Akasa Air to hire 1,000 people; staff strength more than 3,000 March'24 end

Akasa Air plans to hire nearly 1,000 people and take the total staff strength to more than 3,000 by the end of March 2024 as the airline continues to expand its fleet as well as routes, according to its chief Vinay Dube. The airline, which took to the skies a little over seven months ago, also plans to start international operations by the end of this year, and the possible overseas destinations are still in the process of being finalised. In an interview with PTI, Dube, the founder and CEO of Akasa Air, said the airline will place a "three-digit aircraft order" by the end of this year. It has placed an order for 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, and 19 of them are already in its fleet. The 20th aircraft will be inducted in April, following which it will also be eligible to fly overseas. In the next financial year, the carrier aims to add another 9 planes to its fleet, taking the total size to 28. Currently, it operates 110 flights every day. "We have more than 2,000 employees today, and by the end of the next fiscal, we will be probably around 3,000 plus employees… (out of them, there are) around 1,100 pilots and flight attendants," Dube said in the interview earlier this week in the national capital. According to him, hiring is always done in advance. "We may not have the aircraft today, but we will have to hire for the aircraft that will be there three months down the road. People have to come, and they have to be trained. So, you always hire in advance for the number of aircraft you have deliveries for," he noted. On whether hiring people is a challenge post the coronavirus pandemic, Dube said the airline is fortunate to be able to attract good talent. "We just need to continue to be employee-focused. I think we will continue to be able to attract good talent." The delivery of all 72 Boeing aircraft on order is expected to be completed by early 2027. Without elaborating on the expected "three-digit aircraft order", Dube said, "we have to wait and see". "We are already flying 110 flights a day and we will be 150 flights per day by the end of the summer season. It will be continued growth but not growth for the sake of growth. "We have no market share targets, not chasing any position in aviation, and we have got a target to make customers happy, target to make our employees happy. That is what we are doing and we can do that, that is sustainable if we have got a very strong cost structure. So, those are the three pillars we are focusing on," he said. About planned international operations, Dube said there is nothing to share for now as the airline is yet to decide on the possible destinations. "We are working with the ministry on the routes and traffic rights that are available… we may want to fly to X cities, and there may be traffic rights available for that country, but in that particular airport, you may not have slots. All these permutations and combinations are being worked on right now. "Therefore, I can't even tell you whether it is going to be east or west, and I can't even narrow it down because we are looking at both," he said. Akasa Air, which describes itself as the country's newest and most dependable airline, started operations on August 7, 2022. "I am extremely happy," Dube said about the achievement of the airline, which currently operates 110 daily flights to 17 domestic destinations. In February, Akasa Air flew 3.61 lakh passengers, and its domestic market share stood at 3 per cent, while On-Time Performance (OTP) was 87 per cent, as per the latest official data.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has secured an order for 21 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in a deal that represents at least USD 2.5 billion at current list prices.

The Japanese carrier aims to replace its current fleet of 43 Boeing 737-800 aircraft with the next-generation jet, which seeks to reduce the airline’s fuel and carbon emissions by as much as 15%.

The new planes, expected to join the fleet starting in 2026, will strengthen Boeing’s positioning in the Japanese market. Currently, JAL operates a fleet of 149 aircraft, of which 133 are Boeing jets. Also, competitor All Nippon Airways (ANA) finalized a deal with Boeing for 20 737 MAX aircraft in July last year.

Boeing has been the historically dominant commercial aircraft provider in the Japanese market. However, shortcomings with the 787 production line early in this decade tilted the balance favoring the Airbus A350, leading to a massive JAL order for 31 A350 XWB aircraft, which included 18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s.

The new Airbus A350-1000s, destined to become JAL’s new flagship, will be introduced on the airline’s Tokyo to New York route later this year.

Yuji Akasaka, president of Japan Airlines, admitted being delighted to select the 737 MAX 8 to replace its current fleet of 737-800 aircraft, which average 14 years of age.

“We look forward to carrying our passengers in the utmost safety and comfort and to moving closer to our 2050 carbon-neutral goals, thanks to a combination of these super-efficient aircraft, operational innovations, and new fuel-saving technologies.”

Akasaka said.

As noted by Bloomberg, JAL held meetings with Boeing and Airbus for the replacement of the aging 737-800 fleet. However, fleet commonality was vital for the Japanese carrier, and the 737 MAX 8 was the winning product that tilted the balance in favor of the North American manufacturer.

“The integration of the new 737 MAX will provide JAL with greater efficiency across its short-haul network as the airline continues to upgrade its world-class fleet.”

Stan Deal, president, and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Boeing’s orderbook for B787 has gone up with orders from Japanese and Saudi carriers as well as the historic order from Air India.

The order for 21 Boeing planes from the Japanese carrier adds to the recent massive order placed by the Saudi government for Saudia and its new startup, Riyadh Air.

Also read - Riyadh Air to launch operations with 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

The new Saudi carrier committed to purchasing 39 Boeing 787-9s and signed options for 33 more planes. Similarly, Saudia Airlines confirmed an order for 49 Boeing 787-9 and -10 Dreamliners, boosting Boeing’s presence in Saudi Arabia with two landmark orders for its 787 product.

Likewise, in February, Boeing scored a gigantic order for 220 aircraft for Air India, including 190 737 MAX aircraft, 20 787 Dreamliners, and ten 777-X wide-body planes.

With inputs from businesstravellerusa.

Airbus, the leading European aircraft manufacturer, is on a hiring spree as it prepares to ramp up production in its factories and invest in digital projects. The move comes as the aviation industry begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and Airbus seeks to take advantage of the growing demand for new aircraft.

The company is looking to fill a wide range of positions, including engineers, technicians, and support staff, in its factories in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

These hires will help the company to increase production of its popular A320neo and A350 aircraft and fulfill its existing order backlog, which stands at over 7,000 planes.

Airbus on hiring spree for factory ramp-up, digital projects.

In addition to hiring for its traditional manufacturing roles, Airbus is also investing heavily in digital projects, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These projects will help the company to improve its efficiency and competitiveness and to provide better services to its customers.

Airbus is already a leader in the use of digital technologies in aerospace manufacturing, having developed a range of innovative solutions for factory automation, predictive maintenance, and supply chain management.

The hiring spree is a sign of confidence in the future of the aviation industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges faced by the sector, Airbus has remained committed to investing in new technologies and innovations, such as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, and has continued to win new orders from airlines around the world.

The company's decision to ramp up production and invest in digital projects is also a response to the growing demand for more sustainable aviation.

The company's focus on digitalization is part of its strategy to become a more agile and flexible organization, capable of responding quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.

Airbus is committed to reducing the environmental impact of air travel and has set ambitious targets for reducing its carbon emissions, including a goal to become a carbon-neutral company by 2050.

Airbus' hiring spree for factory ramp-up and digital projects is a positive sign for the aviation industry and for the future of sustainable air travel. The company's investment in new technologies and innovations will help it to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market and to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

By hiring new talent and investing in digitalization, Airbus is setting itself up for long-term success and growth.

The government of Western Australia has been engaged in talks with several Indian airlines to establish direct flights between India and Perth. This move is a significant step towards improving the economic and cultural ties between the two countries and boosting the tourism industry in Western Australia.

Currently, there are no direct flights between India and Perth, and travelers must take connecting flights via other cities such as Sydney or Singapore. The introduction of direct flights would greatly reduce travel time and make it more convenient for both tourists and business travelers.

India is a rapidly growing economy, and its middle class is growing rapidly, making it an attractive market for Australian businesses. Western Australia, with its abundant natural resources and diverse tourism offerings, is an ideal destination for Indian tourists and investors.

Western Australia govt in talks with Indian airlines for direct flights to Perth.

The discussions between the Western Australian government and Indian airlines are still ongoing, but there is hope that the direct flights will become a reality in the near future.

The government is also looking at ways to encourage more Indian investment in Western Australia, particularly in the resources and agriculture sectors.

The Indian community in Western Australia has also welcomed the prospect of direct flights, as it would make it easier for them to visit their home country and for their families and friends to visit them in Australia. This would also enhance cultural exchanges and promote better understanding between the two countries.

In addition, the introduction of direct flights would provide a boost to the tourism industry in Western Australia, which has suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India is a significant source of tourism for Australia, with over 330,000 Indian tourists visiting the country in 2019, before the pandemic.

The direct flights to Perth will become a reality in the near future.

The Western Australian government is working closely with Indian airlines and other stakeholders to ensure that the direct flights are feasible and sustainable.

The government is also exploring options to support the airlines in launching the new route, such as providing marketing and promotional support.

In conclusion, the talks between the Western Australian government and Indian airlines for direct flights to Perth is a positive step towards enhancing economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two countries. If successful, the direct flights will provide greater convenience to travelers and provide a much-needed boost to the Western Australian economy.

A dedicated airline for Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city NEOM will take to the skies by the end of 2024, the carrier’s CEO has revealed.

Writing in a blog post, Klaus Goersch set out an ambitious vision for NEOM Airlines, promising that passengers will receive “a completely different travel experience”.

Goersch, who has previously served as chief operating officer of British Airways and Air Canada, argued the new service will be “futuristic and efficient”, adding: “I can honestly say the opportunity here is way beyond anything else out there.”

The development of the airline comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to boost its aviation sector, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier this month announcing a new carrier, Riyadh Air, which will benefit from a USD 37 billion aircraft deal with US firm Boeing.

In his blog post, Goersch painted his vision for NEOM Airlines as he set out the “new future” for air travel.

“Just imagine if your bags were collected from your home or office and delivered to the hotel or residence you were going to.

Imagine if biometrics were advanced enough to recognize you via facial recognition as soon as you walked in a building, security clearing you for travel without the need for even going through a gate – let alone having to bother with a visa. And just imagine the time of your meeting changed by a few hours and you were able to change your flight to a later one, without hassle or cost.

Better still, imagine you are collecting loyalty points at the airport – where the whole place is lounge-style service – as well as while flying and when using the facilities in your destination, because everything is owned by the same company.”

Come 2026 onwards, there will be new innovative aircraft – whether it be electric, hydrogen-powered or supersonic – and next-generation interiors coming online from us. We are already in discussions with plane, interior and seat manufacturers."

Klaus Goersch.

In keeping with NEOM’s pledge to be environmentally-friendly Goersch said the airline’s ambition is for every flight to have “ some sustainable fuel onboard” originating from mixing facilities at NEOM. 

The airline will initially retrofit existing aircraft in order to get the carrier up and running, before shifting to new planes. 

The USD 500 billion NEOM megaproject is set to transform the Kingdom’s northwest Red Sea coast to a high-tech hub.

Also read - What will Riyadh Air look like?

The USD 500 billion NEOM megaproject is set to transform the Kingdom’s northwest Red Sea coast to a high-tech hub (NEOM). The airline will be focused on enabling travel for tourists, residents and commercial partners to and from NEOM,

With inpits from arabnews.

The defence ministry on Thursday, March 23 signed two contracts worth over INR 3,700 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for radars and receivers, which will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

The first contract worth over INR 2,800 crore pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) 'Arudhra' for the IAF, and the second, at an overall cost of around INR 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR).

Both projects are under the 'Buy Indian-IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)' category. The projects are aimed at enhancing the surveillance, detection, tracking and electronic warfare capabilities of the air force.

https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1638890220249845760

"These essentially embody the spirit of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and will help facilitate the realisation of the country's journey to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing," the Indian Air Force (IAF) said in a statement.

MPR (Arudhra) radar has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be manufactured by BEL. Its successful trials have already been conducted by the IAF. It is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation for surveillance, detection and tracking of aerial targets.

The system will have target identification based on interrogations from co-located identification friend or foe system. The DR-118 RWR will considerably enhance the electronic warfare capabilities of the Su-30 MKI aircraft. The majority of sub-assemblies and parts will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, the statement said.

The IAF said the project will boost and encourage active participation of Indian electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs. It is also expected to generate employment of approximately two lakh man-dayoverof three and half years, it said.