Airbus Helicopters and Heligo Sign services contract for H145 fleet

Airbus has signed an HCare Initial contract, a comprehensive by-the-hour services contract with Heligo Charter Private Limited for six Airbus H145 helicopters deployed for offshore and onshore operations in India.

Under this five-year contract, Heligo will benefit from Airbus’ HCare Initial program, which will allow the operator to replace scheduled and unscheduled components within 24 hours and pay a fixed rate per hour of helicopter flown. This will help Heligo reduce its maintenance costs and the need to keep a regular inventory, thereby providing enhanced fleet availability for streamlined operations.

“We are proud to be the first operator to offer a fleet of Airbus Helicopters' 5-bladed H145 to ONGC for offshore operations in India. Once these helicopters are delivered this year, Heligo will have the largest H145 fleet in India, serving both offshore and onshore missions. The H145 is a modern, multi-role helicopter that is suited for Indian conditions, offering exceptional performance and operational economics, said Nayan Jagjivan, Chairman of Heligo Charters Private Limited.

“We congratulate the Heligo team for being awarded the recent offshore contract with the H145s. This HCare Initial by-the-hour contract that we have just signed with Heligo for their H145 fleet will ensure efficient operations and maximum availability for these helicopters. At Airbus, we believe in providing our customers with the best combination of support and services, and we are proud of our long association with Heligo. This is Airbus Helicopters’ largest By-the-Hour contract with an Indian operator,” said Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters, Airbus India and South Asia.

The H145 is the latest member of the company’s twin-engine rotorcraft product range – with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, especially in high and hot operating conditions. Compact in size, this helicopter’s small footprint and large, flexible cabin enable maneuvering in complex environments, such as oil and gas helidecks.

HCare is Airbus Helicopters’ comprehensive services offer, providing superior customer service support in five domains: Material Management; Helicopter Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and upgrades; Technical Support; Training & Flight Operations and Connected Services. With this contract, Heligo’s entire fleet of Airbus helicopters will benefit from the HCare Initial By-the-Hour program.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air has announced a "strategic collaboration" with Noida International Airport, which will base its aircraft at the upcoming airport.

The airline plans to launch "to operate domestic and international flights from Noida International Airport, to support the growing air travel demand in the region," it said in a statement on Friday.

“We are excited to welcome Akasa Air as our airline partner, marking a significant step forward as we progress towards airport opening. This partnership highlights our commitment to strengthen air connectivity in the Delhi NCR region and Western Uttar Pradesh.  Akasa Air is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the country, and we are thrilled to have them join us on our mission to establish a comprehensive air network, connecting major metros and Tier 2 and 3 cities across the country. Our goal remains to offer passengers unmatched connectivity and an exceptional travel experience," Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport, said.

"Noida International Airport exemplifies our government’s focus on developing aviation infrastructure as the country becomes an international aviation hub. Akasa Air’s proposed partnership with the airport aligns with our endeavor to build a holistic network that connects the length and breadth of the nation. We are confident that the synergy will enable us to fortify further connectivity to and from the state of Uttar Pradesh and offer a seamless travel experience to passengers across the country. We look forward to the much-awaited launch of the airport and working towards our collaborative goal of making air travel accessible for a greater number of Indians,” Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air, said.

The first phase of the Noida International Airport, with one runway and one terminal, will have the capacity to handle traffic of 12 million passengers annually. After completing the fourth phase, the airport can manage 70 million passengers per year.

IndiGo had already announced a similar agreement with the airport in November last year.

On Friday, Air India said that it will roll out all-new inflight entertainment programming in its Airbus A350s.

The full suite of the new IFE content will feature over 2,200 hours of entertainment content across formats and genres, including 1000 hours of movies, 600 hours of TV, and 600 hours of audio.

These will include timeless classics like Sholay and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to contemporary Indian cinema like Kantara and Drishyam 2 besides Barbie and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One and entire franchises like Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and Despicable Me.

Aboard the A350, Air India’s Business and Premium Economy guests will be provided lightweight and comfortable-to-wear active noise-canceling headsets. Guests in Economy will be provided reusable earphones with vibrant red body and aubergine silicone tips packaged in eco-friendly pouches. 

Business class guests will enjoy a sizeable 21-inch HD touchscreen, while Premium Economy and Economy guests will enjoy 13.3-inch and 12-inch HD touchscreens, respectively. The IFE features capacitive touchscreens, handsets, USB and AC power, and personalized user interfaces.

“As Air India takes flight into a new era with the arrival of our A350 aircraft, so does our guests’ entertainment experience. This complete overhaul in our inflight entertainment offering mirrors the dynamic transformation underway at Air India. We are redefining what it means to fly with us, and this world-class IFE system and carefully curated content are a cornerstone of that commitment,” Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India, said.

The new IFE experience will also be rolled out in the newly inducted B777-200LR and on incoming new widebody aircraft besides Air India’s legacy widebody 787 fleet, once it undergoes complete refurbishment of all interiors starting the second half of 2024 in a US$400 million retrofit program.

IndiGo will operate daily direct flights between Hyderabad and Bangkok, from February 26, the airline said on Thursday.

IndiGo will become the first Indian carrier to connect Hyderabad to Bangkok. IndiGo currently connects Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Bhubaneshwar to Bangkok. 

With the addition of these new flights from Hyderabad, IndiGo will now operate 37 weekly flights between India and Bangkok, and Hyderabad will be the 6th Indian city connected to Bangkok.

"We are extremely pleased to announce our operations from Hyderabad to Bangkok, in-line with our vision to enhance accessibility across Southeast Asia. With the introduction of this new route, IndiGo now offers 57 direct flights a week to Thailand from 6 cities in India (37 flights to Bangkok & 20 flights to Phuket). The newroute not only signifies our commitment to expanding connectivity but also serves as a bridge between two culturally rich destinations. As India’s leading carrier, our aim is to continue delivering on our promise of providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences,” Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said.

The state of air travel in the United States is facing a critical challenge, as major airlines, under the banner of Airlines for America, are urging the Biden administration to address a long-standing air traffic controller shortage and outdated facilities and technology. With the CEO of Airlines for America, Nick Calio, stressing the need for "more urgency," the aviation industry is calling for immediate action to prevent further disruptions and ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel.

Air Traffic Controller Shortage

The current shortage of air traffic controllers is a pressing concern, impacting airlines and travelers alike. Nick Calio emphasized the severity of the issue, pointing out that airlines have been forced to cut flights in key markets like New York due to the staffing gaps. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains approximately 3,000 controllers below staffing targets, with only 10,700 certified controllers, a marginal increase from 2022 but down 10% from 2012.

Call for Urgent Government Action & Infrastructure Crisis

In a recent speech, Calio highlighted the inadequacy of the current approach, stating that "business as usual isn't cutting it." The FAA's struggle to meet staffing targets and the consequent reduction in flight schedules have prompted the airline industry to call for a more proactive response from the government. Calio suggested the establishment of a dashboard to measure government progress on aviation initiatives, akin to the U.S. Department of Transportation's tracking of airline customer service commitments.

Beyond the shortage of air traffic controllers, a broader infrastructure crisis is looming over the aviation sector. An independent review team's report in November urged "urgent action" to address the outdated communications system of the FAA, which faces challenges in obtaining spare parts. Many aging air traffic control facilities are plagued with issues such as leaking roofs, broken heating and air conditioning systems, and outdated surveillance radar systems, requiring billions of dollars in replacements.

Historical Neglect and Compounding Issues

Nick Calio pointed to decades of investment neglect as a key factor contributing to the current degradation of the aviation system. The lack of consistent investment year over year has resulted in a system ill-equipped to handle the demands of modern air travel. The urgent need for upgrades and replacements underscores the importance of a strategic and comprehensive plan to address these longstanding issues.

FAA's Response and Ongoing Challenges

The FAA has acknowledged the critical nature of the situation, with the extension of cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2024. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg labeled the staffing levels in New York air traffic control as "unacceptable." An inspector general's report from the U.S. Department of Transportation highlighted significant staffing shortages at critical air traffic facilities, leading to controllers working mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks.

Conclusion

As the aviation industry grapples with the dual challenges of a severe air traffic controller shortage and crumbling infrastructure, urgent and decisive action is imperative. The call from major U.S. airlines for the Biden administration to address these issues is a plea for the preservation of safety, efficiency, and reliability in the nation's air travel system. The need for a comprehensive plan, adequate funding, and government commitment is paramount to ensuring the future sustainability of the U.S. aviation sector.

With Inputs from Reuters

S7 Airlines, Russia's largest privately-owned airline, is grappling with a series of challenges that have prompted the airline to downsize its employee and flight-crew headcount in Moscow. The issues primarily stem from the grounding of a fifth of its aircraft due to problems with Pratt & Whitney engines on its A320neo and A321neo fleet. Compounded by international sanctions against Russia hindering engine repairs, the airline is forced to make difficult decisions impacting its workforce.

Aircraft Groundings and Engine Issues

S7 Airlines, operating a total of 99 aircraft, is facing a critical situation with 25 of its planes currently inactive. Among these are fifteen A320neo and A321neo jets equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines. The grounding of these aircraft has necessitated frequency cuts and route changes, impacting the airline's operational capacity.

Sanctions Complicate Engine Repairs

The Pratt & Whitney engine problems are further exacerbated by international sanctions against Russia, preventing timely repairs. This constraint is causing operational disruptions and financial challenges for S7 Airlines, which had already announced a 10-15% reduction in its winter schedules in anticipation of the grounded Airbus narrowbodies.

Moscow Workforce Reductions Linked to Expansion Plans

The decision to downsize staff numbers in Moscow is not solely a response to immediate challenges but is also connected to S7's broader strategy. The airline aims to expand its presence in Russia's regions, with a particular focus on strengthening its main hub at Novosibirsk. The move allows S7 to capitalize on lower competition in regional markets while strategically positioning itself for future growth.

Offering Alternatives to Employees

As part of the downsizing efforts, S7 Airlines is offering some employees the opportunity to relocate to the company's offices in Novosibirsk or Irkutsk. Pilots, faced with potential layoffs, have reportedly been given the chance to retrain with different aircraft types, showcasing the airline's commitment to retaining skilled personnel within its operations.

Competitive Landscape and Regional Focus

S7 Airlines currently operates 22.7% of its total capacity at Novosibirsk and 23.7% at Moscow Domodedovo. With plans to bolster its presence in Novosibirsk, the airline aims to leverage its headquarters in Ob, Novosibirsk Oblast, and tap into regional markets where it faces less competition. The restructuring is a strategic move to adapt to changing market dynamics and ensure sustained growth.

Industry Responses and Speculations

Aeroflot and its budget subsidiary, Pobeda, have expressed readiness to hire laid-off flight attendants from S7 Airlines. However, industry insiders interviewed by Kommersant speculate that workforce reductions at S7 may signal broader challenges in the Russian aviation sector, as overall traffic volumes remain 18% below pre-pandemic levels.

Conclusion

S7 Airlines, confronted with a complex set of challenges stemming from aircraft groundings, engine issues, and international sanctions, is navigating a critical juncture. The decision to downsize its workforce in Moscow is part of a broader strategy aimed at regional expansion and operational optimization. As the airline faces uncertainties, its ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial for overcoming the current hurdles and positioning itself for long-term success in the dynamic aviation landscape.

With Inputs from ch-aviation