IndiGo is on the hiring spree as it ramps operations

IndiGo is inducting trainee pilots after a gap of two years and is hiring across functions as it ramps up operations.

IndiGo, which is the country's largest airline, is operating around 1,500 flights daily. While it has added several new domestic routes, it plans to commence service to Muscat and Kuala Lumpur in May and Istanbul in June.

"Our current hiring efforts are broad-based and cover several functional roles. We have also commenced operations to various new domestic destinations post the pandemic. At these locations, we are hiring for airport operations, customer service and security functions. We have also commenced hiring for our cargo business as it continues to grow. Further, we are hiring for roles across corporate functions such as digital, IT, finance, HR and sales."IndiGo

The airline's average aircraft utilisation is around 11 hours a day compared to 13.5 hours in 2019. But with the increase in flights, aircraft utilisation will increase and this would increase the requirement of pilots. In February, IndiGo inducted 25 trainee pilots for its Airbus A320 aircraft.

IndiGo is on the hiring spree as it ramps operations

While the airline hired pilots for its ATR aircraft fleet (largely to replace the expatriate commanders) during the pandemic, there was no recruitment on the Airbus fleet. Induction of junior first officers too was put on hold as the airline curtailed operations.

The junior officers that are being absorbed now are selected from a cadet pilot programme that the airline runs in partnership with flying training organisations in India and overseas.

"We have started inducting trainee pilots. We intend to continue inducting them for several months," said an airline source. The airline has also started command upgrade training for first officers and each month it is training 20-30 first officers for the post of commanders.

IndiGo hired pilots for its ATR aircraft fleet (largely to replace the expatriate commanders) during the pandemic

Also, for the first time, IndiGo has introduced a culture training programme for its junior first officers. This is to improve interdepartmental connections and build a culture of trust and respect among the staff.

As a part of the drill, junior pilots are being asked to spend time at check-in counters or visit the engineering department to know their work processes, it is learnt.

However, in a statement, it said "At IndiGo, we have established a strong culture of managing our talent in support of expansion, growth and succession planning. Our training centre ‘iFly’ in Gurgaon has been preparing crew members and other employees with the most extensive and evolving training program spread across 99 days. IndiGo is known for the longest training programme across the globe."

IndiGo has introduced a culture training programme for its junior first officers

ALSO READ - IndiGo emerged as the world’s sixth-largest carrier by passenger volume for March

Recently, IndiGo has emerged as the world’s sixth-largest carrier by passenger volume for March, according to the UK-based Official Airline Guide (OAG).

The airline carried more than 2.02 million passengers in the month, the most by any Asian carrier, according to statistics collected till March 28.

(With Inputs from Business Standard)

According to a statement issued by the airline today, Indigo has conducted a Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance Approach - thereby becoming the first airline in Asia to do so. Reportedly, the LPV approach was conducted at Kishangarh Airport (Ajmer) with a GAGAN navigation system, on its ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Illustrative | Source

Apparently, the test flight is touted to be a part of the approval process with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which includes training of pilots, validation of approach and simulator sessions, amongst others.

This is a huge leap for Indian Civil Aviation and a firm step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat , as India becomes the third country in the world to have their own SBAS system after the USA and Japan. GAGAN will be a gamechanger for civil aviation, leading to modernization of the airspace, reducing flight delays, bringing in fuel savings and improving flight safety. We would like to congratulate and thank MoCA, DGCA, ISRO and AAI for making IndiGo a part of this historical pilot that will change the flight path of Indian aviation.Ronojoy Dutta, Wholetime Director and CEO, IndiGo said

Ronojoy Dutta | Mint

GPS-aided GEO augmented Navigation (GAGAN)

The GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation (GAGAN) is an implementation of a regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) by the Government of India,  to improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver by providing reference signals.

Source

The project has established fifteen Indian reference stations, three Indian navigation land uplink stations, three Indian mission control centres, and the installation of all associated software and communication links and will help pilots to navigate in the Indian airspace with an accuracy of 3 m (9.8 ft).

This would be particularly helpful in performing landing approaches in marginal weather and difficult approaches like Mangalore International and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airports.

The system uses  eight reference stations located in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Jammu and Port Blair with a master control centre at Bangalore.

GAGAN is compatible with other SBAS systems such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and the MTSAT Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) and will provide seamless air navigation service across regional boundaries.

Reportedly, various Indian manufactured missiles including the BrahMos will also use GAGAN for guidance.

BrahMos | Representative The Economic Times

DGCA had issued a mandate for all aircraft being registered in India after July 1, 2021, to be fitted with GAGAN equipment.

GAGAN is poised to revolutionize India’s civil aviation sector, by modernizing the airspace, reducing flight delays, saving fuel, and improve flight safety.

Representative | HavKar

Its precision is of prime importance at small airports, especially where there is an absence of the Instrument Landing System (ILS).

SOURCE(s)

COVER: The Financial Express

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has aced the audit by the US-based Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) by achieving about 90% of the total compliances, sources said. Sources in DGCA say that the FAA Audit went off extremely well.

“In a record of sorts, India did not get any adverse observations. On the contrary, in several cases- about 90%, they got appreciation. FAA noted the regulatory and manual reforms carried out by DGCA and endorsed them. In a few cases, they noted that it was working in progress and was likely to be completed in days ahead,” said a senior DGCA source, who did not want to be identified.

DGCA aces the safety audit by FAA by achieving about 90% of the total compliances

“Overall all positive and no negative words or views were expressed in their assessment. This was the best, India has ever performed in an FAA audit to date,” the source added.

The DGCA official said, “The FAA noted the regulatory and manual reforms carried out by DGCA and endorsed. In a few cases, they noted that it was a work in progress and was likely to be completed in days ahead. Overall, everything was positive and no negative views were expressed in their assessment.

Successful completion of the FAA audit would mean Indian carriers would not face any issues in launching flights to the US. This also ensures that other aviation regulators do not raise any concern over India’s regulatory standing, thus, making it easier for Indian carriers to expand globally.

The FAA noted the regulatory and manual reforms carried out by DGCA and endorsed

ALSO READ - US Aviation watchdog set to audit DGCA again

The FAA team conducted an audit for seven days. This audit follows a five-member team audit by the FAA in October 2021 that had looked into safety guidelines, including the licensing of personnel and airworthiness, during their audit.

This is not the first time FAA had audited India’s DGCA. The US agency had downgraded India to Category II in safety oversight capability in January 2014 over two key concerns: lack of training of officials and the absence of full-time flight operations inspectors on the DGCA's rolls.

A category II status meant Indian airlines will have to go through stringent scrutiny for being able to operate flights to the US.

The US agency had downgraded India to Category II in safety oversight capability in January 2014 over two key concerns

The FAA routinely performs such audits, the last of which was in October 2021 following a delay due to the COVID pandemic. This month’s audit was a follow-up on last year’s when a five-member FAA team checked the safety guidelines, including the licensing of personnel and airworthiness.

The UN aviation body International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is also expected to conduct an audit of India’s air safety readiness in 2022 and will focus on aerodromes, air navigation services, certification, aircraft airworthiness, and flight operations, airlines, among others.

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has deregistered Air India’s four Boeing 747 jumbo jets that were not in operation since February 2020, sources said on Wednesday, April 27.

It is not clear what will be done with these four planes now. Planes as old as these 747s consume a huge amount of fuel and require extensive maintenance.

Tata Group took control of Air India on January 27 after successfully winning the bid for the airline on October 8, 2021. The salt-to-software conglomerate is expected to put in fresh order with either Boeing or Airbus for new wide-bodied aircraft for Air India.

DGCA deregisters Air India's 4 Boeing 747 jumbo jets

Till about two years ago, the aforementioned 747s were being used to operate international flights for top dignitaries such as the president, prime minister and vice president.

When they were not in service of dignitaries, the four jumbo jets were being used for international commercial passenger flights.

At around same time, 2 refurbished B777s were inducted as dedicated VVIP aircraft. Having the most sophisticated security and communication systems, these state-of-the-art jets can fly direct to almost anywhere in the world.

Planes as old as these 747s consume a huge amount of fuel and require extensive maintenance.

However, owing to the current air traffic situation due to the pandemic and the skyrocketing prices of the rise in jet fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has become tough for the airlines to maintain the planes financially. For carriers, the more viable options are Boeing 777/787 and Airbus A330/350.

Renowned for its onboard hospitality back then, Air India was quick to cash in on the novelty of the 747 by designing unique menus inspired by the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) and converting the upper deck into luxurious "Maharaja" lounges famously branded as "Your Palace in the Sky."

The plane was deployed on the most ambitious routes and efficiently served the Indian diaspora for many decades by flying to key destinations in the west, such as the UK, US, and Canada.

With the 747s, Air India under its founder JRD Tata had set new levels of inflight luxury and introduced a new "Palace in the Sky" livery.

Emperor Ashoka - the first B747 became a part of the Air India fleet in 1971. With the 747s, Air India under its founder JRD Tata had set new levels of inflight luxury and introduced a new "Palace in the Sky" livery.

Having these 4 jumbo jets part of its fleet, Air India could retain its title as the only commercial Indian airline ever to operate 4-engine, double-decker aircraft.

While fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya had ordered the 4-engine Airbus A340s for Kingfisher, they never got inducted into the fleet. The airline closed operations in 2012.

New budget airline Akasa Air plans to set up a training centre for its pilots and crew as it gears up to start flights later this year, its co-founder Vinay Dube said. The 14,000 sq ft centre will come up in Gurgaon, Haryana, Dube said in an interview with The Economic Times.

ALSO READ - Flight operations of Akasa Air pushed to July

Apart from the launch delay by a few weeks, things are moving fast, according to Dube. The airline has hired staff members primarily from other airlines as Akasa needs trained personnel to get off the ground.

Akasa Air intends to set up a training centre for its pilots and crew

The airline, majority-owned by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, has already signed up 154 pilots, 115 cabin attendants and 14 engineers to join the airline. Dube, who is also the airline's CEO, said 26 of these pilots are already on the payroll.

ALSO READ - Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Akasa Air signs deal for 72 Boeing 737 Max planes

Akasa, co-founded by former IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh, has ordered 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft and plans to launch its first flight in July. Dube said the airline is yet to be summoned by the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, for a proving flight--a precursor to its air operator's licence.

Akasa has ordered 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft and plans to launch its first flight in July

Akasa, which is registered as SNV Aviation, received its initial regulatory approval, the no-objection certificate, on October 11 and has applied for the air operator's permit (AOP).

Dube said it would be wrong to assume that the decision to get 18 aircraft in the first year was driven by the desire to start international operations at the earliest.

Indian carriers must have at least 20 aircraft to start international flights, a criterion that Akasa Air will fulfil in its second year. Dube said the airline hopes to start international operations in the second quarter of 2023.

A British judge on Tuesday, April 26 denied a bid by Qatar Airways to reinstate a jet contract cancelled by Europe's Airbus in the latest twist to a dramatic feud playing out in UK courts.

The companies have been locked in a safety dispute for months on Europe's A350 long-haul jet. Their unprecedented bust-up widened in January when Airbus revoked a separate deal for 50 smaller A321neos that Qatar says it needs to open new routes.

ALSO READ - Airbus responds to Qatar Airways’s A350 dispute by cancelling A321 Order

UK court denies compensation to Qatar Airways for cancelled A321neos order by Airbus

The judge rejected Qatar's claim that it could not find alternatives, for example by leasing jets or deploying 737 MAX jets that it has provisionally ordered from Boeing.

ALSO READ - Qatar Airways signs a deal for 737 Max and new 777X freighters with Boeing

The decision means the world's largest planemaker is free to market the in-demand A321neos to other airlines or remove them from industrial plans to ease factory congestion, while the two sides focus on their central dispute over the safety of the A350.

Qatar has grounded more than 20 A350s after paint erosion exposed to damage or gaps in a metallic sub-layer designed to absorb lightning, which hits airliners on average once a year.

ALSO READ - Qatar Airways takes Airbus to London High Court over A350 skin damage

The Gulf carrier says this raises questions over the safety of the affected jets and is refusing to take more deliveries pending investigation while seeking USD 1 billion in compensation.

ALSO READ - Qatar airways sue Airbus for USD 618mn over A350 paint issue

Airbus, which acknowledges quality problems but insists the airplanes are safe, has retaliated against Qatar's decision to halt A350 deliveries by pulling the A321neo order.

In a breakdown of industry unity on safety, it has accused the A350's biggest customer of airing invalid safety concerns to avoid taking more jets at a time of weak overall demand.

Qatar has grounded more than 20 A350s after paint erosion exposed to damage or gaps in a metallic sub-layer designed to absorb lightning, which hits airliners on average once a year.

"Airbus is pleased that this issue is now behind it and that we can now focus on the main topic of misrepresentation by Qatar Airways of the safety and airworthiness of the A350,” it said.

Qatar had no immediate comment, but a person familiar with the carrier said the A321neo row was secondary to its safety concerns over A350 damage, which it blames on a design defect.

A Reuters investigation in November revealed the problem affected other carriers, though apart from Qatar none has taken planes out of service, except for surface repairs. 

While both sides have wagered their reputations on the A350 row, the spillover to the busier A321neo segment where Airbus leads the market had alarmed airlines, with the International Air Transport Association calling the cancellation "worrying".

Airbus won backing for its case that the two contracts are connected by a "cross-default" clause that allows it to pull the plug on one deal when an airline refuses to honour the other.

Some airline executives worry this may set a precedent allowing disputes to ricochet from one contract to another, tightening the grip of plane giants Airbus and Boeing.

"People will look at this and take extra care to resist such cross-default clauses," the head of a large airline fleet said.

The court battle has punctured the secrecy surrounding more than a decade of aircraft negotiations and taken the lid off closely guarded planning methods inside the global jet industry.

Qatar Airways was ordered to pay most of Airbus' costs on the A321neo part of the case.

Multiple industry sources say it is in neither side's interest to spark a full-scale trial, producing a flood of further disclosures and testing relations between Airbus' headquarters nation France and major energy producer Qatar, at a time when Europe urgently seeks new gas supplies.

While some sources see a glimmer of an eventual settlement, the two sides spent part of Tuesday's hearing discussing the logistics of a trial to be held as soon as early 2023, accompanied by searching demands for internal documents.

The dispute's lawyer-packed hearings mark a departure from the industry's usual reliance on closed arbitration, as one of its pivotal relationships unravels in London's High Court. The airline was ordered to pay most of Airbus' costs on the A321neo part of the case.

ALSO READ - Qatar Airways tells UK judge to reinstate Airbus A321 order or award unquantified damages