First CarGo freighter of IndiGo to be delivered soon; spotted at Seletar Airport

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, looks close to inducting its first freighter plane as it seeks to capture the boom in air cargo driven by the pandemic.

An IndiGo CarGo-branded aircraft was spotted this week at Seletar Airport in Singapore’s north east. Seletar is a much smaller airport than Changi Airport, serving mainly private jets, and a few regional commercial flights and hosting a hub for maintenance and repair shops.

The dedicated cargo jet, registered as 9H-AMQ, is an Airbus SE A321P2F (Passenger To Freighter) that’s previously been used by carriers including Aeroflot PJSC, Lithuanian group Avion Express UAB and Thomas Cook Airlines, according to Planespotters.net.

First CarGo freighter of IndiGo to be delivered soon; spotted at Seletar Airport

A representative for IndiGo said delivery to India was likely to be in August although a precise date has yet to be advised.

ALSO READ - IndiGo expected to induct its first A321 freight aircraft

Demand for dedicated cargo jets jumped when Covid-19 culled air travel and carriers weren’t able to transport freight in the belly hold of passenger aircraft, which were grounded.

Pre-pandemic, around 60% of all international air-cargo capacity flew in the holds of passenger jets, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Carriers resorted to temporarily converting some passenger jets to freighter planes, pulling out seats to carry packages and boxes inside their main cabins.

Carriers resorted to temporarily converting some passenger jets to freighter planes, pulling out seats to carry packages and boxes inside their main cabins.

In October 2020, it was first learned that IndiGo's CEO Ronojoy Dutta was looking into the possibility of cargo-only operations.

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., which operates IndiGo, said in 2021 that it planned to source four converted A321ceo planes, which can each carry 27 tonnes, for full-time cargo operations on both domestic and international routes.

The conversion of the A321ceo into a freight aircraft, which IndiGo is expected to induct in May, is taking place in Singapore.

The A321P2F is part of that strategy, which is being worked upon through a program involving Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmBH, the joint venture company of Singapore's ST Engineering and Airbus. It can carry 27 tonnes of cargo, nearly double the belly capacity of a standard A321.

The conversion of the A321ceo into a freight aircraft, which IndiGo is expected to induct in May, is taking place in Singapore.

The planemaker also offers freighter versions of its A330 airplane, but it hasn't tasted much success since its launch in 2010.

However, it does have high hopes for the A350F model, which will compete with Boeing's new freighter based on the Boeing 777X and already has 29 orders and commitments from five customers.

It said it expected to take delivery of its first freighter in the first half of 2022 and the remaining three within a year of that first delivery. 

The aircraft are being converted through a program involving Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, the joint venture company of Singapore’s ST Engineering and Airbus. The plane spotted by Bloomberg News was in an ST Engineering hanger.

IndiGo planned to source 4 converted A321ceo planes, which can each carry 27 tonnes, for full-time cargo operations on both domestic and international routes.

IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Ronojoy Dutta said during the airline’s fourth-quarter earnings call that cargo grew 31% year-over-year. “Cargo is strong and all the signs are there that cargo will continue to be very strong going forward," Dutta said.

ALSO READ - InterGlobe Enterprises and UPS announce MOVIN – new B2B logistics joint venture

InterGlobe Enterprises Ltd., InterGlobe Aviation’s parent, has also teamed with United Parcel Service Inc. to tap India’s ballooning logistics market. New brand MOVIN will focus on domestic business-to-business logistics and begin services in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru in July.

(With Inputs from Bloomberg)

Cover Image - Bloomberg

Launched at the World Defense Show in Riyadh on 7 March, the technology company MARSS, headquartered in Monaco, has unveiled a new high-speed interceptor for use during counter-unmanned air system (C-UAS) operations.

Internet Cloning

In what is touted to be the world's-first ‘drone killer’, that can reportedly knock out aerial threats at 80 metres per second, the design of the drone which is basically a quadcopter-type model with two 90cm-diameter wings, was designed in response to the growing and evolving threat posed by hostile drone operators.

The issue is: you need to protect your critical infrastructure in the middle of urban areas – you can’t put a missile system in the middle of a city. How do you counter such a drone threat without creating more collateral damage?MARSS chief executive Johannes Pinl

SuperYacht Times

Apparently, a hostile drone attack against a Saudi facility eight years ago pushed forward the need to develop countermeasures against such attacks-he said.

With increasing weaponisation and nefarious use of drones in civilian and military operations, the British team at MARSS has developed a rapid interceptor to neutralize potential threats.

The MARSS Interceptor

EDR Magazine

Tech and specs

Offering an intelligent, cost-effective and low collateral solution to neutralising hostile drones, the MARSS Interceptor is fully integrated with NiDAR C-UAS and is capable of defeating category I & II drones head-on from up to 5km.

Touted to be the fastest interceptor on the market, the MARSS Interceptor is essentially a dual fixed-wing and quadcopter flight. Capable of fully automatic vertical launch, the interceptor knocks out hostile drones using solely kinetic force without the use of any explosive or jet fuel.

How is it launched and the targets intercepted?

1. Launch

MARSS

The Interceptor is housed in a vertical smart launcher and connected to the NiDAR sensor infrastructure.

2. Target Acquisition

MARSS

The operator launches Interceptor via a vertical smart launcher which in turn acquires the target using an onboard AI imaging infrared seeker.

3. Flight Pursuit

MARSS

Once the target is identified, the interceptor chases it with dogfight manoeuvrability, at altitudes exceeding 2km, and high speeds over 80m/s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL8HxJ7wuZo

Specs

Range5kmAltitude2kmSpeed80 m/sWeight<10kgDimensionsWingspan 90cmPropulsionNon-energetic jet driveOnboard sensorEO/IRSalvo firing>3 in 10 secsTracking sensorGround NiDAR handover to onboard sensor and verificationMARSS

The concept essentially has all of the machine learning and image processing intelligence that we use on our ground-based sensor systems but is able to fly extremely fast over several kilometres and physically impact the threat drone systemStephen Scott, head of research and development

What sets the whole design apart is that since it doesn't involve projectiles or missiles and depends solely on kinetic energy to down rogue drones, it becomes that much more feasible to be used in everyday settings- providing a visible counter-measure at major public events, for instance.

MARSS’s focus is about protecting infrastructure and protecting people and you can imagine it being deployed to protect critical national infrastructure globally or for large events, for instance the Olympics and big football and sporting events. Because it’s entirely software-controlled we are able to limit who uses it, where they use it and what they use it againstStephen Scott

The interceptor is currently being developed in the company’s Bristol research and development office and is slated to be available to customers about a year from now.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: EDR Magazine

Aviation regulator DGCA has imposed a fine of INR 10 lakh on Air India for denying boarding to passengers holding valid tickets and thereafter not providing mandatory compensation to them.

According to the regulator, Air India may not have a policy in this regard and does not pay compensation to the passengers.

"After that, a series of checks were carried out by DGCA and during our surveillance at Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi, there were specific instances, in the case of Air India - where the regulation (regarding compensation to passengers) is not being followed and therefore, a show-cause notice was issued to the airline and also a personal hearing was afforded.To say the least, it is a matter of serious concern and unacceptable. In the specific cases detailed in the show cause notice, after going through AI submissions, as part of enforcement action, the competent authority has levied a penalty of INR 10 lakh."Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

"In addition, the Airline has been advised to immediately put the systems in place to resolve the issue - failing which DGCA shall take further action," it added.

"Our stipulations on the subject are in sync with FAA and EASA and similar regulations are followed globally to accord appropriate respect to passenger rights," it noted.

The action came following numerous reports of flyers being denied boarding by several airlines despite having valid tickets and presenting on time. Despite guidelines on the same being in place, certain airlines were not following them, the DGCA said after conducting a series of checks at Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi.

What do DGCA rules say?

As per DGCA regulations issued in 2010, when the number of passengers who have tickets for a flight and report for boarding at the airport on time is higher than the number of seats on the flight, the airline must first ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for certain benefits.

Air India fined INR 10 lakh by DGCA for denying boarding despite valid ticket; DGCA issues new rules for airlines

In case the number of volunteers is insufficient, the airline does not need to compensate passengers who have been denied boarding, provided they are given a ticket on an alternative flight departing within one hour of the original flight's departure.

Passengers who are denied boarding and can't be provided with a ticket on an alternative flight departing within one hour of the original flight's departure need to be compensated, as per DGCA rules.

The airline has to give an amount equal to 200% of the basic fare plus fuel charges in case the alternative flight is scheduled to depart within 24 hours of the original flight's departure.

The airline has to give an amount equal to 200% of the basic fare plus fuel charges in case the alternative flight is scheduled to depart within 24 hours of the original flight's departure.

The compensation increases to 400% of the basic fare plus fuel charges if the alternative flight is scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after the original flight's departure, as per the rules.

INR 10,000 fine if boarding is denied on a valid ticket

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 14 said that if a passenger holding a valid ticket is denied boarding, the airline will have to pay a compensation of up to INR 10,000 to the traveller if the airline is not able to arrange an alternate flight for the said passenger within an hour.

As part of its new guidelines, India's aviation regulator said that in the case of denied boarding to a passenger holding a valid ticket and having presented on time, airlines will have to pay a compensation of INR 10,000, if an alternate arrangement is made by the airline within next 24 hours.

However, for anything beyond 24 hours, compensation up to INR 20,000 is laid down, the DGCA said.

INR 10,000 fine on airlines if boarding is denied on a valid ticket

The move by the aviation watchdog comes after it carried out a series of checks at Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi airports and found specific instances where passengers were denied boarding by Air India.

“A show-cause notice was issued to the Airline (Air India) and also a personal hearing was afforded,” the DGCA said in a press release. The DGCA added that Air India until now did not have a specific policy for passengers being denied boarding.

“It appears that the Airline (Air India) does not have a policy in this regard and is not paying any compensation to hapless passengers, whose numbers can be anybody’s guess,” the DGCA said.

ALSO READ - Vistara fined INR 10 lakh by DGCA for violating safety regulations

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Communist Party of India (Marxist) Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala, Dr V Sivadasan, wrote a letter to Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Arun Kumar alleging assault on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inside a flight from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, June 13.

Sivadasan, in a letter dated June 13, said, “I would like to invite your attention to the heinous attempt to physically attack the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, posing a grave threat to his life and security in complete violation of Aircraft Security Rules and conventions, in the Indigo flight from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram on June 13, 2022.”

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1536548062461501440

Upper House MP Sivadasan further said the highly condemnable incident should be promptly investigated and stringent action should be taken against the offenders who have tried to assault the Chief Minister.

Two Youth Congress leaders in black shirts on board a private airline raised slogans in connection with the gold smuggling case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who was also on the same flight on Monday, June 13.

A viral video shows a man pushing protesters on the flight to save Chief Minister Vijayan. Two Youth Congress leaders can be seen sitting in front of the steps of the plane where several passengers are seen coming out.

Kerala CM allegedly assaulted inside an IndiGo flight; DGCA asked for strict action

Three Youth Congress workers boarded the Kannur-Thiruvananthapuram Indigo flight by purchasing tickets at the last moment from the counter, paying around INR 12,000 per ticket. After the flight landed in Thiruvananthapuram around 4:50 PM, two of them got up and moved towards the CM’s seat raising slogans. The third worker didn’t take part in the protest but recorded the act on phone.

Jayarajan, who was behind the CM, pushed the workers who fell on the aisle. “The attempt to attack the chief minister happened when he got up to take his bag,” said Jayarajan who also alleged that the protesters were in an inebriated condition.  

Youth Congress State vice-president and former MLA KS Sabarinathan also released a three-second video on social media in which the two workers of the organisation were seen raising slogans against the Chief Minister seeking his resignation and a man, who accompanied the Chief Minister, pushing them away.

The Kerala gold smuggling case pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels.

The airport officials later detained the two youth leaders and handed them over to the airport police. “Incident happened at around 5 PM when the two passengers raised anti-CM slogans while on board,” an airport official told ANI.

The incident was later reported to the aviation regulatory body of the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for investigation.

What is the Kerala gold smuggling case?

The Kerala gold smuggling case pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels. It had come to light after 30 kg gold worth INR 14.82 crore was smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage was busted by the customs department in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5, 2019.

It had come to light after 30 kg gold worth INR 14.82 crore was smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage was busted by the customs department in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5, 2019.

However, the prime accused, Swapna Suresh, alleged that in 2016, M Sivasankar, the former Principal Secretary to the Kerala CM, had asked her to send the baggage to Dubai which belonged to Vijayan.

However, when the bag was brought to the consulate, it was found that it contained currencies and the entire gold smuggling business had begun from then.

Aviation rules and punishment

According to Rule 23 of Aircraft Rules, 1937, no person who is on board an aircraft shall indulge in the assault, intimidate or threaten any other person either verbally or physically.

According to Rule 23 of Aircraft Rules, 1937, no person who is on board an aircraft shall indulge in the assault, intimidate or threaten any other person either verbally or physically.

The next landing location will be the jurisdiction for taking cognisance of such an offence. If proven, the accused can be imprisoned for one year or slapped with a fine of Rs 5 lakh or both.

As per norms revised by DGCA in 2017, any passenger who verbally assaults a co-passenger or crew can be banned from flying for three months. Any passenger who assaults a co-passenger can be banned from flying for six months.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday, June 13 ordered a probe into the incident of forced landing by a trainee aircraft from the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) at Fursatganj in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli.

"IGRUA DA-40 aircraft VT-FGC involved in solo at IGRUA, Fursatganj Airfield Raebareli made a forced landing outside the Aerodrome boundary due to suspected power loss.The student pilot was released after the third solo check. Student pilot has 26:50 dual and one hour of solo experience. The student pilot is safe, however, the aircraft has suffered damages."DGCA Official

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, June 7, a Red Bird flight training organisation (FTO) Tecnam P2008 aircraft had a hard landing on Baramati runway in Maharashtra, in which there has been a heavy impact on the aircraft's nose landing gear.

IGRUA FTO trainee aircraft crash lands in UP, DGCA orders probe

However, on June 6, Cessna 152 aircraft VT-EUW of Gati-- a pilot training organisation-- crashed near Birasal airstrip in Odisha. In the accident, the propeller and nosewheel of the aircraft got damaged while the student pilot received minor injuries.

The incident took place after the said aircraft went out of the runway during the take-off roll when it was engaged in a solo circuit and landing at the Birasal airstrip.

ALSO READ - Trainer aircraft crashed on a farm near Aligarh, pilots safe

A Cessna 152 aircraft VT-EUW belonging to Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) goes out of runway during take-off roll while engaged in solo circuit and landing at Birasal (Odisha).

A trainer aircraft crashed in Telangana’s Nalgonda on Saturday, February 26. The female trainee pilot, identified as 28-year-old G Mahima from Tamil Nadu, died in the crash. The details of other people on board are yet to be known. 

The aircraft – a Flytech Aviation Cessna 152 – had taken off from Macherla in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that it hit an electric pole before crashing to the ground.

ALSO READ - Trainer Cessna aircraft crashes in Telangana, pilot dead

SpiceJet on Monday, June 13 announced that it has secured RA3 (Regulated Agent Third country) and ACC3 (Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport) certifications.

The certifications will allow SpiceJet to not only transport mail and cargo on its airplanes under its Air Operator Permit but also handle cargo and mail of other airlines for transporting to or via the European Union and the United Kingdom, airline officials said.

“These certifications are an attestation of our commitment to aviation safety and adherence to the highest and most stringent security standards in our operations. The new certifications will help SpiceJet gain new business opportunities from international airlines, freight forwarders, cargo agents, international couriers as it allows us to seamlessly carry cargo both to and via the European Union and the United Kingdom.” Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet

SpiceJet successfully cleared stringent cargo security audit and on-site verification to check compliance with the latest standards in European Union and the United Kingdom.

ACC3 and RA3 are supply chain security initiatives designed by the European Union to secure and regulate inbound air cargo and mail coming in from other countries.

ACC3 and RA3 are supply chain security initiatives designed by the European Union to secure and regulate inbound air cargo and mail coming in from other countries.

Currently, the airline’s operations at airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad and Kochi are ACC3 certified for both EU and the UK. Kolkata is certified for EU operations and is expected to receive certification for UK operations soon.

Similarly, SpiceJet operations at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Kochi airports are RA3 certified for both EU and the UK while the airport in Goa is RA3 certified for EU and will soon be certified for the UK.

Air carriers that fly cargo or mail from a non-EU airport to an EU airport (ACC3) must ensure that all cargo and mail carried to the EU is physically screened or comes from a secure supply chain which is validated according to the EU regulations.

SpiceJet obtains certifications for international cargo operations in the EU and UK

SpiceXpress is an Indian cargo carrier headquartered in Delhi. The carrier is a dedicated cargo subsidiary of SpiceJet, operating international and domestic services to destinations worldwide using narrowbody equipment.

It is the first scheduled domestic airline to launch dedicated air cargo services in India. SpiceJet acquired a Boeing 737-700F on an operating lease for the cargo carrier. SpiceXpress launched service operations in September 2018, with a Delhi-Bengaluru service.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet hives profit-making arm SpiceXpress into a separate entity

In November 2021, SpiceJet chairman and MD Ajay Singh reported the LCC expects to complete the process of transferring its cargo and logistics services on a slump sale basis to its subsidiary SpiceXpress by the end of 2021.

SpiceXpress is a dedicated cargo subsidiary of SpiceJet, operating international and domestic services to destinations worldwide using narrowbody equipment.

Mr Singh said SpiceXpress will commence operations as a separate entity in January 2022. The logistics arm has a network that spans over 68 domestic and over 110 international destinations including the US, Europe and Africa.

The expansion of the cargo business remains crucial for the airline as in a pandemic hit global environment, the cargo operations have significantly aided the revenues of the airline. In Oct-Dec, cargo revenues contributed 35% to overall revenues compared to 22% in the year-ago period of the airline.