Air India to launch non-stop flights Bengaluru-San Francisco from October end

Jinen Gada

26 Sep 2022

Non-stop flights are a new rage, especially on the international circuit. Air India is all set to launch non-stop services between Bengaluru and San Francisco this winter.

Tata Group’s Air India is going to start a twice weekly nonstop between the silicon cities of India and the US this winter schedule, that starts from October-end.

Bengaluru (BLR) will again be directly connected to San Francisco (SFO) from this winter.

The route is in high demand and In fact, some Indian-origin American entrepreneurs raised the issue of a lack of direct connectivity in the sector during Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to the West Coast earlier this month.

ALSO READ - SFO – BLR, United Airlines' new daily flight to start by the end of 2022

This would be very beneficial for Air India as United’s proposed BLR-SFO flight keeps getting deferred as western airlines are not overflying Russian airspace — something that India does and makes its highly popular nonstops between India and the west coast viable. For the same reason, American Airlines’ proposed BLR-Seattle nonstop has not been launched yet.

ALSO READ - United Airlines halts 2 Indian routes as it ends using the Russian airspace

There has been tremendous demand for a nonstop on this route. Air India is the biggest operator of nonstops between India and the US as it still overflies the Russian airspace. Allowing its flights to take the shortest possible route.

Air India's non-stop flight between Bengaluru and San Francisco will be a huge boost for travellers.

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

Air India had recently announced that it will take on lease five Boeing 777-200 long-range (LR) aircraft. These ex-Delta planes will join the Air India fleet between this December and March 2023 to be used to deploy more India-US nonstops. Once that happens, Bengaluru will have a thrice weekly SFO.

With the rise of low-cost carriers in India, air travel has become cheaper and more accessible. Non-stop flights are now becoming a norm for long-haul flights, especially between the US and Asia.

(With Inputs from The Times of India)

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HAL sets up a rocket engine manufacturing facility in Bengaluru; to be inaugurated by Madam President

Jinen Gada

26 Sep 2022

A ?208-crore Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) has been established in Bengaluru by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). For the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it would house the entirety of rocket engine manufacture.

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate HAL’s state-of-the-art Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) in Bengaluru on September 27, 2022. The facility will cater to the entire Rocket Engine Manufacturing under one roof for ISRO. The facility will boost self-reliance in the manufacturing of Hi-thrust Rocket engines.

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1574285116884807680

The facility is set up over an area of 4500 square metres housing over 70 hi-tech equipment and testing facilities for manufacturing Cryogenic (CE20) and Semi-cryogenic (SE2000) Engines of Indian Space Launch Vehicles.

Cryogenic engines are the most widely used engines in launch vehicles. Due to the complex nature of the cryogenic engine, to date, only a few countries — the USA, France, Japan, China and Russia — have mastered the cryogenic technology.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is using these engines for its heavy light rockets.

On January five, 2014 India successfully flew GSLV-D5 with a cryogenic engine and became the sixth country in developing cryogenic engines. Cryogenic engines are the most advanced propulsion systems in the aerospace industry. They are used in rockets to leave earth’s atmosphere and achieve a stable acceleration in space.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) uses cryogenic engines for its Geostationary Operational Vehicular (GOV). ISRO has also made it mandatory for all private satellite operators to use cryogenic engines from 2020 onwards. There are currently only three manufacturers of cryogenic engines globally - Aerojet, RL10 and LE-5.

HAL sets up a 208-crore rocket engine manufacturing facility.

In 2015, India’s first indigenously designed and developed High Thrust cryogenic rocket engine generating a nominal thrust of 19 tonnes was successfully endurance tested for 800 seconds at ISRO’s Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri. The engine is being used for powering the Cryogenic stage (C25), the upper stage of ISRO’s GSLV MK-III launch vehicle, which is capable of launching four-tonne class satellites.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV MK-II), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk-III), and stage integration for GSLV Mk-II are all manufactured by HAL Aerospace Division.

An MOU was signed with ISRO in 2013 for the establishment of a facility to produce cryogenic engine modules at HAL's Aerospace Division. It was later updated in 2016 to allow for the establishment of the ICMF with an investment of  ?208 crores.

The facility will be inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The President’s visit, which is scheduled from September 26 to 28, 2022, will also see the President inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara Festival at Chamundi Hills, Mysuru. On 26th September, President Murmu will attend the felicitation function ‘Poura Sanmana’ organized by the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation at Hubli.

The inaugural ceremony of the new campus of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIT) Dharwad will also take place. The President will return to New Delhi on September 28, 2022.

ALSO READ - HAL targets revenue growth to INR 26,500 crore in FY23

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Air India to operate direct flights between Mumbai and Hong Kong

Radhika Bansal

26 Sep 2022

Air India, as part of its transformation journey - Vihaan.AI, is bolstering its network and is working towards expansion/upgradation of its fleet. The airline recently announced enhanced connectivity on its International Network with the introduction of 20 new flights to Doha From Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Now, the airline has opened up bookings on a new International route to Hong Kong.

ALSO READ - Air India unveils Vihaan – a comprehensive 5-year transformation plan

ALSO READ - Air India eyes Multiple Hubs, International Expansion

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

Starting November 1, Air India will be operating a weekly 1x Direct flight service between Mumbai and Hong Kong. Air India is resuming service on this route (Mumbai - Hong Kong) after a very long time.

Air India to operate direct flights between Mumbai and Hong Kong

ALSO READ - Air India cancels flights to Hong Kong amid Covid spike

Flight AI 316 will depart Mumbai at 08:00 and arrive in Hong Kong at 16:00. Flight AI 311 will depart Hong Kong at 17:15 and arrive in Mumbai at 21:15. The flight will fly every Tuesday.

Air India will fly its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on this route with a travel duration of around 330-390 minutes. Tickets for the route are already available for booking by the guests.

ALSO READ - Air India signs deal to replace 34 old engines

Air India has also signed a definitive sale and lease back agreement with Willis Lease Finance Corporation for 34 CFM56-5B engines installed on its Airbus A320 family fleet. The engines will be covered under Willis Lease’s ConstantThrust program and are the first ConstantThrust sale and leaseback agreement for aircraft engines by any Indian carrier.

Under this transaction, Willis Lease will purchase from Air India 34 engines powering 13 Airbus A321 aircraft and 4 Airbus A320 aircraft. 

Air India to start new flights to Qatar and Dubai as part of its winter schedule.

ALSO READ - In the wake of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Air India adds more flights to Dubai and Qatar

Air India is seeking to take advantage of an expected increase in passenger traffic due to the FIFA World Cup tournament that will take place in November-December in Doha. The airline is also looking to add six weekly flights between India and Qatar, between Delhi, Mumbai, and Doha, depending on available slots.

As part of plans to increase its presence on international routes, Air India is to start new flights to Qatar and Dubai as part of its winter schedule. The airline plans to add four weekly flights from Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi to Dubai.

ALSO READ - Cathay Pacific launches direct flight between Bengaluru – Hong kong

Recently, Cathay Pacific announced direct flights between Bengaluru and Hong Kong with two weekly non-stop flights starting October 11. Passengers travelling from the IT hub of India to Hong Kong will get benefitted from the launch of this new non-stop route.

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Air Works wins the Marketing Campaign Award at MRO Aisa-Pacific Awards 2022

Radhika Bansal

26 Sep 2022

Air Works - the nation’s largest independent MRO and aviation services and solutions major were adjudged the winner of the coveted Marketing Award at this year’s MRO Asia-Pacific Awards 2022, registering Indian MRO presence at this acclaimed, annual regional event, organized by Aviation Week, which is one of the world’s foremost authentic voices in the aviation & aerospace universe.

This is Air Works Group’s second consecutive Marketing win at the regional Awards, having also won the Marketing Campaign of the Year Award, 2020 against stiff regional competition from leading MROs and aviation engineering companies such as SIA Engineering Company and ST Engineering, among others.

The awards were announced at a glittering ceremony in Singapore, on the eve of Aviation Week’s MRO Asia-Pacific industry event. With this win, Air Works joined the league of select aviation players who have won such honours multiple consecutive times.

Air Works wins the Marketing Campaign Award at MRO Aisa-Pacific Awards 2022

The award and more significantly, its recognition, represents yet another milestone for the Indian enterprise that has successfully navigated numerous aviation cycles in its more than seven decades of operations, to emerge as the predominant player in the Indian aviation engineering and maintenance domain.

“Bagging the ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year Award’ for two consecutive years reflects the strength of our brand’s value, manifested in our business and delivery capabilities. Such global recognitions not only heighten the confidence of our customers and partners but also illustrate that Indian MRO firms are increasingly coming of age, and ready to compete and deliver on global standards, thereby laying the foundation for the eventual success of the entire Indian MRO ecosystem at a regional level”.D Anand Bhaskar, Managing Director & CEO, Air Works

Regional recognitions such as this Marketing Campaign of the Year Award don’t just vindicate Air Worksposition as one of the leading MRO players in the Asia-Pacific [APAC] region but also emphasises the increasing role and focus on Marketing and Brand building that is now beginning to be seen in the Indian aviation & MRO space, hitherto not witnessed in recent years.

The growing focus on marketing in the aviation aftermarket, primarily B2B, also indicates the heightened activity in a fast-evolving market with intensifying competition, rising capabilities, improving quality benchmarks and a structured and organized way of working – all indicators of a market that’s coming of age and en route to becoming an MRO Hub.

“It’s a milestone moment for us in Air Works and I would like to offer our sincere thanks to the aviationindustry’s illustrious jury for adjudging Air Works as the winner of the regional marketing honour once again this year. The award ratifies our ongoing transformation and our investment in our Brand Refresh campaign, which is about revitalizing Air Works not only by adding some bold and vibrant colors to our palette reflecting our ambitions for the regional aviation & aerospace market along its innumerable opportunities, but subsequently bringing those instances to life, via business articulations using a comprehensive communications the campaign, that evokes an honest pride in being an Air Works citizen. India is already the third largest civil aviation market in the world and wins of such repute have the potential to galvanize the entire Indian MRO sector to realize its true potential on the global stage”.Gaurav Sahni, AVP and Head, Brand & Communications, Air Works

Air Works has continued to add milestones in its organizational and business transformation journey. Earlier this year, the Group was honoured with dual awards including the “Best MRO Service Provider” by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India. Air Works also received the “Best MRO Achievement Award 2021” at ASSOCHAM's 13th Annual Conference cum Civil Aviation and Cargo Awards in March this year.

ALSO READ - Air Works receives EASA Part 145 approval for twin-hangar MRO facility at Cochin Airport

Air Works’ brand-new, twin hangar, narrow body maintenance facility at Kochi, Kerala recently received EASA certification. The company has also been reinventing itself by bringing digitization to the forefront - not just in operations but also in analytics-based decision making, using its innovative and award-winning solution mSights – Maintenance Insights.

Air Works also uses its proprietary ERP Platform – Titan – that is conducive to MRO operations and has been recognized for deploying smart & innovative technologies such as AI & RFID for business transformation and efficiencies.

Air Works’ brand-new, twin hangar, narrow body maintenance facility at Kochi, Kerala recently received EASA certification

The Group is not only India’s largest provider of Line Maintenance services to global airlines, but also is certified to maintain more than 50 types of aircraft, making it also the most diversified MRO in the country with a pan-India presence in 27 locations with more than 1300 employees.

It also provides commercial aircraft asset management services and aircraft finishing services apart from MRO-related offerings. Its customers include both civil (fixed wing + rotary wing) and military customers apart from global OEMs, commercial airlines, business aviation companies, and leading global Lessors.

Established in 1951, Air Works Group is India’s most extensive and highly diversified independent MRO with the largest pan-India network presence across 27 cities.

With this win, Air Works joined the league of select aviation players who have won such honours multiple consecutive times.

It is the MRO partner to global aviation OEMs, aircraft owners/operators (including fixed-wing & rotary-wing), lessors, airlines, and the Indian Defense Services, offering a host of services including MRO and heavy checks, line maintenance, cabin interior solutions, exterior finishing and painting, avionics upgrades, integrations and retrofits, end-of-lease/ redelivery checks, maintenance training (CAR 147), and asset management services to domestic and international clients.

Specialized services such as avionics, component repairs, and asset management services are offered via Group companies – SA Air Works and Acumen Aviation. Air Works undertakes base maintenance for ATR 42/72, A320, and B737 family of aircraft as well as medium and large business jets at its EASA and DGCA-certified facilities including Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur, and Kochi, supported by duly certified, in-house shops.

The Company also undertakes modification and assembly of rotary-wing aircraft and is an Authorized Service Centre (ASC) for Bell and Leonardo helicopters. Air Works enjoys an impeccable reputation in the industry for proven capabilities, outstanding workmanship, quality, and an exceptional safety orientation.

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Movin - an InterGlobe Enterprises-UPS logistics JV to double operations by December

Radhika Bansal

26 Sep 2022

Movin, a joint venture express logistics company between UPS and InterGlobe Enterprises launched in May, plans to double its operations by December, one of its board members said.

MOVIN plans to develop 10 more Hubs as part of its strategy to connect more regional centres by Q1 2023. This will further strengthen its offerings and boost its capability to capture the ever-expanding opportunity in the B2B logistics space.

ALSO READ - InterGlobe Enterprises and UPS announce MOVIN – new B2B logistics joint venture

The corporate goal is to double the variety of cities it covers and greater than double the lanes it transports cargo throughout by the tip of the 12 months, Singh said in an interview. He didn’t elaborate additional on the enlargement plan.

MOVIN plans to develop 10 more Hubs as part of its strategy to connect more regional centres by Q1 2023.

Rahul Bhatia-owned InterGlobe Enterprises operates in aviation, hospitality and travel-related companies. IndiGo, the nation’s largest airline, is a part of the group. Singh mentioned, for now, Movin wouldn’t take a look at offering client companies or making acquisitions.

“One hundred days into the game; we have put on a scorching pace (of growth). We are delivering express in 28 cities, across nine states, 2,000 pin codes. We set up 900 corridors or lanes and built a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per month.For a few years, InterGlobe had been trying to diversify and was taking a look at different development alternatives, the place we might deliver high-quality excellence in an area we’d really feel snug with. Nearly four-five years in the past, we began taking a look at logistics with curiosity. Usually, at InterGlobe, our DNA has been to have a look at one thing that’s scalable, one thing that has a long-term prospect.Logistics is clearly a really giant market. The Nationwide Logistics Coverage values it in extra of USD 200 billion. One a part of it, that was UPS’ power and an rising want in India, was categorical logistics."JB Singh, Director of InterGlobe Enterprises & Board Member of MOVIN

“Our philosophy of sticking to B2B is extra strategic. As a result, we see this as a giant hole. Right this moment trade manufacturing is struggling because of the velocity of logistics at which items and companies are shifting throughout the nation,” mentioned Singh.

Aside from different companies, Movin may have one thing referred to as ‘Subsequent Flight Out’, by which it should transport cargo on airways, and use companies together with IndiGo. There will not be a captive association with IndiGo, mentioned Singh.

As a part of its strategic enlargement, Movin can also be establishing its hubs throughout the nation with the newest one being in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. It plans to develop 10 extra hubs by the primary quarter of 2023.

MOVIN’s unique offering includes a fully predictable, day and time-definite service across the country. Its rapidly growing network over both air and ground enables an uninterrupted flow of goods that is backed by consistent, predictable, and responsive operations.

Movin - an InterGlobe Enterprises-UPS logistics JV to double operations by December

MOVIN’s expansion by establishing new hubs across India, increasing the number of pin codes for pickup and delivery, collaborating with multiple stakeholders and operating dedicated customer experience centres is setting a benchmark in service quality and providing value-based solutions to the customers.

The Express End-of-Day network covers 28 cities including Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Baroda, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi-NCR, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Surat, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam catering to 2000+ pin codes.

MOVIN’s Standard Premium network is present across 13 cities namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune.

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Vistara awarded Best Airline in India & Southern Asia, 20th in the world by Skytrax

Radhika Bansal

24 Sep 2022

India’s finest full-service carrier, Vistara, known for its best-in-class service, brings home many airline titles at a time when many developments are happening around the sector in India. The airline has moved eight places up from last year to reach 20th position worldwide; marking the entry of the airline into the World’s Top 20 list for the first time.

Vistara was voted for by travellers globally, as the World Airline Awards are based on the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey of more than 14 million travellers for the period between September 2021 and August 2022. Vistara also ranked 20th in the list of the World's Best Economy Class Airlines and 9th in the list of Best Airlines in Asia 2022.

Vistara awarded Best Airline in India & Southern Asia 2022 by Skytrax

At the coveted Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022 held in London, UK, Vistara wins the following:

Best Airline in India and Southern Asia award for the second time in a rowBest Airline Staff Service in India and Southern Asia for the fourth consecutive yearBest Cabin Crew in India and Southern Asia for the second time in a row andBest Business Class in India and Southern Asia at the award ceremony.

“It is incredibly heartening for all of us at Vistara to win the ‘Best Airline in India and Southern Asia’ title for the second consecutive year. This award reaffirms the steadfast trust our customers have in us and is a true testament to Vistara setting global benchmarks for excellence in operations and service delivery. We are also humbled to have won the ‘Best Airline Staff Service’ and ‘Best Cabin Crew’ honours that celebrate the invincible spirit of all our employees - on the frontline and behind the scenes - to provide our customers the finest experience every single day. We are also delighted to have been recognised as the 'Best Business Class in India and Southern Asia'. Warm hospitality and thoughtfulness are integral to the intrinsic customer-first culture at Vistara, and our extraordinary teams endeavour to deliver it consistently. We sincerely thank all our loyal customers for their faith in us and express our heartfelt gratitude to Skytrax for the recognitions.”Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara

https://twitter.com/airvistara/status/1573532171129835521

"Vistara continues to set new standards across the Indian airtravel market, and as the airline has grown its long haul network it is now receiving the due recognition for being the Best Airline in India and Southern Asia. With Vistara’s staff receiving the award for the Best Staff Service in India and Southern Asia, these successes are a fabulous achievement. Vistara has been a strong and consistent performer in the awards in recent years and this year moves into the World’s Top 20 Airlines for the first time ever.”Edward Plaisted, CEO, Skytrax

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on multiple industry forums and has also been the winner of several 'Best Airline' awards. In a short span of over seven years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service standards in the Indian aviation industry.

ALSO READ - Vistara wins the best domestic airline award for the second year in a row

Vistara, which connects destinations across India and abroad today, has a fleet of 53 aircraft, including 41 Airbus A320s; five Airbus A321neo; five Boeing 737-800NG; and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. It has flown more than 35 million customers since the first take-off.

TATA SIA Airlines Limited is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA).

ALSO READ - From being the top in the country to the best in South Asia-this airline has bagged it all

TATA SIA Airlines Limited is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA). The merger talks between Air India and Vistara are on the table with Tata Group negotiating the terms with Singapore Airlines.

ALSO READ - Tatas likely to offer a stake to Singapore Airlines, for Air India – Vistara merger

ALSO TREAD - The merger of Air India-Vistara to have clarity soon

Skytrax Awards 2022

Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline for a record seventh time at the 2022 World Airline Awards, winning the prestigious Airline of the Year 2022 title.

ALSO READ - World’s best airline of 2021 announced by Skytrax, Indian carriers also on the list

Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline for a record seventh time at the 2022 World Airline Awards

Singapore Airlines takes the second position in the world, with Emirates third, ANA All Nippon Airways fourth, and Qantas Airways in the fifth position, out of more than 350 airlines included in the survey results.

Big winners at the awards included Qatar Airways who scooped nine award wins, with Singapore Airlines also receiving nine awards. In North America, Delta Air Lines was a success, winning six awards. In Europe, Turkish Airlines was dominant, receiving four awards including the highly competitive Best Airline in Europe title.

Apart from Vistara, India's largest carrier by passenger traffic and market share, IndiGo, also made it to the list of Top 100 airlines of the world. IndiGo stood at the 45th position in 2022. In 2021, IndiGo was in the 49th position.

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