Batik Air to start direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar

Amid a strong bounce back in the international travel demand, the Malaysian-based hybrid carrier, Batik Air, formerly known as Malindo Air will be resuming its operations from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar (ATQ).

Starting September 9 2022, Batik Air will resume its operations from Amritsar, with 2x weekly non-stop services to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL).

The airline will be steadily ramping up its services between the two cities, with 3x weekly services in October and 4x weekly from November onwards.

Batik Air is a subsidiary of the Lion Air Group which also operates Super Jet, Wings Air, Batik Air Indonesia, Biz Jet, Thai Lion Air and Lion Air.

Batik Air will be deploying its, Boeing 737-8 aircraft on this route, equipped with 12 business and 150 economy class seats.

This comes after Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary airline, Scoot, resumed its services to Amritsar from Singapore (SIN) in February 2022. Scoot at present is operating over 5x weekly Boeing 787-8 services between Singapore and Amritsar.

"The lifting of international border restrictions presents airlines and travellers with new opportunities. With the abolishment of the mandatory quarantine, and the ability to now travel freely between India and Malaysia, Batik Air is very excited to introduce our new connectivity to more cities in India. We are offering Batik Air’s services with better value and great experience."Capt Mushafiz Bin Mustafa Bakri, CEO, Batik Air

Before being rebranded as Batik Air, Malindo Air first commenced its services to Amritsar in late 2015. It was the longest route for the airline from Kuala Lumpur during then. The airline was also the first South-East Asian carrier to launch its operations from Amritsar.

Batik Air also resumed services to Trichy after its previous announcement in July 2022.

Amritsar’s South-East Asian and Australian markets were high potential, after Malindo, Scoot launched its operations from Amritsar in early 2016, which was followed by Air Asia X in the year 2018.

According to an estimate, over 1,500 people were travelling daily between Amritsar and South-East Asia and Australia in 2019 with all the above carriers. In March 2020, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amritsar lost all its connectivity with these carriers due to the restrictions imposed.

(With Inputs from FlyAmritsar Initiative)

The second prototype "Bayraktar Kizilelma" drone's first photographs have been released by the Turkish Company Baykar.

2013 saw the beginning of the initial conceptual studies for Bayraktar MIUS. The project's most significant development occurred on July 20, 2021. On this day, the general public received the first design renderings and details regarding the aircraft's specifications.

The first Bayraktar Jet drone | gagadget.com

At the SahaExpo event on November 11, 2021, a supply agreement for AI-322F turbofan engines and an integration agreement for AI-25TLT turbofan engines were signed between Baykar and Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress. The next prototypes were anticipated to be supersonic with AI-322F engines, whereas the initial prototypes were to feature AI-25TLT engines to travel at subsonic speeds.

What we know so far

The second supersonic unmanned aerial vehicle prototype is now set up for ground tests, which are anticipated to begin in 2023. It is to be noted that the strike drone was unveiled in August 2021.

Tech and specs

The Kzlelma is an unmanned aircraft with an AESA radar and a low-RCS supersonic airframe. Two air inlets supply the turbofan engine, which powers the aircraft. Two vertical stabilisers are used to control the yaw. The aircraft incorporates coupled-canard controls for improved main wing airflow control or greater manoeuvrability. Internal compartments will maintain the aircraft's low observability while enabling operation in contested locations.

https://twitter.com/BaykarTech/status/1563204600047747072

It has a 6,000-kilogramme maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), 1,500 kg of which are usable for cargo. Data provided by the company indicates that the Kzlelma will operate at a height of 35,000 feet (10,000 m).

The aircraft's design eliminates the requirement for a catapult mechanism, enabling it to launch from and land on an amphibious assault ship like TCG Anadolu.

Specs

Capacity1500 kgLength14.7 m MTOW6000 kgPowerplant 1 × Ivchenko-Progress AI-25TLT Turbofan engine, 24.5 kN (5,510 lbf) thrust dry, 44.1 kN (9,900 lbf) with afterburnerMaximum Speed1,100 km/hCombat Range930 kmEndurance5-6 hoursService ceiling 14,000 mWikipedia

In terms of technical specs, Bayraktar Kizilelma is comparable to the American strike drone MQ-9 Reaper and is intended to take down enemy air defences, launch missiles, and support fire.

Source

Three different variants of Kizilelma have been planned with different engine configurations.

Kizilelma-A will be propelled by an AI-25TLT engine and be able to reach nearly supersonic speeds. Kizilelma-B will use a Ukrainian AI-322F engine to travel at supersonic speeds. Finally, Kizilelma-C will use two AI-322F engines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g9j6Mq2Qi0

According to Baykar CTO Selçuk Bayraktar, the Kzlelma is anticipated to launch in 2023.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Gagadget.com

With eVTOLs and flying air taxis touted to be the next technology disruptors in aviation, we expected flying automobiles to take over the buzz. But what if, instead of a flying car, we receive a flying "hovercraft?". Aircraft that can land on the water have existed for a long time. Say hello to the "Flying Hovercraft" from Hammacher Schlemmer, which can travel over both land and water.

What is a "Hovercraft?"

An amphibious craft that can traverse land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces is a hovercraft, commonly referred to as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV.

Representative | CNN

Blowers are used by hovercraft to create a significant volume of air beneath the hull that is just slightly above atmospheric pressure. The hull floats above the running surface due to the lift created by the pressure difference between the ambient air above it and the higher-pressure air beneath the hull. Most hovercraft have a distinctive rounded-rectangle shape because the air is often blasted via slots or holes around the outside of a disk- or oval-shaped platform for stability reasons.

What distinguishes the "flying hovercraft" from a typical hovercraft?

The company asserts that internal combustion is the only choice because there is no electrification in the 130-hp twin-cylinder liquid-cooled turbo gasoline engine of the futuristic-looking Flying Hovercraft. The engine of the Flying Hovercraft enables it to fly up to 155 miles (250 km) at 70 mph (113 kph) and 20 feet (six metres) above the surface.

Hammacher Schlemmer

A 34-inch lift fan operating at 1,100 rpm balances the 60-inch (152 cm) wood and carbon composite propeller that the Flying Hovercraft spins. The hovercraft's skirt, which is made of resilient nylon with a vinyl coating, inflates.

Its wings and horizontal elevator allow pilots to easily jump over water- or land-based barriers up to 20'-high, unsolvable to a standard hovercraft, while operating in freshwater or saltwater and up to 30% inclines over sand, mud, grass, swamp, desert, ice, and snow.

Hammacher Schlemmer

Three vertical rudders and the elevator are controlled by a joystick, forward speed is controlled by a twist friction-lock throttle, and the lift fan used for hovering is controlled by a variable drive system. Lowering the lift fan's RPMs provides braking and the craft lands on composite Kevlar landing skids. Its low centre of gravity, composite fibreglass/PVC hull, and ability to fly in up to 25 mph winds and 6' waves make it an excellent vessel. The 160-mile range is provided by two nine-gallon gasoline tanks.

Hammacher Schlemmer

The only catch?

A boat licence and $190,000 are needed to purchase the Flying Hovercraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwC8MP6uOiQ

Representative

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Hammacher Schlemmer

Around 700 passengers on Friday, September 2 were stranded at the IGI airport's Terminal-3 after Germany-based Lufthansa airline cancelled two of its flights due to a pilots' strike, police said.

According to police, more than 100 people, relatives and family members of the stranded passengers gathered outside the airport and demanded refunds or alternate arrangements.

A piece of information was received on Friday, September 2 at 12:15 AM that a crowd has gathered on the main road in front of departure gate number 1, Terminal 3 IGI Airport, a senior police officer said.

Lufthansa pilots strike impacts 700 passengers at Delhi airport

The crowd which caused a traffic jam outside demanded a refund or alternate arrangement for their relatives who were present inside the terminal building, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport) Tanu Sharma said.

When they were told that the flights had been cancelled without any prior intimation, they became agitated. They were later pacified by the CISF and the airport staff.

Two flights of Lufthansa, one of them scheduled to depart at 2:50 AM for Frankfurt with 300 passengers, and another for Munich with 400 passengers and scheduled to depart at 1:10 AM, were cancelled, the DCP said.

Pilots staged a one-day strike to demand better pay and conditions.

Both flights were cancelled by the Lufthansa headquarters due to a one-day strike of all Lufthansa pilots demanding salary appraisals. The airline is taking steps to make alternate arrangements, police said.

ALSO READ - Lufthansa Group wants to strengthen its ties with Indian airlines

Strike by pilots

Pilots staged a one-day strike to demand better pay and conditions. Due to the strike, the airline said about 800 flights were grounded at its two biggest hubs, Frankfurt and Munich.

Due to the strike, Lufthansa's 800 flights were grounded at its two biggest hubs, Frankfurt and Munich.

During the coronavirus crisis, Lufthansa terminated agreements and started setting up a new airline with lower pay scale conditions, bypassing the collective deal.

Lufthansa said it had offered a one-time raise of 900 euros, amounting to a 5% increase for senior pilots and an 18% increase for those starting the profession.

The pilots union Vereinigung Cockpit had called for a 5.5% raise this year and an automatic above-inflation increase in 2023.

United States-based Ramco Systems Defense and Security Incorporated on Friday, September 2 said it would provide its aviation maintenance and engineering suite version 5.9 to support the SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions programme of unmanned aerial systems maker, General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI).

Ramco Systems Defense and Security is a wholly-owned subsidiary of aviation software provider Ramco Systems Corporation. General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc would use the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services provided by Ramco.

This programme provides full-sustainment solutions to the MQ-9B RPA operators, allowing maximum system commonality, availability, and complete training services.

"With deep functional and technical capabilities, the solution (offered by Ramco) will integrate General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, operations globally and enable the SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions programme to support its customers…," the statement said.

"Securing the trust of a world leader in unmanned aerial systems is a landmark achievement for Ramco, and reflects the flexibility of Ramco software in catering to this unique segment.By harnessing Ramco's innovative features, we will work with General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems to improve the operational efficiency of its SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions programme."Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Customer Officer, Aviation, Aerospace and Defence, Ramco Systems

Ramco's Aviation Software would offer modules covering maintenance planning and execution, engineering and fleet airworthiness management, and supply chain management, among others.

Launched in 2021, the SGSS programme has been designed to support GA-ASI’s customers operating the MQ-9B. This programme provides full-sustainment solutions to the MQ-9B RPA operators, allowing maximum system commonality, availability, and complete training services.

Ramco Systems to provide ERP & MRO services to US-based GA-ASI

According to GA-ASI, the SGSS reduces the overall lifecycle cost by leveraging sustainment costs across all the MQ-9B customers. The programme allows the integration of resources to deliver procurement, management, and depot repairs to the users, especially for regional operators.

"General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has the unique opportunity to deploy Ramco's out-of-the-box and industry-leading aviation sustainment solutions to help meet our end goal of having the right part at the right location, at the right time and the right price point."Sam Richardson, Vice-President (Sustainment), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems with the deployment of software, would be able to manage its global warehouses and enable customers to order parts and get real-time updates on the progress of maintenance and repair tasks, the statement added.

A section of pilots of Alliance Air went on strike on Friday, September 2 over salary issues, resulting in the cancellation of some flights. Alliance Air, which is owned by the government, operates ATR planes.

In the wake of the pandemic, the salaries were cut by 60 per cent and till now, the pay has not been fully restored. One of the demands is the restoration of pilots’ salaries to the pre-COVID level.

The strike has heavily disrupted operation of the airline with nearly three-fourth of total flights cancelled. The airline operates around 120 flights per day.

Alliance Air connects 48 destinations within India with 100 departures per day.

Top airline executives said that the management will be meeting the pilots tomorrow to resolve the situation but a senior pilot said that they plan to continue the strike unless salary is restored. Alliance Air remains the only government-owned airline after Air India’s disinvestment.

"However, while every department of the airline has gone back to their pre-Covid salary and in some cases increment has been paid, pilots are still on a drastic pay cut."A pilot of the airline.

The airline is now under AI Asset Holding Company. The airline is the main airline for government’s regional connectivity scheme as it connects remote airports like Kullu, Dharamshalla and Pasighat, Tezu and Ziro in North East India.

After the disinvestment of Air India, Alliance Air is trying to revamp its independent identity refurbishing its aircraft cabin, investing in its own Information technology systems and launching a new marketing campaign as it charts its own course after the sale of Air India.

ALSO READ - Centre begins work on privatisation of Alliance Air & other Air India subsidiaries

Pre-COVID, the airline was flying to 62 destinations.

Separately, pilots of German airline Lufthansa also went on strike over pay issues. The pilots staged a one-day strike to press their demands for better pay and conditions at Germany's biggest carrier. Due to the strike, hundreds of flights were cancelled on Friday, triggering chaos around the world.

In Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport, around 700 passengers were stranded at Terminal-3. More than 100 relatives and family members of the stranded passengers later gathered outside the airport and demanded a refund or alternate arrangements.