Government to begin discussions on stripping the airfare price caps soon

The airfare price caps were brought in when services were reinstated on May 25, 2020, following a two-month lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The civil aviation ministry put lower and higher limits on internal prices based on flight time to help both the passengers as well as airlines. 

India's Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices were raised by a steep 16% taking them to record highs. Airlines have been feeling the pinch due to higher jet fuel prices as it comprises 30-35% of their running cost. 

Last month, aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said fare capping was necessary to protect passengers from being charged exorbitant fares.

The government has started discussions with airlines about the removal of price bands for passenger fares. The talks have started after some airlines renewed their demand to remove the pricing caps, claiming the regulation is a hurdle to the full-fledged recovery in domestic air traffic.

“Some airlines have requested for the removal of the lower and upper limits on domestic airfares and if there is no opposition from other airlines, a decision on the removal of the fare caps will be taken by the end of the month,” the report quoted a senior government official as saying.

The Union government’s Friday decision to extend and increase fare caps would largely benefit smaller airlines with weak finances, airline executives and industry experts said.

IndiGo, Vistara against limits; SpiceJet, Go First not on board

The civil aviation ministry’s notification allowed airlines to sell more seats on domestic routes and charge higher fares, effectively enabling airlines to deploy more flights. The fare caps have been in place since May 2020, but some carriers, especially those with larger market share, want price caps to go now.

Passenger footfall is one of the determining factors of an airport’s revenue. Higher the number of passengers and the number of flights, the higher the landing and parking fees charged by the airport. As long as the caps are in place, air travel will never go back to what it was in the pre-pandemic era.

Airlines allege that the regulation is a hurdle in the recovery of losses that the airlines have incurred over the past two years. It is learnt that CEOs of some airlines are scheduling a meeting with government officials to take this further.

ALSO READ - Vistara CEO on B787 aircraft leasing, airfare hike and fare caps at IATA AGM

United Airlines is scheduled to begin daily flights from here to San Francisco in the last quarter of 2022, according to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

The new route (service) is United's first-ever nonstop service between Bengaluru and the US," the carrier's statement noted.

The new flight builds on the airline's existing services from New Delhi to Newark, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as from Mumbai to Newark, it stated.

ALSO READ - United Airlines will begin operating daily flights from Bengaluru to San Francisco

United Airlines is scheduled to begin daily flights from here to San Francisco in the last quarter of 2022

United's service from Bengaluru to San Francisco will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring a total of 257 seats -- 48 flat-bed seats in business class, 21 seats in premium-plus class and 188 seats in economy class. United offers more flights between India and the US than any other US carrier.

United has long been the largest US airline flying between India and the United States. In December of 2020, it launched a new flight between Chicago and New Delhi. Meanwhile, San Francisco received flights to New Delhi in 2019, with Bangalore becoming the second destination United would serve in India from San Francisco.

ALSO READ - United Airlines halts 2 Indian routes as it ends using the Russian airspace

The route is heavily reliant on corporate travel. Connecting two major tech hubs, United is expecting that higher-yield business travellers will help push the route to profitability by offering a convenient, nonstop way to get between the two cities.

Nonstop ultra-long-haul flights are not an easy launch for any airline. The service, primarily targeting tech travellers from the Bay Area looking to fly to India's growing tech hub, United is pushing back the flight as corporate travel and international flying has taken a hit from the recent wave of cases around the world.

Between the costs of operating the service and the required commitment of assets, United is waiting for the right time to launch the route. 

American Airlines is still dealing with a shortage of business travellers for its Bangalore - Seattle route.

To cater for the corporate demand, American Airlines is still dealing with a shortage of business travellers for its Bangalore - Seattle route.

ALSO READ - American Airlines postpone Seattle-Bengaluru flight serviceUnited Airlines halts 2 Indian routes as it ends using the Russian airspace

For the third year running, American Airlines has delayed the planned Bangalore-Seattle route, making it likely that the service will never take off. This time, the carrier cites ongoing airspace restrictions over Russia as the reason for a delay until at least summer 2023.

An International Civil Aviation Organization-backed 2014 study lists several reasons for bird strikes. Habitat features like open grass areas, water, etc. and the presence of shrubs and trees can act as bird attractants.

Many airports have considerable grass areas within their perimeters. Landfills and waste disposal sites near airports can increase the influx of birds. Airport locations can also influence increased bird movement. Airports in coastal regions have much more uncontrolled bird activity than inland airports.

Certain bird strikes pose a serious threat to aircraft. Flight deck windshields are made of three layers of glass-faced acrylic. Between them, there is a thin urethane layer and each panel has an anti-fog and anti-ice system.

Bird strikes - a serious threat in aviation

While small birds are not a serious problem, the outer layers can suffer cracks if a heavy bird hits the aircraft.

The presence of multiple layers ensures that the aircraft remains pressurised during bird collisions. The pilots are also trained to turn on window heating before take-off, which makes windows softer and less fragile.  

Plane engines, however, are vulnerable to disruption in the movement of the rotatory blades when a bird hits the turbine and gets caught in the engine. This can damage blades and cause a partial or total engine failure.

A flock of birds in front of an airplane at an airport, a concept picture about dangerous situations for planes

The good news is that plane engines are generally robust and can withstand some bird strikes. In case one engine is lost, the thrust from the remaining engines can be increased to limit the problem. Most aircraft can continue to fly even if one engine ceases to function.

A 2006 study on bird collisions conducted by the University of Nebraska showed that most strikes happen at an altitude lower than 500 feet.

Almost 70% of collisions happened during the initial stages of take-off or the final phase of landing and affected mostly the frontal aircraft regions like wings, jet engines and windshields. 

ALSO READ - IndiGo aircraft suffers engine damage after hit by a bird; returns safely to Guwahati

On June 19, two Delhi-bound airplanes of IndiGo and SpiceJet had to return to their airports of origin soon after takeoff due to bird strikes.

On June 19, two Delhi-bound airplanes had to return to their airports of origin soon after takeoff due to bird strikes. The first was an Indigo Airbus A320neo operating flight 6E-6394 from Guwahati to New Delhi. The aircraft’s number 1 engine was hit by a bird at an altitude of around 1,600 feet. The pilots declared PAN PAN and returned to Guwahati airport safely.

ALSO READ - DGCA initiates probe in turbulence at SpiceJet and IndiGo flights

The second incident involved a SpiceJet Boeing 737, which made an emergency landing at Patna airport in Eastern India after a bird hit one of its engines. Smoke and fire were seen coming out of the damaged engine, but thankfully the pilot made a safe landing, and nobody was hurt.

The measures include trimming of grass, spraying of insecticide, frequent runway inspections, deployment of bird chasers, and regular garbage disposal among others.

One method that airports use to manage the risk of strikes is modifying the habitat that surrounds the airport. The approach aims to make the area less desirable for birds, so they vacate and find nesting elsewhere. 

To do this, airports remove food sources, cover nearby water sources like ponds with netting (so birds can't land), and keep the grass as short as possible so birds can't shelter within it. If done right, the birds won't have adequate resources for continued nesting, so are encouraged to relocate and leave to find somewhere else.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has instructed airports across the country to review their wildlife hazard management plans.

Airports in coastal regions have much more uncontrolled bird activity than inland airports.

In a letter to all airports, joint Director General Maneesh Kumar listed steps that need to be taken to prevent bird hits or animal intrusion. 

The measures include trimming of grass, spraying of insecticide, frequent runway inspections, deployment of bird chasers, and regular garbage disposal among others.

Airports have also been asked to convene meetings of the environment management committee and coordinate with local government authorities for action against sources which attract birds such as open disposal of garbage etc.

Air travel today is one of the most preferred modes of travel with more and more people taking to the skies, like never before. The high market success of innumerable LCCs has made air travel affordable even to the common man.

Not surprisingly, airlines have wanted to cash in on this aspect and generate more profits. Modifying the passenger cabin seating arrangement and the seat design to accommodate more passengers was one way, although at times it would come in the way of the level of travel comfort experienced by the passengers.

Nevertheless, airplane seat designers have long been dreaming up innovative economy cabin concepts, looking for the ideal balance between squeezing in as many passengers in as possible, and keeping the experience relatively enjoyable for fliers.

Fast Company

Touted to be a gamechanger for the aviation industry, the Chaise Longue Airplane Seat design, is one such concept which would see economy class plane passengers seated on top of each other double-decker bus style has been described as “roomy and comfortable” yet “claustrophobic”.

The Chaise Longue Economy Seat

Designed by Alejandro Nuñez Vicente, a 22 year old student who hails from Spain but studies at TU Delft University in the Netherlands, the dual-level design would see passengers in the top row climb steps to their seats, while those in the bottom row would be able to stretch their legs out flat.

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Meant to be installed in a bi-level cabin that has rows of traditional seats on the floor, and rows of elevated seats, it is touted to enable airlines to maximize space without sacrificing passenger comfort. People will be able to stretch out until they are almost completely horizontal as if seated on a divan or chaise longue, hence the name of the invention.

So, what according to Alejandro, inspired the design?

Apparently, his experiences traveling across Europe in economy partly inspired the idea. Alenjandro is over six feet tall and his height and frequent flights home to Madrid is how he came up with the idea for the Chaise Longue Economy Seat.

Fast Company

I used to fly home to Madrid on weekends, and those short flights were terrible. I can’t even imagine what long flights on those planes would be like. That’s when the idea started to take shapeAlenjandro said in conversation with El Pais

The innovative design does away with the overhead cabin, moving storage for carry-on luggage to compartments between the top and bottom rows. Extra legroom for passengers seated in the lower rows are also added. Since the rows of seats are not lined up one after the other, a seat can be reclined much more than normal without disturbing the passenger behind.

El Pais

These seats can recline 125 degrees, 15 degrees more than normal. No other airplane seat available today can do thisAlenjandro

Though initially intended for the Flying-V airplane which is currently in development at TU Delft, Alenjandro says it could also be implemented in a Boeing 747, Airbus A330 or any other medium to a large airplane.

The Flying-V airplane | Representative | Airline Ratings

The lower row has the advantage of passengers having the lounge experience of a couch by stretching the legs, whilst the upper row provides an SUV experience, making it possible for instance to cross the legs due to the increased leg room and overall living spaceAlenjandro

Furthermore, the seat pieces are designed to be easily movable, allowing a commercial aircraft to be converted for cargo use.

At the moment. Alenjandro isn't focussed on cramming on more passengers on planes, rather passenger comfort and experience is what he is working on. With some modifications on the Chaise Longue Economy Seat, an additional 5-10% increase in seating capacity could be attained but that's for later.

At the moment, this is an internal student-led university project which still hasn't been formally presented to airlines. However, some companies in the aerospace sector have already shown interest in the Chaise Longue Economy Seat project, presenting possible chances for future collaborationssays Núñez Vicente

The design, which was nominated in the 2021 Crystal Cabin Awards, will be showcased in AIX, one of the world's biggest aviation shows in the world.

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COVER: The Street

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential direct commercial sale of six additional Boeing AH-64E Apache heavy attack helicopters to India for an estimated cost of USD 930 million.

Indian Air Force operates 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters procured from Boeing through the Foreign Military Sales programme of the U.S. government under a USD 3 billion deal in September 2015.

Further, during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to India in February 2020, India signed a deal for six more Apaches to cost around USD 800 million to be operated by the Army.

AH-64D Apache attack helicopter

The AH-64 Apache is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter. Used by the U.S. Army and a growing number of international defence forces, India is the 16th nation to select the Apache.

The AH-64E is an advanced multi-mission helicopter with the latest technology insertions, maintaining its standing as the world’s best attack helicopter.

It is the only available combat helicopter with a spectrum of capabilities for virtually any mission requirement, including greater thrust and lifts, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding.

The AH-64 Apache is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter.

Apache helicopters, referred to as "tank killers," come armed with Hellfire precision-strike missiles and air-to-air Stinger missiles.

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL), was established in 2016 to manufacture fuselages for the AH-64 Apache. TBAL’s 14,000 sq.m. Hyderabad facility has been delivering AH-64 Apache fuselages since May 2018.

The advanced manufacturing facility will eventually become the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages in the world, with 90% parts sourced from Indian suppliers.

Torbjorn Sjogren, vice-president of international government and defence at Boeing, says the F/A-18 Super Hornet is the right aircraft for the Indian Navy.

F/A-18 Super Hornets can be used for any ops anywhere in the world.

Pitching its F/A-18 Super Hornets as the premier carrier aircraft in the world, US aviation major Boeing has said that their fighter offers more to the Indian Navy than competitor Rafale M by French firm Dassault Aviation.

Underlining that the Super Hornets are the US Navy’s clear choice for operations anywhere in the world, Torbjorn Sjogren, vice-president of international government and defence at Boeing, told in an exclusive interview that the company has the right aircraft for both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

If the Indian Navy chooses Super Hornet, India's cooperation with the US will deepen further. The US has the largest original equipment manufacturers in India and the Super Hornet has inter-operability with Boeing P8I and Lockheed Martin MH-60 R anti-submarine warfare helicopters purchased by India for the Navy. 

ALSO READ - Boeing highlights F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III capabilities to Indian Navy

A probe has been initiated into the fire in a Delhi-bound SpiceJet aircraft after take-off from Patna and two other air incidents, involving the IndiGo and SpiceJet flights, a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Monday, June 20.

On Sunday, June 19 a Delhi-bound aircraft of the SpiceJet airlines carrying 185 passengers caught fire soon after taking off from the Patna airport and made an emergency landing minutes later.

"The aircraft landed safely in Patna and the passengers de-boarded safely. Post-flight inspection showed bird hit, with three fan blades damaged," the airline had said in a statement. In another incident on Sunday, June 19 a SpiceJet flight for Jabalpur had to return to Delhi due to a "pressurisation" issue. The SpiceJet Bombardier Q400 aircraft with registration no. VT-SUU, operating its flight SG-2962 (Delhi-Jabalpur) was involved in air turnback due to pressurisation snag.During the initial climb, the crew observed the cabin pressure differential was not building up along with rising in cabin altitude. The aircraft was levelled off at 6,000 feet, and non-normal checklist actions were carried out but pressurisation was not regained and airturn back was initiated."DGCA Official

The aircraft landed safely in Delhi. SpiceJet, in a statement, confirmed the safe mid-air return of its Delhi-Jabalpur flight on account of "cabin pressure differential".

In another incident on Sunday, the pilot-in-command of an IndiGo-operated Airbus A320neo plane, VT-ITB, operating flight 6E-6394 from Guwahati to Delhi, decided to take the flight back to Guwahati on a single-engine after the aircraft suffered a bird hit, which resulted in one of the engines getting damaged when the aircraft was at an altitude of 1,600 feet, the official said.

DGCA initiates probe in turbulence at SpiceJet and IndiGo flights

"The aircraft could not climb to 6,000 feet. After clearance maintained 2,000 ft and (flight crew) did ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) actions. Engine 01 was shut down per ECAM," he said. The aircraft, however, landed back safely at runway 20 of the Guwahati Airport, he added.

The ECAM is a system on Airbus aircraft for monitoring and displaying engine and aircraft system information to the pilots. In the vent of a malfunction, it will display the fault and may also display the appropriate steps of the remedial actions.

The ECAM is a system on Airbus aircraft for monitoring and displaying engine and aircraft system information to the pilots.

The official also said that the flight crew initially declared a 'Mayday' call on board the IndiGo airline's flight, which was later cancelled and changed to a "Pan-Pan" call.

"IndiGo Airbus A320neo (VT-ITB) operating flight 6E 6394 from Guwahati-Delhi returned to Guwahati airport, due to a suspected bird hit after take-off. All passengers were accommodated on another flight to Delhi," IndiGo said in a statement.

ALSO READ - IndiGo aircraft suffers engine damage after hit by a bird; returns safely to Guwahati

A probe has been instituted in all three incidents, the DGCA official said.