Akasa Air commences flights to New Delhi; considering overnight parking options in non-metro airports

Radhika Bansal

08 Oct 2022

Akasa Air, India’s youngest airline, is considering overnight parking options for its fleet in non-metro airports, an airline official said. It is operating five aircraft at present and parks its planes in Mumbai and Bengaluru airports.

Akasa operates 36 daily flights and is expected to increase the count to 44 by the end of October after the induction of one more aircraft. It will induct one plane every 15 days and expects to have a fleet of 20 aircraft by May 2023. The airline has ordered 72 Boeing 737-800 MAX planes, which will be delivered over five years.

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“We are evaluating options to base our aircraft and looking at tier-2, and tier-3 cities, we have announced flights to Guwahati and Agartala. Beyond that, we will explore opportunities to park our aircraft. It does not really matter to us whether it is tier-2, tier-3 or tier-4 cities. If we see potential, we will do what is right for the airline’s economic standpoint.At the rate at which our aircraft are coming in, we need to work on economies of scale. The moment you get 7-8 aircraft you start getting benefits of the economies of scale. The growth story is India and is not restricted to a particular city. It is always important that when an airline starts operations in any part of the world, it keeps long-term interests in mind, especially at the rate we are adding aircraft."Official, Akasa Air

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The low-cost airline, of which late billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was a promoter, took to the skies on 7 August. it flies to Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Agartala, and Guwahati.

More and more airlines are looking at non-metro airports to park their fleet overnight as slots at metro airports are expensive and limited, said industry experts.

Akasa Air commences flights to New Delhi; considering overnight parking options in non-metro airports

This is particularly so with respect to metro cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, as parking slots, there are very expensive and also because almost all the slots have been taken.

It is increasingly difficult to get space for night parking, an expert said. However, airlines want to park in metro cities as it leads to revenue generation opportunities as demand for early-morning flights from metro cities is far higher, he said.

Besides, following the coronavirus outbreak, several companies are aiming to open small offices in tier-2 and -3 cities and this is creating a roadmap for sustainable demand from these cities as well, he said.

Akasa Air starts flights from Delhi

Akasa Air on Friday, October 7 started its first commercial flight from Delhi airport to Bengaluru. The flight was scheduled to take off from Delhi at 11:40 AM and reach Bengaluru at 2:25 PM. Akasa which launched its operational flight two months back seen to be progressing well in the domestic flight network.

ALSO READ – Akasa Air set to launch flights from the national capital

https://twitter.com/AkasaAir/status/1578291495659925504

The airline already operates 30 daily flights and with the addition of Delhi now the airline covers multiple major metro cities of India. Akasa Air shared the news via its official Twitter handle showing glimpses of the celebrations at the Delhi Airport as the first Akasa flight from Delhi to Bengaluru takes off.

The brand-new airline in India started operating on August 7 and intends to launch international service by the end of the year. The business recently reached its 60-day operating milestone.

ALSO READ - Akasa Air completes 2 months of flight operations; to allow pets on board

(With Inputs from Mint)

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SpiceJet deposits TDS for all employees for FY 2021-22

Radhika Bansal

08 Oct 2022

SpiceJet, which has been facing turbulent times, has deposited the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) of all employees for the financial year 2021-22, according to an internal communication. As per the communication, a significant portion of provident fund contributions of all employees is also being credited. Form 16 will be made available in the next fortnight.

ALSO READ – Struggling to-Survive SpiceJet allegedly not depositing PF in employee accounts

ALSO READ - SpiceJet to increase salaries of senior pilots by 20%

In September, the loss-making airline hiked the salaries of its captains and senior first officers by around 20% with effect from October. The government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) is providing some sort of financial relief for the carrier.

ALSO READ - Finance ministry increases credit limit for airlines under ECLGS

The development comes two days after the government enhanced the credit limit for airlines under the ECLGS.

TDS deposited by SpiceJet to all employees for FY 2021-22

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On Thursday, October 6, an airline source said it was expected to receive an additional INR 1,000 crore as part of the modified ECLGS. SpiceJet posted a net loss of INR 789 crore for the June quarter as well as INR 458 crore for the quarter that ended in March 2022. As on June 30, the company’s liabilities were INR 6,772 crore more than its assets. 

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The carrier, whose flights have been restricted to 50% till October 29 by aviation regulator DGCA, last month sent 80 of its cockpit crew on leave without pay for three months.

ALSO READ –DGCA extends the 50% cap on SpiceJet flight operations; keeps it under enhanced surveillance

In September, the loss-making airline hiked the salaries of its captains and senior first officers by around 20% with effect from October.

At that time, the airline said the measure, "which is in line with SpiceJet's policy of not retrenching any employee which the airline steadfastly followed even during the peak of the Covid pandemic, will help rationalise the pilot strength vis- -vis the aircraft fleet".

SpiceJet has been incurring losses for several quarters. The promoter of the company, Ajay Singh, is preparing to sell some of his stake in the company. He holds a total 60 per cent stake in SpiceJet. Earlier, he is looking for a buyer to sell his 24% stake in the company.

ALSO READ – Spicejet looking for a “knight in shining armour” to help with financial distress

Shares of SpiceJet Ltd surged about 9% to INR 42 apiece on the BSE in Thursday, October 6's opening deals after a report said that the Indian budget airline carrier is expected to receive an additional INR 1,000 crore loan under the government's modified Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) as the airline needs funds to sustain heavy cost burden and pay pending dues.

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Boeing Planes Have Yokes and Airbus Planes Have Side Sticks. Why?

Prashant-prabhakar

08 Oct 2022

The cockpit of any plane contains a variety of controls, information panels, and other components. However, a yoke or a side stick might be present, depending on the manufacturer. Boeing aircraft use yokes to steer, while Airbus aircraft use side sticks.

Representative | Airways Magazine

However, why is that so? How does it affect the aircraft's performance?

Let's analyze.

From the vault

Prior to the advent of the A320 family, a central yoke was present in every aircraft's cockpit. The yoke was the main device used by pilots to manually operate the aircraft's systems. For a very long time, every type of aircraft—from the turboprop to the 747—used the yoke as the industry standard.

Yoke | Representative | collectSPACE

Airbus decided to change the A320's central yoke for a side stick in 1985, revolutionizing commercial flight. Fighter jets like the F-16 or Rafale were the only ones having side sticks up until that moment. Airbus chose to include the side stick along with the new "fly-by-wire" technology, which swapped out manual flight controls for computer-based ones.

An airbus sidestick | Source

Why did Airbus choose to do so? Perhaps, there was a business angle to it?

To end the 737's monopoly on the narrowbody market, Airbus sought a solution. By adding the side stick to its aircraft, Airbus gave airlines the A320, a fundamentally different aircraft from the B737.

The side stick

Thanks to the new computer-based controls, the single-handed side stick improved flying comfort and provided pilots with greater space to interact with modern information systems.

Representative | Airbus

As a result of Airbus continuing to employ the side stick on all following models, this configuration can be seen on almost all Airbus aircraft today. Given the absence of a larger yoke, Airbus was able to create a redesigned cockpit with a focus on computers and screens.

The yoke

Given the popularity of the 737 and 747, Boeing was satisfied with sticking with the same cockpit layout. However, this does not imply that Boeing has not incorporated the more recent "fly-by-wire" technology. In the past three decades, Boeing has created two "blank-sheet" aeroplanes: the B777 and the B787. These two vehicles are fly-by-wire.

Representative | Aircraft Interiors International

But instead of sidesticks, the Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft feature yokes. Even in its most recent designs, Boeing has been outspoken about the benefits of the yoke. The yokes are mechanically connected, so if either pilot makes an input, which ordinarily shouldn't happen, the other pilot can feel it. On the other hand, mechanically connecting sidesticks is not practicable.

Evidently, Boeing does not believe that the yoke should be abandoned. As long as the business can keep innovating, there is minimal need to make fundamental design modifications. There have also been disastrous incidents involving pilots of sidestick-equipped aircraft who were unaware that they were out of trim. This concerned situations where the airplane changed to flight regulations in which it did not auto-trim. Even though these occurrences are quite uncommon, Boeing avoids using sidesticks because of this.

Of course, Airbus and other makers of sidestick-equipped aircraft have systems and processes to tackle these issues.

There are currently sidestick-equipped airplanes flying around that do address these problems. They are referred to as "active sidesticks" in the industry. The Gulfstream G500 business jet was the first to employ them. It makes use of a mechanism created by BAE, who once produced sidesticks for military jets. There is no mechanical connection between the sidesticks in the G500. However, servos on both of them connect them electronically.

G500 Cockpit | Representative | Pinterest

Additionally, there is a company in France by the name of Ratier-Figeac that is a branch of Collins Aerospace in the US. Collins is a Raytheon subsidiary in and of itself. Since the 1980s, when Airbus first introduced the A320 family, Ratier-Figeac has been producing its sidesticks. Sukhoi received them from it as well for use in its SuperJet (SSJ100).

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Additionally, Ratier-Figeac supplied sidesticks for the MS-21 to Irkut/UAC until recently. The MS-21's future is currently quite questionable. However, the MS-21 had active sidesticks in the configuration that Russia approved before the invasion of Ukraine. It would be the first airliner to have them if it were to really enter service in this configuration.

Side stick Vs Yoke- Which is better?

The audience seems to be divided on this and understandably so.

Sidesticks would also save a significant amount of weight if Boeing used them. Installing two sidesticks is far simpler than setting up two floor-mounted yokes and all of their mechanical connections. Sidesticks give pilots a better ergonomic reach to their screens.

Representative | Source

With their benefits for ergonomics, weight savings, and pilot feedback, may active sidesticks cause Boeing to shift course? To discover, we will have to wait. Analysts predict that Boeing must introduce its next aircraft within the next two years to compete with Airbus.

ALSO READ - Two aerospace companies, Two different strategies

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Source

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Virgin Atlantic ceases flights to Hong Kong

Jinen Gada

07 Oct 2022

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. said it would close its office in Hong Kong and end Hong Kong flight service to and from London’s Heathrow Airport, a sign of the hurdles facing the Chinese city as it seeks to regain its reputation as an aviation hub.

The British airline decided to suspend its Heathrow-Hong Kong services and not resume flights in March 2023, after 30 years in the Asian city due to issues related to the closure of Russian airspace.

Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has led several airlines, which were already reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to suspend flights and plan longer routes to avoid Russian and Ukrainian airspace.

Virgin Atlantic quits Hong Kong.

Virgin Atlantic had halted flights to Hong Kong since December last year and several airlines have not routed flights through Russia's airspace after the invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, Bloomberg reported that around 46 Virgin Atlantic jobs will be impacted, including office staff and cabin crew, due to the decision. 

"Significant operational complexities due to the ongoing Russian airspace closure have contributed to the commercial decision not to resume flights in March 2023 as planned." Richard Branson, airline founder.

Virgin will also close its office in Hong Kong, with Bloomberg reporting that 46 jobs are expected to be impacted. Customers booked to travel from March 2023 will be contacted by the airline today and offered a refund, voucher or the option to rebook on an alternative route.

Meanwhile, British Airways has confirmed details of the resumption of its flights from London to Tokyo and Hong Kong, following the easing of travel restrictions in both Japan and the Chinese Special Administrative Region.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

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Saudi Arabia to launch a new airline RIA soon, eyeing several aircraft

Jinen Gada

07 Oct 2022

Saudi Arabia is getting a new USD30 billion national carrier - said to be named RIA (Saudi Arabia) - is set to launch during the final quarter of the year on regional routes using B737 MAX and A320 Family aircraft, according to unnamed sources cited by ArabianBusiness.

As reported, the venture is backed by the sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), which launched its own lessor, AviLease, in July 2022. RIA forms part of the Kingdom’s USD100 billion investment in aviation flowing from its “Vision 2023” strategy to diversify its economy and become less reliant on oil.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas has been tipped as the top choice to head RIA, according to well-placed sources.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas has been tipped as the top choice to head RIA

Saudi Arabia reportedly has earmarked USD30 billion for RIA, which will be based out of Riyadh to attract global transfer traffic and tourism, competing with major carriers in the United Arab Emirates, such as Emirates, as well as Qatar Airways.

The most-awaited new airline in the region launched by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund might be named “RIA”, according to a new report.

The new multi-billion-dollar international airline will become Saudi Arabia’s second national carrier and will be based in Riyadh. Arabian Business quoted well-informed sources that “RIA” is being tipped as the name for the new Saudi carrier.

ALSO READ - Saudi Arabia’s new airline to be named ‘RIA’

Saudi Arabia to launch a new airline RIA by 2024

“The brand-new airline aims to do what Emirates did in a quarter of the timescale. It’s unprecedented in the history of aviation. The airline has yet to appoint a CEO – whoever takes the job will have to deliver the most ambitious targets you can imagine.”The report said.

The Kingdom is targeting 30 million international transit passengers by 2030, compared to under four million currently. The report suggests this will mean the new carrier will eventually need to operate over 150 routes globally, across Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, which necessitates a USD 30 billion investment.

“Currently, about 60% of all air traffic into Saudi Arabia comes from the Middle East. Asia-Pacific is around 20%, Africa is just 10% – this is where the huge potential is.” Sources said.

The introduction of a new airline, which will operate alongside the national carrier Saudia formerly Saudi Arabian Airlines — will play a major role in the government’s plan to diversify its economy, boost tourism and reduce reliance on oil.

With inputs from The Saudi Gazette.

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Asteria Aerospace A200 gets DGCA’s micro-category drone certification

Jinen Gada

07 Oct 2022

A full-stack drone technology company called Asteria Aerospace Limited announced on Thursday that it was the first company to receive micro-category drone type certification for its A200 drone from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by the Drone Rules 2021.

On Thursday, Asteria Aerospace Limited announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had awarded it with India's first micro-category drone type certification for its locally developed A200 drone.

Asteria's A200 drone has been developed for surveying and mapping applications in GIS, agriculture, construction, mining and other industries.

DGCA issues the first micro-category drone certification to Asteria Aerospace under Drone Rules 2021.

The A200 has a survey-grade GPS and a high-resolution imaging camera which can be used to accurately map land parcels, making it ideal for projects like the SVAMITVA scheme, in which the government is using drones to digitize and establish clear ownership of property in rural parts of the country.

The A200 drone has an all up weight of 2 kg with a cruising speed of 35 km/hr giving an endurance of 40 mins and a range of 2 km.

Asteria’s A200 drone is a cost-effective, micro-sized multirotor drone offering 40 minutes of flight time for agriculture and GIS survey applications. It is compact, portable, DGCA-certified, and has an optional PPK survey-grade GPS for precision surveys.

The DGCA categorises drones based on their weight. Drones with an all-up weight of 250 gm to 2 kg fall under the micro category of drones.Credit: Asteria Aerospace.

“It is a matter of great pride for us to receive the first micro category drone certification from the DGCA. The certification makes Asteria’s A200 drone fully compliant with the Drone Rules 2021, which is a requirement for drone operations in India. We are committed to leading the way in providing best-in-class, compliant drones to our customers to fulfil applications at scale.”Neel Mehta, Co-founder and Director of Asteria Aerospace Limited.

Asteria Aerospace designs and develops drone-based solutions to transform enterprise operations using aerial data. For the last 10 years, Asteria has been manufacturing best-in-class, high-performance, reliable and rugged drones.

ALSO READ - Reliance Industries to launch drones for upcoming business – unveils plans to tap into the billion-dollar industry of India

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