Cochin airport wins Airport Service Quality award for 2022

The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has won the Airport Service Quality award-2022 instituted by Airport Council International (ACI) for ensuring seamless traffic in the aftermath of the pandemic.

CIAL said the award was given for its meticulous implementation of a programme christened 'Mission Safeguarding' implemented in 2021-22 which ensured seamless traffic and reinforced passenger satisfaction in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The Airport Authority of India has won recognition in the 5-15 million passenger category of airports operating in the Asia-Pacific region. The ACI award is recognised as the highest honour in the global aviation sector owing to its extensive survey methodology practices.

India’s Cochin Airport is the world’s first solar-powered airport.

CIAL Managing Director, S Suhas, has received the award from ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira at a function held at Krakow in Poland organized in connection with the ACI Customer Experience Global Summit 2022.

"With the guidelines formulated by the chairman and the board of directors, the airport implemented 'Mission Safeguarding' during the time of the pandemic which ensured smooth traffic management that is safe, secure and passenger-friendly." S Suhas, CIAL Managing Director.

The ASQ global airport survey, through which the awardees are selected, usually showcases the world's best airports as voiced by the travellers. This time, in addition to the existing benchmarks, new parameters about hygiene practices were added, CIAL said in a release.

https://twitter.com/KochiAirport/status/1573868882942922752

Suhas said that CIAL values this award as a recognition for the innovative systems it introduced after the pandemic years.

ALSO READ - Cochin International Airport starts technical landing facility for aircraft refuelling

Owing to the measures implemented, CIAL registered a growth of 92.66 per cent in passenger volume and 60.06 per cent in air traffic movement. The period also witnessed CIAL improving its position as the third busiest airport in the country in terms of international traffic.

Cochin airport Third busiest in handling International traffic after Delhi and Mumbai.

ALSO READ - Cochin Airport, the most sustainable airport in India, logs INR 37.68 crore profit in FY 2021-22

A team of senior officials including Airport Director C.Dinesh Kumar, Executive Director, Saji K George, General Managers, Bini T I and Joseph Peter also attended the function.

ACI noted that despite the ongoing crisis, airports around the globe have continued to prioritise listening and adapting to the evolving needs of their customers.

United Airlines has grounded 25 Boeing B777-200s and B777-200(ER)s to perform overdue wing leading edge inspections that were missed for reasons currently under investigation.

The airline cancelled flights on Monday night and Tuesday morning and said it's trying to rebook stranded passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said United grounded 25 of the jets after discovering it had failed to inspect slats on the wing edges that are used during takeoffs and landings.

United Airlines cancelled about 18 flights this week when it realised that some of its Boeing 777-200 planes had not undergone required inspections of the front edges of the wings.

United said late on Tuesday afternoon that it had inspected 10 of the planes and was working with the FAA to return the others to fly in the next two weeks without causing additional flight cancellations.

The necessary maintenance checks on all aircraft will take around two weeks, with each inspection being carried out overnight. The carrier and the regulator are investigating why the scheduled inspections were missed in the first place.

"We've completed inspections on 10 of those aircraft, and are working with the FAA to return others to service while inspections are ongoing over the next two weeks."United said in a statement.

United Airlines grounded 25 Boeing 777-200s after failing to check their wings - days before the flight from Newark was forced into an emergency landing due to a 'hydraulic issue'.

On 21st September, a United Airlines Boeing 777 was forced to return to Newark after sparks and debris started to fall from the hydraulic system while the aircraft was climbing out of Newark.

United Airlines' fleet of B777-200s comprises 19 -200s and 55 -200(ER)s.

The Boeing 777-200 with registration N787UA was performing flight UA149 from Newark to Sao Paulo. However, while the aircraft was climbing out of Newark, the crew detected the sparks evolving from the hydraulic system. The pilots entered a holding pattern about 70 NM southwest of New York, dumped fuel and landed safely 1 hour and 30 minutes after departure.

The aircraft returned safely to Newark following the technical issue related to its hydraulics. The flight was cancelled and passengers were rebooked onto alternative flights. Footage shared on social media shows the emitted sparks.

The FAA said it was reviewing United's inspection plan 'as well as looking into the circumstances that led to the missed inspections. In May, the FAA cleared United's 52 Boeing 777 planes equipped with Pratt & Whitney (PW) 4000 engines to return to service.

United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Newark.

United Airlines' fleet of B777-200s comprises 19 -200s and 55 -200(ER)s. All of the -200s and a substantial part of the -200(ER)s were grounded until recently due to safety concerns related to their Pratt & Whitney PW4000G engines. The current missed inspections do not pertain to the engines.

United’s Pratt & Whitney PW4000 powered 777-200 fleet has only recently returned to service after being grounded for over a year due to a problem with the aircraft’s external engine covers.

However, the wing panel inspection wasn’t related to the engine cover issues, but rather a routine maintenance matter discovered by the airline’s team. The inspections will examine the area of the wing where slats extend during take-off and landing to generate lift.

ALSO READ - United grounds 25 B777s due to missed inspections

Air India has signed a sale and leaseback agreement with US-based Willis Lease Finance Corp for 34 engines to power 17 aircraft of the Airbus A320 family.

Under the agreement, Willis Lease will purchase from Air India 34 CFM56-5B engines to power 13 Airbus A321 aircraft and 4 Airbus A320 airplanes and lease them back to the airline. Willis Lease will also provide replacement and standby spare engines to Air India as per the agreement.

The agreement will help the carrier save on maintenance costs.

Florida-based Willis Lease is a global aviation finance company, specializing in the lease, finance and management of aircraft, spare commercial aircraft engines and auxiliary power units.

"The transaction with Willis would enable the airline to eliminate the maintenance burden and fully de-risk itself from the maintenance cost uncertainty associated with the engines which were not covered under any “Power By The Hour” programme with the engine makers.Under “Power By The Hour”, a certain amount is paid to the engine maker for each hour the aircraft flies, and this amount is used for future maintenance requirements. This transaction will allow Air India to improve fleet reliability, reduce cost, and optimise cash flows."Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer

Willis Lease will also have an in-country team to coordinate and manage the programme and all logistics and transportation involved.

Things are moving at a swift pace at Air India. Grounded airplanes are being prepped for operations again, new aircraft orders are on the way, and cost-effective practices are becoming the norm.

Air India plans to have a fleet of 143 planes by end of 2023.

Air India has 113 planes in its fleet currently. Its narrow-body fleet comprises 70 aircraft, of which 54 are in service. The rest of the existing narrow-body fleet and some of the wide-body fleet which was grounded will progressively return to service by early 2023, according to Air India.

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

The airline has also signed leases and letters of intent for inducting 5 wide-body Boeing and 25 Airbus narrow-body planes over the next 15 months. The planes being leased include 21 Airbus A320 neos, 4 Airbus A321 neos and 5 Boeing B777-200LRs.

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

The highly classified, next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, will finally come out of the shadows thanks to an official deployment planned for the first week of December by the US Air Force.

Representative | UPI.com

The B-21 Raider will be unveiled by Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Air Force in the first week of December at the company's Palmdale, California, at the same facility used during the 1980s and 1990s for Northrop B-2 production.

The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence. The Raider showcases the dedication and skills of the thousands of people working every day to deliver this aircraftsaid Doug Young, sector vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems

It will be an advanced, extremely long-range, massive, heavy-payload, stealth intercontinental strategic bomber for the USAF as part of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) programme, capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons.

Representative | Source

Since the contract was awarded in 2015, Northrop Grumman has put together a team from across the country to develop, test, and construct the most cutting-edge strike aircraft ever. The B-21 is the result of cutting-edge stealth technology combined with Northrop Grumman's innovative digital engineering methodologies and modern manufacturing methods.

The Aviationist

In 2015, Northrop Grumman won the B-21 contract over a Boeing-Lockheed Martin collaboration. Six B-21s are currently being produced, according to information released so far by Northrop, with the initial flight set for 2023.

The actual timing of the first flight will be based on ground test outcomes. The first B-21 was moved to a calibration facility in March 2022.

Northrop Grumman is proud of our partnership with the U.S. Air Force as we deliver the B-21 Raider, a sixth-generation aircraft optimized for operations in highly contested environmentssaid Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems

An invitation-only event will be held for the reveal at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale facility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DRDdaH1iMQ

In fiscal 2023, the Air Force sought $5 billion for the B-21, including $1.7 billion for procurement financing, though it won't say how many bombers it would purchase. The Air Force intends to purchase at least 100 B-21s in all. The estimated cost of each B-21 in FY10 currency is $550 million.

It will eventually replace the United States' current fleets of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, and Rockwell B-1 Lancer bombers.

ALSO READ - Is China teasing the US with its “undercover” Stealth Bomber?

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COVER: 19FORTYFIVE

The National Company Law Tribunal has issued a notice to SpiceJet on an insolvency plea and directed the domestic budget carrier to respond to it within two weeks.

The NCLT issued the notice to SpiceJet based on an application filed by one of the operational creditors of the airlines -- Acres Buildwell Pvt Ltd. The company claims that outstanding dues to the tune of INR 3.25 crores are owed to it by SpiceJet.

The NCLT, in an order passed on September 2, had granted SpiceJet two weeks to file its reply on the plea as to why insolvency resolution proceedings should not be initiated against it. The case is likely to be heard next on September 30.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet settles financial dispute with Credit Suisse AG

SpiceJet receives notice from NCLT regarding an insolvency claim

Earlier this year, SpiceJet had reached a settlement with Credit Suisse AG which had sought the winding up of the airline over unpaid dues. The airline had reached an in-principle settlement with Credit Suisse AG over pending dues of USD 24 million.

On January 11, a division bench of the Madras High Court upheld a single-judge order passed on December 7, 2021, which directed the liquidation of the private airline and asked the official liquidator to take over the airline's assets. On January 28, the Supreme Court halted the winding up of the airline and asked it to clear its dues at the earliest.

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

SpiceJet had recently informed that it is in talks with bankers to raise as much as USD 200 million in fresh capital and that promoter Ajay Singh, who owns a nearly 60% stake in the airline, has been approached by a ‘big Middle Eastern airline’ and a big Indian business conglomerate for a stake in the airline.

Earlier this year, SpiceJet had reached a settlement with Credit Suisse AG which had sought the winding up of the airline over unpaid dues.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet in active discussion with a Middle Eastern carrier for a possible stake sale

Further, the airline has also received approval for a loan under the central government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). It will reportedly receive around INR 225 crore under the scheme.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet set to receive funds through ECGLS, an extension of up to 3 months for AGM’22

SpiceJet reported a net loss of INR 789 crore for the quarter ending June 30, 2022, as compared to a net loss of INR 729 crore in the quarter ending June 30, 2021, as business was severely impacted by record high fuel prices and a depreciating rupee.

ALSO READ - Worst nightmare of SpiceJet – From financial losses widening to the CFO resigning to non-payment of salaries

Akasa Air grounded a Boeing B737-800 MAX aircraft on Tuesday, September 20 after a leakage in an engine fuel pump, aviation industry sources said. The airline cancelled a couple of flights in the last two days due to the grounded plane, which has registration code VT-YAC.

The new carrier has four planes in its fleet and is currently operating with three planes. It is looking to source spare parts to repair the engine fuel pump of VT-YAC. An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the grounding of VT-YAC due to an "unserviceable engine fuel pump".

ALSO READ – Big plane order may be placed by Akasa Air in the next 18 months

ALSO READ - Akasa Air to expand operations with 150 weekly flights

Akasa Air grounds B737 MAX after a leakage in an engine fuel pump

Akasa Air has earlier said that its fleet size will go up to 18 aircraft -- all B737 MAX -- by March 2023. By March 2027, the airline plans to have 72 B737 MAX aircraft in its fleet. Akasa Air also expects to operate more than 150 weekly flights by the end of September. 

ALSO READ - Akasa Air had a 53% occupancy rate in its first month of operations

Akasa Air, which operated its first commercial flight on August 7, filled 52.9% of seats up to August 31. The DGCA data showed that Akasa Air carried 24,000 passengers on its flights in August, which gave it a 0.2% market share. IndiGo is the market leader as it flew 5.83 million passengers domestically, recording a market share of 57.7%.

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

The airline operates flights between five cities across the country. From October 7, it plans to start operating flights on Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes.

Akasa Air, which operated its first commercial flight on August 7, filled 52.9% of seats up to August 31.(Image Credit - Aerowanderer)

ALSO READ - Akasa Air leads in pay hikes for pilots; raises salaries by 60%

Akasa Air is also leading on pay hikes for pilots, marking a reversal of the pandemic-era aviation squeeze that saw salary cuts and job losses globally. This is likely to set off salary increases at other carriers to ensure they have enough pilots as air traffic recovers amid fleet expansion and Gulf carriers embarking on a hiring spree.

Akasa raised pilot pay by an average of 60% — captains will start at INR 4.5 lakh a month and first officers at INR 1.8 lakh — from October. This is against INR 2.79 lakh and INR 1.11 lakh, respectively, at present.

Depending on experience and hours flown, the pay could be higher. At the maximum limit of 70 hours per month, a captain can earn INR 8 lakh, about 28% more than INR 6.25 lakh now, said the people cited above.

(With Inputs from Business Standard)