The DGCA intends to increase the size of its technical team by at least 1,000 employees in order to ensure aviation safety in the air and on the ground.
Also read: Airbus set to recruit 13,000 new staff, amidst mass layoffs
An appropriately staffed regulatory agency is required to maintain the safety and effectiveness of air travel given the enormous development that India's aviation sector is expected to see. India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is aware of the possible workload it may encounter in the upcoming years and seeks to have a robust team to carry out its responsibilities successfully.
The DGCA plans to hire 1,000 more employees by the year 2030 to keep up with India's aircraft fleet expansion
So, by 2030, the DGCA hopes to increase its workforce by adding 1,000 new employees. The regulator is maintaining a long-term perspective in its hiring procedure as it is aware of the necessity to keep up with India's fleet size's continuous expansion.
Also read: Vikram Dev Dutt appointed as the Director General of DGCA
“The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has set a target to increase its technical staff count by 1,000 employees by 2030, to 1,600-1,700, from its current strength of nearly 650 people.”
–Anonymous
India experienced a significant number of airline-related events in 2021–2022 including an increase in mechanical problems with domestic airlines' aircraft as they increased flight operations following nearly two years of disruptions caused by COVID.
Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, 478 technical difficulties were documented, according to official data. The airline with the most glitches was Air India (184), which was followed by IndiGo (98), SpiceJet (77), Go FIRST (50), Vistara (40), and AirAsia India (14).
The number of action points in the DGCA's yearly surveillance plan for 2023 will increase to 3,827 from 3,709 in 2022. The strategy would ensure that a greater emphasis is placed on the airworthiness of aircraft, air safety, airport standards, engineering, maintenance, and flying instruction organisations, among others, to raise the bar for India's aviation ecosystem.
478 technical issues were recorded between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022
“There was a rise in occurrences of technical glitches in 2022. The regulator and civil aviation ministry both recognise that while civil aviation norms are in place, enforcement by airlines is sometimes not up to the mark. As a result, effective monitoring is required and hiring more people for the job is part of the solution.”
–Anonymous
In order to recruit technical professionals, the DGCA created 416 jobs in August 2022 as part of its ongoing efforts to tighten regulatory standards.
“Over 4-6 months, over 400 people are expected to be recruited. The process should be completed by year-end. This has to be done as the fleet size of Indian airlines is rising, and effective monitoring of all aspects of air safety must be enforced.”
–Anonymous
The lack of an adequate workforce will progressively be resolved over the following seven years, but the DGCA will continue to monitor airlines.
It recently unveiled new guidelines to reimburse travellers who are involuntarily downgraded from one cabin class to another.
Over the next seven years, the issue of a shortage of qualified workers will gradually be remedied, but the DGCA will keep an eye on airlines
The action follows many recent passenger complaints about airlines forcing them to travel economy class even though they had tickets for a premium cabin. If a domestic flight is downgraded, customers are entitled to a 75% refund of their ticket price, including taxes, from the airline.
For flights above 1,500 kilometres, a customer may claim 30% of the ticket price, including taxes, and for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, 50% of the ticket price can be claimed.
In India, 100 aircraft are expected to be added each year as airlines try to increase their revenue. With millions of people taking to the skies each month, the nation is already close to pre-pandemic levels. Since the skies will only become busier in the upcoming years, the DGCA needs more personnel to improve its monitoring skills and uphold a high level of safety throughout the nation.
Source: Live Mint
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Aviation regulator DGCA on Friday imposed an INR 10 lakh fine on Go First for the incident wherein 55 passengers were left behind in a passenger coach at Bangalore airport on January 9.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to the airline following the incident. For these lapses, the watchdog has imposed a penalty of INR 10 lakh on the airline.
ALSO READ - Go First departs Bengaluru leaving 50 passengers behind; DGCA seeks report
"Perusal of (the) reply of Go First reveals that there was improper communication, and coordination between terminal coordinator, commercial staff and crew regarding (the) boarding of passengers in the aircraft. The airline failed to ensure adequate arrangement for ground handling, preparation of load and trim sheet, flight dispatch and passenger/cargo handling," DGCA said in a statement.
DGCA imposes INR 10 lakh fine on Go First for leaving behind passengers
The airline was ordered to take enforcement action in the form of a financial penalty after the civil aviation regulator determined that the airline had not made adequate arrangements for "ground handling, preparation of load and trim sheet, flight dispatch, and passenger/cargo handling."
After the incident, Go First, in a statement, had said that the error occurred due to an “inadvertent oversight" and all staff responsible for the incident have been put off the roster till the inquiry is on.
ALSO READ - Go First offers 1 free ticket to the passengers left behind; DGCA issues show cause notice
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the passengers due to an inadvertent oversight in the reconciliation of flight G8 116, from Bengaluru to Delhi. Passengers were accommodated on alternate airlines to Delhi and onward to other destinations," Go First had said after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a show-cause notice to the airline citing “multiple mistakes".
The airline also offered one free ticket to each affected passenger to avail on domestic routes, valid for the next year.
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Airbus has stated that it would add more than 13,000 new employees globally in 2023 as it gets ready to ramp up commercial aircraft production.
This is despite many tech businesses laying off staff as a cost-saving tactic owing to concerns about the impending recession and global economic crisis. Airbus exemplifies how ironically the aviation industry is now operating with its necessity of recruiting staff.
Airbus has said that it will hire more than 13,000 new people globally in 2023 as it prepares to ramp up commercial aircraft production
“In 2022 we welcomed more than 13,000 new employees within Team Airbus around the world, in a complex environment which tested our resilience and attractiveness as a global employer.”
–Thierry Baril, Chief Human Resources & Workplace Officer, Airbus
The company stated that the newly employed staff would play a crucial role in assisting it in increasing production as well as the European aircraft manufacturer's "ambitious decarbonization roadmap and preparing the future of aviation."
“We call on talented individuals from all over the world to join us in our journey to make sustainable aerospace a reality and to help us build a better, more diverse and inclusive workplace for all our employees.”
–Thierry Baril added
The focus will be on technical and manufacturing profiles as well as novel positions in fields like energy, cyber, and digital that will assist Airbus' long-term growth. A third of the total number of newly created roles, or 9,000, will be held by recent graduates and will be located in Europe.
The emphasis will be on manufacturing and technical positions as well as in industries like energy, cyber, and digital that will support Airbus' long-term growth
At the moment, Airbus employs over 130,000 people worldwide, including those working on its final assembly lines in China, Europe, and North America.
Workers in the tech sector who lost their jobs as a result of an industry-wide downsizing push now have the ideal chance.
According to Bloomberg, Airbus may consider hiring some employees who have been let go by large technology companies, especially if they have expertise in fields the company is striving to expand. Over 70,000 jobs were cut by major technological giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta (Facebook) in the last year, and employment losses are spreading throughout the industry.
The new hires will assist in addressing challenges in helicopters, space, and defence, and ramping up commercial aircraft.
Throughout 2022, the manufacturer struggled to meet its delivery goals; after twice modifying the goal, it finally settled on 700 aircraft deliveries. Due to a challenging supply chain situation, the European Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) was only able to deliver 661 aircraft.
In early December 2022, Airbus issued a warning to investors that it would not be able to meet that goal. The OEM did, however, emphasise that it would not significantly affect its financial outcomes.
Also read: Airbus abandons its 2022 commercial aircraft delivery goal
According to Reuters, last week, a revived Air India is expected to announce a historic order for 495 aeroplanes on January 27. As part of that order, 235 single-aisle aircraft are expected to be purchased by Airbus.
On January 27, Air India set to make a historic order announcement for 495 aircraft. 235 single-aisle aircraft are anticipated to be purchased by Airbus as part of the agreement.
The agreement, which is approximately divided with rival Boeing, comprises a total of 425 single-aisle aircraft, comprising 235 Airbus A320neo family aircraft and 190 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, according to sources who declined to be named.
According to the sources, the purchase will also likely include up to 70 widebody long-haul aircraft, including up to 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s, and 10 Boeing 777Xs.
Source: CNBC-TV18
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Tata Sons may invest USD 1.5-1.8 billion in the proposed airline to be created after the merger of Air India and Vistara, a report in Mint said on Friday, January 27. The investments will be made from the proceeds received as dividend income from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and other group firms.
"The board (of Tata Sons) has to decide on the exact amount to be invested in Air India-Vistara, among other initiatives by Tata group. A significant portion could be set aside for investment into Air India-Vistara combined," a person aware of the matter told Mint.
The money will be used primarily to expand the fleet, raise the airline's market share by 30%, improve customer service and increase global slot facilities. The infusion may start in the first quarter of 2023-24 (FY24).
About 80% of Tata Sons' dividend income comes from TCS. The report added that the capital considered to be infused into the entity is equivalent to 50-60% of the dividend income received from TCS in FY23.
Tata Sons to invest USD 1.5-1.8 billion in Air India - Vistara merger
“Most plans regarding funding requirements for various areas of the aviation business are ready. Once the regulatory approvals for the merger come in and the allocation is budgeted formally, the work will start. A total infusion of around USD 3 billion in phases should be good enough to start with. Further funding can be done after FY24 if the current investment works as per the plan," the person cited earlier said.
In November last year, Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons announced the merger of Air India and Vistara. Singapore Airlines will hold 25.1% of the merged entity. The merger is expected to be completed by March 2024.
Air India and Vistara will need approvals from several countries, apart from India’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Competition Commission of India, and Reserve Bank of India, to complete the merger. Vistara is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. It typically takes six months for all the requisite approvals.
In addition, the merger requires the sanction of the National Company Law Tribunal and redemption or conversion of certain outstanding liabilities owed by the Airports Authority of India to Tata Sons (and/or its affiliates) on or before the filing of the merger scheme.
Vistara said that as the company awaits regulatory approval for the merger, it will not place any new plane orders.
On January 24, Vistara said that as the company awaits regulatory approval for the merger, it will not place any new plane orders. It will receive its pending order for 17 aircraft by the end of 2024, taking its total fleet to 70 planes.
ALSO READ - Vistara CEO on fleet size, aircraft orders, delays and international expansion
"We have not looked at any orders beyond that," its CEO Vinod Kannan said, according to Reuters. "There has been an announcement about the merger and integration with Air India. Once we have approval from the relevant authorities...we will have to sit down together with Air India as a joint entity to see what we do," he said.
ALSO READ - Air India likely to seal half of an order for some 495 jets with Boeing
Air India, on the other hand, is expected to seal half of an order worth billions of dollars for 495 jets with Boeing and engine suppliers General Electric and CFM International. These will have 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody planes as well as some 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777X aircraft.
(With Inputs from Mint)
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Mumbai Airport has aimed to utilise more than 100 EVs there by FY24 in order to lower its carbon footprint and promote sustainable transportation.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) released a statement saying that the airport operator on Wednesday, January 25, brought out 45 EVs at the facility as part of the strategy to serve runway duties.
Also read: Aviation sustainability: the way forward
As part of its Operational Net Zero aim, the private airport operator also declared that it will switch all of its ICE-powered cars to EVs by 2029 and it also intends to interact with airport stakeholders and encourage them to transition to electric cars as well.
https://twitter.com/CSMIA_Official/status/1618204742399963138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1618204742399963138%7Ctwgr%5E303b22693cef9f10ca3aabda258ddb23c9dbe486%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fzeenews.india.com%2Felectric-vehicles%2Fmumbai-international-airport-adds-45-electric-cars-to-its-fleet-tata-nexon-ev-mg-zs-ev-and-more-2566212.html
In India, the use of electric vehicles is gradually spreading to all ownership and operating levels.
The CSMIA is looking into deploying 60 more EVs in the upcoming fiscal year, including converting ambulances, forwards command posts, security and airside operations, and maintenance utility vehicles, in addition to the 45 EVs that were deployed in January.
There is no specific model that the airport authority has adopted. Four different Electric Vehicles (EVs)—the Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Tata Tigor EV—have been deployed by them.
The Tata Nexon EV was the first domestically produced EV to utilise a high-voltage architecture. Nexon EV Max and Nexon EV Prime, with claimed ranges of 453 km and 312 km, are the two versions that are currently available for purchase.
Prices for the Tigor EV start at Rs 12.49 lakh, ex-showroom. The sole compact electric sedan in the nation as of right now has a stated range of 315 km. With the back bench in position, the boot can hold 315 litres.
There is no specific model that the airport authority has adopted. Four different EVs have been deployed.
The MG ZS EV, which is sold with a 50.3 kWh battery pack, has a 461 km claimed range. It is now available for purchase at a starting price of Rs. 22.98 lakh (ex-showroom). The Astor, which is the ICE version of the MG ZS EV, is also available.
The Mumbai International Airport recently installed 12 DC fast chargers at various locations to make the area more accommodating for electric vehicles. The P1 Multi-level Car Parking (MCLP) at Terminal 1, P5 MCLP at Terminal 2, and Airside of CSMIA all provide DC fast chargers.
Recently, 12 DC fast chargers were placed across the Mumbai International Airport to improve the area's support for Electric Vehicles
According to MIAL, this project will contribute to lowering glasshouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels for transportation by about 25%.
The CSMIA recently won the “Best Sustainable Airport of the Year” award at the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India’s (ASSOCHAM) 14th international conference and awards for civil aviation.
"With every green program that the airport initiates, it brings us a great sense of delight to be able to contribute to the aviation industry's journey towards attaining a sustainable future. It is a great honour for CSMIA to be achieving key milestones that indicate the reduction of carbon emissions under its Environment Social and Governance (ESG) policy commitments. As a responsible airport service provider, CSMIA strives to reduce its impact on the environment. Switching to electric vehicles will help to reduce carbon emissions, thereby lowering the airport's carbon footprint. CSMIA takes pride in its vision and mission to create an ecosystem that is centred to fast-track its journey towards carbon neutrality."
–Spokesperson, CSMIA
The CSMIA recently won the “Best Sustainable Airport of the Year” award at ASSOCHAM's 14th international conference
This would be an advancement in the CSMIA's objective to reach operational Net-Zero emission. This project will contribute to a 25% reduction in Scope 01 Greenhouse Gas emissions, resulting in more environmentally friendly transportation.
Source: Business Standard
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will ask the Indian Ministry of Defense for $4 billion to update the fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.
The upgrade, known as Super Sukhoi, had a 2021 release date. But since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, it has been in limbo.
The upgrade to "Super Sukhoi" was planned to be released in 2021
According to various Indian news portals, the Indian government is now anticipated to approve a revised improvement programme. According to earlier reports, the proposal was changed to emphasise greater employment in the domestic aerospace industry.
About 150 fighter jets would upgrade to the "Super Sukhoi" fifth-generation fighter jet as a HAL nodal agency, greatly enhancing the Indian Air Force's fighter capacity.
In order to complete the Sukhoi-30 MK-I's equipment and systems, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force will work jointly. 150 aircraft will then be modernised.
HAL and the IAF will collaborate to complete the Sukhoi-30 MK-I's equipment and systems
As Sukhoi-30 MKIs are joint products of India and Russia, the "Super Sukhoi" programme has received Russian approval. The Sukhoi will be upgraded using several Russian components and parts. There will be a contemporary cockpit on the "Super Sukhoi." Technically speaking, 150 fighter aircraft are now interoperable with fifth-generation fifty planes thanks to the upgrade's significant avionics and sensor component.
The Upgrades for “Super Sukhoi”
The avionics and sensor systems aboard the jets are the main targets of the enhancements. Notably, an Uttam MK3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar produced by HAL will soon replace the slotted planar array radar, which was developed in the 1980s.
A new locally produced Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system will be used in conjunction with the radar, albeit its benefits over the original OLS-30 system have not yet been revealed.
Along with a new Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC), the cockpit will also be updated with new displays. The capability of the weapons to carry a wider variety of air-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, and sensor pods made in the country is also to be updated.
The Planned Upgrades for Sukhoi Su30-MKI
Other long-range missiles with infrared homing may also be included in the Super Sukhoi's arsenal. Active radar homing medium range 100 km is another option for medium-range missiles. Other 80 km medium-range missiles can be added in addition to this.
The electronics on the Super Sukhoi will be upgraded, and the Super Sukhoi will have more weapon loads. The Super Sukhoi will have the same engine as the FGFA, extending its lifespan.
Testing & Roll Out
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a fourth-generation fighter aircraft created as a Sukhoi Su-30 derivative specifically for India. The Sukhoi Su-30 is a development of the Su-27 from the Soviet era.
The Su-30MKI has continued to be the Indian Air Force's most numerous combat aircraft when deliveries ceased in 2018, serving alongside smaller fleets of Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and MiG-21 aircraft.
Even when deliveries of the Su-30MKI ended in 2018, it remained the Indian Air Force's most numerous combat aircraft
The upgrading programme, which is scheduled to begin in 2024 and deliver the first updated aircraft by 2025, is projected to affect 150 out of the 260 Su-30MKIs operated by the Indian Air Force.
In 2024, HAL will start testing a number of the Super Sukhoi program's components. The Super Sukhoi program's prototypes will introduce new systems gradually, with full-scale modernisation beginning in 2027–28.
The Air Force Sukhoi-30 MK-I's software is degrading so quickly that an upgrade is now required to maintain it useful in upcoming air conflicts. By 2025, the Air Force anticipates having the first Super Sukhoi aircraft in service.
Source: The Defence Times
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