Airbus wins order for 2 ACH160 Exclusive business helicopters in India

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.

Vistara, one of India's fastest-growing airlines, has achieved a significant milestone by taking delivery of its 50th Airbus A320 family aircraft. The delivery of the aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, marks another step in the airline's ambitious expansion plans and its commitment to providing world-class service to its passengers.

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has been rapidly expanding its fleet since it launched operations in 2015. The airline currently operates a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft, including A320s and A320neos, and Boeing 737-800NGs.

The delivery of the 50th Airbus A320 family aircraft is a testament to the airline's rapid growth and its commitment to providing a premium travel experience to its passengers.

The latest aircraft has taken Vistara's fleet to a total of 55 aircraft.

The Airbus A320 family of aircraft is known for its efficiency, reliability, and comfort, making it a popular choice for airlines around the world. The A320neo, in particular, is equipped with the latest technology, including new-generation engines and advanced aerodynamics, which significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Vistara's new A320neo is also fitted with the latest in-flight entertainment system and cabin interiors, providing passengers with an unparalleled travel experience.

The delivery of the 50th Airbus A320 family aircraft is a significant milestone for Vistara and its partners. The airline has been expanding rapidly in recent years, launching new domestic and international routes and enhancing its customer service offerings.

The addition of the new A320neo will enable the airline to further expand its route network and provide more travel options to its passengers.

Also read - Air India and Vistara begin their integration process

Vistara has also been investing heavily in technology and innovation to enhance its operations and customer experience.

Vistara brand to discontinue after merger with Air India.

In January, Vistara announced that it would not be ordering any new aircraft ahead of its proposed merger with Air India. The airline did clarify that it will continue to honor its existing aircraft orders, the bulk of which will be put towards further international expansion.

The airline still has close to 10 Airbus A320s to be delivered and four more Boeing 787-9 airplanes, the deliveries of which should be completed by the end of 2024. By then, however, Vistara's brand will most likely cease to exist following its merger with Air India, and all the new aircraft will contribute to the merged entity's business operations.

Also read - Vistara brand to be dropped by Air India following the merger

Two American citizens have been arrested on suspicion of exporting aviation technology to Russia in violation of sanctions over the war in Ukraine, United States authorities have announced.

Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 59, and Douglas Robertson, 55, are alleged to have supplied aviation-related electronics to Russian companies, the US Department of Justice said in a press release on Thursday. Buyanovsky and Robertson, who are both residents of Kansas, are also accused of providing repair services for equipment used in Russian-manufactured aircraft.

The men are alleged to have received avionics equipment, including a computer processor, from a Russian company for repair and attempted to conceal the true destination with a fraudulent invoice between November 2020 and February 2021. They are also alleged to have shipped electronics to Russia between May and July 2022.

US prosecutors allege the two men conspired to evade US export laws via their firm KanRus Trading Company starting in 2020.

Buyanovsky and Robertson are charged with conspiracy, exporting controlled goods without a licence, falsifying and failing to file electronic export information, and smuggling goods contrary to US law.

The two men face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of exporting controlled goods without a licence, up to 10 years for each count of smuggling, and up to five years for each count of conspiracy and falsifying export information.

The US has announced multiple rounds of sanctions against Russia since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Washington last month unveiled sanctions on Russia’s metals and mining sector and financial institutions alongside a USD 2bn military aid package to Ukraine, to coincide with the anniversary of the invasion.

With inputs from aljazeera

IndiGo, one of India's largest airlines, is aiming to expand its reach in the international market by forging a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. The deal, which was announced in November 2021, will allow IndiGo to offer flights to various destinations in the US via Istanbul, Turkey.

The codeshare agreement is expected to provide several benefits to both IndiGo and Turkish Airlines. For IndiGo, the deal will help it expand its international footprint and tap into the lucrative US market.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines will benefit from the agreement by gaining access to IndiGo's vast domestic network in India. As part of the deal, Turkish Airlines will be able to sell tickets on IndiGo's flights within India, allowing it to tap into India's growing middle class and business travel segments.

IndiGo targets US market via codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines.

The codeshare agreement will also benefit passengers of both airlines, who will be able to enjoy greater connectivity and seamless travel options. Passengers traveling on IndiGo's flights to Istanbul will be able to connect to Turkish Airlines' flights to various destinations in the US, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines is a significant step for IndiGo, which has been focusing on expanding its international operations in recent years. The airline has been investing in modernizing its fleet and enhancing its customer experience to attract more international passengers.

It has also been working to expand its network of codeshare partners to provide its customers with greater connectivity and convenience.

Similarly, passengers traveling on Turkish Airlines' flights to Istanbul will be able to connect to IndiGo's flights to several domestic destinations in India.

The US market is a particularly attractive destination for IndiGo, given the large Indian diaspora and growing business ties between the two countries. The codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines will allow IndiGo to tap into this market without having to invest in new aircraft or routes.

Overall, the codeshare agreement between IndiGo and Turkish Airlines is a win-win for both airlines and their passengers. It will provide IndiGo with greater access to the US market and allow Turkish Airlines to expand its reach in India.

At the same time, passengers of both airlines will benefit from increased connectivity and seamless travel options. The deal is a testament to the growing importance of codeshare agreements in the global aviation industry and the potential benefits they can provide to airlines and passengers alike.

The GMR Group which is in the process of developing an international airport at Bhogapuram near here will be investing Rs 5,000 crore in the aerodrome in the first phase.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Global Investors Summit 2023 being held here, GM Rao, chairman of GMR Group said the first phase of the airport will be developed to serve six million passengers per annum.

"We will be developing Bhogapuram Airport with the first phase serving six million passengers and an ultimate capacity of 40 million passengers (per annum). The first phase investment will be to the tune of INR 5,000 crore," Rao said.

ALSO READ - Andhra Pradesh’s Bhogapuram Airport to have an investment of over INR 2,500 crore

GMR Group to give INR 5000 crore funding to Bhogapuram Airport in Andhra Pradesh

The airport will have state-of-the-art cargo facilities that will cater to exports and an aerotropolis and airport city around the airport that will consist of an industrial zone, airspace zone and education and healthcare zones, he said.

Rao further said the airport would replicate the success of Hyderabad aerodrome which will help in the transformation of Visakhapatnam city and also place the state on the global map as the most preferred investment destination.

The airport is expected to play a significant role in the region’s economic growth, with the potential to create numerous job opportunities. It will also improve connectivity between Visakhapatnam and other parts of India and attract more tourists to the region.

The GMR Group is the concessioner for developing Bhogapuram Airport near Visakhapatnam. The land acquisition for the new airport has been completed and work is likely to be commenced soon.

In September 2022, Indian Navy officials have agreed to move the Visakhapatnam Airport to Bhogapuram. Regarding this, Indian Navy and Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) officials have signed an MOU in New Delhi.

ALSO READ – New Visakhapatnam International Airport project to take off soon

The airport's construction was expected to start by the end of 2022 and is expected to be completed by December 2024. Upon completion of Phase 1, the terminal handling capacity is expected to be 6.3 million passengers per year and will rise to 18 million passengers per year upon completion of Phase 2.