TCS win a digital transformation deal from TAP Air Portugal; to establish an Airline Digital Center in Portugal

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said on Tuesday, November 15 that it has won a digital transformation deal from TAP Air Portugal, the flag carrier airline of Portugal and a member of Star Alliance.

As part of the deal, TCS will establish an Airline Digital Center (ADC) in Portugal, staffed with consultants from the airline industry, solution architects and technology experts. The center will leverage the local talent pool as well as TCS’ global teams.

TAP has embarked on a new business strategy focused on becoming a sustainable airline and strengthening its leadership position in the industry. The company selected TCS as its partner for its proven experience in delivering successful digital transformation programs in the airline industry and its extensive portfolio of intellectual property.

TCS win a digital transformation deal from TAP Air Portugal; to establish an Airline Digital Center in Portugal

In the future, this ADC will be used as a nearshore center to service other global airline customers of TCS, creating more technology jobs in Portugal. Deal financials were not disclosed.

“The investments we are making in setting up the Airline Digital Center further strengthens TCS’ position as a growth and transformation partner to clients in Portugal and expands TCS’ footprint in the region."

Krishnan Ramanujam, President, Enterprise Growth Group, TCS

Further, TCS will maintain TAP’s data estate and help build new analytics to enable decision-making, customer experience and operational performance.

TCS will also help TAP adopt a new operating model to manage its application estate to drive greater agility and enhance operational resilience. It will also assist in rationalizing and modernizing the estate using cloud native technologies to improve time to market.

“TAP is undergoing an ambitious transformation to emerge stronger after the impact Covid had on the airline industry and we need reliable partners on this journey. We selected TCS after a rigorous evaluation process, based on its deep airline industry experience, proven track record of delivering digital transformations and technology leadership."

Christine Ourmières-Widener, Chief Executive Officer, TAP

TAP Air Portugal is the currently state-owned flag carrier of Portugal, headquartered at Lisbon Airport which also serves as its hub. TAP – Transportes Aéreos Portugueses – has been a member of the Star Alliance since 2005 and operates on average 2,500 flights a week to 90 destinations in 34 countries worldwide. The airline was established on 14 March 1945 and began commercial services on 19 September 1946.

As part of the deal, TCS will establish an Airline Digital Center (ADC) in Portugal, staffed with consultants from the airline industry, solution architects and technology experts.

The company has a fleet of 100 aircraft, all of which are manufactured by Airbus with the exception of 22 aircraft manufactured by Embraer and ATR, operating on behalf of the regional airline TAP Express. According to Planespotters.net data, the current composition of the TAP Portugal mainline fleet is as follows:

5 A319-100s

15 A320-200s

11 A320neos

3 A321-200s

20 A321neos

3 A330-200s

19 A330-900s

TCS is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization. It offers a consulting-led, cognitive-powered, integrated portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions. TCS reported a 10.1% rise in consolidated net profit to INR 10,431 crore on a 4.8% increase in revenue to INR 55,309 crore in Q2 FY23 over Q1 FY23.

IndiGo, a low-cost and the largest airline in the nation by aircraft began operating its first A321 cargo aircraft from Delhi to Mumbai on Tuesday, November 15.

Following the arrival of its first A321F last month, IndiGo completed full registration. This aircraft will gradually be deployed on international routes, as will the second aircraft, which is anticipated to arrive later this year.

IndiGo CarGo operates its first freighter between Delhi and Mumbai

On the initial voyage, the aircraft, which has been converted from a passenger jet to a full freighter configuration, will carry general freight; on the return trip, it will carry general and e-commerce goods. On each leg of these inaugural flights, the payload will weigh more than 20 tonnes.

“We are excited at kicking off a new chapter in IndiGo's journey with the inaugural CarGo flights. Delhi and Mumbai are the two biggest commercial hubs in the country, and the response we have received from customers for our service offering is very encouraging. We expect the business to grow over the coming few months, as we expand our fleet of freighters and add new destinations to our CarGo network.”

–Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo CarGo

The most effective narrow-bodied freighter on the market, the A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion) has 24 places for containers and can carry up to 27 tonnes of payload, nearly double the belly capacity of a standard A321.

The A321P2F is the market's most efficient narrow-body freighter

As part of a project, ST Engineering and Airbus' joint venture, Elbe FlugzeugWerke, is converting the aircraft (EFW). As a member of a global alternative investment organisation with 17 years of experience investing in, financing, and managing aviation assets, Castlelake Aviation Holdings (Ireland) Ltd., which is a subsidiary of IndiGo, has leased the plane from funds it manages.

During the COVID pandemic, IndiGo first considered the idea of a dedicated cargo fleet after understanding the market's untapped potential and the lack of any large cargo competitors in India. One of the effects of the COVID pandemic on the airline industry was the growth of the cargo market in India.

IndiGo welcomed its first A321F freighter aircraft on September 28, 2022. 

On September 28, 2022, IndiGo welcomed its first A321F freighter aircraft

A little under 15 years old, the aircraft (VT-IKW) was initially delivered to Aeroflot in 2007. It has flown for many airlines throughout the years, most recently with Aviaon Express Malta.

Three further converted A321s will be delivered to IndiGo, which intends to utilise them for both domestic and international flights.

IndiGo will receive three more converted A321s, with plans to use them for both domestic and international flights

Also read: https://www.100knots.com/indigo-to-bolster-cargo-operations-by-adding-another-freighter-aircraft-by-year-end/

“We are pleased to receive our first A321 freighter aircraft in 6Efleet … The CarGo business brought in revenues when scheduled commercial flights were at standstill. Our partnership with the Airbus for Freighter programme will further help strengthen our business in the CarGo segment, and act as a strong engine of economic growth for the country.”

––Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo CarGo

Data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) shows that all operational airports handled 3.14 million tonnes of freight in 2021–22, or 94% of the freight handled in 2017–18, while air passenger traffic, at 85.1 million, was 69% of the traffic recorded in FY18. 

This indicates that the cargo segment in India has fared even better than the passenger side.

(Feature Image - Shrey Chopra)

The chief of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), VS Patahania, flew his first 45-minute sortie in a native Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) on November 14, Bengaluru.

Pathania was given a thorough introduction to the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which is being created as a successor to the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters currently used by the Indian Armed Forces.

The Mk-III helicopter was turned over to the Coast Guard by HAL on Monday, November 14. These helicopters have a variety of cutting-edge sensors that increase the Indian Coast Guard's marine prowess at sea.

ICG officials reported that during his sortie, Pathania commended the indigenous LUH and claimed it is a magnificent flying vehicle equipped with cutting-edge technologies.

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1592071019015340032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1592071019015340032%7Ctwgr%5E6d697cfa4a7b6731c3e24805c4193d1205b6525a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aninews.in%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fgeneral-news%2Findian-coast-guard-chief-undertakes-maiden-sortie-in-indigenous-light-utility-helicopter20221114204743

The LUH is a modern helicopter that has cutting-edge technology features like a glass cockpit with multi-function displays (MFD) and is powered by a single turbo shaft engine with enough power margin to handle any emergency requiring higher power setting operations.

The helicopter can fly with a range of 243 nm, a service ceiling of 6.5 km, and a cruise speed of 130 knots. The "Shakti" engines, a full glass cockpit, high-intensity searchlights, a traffic alert and collision avoidance system, modern communication systems, an automatic identification system, a search and rescue capacity, and an automatic flight control system are all features of these helicopters.

They are also outfitted with modern surveillance radar and electro-optical tools, allowing them to perform long-range maritime reconnaissance in addition to offering long-range search and rescue, both during the day and at night.

The indigenously-developed LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-tonne category that boasts features like a glass cockpit with multi-function displays (MFD) and is powered by a single turboshaft engine

Assembly of the first Limited Series Production (LSP) LUH has begun, with phase-1 operations at the new HAL helicopter facility in Tumakuru (Karnataka) began in last July.

The LSP series, also known as LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production), will be produced in the new facility in Tumakaru after the three prototypes, which were constructed at HAL's production facility in Bengaluru.

The material indicates that LRIP1 consists of four LUHs, two of which will be delivered by March 2023 to the Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force), and the other two to the Indian Army. LRIP2 entails the construction of eight LUHs, four for the Indian Army and four for the Indian Air Force, between 2023 and 2024.

ALSO READ – IAF to induct ‘Made in India’ light combat helicopter (LCH) in October

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian military have signed a letter of intent to purchase 12 locally made LUH. The army will receive six light utility helicopters, and the Indian Air Force will use the remaining six.

ALSO READ - 1st Light Combat Helicopter handed over to the Army Aviation by HAL

A letter of intent between HAL and the Indian military to buy 12 locally produced LUH has been signed.Six will be given to the army, while IAF will make use of the remaining six

It is also stated that Vman Aviation Services, an Indian leasing company, has ordered five civilian Light Utility Helicopters in addition to the orders for the Indian Armed Forces. There is also a space in the order for an additional five. The purchase is significant because it creates an ecosystem loop that will allow an Indian leasing company to supply equipment made in India.

Thousands of military helicopters could be produced by HAL in the upcoming years making India free from the importation of any helicopters shortly. 

Asangba Chuba Ao, a Veteran Official, has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday, November 14.

As part of the Centre's senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle, he has been appointed as Joint Secretary beginning on the day the position is assumed, for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever comes first. Ao, an IAS officer from the Bihar Cadre and a member of the 2003 batch, has replaced Usha Padhee in the position for a 5-year term. 

https://twitter.com/INDBureaucracy/status/1592340920334049281

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is in charge of developing national policies and programmes for the development and control of the nation's civil aviation industry. It is in charge of enforcing the Aircraft Act of 1934, the Aircraft Rules of 1937, and several other laws relating to the nation's aviation industry.

The MoCA is responsible for creating national policies and programmes for the growth and management of the country's civil aviation sector

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) are autonomous and attached organisations under the administrative control of this ministry. Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) are affiliated public sector enterprises.

The civil aviation industry's regulatory authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), focuses mostly on safety-related matters. It oversees the regulation of air transportation services to, from, and within India as well as the enforcement of civil aviation laws, air safety standards, and airworthiness requirements. The International Civil Aviation Organization and the DGCA coordinate all regulatory activities (ICAO).

The primary duties of BCAS include setting rules and regulations for the security of civil flights at Indian airports, both domestic and international. The domestic and international airports and civil enclaves, on the other hand, are designed, developed, operated, and maintained by AAI.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) designs, develops, operates and maintains domestic and international airports and civil enclaves

Other than Asangba Chuba Ao, who is appointed as Joint Secretary in the Civil Aviation Ministry, as part of a senior-level reshuffle, as many as 13 joint secretaries have been assigned to various other central government departments.

Vinit Kumar, an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers from the 1994 batch, will be the CEO of KVIC (Khadi & Village Industries Commission). The KVIC, in Mumbai, is run by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. 

Ajit Bhalchandra Chavan has been named as Additional CEO, GeM SPV (Government e-Marketplace Special Purpose Vehicle), Department of Commerce.

Jayant Kumar has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of the Department of Defence Production. Vishwesh Negi has been chosen as the Officer on Special Duty (OCD), Department of Defence. 

Sanjog Kapoor has been appointed as Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser for the Ministry of Education, Shalabh Tyagi as Joint Secretary for the Department of Defense Production, and Indu Rani Dubey as Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

P Manoj Kumar will serve as the Director General of the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Som Dutt Sharma will be Joint Secretary for the Department of Personnel & Training, and R Lakshmanan will be Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Prem Kumar Jha will serve as the Joint Secretary for the Department of Sports, while Hena Usman will serve as the Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Khieu Kanharith, the minister of information for Cambodia, stated during the India-ASEAN media exchange programme to soon launch Cambodia-India direct flights.

He said that there is a connection issue and that negotiations are taking place to connect Phnom Penh directly by air with the Indian cities of New Delhi and Bodhgaya.

Currently, travellers need to take a connecting flight to a neighbouring nation like Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand in order to go to Cambodia from locations in India. However, the two nations are currently looking at how to begin direct flight operations.

“Many people in Cambodia want to go to India and that is why we are discussing direct flights between our countries. There is a choice of two flights, Phnom Penh to New Delhi and Bodhgaya between Phnom Penh to Bodhgaya. Two flights we are discussing because a lot of Cambodians visit every year, mostly old people who go there. There is a lot of tradition in India, a lot of our roots are in India.”

–Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, Cambodia

Khieu Kanharith, the Cambodian Minister of Information, stated that travellers from India are drawn to visit Cambodia to see the historical treasures due to the country's extensive heritage of pagodas and temples.

The minister emphasised that many people desire to visit India in order to learn more about their ancestry. Many Buddhists are eager to show their respect to the Ramayana and Mahabharata's home country.

In a similar manner, he stated that tourists from India are interested in travelling to Cambodia to witness the historical wonders due to the country's long history of temples and pagodas. A number of temples are being restored and conserved with help from India.

"We are trying to start direct air linkages between India and Cambodia which would give a great impetus to tourism. When there are direct flights, people would love to come and see Angkor Wat and Cambodians would love to see the land of Buddha."

–Devyani Khobraade, India’s Ambassador to Cambodia

Angkor Wat is to Cambodia what the Taj Mahal is to India. Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the city of Angkor, one of the most significant archaeological sites in South-East Asia. 

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and is the largest religious monument in the world

India has been for long associated with the restoration work of temples in Cambodia. 

“The agreement is between Cambodia's External Affairs Ministry and the Government of India. India will give USD 70000 for the project for funding the local body APSARA, which will be doing the restoration work.”

– DS Sood, a Conservation Expert who is associated with the ongoing Archaeological Survey of India's restoration work at the famed Ta Prohm Temple in Angkor Wat

The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar, officially opened the "Hall of Dancers" at the Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap, which the Archeological Survey of India had restored. This happened during his recent trip to Cambodia for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to mark the 30th anniversary of relations between India and ASEAN.

Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap is restored by the Archeological Survey of India

The decision to launch direct flights between the two nations was made in 2021 following a meeting between the Indian ambassador to Cambodia, Devyani Uttam Khobragade, and the Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon. This concept was unsuccessful because of COVID-19, but it has since been revived, and flights should start soon.

The availability of direct flights will encourage travellers to choose Cambodia as a vacation destination and lower the cost of travel. Additionally, it would strengthen cooperative initiatives to enhance inter-human connectivity, which is a top focus of the Indian government's "Act East" programme.

Akasa Air is facing the impact of global supply chain disruptions. Though the airline does not expect any delay in deliveries, a shortage of aircraft parts may affect the reconfiguration of its fleet for 6–9 months.

The airline is facing disruptions in the delivery of seats, USB ports, and seat fabric. The three-month-old airline with a fleet of seven aircraft in India operates on nine routes —Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Delhi, Agartala and Guwahati.

ALSO READ - Akasa Air commences flights to New Delhi; considering overnight parking options in non-metro airports

“We have been facing some global supply chain issues that are preventing us from reconfiguring the interiors of these aircraft in a timely manner. We have got some delays on three elements of the reconfiguration.

Our first 20 aircraft have engines on them which is why we are confident that there are no delivery issues and remain unaffected through our first 20 deliveries. There is also no indication or official communications from Boeing that it is going to affect delivery from 21st onwards."

Vinay Dube, CEO & Co-Founder, Akasa Air

ALSO READ - Akasa Air signs deal for 72 Boeing 737 Max planes

Akasa’s orderbook includes a firm order of 72 Boeing 737 MAX planes, powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines. The first 20 aircraft will be brand new but are configured to accommodate 174 seats, as per the specifications of another airline, while Akaksa has a requirement of 189 seats, Dube said.

ALSO READ - Akasa Air picks CFM’s LEAP-1B engines for its Boeing 737Max planes

However, the airline will not be able to add seats from December onwards due to the shortage.

Akasa Air modifies aircraft interiors amid facing global supply chain disruptions

While it is trying to maintain the timeline for inducting new planes to its fleet, from the 9th aircraft it will have to accept a different configuration for all new aircraft until the 19th aircraft is delivered. These 11 Boeing 737 MAX planes will have 174 economy seats with the front three rows in a 2-2 configuration with more legroom, the airline said.

Akasa Air will continue to operate a single-aisle, all-economy service at affordable fares with no change in its pricing strategy. According to our current road map with partners, the 2x2 seat configuration will get standardised over the next six to nine months. With this, our original 189-seater will become available as we overcome the supply-chain impact.

“The emergency and front row, which is our A+ PRODUCT is priced at INR 1,500 a seat and this (2-2) will be A++ and will be priced at INR 2,500 a seat. This will be sold as economy and we will charge only for seat selection."

Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air

The management, however, did not reveal whether it will be compensated by the original equipment manufacturers for the shortage.

Flyers will also see seat covers on a few aircraft with a different upholstery from its signature style and the absence of USB ports on some seats.

ALSO READ - Go First grounds over a fifth of its fleet due to delayed deliveries of engines by Pratt & Whitney

Unlike its competitors, such as IndiGo and Go First which are also facing disruptions in operations due to the delays in engines and spare parts supply, Akasa said it does not foresee challenges for engines.

ALSO READ - IndiGo grounds 30 aircraft due to disruptions in the global supply chain

After the initial schedule is complete, Akasa will start accepting airplanes with higher density, which will feature 197 seats.

While the airline has so far not met its guidance of inducting an aircraft every two weeks it maintains that it will have a fleet of over 12 by December and 18 aircraft by March.

After the initial schedule is complete, Akasa will start accepting airplanes with higher density, which will feature 197 seats. According to the airline, it will also start planning international routes next year soon after it reaches the 20-aircraft mark required by the Indian regulator.

These issues got further aggravated with Russia’s war on Ukraine as that led to significant raw material sourcing displacement. While this has affected almost industry getting severely crippled. For aviation, it has meant airlines facing delays in getting aircraft, engines, seats and every imaginable component required in this supply chain.