Air India restricts local agents from booking tickets to Canada

Air India has banned local agents from booking tickets for the Canadian sector. After a ban of two years, now there has been an exemption in international travel, due to which the demand has increased. Local agents are making huge profits on this.

Air India has taken this step to stop this. A section of the travel industry believes that the airline’s strong action reflects the value of its new owner, the Tata Group.

Air India had received information that some local agents were not following proper rules in the sale of tickets. Because of this, the company banned them from booking their tickets.

Air India restricts local agents from booking tickets to Canada

A source said that there was a big misunderstanding between these agents. They were blocking seats at a fixed price and selling them at four times that. This is the reason why he has been banned because it was causing a huge loss to the airline.

Now passengers travelling in the Canada sector can book tickets directly on the airline’s website. An industry source said that a discrepancy was found in the way some agents were booking tickets and hence this action was taken.

Passengers can now book tickets through call centres and the airline’s website. In this regard, an Air India spokesperson said that it is awaiting a response from the concerned department in this regard.

Only Air India and Air Canada operate on India-Canada direct route.

The government has announced the resumption of regular international flights from March 27. But the ban on agents may affect Air India’s booking of tickets to Canada during the peak summer vacation season.

A large number of Indians live in Canada. Due to this, there is expected to be a huge demand in this sector this year. Only Air India and Air Canada operate on this route.

However, a section of the travel agent community says that punishing everyone for the mistake of a few is not the solution.

Tata Group gained bids to personal Air India and was handed over the airline in January

Ajay Prakash, president of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), told ET that foreign agents can sell tickets on the India-Canada route. Agents registered abroad can also do the same. Only travel agents from India are being discriminated against.

The Tata Group gained bids to personal Air India and was handed over the airline in January. While the brand new homeowners haven’t introduced any main change within the administration of the airline, the group’s plan to herald former Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci as its CEO & MD couldn’t undergo after Ayci declined the supply.

ALSO READ - Amid the security row, Ilker Ayci declines Tata Sons’ offer to be the new CEO of Air India

The Tata Group has additionally retained administrators of 4 practical departments – finance, operations, business and HR – however, is working with a plan to enhance service high quality within the first part.

In a bid to meet the increasing demand in the aviation sector, the central government will spend INR 25,000 crore in the next five years to develop new and existing airports across the country, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, VK Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on March 14.

As part of the plan, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will spend INR 25,000 crore in the next five years to construct new terminals, expand and modify existing terminals, expand or strengthen existing runways, aprons, Airport Navigation Services (ANS) infrastructure, control towers and technical blocks.

INR 25,000 crore to be spent on developing new and existing airports in next 5 years

The government is also looking to invest INR 36,000 under public-private partnerships for the development of new greenfield airports across the country. So far 'in-principle' approval has been given to set up 21 greenfield airports across the country.

Out of the aforementioned 21, eight airports at Sindhudurg and Shirdi in Maharashtra, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala, Orvakal in Andhra Pradesh, Kalaburagi in Karnataka and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh have been operationalised, the government said.

As part of its regional connectivity scheme (RCS), Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), the government has operationalised 403 routes connecting 65 airports, including 8 heliports and 2 water aerodromes.

In 2021, the air passengers grew in India by 73% with 200 million passengers

AAI has further identified 154 airports including 14 water aerodromes and 36 helipads so far to be developed under UDAN for the operation of RCS flights.

As per the traffic forecast by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the all-India passenger throughput growth for the next three years is projected to be 69% in 2022-23 with 338 million passengers, 20% in 2023-24 with 404 million passengers and 11% in 2024-25 with 449 million air passengers.

In 2021, the air passengers grew in India by 73% with 200 million passengers after several covid restrictions were eased and domestic airlines started to function with 100% pre-Covid capacity.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), has announced the launch of the IATA Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology - the first-of-its-kind tool to quantify CO2 emissions per passenger for a specific flight.

That being said, there are other C02-offset options available already in the aviation circle, although the measurements are generic at best and do not take into account the various efficiency(s) of different aircraft models, cargo loading, the actual weight or the very recent introduction of sustainable aviation fuels.

TravelDailyNews International

How relevant is the need for an accurate C02 emission calculation method?

As travellers, corporate travel managers, and travel agents are increasingly demanding precise flight CO2 emission information, an accurate and standardized calculation methodology is critical. This is particularly true in the corporate sector where such calculations are needed to underpin voluntary emissions reductions targets. Additionally, there are global climate-change targets that need to be met too.

Representative | Environmental Science Associates

Airlines have worked together through IATA to develop an accurate and transparent methodology using verified airline operational data. This provides the most accurate CO2 calculation for organizations and individuals to make informed choices about flying sustainably. This includes decisions on investing in voluntary carbon offsetting or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) useWillie Walsh, IATA's Director General

Willie Walsh | Prensa Latina

Here's how IATA's CO2-emission calculations are worked out:

Guidance on fuel measurement, aligned with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)Clearly defined scope to calculate CO2 emissions to airlines’ flying activities Guidance on non-CO2 related emissions and Radiative Forcing Index (RFI)Weight-based calculation principle: allocation of CO2 emission by passenger and belly cargoGuidance on passenger weight, using actual and standard weightEmissions Factor for conversion of jet fuel consumption to CO2, fully aligned with CORSIACabin class weighting and multipliers to reflect different cabin configurations of airlinesGuidance on SAF and carbon offsets as part of the CO2 calculation

Therefore, effectively, this tool allows comparing different flights of different airlines to see which option is the most sustainable, to begin with, rather than just allowing passengers to calculate their CO2 emissions to offset them accurately.

The plethora of carbon calculation methodologies with varying results creates confusion and dents consumer confidence. Aviation is committed to achieving net zero by 2050. By creating an accepted industry standard for calculating aviation’s carbon emissions, we are putting in place essential support to achieve this goal. The IATA Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology is the most authoritative tool and it is ready for airlines, travel agents, and passengers to adoptadded Walsh

SOURCE(s)

COVER: NASA

As the Russian aggression progresses towards advanced stages, with the country putting its nuclear arsenal on high alert, the possibility of Russian-triggered nuclear warfare is now high as ever.

The Russian officials have left no stone unturned to warn the world of their nuclear prowess and while that may be true to an extent, their western counterparts have denounced those claims as an attempt to shift attention away from the war crimes committed on the Ukrainian soil.

If anything, a so-called "nuke-proof" aircraft have been seen circling over the UK in the past few days.

Referred to as the “doomsday plane” by many, the NightWatch aircraft is accompanying Joe Biden, who is currently on a trip to Europe.

Representative | Military.com

As eerie as it may sound, here's everything you need to know about "Doomsday".

The Boeing E-4B Doomsday

Sometimes also referred to as the “Flying Pentagon”, The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP), the current "Nightwatch" aircraft,  serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

www.af.mil

The name "Nightwatch" originates from the richly detailed Rembrandt painting The Night Watch, which depicts local townsfolk protecting a town; it was selected by the Squadron's first commanding officer.

The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200. It is a four-engine, swept-wing, long-range high-altitude aeroplane with in-flight refuelling capabilities and can theoretically stay airborne for a week in emergencies, although the longest test flight so far completed clocked in at around 35 hours.

BUILDER Boeing Aerospace Co. POWERPLANT 4 * General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofan enginesTHRUST 52,500 pounds each engineLENGTH 231 feet, 4 inches (70.5 meters)WINGSPAN 195 feet, 8 inches (59.7 meters)HEIGHT 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters)  MTOW 800,000 pounds (360,000 kilograms)ENDURANCE 12 hours (unrefueled)CEILING above 30,000 feet (9,091 meters)  UNIT COST $223.2 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)DATE DEPLOYED January 1980INVENTORY active force, 4; Air National Guard, 0; Reserve, 0www.af.mil

The main deck is divided into six functional areas: a command work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, communications area and rest area. The flight deck contains stations for the pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer, plus a special navigation station not normally found on commercial Boeing 747s.

Doomsday interiors | Daily Mail

An E-4B may also include seating for up to 112 people, including a joint-service operations team, Air Force flight crew, maintenance and security component, communications team and selected augmentees.

Is it completely nuclear-proof?

Contrary to the popular belief, while it may not be completely impervious to nuclear attacks, the plane is shielded from the effects of nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP)-a burst of electromagnetic radiation created by a nuclear explosion that can produce damaging current and voltage surges.

NewsBreak

The aircraft is also touted to withstand the high temperatures inflicted by a nuclear blast.

Additionally, the E-4B also provides support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides communications and command centre capability to relief efforts following natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

When and where is it deployed?

The aircraft was originally stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland so that the U.S. president and secretary of defence could access them quickly in case of an emergency.

Whenever the US President travels outside of North America using Air Force One, an E-4B aircraft is routinely deployed to a second airport in the vicinity of the President's destination.

One E-4B is kept on alert at all times. The "cocked" or "on alert" E-4B is manned 24 hours a day with a watch crew on board guarding all communications systems awaiting a launch order.

This is simply in case of any emergency - nuclear or otherwise - that renders Air Force One unusable.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: media.defense.gov

Historically, wide-bodies like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330s have been the aircraft of choice for long-haul flights across the Atlantic, and understandably so. However, though, airlines have struggled to fill flights on certain routes causing them to burn a hole in their pockets, pushing them to re-define their strategy.

Representative | New Atlas

Narrow-body, single-aisle aircraft, owing to their enhanced fuel efficiency and lower passenger capacity has hence become a lucrative option for the airlines operating long-haul routes, allowing them to profitably fly long-haul and operate lower-demand city pairs.

The increasing number of narrow-bodies entering the long-haul market puts them in direct competition against the onboard services provided by wide-body aircraft. As expected, passengers may feel the premium experience in a narrow-body cabin does not meet or exceed the standard of a widebody – owing to the reduced cabin footprint, seat pitch and constrained cabin architecture. Apparently, because of the constraints of the smaller single-aisle planes, business and first-class space and comfort could be compromised.

Representative | Business Traveller

To tackle those issues, while keeping operating costs low at the same time, American Design and innovation company Teague and aerospace company NORDAM are collaborating to unveil what is touted to be the world’s first single-aisle aircraft cabinet that would feature floating furniture, thereby re-defining in-flight passenger experience.

"Elevate" is the first single-aisle aircraft cabin that would feature "floating" seats and tables, which would be secured to the fuselage using NORDAM's patented "Nbrace" attachment. It is also touted to provide passengers more space, privacy, and comfort in a home-like cabin – without compromising passenger numbers.

Representative | Aerospace Manufacturing

At a time when passenger wellbeing and sustainability are industry priorities, Elevate heralds a new generation of beautiful, simplified cabin products that will enable airlines to deliver exceptional experiences for their passengers with the economic efficiency that these smaller aircraft were designed to deliverAnthony Harcup, Senior Director of Airline Experience at Teague

The overall layout features a sidewall attachment- touted to be the first in the industry. This allows TVs to be directly fixed to the cabin walls, as well as give options for a variety of different seat pitches and angles.

Globetrender

For front row and business-class passengers, the suite environment wraps around the whole living space, creating a more exclusive and private zone that moves away from the typical tubular environment into a more luxurious residential atmosphere, while customized entrance lighting and overhead bins ensure passengers have an inflight experience like no other.

Representative | Aerospace Manufacturing

Reportedly, owing to the innovative design of the "Elevate", Teague has been shortlisted for a Crystal Cabin Award, which recognizes product innovations in aircraft cabins.

From an airline’s operational perspective, the additional fixing points allow for greater integrity and strength, further lightening the seats themselves bringing back the cost efficiencies that airlines expect.

This is a next-generation innovation that enables more creative freedom for the aircraft interior design community. By revolutionising how seats and other monuments attach to an aircraft, Nbrace recruits previously wasted space, transforming it into new aesthetic possibilities and dramatically improved passenger comfort, space and privacyNORDAM’s CEO Meredith Siegfried Madden

Elevate will be showcased at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2022 in Hamburg in June.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Aircraft Interiors International

Six decades after the establishment of foreign trading companies like the ‘British East India’ and the ‘Dutch East India,’ France too entered India with business proposals. Having arrived in Pondicherry in 1674, they later established colonies at Pondicherry, Karikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandanagar.

Representative | Flags Wallpapers

The French have always been a constant support to India, since the Cold War times and have even supported us as a nuclear power. India and France eventually signed a strategic partnership in January 1998.

At the birth of manned flight, France was at the epicentre of science, technology and culture. Not surprisingly, a lot of words in aviation are derived from the French language and it can be safely said that the French went crazy over anything that flew and dominated the aviation front, at least up until World War 1.

The French have always been at the forefront of aviation and it was ace aviation designer- Marcel Dassault - who revived aviation post World War II.

Marcel Dassault | Airways Magazine

The first French jet fighter-bomber to enter production was the MD 450 ‘Ouragan’.

The birth of Indo-French aviation

 1. Ouragans (Indian name 'Toofani')

The sale of Ouragan to India in 1953 was the first export of French fighters into the country. Developed by Dassault Aviation, the Indian Air Force inducted the Dassault 'Ouragan' fighter in 1953.

The Wire

It had a 'stovepipe' design with its air intake in the nose and low-mounted wings. It was equipped with a single British Rolls Royce ‘Nene’ engine. The Ouragan had an armament of four 20mm guns and could carry up to two 450kg bombs under its wings.

Toofanis were withdrawn from active IAF service in 1965, although they were continued to be used for training and Target Towing for a few more subsequent years.

2. Dassault Mystère IV

The Dassault MD454 Mystere IV is a 1950s French fighter-bomber aircraft, the first transonic aircraft to enter service with the French Air Force.

Wikipedia

The Mystere IV 01 was equipped with a centrifugal Rolls Royce Tay engine, this being more powerful and more reliable than the axial Atar engine. On its 34th flight, on 17 January 1953, it broke the sound barrier nose down.

India had procured 104 Mystere and used them extensively in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. On 7 September 1965, an Indian Mystere shot down a Pakistani Lockheed F-104 Starfighter in a raid over Sargodha. The fleet was eventually phased out by 1973.

3. Breguet Alize

Wikipedia

Developed in the 1950s, the Breguet Br.1050 Alize (French-"Tradewind") is a French carrier-based anti-submarine warfare aircraft. 12 of these were acquired by the Indian Navy and operated by aircraft carrier -Vikrant. It played a significant role in Goa operations and the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

4. Aerospatiale Alouette III

Developed by the French aircraft company - Sud Aviation, the Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter. Manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as ‘Chetak', two lighter versions - ‘Cheetah’ and re-engine ‘Cheetal’ were subsequently developed for high altitude operations including the Siachen glacier.

Copycats

These choppers are still active in service in India’s all three Armed Services and Indian Coast Guard.

5. SEPECAT Jaguar

The National Interest

Originally conceived in the 1960s as a jet trainer with a light ground attack capability, the requirement for the aircraft soon changed to include supersonic performance, reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike roles. IAF would become the largest single export customer, with a $1 billion order for the aircraft in the late seventies. The order involved 40 Jaguars built in the UK at Warton and 120 licence-built aircraft from HAL under the local name Shamsher (“Sword of Justice”).

6. Mirage 2000

Wikimedia Commons

Designed in the late 1970s, the Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine, fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation.

In October 1982, India placed an order for the French Dassault Mirage 2000. 36 single-seat Mirage 2000H and 4 twin-seat Mirage 2000TH (with H standing for “Hindustan”) were first ordered.

Reportedly, the Mirage 2000 was the first fly-By-Wire(FBW) controlled aircraft of the sub-continent. In March 1998 an agreement was concluded between HAL and Dassault Aviation authorizing HAL to offer over-hauling facilities for Mirage to IAF and global customers.

7. Dassault Rafale

OPIndia

The Dassault Rafale made it to the top of the list, kicking behind Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D, Mikoyan MiG-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18 E/F super hornet, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen, in a tender issued by the IAF on 31 January 2012.

Referred to as an "omnirole" aircraft by Dassault, Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft equipped with a wide range of weapons to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: DNA India