Soaring UK flight ticket prices, Government says situation under control

India-UK fares have skyrocketed as restrictions on travel imposed from here during the deadly second wave are relaxed from Sunday morning. The UK government has moved India from the 'red' to the 'amber' list with effect Sunday (August 8) which means fully vaccinated Indian passengers will no longer be subjected to a compulsory 10-day hotel quarantine on their arrival in Britain.

Senior IAS officer Sanjeev Gupta took to Twitter on Saturday (August 7) to complain about one-way economy fares touching Rs 4 lakh and that he has raised the issue with aviation secretary P S Kharola.

https://twitter.com/sanjg2k1/status/1423925373096501248

TWEET FROM THE OFFICIAL

A combination of three factors — 30 weekly flights between the two countries, pent up demand for travel for almost 3.5 months since the UK restricted travellers from India and the ongoing peak student season — has led to fares spiralling. Speaking for students and the travel community at large hurting over exorbitant India-UK fares, Gupta said in a series of tweets Saturday: “The APIs (application programming interface) from airlines being consumed by travel portals have issues in some cases. If an economy class is not available, it automatically fetches business fare but shows economy only on the travel portal. The basic point still remains (about) INR 1.2 lakh for a one-way direct flight is still too high,” he said.

Picture credit: leo sheng

“Even INR 1.15 lakh is exorbitant and unaffordable for most students seeking admission purely on merit and not on financial strength. I can identify perhaps a technical issue in the display of those very high fares on travel portals & @GoogleTravel. Will write in some time,” Gupta tweeted.

After a severe Covid outbreak in the UK last December, India has since January allowed 30 weekly scheduled flights — 15 by Indian carriers (Air India and Vistara) and as many by British carriers (British Airways and Virgin Atlantic). On April 23, 2021, UK put India on its red list during the devastating second wave here. This meant Indian citizens were not allowed to enter UK. And a handful of categories were exempt from this restriction like British citizens/residents going from India needed to quarantine in a hotel on arrival in the UK for 10 days.

vistara

A quick search on travel portals today (Monday evening) show Mumbai/Delhi-London one-way, economy fares from INR 1.15 lakh to over INR 2 lakhs through August. Fares start normalising from 1st September, by when the pent up rush would have flown out. Delhi/Mumbai-London one-way is available from INR 20 thousand in September.

Government jumps in

The Aviation Ministry has issued a clarification regarding the same. An economy-class ticket for a flight from Delhi to London has been available for between INR 1.03 lakh and INR 1.47 lakh during August, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on August 8. "Media reports are claiming India-UK one-way economy class fares have touched INR 4 lakh. These reports have no proven basis. The veracity of Shri Sanjeev Gupta's claim has been thoroughly checked by DGCA," the ministry said on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/MoCA_GoI/status/1424418996124753921

What airlines have to say

Air India which used to operate 13 weekly flights to the UK before April 23 when restrictions were imposed on travellers from here said it had allowed affected passengers to defer their India-UK bookings.

air india

“These passengers have re-booked on available flights now, creating a steep surge in bookings on many India-UK flights. Seats on economy class have been sold on fares mostly ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 45,000. As most of the regular flights (from Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru) to UK are booked near capacity, only upper bucket economy and business class seats are available now,” AI said in a series of tweets.

https://twitter.com/airindiain/status/1424279406067941376

https://twitter.com/airindiain/status/1424279414963986433

A Vistara spokesperson said: “Pricing is always a function of supply and demand. There are only 15 flights a week allowed currently on India-UK route for Indian carriers and when there is relaxation and more capacity allowed, (that) will automatically bring down prices.”

The report compiled by the DGCA on Sunday also notes that “at present, only limited flights are available on this sector as scheduled international operations are suspended till August 31, 2021 (for now).”

vistara

A combination of four factors — 30 weekly flights between the two countries; pent up demand for travel for almost 3.5 months since UK restricted travellers from India; ongoing peak student season and requirement to travel nonstop between the two countries for a majority travellers under current air bubble rules — has led to fares spiralling.

AIR INDIA SAID THAT THE Seats on economy class have been sold on fares mostly ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 45,000.

A senior official of a mega foreign (non-UK) carrier said: “Every airline’s flights are full for August. Obviously, the fares are high. Thousands of people, especially students, are affected because of continued suspension of scheduled international flights.” Travel industry says high fares are likely to be witnessed whenever a big destination for Indians/persons of Indian origin opens up.

The reason: stranded people already holding tickets will reschedule for flights immediately post-reopening. And only higher fare bracket tickets will be available for those making new bookings in the first few days. In places where flights are limited for any reason, like 30 weekly in the case of the UK, the issue will get magnified.

General (Retd.) Dr.V.K. Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on August 5, 2021, that the Government has and will continue to undertake hi-tech measures for improvement in the civil aviation sector in the country.

Digi yatra

Some of the measures which he talked about are -

The policy on Digi Yatra has been released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2018. This initiative aims to provide a contactless, seamless and paperless handling of passengers at airports from the entry gate of the terminal to the boarding point. Work has been awarded for implementation of Biometric Boarding System (BBS) by using facial recognition technology at six airports namely – Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Varanasi and Vijayawada. The project is at the trial stage. Upon successful completion, the same will be implemented across other airports in the country in a phased manner.Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to invest around INR 25,000 crores in the next 4-5 years for the expansion/ development of existing and new terminals, using modern technology. Modernisation of air navigation infrastructure has been taken up.Route rationalization in the Indian airspace is being carried out in coordination with Indian Air Force, using modern air traffic flow management techniques to develop shorter flight routes and lower fuel consumption by airlines.

Modernisation of air navigation infrastructure has been taken up.

Greater use of digital technology is being encouraged at air cargo terminals to enhance efficiency and reduce dwell times.E-Governance is being enabled at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for most of their stakeholder interactions and internal processes.Online ‘examination on demand’ is being planned by DGCA for flying cadets to enhance the number of licenced pilots in the country.

spiceshuttle - a seaplane initiative

About Indian Aviation

A rising proportion of middle-income households, healthy competition amongst Low-Cost Carriers, infrastructure build-up at leading airports and supportive policy framework will see India become the 3rd largest aviation market in the world by 2024.

To satisfy the current and projected rise in demand for commercial air travel, Indian airlines have placed large orders for aircrafts. The nation’s airplane fleet is projected to quadruple in size to approximately 2500 airplanes by 2038.

Weight and balance is a very big deal on some aircraft mainly because of their poor design and if the fuel, Pax and cargo are randomly loaded, the aircraft simply will not fly. On a larger jet there are several other concepts to wrestle with. To effectively solve this problem, Aviation professionals involved are equipped with manuals and SOPs which need to be strictly complied with.

Definition of CofG

The CG (centre of gravity) of an aircraft is defined as the point on the aircraft over which the entire weight of the aircraft acts. Typically 4 forces act on an aircraft as shown: (PIC)1.Lift2.Weight3.Thrust4.Drag

When all the forces cancel each other out as shown, the aircraft is said to be in equilibrium.When an aircraft is loaded, it is essential that it falls within the CG limits set by the aircraft manufacturer. CG is divided into two-forward and aft and we all know during flight the CG may shift forward or aft, thereby affecting flight performance.

How is it calculated?

Reference datum :-

The manufacturer establishes the maximum weight and range allowed for the CG, as measured in inches from the reference plane called the datum. Some manufacturers specify this range as measured in percentage of the mean aerodynamic chord (MAC), the leading edge of which is located a specified distance from the datum.The datum may be located anywhere the manufacturer chooses; it is often the leading edge of the wing or some specific distance from an easily identified location. One popular location for the datum is a specified distance forward of the aircraft, measured in inches from some point, such as the nose of the aircraft, or the leading edge of the wing, or the engine fire wall.

1. The weights and arms of all the mass within the aircraft is determined.2. The moments of the mass is then calculated by finding the product of weights and arms.3. The calculated moment of all the masses are added together4. The resultant moment is divided by the total mass which gives an overall arm

For example:

MASS(lb)ARMMOMENTEMPTY AIRCRAFT1590.0100.41596,636PILOT AND PASSENGERS500.050.225,100FUEL(60 gallons @ 5lb/gal)300.0100.030,000TOTAL2390.0691.11,651,736

The resultant moment needs to be within the limits set by the manufacturer, failing which the weights within the aircraft must be redistributed until the CG falls within the allowable limits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sUWC2jfjqI

National Airlines Flight 102 was a cargo flight which crashed shortly after taking off from Bagram Airfield on 29 April 2013, killing all 7 crew. The crew were heard on VHF air-band frequency reporting that some of the load of five heavy military vehicles in the cargo hold had shifted and the aircraft stalled.

How is the redistribution done? Auxiliary tanks/Ballasts are additional fuel tanks which are installed to bring the CG within the allowable range. The CG limits can be found in the airplane flight manual while the area between the limits is called the range of CG.

Weight and balance

If the weight of the aircraft is less than the allowable limits and the CG is well within the range, should there not be any changes during flight, the aircraft is said to be within weight and balance. But of course, the aircraft weight is susceptible to changes due to fuel burn and the movement of passengers forward/aft of the cabin.

various applications are available

As a pilot, one of the first thing you learn, for a level, unaccelerated flight, the weight should be equal to lift. Now that may not be entirely true. Here's why.

The tail of an aircraft can be essentially considered as a downward facing wing meaning it creates lift too, just in the downward direction. Now if this "tail-down-force" were to be absent, it would only send the aircraft in a nose down dive due to the moment created b/w the CG and centre of lift-also known as torque. Thereby it is now clear for the aircraft to be balanced the lift must be equal to "weight" and the "tail-down-force" of the aircraft. Hence the relation between the CG and aircraft performance now becomes evident. The movement of the CG forward or aft is achieved by altering the amount of tail-down-force and lift generated. (PIC)

boldmethod

Consequences

When the aircraft is improperly loaded, it can shift the CG beyond its allowed limits, thereby limiting the safe operation of a flight.

The longitudinal stability of the aircraft is affected by the for-aft CG wherein the stability increases and decreases when the CG moves forward and aft respectively.An aft CG position can result in severe handling issues due to reduced pitch stability eventually leading to a loss of control.Mid flight fuel burn and a possible shift in CG en-route also has to be taken into account while calculating the safe operational CG limits for a flight.

The CG is even more critical for rotary aircrafts than it is for fixed-wing, although the weight issues remain the same

Accidents

Failing to load an aircraft according to SOPs can have grave consequences in the safe operation of a flight.

In Jan 2003, a Beechcraft 1900D, operated by Air Midwest, crashed killing all 21 on board. The aircraft was improperly loaded with an excess of 250 kg which apparently pushed the CG to 5% aft.In Feb 2005, a Challenger 600 departed Terterboro, New Jersey with a loading pushed so forward that it crossed the CG limit and failed to rotate. The aircraft rammed into a building, injuring 3 and severely damaging the airframe.

Improper loading can also lead to "tipping" of the aircraft on its rear fuselage.

AIRRAFT TIPPING - Credit: Airliners.net

Though having an aft CG has a considerable improved performance on the aircraft, it only translates to a few extra knots of speed and perhaps a few extra feet-per-minute of climb rate in light aircrafts. Nevertheless, this minor difference does bring about a change in the overall flight time though, reducing the time taken to reach your final destination.

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) has been awarded a contract for manufacturing and supply of the Boeing 737 fan cowl, the legendary single-aisle aircraft family, at its state-of-the-art facility here, it said on Friday (August 6, 2021).

TASL will supply 50% of the monthly 737 fan cowl requirements from FY 2025, a press release from TASL said.

Fan cowl doors provide an aerodynamic surface over the fan case of the engine between the inlet and the thrust reverser and protect engine mounted components and accessories.

BOEING 737 FAN COWL

There are two fan cowl doors (left and right) around each engine that can be opened to provide access for service and maintenance of the engine components and accessories on the fan case of the engine.

Commenting on the new development, Sukaran Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, TASL, said, the contract won in global competition is a significant milestone in the partnership with Boeing.

"Projects like these with Boeing and other global aerospace companies have greatly helped build TASL's capabilities such that today TASL has the ability to build an entire aircraft or helicopter at high rate production of global quality, in India," Mr. Singh said.

TASL also manufactures thousands of critical systems and components for some of Boeing''s most advanced products from its facilities in Nagpur, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

B737 max

Further, TASL runs a manufacturing facility in Nagpur, where advanced composite floor beams for all the Boeing Dreamliner aeroplane variants are produced, according to the release. The Tata-Boeing joint venture in Telangana manufactures fuselages for the Apache helicopters and recently added a new production line to produce vertical fin structures for the 737 family of aeroplanes.

Tata Group-owned Air India has asked its staff to vacate the government-owned housing colonies by July 26, according to an official document.

The Tata Group won the bid for Air India on October 8, 2021. However, as per the terms of disinvestment, the airline's non-core assets such as housing colonies remain with the government. Air India has two major housing colonies -- one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai.

"We are now in receipt of an e-mail dated May 17, 2022, from Air India Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL) advising us to send a reminder to the residents to vacate the company accommodation latest by July 26 in line with the decision of Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM), which has already been conveyed to them," said an order issued by Air India on May 18.

The recent order by Air India

"In line with the above directions of AIAHL, a draft of the notice to be issued to the occupants of the company accommodation is attached," it added.

AIAHL was set up in 2019 by the Centre for handling debt by selling non-core assets of the Air India group after its disinvestment.

A group of ministers called AISAM -- headed by Home Minister Amit Shah and including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Civil Aviation Minster Jyotiraditya Scindia -- handled the disinvestment of Air India.

Air India gives an ultimatum to its staff to vacate housing colonies by July 26

The decision has not gone down well with the staff members staying there, with employee unions protesting the move and planning to approach the High Court against the eviction notices. The issue is now pending before the labour commissioner's office, which had initiated a conciliation process.

ALSO READ - Air India employees plan to go to the Bombay HC to protest eviction from staff quarters

The employees have demanded that they should be allowed to live in the quarters till their retirement. The first of the quarters was constructed by Air India in 1955.

The land on which these colonies stand belongs to the state government, which leased it to the government-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) and thereafter to Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), currently under the Adani Group of Companies.

“Any unauthorised occupation of accommodation in contravention of period permissible would attract penal rent equivalent to the sum of normal occupancy charges and double the market rent for the period of unauthorised occupancy. In addition to that, such an employee would be liable to pay damage charges of INR 10 lakh and INR 15 lakh for accommodation in Delhi and Mumbai respectively. The penalty would be recovered from arrear and any other financial benefit accruable to such employee."Aviation Ministry to Air India befor disinvestment

Those who fail to vacate Air India colonies within the timelines will have their retirement/service benefits or any financial benefit accrued put on hold.

ALSO READ – Air India employees asked to vacate quarters

The same will be released only after a peaceful vacation in the accommodation. “Any liable charges, penal rent or damage charges would be recovered” from them.

Air India is in talks with members of Star Alliance including America's United Airlines for codeshare agreements to increase its global footprint.

“The airline is stepping up on its global ambitions and wants to give flyers a seamless experience of overseas travel. This is part of refurbishing the brand and product”, The Economic Times reported adding talks with United have been going on for the last few months.

When asked about talks with Air India on a code share agreement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said there is “nothing to announce”. He was speaking on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association, Doha. Kirby didn't elaborate.

When asked about talks with Air India on a code share agreement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said there is “nothing to announce”.

The airline signed its last such agreement with Fiji Airways in 2019. Both Air India and United are members of Star Alliance, a 26-member global airline group whose members work between themselves to share metal, passengers and even airport amenities.

Air India is revamping its back-end ticket reservation system and transitioning from service provider SITA to Amadeus. A second person in the know said the transition is almost complete with only the airport leg of waiting to be set up. It will be completed by the end of June or July, he added.

Air India, under its new owners, the Tata group, is trying to address massive glitches in customer support and product experience even as it draws up plans for fleet enhancement.

Air India in talks with fellow Star Alliance members for codeshare agreements

ALSO READ - Air India prepares to add more than 200 aircraft; the most significant order in a long time

The person cited above said the airline plans to order more than 200 narrow and wide-bodied planes, that will join its fleet in the next 4-5 years. It is in advanced rounds of discussions to place an order for Airbus A350 wide-bodied and A321 narrow-bodied planes.

ALSO READ – Air India to add A350 aircraft to its fleet; first aircraft likely by 2023

Air India plans to open multiple hubs across India over the coming years to help capture the surging demand in the country’s domestic market and drive an ambitious international expansion strategy under its new owner TATA group.

Air India has the strategy already in place where they have a hub in Delhi for all our long-haul and our short-haul markets.

Air India has the strategy already in place where they have a hub in Delhi for all our long-haul and our short-haul markets. This is expected to grow because going forward, management’s thought and vision are to create several hubs in India, which would facilitate growth in each of the regions.

ALSO READ - Air India eyes Multiple Hubs, International Expansion

Expanding its international footprint means acquiring more aircraft. International aircraft manufacturers have started wooing Indian carriers with their latest offerings.

In a letter to employees, its new CEO, Campbell Wilson said the airline’s best days are yet to come. Wilson was a veteran at Singapore Airlines and the mind behind its long-haul low-cost airline Scoot. Campbell wrote about the airline’s legacy and his own memories of flying on board a Boeing 747 plane in 1995.

“We should rightly celebrate this legacy and these contributions, but we must also have our gaze focussed squarely on the future. India's potential is vast in myriad areas and you know as well as I the long-term posture and performance culture of Tata Group. You know as well as I that, in any organisation, there are areas that can be improved upon. I'll meet as many employees as I can over the next few weeks."Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India

The Tata group took over the airline in October 2021 and has overhauled its top management as one of the first steps.

(With Inputs from The Economic Times)