No-frills airline IndiGo on Tuesday, October 11 said it would connect Mumbai with Istanbul in Turkey from early next year. The new route will be in addition to IndiGo’s existing Delhi-Istanbul flights and explore the airline’s codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines.
The non-stop air services on the new route, which will commence on January 1, will be operated daily. Bookings for these flights began on Tuesday, the airline said in a statement.
"In line with our vision to strengthen international connectivity from India, we have launched a new connection between Mumbai- Istanbul. This will enhance international capacity and offer more options to the consumers." Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo
It said that these new routes and additional frequencies would enhance international connectivity between India and Turkey and beyond through IndiGo's codeshare with Turkish Airlines.
FLIGHT NO.ORIGINDESTINATIONFREQUENCYDEPARTUREARRIVAL6E 0017MumbaiIstanbulDaily03:1010:006E 0018IstanbulMumbaiDaily20:1505:00FLIGHT SCHEDULE
IndiGo is planning a significant ramp-up of international operations in the coming months. India’s largest airline by domestic market share currently operates about 1,600 daily flights of which 150 are international.
ALSO READ - IndiGo working on a ramp-up in international operations & broadening its horizon
The budget carrier is looking at launching flights within 6-7 hours flying time from the four metros starting mid-2024 when the Airbus A321 XLRs (extra long range) start joining its fleet.
ALSO READ - IndiGo to debut with widebody aircraft for international expansion
IndiGo’s latest flight announcement to Turkey – which straddles the Middle East and Europe – comes close on the heels of the launch of another international flight out of Mumbai – direct service to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. These flights are part of IndiGo’s larger expansion plan in the Middle East region.
In September, the airline also announced a new Hyderabad-Riyadh connection from October 30th and more frequencies on Hyderabad-Doha and Dubai-Mangalore routes from October 30th and October 31th, respectively.
Between October 30 and March 25, IndiGo will have flights from 15 Indian airports to 11 airports across the Middle East. Besides the UAE, Saudi Arabia also features extensively on the airline’s network, with almost one in every five of its Gulf flights.
Earlier, IndiGo introduced its first dedicated cargo aircraft on 29 September. The domestic leader in the passenger segment averaged 0.6 tonnes of cargo on its passenger flights in 2022, with a passenger share of 56%.
It also became the leader in domestic air cargo due to the total volume generated by that. Now, the airline has an A321 with a 27-ton carrying capacity that has been converted from a passenger layout to a cargo layout.
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German carrier Lufthansa had banned active Apple AirTags from being carried with the luggage. The airline called the tracking device ‘dangerous’, and has urged its passengers not to carry an activated AirTag on the flight.
Apple AirTags had been banned from carrying luggage by Lufthansa, citing danger to air travel. The AirTag is one of the most used devices for air travellers to track their luggage in real-time.
Lufthansa explained in a tweet that due to the AirTags’ Bluetooth transmission function, the trackers must be deactivated during flight if they are placed in checked luggage.
https://twitter.com/lufthansa/status/1579080657635930112?s=20&t=apAVQEBlWYVTCoiGrptjEA
It helps them track their luggage in case it gets misplaced or if it's mishandled by the airline during their journey. Lufthansa, however, banned AirTag citing ICAO guidelines.
Lufthansa mentioned airline guidelines as a reason to ban the AirTags. "According to ICAO guidelines, baggage trackers are subject to the dangerous goods regulations. Furthermore, due to their transmission function, the trackers must be deactivated during the flight if they are in checked baggage and cannot be used as a result," it noted.
The report, however, reveals that the claim by Lufthansa banning AirTag due to ICAO (International Civilian Aviation Organization) guidelines is wrong. The regulation that Lufthansa is talking about mentions devices with lithium-ion batteries, including larger devices like 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro as checked-in or hand baggage. Apple's AirTag runs on a battery that is comparatively too small to be considered an issue under the guidelines.
The AirTag uses CR2032 cells that are not lithium-ion batteries and hence do not come under the regulations. If the CR2032 cells were considered harmful for flights, then many smartwatches which run on them should also have been disallowed on flights.
Apple AirTag was launched in April 2021. A small, lightweight device with a stainless-steel body helps to track other devices once paired with an iPhone.
While no possible reasons have explained Lufthansa's ban on Apple AirTag, many reports suggest that this move could be a way to stop people from tracking their lost luggage that often embarrasses the Airline for mismanagement.
However, the German Aviation Authorities confirmed today, that these tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk. With that, these devices are allowed on Lufthansa flights.
As for flyers in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed that Bluetooth tracking devices, such as AirTags, are allowed on both carry-ons and checked luggage.
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At Skydive Dubai, XPENG AEROHT, the largest flying car company in Asia and a subsidiary of XPENG, completed the XPENG X2's first flight.
After passing the unique operational risk assessment and receiving a special flying authorization from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, this is XPENG X2's first public exhibition (DCAA). Over 150 people, including representatives from the Chinese Consulate in Dubai, the Dubai International Chamber of Commerce, the DCAA, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the Dubai World Trade Center, and international media, were present to witness the first flight. After Vice Chairman and President of XPENG, Brian Gu, gave a keynote address on the X2 and the Future of Mobility on the first day of GITEX at the Dubai World Trade Center.
The public flight was held at Skydive Dubai, which is close to The Palm and offers fantastic airspace conditions and expansive cityscape vistas, making it an absolutely stunning background for the historic flight.
XPENG X2's public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for XPENG AEROHT and the international achievement of flying cars. Dubai is a world-renowned 'City of Innovation', which is the reason we decided to hold the X2 first public flight event here. Today's flight is a major step in XPENG's exploration of future mobilityBrian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG
The Dubai International Chamber of Commerce generously supported the XPENG X2's inaugural public flight. Since the project's inception, The Dubai Chamber has been actively involved in every step of the process, offering strategic consulting to XPENG AEROHT.
The first global public flight of the X2 flying car will change the game of future mobility. The flying car is the epitome of ambition, innovation and future-oriented vision that has always inspired Dubai and its leadership. Today, we witnessed a historic moment that will define the next 50 yearsActing President and CEO Hassan Al Hashemi
The XPENG X2 Electric Flying Car
The fifth-generation flying vehicle, the XPENG X2, was independently created and is produced by XPENG AEROHT. To achieve the best in-flight performance, the X2 adopts an enclosed cockpit for the first time, with a sci-fi aesthetic, a minimalist teardrop-shaped design, and high-efficient aerodynamics. The XPENG X2 is entirely made of carbon fiber to decrease weight.
A two-seat flying car is called the XPENG X2. It advances the cause of urban green transportation because it does not emit any carbon dioxide while in flight. Future low-altitude city planes can use it, and it's ideal for short-distance city trips like sightseeing and medical transports.
There are two driving modes available on the XPENG X2: manual and automated. Passengers can have a safe and intelligent flying experience during the autonomous flight with simple takeoff, return, and landing procedures at the touch of a button.
This next-generation electric flying automobile, which can travel on land and in the air and has both manual and automatic flight driving modes, marks a genuine transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional mobility. It can activate the folding deformation system to achieve vertical takeoff and landing for a low-altitude human flight in addition to meeting daily travel demands.
GITEX GLOBAL 2022
Kicked off on October 10th at the Dubai World Trade Centre, it is one of the world's largest tech shows featuring 5,000 companies and 100,000 attendees from 170 countries, converging the most advanced companies and best minds to dive deep into diverse technology topics including future mobility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El-gNIhPWOM&t=3s
The stability of the XPENG X2 as well as the standardization of the entire flight operating process were both praised by the DCAA reviewers during the test. The operational risk assessment of China's manned autonomous flying vehicle, the XPENG X2, has now been completed for the first time outside of China. Thus, XPENG Aerospace is the first company in the particular weight class to pass the evaluation in Dubai.
SOURCE: XPENG
IMAGE(s): XPENG
COVER: CarNewsChina.com
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India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has finalised a deal to wet lease up to three Boeing B777 aircraft to deploy increased capacity on international routes. Widebody aircraft like the B777 has a bigger fuel tank than narrow-body aircraft like the A320, which allows them to fly farther. As of now, Air India and Vistara are the only two Indian carriers that use wide bodies for operating passenger flights.
A slowdown within the supply of recent aircraft is forcing Indian airlines to wet lease planes to extend capability for the upcoming winter schedule.
ALSO READ - Airlines need new jets but facing an aircraft shortage
The airline, with 280 narrow-body aircraft which only have economy class arrangements, already has about 60% of the domestic market and is looking to expand internationally.
IndiGo, has finalised a deal to wet lease up to three Boeing 777 aircraft to deploy increased capacity on international routes.
The carrier that had to this point restricted itself to functioning single-class narrow-body planes will for the first time offer business class along with the economy on these widebody planes.
The airline can be in talks for wet leasing narrow-body Airbus A321 plane, however, a remaining determination has but to be made.
Rival SpiceJet has finalised a deal to moist lease as many as seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from Turkish airline Corendon. SpiceJet has been unable to develop capacity because it couldn’t get any new planes from Boeing after India cleared the 737 Max to function.
A wet lease, an association underneath which the lessor offers a plane together with crew and upkeep, is costlier than a dry lease and should result in a spike in operational value. However, the airlines worry that if they don’t deploy sufficient capacity, they might lose market share, apart from profitable slots at airports.
SpiceJet has finalised a deal to moist lease as many as seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from Turkish airline Corendon.
The regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, permits wet leases for as much as a most of six months in emergency conditions, like the grounding of a plane.
Individuals within the know stated IndiGo can be leasing the plane from Turkish Airways — Turkey’s nationwide flag provider with which it has a codeshare partnership. It can primarily deploy the plane on the Delhi-Istanbul and Mumbai-Istanbul routes, but additionally, use them for constitution operations.
IndiGo has been compelled to the floor around 30 aircraft as provide of spare engines by US-based Pratt & Whitney has fallen delayed by at least two months. The airline, which was returning planes older than six years, has now been compelled to carry them for an extended interval because of the shortfall.
“The Airbus A321 Neo which might have been used to reinforce capability on worldwide routes is dealing with unprecedented delays limiting the airline’s capacity to extend worldwide flights. The 777 planes which can be in a twin-class configuration with around 350 seats will substitute this,” stated an individual conscious of the plan.
Airbus A321 Neo which might have been used to reinforce capability on worldwide routes is dealing with unprecedented delays limiting the airline’s capacity to extend worldwide flights.
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that the airline has determined to take aircraft on wet lease to cowl the shortfall brought on by providing chain disruptions in worldwide operations.
“Worldwide air journey goes via a robust interval of restoration, and demand continues to rise within the upcoming festive and winter season. We now have obtained in-principle approval from the regulators for moist leasing plane and induction of those stays topic to additional requisite regulatory approvals,” she stated.
ALSO READ – Cash-strapped SpiceJet plans to take delivery of 7 Boeing 737 Max
A SpiceJet spokesperson didn’t touch upon the matter, however, the government stated the airline can be brought within the plane for a brief interval of as much as three months until the supply of its 737 Max begins. SpiceJet plans to add seven new Boeing 737 Max beginning subsequent 12 months.
(With Inputs from The Economic Times
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The civil aviation ministry is coming up with a civil enclave airport at Jammu worth INR 861 crore and expansion of the terminal building at Srinagar Airport in Kashmir for INR 1,500 crore, Union minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia was quoted by Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday, October 10.
ALSO READ - J&K Government to allocate 122 acres of land for a new terminal at Jammu Airport
Scindia was speaking at the 4th edition of the Heli-India Summit at SKICC in Srinagar which was also addressed by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The summit was organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the support of the Government of J&K, Pawan Hans Ltd and FICCI.
The summit themed ‘Helicopters for Last Mile Connectivity’ brought together various stakeholders of the helicopter industry and provided a common platform to discuss the growth of the industry, issues, challenges, and solutions for the future, J&K government’s information department said in a statement.
Scindia was speaking at the 4th edition of the Heli-India Summit at SKICC in Srinagar which was also addressed by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The summit was attended by among others Secretary, of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal, Principal Secretary, of the Department of Civil Aviation, J&K, Alok Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Usha Padhee and Remi Maillard, Chairman, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee and President and MD, Airbus India.
Scindia termed the summit a historic moment for J&K. Scindia said Srinagar’s present terminal will be expanded three times from 20,000 square meters to 60,000 square meters.
“A new beginning has been made in the expansion of helicopter services. Work has been started for implementing the ‘Heli Policy’ and the use of helicopters in emergency medical services. Various scenic destinations in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed year-round tourist influx, which has the potential to boost the heli-tourism market in the UT. We are committed to facilitating and helping in the growth of heli operations. I invite industry captains to be partners in this transformational journey."Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation
During the summit, Scindia said that the decrease in VAT on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from 26.5% to 1% by the J&K government has set new dawn for air connectivity in the union territory with a 360% increase in refuelling, thus increasing the air connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts towards bringing a revolution in the civil aviation sector in India, Scindia said that from 1947 to 2014, the country had only 74 airports, but now the number has increased to 141, with 67 added in the last seven years which shows the pace of progress in the sector. The government is committed to increasing the number to above 200 in the next few years, he added.
The civil aviation ministry is coming up with a civil enclave airport at Jammu worth INR 861 crore
The union minister said that civil aviation has now become the need of the hour not only for India but for humankind across the world as it always brings with it two important multipliers, the economic multiplier and the employment multiplier.
The sector has a huge impact with an economic multiplier of 3.1 and an employment multiplier of 6, the minister informed. Therefore, civil aviation across the world today forms a very important cog in the wheel of economic development, he added.
Scindia said helicopters have multifarious roles, providing urban connectivity, which is no more an elitist prerogative in India but is based on the prime minister's vision 'Sab Ude, Sab Jude'. The other roles of helicopter service have been the emergency medical services and disaster management during floods, rescue operations etc, he said.
Srinagar’s present terminal will be expanded three times from 20,000 square meters to 60,000 square meters.
The UT has set an example of the best use of helicopter service when it erected transmission lines and towers using heli-cranes (sky cranes) on the Peer Panjal mountain range, Scindia said. The Union minister said the guidelines on the fractional ownership model have been released to help grow the non-scheduled operations.
ALSO READ - Aviation Ministry to develop a helicopter emergency medical service at AIIMS Rishikesh
Scindia said the government has also decided to incubate a helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) pilot called 'Project Sanjeevani' by deploying a helicopter in the next few weeks to provide emergency medical services at AIIMS Rishikesh. The helicopter will be based at the hospital at 20-minute notice and will have a service cover to an area of 150 km radius, he said.
The LG said that in a short period, 65 airports, eight heliports and two water aerodromes were made operational in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
https://twitter.com/manojsinha_/status/1579499217889898496
He said that decisions like the reduction of VAT on ATF from 26.5% to 1% and abolishing the load penalty at Jammu airport have revived J&K’s civil aviation sector. “Today, Srinagar airport is setting a new record in terms of the number of flights per day. Within a year, from 20-25 daily flights, today 80 to 100 flights are operating at Srinagar airport,” Sinha said.
After the decision to abolish the load penalty at Jammu airport, the number of flights has increased, the citizens of Jammu division have got better and more economical facilities to travel to Delhi and other parts of the country, and the business sector has also gained new dynamism, he further added.
Welcoming the stakeholders of the civil aviation sector and the helicopter industry from across the country to J-K, Sinha said the Heli India Summit will play a significant role in promoting 'Heli-seva' as last-mile connectivity. Work has been started for implementing the 'Heli Policy' and the use of helicopters in emergency medical services, he added.
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Indian aircraft leasing company Vman Aviation Services on Monday signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for five light utility helicopters. Vman is an Indian leasing service firm, based out of International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at Gujarat's Gift City.
The transaction is important because this is enabling an ecosystem loop where Indian manufactured equipment will be offered by an Indian leasing company. The union budget, announced earlier in the year, had rolled out several incentives and tax holidays on capital gains on aircraft leasing conducted at Gift city.
LUH is an under development, new generation helicopter in the three-ton class, incorporating the state of the art technology features such as glass cockpit with Multi-Function Displays (MFD) and powered by single Turbo Shaft engine.
As part of the agreement, there is an option of buying five more.
According to HAL, it possesses a cruise speed of 235 km/h, maximum speed of 260 km/h, service ceiling of up to 6.5 km, a range of 350 km with maximum take-off weight of 3.12 tonne and an empty weight of 1.91 tonne. The LUH will be capable of accommodating a maximum of two pilots and six passengers.
Vman said that the helicopter will also cater to a wide range of roles covering Charter, Shuttle, Urban mobility, HEMS, Aerial work, Search & Rescue and Law enforcement.
"India has one of the lowest penetrations of helicopter with limited operation profile. We believe LUH, with customer-focused design, will rejuvenate and expand the helicopter market in India. LUH will be a valuable asset in our portfolio."Vishok Mansingh, CEO of Vman.
Vman earlier became the first company to sign an aircraft purchase agreement through GIFT city after placing an order for an Airbus H125 helicopter.
With inputs from economic times.
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