Vistara announces festive season sale

Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA) owned Vistara on Monday (October 17) announced a festive sale across its domestic and international network.

In a statement, the airline announced that the sale offers discounts on fares for all three cabin classes – Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class.

Under the sale, the domestic bookings are open for a period of 72 hours, starting from 0001 hours on October 17 (Monday) and ending at 2359 hours on October 19 (Wednesday).

Vistara announces discounts for festive season on domestic and international flights.

The one-way, all-inclusive domestic fares start from Rs 1,499 for Economy, Rs 2,999 for Premium Economy, and Rs 8,999 for Business Class.

On international routes, all-inclusive return fares start from Rs 14,149 for Economy, Rs 18,499 for Premium Economy, and Rs 42,499 for Business Class with a four-day long booking period starting 0001 hours on October 17 (Monday) and ending 2359 hours on October 20 (Thursday).

Also read - Vistara to add new destinations

“The festive season is all about creating happy memories, and planning trips and holidays is a great way to do so. The recent surge in demand for air travel is quite encouraging, and we are delighted to offer our customers the chance to fly India’s best airline at discounted fares. We are confident that our customers will continue to choose Vistara as their preferred airline to re-unite with their friends and family for festive celebrations.”Deepak Rajawat, Vistara’s Chief Commercial Officer.

All fares are inclusive of taxes, for travel between October 23, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Bookings under the sale are open on Vistara’s website, iOS and Android mobile apps, at Vistara’s airport ticket offices (ATOs), through the airline’s call centre, online travel agencies (OTAs), and through travel agents.

Direct channel discounts, corporate discounts/soft benefits will not apply on these promotional fares, and vouchers cannot be used for these bookings. The seats on sale are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also read - Vistara – Air India merger talks with Tata Group confirmed by Singapore Airlines

With inputs from indianexpress.

On October 12, SpiceJet plane (Q400) coming from Goa made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport following an incident of smoke in the cabin.

Days after this incident, aviation regulator DGCA on Monday directed the airline to analyse engine oil samples from its Q400 fleet to check for presence of metal and carbon seal particles.

The watchdog has also ordered the carrier to carry out inspection of bleed-off valve screen and housing for evidence of oil wetness.

DGCA asks SpiceJet to analyse engine oil samples of Q400 fleet following Hyderabad incident.

The order follows a preliminary inquiry into the incident on October 12, during which there was smoke in cabin while the aircraft was descending over Hyderabad leading to the pilots requesting emergency landing. The inquiry found that engine oil had entered the aircraft air conditioning system.

The airline has now been instructed not to send any of its Pratt and Whitney engines on Q-400s for maintenance, repair and overhaul to an entity in Singapore called Standard Aero pending an inquiry as the latest incident and another similar occurrence involved engines that were sent there.

Also read - SpiceJet likely to induct 7 B737 MAX aircraft

The regulator has also asked the airline to send engine oil samples every 15 days to Pratt and Whitney Canada instead of once a month, conduct weekly boroscopic inspections every week as well as to commence inspection of “bleed-off” valve. It has also sought immediate inspection of “magnetic chip detectors” for presence of any metal particles.

SpiceJet airlines to send the engine oil samples of the entire Q400 fleet consisting of 14 operational aircraft to Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Oil analysis is a laboratory testing program that enables engine technicians to determine an engine’s health condition. Aircraft oil is taken for the analysis to assess the engine’s current state.

Aircraft oil analysis provides analytical demography and chip evaluation for ascertaining various metal constituents that wear out the engine. After performing the tests, it analyzes each piece individually and offers informed recommendations on how to maintain the aircraft.

The regulator has also asked the airline to send engine oil samples every 15 days to Pratt and Whitney Canada instead of once a month.

Recently, SpiceJet has been facing operational and financial headwinds in recent times and it is already under enhanced surveillance by the DGCA.

Due to a number of mishaps affecting SpiceJet's flights, the DGCA ordered SpiceJet to operate no more than 50 percent of the flights permitted in the summer schedule for an eight-week period as of July 27. The limitations were extended last month until October 29.

Mumbai Airport is to be shut for six hours from 11 am to 5 pm on October 18 for maintenance work on both its runways, said a statement by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday.

According to CSMIA, Mumbai airport in cooperation with airline customers, and other key stakeholders has effectively rescheduled flights to ensure the smooth completion of the maintenance.

https://twitter.com/CSMIA_Official/status/1581996385561612288?s=20&t=IZGCA_KRWGRyu1gxjM6QfQ

"CSMIA has planned a runway closure on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs, for repair & maintenance work on both its runways – RWY 14/32 & 09/27. As part of its post-monsoon preventive maintenance of runway intersection, major work like runway edge lights for runway 14/32, and upgradation of AGL (Aeronautical ground lights ), among other significant tasks will be undertaken.With more than 800 flights landing and taking off each day, this yearly practice of runway maintenance post monsoons is part of the series of activities undertaken with precision and meticulous efforts ensuring operational continuity and passenger safety, thus bringing to life the vision of imbibing passenger first approach at the core of our operations."As per the statement.

Regular airport runway cleaning, sweeping, maintenance and monitoring are critical to avoid accidents.

Earlier on Friday, eight flights were diverted from CSMIA due to torrential showers and low visibility conditions. Due to inclement weather caused by extreme downpour of rain and low visibility, all the flights were rescheduled and passengers awaiting to board were provided refreshments.

With inputs from livemint.

As many as 29 airports and terminals in the country have been named after eminent personalities and dignitaries, with the latest one being the Shaheed Bhagat Singh international airport in Chandigarh.

There are a total of 24 airports and 5 terminals named after eminent personalities/ dignitaries, according to a list received by PTI through an RTI application. However, the list does not include details about the recently renamed Chandigarh airport.

ALSO READ - Chandigarh airport officially named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh

On September 28, Chandigarh international airport was renamed Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. The renaming happened a day before the 115th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

29 airports and terminals named after eminent personalities and dignitaries

As per the list, four airports are named after three former prime ministers. They are Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad in Telangana, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi and Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Various airports are also named after former chief ministers, including Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar in Odisha. The list also includes Kangra airport, Gaggal and Kullu-Manali airport, and Bhuntar, both of which are in Himachal Pradesh.

However, it was not clear after which eminent personalities/ dignitaries these two airports were named. Besides, there are five airport terminals named after eminent personalities and dignitaries. These include Anna international terminal and Kamraj domestic terminal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and two N T Rama Rao terminals at airports in Hyderabad in Telangana, as per the list.

Currently, there are 131 operational airports in the country, including 29 international and 92 domestic airports. There are 10 customs airports as well. There are also 8 heliports and 2 waterdromes, as per official data.

As per the list, four airports are named after three former prime ministers including Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad in Telangana.

ALSO READ - Process of leasing next 8-9 airports to begin soon – Jyotiraditya Scindia

An elaborate process is followed in naming and renaming airports, and the final approval must come from the Union Cabinet. Generally, airports are known by the name of the city where they are located.

In some cases, a specific name is proposed by the respective state government supported by a resolution passed in the state legislative assembly concerned. The same is then sent to the Union Cabinet for final approval.

ALSO READ - Government plans to build 220 airports by 2025 with 80 new ones

With the excellent growth potential of the country's civil aviation sector, the government aims to have a total of 220 airports by 2030.

Boeing Co. is offering 737 Max jets once slated for Chinese customers to Air India Ltd. as the planemaker tries to offload some of the roughly 140 aircraft it’s currently not allowed to deliver.

The Indian carrier, which is overhauling its fleet under new owner Tata Group, is one of several potential customers for Boeing, which is in talks with lessors and other airlines, according to people familiar with the matter. Many operators are eager to line up new narrowbody jets while Boeing and rival Airbus SE struggle to hit production targets amid labour and parts shortages.

ALSO READ - Airbus, Boeing compete to get Air India’s deal

Boeing offers 737 MAX aircraft to Air India

A Boeing representative declined to comment. Air India didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment outside of regular business hours.

ALSO READ - Boeing looking for new buyers for Chinese rejected B737 MAXs

The US manufacturer hasn’t been allowed to deliver Max aircraft to China for more than three years as it grapples with escalating trade tensions and repercussions from two fatal crashes of the workhorse jet. China was the first to ground the Max in March 2019, and held off approving its return long after US regulators lifted a ban in late 2020.

Dave Calhoun, the company’s chief executive officer, told reporters in September that Boeing “can’t wait forever” and was putting a small number of jets back on the market. The planemaker has about USD 5 billion in cash tied up in the already-built jets earmarked for China, according to George Ferguson, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence.

Air India has sought to order as many as 300 narrowbody aircraft to revamp its fleet following the takeover by Tata

ALSO READ - China gives green light to Boeing 737 Max after “corrective actions”

One person tracking discussions estimates as many as 50 of the planes may be resold. The aircraft could be sold on an “as-is” basis, which means the buyers would be responsible for repainting them and installing their cabin equipment, said the person, who asked not to be identified sharing details of confidential discussions.

ALSO READ – Air India prepares to add more than 200 aircraft; the most significant order in a long time

Air India has sought to order as many as 300 narrowbody aircraft to revamp its fleet following the takeover by Tata, India’s largest conglomerate, Bloomberg News reported in June.

ALSO READ – Air India to revamp its fleet by leasing 30 aircraft in the upcoming months

The airline will be inducting five wide-bodies Boeing and 25 Airbus narrow-body planes over the next 15 months. The aircraft being leased are 21 Airbus A320 neos, four Airbus A321 neos and five Boeing B777-200LRs, according to a release issued by the airline on September 15.

Ultimately, Chinese airlines will probably take the majority of the 737s they’ve ordered from Boeing

Even if the Max jetliners rolled out of Boeing’s factory in 2018 or 2019, they will be considered brand new by most appraisers when they’re finally delivered. Until that milestone occurs, the planes are technically considered to be still in Boeing’s production system, said George Dimitroff, head of valuations for aviation research firm Cirium.

ALSO READ – Boeing intends to double its 737 MAX production by end of 2023

Ultimately, Chinese airlines will probably take the majority of the 737s they’ve ordered from Boeing, Dimitroff said. “They might not necessarily take all of the aircraft that are currently already built and are waiting for them. They may let go of some of those already built for Boeing to re-market, while they take new-production aircraft at a later date or a mix of the two," he added

ALSO READ - The 737 MAX fiasco | what was wrong, what was corrected and why is it safe now

(With Inputs from Bloomberg)

A three-fold increase in airport commercial area, building multiplexes and Legoland theme parks in the city side and shifting one of the top airlines to Navi Mumbai airport in an effort to decongest Mumbai airport — these are among the steps Adani Group is exploring to boost revenues from its eight airports.

The commercial area at Mumbai airport is proposed to be increased from 28,000 square metres to 47,000 square metres.

Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL), a group company, currently manages seven functional airports in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. It is also building Navi Mumbai airport, which is expected to start operations by 2024-end.

The commercial area at Mumbai airport is proposed to be increased from 28,000 square metres to 47,000 square metres.

Mumbai airport — India’s second busiest — had no further scope of capacity enhancement beyond 60 million passengers per year as it is situated in the middle of the city. This means that “effectively no new slots (are) available for airlines” at Mumbai airport.

According to sources in the investor community, the Adani Group presentation said the Mumbai airport had two major airlines with domestic as well as international operations — IndiGo and Air India. “One airline can be shifted to NMIAL (Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd), which will release the gridlock at MIAL (Mumbai International Airport),” it highlighted.

The airline that is shifted will benefit from prime slots at Navi Mumbai airport, it noted. Transferring the entire base from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai will be “efficient and economical for the airline, since shifting of only spillover will result in extra initial set up cost to the airline”, it added.

Aviation analytics company Cirium’s data suggests that the Mumbai airport is currently handling 2,573 weekly departures, out of which 919 are IndiGo flights and 390 Air India flights. Vistara and Go First are at number three and four with 364 and 243 weekly departures, respectively.

Adani plans Rs 15,000 cr fund for proposed airport in Navi Mumbai.

On another point, the group plans to expand its passenger handling capacity at seven functional airports from 31 million to 75 million by 2027. Phase I of the Navi Mumbai airport will become operational in December 2024 with 20 million capacity, it mentioned.

The conglomerate wants to target “underserved” international routes, increase the share of wide-body aircraft at its airports, attract airlines with monetary and non-monetary benefits, and make Mumbai airport a transit hub like the Dubai airport, the presentation noted.

The commercial area at Mumbai airport is proposed to be increased from 28,000 square metres to 47,000 square metres. In Lucknow, it could go up 17 times to 17,000 square metres and in Guwahati from 1,000 square metres to 14,000 square metres.

In phase one of the city side development plan, the Group wants to establish aquariums at five locations, Legoland theme parks at three locations, virtual reality parks at five locations, rainforest cafes at five locations, and Madame Tussauds’s wax museums at two locations, the sources said citing the presentation.

The airline that is shifted will benefit from prime slots at Navi Mumbai airport.

Across Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Navi Mumbai airports, transhipment hubs for international as well as domestic cargo will also be established, it noted.

The central government had in February 2019 privatised six major airports — Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati. After a competitive bidding process, the Adani Group won the rights to run all of them for 50 years. AAHL took control of these airports between October 2020 and November 2021.

In August 2020, the Adani Group acquired a 74 per cent stake from the GVK Group in MIAL — which operates the Mumbai airport. The conglomerate took control of the Mumbai airport in July 2021. MIAL owns NMIAL, which is currently constructing the Navi Mumbai airport.

With inputs from business standard.