India and Canada sign the Open Skies Agreement

Sakshi Jain

16 Nov 2022

The signing of the Open Skies agreement by India and Canada will increase the number of flights between them, after years of being stuck to 35 weekly flights.

Airlines in Canada and India will now have almost limitless rights as a result of the new Open Skies agreement. India and Canada first discussed an Open Skies Agreement in May 2022, when Indian Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia met his Canadian counterpart, Omar Alghabra, on a visit to Canada. In essence, "Open Skies" refers to a situation where there are no restrictions on the number of travellers who can fly between the two nations or the number of aircraft departures that can be made between them.

Canadian airlines would be able to fly freely to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata under the agreement, which Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the current G20 summit.

India and Canada sign Open Skies Agreement

Indian airlines can currently travel to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Edmonton, as well as two other locations that the Indian government can select. Through code-share services, other cities in both nations can be indirectly served.

India is Canada’s 4th largest international air transport market. Even though the market is still not completely open, the judgement is a big step forwards for two nations that have historically safeguarded their air rights. 

India and Canada have strong ties, and a sizable diaspora makes travel for business, pleasure, and VFR (seeing friends and family) viable. Last year, Air Canada launched a brand-new route between Delhi and Montreal, and there is currently space for many more flights. All interested parties will welcome more direct flights. 

Also read: Air Canada to start Non-Stop flights between Delhi and Montreal

Air Canada introduced a brand-new route between Delhi and Montreal last year

According to anna.aero, in 2019, the final year before COVID caused traffic disruptions, little over 1.5 million people travelled by air from India to Canada. Even while Toronto-Delhi saw the highest North American traffic, the majority of passengers chose to connect only once, which prolonged the long transatlantic flight.

Although the frequency varies, Air India currently offers service between Delhi-Toronto and Vancouver. Currently, Air Canada serves flights from Delhi-Montreal and Toronto, Mumbai-Toronto (with a stopover at London Heathrow), and more destinations.

Air India currently offers service between Delhi-Toronto and Delhi-Vancouver, with varied frequencies

For Air Canada, air rights are one of the two issues. Some of Ukraine's longest routes, like Delhi-Vancouver, are currently impractical due to overflight regulations, which also place a cap on the development of new routes.

The high average fare of analysis discovered that Bangalore-Toronto may be the new destination when the time is perfect. Other possible destinations include flights to Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, which both have high passenger volumes, as well as connections to Calgary, which are doubtful given the absence of an AC base.

Additionally, Amritsar, an important origin and destination for the Indian diaspora that travels to Canada, might be serviced by Indian airlines like Air India.

Air India may offer service to Amritsar, a key point of origin and destination for the Indian diaspora that travels to Canada

Overall, this is a wise decision that should encourage further connectivity between the two nations. While Air Canada waits for the Ukrainian airspace to once again be open to it so that more flights may be launched from its end, it should specifically benefit Air India for the time being.

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US directs Air India to pay $121.5M in refunds to passengers; imposes a $1.4M fine

Sakshi Jain

16 Nov 2022

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) ordered Air India to pay a fine of $1.4M and $121.5M in refunds to passengers whose flights were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The US DoT has mandated that Air India pay a $1.4 million fine and $121.5 million in compensation to passengers whose flights were cancelled due to COVID-19

According to the US Department of Transportation, Air India is one of the six airlines that have agreed to repay a total of more than $600 million. 

Officials said that the "refund on request" policy of Air India violates a Transportation Department directive that mandates carriers repay tickets in the event of a legally required flight cancellation or adjustment.

There have been cases where Air India has agreed to pay the penalty and has been told to pay the refund before Tatas purchased the national carrier.

Following a thorough investigation, it was discovered that Air India handled more than half of the 1,900 refund requests for aircraft that the carrier had cancelled or materially altered in the previous 100 days that had been made to the Transportation Department.

The agency was unable to determine how long it took Air India to react to refund requests made directly by customers who complained and asked for reimbursements. India claimed to have a return policy but didn't give refunds right away. 

Frontier was required to pay a fine of $2.2 million and was given a refund of $222 million. The refund and fine for Avianca will total $76.6 million; the refund and fine for TAP Portugal and EI AI will total $126.5 million and $61.9 million, respectively.

Avianca is supposed to pay fines and refunds of USD 76.6 million in total

The Transportation Department said that it is slapping civil penalties against these six airlines totalling more than $7.25 million in retaliation for their egregious return of late deliveries and the more than $600 million in refunds that the carriers have already paid.

According to a news release, the Department of Airline Consumer Interests of the Ministry reportedly imposed $8.1 m in civil penalties in 2022, the most amount ever issued in a single year. The Transportation Department claims it is unlawful to give these clients vouchers in place of refunds.

Passengers who ask for refunds once a flight is a cancelled need to get their cash right away. When that doesn't happen, US Transportation claims, we'll hold airlines accountable for accommodating American tourists and recouping customer payments.

Pete Buttigieg at DoT said that there were continuing regulatory actions, investigations, and possible fine announcements.

“When Americans purchase a ticket on an aircraft, we want to get to our destination on time, reliably, and affordably, and our duty at DOT is to hold carriers accountable for these expectations.”

–Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Commissioner, DoT

The person went on to say that there were continuing regulatory actions, investigations, and possible fine announcements.

Along with the more than $600 million in compensation that the flights have already paid, the DoT declared that it is imposing civil penalties totalling more than $7.25 million on these six carriers for their egregious refund delivery delays.

The Office of Aviation Consumer Rights of the Government reportedly fined USD 8.1 billion in civil fines in 2022, the highest amount ever issued in a single year!

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TCS win a digital transformation deal from TAP Air Portugal; to establish an Airline Digital Center in Portugal

Radhika Bansal

16 Nov 2022

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said on Tuesday, November 15 that it has won a digital transformation deal from TAP Air Portugal, the flag carrier airline of Portugal and a member of Star Alliance.

As part of the deal, TCS will establish an Airline Digital Center (ADC) in Portugal, staffed with consultants from the airline industry, solution architects and technology experts. The center will leverage the local talent pool as well as TCS’ global teams.

TAP has embarked on a new business strategy focused on becoming a sustainable airline and strengthening its leadership position in the industry. The company selected TCS as its partner for its proven experience in delivering successful digital transformation programs in the airline industry and its extensive portfolio of intellectual property.

TCS win a digital transformation deal from TAP Air Portugal; to establish an Airline Digital Center in Portugal

In the future, this ADC will be used as a nearshore center to service other global airline customers of TCS, creating more technology jobs in Portugal. Deal financials were not disclosed.

“The investments we are making in setting up the Airline Digital Center further strengthens TCS’ position as a growth and transformation partner to clients in Portugal and expands TCS’ footprint in the region."

Krishnan Ramanujam, President, Enterprise Growth Group, TCS

Further, TCS will maintain TAP’s data estate and help build new analytics to enable decision-making, customer experience and operational performance.

TCS will also help TAP adopt a new operating model to manage its application estate to drive greater agility and enhance operational resilience. It will also assist in rationalizing and modernizing the estate using cloud native technologies to improve time to market.

“TAP is undergoing an ambitious transformation to emerge stronger after the impact Covid had on the airline industry and we need reliable partners on this journey. We selected TCS after a rigorous evaluation process, based on its deep airline industry experience, proven track record of delivering digital transformations and technology leadership."

Christine Ourmières-Widener, Chief Executive Officer, TAP

TAP Air Portugal is the currently state-owned flag carrier of Portugal, headquartered at Lisbon Airport which also serves as its hub. TAP – Transportes Aéreos Portugueses – has been a member of the Star Alliance since 2005 and operates on average 2,500 flights a week to 90 destinations in 34 countries worldwide. The airline was established on 14 March 1945 and began commercial services on 19 September 1946.

As part of the deal, TCS will establish an Airline Digital Center (ADC) in Portugal, staffed with consultants from the airline industry, solution architects and technology experts.

The company has a fleet of 100 aircraft, all of which are manufactured by Airbus with the exception of 22 aircraft manufactured by Embraer and ATR, operating on behalf of the regional airline TAP Express. According to Planespotters.net data, the current composition of the TAP Portugal mainline fleet is as follows:

5 A319-100s

15 A320-200s

11 A320neos

3 A321-200s

20 A321neos

3 A330-200s

19 A330-900s

TCS is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization. It offers a consulting-led, cognitive-powered, integrated portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions. TCS reported a 10.1% rise in consolidated net profit to INR 10,431 crore on a 4.8% increase in revenue to INR 55,309 crore in Q2 FY23 over Q1 FY23.

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IndiGo CarGo operates its first freighter from Delhi-Mumbai

Sakshi Jain

16 Nov 2022

IndiGo, a low-cost and the largest airline in the nation by aircraft began operating its first A321 cargo aircraft from Delhi to Mumbai on Tuesday, November 15.

Following the arrival of its first A321F last month, IndiGo completed full registration. This aircraft will gradually be deployed on international routes, as will the second aircraft, which is anticipated to arrive later this year.

IndiGo CarGo operates its first freighter between Delhi and Mumbai

On the initial voyage, the aircraft, which has been converted from a passenger jet to a full freighter configuration, will carry general freight; on the return trip, it will carry general and e-commerce goods. On each leg of these inaugural flights, the payload will weigh more than 20 tonnes.

“We are excited at kicking off a new chapter in IndiGo's journey with the inaugural CarGo flights. Delhi and Mumbai are the two biggest commercial hubs in the country, and the response we have received from customers for our service offering is very encouraging. We expect the business to grow over the coming few months, as we expand our fleet of freighters and add new destinations to our CarGo network.”

–Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo CarGo

The most effective narrow-bodied freighter on the market, the A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion) has 24 places for containers and can carry up to 27 tonnes of payload, nearly double the belly capacity of a standard A321.

The A321P2F is the market's most efficient narrow-body freighter

As part of a project, ST Engineering and Airbus' joint venture, Elbe FlugzeugWerke, is converting the aircraft (EFW). As a member of a global alternative investment organisation with 17 years of experience investing in, financing, and managing aviation assets, Castlelake Aviation Holdings (Ireland) Ltd., which is a subsidiary of IndiGo, has leased the plane from funds it manages.

During the COVID pandemic, IndiGo first considered the idea of a dedicated cargo fleet after understanding the market's untapped potential and the lack of any large cargo competitors in India. One of the effects of the COVID pandemic on the airline industry was the growth of the cargo market in India.

IndiGo welcomed its first A321F freighter aircraft on September 28, 2022. 

On September 28, 2022, IndiGo welcomed its first A321F freighter aircraft

A little under 15 years old, the aircraft (VT-IKW) was initially delivered to Aeroflot in 2007. It has flown for many airlines throughout the years, most recently with Aviaon Express Malta.

Three further converted A321s will be delivered to IndiGo, which intends to utilise them for both domestic and international flights.

IndiGo will receive three more converted A321s, with plans to use them for both domestic and international flights

Also read: https://www.100knots.com/indigo-to-bolster-cargo-operations-by-adding-another-freighter-aircraft-by-year-end/

“We are pleased to receive our first A321 freighter aircraft in 6Efleet … The CarGo business brought in revenues when scheduled commercial flights were at standstill. Our partnership with the Airbus for Freighter programme will further help strengthen our business in the CarGo segment, and act as a strong engine of economic growth for the country.”

––Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo CarGo

Data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) shows that all operational airports handled 3.14 million tonnes of freight in 2021–22, or 94% of the freight handled in 2017–18, while air passenger traffic, at 85.1 million, was 69% of the traffic recorded in FY18. 

This indicates that the cargo segment in India has fared even better than the passenger side.

(Feature Image - Shrey Chopra)

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ICG Chief undertakes the first flight in a home-grown LUH

Sakshi Jain

15 Nov 2022

The chief of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), VS Patahania, flew his first 45-minute sortie in a native Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) on November 14, Bengaluru.

Pathania was given a thorough introduction to the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which is being created as a successor to the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters currently used by the Indian Armed Forces.

The Mk-III helicopter was turned over to the Coast Guard by HAL on Monday, November 14. These helicopters have a variety of cutting-edge sensors that increase the Indian Coast Guard's marine prowess at sea.

ICG officials reported that during his sortie, Pathania commended the indigenous LUH and claimed it is a magnificent flying vehicle equipped with cutting-edge technologies.

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1592071019015340032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1592071019015340032%7Ctwgr%5E6d697cfa4a7b6731c3e24805c4193d1205b6525a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aninews.in%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fgeneral-news%2Findian-coast-guard-chief-undertakes-maiden-sortie-in-indigenous-light-utility-helicopter20221114204743

The LUH is a modern helicopter that has cutting-edge technology features like a glass cockpit with multi-function displays (MFD) and is powered by a single turbo shaft engine with enough power margin to handle any emergency requiring higher power setting operations.

The helicopter can fly with a range of 243 nm, a service ceiling of 6.5 km, and a cruise speed of 130 knots. The "Shakti" engines, a full glass cockpit, high-intensity searchlights, a traffic alert and collision avoidance system, modern communication systems, an automatic identification system, a search and rescue capacity, and an automatic flight control system are all features of these helicopters.

They are also outfitted with modern surveillance radar and electro-optical tools, allowing them to perform long-range maritime reconnaissance in addition to offering long-range search and rescue, both during the day and at night.

The indigenously-developed LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-tonne category that boasts features like a glass cockpit with multi-function displays (MFD) and is powered by a single turboshaft engine

Assembly of the first Limited Series Production (LSP) LUH has begun, with phase-1 operations at the new HAL helicopter facility in Tumakuru (Karnataka) began in last July.

The LSP series, also known as LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production), will be produced in the new facility in Tumakaru after the three prototypes, which were constructed at HAL's production facility in Bengaluru.

The material indicates that LRIP1 consists of four LUHs, two of which will be delivered by March 2023 to the Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force), and the other two to the Indian Army. LRIP2 entails the construction of eight LUHs, four for the Indian Army and four for the Indian Air Force, between 2023 and 2024.

ALSO READ – IAF to induct ‘Made in India’ light combat helicopter (LCH) in October

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian military have signed a letter of intent to purchase 12 locally made LUH. The army will receive six light utility helicopters, and the Indian Air Force will use the remaining six.

ALSO READ - 1st Light Combat Helicopter handed over to the Army Aviation by HAL

A letter of intent between HAL and the Indian military to buy 12 locally produced LUH has been signed.Six will be given to the army, while IAF will make use of the remaining six

It is also stated that Vman Aviation Services, an Indian leasing company, has ordered five civilian Light Utility Helicopters in addition to the orders for the Indian Armed Forces. There is also a space in the order for an additional five. The purchase is significant because it creates an ecosystem loop that will allow an Indian leasing company to supply equipment made in India.

Thousands of military helicopters could be produced by HAL in the upcoming years making India free from the importation of any helicopters shortly. 

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Asangba Chuba Ao, new Joint Secretary in Civil Aviation Ministry; Vinit Kumar, new KVIC CEO

Sakshi Jain

15 Nov 2022

Asangba Chuba Ao, a Veteran Official, has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday, November 14.

As part of the Centre's senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle, he has been appointed as Joint Secretary beginning on the day the position is assumed, for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever comes first. Ao, an IAS officer from the Bihar Cadre and a member of the 2003 batch, has replaced Usha Padhee in the position for a 5-year term. 

https://twitter.com/INDBureaucracy/status/1592340920334049281

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is in charge of developing national policies and programmes for the development and control of the nation's civil aviation industry. It is in charge of enforcing the Aircraft Act of 1934, the Aircraft Rules of 1937, and several other laws relating to the nation's aviation industry.

The MoCA is responsible for creating national policies and programmes for the growth and management of the country's civil aviation sector

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) are autonomous and attached organisations under the administrative control of this ministry. Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) are affiliated public sector enterprises.

The civil aviation industry's regulatory authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), focuses mostly on safety-related matters. It oversees the regulation of air transportation services to, from, and within India as well as the enforcement of civil aviation laws, air safety standards, and airworthiness requirements. The International Civil Aviation Organization and the DGCA coordinate all regulatory activities (ICAO).

The primary duties of BCAS include setting rules and regulations for the security of civil flights at Indian airports, both domestic and international. The domestic and international airports and civil enclaves, on the other hand, are designed, developed, operated, and maintained by AAI.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) designs, develops, operates and maintains domestic and international airports and civil enclaves

Other than Asangba Chuba Ao, who is appointed as Joint Secretary in the Civil Aviation Ministry, as part of a senior-level reshuffle, as many as 13 joint secretaries have been assigned to various other central government departments.

Vinit Kumar, an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers from the 1994 batch, will be the CEO of KVIC (Khadi & Village Industries Commission). The KVIC, in Mumbai, is run by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. 

Ajit Bhalchandra Chavan has been named as Additional CEO, GeM SPV (Government e-Marketplace Special Purpose Vehicle), Department of Commerce.

Jayant Kumar has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of the Department of Defence Production. Vishwesh Negi has been chosen as the Officer on Special Duty (OCD), Department of Defence. 

Sanjog Kapoor has been appointed as Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser for the Ministry of Education, Shalabh Tyagi as Joint Secretary for the Department of Defense Production, and Indu Rani Dubey as Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

P Manoj Kumar will serve as the Director General of the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Som Dutt Sharma will be Joint Secretary for the Department of Personnel & Training, and R Lakshmanan will be Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Prem Kumar Jha will serve as the Joint Secretary for the Department of Sports, while Hena Usman will serve as the Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

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