International flights likely to get cheaper as India signed pact with 116 countries

The Indian Government has activated bilateral air service agreements with 116 countries to increase and expand connectivity between India and nations around the world and is allowing foreign carriers to serve India and to add more flights to the country’s metropolitan cities.

The government has also said due to a significant imbalance in the number of points of call in favour of foreign carriers at present, it is not granting any non-metro airport as a new point of call to any foreign carrier to operate passenger services. 

Govt signs an agreement with 116 countries, to bring down airfare.

Indian designated carriers are free to mount scheduled operations to and from any international airport, including Kannur International Airport, under the ambit of the bilateral Air Service Agreement (ASA) concluded by India with foreign countries.

"Any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call in the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) signed between India and the country which has designated the airline."  Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh (retd).

Journey business consultants mentioned the federal government’s transfer will profit passengers and should carry down airfares.

Travel industry experts said the government’s move will benefit passengers and may bring down airfares. 

"It is good to have bilateral air service agreements with countries to increase seat capacity and have an open sky policy for foreign carriers as it will benefit passengers, the travel industry has been urging the government for quite some time that foreign carriers be allowed to operate from cities other than metro airports. Indian-designated carriers are free to mount operations from any city but a foreign carrier is not. Till the time it's not done, there will be a demand-supply gap which can impact prices," Anju Wariah, Director, Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group

The countries with which India has signed bilateral air service agreements include those in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America. 

The government on Monday, August 1 informed Rajya Sabha that private players are free to use drones for delivery purposes provided they comply with Drone Rules, 2021.

The Union Minister said that last year in September the Government notified the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to promote the growth of drone manufacturing by private companies.

The government says the Drones Rules, 2021 provide the necessary regulatory framework for the commercial use of drones.

The government is already utilising the services of drone players for vaccine delivery, and inspection of oil pipelines and power transmission lines, among other things. Drones offer tremendous benefits to almost all sectors of the economy from agriculture to law enforcement.

Drones have also been deployed by authorities for the survey of mines and land mapping under the Centre’s ambitious Survey of Villages Abadi & Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme.

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that 126 industrial training institutes(ITIs) across 19 states have undertaken five short-term skilling courses on drone manufacturing, repairing and maintenance.

In April, food tech startup Swiggy shortlisted four drone startups – Garuda Aerospace, Skyeair Mobility, ANRA+TechEagle Consortia, and Marut Dronetech – to pilot its grocery delivery project in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR.

ALSO READ - Uttar Pradesh to have a drone excellence centre

Gujarat is home to the largest number of such ITIs at around 20, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 15 and Assam with 14. Maharashtra is home to 12 such ITIs, while Andhra Pradesh has 11 such ITIs. 

ALSO READ - Swiggy teams up with Garuda Aerospace to begin trial runs using drones to deliver groceries

Startups and other private players have shown a lot of interest in the drone delivery space in recent times. In April, food tech startup Swiggy shortlisted four drone startups – Garuda Aerospace, Skyeair Mobility, ANRA+TechEagle Consortia, and Marut Dronetech – to pilot its grocery delivery project in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR. 

The Centre has lately unveiled a slew of measures to spur the drone manufacturing sector. 

In January this year, Zypp Electric also announced that it would commence drone delivery of packages in five cities – Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi-NCR. Piramal Foundation, in collaboration with Redwing Labs, also piloted drones for faster transportation of tuberculosis samples in Odisha’s Kalahandi in April this year. 

States such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Punjab also tested long-range drone deliveries on a pilot basis in June last year. Telangana government had also partnered with hyperlocal delivery app Dunzo last year to pilot drone-based deliveries of medicines in the state. 

The space is populated by new emerging players such as ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace,  IoTechWorld, and Skylark Drones, among others.

The Centre has lately unveiled a slew of measures to spur the drone manufacturing sector. From liberalised drone rules to banning drone imports, the Centre aims to leverage ‘Drone Shakti’ to push emerging startups from the sector. 

According to a report, the Indian drone industry generated revenue to the tune of USD19.93 Mn in 2022. This number is expected to grow annually at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.12% between 2022 and 2027.

Mehair has been awarded a contract by Gujarat to relaunch seaplane services between Ahmedabad and Ekta Nagar (previously known as Kevadia), close to the Statue of Unity tourism attraction, using a nine-seater Cessna (single turboprop) 208B Grand Caravan amphibian.

The service was previously operated by SpiceJet subsidiary SpiceShuttle, which suspended the route on April 10, 2021, on the back of financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ALSO READ - Seaplane service to resume after a year of suspension as bids open

Mehair to relaunch seaplane services in Gujarat

Now the Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Limited (GUJSAIL) has awarded the tender to Mehair, which is in the final stages of importing a pre-owned Cessna Grand Caravan 208 amphibian from the United States.

The aircraft is expected to arrive by mid-August to begin proving flights, according to GUJSAIL Director for Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer Ajay Chauhan.

"The letter of operations has been handed out to Mehair, and they were given 120 days to procure the aircraft from the US. They are currently in the last phase of the procedure for procurement of a pre-owned Cessna Grand Caravan. Since new amphibious aircraft are not manufactured in big numbers, we have approved the procurement of a pre-owned aircraft. We are expecting it to arrive in Gujarat by mid-August, following which, the formalities for the registration, technical acceptance, and flying tests by the DGCA will begin."Ajay Chauhan, Director for Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Limited (GUJSAIL)

India's longest-standing seaplane operator, Mehair will operate the aircraft under the Gujarat government's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme instead of the RCS-UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which launched the service through SpiceJet in 2020.

ALSO READ - Udan 4.2 scheme receives more than 100 bids

Officials confirmed that Mehair will operate two daily flights between the Sabarmati Riverfront and Dyke Three of Sardar Sarovar Dam, located near the Statue of Unity.

The service was previously operated by SpiceJet subsidiary SpiceShuttle, which suspended the route on April 10, 2021, on the back of financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gujarat Aviation Secretary Hareet Shukla blamed the failure of the SpiceJet service on the pandemic, which had resulted in the closure of the tourism industry. "Things are different now. This time we are working out better viability for the project to sustain itself. We have not set a deadline, but it will happen soon," he said.

The SpiceShuttle service had been short-lived – from October 31, 2020, to April 10, 2021 - and had remained suspended for 47 days due to maintenance requirements.

The operator's single DHC-6-300 amphibian, wet-leased from Maldivian, had to be sent for mandatory maintenance in the Maldives due to a lack of wet and dry dock facilities in Ahmedabad. The ill-fated project cost the Gujarat state INR77 million rupees (USD1 million).

Mehair is in the final stages of importing a pre-owned Cessna Grand Caravan 208 amphibian from the United States.

As reported, tenders for the three-year contract were reissued in January 2022. Three carriers were reported to have expressed interest, Mehair, Ventura AirConnect, and an unnamed private firm from Gujarat.

Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd. (MEHAIR) has pioneered the launch of seaplane services in India since January 2011.

With the introduction of small aircraft which can operate from runways and water bodies within the course of the same flight, the company has ushered in a new and exciting mode of connectivity for the tourism industry in the country.

Low cost carrier SpiceJet is said to be in active discussion with a Middle Eastern carrier for a possible stake sale.

SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh holds a stake of around 60% in the budget carrier. Sources said a big Middle Eastern airline has expressed interest to pick a 24% stake and a board seat in SpiceJet. A big Indian business conglomerate has also approached Singh for a stake in the airline.

Singh started the airline in 2004-05, tying up with NRI Bhulo Kansagra who had bought erstwhile Modiluft — that flew from 1993 and 1996 — from industrialist SK Modi in 1999-2000.

SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh holds a stake of around 60% in the budget carrier.

Reacting to the development, a SpiceJet Spokesperson said, "The company continues to be in discussions with various investors to secure sustainable financing and will make appropriate disclosures by applicable regulations."

Earlier, on Tuesday, August 2, SpiceJet said that it entered into a full and final settlement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and has cleared all outstanding principal dues of the airport operator.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet will no longer remain on a ‘cash and carry’ basis at AAI-run airports; clears all dues

With this, SpiceJet will no longer remain on 'cash and carry' at AAI-run airports across the country and will revert to advance payment mechanisms for daily flight operations. SpiceJet's ability to clear the pending dues reflects the airline's improved cash flow in recent times.

SpiceJet is in active discussion with a Middle Eastern carrier for a possible stake sale

SpiceJet's domestic network covers the length and breadth of the country with the airline operating to 51 domestic destinations. Pioneer of the regional connectivity scheme, SpiceJet is the country's largest regional player helping connect the remotest parts of the country by air.

The airline's focus on providing direct flight connectivity to regional hubs not only ensures better connectivity but also has a cascading effect on tourism and economic activity in the region.

SpiceJet has added multiple UDAN destinations to the country's aviation map including Pakyong, Jharsuguda, Kandla, Darbhanga, Kanpur, and Ajmer (Kishangarh), among others.

SpiceJet's domestic network covers the length and breadth of the country with the airline operating in 51 domestic destinations

ALSO READ - Lessor wants 3 SpiceJet aircraft deregistered over unpaid dues

The airline has been under the spotlight after a slew of incidents of technical snags on its flights, and one of its Dubai-based lessors asked the regulator to deregister three of SpiceJet's planes.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet under attack by ransomware; morning flights affected

The airline is yet to release its Q4FY22 results, as the numbers are being re-authenticated due to a ransomware attack that impacted its IT systems.

Shares of SpiceJet climbed nearly 7% in Wednesday's (August 3) trade after it was reported that the airline is in talks with a Middle Eastern carrier for a 24% stake sale.

Jump in shares of SpiceJet

Shares of SpiceJet climbed nearly 7% in Wednesday's (August 3) trade after it was reported that the airline is in talks with a Middle Eastern carrier for a 24% stake sale. The scrip rose 6.65% to hit a high of INR 47.35 on BSE.

The SpiceJet stock rallied 5% on Tuesday, August 2, too, after it announced it had agreed with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and cleared all outstanding principal dues of the airport operator.

Aerospace giant Airbus on August 2 has signed a contract with aviation infrastructure developer GMR Group to provide aircraft maintenance training to young aviation engineers making a trending career choice.

"GMR will provide the fully integrated Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensing program at the GMR School of Aviation in Hyderabad," the company said in a statement.

The four-year course will include two years of classroom training and a two-year training in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) at GMR Aero Technic in Hyderabad followed by Aircraft Type Training.

Airbus and GMR collaborate to provide training in aircraft maintenance in Hyderabad

According to the contract, Airbus will provide the necessary software and courseware in the form of trainee handbooks, examination database, online access to Airbus customised basic training modules and Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for the Academy media package which is the technical training material required for the courses.

In addition, Airbus will also provide training to GMR instructors along with the assessment of the training centre.

“The partnership with GMR represents a significant deepening of MRO capabilities in India that are required to match the tremendous future demand for such services from the domestic aviation industry. Airbus will continue to contribute to the development of India’s wider aerospace ecosystem, including enhancing its manufacturing and services capabilities through its industrial footprint."Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India & South Asia

GMR Aero Technic is one of India’s leading third-party MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facilities located at GMR Hyderabad International Airport.

“The aviation ecosystem is evolving rapidly. India is all set to become the largest aviation market by 2030. The increase in air traffic is leading to fast growth in the commercial aviation fleet in the country. To cater to the emerging demand and support the industry, there is a need for skilled professionals.”Ashok Gopinath, CEO, GMR Aero Technic

Commencing this year, the programme will be open to aspirants who have cleared their Higher Secondary Certificate (Class 12) examination with Physics and Mathematics as their main subjects. According to the Airbus Global Market Forecast 2022, India will require some 45,000 new aircraft technicians over the next 20 years.

The global air transport industry adopted a long-term climate goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in October of last year, confirming the commitment of the world’s airlines, airports, air traffic management and the makers of aircraft and engines to reduce CO2 emissions in support of the Paris Agreement 1.5ºC goal. This was an update to an earlier industry-wide goal that was set way back in 2009.

Representative | Strategy- PwC

Since then, multiple decarbonisation solutions have been pushed to the fore, some of which include technology innovation in aircraft design, new fuels like hydrogen and SAF, efficiency improvements in airport operations and air traffic management, and market-based measures.

Reportedly, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), simply eliminating emissions will not be enough for the world to reach net zero by 2050, removing C02 from the atmosphere would have to be thrown into the list of measures as well, if 2050 climate goals are to be practically met.

Airbus has therefore partnered with 1PointFive to bring carbon removals from direct air capture technology to the aviation industry.

So what is Direct Air Carbon Capture and how does it work?

Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS)

Carbon Engineering, a company based in Canada has pioneered a direct air capture technology at its pilot plant in Squamish, Canada and has now set its sights on large-scale deployment. 1PointFive-Carbon Engineering’s licensed US partner is developing these facilities at a megaton scale in the United States and elsewhere. Once operational, this facility is expected to capture up to one million tonnes of CO2 from the air per year- roughly equivalent to the work or absorption capacity of approximately 40 million trees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7pTfCxNW4&t=137s

The technology behind it

A large fan draws air into an air contactor, which is modelled on industrial cooling towers. The air passes over thin plastic surfaces with a non-toxic potassium hydroxide solution flowing over them to trap the CO2 molecules as a carbonate salt.

Green Car Congress

A pellet reactor is used to separate the carbonate salt from the solution and the carbon pellets are then heated in a calciner to release the CO2 as a pure gas.

The processed pellets are hydrated in a device called a “slaker” and recycled for use in the original capture solution.

Carbon Engineering

The captured pure CO2 can then either be stored underground or reused for the production of, for example, Power-to-Liquid fuel through a complementary process called AIR TO FUELS. The former, known as carbon storage or sequestration, involves injecting the CO2 into saline formations more than a kilometre below the earth’s surface. As a result, CO2 is permanently and safely stored underground.

Airbus

Airbus has pre-purchased the capture and permanent sequestration of 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere each year for four years in an agreement signed with 1PointFive.

We're proud to partner with Airbus on an enormous opportunity to help the aviation industry and other hard-to-abate sectors decarbonize. Direct Air Capture will be a scalable, practical solution that aerospace pioneers like Airbus can integrate into their decarbonization roadmaps to contribute to climate actionsaid 1PointFive CEO Michael Avery

Reportedly, several airlines have shown interest to collaborate with Airbus in this area to promote direct air capture as a necessary means toward achieving net zero emission goals by 2050.

SOURCE: Airbus

COVER: Clean Future