Srinagar airport registers a record number of passengers with 102 flights in 24 hours

Radhika Bansal

13 Apr 2022

The Srinagar airport handled its highest number of per day passengers at nearly 15,200 on Monday, April 11 with 7,305 arrivals, officials said. They highlighted that the number of flights has increased to the only civilian airport in Kashmir due to an influx of tourists who are escaping the heat of the plains.

"This (15,199) is the highest number of per day passengers and (102) flights handled at the Srinagar airport on any given day," an official said.

The officials of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) said 7,305 passengers arrived at the Srinagar airport on Monday, April 11 on 51 flights while 7,894 passengers flew out on the same number of flights.

https://twitter.com/SrinagarAirport/status/1513547240861691904

While the number of flights has been increasing steadily over the past two weeks, the airport had registered its busiest day in terms of passengers on March 29 when 15,014 persons travelled through the airport.

Due to an influx of tourists in Kashmir from different parts of the country the Srinagar airport is handling an average of 90 flights daily. On Tuesday, April 12 the airport handled 88 flights and 12,768 passengers.

The airport design can handle less than 7,000 passengers per day. The airport officials said that the challenge has been to thwart congestion.

“Our concern is to ensure there is no congestion at the airport. We are upgrading the infrastructure and placing help desks at several places to ensure each passenger is facilitated."

Srinagar airport registers a record number of passengers with 102 flights in 24 hours

The number of flights at Srinagar Airport has been increasing over the past few weeks due to a rise in the number of tourists who are escaping the heat of the plains.

The tourism sector in the country was badly affected for almost two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. As soon as the restrictions were relaxed, the travellers are rushing toward the country’s popular tourist spots.

During the recent visit of the Civil Aviation Minister, he pitched for the upgrade of infrastructure facilities at the airport which is of the preferred tourist destinations in the country.

The number of flights at Srinagar Airport has been increasing over the past few weeks due to a rise in the number of tourists who are escaping the heat of the plains.

The requirement for enhancement was felt because the airport has a smaller parking area for aircraft landings and take-offs. AAI two years back said they are going to set in motion the upgradation of the airport.

The expansion of the airport was planned after the Union Tourism ministry recommended its upgradation, stating that failure to upgrade its facilities would lead to “bad publicity of Kashmir tourism sector”.

Under the expansion plan, the floor area of the airport was supposed to be doubled to around 33,000 sq m from the existing 16,700 sq m. To accommodate more flights, the airport would have also two new aircraft stands.

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China denies internet speculations that blamed the co-pilot for the plane crash

Radhika Bansal

13 Apr 2022

The cause of recent passenger plane crash in China which killed 132 people remains under investigation, a Chinese aviation official has said, rejecting online speculation that the co-pilot may be responsible for the tragic accident.

The Chinese passenger plane crashed in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on March 21, killing all 132 people on board including the nine crew members.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft of China Eastern Airlines, which flew from Kunming to Guangzhou, plunged into the mountains in Tengxian County in the city of Wuzhou.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft of China Eastern Airlines crashed in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region killing all 132 people on board including 9 crew members.

ALSO READ - China Eastern B737-800 crash – here’s what is known so far

Rumours have been doing rounds online that the co-pilot "might be responsible" for the crash, attributing it to the data from black boxes, with some believing that the CAAC will require flight crews to undergo mental health monitoring, the state-run Global Times reported.

China's civil aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), refuted such rumours over the co-pilot's involvement in the crash of China Eastern flight MU5375, saying the accident is still under investigation, and no conclusions have been drawn on the cause and nature of the accident yet.

The "rumours", claimed to be sourced from some public security departments are misleading, would undermine public confidence in the ongoing investigation, and may represent a violation of the law, said Wu Shijie, a CAAC official told the official media.

China denies internet speculations that blamed the co-pilot for the plane crash

"We will try our best to find out the cause of the accident as soon as possible and release the relevant information according to the law and procedures," he said.

Wu said the crash has had an impact on the welfare of frontline civil aviation workers, and some employees have suffered from emotional strain, particularly younger workers.

The CAAC attaches great importance to the mental well-being of aviation workers and requested that airlines take measures to support pilots, flight attendants and safety officers in managing their psychological pressure.

Airline safety management is focused on the mental state and health of all aircrew, including pilots, and it is a key function of the regulation

Early this month a working group sent by the US National Transportation Safety Board arrived in China to help investigate the crash of the China Eastern Airlines aircraft.

The seven-member panel, consisting of authorised representatives and technical advisors, will participate in the investigation organised by the CAAC. Airline safety management is focused on the mental state and health of all aircrew, including pilots, and it is a key function of the regulation.

The aviation industry recently held a two-week-long safety review, stating that it had addressed a number of safety hazards, after the fatal crash of Flight MU5375, killing all 132 persons onboard, the Global Times reported.

The captain had 6,709 hours of flying experience, and the first and second officers had 31,769 hours and 556 hours respectively.

Concrete measures should be taken to strengthen the investigation of hidden dangers concerning aircraft maintenance, flight weather conditions, personnel qualifications and technical ability, China's civil aviation regulator said.

China's aviation officials have said that there had not been any weather or other hazards endured by the flight on its route path. China Eastern said the plane, less than seven years old, had also passed all pre-flight checks.

There were three pilots, China Eastern officials said. The captain had 6,709 hours of flying experience, and the first and second officers had 31,769 hours and 556 hours respectively.

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Air India pilots request restoration of full pay and other benefits from N Chandrasekaran

Radhika Bansal

13 Apr 2022

Air India pilot association has written to the new chief, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, to restore their emoluments. The body, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA), said that their salaries were cut by 55% citing COVID-19.

The International Layover Allowance was also cut drastically, the body said. ICPA added that it pleaded with the previous owner to restore the payments, but there was no response. It argued that there is no merit anymore to continue the pay cut. 

https://twitter.com/PilotsIndian/status/1513915797152083969

The association said that Fixed Hours Working Allowance must be restored. It appealed to Chandrasekaran to restore the allowance given the sustained improvement in domestic and international passenger demand.

“Payment of actual flying hours is extremely invidious to pilots undergoing training and conducting diverse duties like CRM, EFB, other office duties, etc., for the betterment of operations,” it said in the letter.

The ICPA also asked for the International Layover Subsistence Allowance to be reviewed. It added that the allowance is paid by the government as per the rates fixed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Air India pilots request restoration of full pay and other benefits from N Chandrasekaran

These rates apply to government employees on duty abroad, it added. The body requested Chandrasekaran to review the allowance to industry standards by abolishing the current MEA rates, which the body said are “discrepant to the flying crew”. 

The association also asked the Tata Sons chief to revise the salaries of co-pilots. It said that Air India co-pilots are the “least paid in the industry from day one”.

On top of that, the pay cut has dented the pilots’ morale. Moreover, pilots are pushed to obtain higher qualifications as per company requirements. The airline cannot afford to lose these experienced pilots to competitor carriers, it added. 

N Chandrasekaran was appointed the new Chairman of Air India on March 14.

The pilots’ body urged Chandrasekaran to intervene in the matter, and said that they are open to discussions on possible alternatives. 

ALSO READ - Air India Pilot Union requests resumption of flight pay

Chandrasekaran was appointed the new Chairman of Air India on March 14. That came after Turkish national Ilker Ayci declined to be the Chief Executive Officer of the airline.

On October 8, 2021, the government announced that Talace Private Limited -- a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons -- had won the bid to acquire debt-laden Air India. Tata had outbid a consortium led by SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh by offering INR 18,000 crore. 

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90 SpiceJet pilots barred from flying Boeing 737 Max planes by the DGCA

Radhika Bansal

13 Apr 2022

In an unprecedented move, 90 SpiceJet pilots have been barred from flying the Boeing 737 MAX till they undergo proper training. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took this step after finding anomalies in the simulator training that these pilots underwent at a facility in Noida.

“These (90) pilots have been restrained from flying the Boeing 737 MAX. They will have to undergo the training again to the satisfaction of DGCA,” India’s aviation regulator Arun Kumar said on Tuesday, April 12. The airline’s pilot training is also under the regulator’s scanner following this alleged lapse.

Confirming the action, a SpiceJet spokesman said: “The DGCA had an observation on the training profile followed for 90 pilots. Therefore as per DGCA instructions, SpiceJet has restrained 90 pilots from operating MAX aircraft. These pilots will undergo training again to the satisfaction of the DGCA.”

90 SpiceJet pilots were barred from flying Boeing 737 Max planes by the DGCA

The airline, which operates 11 of the 13 MAX currently in its fleet, says the 60 daily flights operated on these planes will not be affected.

“About 144 pilots are required to manage 11 aircraft (MAX). SpiceJet has currently 560 trained pilots on MAX. The trained pilot strength is more than sufficient for continuing normal operations,” the airline spokesman said. These pilots continue to remain available for other Boeing 737 aircraft.

Sources say the crucial “manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system” (MCAS) was not working properly in the simulator at the time when these 90 pilots were undergoing their training.

About 144 pilots are required to manage 11 MAX aircraft. SpiceJet has currently 560 trained pilots on MAX.

MCAS, a controversial flight stabilising programme developed by Boeing for MAX, was eventually found responsible for the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines B737 MAX crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, respectively, in which 346 people had lost their lives.

“A part of this system, the ‘stick shaker’ that vibrates the control column and makes a loud noise when the jet risks losing lift, was also not working properly in the simulator at the time of training these pilots,” said a source.

In both the Lion Air and Ethiopian MAX crashes, the aircraft's nose got pushed down because of several factors that were addressed later when the MAX was allowed to fly again after a global grounding. Correct pilot training for MCAS on the MAX simulator is key to flying this plane safely.

Akasa has placed an order for 72 B737 MAX.

SpiceJet is currently the only Indian airline that operates the MAX. Billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Akasa will take to the skies this summer using this aircraft. Akasa has placed an order for 72 B737 MAX.

Boeing says MCAS “flight control law was designed and certified for the B737 MAX (Boeing’s hurried answer to arch-rival European Airbus’ best-selling A320neo family of planes) to enhance the pitch stability of the airplane – so that it feels and flies like other 737s.”

The crucial “manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system” (MCAS) was not working properly in the simulator

Boeing 737 MAX resumed operations in December 2020 two years after they were grounded after the 2018 Lion Air and 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes, which left 346 people dead.

A faulty flight handling system meant to keep the plane from stalling as it ascends was blamed for the crashes. The automated system was found to have pushed the nose of the plane downwards.

ALSO READ - DGCA allows Boeing 737 Max to fly again

Aviation authorities in the US later directed Boeing to revamp the planes and implement new training protocols for the pilots. The ban on Boeing 737 MAX was lifted in India in 2021.

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Indian Navy is establishing a new training school to supplement its aviation technology talent pool

Radhika Bansal

12 Apr 2022

The Indian Navy has started an apprentice training school at Dabolim to upskill ITI students and give them technical skills which will enable them to get employment as technicians for civilian and military aircraft.

The school will address the shortfall of aeronautical technicians, said the Indian Navy in a statement. While the first batch includes five students, the Indian Navy intends to scale up the school to accommodate around 50 apprentices per batch.

The Apprentice Training School (ATS) is attached to the Naval Aircraft Yard at INS Hansa and was inaugurated by master craftsman shipwright Rama Chari, the longest-serving employee of the naval aircraft yard. Assistant chief of naval staff (Air Material) rear admiral Deepak Bansal was present for the inauguration.

While the Indian Navy advertised for vacancies for apprentices in November 2021, just five candidates were selected for the first batch.

“The ATS aims to augment the aviation technical talent pool and also aid the national apprenticeship promotion scheme under the ‘Skill India’ initiative. The school is one of the limited vocational training institutes of the country in aeronautical technology,” said a naval officer.

The Navy said that the training school will provide “impetus for upskilling the technical workforce and also address the shortfall of aeronautical vocational training centres” in the defence and civilian sectors.

While the Indian Navy advertised for vacancies for apprentices in November 2021, just five candidates were selected for the first batch. The five candidates are two fitters and three electricians who hail from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

INS Hansa is India's biggest naval airbase.

“It is intended to scale up the school to accommodate around 50 apprentices per batch,” the Navy stated. The Navy is offering apprenticeships at the naval ship repair yard at Karwar and the Naval Aircraft Yard at INS Hansa and the selected candidates had the option of choosing Karwar or Goa.

The Navy said that just five candidates opted for Goa. The selection, tests and interviews were held at the Naval base at Karwar.

INS Hansa, is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa, India. It is India's biggest naval airbase. The military air base has a civil enclave, that operates as Dabolim Airport.

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Alliance Air's made-in-India Dornier 228 makes its first commercial flight

Radhika Bansal

13 Apr 2022

Alliance Air's made-in-India Dornier 228 aircraft was deployed for its first commercial flight on the Dibrugarh-Pasighat route on Tuesday, April 12 with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kiren Rijiju on board.

Accompanied by senior government officers, Scindia and Rijiju boarded the flight at the Mohanbari airport in Assam's Dibrugarh for Pasighat in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

The state-run Alliance Air became the country's first commercial airline to fly an Indian-made aircraft for civil operations. Till now, Dornier 228 planes were used by the armed forces only.

https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1513818525730672640

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has approved a Scheme- "Providing air connectivity and Aviation infrastructure in North Eastern Region (NER)" to promote air connectivity in the states of the North Eastern Region and, it requires, to develop of infrastructure for air connectivity. 

As a part of this scheme, two important development will take place - The first flight of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) - Made in India - Dornier Do-228 from Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat town in Arunachal Pradesh by Alliance Air, making it India's only first commercial airline to fly Indian made aircraft for civil operations and inauguration of first FTO (Flying Training Organization) for North Eastern Region at Lilabari, Assam.

ALSO READ - Northeast India’s first commercial pilot training academy set to begin at Lilabari airport

https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1513904086696951811

Alliance Air had in February signed an agreement with the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to lease two 17-seater Dornier 228 aircraft. The airline received its first Dornier 228 plane on April 7.

ALSO READ - Alliance Air receives the first made-in-India civilian aircraft – Dornier 228

Regular flight operations are slated to start from April 18 on the Dibrugarh-Pasighat-Lilabari-Dibrugarh route.

The services will be further expanded to Tezu, Mechuka, Ziro and Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh with the Dibrugarh airport as the hub station. The services will be operated by Alliance Air under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN.

https://twitter.com/PemaKhanduBJP/status/1513791591735246850

Development of the North Eastern Region (NER) is not only of strategic importance but, is a part of India's growth story.

Connectivity in North Eastern Region is very essential and Under "Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)", the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has identified North Eastern Region as a priority area. This has helped in enhancing inter and intra connectivity for the North Eastern Region. 

In this regard, new airports are getting developed and old airports are getting upgraded. Considering the hilly terrain, helicopter operations under the UDAN scheme have been given the focus on connectivity.

Alliance Air's made-in-India Dornier 228 made its first commercial flight

Dornier is originally a german aircraft first deployed by the long-defunct regional airline Vayudoot to service over 100 airports across India till the early 1990s.

In 1981, HAL acquired the production license for the aircraft from the manufacturers and assembled 125 of them at its Kanpur facility for both civilian and military purposes. 

Since 2009, Swiss aerospace engineering and defence company RUAG has been manufacturing the upgraded Do-228 New Generation (NG), with the fuselage, wings and tail being sourced from HAL.

The Dornier 228 NG used for commercial operations is the first aircraft made entirely in the country. It is a far improved version as compared to its predecessors.

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