SpiceJet under attack by ransomware; morning flights affected

Radhika Bansal

25 May 2022

SpiceJet on May 25 informed of an attempted ransomware attack last night, which slowed down its operations and impacted morning flight departures. The airline posted this update on Twitter a short while ago.

"Certain SpiceJet systems faced an attempted ransomware attack last night that impacted and slowed down morning flight departures today. Our IT team has contained and rectified the situation and flights are operating normally now," it said.

Several people said they were left waiting at the airport or stranded inside the plane with no updates from the airline.

https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1529296241305460736

“At airport since 5 am, no proactive notifications for the delay when the attack attempt was detected at night,” one person wrote on Twitter in a sentiment echoed by hundreds of other SpiceJet passengers who say they have been stuck for hours.

Passengers, however, have refuted the airline’s claim of flights operating normally. One Twitter user, Mudit Shejwar, said he had been stuck for nearly four hours inside a flight that was neither cancelled nor taking off. “Neither cancelling nor operating, sitting in the flight, not even the airport,” he wrote, adding that the airline had not even provided stranded passengers with food.

Passengers took to Twitter to air their grievances, claiming that SpiceJet had not communicated any updates about the delay in flights.

SpiceJet under attack by ransomware; morning flights affected

ALSO READ - SpiceJet to introduce inflight internet services

This comes after just days ago, SpiceJet informed that it hopes to start broadband internet service on its planes soon.

In his email to employees on the 17th anniversary of the airline, CMD Ajay Singh said the carrier continues to fly with the highest loads month after month and expects to soar even higher in the coming months.

The airline has a fleet of 91 aircraft, out of which 13 are Max planes and 46 are older versions of Boeing 737 aircraft, according to its website.

SpiceJet flights were held up at the Delhi airport for some time last week as there was a delay in daily payment to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the airline.

ALSO READ - Multiple SpiceJet flights halted by Delhi ATC for non-payment of daily airport user fees to AAI

Meanwhile, some SpiceJet flights were held up at the Delhi airport for some time last week as there was a delay in daily payment to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the airline. The airline's spokesperson said the daily payment was delayed due to a software glitch and the flights are now operating normally.

In the "cash and carry" model, the airline has to make daily payments to the AAI for various charges -- navigation, landing, parking, and others -- to operate flights.

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Jet Airways invites former cabin crew to return; receives over 700 CVs in 5 hours

Radhika Bansal

25 Jun 2022

Jet Airways on June 24 opened hiring for cabin crew members. Posting on Twitter, Jet Airways asked former cabin crew members to join the airline once more as it prepares to start operations after going bankrupt in 2019.

“There’s really nothing like home! Inviting former Jet Airways cabin crew to come back and join us in relaunching India's classiest airline,” the company tweeted, adding that it was currently only hiring a female crew. Jet added that it would be recruiting male cabin crew as it slowly scaled up operations and hiring.

https://twitter.com/jetairways/status/1540187713034661888

Retweeting the airline’s announcement, Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor wrote, “Our operational hiring has commenced, with a call out to former Jet crew. Commencement of hiring for pilots and engineers to follow in the coming days, when we make our aircraft choice reveal. (We were waiting for the Twitter poll results and advice from all armchair CEOs).” 

Within just hours of posting the advertisement, the company had received over 700 CVs in response. “In the 5 hours since we posted this on social media, over 700 CVs were received. Heartwarming and emotional for all of us. Here's to making history together!” said CEO Sanjiv Kapoor.

https://twitter.com/TheSanjivKapoor/status/1540269541686538240

Jet Airways is in the process of restarting operations after the Jalan-Kalrock consortium emerged as winning bidders for the company during its insolvency process. The consortium has said Jet would start flights in 2022.

Part of the Jet Airways' revival strategy has been bolstered by loyal employees, many of whom have once again jumped at the opportunity to be associated with an airline that had dominated Indian skies in the early 2010s.

Jet Airways invites former cabin crew to return; receives over 700 CVs in 5 hours

“At present, we are more than 200 of us at Jet Airways. Of this, more than two-thirds are former Jet Airways staff. We will soon begin recruiting for operational roles (crew, engineers, technicians, etc.),” Kapoor had stated in an interview.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had granted Jet Airways a revalidated Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which lets it fly commercial flights once more. Jet 2.0 will be facing another new airline, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air. 

Jet Airways last flew on April 17, 2019, when it was owned by Naresh Goyal. It was forced to suspend operations due to financial problems.

Jet Airways last flew on April 17, 2019, when it was owned by Naresh Goyal.

Jalan-Kalrock Consortium is the current promoter of Jet Airways and the airline intends to start commercial flight operations in the July-September quarter.

ALSO READ - Jet Airways returning with a hybrid premium and no-frills model, first flight likely by October 2022

The airline is planning to return with a hybrid of premium and low-cost services. It will have a two-class configuration where business class passengers will be offered services including free meals, while economy class flyers will pay for meals and other services.

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Testing for 'Micro Turbomachine' a joint innovation project between IIT Madras and GE Aviation begins at NAL

Radhika Bansal

23 Jun 2022

The locally designed and developed aviation high-speed ‘Micro Turbomachine’ by IIT Madras and GE Aviation (GE) under a joint innovation program, which started in 2016, has now entered the testing phase.

The testing is being done at National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). IIT Madras and GE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2016 to collaborate on research and development.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of multinational conglomerate GE, is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and systems for commercial and military aircraft.

https://twitter.com/GEIndia/status/1539583055782096896

The locally designed and developed aviation high-speed ‘Micro Turbomachine’, which is an important step towards technology maturation, is being tested at National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).

“The development of Micro Turbomachine is a shining example of academia-industry collaboration to drive innovation in India. It was designed and developed as part of Ucchatar Avaishkar Yojana (UAY) launched by the Government of India to promote industrial innovation of a higher order that addresses the needs of local industry.We are excited to see the enhanced aviation testing facilities at NAL. Testing is an important part of product development cycle, and we are delighted to work with NAL on testing the locally designed and developed Micro Turbomachine."Alok Nanda, CEO, GE India Technology Centre and CTO GE South Asia

During the product design process, GE and engineers and researchers of IIT Madras researchers worked together to develop a local aviation supplier ecosystem for the manufacture of high-precision and high-speed turbomachinery that adhered to global aviation industry manufacturing standards.

Two local aviation industry companies Pragati Transmission and Turbocam India participated in the manufacture and assembly of the prototype.

“The project was conceived by Late Professor B V S S Prasad (former head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT-M). His team of talented researchers and faculty members could meet the demands and challenges of developing the Micro Turbomachine. It took us months to conduct several simulations necessary to arrive at the optimum design of the product.Further, test rigs were designed and developed with active collaboration between IITM and GE teams. Throughout the process, the researchers were in touch with GE Aviation engineers and there was a free and friendly exchange of knowledge between them."Prof. A Seshadri Sekhar, principal investigator of the project and the current Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT Madras

There is a Versatile Turbine Test Rig (VTTR) at NAL which is for high-speed turbine testing up to 50,000 rpm & 500 kW power. It will be used for the performance evaluation of micro turbomachine. We are proud to be part of the journey towards technology maturation.

Testing for 'Micro Turbomachine' a joint innovation project between IIT Madras and GE Aviation begins at NAL

This, according to Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, will be used for performance evaluation of Micro Turbomachine which has been jointly developed by IIT-M and GE.

An investment of about INR 10 crore (or USD 100 million) was funded over the last five years, of which 75% was funded by IIT Madras through the UAY (Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana) scheme of the Government of India and 25% by GE. 

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SpiceJet settles financial dispute with Credit Suisse AG

Radhika Bansal

26 May 2022

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday, May 25 said that it has signed and concluded the settlement and consent terms with Credit Suisse in a pending dispute with the latter.

The settlement and consent terms, executed on May 23, have also been filed before the Supreme Court for final orders, the airline said in a statement.

The airline said it had already provided a bank guarantee of USD 5 million under the direction of the Madras High Court in the matter and there is no adverse financial liability on the company.

SpiceJet settles financial dispute with Credit Suisse AG

The settlement involves payment of a certain amount up front and the balance amount over a mutually agreed timeline, SpiceJet said without giving specific details.

The settlement with Credit Suisse follows SpiceJet’s successful settlements and performances therein with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC), Boeing, CDB Aviation, BOC Aviation and Avolon and provides an impetus to normalisation, growth and expansion of the airline.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet and De Havilland reach an agreement over Q400 aircraft

On March 31, SpiceJet informed the Supreme Court of having settled the payment dispute with Credit Suisse. The disclosure had come during a court hearing on another case involving the airline.

The settlement involves payment of a certain amount upfront and the balance amount over a mutually agreed timeline

In a statement that was issued shortly thereafter, SpiceJet had said that the "parties have now reached an in-principle commercial settlement of the dispute and the process of documentation is underway."

ALSO READ - SC to SpiceJet – “We wonder if you want to run an airline”, gives three weeks to resolve the dispute

It was this payment dispute with Credit Suisse that led to the Madras High Court ordering the winding-up of SpiceJet. The airline had approached the Supreme Court in appeal and secured a respite from the top court by way of a stay order in January this year.

The court had granted time to the airline to proceed with its negotiations in an attempt to settle the dispute.

SpiceJet is the country’s largest regional player operating 63 daily flights under UDAN or the Regional Connectivity Scheme. 

The dispute pertained to the non-payment of dues by SpiceJet to Switzerland-based SR Technics, which undertakes maintenance, repair and overhauling of Air Craft for airlines. SpiceJet had defaulted on payment of dues to the tune of USD 20 million.

Credit Suisse moved against SpiceJet and pressed a winding-up plea against the airline before the Madras High Court which allowed the same. The winding-up order was upheld by a high court bench of higher strength and an appeal against this ultimately came before the Supreme Court.

SpiceJet operates a fleet of Boeing 737s, Q400s & freighters and is the country’s largest regional player operating 63 daily flights under UDAN or the Regional Connectivity Scheme. 

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4 new senior executives appointed by Jet Airways

Radhika Bansal

25 May 2022

Jet Airways has appointed four new senior executives days after aviation regulator DGCA granted a revalidated Air Operator Certificate, allowing the airline to resume commercial flight operations. The AOC was granted to the airline on May 20.

The fresh AOC received by Jet Airways has a one-year validity, according to a copy of the certificate. Jet Airways’ previous AOC under the ownership of Goyal was issued on 13 February 1995 and expired after the airline was grounded in 2019.

4 new senior executives appointed by Jet Airways

The airline on Monday, May 23 said that it has appointed Prabh Sharan Singh as its chief digital officer, H R Jagannath as vice president of engineering, Mark Turner as vice president of inflight product and services and Vishesh Khanna as vice president of sales, distribution and customer engagement.

The airline said Singh will take charge on June 1, Jagannath has taken charge on Monday, May 23, Turner will take charge on June 15 and Khanna will join the airline sometime in July.

Singh's rich experience spanning nearly 20 years includes stints at Etihad Airways, where he worked as a strategy and portfolio lead within the carrier's digital technology and innovation division, and at Kingfisher Airlines, where he worked as general manager - commercial alliances, the airline mentioned.

The fresh AOC received by Jet Airways has a one-year validity

Jagannath has over 40 years of aviation experience and he most recently served as chief executive officer of Air India Engineering Services, it noted.

Turner -- who also has more than 40 years of aviation experience -- led Jet Airways' inflight services team between 2008 and 2011 and has held senior management positions at Gulf Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Fiji Airways, it said.

Khanna joins the airline from VFS Global Ltd, where he currently serves as Business Head e-Visa, it mentioned. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the aviation and travel sectors across B2C (business-to-customer) and B2B (business-to-business) sales, having held executive positions at various airlines in the past.

ALSO READ - Vipula Gunatilleka, former CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines, appointed as Jet Airways’ CFO

The airline has also appointed the Heads of other key departments, details of which will be revealed in due course.

Earlier this year, the Jalan Kalrock Consortium appointed Sanjiv Kapoor as CEO, Vipula Gunatilleka as CFO, and Capt. PP Singh as Vice President- Flight Operations and Accountable Manager, Alphonso Dass as Vice President – Airports & Airport Training, Nakul Tuteja as Vice President – Human Resources & Administration, and Ronit Baugh as General Manager & Head of PR and Corporate Communications.

ALSO READ -Sanjiv Kapoor named as the CEO of Jet Airways

The airline has also appointed the Heads of other key departments, details of which will be revealed in due course.

Founded by entrepreneur Naresh Goyal, the airline ran for about 25 years before it shuttered operations in April 2019 amid a massive cash crunch. The carrier is now owned by a consortium of UAE-based businessman Murarilal Jalan and British investor Kalrock Capital.

Jet Airways flew to over 65 destinations in India and across the world with 124 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

Launched in 1993, Jet Airways grew to become synonymous with premium air travel for discerning travellers in India. Before it suspended operations in April 2019, Jet Airways flew to over 65 destinations in India and across the world with 124 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

Financial distress forced Jet Airways, which flew for more than two decades, to suspend operations on April 17, 2019, and a consortium of lenders, led by State Bank of India filed an insolvency petition in June 2019 to recover outstanding dues worth over INR 8,000 crore.

In October 2020, the airline's Committee of Creditors (CoC) approved the resolution plan submitted by the consortium of the UK's Kalrock Capital and the UAE-based entrepreneur Murari Lal Jalan. In June 2021, the resolution plan was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

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Airbus Beluga spotted at Kolkata airport after 23 years

Radhika Bansal

25 May 2022

A whale-shaped Airbus Beluga plane that raises eyebrows and brings smiles to the faces of people wherever it goes became the talk of the town as it touched down at Kolkata airport on Saturday, May 21 evening.

Carrying two helicopters in its massive cabin that is nearly four times the size of a normal wide-body aircraft, the Beluga took off late on Sunday, May 22 to fly to Pattaya in Thailand. This was the second time the aircraft had visited Kolkata, the last being 23 years ago in 1999.

The Airbus A300 B4-608 ST super transporter or Beluga is a version of the standard A3000-600 wide-body airliner modified to carry aircraft parts and oversized cargo. It landed in Kolkata around 9 PM on Saturday, May 21 and was guided to parking bay No. 16 for a 24-hour crew halt.

Carrying two helicopters in its massive cabin that is nearly four times the size of a normal wide-body aircraft, the plane took off late on Sunday to fly to Pattaya in Thailand.

The Beluga had taken off from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, on May 18 and stopped at Marseilles, Athens, Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Ahmedabad before reaching Kolkata. The aircraft’s next stop is Pattaya, Thailand.

“Since last night, the plane has become the star attraction at the airport with airline ground staff and airport operational staff taking vantage points to click selfies with the aircraft in the backdrop. You can’t help smiling when looking at the cute whale/dolphin-faced plane. Given its size, you cannot miss it if you are in the operational area,” said an airport official.

The Beluga is nearly six-storey high and its wingspan is almost 45m. Its internal cargo hold is 124ft long, 23ft wide and 23ft high.

https://twitter.com/ahmairport/status/1528019581155291136

The Beluga that created the sensation in Kolkata has been in service since March 1996 and has done 3,109 flights with accumulated 4,816 flying hours. Kolkata airport officials said this was its second halt at Kolkata airport. There are four other such planes in service and a BelugaXL that is bigger.

A Beluga had touched down at Kolkata in 1999 with the giant painting Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix, which had hung in the Louvre in Paris since 1874. That year, it was flown to Tokyo via Bahrain and Kolkata.

The painting measuring 3 m × 3.6 m was too large to fit into a Boeing B747. It was transported in the vertical position inside a special pressurized container provided with isothermal protection and an anti-vibration device.

https://twitter.com/aaikolairport/status/1528266067532869632

“Is it a whale? Is it a plane? It's the #Beluga! Yes we are mesmerised by this beast, are you?”, the Kolkata airport’s Twitter handles posted its excitement on Sunday, May 22 afternoon. The excitement was reciprocated among fliers as well.

Soumen Mukherjee, a passenger, posted a photograph of the aircraft and tweeted: “Airbus Beluga spotted in Kolkata, probably a refuelling stop, nevertheless a very rare visitor.”

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