The race to net zero emissions is on - Airbus solidifies its hydrogen commitment by establishing ZEDC in the UK

Prashant-prabhakar

31 May 2022

Airbus has confirmed its plans of launching a Zero Emissions Development Centre (ZEDC), to be located in Bristol, that will support the airline’s plans to operate hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft prototypes.

The goal of the ZEDC is to achieve cost-competitive cryogenic tank manufacturing to support the successful future market launch of ZEROe and to accelerate the development of hydrogen-propulsion technologies.

The Airbus eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator on a CessnaCitation VII business jet platform | Representative | travelnewsasia

The ZEDC, which will be installed in Filton, Bristol, will be used to design and manufacture components for zero-emission flight technologies, with a specific focus on hydrogen. Reportedly, the facility is touted to develop cost-competitive cryogenic fuel systems, required for its ZEROe passenger aircraft by 2035. Additionally, it will also serve the dual purpose of accelerating UK skills in hydrogen-propulsion technology.

The tank is a safety-critical component, for which specific systems engineering is needed.

Establishing the ZEDC in the UK expands Airbus’ in-house industrial capabilities to design, develop, test and manufacture cryogenic hydrogen storage tanks and related systems for the ZEROe project across Airbus’ four home countries. This, coupled with our partnership with ATI, will allow us to leverage our respective expertise to realise the potential of hydrogen technology to support the decarbonization of the aviation industryAirbus’ chief technical officer Sabine Klauke said

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), back in September 2021, had identified liquid hydrogen as having ‘the highest potential’ as the future fuel in the aviation sector although it came with its own set of challenges with regards to surrounding storage and utilising cryogenic hydrogen on board. Furthermore, it also emphasized that liquid hydrogen had more potential when compared to battery and ammonia in aviation.

Representative | Composites World

LH2 can be more challenging than kerosene because it needs to be stored at -250 °C to liquefy-which is needed for increased density.

It was way back in 2020 that Airbus had first unveiled its futuristic designs for zero-emissions aircraft. The company also signed a partnership agreement earlier this year with CFM International-a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, to collaborate on a hydrogen demonstration programme that will take flight around the middle of this decade.

While both ground and flight tests will be issued for hydrogen-fueled direct combustion engines, the demonstration will use the A380 flight testbed with liquid hydrogen tanks prepared at Airbus facilities in France and Germany.

This is the most significant step undertaken at Airbus to usher in a new era of hydrogen-powered flight since the unveiling of our ZEROe concepts back in September 2020. By leveraging the expertise of American and European engine manufacturers to make progress on hydrogen combustion technology, this international partnership sends a clear message that our industry is committed to making zero-emission flight a realitysaid Sabine Klauke

All three ZEROe concepts are hybrid-hydrogen aircraft.

Reportedly, Delta has become the first US-based airline to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus, as a part of the latter's efforts to commercialise the use of hydrogen for aircraft.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Wings Magazine

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Thousands of aviation jobs available as Singapore compete to recruit talent

Radhika Bansal

30 May 2022

Singapore, which has flung open its borders again, is hosting a two-day job fair through May 28 targeting everyone from graduates to mid-career professionals and former aviation workers who quit during the Covid crisis. Over 6,600 jobs are available at the country’s airport, often voted the world’s best.

As border curbs and mandatory quarantines fall away, a fresh challenge is emerging for global aviation -- rehiring staff fast enough to cope with a rebound in air travel that is already straining the industry.

The task is to lure people to work in an industry that’s been decimated by the virus. Job losses and pay cuts hit aviation workers hard, and many have taken up other, less volatile careers. That resulted in a lack of manpower to properly handle the recovery.

Thousands of aviation jobs are available as Singapore competes to recruit talent

Sydney Airport has struggled with queues and flight disruptions, while staff shortages at London’s Heathrow Airport hurt the earnings of British Airways Plc parent IAG SA.

“People may be thinking twice about returning to such a cyclical industry, especially with economic growth concerns on the horizon,” said Jason Sum, an analyst at DBS Bank Ltd.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., which saw its workforce shrink 37% from 2019 high to the end of 2021, sent out emails to hundreds of former cabin crew to gauge their interest in rejoining the company, according to a person familiar with the matter. It’s an uphill task for a carrier hit harder than most due to Hong Kong’s travel restrictions.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., which saw its workforce shrink 37% from 2019 high to the end of 2021

In its recently released 2021 sustainability report, Cathay said the number of permanent employees voluntarily leaving jumped to a record high of 17%. Two-fifths of all departures were aged under 30, a sign that younger people may have concluded that aviation isn’t a viable career.

In the US, which reopened quicker than in Asia, thousands of flights were cancelled by Southwest Airlines Co. and American Airlines Group Inc. last year partly due to crew issues.

Dutch airline KLM capped the sale of flights from its Amsterdam Schiphol hub due to an acute shortage of airport security staff.

Travel Strains

Airline passengers, having been starved of travel options for so long, are getting frustrated as the impact of staffing shortages becomes clear. According to SITA Baggage IT Insights, airlines mishandled 24% more bags in 2021 than in 2020, as international and long-haul flights resumed.

In India, 79% of customers said service and the behaviour of airline staff have deteriorated sharply since Covid

ALSO READ - Indian carriers not living up to the expectations of passengers – Survey

In India, 79% of customers said service and the behaviour of airline staff have deteriorated sharply since Covid, a survey undertaken for Bloomberg News shows.

Hiring at Singapore’s Changi Airport will be focused on front-line passenger-service positions, cargo, retail and cleaning, the airport operator said.

Before Covid, air transport and spending by foreign tourists arriving in Singapore by air contributed 11.8% to the local economy and supported 375,000 jobs, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Hiring at Singapore’s Changi Airport will be focused on front-line passenger-service positions, cargo, retail and cleaning.

A wide range of companies are looking for talent at the job fair, including Pratt & Whitney Engine Services Inc., duty-free operator Lotte Travel Retail Singapore and ground-handling and caterer SATS Ltd.

There are openings for service staff at check-in rows, food inspectors and emergency services, according to Changi Airport.

Singapore Rebound

Work has resumed work on Terminal 5 at Singapore’s Changi Airport after being halted two years ago, while there are also plans to reopen Terminal 2 this weekend. Passenger traffic at the airport has returned to close to 50% of pre-Covid levels from less than 20% in mid-March.

Work has resumed work on Terminal 5 at Singapore’s Changi Airport after being halted two years ago, while there are also plans to reopen Terminal 2 this weekend

“More flights and passengers mean more airport staff are needed to support this growth,” Changi said in a statement. “Airport partners are offering market-competitive salaries, incentives, and better career prospects.”

Among them, SATS was offering an SD 5,000 ($3,650) joining bonus for baggage handling and catering jobs that pay a maximum of SD 3,000 a month.

(With Inputs from Bloomberg)

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IndiGo penalised INR 5 lakh for refusing to board a specially-abled child

Radhika Bansal

30 May 2022

Aviation regulator DGCA on Saturday, May 28 said it has imposed a fine of INR 5 lakh on IndiGo airline for denying boarding to a specially-abled child at Ranchi airport on May 7.

IndiGo had on May 9 said the boy was denied permission to board the Ranchi-Hyderabad flight as he was visibly in panic. After the boy was prohibited from boarding, his parents also decided not to enter the plane.

Order of the DGCA

The regulator said to avoid such situations in the future, it would revisit its regulations, making it mandatory for airlines to take the airport doctor's written opinion on the health of a passenger before deciding to deny boarding.

Moreover, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the new regulations would make sure that there is also a written consultation with the captain of the aircraft for his or her opinion on allowing such a passenger on board.

The DGCA had on May 9 formed a three-member team to investigate the May 7 incident. The regulator on Saturday, May 28 said, "It has been observed that the handling of the special child by the Indigo ground staff was deficient and ended up exacerbating the situation."

IndiGo penalised INR 5 lakh for refusing to board a specially-abled child

More compassionate handling would have smoothened nerves, calmed the child and obviated the need for the extreme step resulting in the passengers being denied boarding.

Special situations deserve extraordinary responses but the airline's staff failed to rise to the occasion, and in the process, committed lapses in adherence to the letter and spirit of the Civil Aviation Requirements (regulations), it noted.

The DGCA has also suggested that airlines should revisit their standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training processes to handle such cases and to bring a more humane touch.

IndiGo had on May 9 said the boy was denied permission to board the Ranchi-Hyderabad flight as he was visibly in panic.

Given this, the competent authority in the DGCA has decided to impose a penalty of INR 5 lakh on the airline under the provisions of the relevant aircraft rules, it mentioned.

ALSO READ - DGCA finds Indigo at fault after not allowing specially-abled child onboard

The three-member team's preliminary findings had on May 16 found IndiGo to violate its regulations, and therefore, the airline was issued a show-cause notice.

To ensure justice, the regulator conducted a personal hearing and allowed the parties to give their written submissions on this incident.

The letter issued by IndiGo

After following the "due process of law", the DGCA decided to impose an INR 5 lakh fine on the carrier. IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta had on May 9 expressed regret over the incident and offered to buy an electric wheelchair for the specially-abled child.

Dutta had said the airline staff took the best possible decision under difficult circumstances.

Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had on May 9 said on Twitter that no human being should have to go through this and he was investigating the Ranchi incident.

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'Drone Destination' aims to open 150 drone pilot training schools by 2025

Radhika Bansal

30 May 2022

Delhi-based company 'Drone Destination' plans to establish at least 150 drone pilot training schools across the country by 2025, its CEO Chirag Sharma has said.

"We intend to partner with universities, agricultural institutes and police academies to serve the distinct needs of the ecosystem and enable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to over 1 lakh individuals required by our industry by 2025.The company has so far opened six centres: four in association with Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), the largest flying training organisation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation at Gurugram, Bengaluru, Gwalior and Dharamshala; one in association with Sanskardham Global Mission Institute; and the most recent launch at Punjab's first Drone Training School in Chandigarh University."Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination

Drone Destination is India's first remote pilot training organisation approved by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the new Drone Rules, 2021. It currently runs six remote pilot training schools in the country.

The company is adding two more schools to its network in association with Hindusthan College of Engineering in Coimbatore and with Vaigai College of Engineering in Madurai, he said.

'Drone Destination' aims to open 150 drone pilot training schools by 2025

While inaugurating the two-day-long Drone Festival of India on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said he dreams that everyone in India to have a smartphone, for every farm to have a drone and for every house prospers.

"Promotion of drone technology is another medium of advancing our commitment to good governance and ease of living. In the form of drones, we have a smart tool that is going to be part and parcel of people's lives,'' Modi had said.

Sharma told PTI, "The company has trained 500 pilots over the past few months. We intend to train about 1,500-2,000 pilots from the Gurugram centre in the coming year, and 500 pilots each from other locations."

Drone Destination is India's first remote pilot training organisation approved by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the new Drone Rules, 2021.

He said Drone Destination plans to open a large network of "150-plus drone hubs by 2025 offering drone training, rent a drone, and drone services from each hub".

ALSO READ - Haryana signs a drone training agreement with IGRUA and Drone Destination

Drone Destination, in association with IGRUA, has also conducted several Train-the-Trainer courses and has developed more than 150 DGCA-approved drone instructors in the country, he mentioned.

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Nepal's Tara Air crash - 14 bodies recovered, reason for the crash unknown

Radhika Bansal

30 May 2022

Rescuers on Monday, May 30 pulled out 14 bodies from the wreckage of the Tara Air plane that crashed in Nepal’s mountainous Mustang district with 22 people on board, including four Indians, according to a media report.

Pieces of the wreckage of the passenger plane that crashed on Sunday, May 29 morning were found at 14,500ft in Sano Sware Bhir of Thasang in Mustang district in northwestern Nepal, after nearly 20 hours since the plane went missing, the Nepal Army said on Monday, May 30.

flightradar24.com shows the position of the aircraft where it had made the last contact.

The Twin Otter 9N-AET plane belonging to Tara Air took off at 10:15 AM from Pokhara, and lost contact with the control tower 15 minutes later, according to an airline spokesperson.

The missing plane was carrying four Indians, two Germans and 13 Nepalese nationals, with 3 crew members. The remaining passengers were Nepalese citizens and among a total of 22 passengers, including the crew.

The aircraft was scheduled to land at Jomsom Airport in the Western mountainous region at 10:15 am. According to an air traffic controller at Jomsom Airport, they have an unconfirmed report about a loud noise reported in the Ghasa region of Jomsom, according to the Post report.

Nepal's Tara Air crash - 14 bodies recovered, the reason for the crash unknown

The search and rescue troops have physically located the plane crash site. Details will be followed, Nepal Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Narayan Silwal said on Twitter. Crash site: Sanosware, Thasang-2, Mustang, he tweeted along with a picture of what appears to be the wreckage of the aircraft.

Lt Mangal Shrestha, a police inspector and guide has already reached the site, he said. ”Other rescue team members from different agencies are trying to reach the sites using small helicopters. Every possible means to reach the site is being considered,” Brig Gen. Silwal said.

Rescuers pulled out 14 bodies from the crash site and have been scouring the area for the remains of the others, according to rescuers, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.

A US-Bangla Airlines flight from Dhaka to Kathmandu in 2018 had crashed on landing, and caught fire, killing 51 of 71 people on the plane.

The airline issued the list of passengers which identified four Indians as Ashok Kumar Tripathy, his wife Vaibhavi Bandekar (Tripathy) and their children Dhanush and Ritika. The family was based in Thane city near Mumbai.

Air safety concerns in Nepal have long plagued the aviation industry. A US-Bangla Airlines flight from Dhaka to Kathmandu in 2018 had crashed on landing, and caught fire, killing 51 of 71 people on the plane.

In 2016, a Tara Air plane crashed on the Pokhara-Jomsom route, killing all 23 people on board.

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Spicejet aircraft returns to Mumbai due to cracked windshield

Radhika Bansal

30 May 2022

A SpiceJet plane, which was heading to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, returned to Mumbai on Saturday, May 28 after a crack was observed on the windshield, according to an official statement.

"On May 28, SpiceJet Boeing 737 aircraft was scheduled to operate SG-385 (Mumbai-Gorakhpur). During the cruise, the windshield outer pane was observed to be cracked," the airline's spokesperson said.

The pilot-in-command decided to return to Mumbai, the spokesperson said. The air traffic controller was apprised and the aircraft landed safely at the Mumbai airport, the spokesperson added.

Spicejet aircraft returns to Mumbai due to cracked windshield

This comes a day after the private airliner said a ransomware attack on IT systems has affected its audit process. Owing to this, SpiceJet announced that there will be a delay in the announcement of its Q4 results for FY2021-22.

"We wish to inform you that we are expecting a delay in submission of audited standalone and consolidated financial results of the company for the financial year ended March 31, 2022, with the stock exchange in terms of Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 due to ransomware attack on our IT systems which has affected the completion of the audit process within the stipulated time," SpiceJet said in a regulatory filing on May 27.

ALSO READ - SpiceJet under attack by ransomware; morning flights affected

Two days ago, Spice Jet had announced an attempted ransomware attack, which had slowed down its operations and impacted flight departures.

SpiceJet flights at Delhi airport were delayed last week due to a delay in the airline's daily payment to the Airports Authority of India.

On May 18, a Goa-bound SpiceJet flight had to return to Pune due to a technical issue. More details regarding the technical issue were not revealed by airline operators.

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

In another incident, several SpiceJet flights at Delhi airport were delayed last week due to a delay in the airline's daily payment to the Airports Authority of India. The glitch was fixed and the operation became normal, a SpiceJet spokesperson later confirmed.

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