Air India Group operates 90 All-Women Crew flights to celebrate International Women's Day

Air India on Wednesday, March 8 said 15% of its 1,825 pilots are women pilots, making it an airline with the largest number of female pilots.

To mark International Women's Day, the Tata Group-owned Air India, along with Air India Express and AirAsia India, has scheduled more than 90 all-women crew flights, and the carriers have been operating these all-women crew flights on international and domestic routes since March 1. The number is also significant for the 90th Anniversary of Bharat Ratna JRD Tata’s first commercial flight.

https://twitter.com/airindiain/status/1633471589479235584

"Of the 90+ flights operated by all-women cockpit and cabin crew, Air India is flying 40 flights across domestic and international locations, whereas Air India Express is operating 10 all-international flights to the Gulf route and AirAsia India is operating over 40 flights within India," it said.

According to the carrier, women constitute over 40% of Air India's workforce, with 275 of its 1,825 pilots being women, representing 15% of the cockpit crew strength and making it an airline that has one of the largest numbers of female pilots.

Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said India has the largest number of commercial women pilots in the world.

"India has the largest number of commercial women pilots in the world and with more Indian women pursuing careers in aviation, we are achieving gender equality in the workforce.With more Indian women pursuing careers in aviation, we are achieving gender equality in the workforce. We are proud of the women workforce with us at Air India today, and we thank each of them for sending out a powerful message that women can excel in any field."

Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India

At Air India Express and AirAsia India, over a third of the workforce comprises women.

"Several women play a key role in various departments, including in the domains of finance, commercial, human resources, customer happiness, flight training, technology, flight dispatch, engineering, safety and operations control. The two airlines have a total of 97 women pilots," the release said.

Besides, the cockpit and cabin crew most of these flights will be served by women dispatchers, safety and quality auditors, loaders, engineers, and security as well.

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Air India has also operated the world's first all-women crew flight across the globe from Delhi to San Francisco, besides flying a similar flight charting the polar route.

Women in Indian Aviation

Across all airlines in India, there are about 12.4% of female pilots. Despite being far lower than in other sectors, this still places India as the nation with the greatest proportion of female pilots globally.

The Indian Air Force began recruiting women pilots for helicopters and transport aircraft back in the 1990s. It wasn’t until this year that they were allowed to take up fighter roles.

Air India has also operated the world's first all-women crew flight across the globe from Delhi to San Francisco, besides flying a similar flight charting the polar route.

Some airlines in India are devising policies to retain female talent. IndiGo, India’s largest passenger airline, said it offers flexibility to women pilots and crew to continue working safely, excluding flying duties, during pregnancy. It gives 26 weeks of paid maternity leave that is required under law and also offers creches for childcare. Women pilots can opt for a flexible contract with two weeks' leave in a calendar month until a child is 5 years old.

Vistara offers pregnant pilots and cabin crew the option of temporary jobs on the ground or administrative roles until they are ready to fly, according to a spokesperson. It also gives paid maternity leave for six months and reimburses creche fees.

Capt. Nivedita Bhasin became the world’s youngest commercial airline captain in 1989, but the Indian pilot still recalls her early years when other crew would urge her to rush into the cockpit so passengers wouldn’t get nervous at the sight of a woman flying their plane.

In the September issue of the 100 Knots' monthly magazine, she speaks in length about women in aviation and her association with The Ninety-Nines.

Three decades after Bhasin’s career began, female pilots are no longer a rarity in India, making the country a success story when it comes to diversity in the airline industry. India has the highest percentage of female pilots globally, the International Society of Women Airline Pilots estimates, with about 12.4% of all pilots women, compared with 5.5% in the US, the world’s largest aviation market, and 4.7% in the UK.

One of the youngest Cargo Airline in India, Pradhaan Air Express is grateful for having been given the opportunity to support the effort of the international aid agency's relief supply movement from Indian soil to Turkey. The operation of the World's first and only A320 Freighter from Delhi to Adana is also a reflection of strengthening India-Turkey ties. The Airline believes it was India's first private cargo airline to operate a freighter for emergency relief supplies to Turkey. 

The Airline operated its maiden relief flight to Adana, Turkey for Chapman Freeborn. The Aircraft operated with a technical stop at AL Maktoum Airport, also marking the first-ever flight by the A320 Freighter to Dubai World Central Airport. 

The Airline is grateful to MOCA, DGCA, BCAS in India, GCAA UAE and DGCA Turkey for their assistance at short notice in enabling this operation. 

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit central southern Turkey on February 6, near the Syrian border, followed by hundreds of strong aftershocks. The quake killed approximately 40,000 people, destroyed extensive infrastructure and left many needing emergency aids. 

At least 150,000 individuals are without homes in Turkey andmore than one million people are seeking temporary accommodation. The earthquakes damaged and destroyed hospitals, limiting access to proper drinking water and sanitary services. 

The aircraft with 20.4 tons of available capacity remains available for the transportation of urgent materials across the region. 

Delhi airport has been adjudged as one of the best airports as well as the cleanest airport in the Asia Pacific region by the international grouping ACI.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), operated by DIAL, has bagged the award for Airport Service Quality (ASQ) best airport for 2022 in the category of over 40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA). It has also been named the cleanest airport in the Asia Pacific region by the Airports Council International (ACI).

ACI is a non-profit organisation of airport operators. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is a GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd consortium.

"The ASQ programme is the world's leading airport customer experience measurement and benchmarking programme. This recognition is based on live research via surveys gathered at the airport — direct from the traveller — rating their satisfaction on the day of travel," DIAL said in a release.

Airports Council International declares Delhi Airport as the cleanest airport in the Asia Pacific

“At Delhi airport, consistency in enhancing service standards is paramount. This honour resonates with our values and relentless commitment towards providing travelers a truly world-class experience.”

Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)

Based on surveys of travellers conducted on the day of travel to gauge customer satisfaction, the airport service quality award is given. The polls cover more than 30 performance metrics that relate to important aspects of a traveller's airport experience, including ease of navigation, check-in, shopping, and dining options.

ALSO READ - Delhi Airport becomes the first airport in India to run entirely on hydro and solar power

Based on more than 465,000 surveys gathered in 2022, 75 airports worldwide have claimed 144 honours. Four additional categories—airport with the most dedicated employees; easiest airport journey; most fun airport; and cleanest airport—were added in 2022 in addition to the award for best airports by size and region.

ALSO READ - Delhi airport posted a fabulous recovery in March to become the third busiest airport in the world

As of 2022, Delhi airport is the seventh busiest airport in the world, as per the latest rankings issued by the UK-based air consultancy firm, OAG. It is the second busiest airport in the world by seating capacity, having a seating capacity of over 3.6 million seats, and the busiest airport in Asia by passenger traffic handling nearly 37.14 million passengers in 2021.

ALSO READ - Delhi airport, the world’s 10th busiest airport

In a separate release, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said Tiruchirappalli International Airport has been rated the best in the Asia Pacific region in the category of under 2 million passengers by ACI. State-owned AAI operates Tiruchirappalli airport in Tamil Nadu.

ALSO READ - Disabled Aircraft Recovery (DAR) kit launched at Delhi Airport

The Jalan-Kalrock consortium is planning to order 200 aircraft for Jet Airways. The development has come in the wake of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) decision, in which it declined to halt the ownership transfer as requested by the lenders, according to a report by Mint.

The official announcement of the order may come around June, people familiar with the matter said. They did not want to be named.

The report quoted one of the people aware of the development as saying, "Jalan-Kalrock is in talks with aircraft OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to place an order of at least 200 planes of a mix of small, medium, and large narrow-body jets at the Paris airshow in June for their growth plan for five years."

Jalan-Kalrock consortium reportedly plans to order 200 aircraft for Jet Airways

The airline wants to maintain a fleet that allows them to tap the market opportunity in India—a blend of core metro markets and markets in smaller cities that have also registered significant growth in recent times. Earlier, the airline had indicated that it would place a large order and was considering buying planes from Airbus and Boeing. However, they could not proceed with the orders, thanks to the opposition from lenders.

ALSO READ - SC dismisses Jalan-Kalrock plea for stay on payment of dues to Jet Airways workers

Aviation industry experts have said that ordering and maintaining large aircraft is key to an airline's long-term strategy, the report said. The development is interesting given the rising air traffic in the country.

ALSO READ - From A350s to B777Xs, Air India finalizes the Historic 470 Aircraft deal with Airbus & Boeing

The 200 aircraft order from Jet Airways will further strengthen the growth potential of the Indian aviation market. Reportedly, Air India placed a record-breaking order of 470 aircraft. IndiGo is also in discussions to order 500 aircraft.

ALSO READ - IndiGo reportedly in talks with both Boeing & Airbus for around 500 aircraft

Additionally, Akasa Air placed an order for 72 aircraft in November 2021. However, it updated its decision and is now preparing to place a "three-digit" order by the end of 2023, the report said. Currently, India has 500 registered aircraft that operate commercial flights in the country.

ALSO READ - Akasa Air to place a large order for new narrowbody jets by year end

Shares of Jet Airways rose sharply in Monday's (March 6) trade, pausing their two-day fall. The stock climbed 5% to hit its upper price band of INR 66.42 against a previous close of INR 63.26. The scrip plunged to its 52-week low of INR 62 on Friday, March 3. The stock has slipped 6.91% so far this year and 22.04% in the past year.

Naresh Goyal founded Jet Airways, once India’s biggest private carrier, that stopped operations on April 17, 2019, over piling losses and debt of about INR 8,000 crore and unable to cope with its financial liabilities. It was taken to bankruptcy court by the airline’s lenders in 2019.

ALSO READ - Jet Airways Pilots & Cabin Crew leave amid uncertain takeoff

(Source - Mint)

Airbus has received an order for two advanced ACH160 Exclusive business helicopters to an Indian customer in India,  further supporting the cause of the Indian government’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' mission.

ACH160 is the latest member of the ACH family and has 68 new Airbus patented technologies. It provides 20% greater volume per passenger compared to previous generation medium twin helicopters and 35% larger windows than its competitors.

"The helicopters will be delivered with the ACH160 exclusive configuration for business use by the customer who is an experienced helicopter operator. Under the terms of the contract, Airbus Corporate Helicopters will provide a turnkey solution to ensure a smooth entry into service of both the helicopters," it said in a release.

Airbus wins order for 2 ACH160 Exclusive business helicopters in India

According to the release, ACH160's advanced air conditioning technology allows precise temperature control and optimal cabin air quality with highly efficient air exchange. In the ACH160 exclusive version, mood lighting contributes to reduced fatigue.

“We are proud to announce this milestone contract for two ACH160 helicopters for our Indian customer. We thank them for their pioneering vision and I am confident that the entry into service of this helicopter will set a new benchmark for helicopter operations in India, especially for private aviation and premium charters. This new order – the first in India for any helicopter in the H160 range - further reinforces our commitment to the Indian market where already more than 120 Airbus helicopters are flying."

Olivier Michalon, EVP - Global Business, Airbus Helicopters

The Airbus Helicopters H160 (formerly X4) is a medium utility helicopter being developed by Airbus Helicopters. Formally launched at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida on 3 March 2015, it is intended to replace the AS365 and EC155 models in the firm's lineup. In June 2015, the first test flight took place. It received its EASA-type certification in July 2020; its first deliveries were in December 2021.

ALSO READ - Airbus Luxe ACH160 now has an autopilot system that will take over in case of rapid descent

The aircraft's maximum speed is 325 km/h (202 mph, 175 kn) whereas the Cruise speed is 287 km/h (178 mph, 155 kn). Its range is 850 km (530 mi, 460 nmi) and the Rate of climb is 8.9 m/s (1,750 ft/min).

Also in February, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Asia’s largest helicopter factory in Karnataka, bolstering India’s helicopter industry.

ALSO READ - Airbus delivers India’s first INR 100 crore luxury helicopter to Kerala billionaire

As per the latest reports, direct connectivity between India and Israel will likely resume soon as Saudi Arabia and Oman have allowed Israeli civilian overflights over their regions. The said development brings a great relief and positive news for Israel’s airline industry.

Because of this new air corridor, flights from Israel to the far East will now be much shorter, which will further allow airlines to offer more direct and efficient routes.

Reports have it that for some destinations, such as India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, the flight time will be cut down to two-and-a-half-hour, which will likely increase tourism and business travel to and from Israel.

Air connectivity between India, Israel to improve with new corridor.

“Israel has, in effect, become the main transit point between Asia and Europe. Israel is opening up to the East on an unprecedented scale.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated.

Also, as per the Israel Ministry of Tourism, El Al is expected to re-launch its route to India, which was closed during the pandemic.

Further, Arkia announced plans of relaunching its routes to Goa and Cochin, which were also closed in 2019, and is considering expanding its service to India and Sri Lanka. Likewise, Israir has announced its interest in opening a route that will take just around five hours flight time to India.

El Al is expected to re-launch its route to India.

“This is a significant decision that will drive growth in the aviation sector by encouraging more airlines to expand their operations and enter the Israeli market,” said Sammy Yahia, Director of Tourism, India and Philippines, Israel Ministry of Tourism, commenting on the new air corridor.

He also added that India's airlines will be able to offer more competitive prices and reduce flying time to a five-hour direct flight, which will surely ease travel of air passengers.

With inputs from timesofindia.