Read the full story here.

DNA reports a group of drunk women caused chaos at the departure gate of Terminal 2C at Mumbai Sahar airport, early on Friday. They broke champagne bottles in their drunken stupor, forcing authorities to raise the alarm. At about 6am on December 12, the group of five or six foreigners was waiting for a flight near the departure terminal. “They …

Two flights to Bangalore, one from London and another from Mumbai, were diverted to Chennai airport Thursday morning due to bad weather conditions at Bangalore. The British Airways flight from London and the Indian Airlines flight from Mumbai were supposed to land at Bangalore airport at around 0600 hours. After the weather conditions became better at Bangalore airport, the flights …

An Express News Service report that the third runway at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, installed with Category III-B Instrument Landing System (ILS), was finally commissioned on Friday for low-visibility air traffic operations during dense fog days, brings much cheer to harried passengers. “The certification was given following an inspection by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after taking …

According to a PTI report, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is working on a non-binding document for its member airlines calling for foreign ownership, saying that the aviation industry should be allowed to run like any other business like automobiles or telecom. IATA is planning to urge all governments to have a re-look at allowing foreign airlines to pick …

The Star alliance press office announced that at their annual Board Meeting, the CEOs of the Star Alliance member airlines have voted to accept the application of Brussels Airlines to become a future member of the alliance. Brussels Airlines is the Belgian airline offering the widest choice of flights to and from the “capital” of Europe. With a fleet of …

According to a PTI report, Finnish carrier, Finnair has expressed, that Indo-Finn air services agreement is hampering connectivity between the two countries and its plans to operate flights to more cities in India. “At the moment, it is impossible to connect Finland with more than two India cities. The bilateral agreement between both the countries forbids it,” stated Kari Stolbow, …

Singapore Airlines will launch its inaugural flight to Riyadh on Sunday, 14 December 2008. SQ454 will depart Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 1250hrs.Arrival at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1 at 1820hrs (all times local). SQ453 – will depart from Riyadh at 2015hrs,Arrival at Singapore Changi Airport at 1105hrs the next day. Both legs of the flight will …

As I had indicated in my earlier story, Kingfisher Airlines announced that it will pay three per cent agency commission to travel agents on gross fare, effective from today. The decision to pay three per cent commission was acknowledged in a fax sent to TAAI office last night. “The airline has also withdrawn Transaction Fee on tickets, which was introduced …

Just about 24 hours earlier, DIAL the operators of New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were proudly drumming their success of zero impact of fog on the early morning of 10th December. On 11th December, fifteen flights were delayed after a thick blanket of fog engulfed the capital, reducing the Runway Visibility Range (RVR) to 400 meters. This against …

Just received a release from Boeing. Boeing announced today an updated schedule for its all-new 787 Dreamliner program that moves the commercial jet’s first flight into the second quarter of 2009 and first delivery into the first quarter of 2010. The new schedule reflects the impact of disruption caused by the recent Machinists’ strike along with the requirement to replace …

Jet Airways and Emirates Airline, have today announced their partnership plans spanning a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement and unilateral code share agreement. Effective December 15, 2008, the two airlines will launch a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement whereby members of Jet Airways’ JetPrivilege, India’s largest frequent flyer programme, may earn and redeem miles across Emirates’ rapidly-expanding international network, with the exception …

New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) met its first fog challenge on 10th December, with zero impact on flights. As per a DIAL release there were zero diversions, re-schedules, or cancellations. As per procedure, Safeguard procedures were initiated when Runway Visual Range (RVR) fell below 1,500 meters, at 0458 local on morning of 10 December. Low Visibility Procedure (LVP) …