Collaboration between Destinus and Brazilian on-demand charter flight broker to provide swift freight delivery flights

A deal has been made between the hypersonic, hydrogen-powered aircraft developer Destinus and the Brazilian on-demand charter flight broker Flapper to establish high-speed cargo delivery flight routes between Europe and Latin America.

While the initial agreement will focus on developing routes for cargo flights, the companies may also explore the possibility of high-speed passenger flights between Europe and Latin AmericaDestinus’s senior business development manager, Martina Lofqvist, told FutureFlight

Martina Lofqvist | Source

According to a joint statement released by the two companies today, Destinus and Flapper have signed a letter of intent to "collaborate on a shared purpose to link the world effectively and sustainably."

But as of right now, according to Lofqvist, Destinus is concentrated on getting its hydrogen-powered hyperplane up and operating for freight operations.

Flight times between the two continents could be significantly shortened thanks to the hyperplane. With the hyperplane, a flight from Paris to Buenos Aires, for instance, could be completed in three to four hours rather than the current 13 to 14 hours it may take, according to Lofqvist. Time-sensitive cargo including medical supplies and emergency replacement components will be transported by Flapper using the new high-speed routes.

The Jungfrau, as the prototype vehicle being developed by Destinus, is known, would be a totally autonomous "hyperplane," as it stays well below the Karman line but gets pretty close to vacuum for aerodynamic reasons. The actual groundspeed will depend on several parameters and is not as easily stated, but they are aiming for speeds up to Mach 15 at a height of 60 kilometres. The aircraft will then re-enter and continue on its journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfxcwTgDUS0

A spaceplane is a wing aircraft that can leave the ground, fly outside the atmosphere, and then return to the atmosphere using just its own propulsion and navigation. The most well-known is arguably the mysterious (as it is always termed) X-37B of the American government, which is allegedly employed for space-based testing by three-letter agencies.

This is all hypothetical and untested. According to Kokorich, the business flew a small-scale prototype last year that was roughly the length of a car. The guidance, navigation, and control systems that will enable the vessel to function independently are now being finalised.

With initial estimates topping Mach 15 and travelling between any two points on Earth in under two hours, Destinus is currently determining the precise speed at which it intends to cruise, but Lofqvist told FutureFlight that this estimate might be "a little bit overly optimistic."

Representation of a hypothetical flight path from Miami to Seoul | Destinus

This year, we plan to start ground and flight tests of ATR (air turbo rocket) engines with hydrogen as fuel, which we are developing ourselves. Like a turbojet, the ATR engine is an airbreathing jet engine. Due to its parameters, it is a suitable engine for both the subsonic and supersonic flight phases of our hyperplane. Later next year, we plan to fly the next iteration of the prototype with both ATR and a second hydrogen rocket engine. It will be the configuration for our commercial vehiclesMomentus founder and former CEO Mikhail Kokorich (Now Destinus) told TechCrunch earlier this year

Mikhail Kokorich | Siberian Times

Additionally, the hypersonic aircraft will emit no emissions because it will run on "green" hydrogen power, which is hydrogen fuel produced from renewable energy, making it a more environmentally responsible option than current transatlantic trips-Lofqvist elucidated.

Latin America is a key market to us. This partnership with Flapper will help us gain direct insight on the express cargo market and to explore new route options across the Atlantic Oceansaid Destinus CEO Mikhail Kokorich

The contract between Flapper and Destinus is the company's initial commitment to hypersonic flying. To promote regional, passenger-carrying flights in Latin America, Flapper recently also committed to purchase up to 30 hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft from Electra as well as 25 of Jaunt Air Mobility's Jaunt Journey eVTOL aircraft. The business has also teamed up with Eve Air Mobility to build out the region's eVTOL air taxi networks.

Jaunt Air Mobility eVTOL | Representative | Jaunt Air Mobility

Destinus has so far built two prototype aircraft and tested both of them in flight, but the company hasn't yet broken the sound barrier or flown using hydrogen fuel. According to Lofqvist of FutureFlight, The Swiss are developing its first hydrogen-fed air turborocket (ATR) engine and constructing a test facility for it. By the end of this year, Destinus hopes to start testing the first hydrogen components on the ground.

Destinus

ALSO READ - To near space and back, but this time “cargo” takes the front seat

In many countries, there are several prohibitions on autonomous and supersonic aircraft, and Destinus's ship would be both.

SOURCE(s) : FutureFlight.Aero | TechCruch

COVER: Destinus

Starting October 11, Cathay Pacific will fly direct between Bengaluru and Hong Kong with two weekly non-stop flights. Passengers travelling from the IT hub of India to Hong Kong will get benefitted from the launch of this new non-stop route.

The introduction of Cathay Pacific in the city will enhance India’s direct connectivity with Hong Kong and connect customers to popular destinations such as the USA, Australia, Japan, the Philippines and more.

Cathay Pacific, the home airline of Hong Kong, is opening up New International Routes. 

 “We are delighted to once again serve the residents of Bengaluru. As a group, we have had a long-standing history with the city and now we will be taking to the skies from the third-largest airport in India – Kempegowda International Airport on 11 October with Cathay Pacific.”Rakesh Raicar, Regional General Manager, South Asia, Middle East and Africa.

"A wide-body aircraft on this route will not only cater to the travel needs of corporate and leisure travellers but provide each segment with a cabin of choice and allow them to travel with enhanced comfort to Hong Kong and beyond. Moreover, launching Cathay Pacific in the city also gives us an opportunity to service our customers and partners, whilst providing them with a comfortable and a premium experience on our world-class products.Hong Kong is a key business and leisure destination and BLR Airport being the ‘New Gateway to India’, is delighted to have the Cathay Pacific group once again connecting Bengaluru to Hong Kong and beyond. It gives us immense pleasure to welcome their wide-body Boeing 777-300 aircraft that offers premium connectivity for passengers and cargo to multiple destinations in the Far East. It’s always been our endeavour to explore new partnerships and establish enhanced connectivity. With Cathay Pacific, we hope to grow stronger as a preferred hub for One World alliance partners with eight carriers choosing Bengaluru as their Southern India gateway."Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL)

The aircraft is configured with a three-class cabin configuration featuring Economy, Premium Economy and Business class, thus offering customers an array of cabin options to choose from that suits their needs.

Cathay Pacific will fly a Boeing 777-300ER on this route.

According to the information on Cathay’s official website, CX623 departs from Hong Kong at 20:55 on Mondays and Thursdays and arrives in Bengaluru at 00:20 the following day. Every Tuesday and Friday at 01:20, the same aircraft will depart Bengaluru and arrive in Hong Kong at 09:50.

This comes as the airline plans to restart operations from Bengaluru after they were temporarily suspended because of the pandemic.

The Indian civil aviation sector is dealing with a dichotomy about its pilots because it phases a restoration from the extreme disruptions to air journeys because of the pandemic.

While junior pilots have been ready on the bench for the previous two years with a letter of intent but with no wage, airways are battling a paucity of captains who can fly larger jetliners.

Several junior pilots were laid off by Gulf-based airlines and are yet to either get reinstated by those carriers or secure job offers from Indian airlines.

A bench in the aviation sector means the holding period before being allowed to fly.

Industry watchers say that the carriers had hired many junior pilots expecting fleet and route expansions but are still using their fleet to full capacity following two years of the pandemic that had severely hit the air travel industry.

"There should be around 200 such pilots who’ve a letter of intent from IndiGo. Most have been employed by the airline earlier than covid however are ready to get the decision from the airline."Said an industry executive.

Ironically, there is a shortage of captains because a large number of them have retired and the juniors are yet to complete their training hours to become a captain. India produces 700-1,000 industrial license pilots a year and to grow to be a captain, a junior pilot has to place in about 1,500 flying hours and clear sure checks.

"The aviation trade in India is making a considerably quick restoration and in six to 12 months, the steadiness of provide and demand can be achieved to get the pilots on deck."Ashwani Acharya, Business Unit Head for CAE Simulation Training Centre.

ALSO READ – IndiGo reinstates pilots and crew salaries by 8% from August 1

Meanwhile, IndiGo is set to finally restore the pre-covid salaries of its pilots by November. Others like SpiceJet and GoFirst are still to announce any timeline for the restoration of pre-covid salaries.

While passenger traffic in August is around 52% more than a year earlier, it is still nearly 14% lower than the pre-pandemic levels seen in August 2019.

However, the entry of new airways reminiscent of Akasa Air and a revived Jet Airways and recruitment by Air India is about to make the market extra aggressive in phrases of pay.

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

Recent bulletins of fleet expansions by most airways and Akasa’s wage hike are predicted to be adopted by others.

ALSO READ - “No shortage of commercial pilots in India”: Scindia

(With Inputs From Mint)

The financial crisis at SpiceJet is hurting employees dearly. Spicejet is sending 80 Captains on LWP i.e. Leave without pay for 3 months starting September 21, a senior pilot who doesn’t wish to be named said.

The senior pilot further mentioned that 40 Captains of Boeing 737 and 40 Captains of Bombardier Q400 are sent on LWP.

The airline will call them back gradually as it deploys new aircraft into its fleet. SpiceJet plans to add seven new Boeing 737 Max starting from December.

ALSO READ – DGCA orders SpiceJet to operate only 50% of approved flights

SpiceJet faces several challenges. India’s aviation regulator has capped the number of seats the carrier can sell at 50% for eight weeks after it reported a string of mid-air malfunctions. The regulator has said the airline failed to build “safe, efficient and reliable” air services and in July summoned it to explain the incidents.

SpiceJet to send 80 Captains on LWP amid financial instability

SpiceJet is returning older 737 aircraft which it inducted from Jet Airways while lessors have repossessed around four aircraft. Around 10 of its Q400 aircraft are grounded due to a lack of spares.

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

The struggling to-survive airlines, which have delayed August salaries, are allegedly defaulting on depositing tax deducted at source (TDS) with authorities and allegedly not depositing PF in employee accounts.

It is yet to give employees Form 16 for fiscal 2021-22 due to which they are facing issues in filing tax returns. It is also reportedly defaulting on some statutory payments too, claim sources.

Indian aviation is getting back on track. The traffic is matching the pre-covid levels and so the airlines have also started to reinstate salaries to pre-covid levels. The coronavirus pandemic had significantly impacted the airline industry, and the operators had resorted to cost-cutting measures, including salary reductions, to manage their financials.

Spicejet pilots are still on a 65% cut on pre-COVID salary.

All the major Indian carriers IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, AirAsia India and the newest airline Akasa Air has given a rise to their pilots in their salaries but Spicejet pilots are still on a 65% cut on pre-COVID salary.

ALSO READ - Air India to reinstate salary of all employees along with layover allowances to pre-covid levels

Air India told its employees on August 26 that it will restore their salaries to pre-Covid-19 levels from September. The airline is also set to restore crew layover allowances and meal arrangements for pilots and cabin crew at the same time.

Battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, Air India and other Indian carriers had cut the salaries of their employees and reduced the layover allowances and meal arrangements of their flight crew to save money.

ALSO READ – Air India begins restoring salaries to pre-pandemic levels gradually

In April, Air India restored salaries to almost 75% of the pre-pandemic level.

In April, Air India restored salaries to almost 75% of the pre-pandemic level. Then, it restored 20% of the flying allowances. At present, salaries are 35% below the levels before the Covid outbreak. Special pay for pilots and wide body allowances will be restored by 25%, after having been slashed by 40%.

ALSO READ – IndiGo reinstates pilots and crew salaries by 8% from August 1

Earlier in August, IndiGo partially reinstated the salaries of its pilots with the stabilisation and growth in its operations. The company announced an 8% increase in salaries of pilots with effect from April. In 2020, it cut the salaries of pilots by 28%.

ALSO READ – IndiGo partially restores pilot salaries by 8% from April 1

While, IndiGo had also vowed to restore another 6.5% from November 1, 2022, if operations continue to run smoothly, pilots and commanders say that the “so-called” cuts taken by the top management of the airline for the year due to the pandemic have been in effect negated by the generous allotment of stock options.

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.

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

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, is 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.

Akasa’s pay bundle is 8-10% larger than what market chief IndiGo shall be paying its captains from November, by when salaries on the firm shall be absolutely restored, having been lower by practically 28% in the course of the pandemic downturn.

Crisis at SpiceJet

The cash-strapped airline’s troubles have been mounting in the past few months. Meanwhile, SpiceJet employees alleged delay in the disbursal of salaries for the second straight month, with the budget airline saying the payments were being made in a “graded format”.

SpiceJet incurred net losses of INR 316 crore, INR 934 crore, and INR 998 crore in FY19, FY20, and FY21, respectively. 

“The salary disbursal was timely for June. Also, the salaries are yet to match the pre-COVID-19 levels. The salaries being disbursed to captains and first officers are not even 50% of what they used to be before the pandemic outbreak in March 2020,” a staff told news agency PTI.

SpiceJet on August 31 declared losses of INR 1,725 crore for the full year of FY 22. The airline also reported a loss of INR 783.60 crore for April-June of FY 23 as compared with a loss of INR 729 crore in the year-ago period.

SpiceJet incurred net losses of INR 316 crore, INR 934 crore, and INR 998 crore in FY19, FY20, and FY21, respectively. SpiceJet's Chief Financial Officer Sanjeev Taneja also resigned and Ashish Kumar was announced as the new CFO of the company.

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

SpiceJet on August 31 declared losses of INR 1,725 crore for the full year of FY 22.

SpiceJet is looking to raise INR 2,000 crore through various means, including a stake sale, its largest shareholder and chairman, Ajay Singh, said. “We are exploring and ready to look at all options… on the table. We will ensure SpiceJet remains financially vibrant,” said Singh.

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

The airline had earlier this month said it was “in discussions with various investors (including a Middle East carrier and an Indian conglomerate) to secure sustainable financing.”

SpiceJet’s financial health worsened after Covid decimated air travel globally. The airline has suffered three straight years of losses while its market share has plunged to fifth from second largest. In late 2021, the airline had cash and cash equivalents of just INR 72.9 crore compared with total debt of INR 9,750 crore. 

ALSO READ – Cash-strapped SpiceJet plans to take delivery of 7 Boeing 737 Max

The no-frills airline is expecting Boeing to resume delivery of the 737 Max aircraft in October. SpiceJet plans to take delivery of seven planes, which will also bring in income through their sale and leaseback.

SpiceJet’s domestic network covers the length and breadth of the country with the airline operating in 51 domestic destinations

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

SpiceJet has also received an extension of up to three months for conducting its annual general meeting for the financial year that ended March 2022. Now, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the last financial year will be held on or before December 31, 2022.

SpiceJet’s domestic network covers the length and breadth of the country with the airline operating to 51 domestic destinations. Pioneer of the regional connectivity scheme, SpiceJet is the country’s largest regional player helping connect the remotest parts of the country by air.

The airline’s focus on providing direct flight connectivity to regional hubs not only ensures better connectivity but also has a cascading effect on tourism and economic activity in the region.

The X-59 QueSST supersonic aircraft from Lockheed Martin will undergo its initial test by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) this year.

As cool as it sounds, supersonic travel is possible. Even while the NASA X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology, or QueSST, will not carry passengers, the experimental aircraft is moving the organisation closer to realising silent commercial supersonic travel over land.

From the vault

Lockheed Martin created the experimental aircraft known as the X-59 QueSST. In 2021, the aeroplane was handed over to NASA. At a height of 17 km, it should be able to travel at a speed of Mach 1.42 (1,510 km/h).

The X-59's distinctive design is the result of years of study into supersonic flight at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, including multiple projects under the Commercial Supersonic Technology project, or CST. These initiatives span a variety of supersonic research-related fields, utilising cutting-edge visualisation tools to analyse shockwaves, as well as specialised wind tunnels, supercomputing resources, and systems engineering know-how.

NASA

The closest thing to actual X-59 flight data is a computer simulation, which can enhance the level in estimates of the aircraft's supersonic performance. Additionally, computational fluid dynamics models are used to visualise the X-59 aircraft concept and assist researchers in figuring out which aspects of the aircraft produce shockwaves that are responsible for the sonic boom sound that can be heard below the aircraft.

Don Durston, an aerospace engineer with a model supersonic aircraft, ready for testing in the 9- by 7-foot Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley | NASA/Dominic Hart

QueSST's unique design for reducing the sound shock wave is noteworthy. The sound shock was lowered to 79 dB by NASA scientists. This figure may drop by many points in the future, probably to 75 dB.

Testing the X-59 in a wind tunnel with scaled-down models of the real thing is one approach to ensure that it will function as intended. Engineers can measure the pressure waves produced when supersonic air passes over expertly constructed tiny models to confirm that the plane operates as predicted.

Although we have advanced technology, measuring supersonic airflow over an aeroplane model in a wind tunnel is still a tricky task even in the twenty-first century. Because the airflows in the tunnels are not perfect, even performing the same test with the same model can result in somewhat different results on different days. You will obtain slightly different results if you place the model in a different wind tunnel.

The recent low-speed wind tunnel tests were a success. The results of the tests matched NASA and Lockheed Martin’s earlier computer predictions. There were no surprises that arosesaid Jeff Flamm, NASA's aerodynamics and performance lead on Quesst

Representative | NASA

When an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, this is known as supersonic flight. The resulting shockwave can produce a loud sonic boom, startling people on the ground. To solve this issue, the X-59 is designed to produce a thump.

Sonic Boom | Representative | 9GaG

The X-59 is essential to NASA's Quesst programme, which aims to increase the use of supersonic flight and provide data to regulators so they can reform the current national and international aviation regulations that prohibit commercial supersonic flying over land.

Although the plane's design is vital, Quesst also contains other essential mission elements. NASA intends to fly the X-59 over several U.S. localities and poll residents on whether they find the sound tolerable to give authorities information for modifying aviation regulations that forbid commercial supersonic flight over land. The organisation will communicate this information to international and domestic regulators.

ALSO READ - The NASA X-59 QueSST supersonic aircraft inches closer to reality after passing 2 key tests

SOURCE: NASA

COVER: SciTechDaily

Jet Airways, whose potential new house owners, the Jalan-Kalrock consortium, have been attempting to relaunch operations this month, is dealing with extra delays.

The most recent bottleneck stems from unresolved negotiations between its administration and engine makers on extra beneficial phrases in its proposed leasing contracts, folks within the know mentioned.

In the meantime, one other problem dragging down its take-off plan is unresolved talks between the consortium and Jet Airways’ former lenders, who’re searching for settlement of their dues earlier than the airline buys or leases planes.

Jet Airways relaunch delayed due to unresolved negotiations between the administration & engine makers

ALSO READ - The planned relaunch of Jet Airways is further delayed till October

Jet Airways' new Chief Executive Officer, Sanjiv Kapoor, confirmed ongoing talks with engine makers for the “absolute best” phrases.

Jet Airways desires engine makers Pratt & Whitney (P&W) or CFM to bear a bigger share of the prices each time an engine is changed, folks aware of the event mentioned. New engines like P&W’s GTF and CFM’s Leap are changed extra steadily than their predecessors, particularly in environmentally harsh situations akin to in India.

“Beginning or restarting an airline is a fancy enterprise and we need to ensure we take the time to get the very best phrases and contracts for each plane and engines, together with upkeep contracts, in addition to to obtain plane configured the best way we wish them, to fulfill our strategic necessities and to safe our future. If that takes slightly extra time to get proper, that’s high-quality. Because the saying goes, ‘act in haste, repent at leisure’.The airline’s administration is near finalising its preliminary fleet plan to restart operations within the coming weeks. We’re working to open on the market as quickly as attainable, and to begin operations within the weeks that observe. Once more, it is a marathon, not a dash. We are going to begin operations in a deliberate and phased method and can share particulars of our fleet, buyer worth proposition and enterprise mannequin once we open on the market.”Sanjiv Kapoor, CEO, Jet Airways

“Negotiations have been on for weeks,” mentioned a government at an engine maker. “Jet does need its pound of flesh.” The contractual phrases within the leasing contract, sources mentioned, may also affect these within the final buy contract for engines. Jet has but to announce any plane or engine buy.

"Engine contracts are usually onerous. The airline can find yourself spending extra on engines than airframes,” an individual conscious of the matter mentioned.

Jet Airways desires engine makers Pratt & Whitney (P&W) or CFM to bear a bigger share of the prices each time an engine is changed

The airline is, nevertheless, near finalising a leasing contract for Airbus A320 planes, certainly, one of which was earlier leased by Siberia Airways, the individual added. In the meantime, the consortium of lenders that dragged Jet Airways to the chapter court docket mentioned the brand new house owners want its approval to lease or buy planes.

Jet Airways went out of business in 2019. The case earlier than the Nationwide Firm Regulation Tribunal (NCLT) went on for 2 years earlier than a debt decision plan by the Jalan-Kalrock consortium was authorised.

The SBI-led lenders’ consortium mentioned it could present no-objection certificates solely after the brand new house owners decide on a timeline for implementing the debt decision plan, which entails a staggering payout.

The airline is near finalising a leasing contract for Airbus A320 planes, certainly, one of which was earlier leased by Siberia Airways

Till the timeline or efficient date of the decision plan is offered, Jet Airways' possession can’t be transferred to the Jalan-Kalrock consortium. This successfully means the consortium can not turn into the house owners nor determine to purchase or lease planes without the lenders’ go-ahead.

Jalan-Kalrock and Jet Airways’ new administration beforehand denied this. They mentioned the NCLT proceedings and debt decision plan haven’t any bearing on Jet’s new enterprise and growth plans.

The consortium consists of Murari Lal Jalan, an NRI based mostly within the UAE who will maintain shares of Jet in his private capability, and Florian Fritsch, who would maintain shares via his funding holding firm, Kalrock Capital Companions Ltd, Cayman.

Jet Airways, led by the brand new administration, averted liquidation proceedings by agreeing to switch to banks about INR 130 crore obtained from the lease-rentals of these planes.

ALSO READ - Lenders of Jet Airways threaten bankruptcy over aircraft rental revenues

Jalan’s enterprise pursuits are unfolded throughout the UAE, Brazil, India, Uzbekistan and the Philippines, in response to the decision plan. On July 22, it was reported that the lenders had threatened to liquidate the airline if the successful bidder didn’t conform to distribute leases obtained from a few planes leased out by Jet Airways.

ALSO READ - Jet Airways’ lenders to get rental earnings from Jalan-Kalrock Consortium

On August 30, it was reported that Jet Airways, led by the brand new administration, averted liquidation proceedings by agreeing to switch to banks about INR 130 crore obtained from the lease-rentals of these planes.

(With Inputs from The Economic Times)