Northeast India's first commercial pilot training academy set to begin at Lilabari airport

Radhika Bansal

28 Mar 2022

Northeast’s first aviation pilot training academy, offering commercial pilot license training (CPL) will be operational at the Lilabari Airport from mid-April. Two aircraft for pilot training arrived at Lilabari in upper Assam's Lakhimpur district on Tuesday, March 22.

The Red Bird Flight Training Academy won the bid to start three flying training organizations (FTOs) in the country and one is in Lilabari. The academy, which will operate under the watchful eyes of the ministry of civil aviation, will produce pilots for commercial aircraft.

“Pilots will be trained in India. Cash flow to foreign training schools will reduce. Also, the target to boost the aviation industry needs pilots,” said a senior official of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The academy is being set up under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Two aircraft for pilot training arrived at Lilabari in upper Assam's Lakhimpur.

Tecnam P2008JC single-engine and Tecnam P2006T multi-engine trainee aircraft arrived at Lilabari from Baramati in Maharashtra. They flew all the way crossing international territory over Bangladesh from Ranchi to Agartala via Silchar.

Vice-president, training, Red Bird Flight Training Academy, Abhilasha Singh, said the effort is on to produce 150 to 200 trainee pilots every year. “We have the most modern glass cockpit aircraft for training, which are similar to the ones of Airbus and Boeing,” she said, adding that training in all kinds of terrain in the northeast is going to be beneficial.

Countries like the US and New Zealand were the most preferred destinations for commercial pilot training for aspiring candidates from India over the years.

The Red Bird Flight Training Academy won the bid to start three flying training organizations (FTOs) in the country and one is in Lilabari.

AAI has facilitated all the approvals needed for the project, from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and guided the agency for early completion of the project.

“We are targeting commencement of training as soon as approvals are obtained from BCAS and DGCA, hopefully by next week,” said an AAI official. The practicals will have 200 hours of single-engine, multi-engine flying.

“Most awaited day of #Lilabari and NER, finally two flying machines have arrived today at Lilabari Airport for Redbird Flying Training Academy to empower the youth for a brighter future with wings. Both aircraft were greeted with the traditional water cannon salute,” read a post from the Twitter handle of Lilabari Airport.

https://twitter.com/aailbrairport/status/1506289630659977225

The Assam Flying Club, which once used to provide commercial pilot training from Guwahati airport, became defunct long ago.

Notably, on Thursday, March 24, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh had informed Lok Sabha that India might require 1,000 commercial pilots per year over the next 5-6 years.

He further informed that the Airport Authority of India (AII) had received bids for Nine Flying Training Organizations (FTO) in March last year. ''AII had issued award letters for all the nine FTOs on May 31, 2021, and October 29, 2021.

The five airports allocated were Belagavi (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), and Lilabari (Assam).

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Finnair to launch direct flight between Mumbai and Helsinki

Radhika Bansal

26 Mar 2022

Finland’s flag carrier Finnair on Friday, March 25 said it will connect Helsinki with India’s financial capital Mumbai with a direct flight, starting July this year.

Mumbai will be the airline’s second destination in India after Delhi, where it has been flying since 2006.

The to-be-launched flight on Mumbai-Helsinki and vice versa will be open for bookings from April 5 onwards, Finnair said in a statement.

Finnair to launch a direct flight between Mumbai and Helsinki

Finnair will operate from Mumbai and Helsinki, as part of its summer 2022 schedule, three times a week — on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, the airline said.

"As the world opens up to travel, it is an opportune time to expand operations and enable better connectivity for our customers. After Delhi, Mumbai is a major airline hub in India and is home to leading global businesses."

“As the world opens up to travel, it is an opportune time to expand operations and enable better connectivity for our customers. After Delhi, Mumbai is a major airline hub in India and is home to leading global businesses. Our new services will enable both business & leisure travel from the region as global economies gradually recover from the impact of the Covid-19.”Desmond Chacko, General Manager, Finnair

Finnair connects customers to almost 70 destinations in Europe and five destinations in the US, including Seattle, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, it said. The carrier also said it will be operating wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft for this route.

The carrier also said it will be operating wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft for this route.

With strengthening economic ties between India and Europe, the launch of a new route signifies the growing importance of the region, it stated.

Helsinki Airport has recently gone through an extensive renewal, offering Asian travellers a smooth and easy transit to other destinations in Finnair’s network, according to the airline. A network airline, Finnair, connects passenger and cargo traffic between Asia and Europe via the short northern route, the airline said.

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IndiGo expected to induct its first A321 freight aircraft

Radhika Bansal

26 Mar 2022

Private carrier IndiGo is expected to induct its first A321 freight aircraft, known for its high volume cargo storage, in around May this year, sources told CNBC TV18 on March 25.

The airline had, last year, initiated the conversion of four A321ceo into cargo planes. At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, IndiGo and most of the other carriers were relying largely on cargo services for revenue.

The conversion of the A321ceo into a freight aircraft, which IndiGo is expected to induct in May, is taking place in Singapore, the news channel reported.

IndiGo expected to induct its first A321 freight aircraft

Officials privy to the latest developments also told CNBC TV18 that IndiGo is expected to soon resume flights for all pre-COVID international destinations, except for China.

IndiGo's domestic demand is above pre-COVID levels, they added but marked caution over the surging crude rates.

Notably, the oil prices pose a significant challenge for all airlines, as it could lead to higher fares. This, in turn, could adversely affect the post-pandemic recovery that is expected in the next couple of months.

ALSO READ - India to restart scheduled international flights after 2 years from March 27

IndiGo to convert four Airbus A321 CEO to A321P2F

On March 1, the rate of aviation turbine fuel was hiked by INR 3,010.87 per kilolitre or 3.22% to INR 93,530.66 per kl in Delhi. This was the fifth hike in ATF prices this year and came against the backdrop of crude oil rising to a seven-year high.

ALSO READ - Jet fuel prices increased by 3.3% to new all-time highs

Despite the surge in ATF rate, the stocks of carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet received a boost earlier this month, on account of the government's decision to uplift the ban on scheduled international flights.

ALSO READ - Aviation stocks soaring as India set to resume international flights

The shares of Interglobe Aviation, IndiGo's parent firm, had climbed by 8% on March 9, a day after the landmark announcement.

IndiGo's domestic demand is above pre-COVID levels but marked caution over surging crude rates

JPMorgan has upgraded Interglobe Aviation, the company that owns and operates IndiGo airlines, from an ‘underweight’ rating to a ‘neutral’ rating. The firm has raised the target price to INR 1,825 from INR 1,400.

According to JPMorgan, the peak crude could signal the peak of a downgrade cycle. FY23 will be another loss-making year, the firm has cut its FY23 EBITDA by 44% due to crude. However, the firm believes that the problem is well-known documented and is perhaps in the price.

The demand-supply situation looks balanced for now and the IndiGo average seat kilometre is expected to grow at a rate of 27% compounded growth rate from now till FY25.

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FlyBig to receive 10 Twin Otter Series planes from De Havilland Canada

Radhika Bansal

25 Mar 2022

FlyBig, the newest scheduled commuter airline of India, on Thursday, March 24 said it has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 10 aircraft of De Havilland Canada Twin Otter Series 400 to serve small and remote regions.

FlyBig operates commercial flights to destinations in the North-East, South, and Central under the UDAN Scheme. Flybig commenced operations in January 2021. It aims to provide connections to remote communities and currently has a fleet of three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft. 

Flybig aims to provide connections to remote communities and currently has a fleet of 3 ATR 72 turboprop aircraft

A press release from FlyBig said the De Havilland Canada Twin Otter 400 Series has a proven track record of safe, dependable operations, as well as versatility, which includes the ability to descend on land or water.

"It is a strategic and necessary acquisition. It will be a valuable asset for FlyBig in its quest to provide last-mile connectivity to the hinterlands of India. This landmark acquisition will provide competitive thrust and open a niche travel segment in the Indian aviation industry as it can also be used over water to promote tourism."Captain Sanjay Mandavia, CMD, FlyBig

The letter of intent was signed by Captain Sanjay Mandavia, CMD of FlyBig, and Yogesh Garg, director, of sales the Asia Pacific, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, and exchanged at their stall at the ongoing Wings India 2022 Show here, the release said.

The De Havilland Twin Series Otter 400 aircraft has the potential to provide last-mile connectivity to inaccessible geographical destinations in India, he further said.

Twin Otter Series 400 is a 19-seater aircraft that would meet a wide range of needs in the ever-expanding aviation market of India

We are very excited to be working with FlyBig to connect underserved destinations that currently rely on inconvenient and inefficient modes of transportation, said Philippe Poutissou, vice-president (sales and marketing), De Havilland Canada.

The Twin Otter Series 400 is a 19-seater aircraft that would meet a wide range of needs in the ever-expanding aviation market of India, opening up access to new commuter as well as coastal and island-hopping routes, according to the release.

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Vistara in talks with lessors to fill long-haul gap in the wake of B787 delays

Radhika Bansal

26 Mar 2022

Indian full-service airline Vistara is in talks with lessors about getting long-haul planes to cover a gap left by delays in Boeing 787 deliveries, chief executive Vinod Kannan said.

Vistara, owned by Singapore Airlines and India's Tata Group, is waiting to receive four aircraft from Boeing's 787 production line, but deliveries have been frozen globally since May 2021 due to quality-control shortcomings.

ALSO READ - FAA to formalize tighter oversight of new aircraft designs following deadly Boeing 737 MAX crashes

To provide substitute capacity in the short term, Vistara is talking to lessors about renting 787s, Kannan said in an interview with Reuters.

Vistara in talks with lessors to fill the long-haul gap in the wake of B787 delays

"There is enough availability (of airliners) in the market because there are still parts of the world where flying has not come back," he said, adding that the company is yet to make a final decision on whether to rent aircraft.

Kannan said the market was too volatile to consider ordering new planes right now. But, in the longer run, Vistara could also consider buying Airbus A350s, he said.

Vistara has about 50 aircraft, including two 787-9s received before the delivery suspension and a mix of Airbus and Boeing narrow-body airliners. It plans to take 20 more aircraft by the end of 2023, mostly A320s to be used domestically and for nearby international destinations.

Expanding its footprint globally is a priority for Vistara, which began operations in 2015 but has not yet made a profit. India's domestic market is dominated by low-cost carriers, such as IndiGo. International flying offers stronger pricing.

Vistara has about 50 aircraft, including two 787-9s received before the delivery suspension

The airline's losses narrowed last fiscal year, and Kannan said he had seen a further improvement until February when fuel prices spiked. While demand is growing and air fares are moving higher, it will be difficult to offset higher fuel costs and the burden of a depreciating rupee, he said.

Vistara's international operations - reaching about a dozen foreign cities, such as London, Paris and Frankfurt - comprise around 25% of its capacity. It wants to expand this to 35% over the next two years and is looking at direct flights to the United States, South Korea and Japan, Kannan said.

"A lot of the long haul depends on aircraft availability. This is the time to capitalise, especially with India opening up international travel," he said.

Tata in 2021 acquired Vistara's direct competitor, Air India. Kannan said the two airlines are exploring how they can cooperate without violating competition rules.

Tata in 2021 acquired Vistara's direct competitor, Air India

Vistara began looking at international expansion before the pandemic but paused as air travel came to a near halt in 2020. Now high fuel prices and Russia's invasion of Ukraine are forcing it to look again at its plans.

The airline operated charter flights to such places as Hong Kong and Moscow during the pandemic. But Hong Kong is now closed to visitors and Moscow is "out of the question", Kannan said.

"With fuel price where they are, we have to think twice in terms of whether we need to bring on those additional aircraft," he said. "But we know that not just the U.S., but all these long-haul points are important."

(With Inputs from Reuters)

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6 Sikorsky S-76D helicopters to be leased by Pawan Hans

Radhika Bansal

25 Mar 2022

Pawan Hans Ltd has signed agreements to lease six Sikorsky S-76D helicopters from The Milestone Aviation Group.

The aircraft will support Pawan Hans' onshore and offshore helicopter operations in India and the company is contracted to operate two S-76D helicopters for ONGC.

Lockheed Martin — America’s and the world’s largest aerospace and defence firm — is giving stiff competition in the Indian helicopter market to its rival, Boeing. Boeing scored early with the multi-billion-dollar sale to the Indian Air Force of Chinook heavy-lift choppers and Apache attack helicopters.

6 Sikorsky S-76D helicopters to be leased by Pawan Hans

However, Lockheed Martin’s subsidiary, Sikorsky, is catching up fast with the USD 2.12-billion sale to the Indian Navy last year of 24 Seahawk multi-role maritime helicopters.

"In addition to the six helicopters, of which five have already been delivered, Milestone and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company are also providing Pawan Hans with comprehensive value and sustainment packages to support the phasing-in of this new helicopter type into its fleet," a release said on Thursday, March 24.

The announcement about the leasing of helicopters was made during the Wings India event in Hyderabad. Sikorsky has delivered more than 875 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1977.

Sikorsky has delivered more than 875 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1977

Sanjeev Razdan, Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans, said that in the medium twin category, the S-76D is the ideal aircraft to support our offshore operations in South Asia.

The highly regarded Sikorsky S-76 helicopter has operated since 1977 in diverse environmental conditions in more than 40 countries on six continents. Sikorsky has delivered more than 875 S-76 helicopters to customers globally, contributing daily to a growing total of more than 7.5 million flight hours.

The S-76D helicopter is an improved version of the S-76, incorporating more modern technologies in order to provide a substantial increase in performance, power and value.

The S-76D helicopter is an improved version of the S-76

Since 1985, Pawan Hans has been India’s market leader in helicopter operations. Its fleet of 42 helicopters provides services to sectors such as oil and gas exploration, pipeline survey and aerial work, police and utility tasks, and services to VIPs and state governments.

Pawan Hans also provides passenger connectivity to remote, hilly, and inaccessible areas along India’s northern and north-eastern borders. In addition, it has provided inter-island connectivity in the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

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