AAI plans to upgrade Hasimara Air Force Station into a civilian airport

The Airports Authority of India has written to the Bengal government for 37.74 acres of land next to the Indian Air Force base in Hasimara to convert it into a civil enclave to operate passenger flights.

Hasimara is located right in the Dooars, close to the Bhutan border as well as the Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary.

Sources in the AAI said the outfit’s jurisdiction would be limited to the passenger terminal while all other activities at the civil enclave would be handled by the IAF.

AAI plans to upgrade Hasimara Air Force Station into a civilian airport. (Image Courtesy - Foursquare)

Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a letter to Alipurduar MP John Barla, revealed that AAI had surveyed the infrastructure at Hasimara and found it suitable to operate C-type civilian aircraft or commonly-used planes such as Airbus A320 and Boeing B737.

This also makes the airport suitable for the operation of smaller aircraft such as ATR, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 and Embraer ERJ that are used in regional flights.

The airport at Hasimara, which has a 2,740-metre runway, is used for sorties by IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets. Bagdogra, the only other airport in north Bengal, is 137km from Hasimara.

Bagdogra, the only other airport in north Bengal, is 137km from Hasimara (Image Courtesy - Construction World)

If Hasimara gets the go-ahead, it will be an alternative to Bagdogra, which is also a civil enclave. This April, when Bagdogra had been shut for runway repairs, fliers did not have a viable alternative though some did fly to Pakyong Airport in Sikkim and then undertook a five-hour road journey to reach Siliguri.

“I assure you of all cooperation of this ministry,” Scindia added.

The three airports nearest to Hasimara are Bagdogra, Cooch Behar and Rupsi, which is in the Dhubri district of Assam. These are located 137km, 57km and 117km, respectively, from Hasimara. The Cooch Behar airport, however, is not operational.

Rafale fighter jets inducted into the 101 squadrons of the IAF that are posted at the air force base are stationed there. (Image Courtesy - Telegraph India)

Hasimara Air Force Station is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base located in Alipurduar district, West Bengal. It was established in 1962 during the India-China war. Rafale fighter jets inducted into the 101 squadrons of the IAF that are posted at the air force base are stationed there.

Hasimara is located strategically near the Indo-Bhutan border. It is also the closest Indian air base to the Chumbi Valley - the tri-junction between the Indian state of Sikkim, Bhutan and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The airport is situated at an elevation of 340 ft (104 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway with concrete surfaces: 11R/29L measuring 9,000 by 148 feet (2,743 by 45 m).

Cover Image - Trishul Trident

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed an agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday, July 1 to operate and manage airports in Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Muirpur and Shravasti for a period of 30 years, an official statement said.

According to the agreement, the state government will complete the construction, ready the airports for commercial operations, and then hand them over to the AAI for operation and management, the AAI’s statement noted.

The Uttar Pradesh government will provide dedicated infrastructure for utilities like water, electricity and drainage connections at the airports, it mentioned.

https://twitter.com/AAI_Official/status/1542879562258092032

The AAI will operate and manage the airports and provide all necessary services, the statement read citing the agreement.

“The agreement was signed by N V Subbarayudu, Executive Director (Strategic Initiative Unit) on behalf of AAI and Kumar Harsh, Special Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh on behalf of the state government in presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath” it mentioned.

The Airports Authority of India or AAI is a statutory body, under the ownership of, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.

AAI signs agreement with UP government to operate and manage 5 airports (Image Courtesy - AAI)

It provides Communication Navigation Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas.

AAI is currently managing a total of 137 Airports, including 34 International Airports, 10 Customs Airports, 81 Domestic Airports and 23 Civil enclaves at Defense Airfields. AAI also has ground installations at all airports and 25 other locations to ensure the safety of aircraft operations.

AAI covers all major air routes over Indian landmass via 29 Radar installations at 11 locations along with 700 VOR/DVOR installations co-located with Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). 52 runways are provided with Instrument landing system (ILS) installations with Night Landing Facilities at most of these airports and an Automatic Message Switching System at 15 Airports.

Cover Image - AAI

A SpiceJet aircraft returned to Delhi on Saturday, July 2 morning after smoke was detected in the cabin.

The cabin crew first noticed the smoke on the Dash8 Q400 (VT-SUR) that was operating as SG-2962 from Delhi to Jabalpur. The aircraft was passing 5,000 feet during ascent when the incident happened.

“Cabin crew informed the pilots about the mild smoke in the cabin. On the visual check, no sign of smoke or damage was observed in the lavatory. The smoke warning also went off,” said sources.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1543078626861940736

Then while further climbing 14,000 feet, smoke was seen to be increasing in the cabin. The pilots levelled the aircraft at 15,000 feet and decided to return to Delhi by informing the Air Traffic Control and declaring 'MAY DAY'.

The aircraft, which had taken off at 6:29 AM, landed safely in Delhi around 7:20 AM and passengers were evacuated on a taxiway in coordination with the ATC. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing the incident.

The cabin crew first noticed the smoke on the Dash8 Q400 (VT-SUR) that was operating as SG-2962 from Delhi to Jabalpur.

A SpiceJet spokesperson said: “On July 2, 2022, SpiceJet Q400 aircraft was operating SG-2962 (Delhi-Jabalpur). While passing 5000 feet, the crew noticed smoke in the cabin. The pilots decided to return ba Delhi. Aircraft landed safely at Delhi and passengers were safely disembarked.”

On June 19, 2022, a SpiceJet Dash8 Q400 flying from Delhi to Jabalpur as SG 2962 returned to IGI Airport soon after take-off after the turboprop (VT-SUU) suffered a “pressurisation snag”. The DGCA had recently conducted checks on the entire fleet of the budget airline.

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On June 19, 2022, a SpiceJet Dash8 Q400 flying from Delhi to Jabalpur as SG 2962 returned to IGI Airport soon after take-off after the turboprop (VT-SUU) suffered a “pressurisation snag”.

An incident was reported on May 25, certain SpiceJet systems faced an attempted ransomware attack that impacted and slowed down flight departures.

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On May 4, SpiceJet flight SG-331 operating from Chennai to Durgapur on May 3 returned to Chennai after take-off due to a technical issue. At that time also the aircraft landed back safely.

ALSO READ - Spicejet mid-air turbulence – here’s what is known so far

More than 1,600 employees of Air India, the former state-run carrier now owned by the Tata group, have opted for voluntary retirement under a scheme announced on June 1.

These employees comprise 22% of permanent staff (around 7,000). The airline has a total employee strength of around 10,800, including those on contract.

At first, employees older than 55 and with 20 years of continuous employment could opt for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). The rules were relaxed in June and VRS opened for those older than 40 among cabin crew, clerical and unskilled categories. Pilots were not included in this scheme.

Over 1,600 Air India employees opt for voluntary retirement scheme

Those who have opted for VRS until June end will get an additional incentive of INR 1 lakh and the scheme will continue till July end. A senior executive of Air India said the Tata group would appoint professional agencies to reskill the staff who opt for VRS.

Cabin crew, peons, clerical assistants, housekeeping staff and security guards are among employees opting for VRS. Around 2,800 employees are eligible to take VRS and those opting for it account for around 57%.

Air India has over 10,000 employees, of which around 7,000 are permanent. Thousands are said to be retiring over the next five years.

Around 2,800 employees are eligible to take VRS and those opting for it account for around 57%.

ALSO READ - Air India offers to rehire pilots post-retirement for 5 years

According to the disinvestment conditions, the Tata Group cannot lay off employees for one year from taking ownership and can offer VRS in the second year. Some unions have also been examining whether the current move violates the term of the sale or not.

“Most of those who are opting for VRS have around two to three years of their service period left. Functions of multiple departments like security driver or loader where Air India under the government had hired permanent staff are going to be outsourced. So, it is a good proposition for them,” said an airline executive.

The Tata group acquired Air India in January. By investing in aircraft and technology, the group hopes to make the airline efficient and profitable.

Air India is hiring cabin crew between 18-32 years as it prepares for its expansion.

“If you have to get an edge over others you have to break away from the past,” said a former senior executive. The VRS scheme would make the airline leaner and cut establishment costs, he said.

Air India is hiring cabin crew between 18-32 years as it prepares for its expansion. It did not respond to an emailed query about the VRS scheme.

Not everyone is happy. “The VRS scheme is a tactic to break the resistance of employees who are opposing eviction from staff quarters. We were assured that there would be job protection for one year after disinvestment,” said George Abraham, a member of the Aviation Industry Employees Guild.

Air India has over 10,000 employees, of which around 7,000 are permanent.

There is a lot more discipline and accountability in the airline's internal functioning now but somewhere unhappiness too has crept in, employees said. This is especially among crewmembers who fear losing jobs to new recruits.

“There is a lot of stress. The rest period between flights is at a minimum. There is also apprehension that airline management will tighten body mass index norms. Some are worried about a possible transfer to Delhi,” said a senior crewmember.

(With Inputs from Business Standard)

Air India may reduce dependence on its former ground-handling subsidiary, AIASL, as it responds to flight delays and customer complaints. It is exploring other options at airports served by AIASL.

Air India has been experiencing poor ground handling services since disinvestment in terms of check-in, baggage handling and other necessary services for the passengers.

AIASL serves Air India at all airports except Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram.

AIASL serves Air India at all airports except Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram. At these five airports, ground handling is done by Air India's joint venture firm AISATS.

Rajesh Dogra, the airline's head of customer experience and ground handling, listed eight issues of concern in a June 29 letter to AI Asset Holding Limited. Dogra said the number of flight delays has increased from 3.7% to 11.9% of the total.

Air India may deboard AIASL as a ground handler from some airports due to flight delays

The number of flight delays due to ground handling in December 2021 and January 2022 was 284 and 89, respectively. The months of February, March, April, and May have seen a steady climb in ground-handling induced delays to 271, 386, 520, and 620, respectively.

The key issues identified in the letter sent to AIASL are - Increased ground handling delays at AIASL, the perennial shortage of staffing, lack of systemic training interventions for staff, Old, inadequate, and dysfunctional ground handling equipment due to ineffective maintenance, staff not in uniform or wearing jaded uniform.

Dogra said the number of flight delays has increased from 3.7% to 11.9% of the total.

These include staff shortage, discourteous behaviour with customers, mishandling of baggage and lack of effective governance by AIASL. AI Asset Holding controls AIASL.

"We are getting a large number of escalations across all channels highlighting delays, as well as lack of professional handling of customers at AIASL, handled airports," said Dogra adding that these were affecting the airline's brand image and goodwill.

“The service lapses including manpower shortages extend to the terminal as well as ramp operations impacting the check-in / boarding, baggage handling processes almost on a daily basis. We are getting large number of escalations across all channels highlighting delays as well as lack of professional handling of customers at AlASL handled airports. We are unable to accept this situation any longer as inefficiencies in the AlASL operationsis severely impacting our services, goodwill, and brand image. In view of the above, we are constrained to explore alternative arrangements for ground handling services at such AIASL airports…. we will be forced to discontinue/scale down AlASL ground handling services at such airports.Inspite of our sustained efforts towards constructive engagement and repeated highlighting of shortcomings/deficiencies in service delivery, (the same) deteriorate progressively…. for any airline to be able to deliver enhanced customer experience, ground handling operations such as check-in, boarding, baggage handling and ramp side activities are extremely critical."The letter written by Air India to AIASL

A senior AIASL official said the main issue was a staff shortage. "Staff is being hired across stations on a war footing to improve our service," he said.

The Tatas are desperately trying to improve Air India’s service standards, putting flights on time, making customer service more efficient and booking processes more seamless.

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The Noida International airport in Jewar will look to etch its place on the country’s aviation map as a major MRO hub, acronym for maintenance, repair and overhaul, after it crosses its first landmark of launching commercial operations by December 2024.

With the UP Cabinet passing the MRO policy, the decks have been cleared for concessionaire Zurich AG to develop the first of the two MROs planned on 40 acres of land.

On Wednesday, June 29 Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) CEO Arun Vir Singh said Zurich AG is in talks with top companies to set up this MRO at the airport.

Noida Airport to become a significant MRO hub in India

The second and larger MRO will come up on 1,365 acres of land along with a runway and the facility could see a cluster of companies operate there. It has a 2025 completion timeline. Singh heads the UP government's special purpose vehicle for the airport, Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL).

The two MROs, pegged at INR 80,000 crore, are eventually expected to give employment to over 60,000 people and bring in investments of INR 30,000 crore over the years, officials said.

“There is an immense opportunity in this field given the upcoming Noida International Airport. Since the first phase of the airport is coming up over 1,334 hectares, it was compulsory to build an MRO facility simultaneously,” the YEIDA CEO said.

The second and larger MRO will come up on 1,365 acres of land along with a runway and the facility could see a cluster of companies operate there.

The central government had in 2021 introduced an MRO policy that aims to turn India into a global hub for aircraft maintenance and overhaul, which now largely happens abroad.

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Some of the proposed changes included leasing land through open tenders, allocating land for MRO for 30 years instead of the current 3 to 5 years, and removing the 13% turnover royalty charged by the Airports Authority of India.

The Indian MRO industry is worth USD 2 billion annually. Of this, only 16% of the business is handled locally. Within the MRO services, the engine and aircraft component maintenance, in particular, is quite lucrative, and the government wants to develop these facilities in the country.

There is an immense opportunity in this field given the upcoming Noida International Airport.

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Indian carriers currently send their aircraft offshore for MRO, though some work has begun at the Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports, where the country’s only two smaller MROs are located, officials said.

Singh said India has over 650 commercial aircraft and this figure is expected to increase by 1,000 in the next four years.

“For now, aircraft are taken to Singapore, Dubai, Paris, Seattle and Colombo for major overhauls, and airlines spend around INR 15,000 crore on repairs every year. The Indian aviation industry is expanding fast and that’s why there was a need to develop MRO facilities to cater to these new planes.Before approval of the MRO policy, several rounds of talks took place in Noida and Lucknow with the international companies. The companies gave their presentations and apprised us about incentives in the policy that can boost investment opportunities. We studied the MRO policies of other states and adopted the best practices."Arun Vir Singh, CEO, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA)

Under the MRO policy passed by the cabinet, companies will be entitled to subsidies for setting up operations at the Noida airport. These will be – 5% capital subsidy for those spending INR 500 crore, 8% for investments of INR 1,000 crore and 12% for over INR 1,000 crore.

The UP government has also asked the concessionaire developing the airport to develop it as a transit hub for Asia-Pacific, with a focus on connecting countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia among others.

Under the MRO policy passed by the cabinet, companies will be entitled to subsidies for setting up operations at the Noida airport.

The Noida airport lies southeast of central Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida and is almost at the halfway point to Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal. The new development is around 90 kilometres from the current Delhi Airport and 85 kilometres from the city centre.

The project is being worked upon in phases. The first phase, set to open in September 2024, will see the construction of two runways and a terminal for 12 million travellers. By the fourth phase, the airport is hoping to gain 70 million yearly passengers and six active runways, the most in the country.

Construction of the runway begins at Noida International Airport

Construction of the runway at the proposed largest international airport has started in Jewar. Tata Projects, which was awarded the tender for the runway construction, has begun measuring and marking the runway. Temporary offices have also been established at the site, with civilian access to the area restricted.

https://twitter.com/NIAirport/status/1540371122792714240

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Aside from these, an aeroplane maintenance centre is proposed for the airport site. The centre will be India's first and only aircraft servicing facility, saving crores of Indian rupees that are currently paid to foreign nations for aircraft repair and maintenance.