IndiGo to bolster cargo operations by adding another freighter aircraft by year-end

IndiGo will further bolster its cargo operations as it plans to add another aircraft to boost its freight operations, later this year. To take advantage of the cargo market in India, the airline intends to operate a total of four converted A321 planes.

To support its all-cargo operations, IndiGo will take delivery of a second Airbus A321P2F (Passenger To Freighter) aircraft by December. Three more of these aircraft will gradually join the fleet of the carrier over the ensuing months after the first one did so in September.

ALSO READ - IndiGo plans to induct 4 dedicated cargo aircraft

“On our Cargo operations, volumes have been increasing owing to our sheer network presence and we remain optimistic. Cargo “belly" capacity will be further augmented with the introduction of the first Airbus 321 freighter and we are also expecting the second such aircraft to be operational by December.”

Pieter Elbers,CEO, IndiGo

He continued by saying that the airline will benefit financially from having a dedicated cargo fleet in addition to being able to service markets like China, Vietnam, the Middle East, and several CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) nations.

The A321P2F is a component of Airbus' overall cargo strategy, which is being developed under a programme involving Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmBH, a partnership between Airbus and Singapore's ST Engineering. The cargo capacity of the aircraft, which is approximately double that of a typical A321, is 27 tonnes.

To support its all-cargo operations, IndiGo will take delivery of a second Airbus A321P2F aircraft by December

India is presently in an era of cargo expansion. 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 better than the passenger side.

The country's air cargo business has been impacted by a downturn in exports, but the airlines are optimistic that setting up freight operations over the coming years would result in long-term advantages.

There used to be only one dominant all-cargo player in the nation: Blue Dart. While it currently dominates India's domestic cargo market, new competitors have just entered the race, including IndiGo.

https://twitter.com/PradhaanAir/status/1589623482807353344

ALSO READ - Pradhaan Air Express receives its first converted A320 freighter aircraft

Pradhaan Air, India's newest all-cargo airline, started offering commercial operations last month. The airline now runs the first Airbus A320 freighter to be converted, and another one will be delivered soon.

SpiceJet, an additional low-cost carrier and IndiGo's rival, is attempting to dominate the cargo market with SpiceXpress, a cash-positive business with a $5.6 million nett profit.

SpiceJet, an additional low-cost carrier and IndiGo's rival, is attempting to dominate the cargo market with SpiceXpress

Indian airlines are expanding their cargo capacity as the market has grown into a significant and potential source of income over the past two years. From only 5 to nearly 30 aircraft, India's fleet of exclusively designed freighters has undergone a significant increase in size.

SASMOS, an aerospace and defence company based in Bengaluru, has been awarded a contract by Boeing to supply more than 6,600 wiring harnesses for its P-8A aircraft.

The wiring harness is for the upcoming batch of 16 P-8A Poseidon maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, which will provide another boost to the Indian defence and industrial ecosystem.

Boeing's wire harnesses will be produced through a joint venture (JV) between SASMOS and Fokker Elmo. Pune-based Fokker Elmo is a subsidiary of GKN Aerospace, a well-known supplier to the aerospace sector situated in the UK.

Bengaluru-based aerospace and defence manufacturer Sasmos has won a contract from Boeing to provide more than 6,600 wiring harnesses for the next batch of 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft

Fokker Elmo SASMOS Interconnection Systems Limited (FE-SIL), a joint venture between Fokker Elmo and SASMOS, has produced wire harnesses for the P-8A and P-8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft. It has also produced other electrical wiring interconnection systems for the aerospace industry. 

A wiring harness is an assembly of electrical cables and connector components used to transfer communications or electrical power throughout an aircraft. It has a wing, an engine, a fuselage, landing gear, and a variety of other features. In other words, it functions as the aircraft's nervous system and is crucial for communications and power transmission, assuring the proper operation of mission-critical equipment.

“A partnership is key to Boeing’s success around the world. Our partnership with SASMOS JV is a testimony of our commitment to building a global supply base, as it brings more value to our customers. We believe that building capabilities indigenously will drive innovation and contribute to the growth of the Indian aerospace and defence industry.”

Ashwani Bhargava, Senior Director of supply chain management for Boeing, India

SASMOS-Fokker Elmo has been producing wire harnesses for P-8As and P-8Is as well as electrical wiring connectivity systems for the aerospace industry since 2016.

The Boeing P-8 is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft designed and built by Boeing Defence, Space and Security. The P-8 is a powerful asset to the Indian Navy's fleet, having flown more than 450,000 hours without an accident on 153 operational aircraft.

The P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing has developed for the US Navy

The P-8Is are a subset of the P-8 Poseidon family, with the 'I' standing for India due to their modifications for that country. The Poseidon is used by the US and Indian Navy. The UK, Australian, and Norwegian Air Forces, as well as the Korean and German Navies, are among the other users of this exceptionally well-liked Airborne ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) technology.

“The Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft contract stands as a prestigious acknowledgement of SASMOS, our commitment to quality, design excellence and cutting-edge solutions, by the global aerospace and defence sector. We feel immensely proud to be a part of this deal and excited to showcase the best of our solutions in the project to achieve the finest performance and enhance productivity.”

H G Chandrashekar, Chairman & Managing Director, SASMOS HET Technologies Limited

SASMOS has produced more than 40,000 harnesses for more than a hundred aeroplanes and is renowned for its reliability in terms of quality and delivery.

The SASMOS plant in Bengaluru will produce the harnesses, which were created internally. The business has a track record of excellence and performance, and it has successfully fulfilled numerous Boeing orders.

Emirates has committed to purchasing additional Boeing 777 freighters as it plans to expand its fleet of freighters in the upcoming years. This year, the airline took delivery of two brand-new 777Fs and beginning in 2023, it aims to convert several passenger 777F variants to freighters.

The two companies said on Tuesday, November 8, that the long-haul carrier Emirates will spend more than $1.7 billion to purchase five Boeing 777 freighters, considerably increasing its cargo flying capacity. It will receive two of these aircraft in 2024, while the remaining three will arrive in 2025.

“Emirates is investing in new freighters so that we can continue to serve customer demand with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft. This order reflects Emirates’ confidence in airfreight demand and overall aviation sector growth. It lays the ground for our continued growth, which is driven by the reach of our diverse global network, the advanced handling infrastructure at our Dubai hub, and the tailored transport solutions that Emirates has developed to serve our varied customers’ needs.”

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO, Emirates

Emirates already operates 11 Boeing 777 freighters. According to the airline, this deal brought its overall number of wide-body aircraft orders to 200. 

The airline disclosed a $1 billion investment at the Dubai Airshow last year to add two new 777Fs, demonstrating its continued commitment to freight operations. This year has already seen the delivery of these aircraft. The arrangement to convert four Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes into complete freighters was also revealed. It was signed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum stated that the order reflects Emirates’ confidence in airfreight demand and overall aviation sector growth

In comparison to the 777F, the modified freighters will offer up to 10 more pallet places, enabling the transportation of more low-density cargo, including items for online sales. Emirates committed to converting six more of its own Boeing 777-300ERs into freighters earlier this year, bringing the total number of the type to 10. The conversion of the aircraft will start in 2023.

The airline has grown to rely nearly exclusively on Boeing 777 freighters for its cargo operations. Emirates, which was the 777F's debut client, operates scheduled and charter flights to locations on all six continents with its current fleet of 777F aircraft. The airline has grown to rely nearly exclusively on Boeing 777 freighters for its cargo operations. 

Emirates was the Boeing 777 freighter's debut client. Since then, the adaptable aircraft has evolved into the backbone of the airline's operations, flying scheduled and charter flights to locations on all seven continents.

Emirates has committed to purchasing additional Boeing 777 freighters as it plans to expand its fleet of freighters in the upcoming years

Emirates can easily transport time-sensitive cargo, fresh goods, pharmaceuticals, pets, vehicles, and champion racehorses from the point of origin to the point of destination because of the 777-F's range and payload abilities.

Emirates currently has a fleet of 11 Boeing 777 freighters in operation in addition to its widebody 777 and A380 passenger fleet, which both have belly-hold cargo space.

Following the COVID-19 epidemic, the demand for cargo services has increased globally, and Emirates wants a bigger piece of the pie. It has made it clear that it intends to be prepared to meet the constantly increasing demand for air cargo by developing its fleet and network and entering strategic partnerships.

ALSO READ - Emirates threatens to cancel the Boeing 777X orders if delivery postponed beyond 2023 

The ground is now fully cleared for the much-delayed Visakhapatnam International Airport project to take off.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office has written to the Prime Minister's Office requesting that Narendra Modi lay the foundation stone, possibly virtually, for the new airport construction during his visit to the port city of Visakhapatnam on November 12. But the PMO has not included it in Modi's itinerary, official sources said.

Development of the new international airport in Public-Private Partnership mode at Bhogapuram, 40 km northeast of Visakhapatnam, was first mooted in the year 2014, post-bifurcation of the state as the existing one in the city is owned by the Indian Navy. For various reasons, the project did not take off for over eight years.

The original plan was grandiose as the state government wanted to build an aerotropolis that would include aviation-linked manufacturing units, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, research and development centre and test laboratories, multi-modal logistics, exhibition and conference centres, leisure and entertainment facilities, aviation education and training facilities.

The plan also included the development of the airport with one runway, parallel taxiway and other infrastructure capable of servicing the world's largest aircraft.

The previous Telugu Desam government initiated the process to acquire over 2,700 acres of land in the Bhogapuram area for the airport development but it got stuck in litigation all these years over a 50-acre piece right at the centre of the proposed project where the runway was supposed to come up.

The AP High Court last week finally dismissed the farmers' petitions against the land acquisition, clearing the way for the project development. In 2018, the previous Chandrababu Naidu government chose GMR Airports Limited as the project developer after cancelling the bid earlier won by the Airports Authority of India.

The YSR Congress, then in opposition, opposed handing over the project to GMR but, upon assuming power, signed a concession agreement with the same entity in June 2020, altering the scope of the project.

The Board of the AP Airports Development Corporation Limited Board had felt that the proposed aero city and aviation academy may not be feasible and communicated the decision to the state government.

Accordingly, the other components of the plan were dropped and only the international airport would now be developed. Consequently, the state government decided to retain 500 of the total 2,703 acres of land acquired for the aerotropolis, and hand over only 2,203 acres to GMR for the development of the greenfield international airport.

According to GMR sources, the INR 3,000 crore project involves designing, building, financing, constructing, developing, operating and maintaining the greenfield international airport for 40 years, which could be extended by an additional 20 years through international competitive bidding.

A Special Purpose Vehicle GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) has been floated to take up the development. As per the latest development model, GMR offered to pay INR 303 PPF (per passenger fee) to the state government. As per projections, the number of passengers is expected to touch nine million by the year 2036.

The second An-225 Mriya, the largest airplane in the world, is now under design, according to Ukrainian aircraft maker Antonov Company.

AeroAffaires

Currently, design works in this direction have begun. According to available expert estimates, currently there are about 30% of components that can be used for the second model of the aircraft. The cost of building the aircraft is estimated at least 500 million euros. However, it is too early to talk about the specific amount

the company said in a Facebook post

The story so far

The An-225 Mriya aircraft, the pinnacle of Ukrainian aviation, was destroyed in Hostomel on the first day of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Along with the Mriya, five further aircraft were based at the airfield: the AN-74, AN-26, N-124, N-132, and N-22. The first two planes were totally destroyed, while the rest suffered significant damage.

 DMYTRO LARIN, ukrainska pravda

The state-owned corporation Antonov promptly declared that the Mriya plane will be rebuilt. Although Ukroboronprom State Concern [a Ukrainian maker of weaponry and military hardware] and its officials estimated the cost to be between $120 million and $3 billion, the exact amount was unknown. However, as a designer at Antonov State Enterprise named Anatolii Vovnianko indicated at the time, actual completion costs would range from $250 million to $300 million.

When the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, the airplane was being stored at Hostomel Airport, the location of the Antonov Company. The airport, which is close to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was bombed on the first day of the invasion. Russian paratroopers were supposedly ordered to the area to create a bridgehead so that more forces could be airlifted in. Mriya suffered severe injuries during the struggle for Hostomel's authority.

History shows..

The Soviet space program led to the development of the An-225 Mriya, which translates to "Dream" in Ukrainian, to transport the Buran space shuttle as well as substantial rocket parts. In 1988, it took flight for the first time. It was the largest functioning aircraft and the most powerful aircraft ever made, with six engines and 42 tires able to carry up to 640 tons.

Representative | News18

The An-225's second incomplete airframe, which was initially intended for ground testing, was kept at Hostomel. It's unclear where it is right now.

What's new?

Yevhen Havrylov, the Acting General Director of Antonov, claims that the rebuilt Mriya is already 30% complete.

According to him, at a covert site, work on the new aircraft is still ongoing. Parts from the bombed-out aircraft will be added to the second, unfinished AN-225 in addition to new parts.

SOURCE(s): aerotime.aero | Yahoo

COVER: SP's Aviation

One of India's largest airlines IndiGo said that nearly 30 aircraft have been grounded due to "supply chain disruptions" on Monday, November 7. The airline is evaluating the wet leasing of planes and other options to boost operations. In a 'wet lease' arrangement, the lessor maintains operational control of flights while providing aircraft and crew.

ALSO READ - DGCA allows IndiGo to wet lease Turkish Airlines planes

The carrier, which is the world's seventh largest in terms of daily departures, had 279 aircraft in its fleet. It operates more than 1,600 daily flights and currently flies to 100 destinations, including 26 international ones. 30 planes of IndiGo are grounded due to supply chain problems, reported PTI citing sources.

A wet lease is a leasing arrangement whereby one airline (the lessor) provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline, which pays by hours operated.

IndiGo grounds 30 aircraft due to disruptions in the global supply chain

ALSO READ - DGCA turns down IndiGo request to wet lease Turkish planes

Last month, IndiGo’s request for wet leasing Boeing planes from Turkish Airlines for up to two years was cancelled by the aviation regulator DGCA. The regulator, however, allowed IndiGo to wet lease the planes for up to six months.

When contacted, an IndiGo spokesperson on Monday, November 7 confirmed to PTI that around 30 aircraft are on the ground. The spokesperson said that globally, the aviation industry continues to face significant supply chain disruptions.

"While it is our immediate priority to deploy adequate capacity to serve our customers, we are actively engaged with our OEM partners to work on mitigation measures that should ensure the continuity of our network and operations. As we work on various cost-efficient countermeasures with our OEM partners, the endeavour is to minimise the economic impact of around 30 AOG (Aircraft on Ground), resulting from this global disruption."

Spokesperson, IndiGo

The airline is looking at slowing down redeliveries through lease extensions, exploring the reinduction of aircraft into the fleet, and evaluating the wet lease options within the regulatory guidelines. "We are bullish on the market opportunities and will continue to add flights in existing and new markets," the airline said. The carrier has a domestic market share of more than 57%.

The carrier, which is the world's seventh largest in terms of daily departures, had 279 aircraft in its fleet.

ALSO READ - Around 10-12% of the Indian aircraft fleet grounded due to maintenance or engine-related issues

On November 1, aviation consultancy firm CAPA said that more than 75 planes of Indian carriers are currently grounded due to maintenance and engine-related issues. These planes, which account for around 10-12 % of the Indian fleet, are grounded due to maintenance or engine-related issues. "These will have a significant impact on financials in the second half," CAPA said in its India Mid-Year Outlook 2023.

During an earnings call with analysts on November 4, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said supply chain disruption in aircraft manufacturing and subsequent shortage of spare engines worldwide have impacted the airline's operations due to the grounding of aircraft. "The challenges are forcing us to look at different ways and means to make sure that we can operate," he had said.

ALSO READ - IndiGo reports a loss of INR 1,583.33 crore in Q2 of the fiscal year 2022-23

In the September quarter, IndiGo's parent InterGlobe Aviation reported a widening loss to INR 1,583.34 crore due to higher fuel costs and foreign exchange loss.

IndiGo's parent InterGlobe Aviation reported a widening loss to INR 1,583.34 crore due to higher fuel costs and foreign exchange loss.

ALSO READ - Air India becomes India’s top “on-time” airline

Grounding of aircraft also comes at a time when competition in the skies is expected to heat up as the Tata Group-run Air India has started to realign its airline business and has set an ambitious target to achieve a 30% share in the domestic as well as international (to and from India) market over the next five years.

Go First facing the same issues as IndiGo

IndiGo is planning to extend the lease of in-service planes and induct new aircraft on the wet lease because supply-chain disruption has forced the grounding of 30 Airbus A320 planes.

Go First, which is facing a similar issue, has increased the utilisation of its operational aircraft to cover up the grounding of its Airbus planes. Go First is operating fewer flights than it did last winter and is trying to maintain the schedule it filed by increasing aircraft utilisation.

Go First is operating fewer flights than it did last winter and is trying to maintain the schedule it filed by increasing aircraft utilisation.

ALSO READ - Go First grounds over a fifth of its fleet due to delayed deliveries of engines by Pratt & Whitney

IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, operates a fleet of around 280 planes, which include Airbus A320 (CEO/NEO), A321 and ATR-72 aircraft. IndiGo and Go First’s Airbus fleet is powered by Pratt & Whitney and CFM engines.

Go First has 58 Airbus A320 (CEO/NEO) planes in its fleet and is operating 30-32 of them. A source in Go First said the airline was expecting up to 16 engines from Pratt & Whitney this month.