UAE airlines in hiring spree as flight networks get busy

UAE airlines are back to hiring, with Air Arabia and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi joining Emirates and Etihad Airways in wanting more personnel as more services to returning to the skies. For Air Arabia, the recruitments come as it prepares to launch a national airline in Armenia – Fly Arna – by late May.

Not just pilots and cabin crew, the new positions being hired include those for back-office positions. Analysts said the UAE airlines are making ‘replacement hires’ to keep their organizations running smoothly and that it would take a while for new jobs to be created.

Emirates and Etihad have already gone through the process in recent months, with the Dubai airline taking in pilots and cabin crew as well as support staff. Abu Dhabi’s Etihad last October went on a major cabin crew recruitment drive as its network started getting busy.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad is looking to hire up to 1,000 new staffers to join as cabin crew. The recruitment days will take place in 10 countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Russia, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, apart from the UAE.

Etihad Airways is hiring Cabin Crew

Applicants interested in attending the recruitment days should register in advance by visiting Etihad’s website. Employees laid off due to the pandemic can apply through the airline’s alumni programme, which is currently advertising the positions available.

Air Arabia

Sharjah’s low-cost carrier has posted several job roles on the social media platform Linkedin. The only Middle East airline to report a profit in 2020 is launching in Armenia through a joint venture. During a media briefing earlier this month, Air Arabia CEO Adel Al Ali said that more than 100 employees would be needed with the deployment of each new airplane.

“The more airplanes you bring, the more places you will fly to and more people will need to recruit – it’s a moving number that will continue to grow very fast.”

For now, the airline has posted vacancies for a customer relations manager, a codeshare and alliance support executive, a paralegal, a rotatable controller, a manager – propulsion and a ‘key account’ executive.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

UAE’s newest national airline – also flying in the budget space - is slowly but steadily expanding its routes and regional operations. With that comes the need to take in fresh hires to fuel this growth. The latest positions being advertised are for a post holder crew training manager, cabin crew training manager and an office assistant.

Abu Dhabi Aviation

The largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East is on the lookout for a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer as well as an aircraft maintenance assistant.

Airbus too

Not just local carriers and aviation companies, the European aircraft maker Airbus is also into workforce expansion as the industry gears up for a full return to recovery from the pandemic and its multiple variants.

Last week, the European plane-maker announced its plan to recruit around 6,000 new employees across the entire group as the company looks to decarbonize where possible. “Airbus has demonstrated resilience throughout the Covid crisis, and has laid the foundations for a bold future for sustainable aviation,” said Thierry Baril, Airbus Chief Human Resources & Workplace Officer, in a statement.

Ticket rates to Dubai from Indian cities drop

Fares from high-traffic Indian cities to Dubai are recording sharp drops as UAE comes out of its peak tourist season. Seats on the New Delhi to Dubai route can be booked for less than Dh700 compared to the Dh,1000-Dh1,500 a month ago, while a ticket from Mumbai is averaging up to Dh1,000.

Mumbai, which relies heavily on traffic from Dubai, dropped a seven-day quarantine requirement it had imposed on passengers flying in from the UAE. State-wide COVID-19 restrictions were brought back in response to a spike in the highly-transmissible Omicron variant.

Go First is now connecting Srinagar and Sharjah with four weekly flights.

During the pandemic, airlines launched flights to new destinations to tap into the ever-increasing demand for travel. Budget carrier Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has begun operating direct flights to Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. Indian low-cost airline Go First is now connecting Srinagar and Sharjah with four weekly flights.

(With Inputs from Gulf News)

A consortium of lenders led by the State Bank of India (SBI) has agreed to provide loans to Tata Group for the smooth operations of loss-making Air India.

Tata Group, which won the bid to acquire the national carrier along with Air India Express and a 50% stake in AISATS in October 2021, is expected to formally take over the airline on Thursday, January 27.

Sources said the SBI-led consortium has agreed to grant both term loans and working capital loans depending on the airline's requirements.

All large lenders, including Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Union Bank of India, are part of the consortium, they added. Talace Private Limited -- a subsidiary of the Tata Group's holding company Tata Sons -- on October 8, 2021, won the bid to acquire debt-ridden Air India.

A unit of the holding company of the salt-to-software conglomerate had offered INR 18,000 crore as part of its winning bid -- INR 15,300 crore for Air India's existing debt and INR 2,700 crore to be paid as cash to the government.

On October 11, 2021, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was issued to the Tata Group confirming the government's willingness to sell its 100% stake in the airline. On October 25, the Centre signed the share purchase agreement for the deal.

The term loans to Talace will help in retiring the high-cost borrowings of Air India, the sources said.

The deal with the government does not include land and buildings. As per the agreement, Tata Group will retain all the employees of Air India at least for a year.

With the acquisition, Tata Group will have access to a fleet of 117 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, and 24 narrow-body aircraft of Air India Express. Besides, it will get control of 4,400 domestic and 1,800 international landing, and parking slots at domestic airports.

Tata Group had surpassed the INR 15,100 crore offer by a consortium led by SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and the reserve price of INR 12,906 crore set by the government for the sale of its 100% stake in the loss-making carrier.

While this will be the Centre's first privatisation since 2003-04, Air India will be the third airline brand in the Tatas' stable as it holds a majority interest in AirAsia India and Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines Ltd.

As of August 31, 2021, Air India had a total debt of INR 61,562 crore. Around 75% of this debt or INR 46,262 crore will be transferred to a special purpose vehicle AIAHL before handing over the loss-making airline to Tata Group.

Air India started suffering losses every year since its merger with Indian Airlines in 2007-08.

A Turnaround Plan (TAP) and a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) were approved for Air India by the previous UPA regime in 2012. However, the TAP did not work out as expected and Air India continued to reel under losses.

Over the last decade, more than INR 1.10 lakh crore has been infused by way of cash support and loan guarantees into Air India to keep it afloat.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Wednesday, January 26 notified a drone certification scheme to ensure minimum safety and quality requirements as it will boost indigenous manufacturing, an official statement said.

"The drone certification scheme notified on January 26, 2022, under Rule 7 of the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021 will help in simpler, faster and transparent type-certification of drones,” the MoCA said on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/MoCA_GoI/status/1486276167556468737

Along with the liberalised drone rules, airspace map, the PLI (production-linked incentive) scheme and the single window DigitalSky Platform, this will help the drone manufacturing industry in India, grow, it stated."Another step in making India the drone hub of the world by 2030,” it mentioned.

The MoCA had on September 16 last year approved a PLI scheme for drones and drone components with an allocation of Rs 120 crore spread over three financial years.

The PLI scheme came as a follow-through of the liberalised Drone Rules, 2021, released by the MoCA on August 25, 2021.

The certification criteria mentioned in the drone certification scheme (DCS) — which was notified on Wednesday — will apply to indigenous drone manufacturers, assemblers as well as importers, the MoCA noted.

The objective of this DCS is to provide the minimum requirements for airworthiness — safety and security requirements — for drones and enable their evaluation for certification, it mentioned.

A multi-stakeholder steering committee (MSC) chaired by a known professional, who is respected by government and industry alike, will oversee the scheme, along with a QCI (Quality Control of India) secretariat, it stated.

This MSC will also be supported by a technical committee (TC) and a certification committee (CC) that will be constituted by the QCI, the MoCA mentioned.

The manufacturer, while applying for certification of a drone, will have to submit various data and test results on topics such as weight, type of launch and recovery mechanism installed, speed, range, endurance, battery performance, type of material used in construction, according to the MoCA.

AOPA

" PHYSICIAN ROBERT FRAYSER had lifted off in his Comanche 400 from the North Bend, Kansas, airport at 7 AM, en route for a meeting in Topeka. He was flying alone, cruising at 5,500 feet on autopilot, with the sun coming up on a clear, beautiful day. As Per the established routine, he switched the fuel selector to the auxiliary tank and set up the navigation system for nearby Topeka. About 90 minutes later, Dr Frayser found himself in a hayfield. The engine was silent. He was confused, disoriented, and groggy as he struggled to rouse himself from a deep sleep. His head was throbbing.

Thinking he was still in the air, he went through his landing checklist. As he became more oriented to his surroundings, a new reality dawned: The airplane’s right-wing was nearly torn off from an impact with a tree, but the plane was otherwise intact. Aside from a fractured wrist, minor cuts, and bruises, he seemed to be relatively uninjured. But he had no idea where he was. He had no memory of landing.

According to Dr Fraser, since the engines stopped working, no one had noticed the aircraft glide to a landing on the field. He was alone, disoriented, injured, and had a severe headache and ringing inhis ears and had no cognizance of his environment whatsoever.

Question is, what caused the crash? And why was Dr Fraser oblivious to it?

Carbon Monoxide poisoning

Despite being a major contributor to industrial accidents and aviation mishaps, carbon monoxide poisoning is something the pilots tend to ignore.

Carbon Monoxide, chemically abbreviated as "CO", is one of the most common and toxic substances in an aviation environment. In aviation, the most typical sources of CO are exhaust from-internal combustion engines (piston-driven aircraft, airside vehicles and ground servicing equipment), aircraft turbine engine exhaust and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) exhaust.

Auxiliary Power Unit | Representative | Dviation Blog

Aviation fuel contains carbon and is a ready source of carbon monoxide when burned. Although piston engines produce the maximum concentration of carbon monoxide, exhaust from turbine engines can also produce carbon monoxide equally. Furthermore, the risk increases in the event of a post-crash when the levels of the deadly gas can shoot up astronomically within seconds.

Representative | The Telegraph

Why is it lethal?

Due to its properties as a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas, it can quietly build up, resulting in deadly consequences. Therefore it becomes imperative that the pilots recognize carbon monoxide poisoning as quickly as possible.

While on the ground, CO produced externally to an aircraft can enter cabins and flight decks via open doors and hatches. It is equally possible that exhaust gases from other aircraft parked in the vicinity can enter unfiltered via the bleed air and air-conditioning system.

Poisoning symptoms?

Sense of pressure in the headDrowsinessDizzinessRoaring/ringing sensation of the earsConfused and unable to think clearDrunk appearanceVomitingIncontinentConvulsionsBounding pulseCherry red lipsDilated pupilsIncapacitation

Guardian Avionics

Since it has an affinity of 240 times that of oxygen, it will more readily attach to the blood cells. Not surprisingly, symptoms exhibited will be similar to that of hypemic hypoxia- which, in simple terms refers to the decreased ability of the blood to transport oxygen.

This is particularly problematic within the general aviation sector as symptoms of CO poisoning are not always obvious and can happen quickly. Unless immediate action is taken to reduce exposure and reverse the concentration of CO in the blood, unconsciousness is inevitable.

What do the statistics say?

The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, although well documented, still doesn't give an accurate picture of the extent of poisoning.

Analysis of toxicology samples from fatal U.S. aircraft accidents between 1967 and 1993 showed that at least 360 victims had been exposed to sufficient carbon monoxide before or after the crash to impairtheir abilities. Non-fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in aviation is likely a more common occurrence than currently believed.

Representative | Los Angeles Times

Between 1982 and 2020 there were 31 accidents attributed to CO poisoning. Twenty-three of those accidents were fatal, killing 42 people and seriously injuring four moreThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

What can be done to prevent it?

Ideally, the best protection against carbon monoxide poisoning is to avoid exposure. Additionally, an emergency drill incorporating the following may be done in the event of CO poisoning:

Select maximum rate of fresh air ventilation to the cabinTurning off the cabin heat completelyThe windows may be opened based on the current flight profile and operating permits-After removal from CO source, the body only removes about 0.5% from blood every 4 hoursInform Air Traffic Control and land as soon and practicable as possibleSeek medical attention soon on landingHave the aircraft thoroughly checked by a mechanic before continuing further flights.

Alternatively, interactive CO detectors, which are readily available on the market now, can be used. Costing less than $10 and which can be attached to the instrument panel or sidewall with adhesives, they use a chemically activated sensor that darkens when carbon monoxide is present.

AERO 551 Panel Mount Digital CO Detector and Cabin Pressure Warning | FAA and TSO certified | Guardian Avionics

Since pilots are susceptible to multiple distractions in the cockpit, the NTSB has been pushing for both an auditory alarm as well as a light to warn the pilot.

SOURCE(s): Excerpt(s) taken from pilot safety brochures/FAA

COVER: Cineflix

An altercation between a senior Air India pilot and an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) on Tuesday, January 25 at the Srinagar airport led to an hour’s delay on the Srinagar - Delhi flight, the pilot has complained to the airline management.

Hindustan Times has reported that an Air India flight AI 826 was scheduled to take off at 1:10 PM but was delayed as the aircraft engineer refused to abide by the rules, the pilot alleged, according to a copy of the complaint.

The argument picked up when the commandant, flying the Airbus fleet in the airline, brought to the notice of the ground staff that there was an imbalance of 1400kg of fuel (an imbalance of fuel means that the fuel in both the wings was not equally filled, due to which, according to the rules, take off is not allowed). The AME allegedly forced the pilot to accept the aircraft in fuel imbalance condition. The pilot refused and insisted on balancing the fuel for its departure.

Airline officials said that instead of balancing the fuel, the AME allegedly asked the pilot to report the aircraft to have ‘snag’ after which he would declare it to be grounded. “It was after around 35-40 minutes that another AME attended the aircraft and balanced the fuel after which the aircraft took off at around 2:05 PM,” said an official.

The pilot reported the incident to the Air India management and alleged that the AME has behavioural issues. The complaint said, “Due to high-security airport and that too next day (being) Republic Day (I) fail to understand why they want to ground the aircraft. Please look into it through a security angle and intentionally for grounding.”

The complaint further said, “I request for urgent appropriate restitution against outrageous mortification sufficed by the undersigned... This will address the prevalent issues of onerous and worrisome duty of some and insincerity of others keeping in view the high headed behaviour.”

A former airline official, who did not wish to be named, said, “This (is) a classic example of how the new trend in aviation is to fly compromising with the safety of passengers. The trend is seen more with the low-cost carriers coming into the market, which needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.”

There have been numerous incidents of flight delays of Indian carriers, particularly Air India, due to employee arguments while on duty. In 2019, Air India had to ground a pilot and flight purser of a Bengaluru-Kolkata flight for unprofessional behavior. The pilot had asked the flight steward to rinse his lunch box, which he refused to do, resulting in the two fighting in full view of the passengers.

In 2015, two pilots in another Air India flight from Jaipur to New Delhi came to blows in the cockpit while discussing the pre-flight checklist. The first officer reportedly beat up the captain, who still decided to go ahead with the flight to avoid disruption in operations.

Airbus has unveiled plans of commercializing its in-house fleet of Beluga to assist other industries to haul urgently-needed outsized machinery by air.

Pinterest

The announcement comes weeks after the Aerospace behemoth pulled the plug on the production of the iconic A380 "Jumbo Jet". The A380 production was brought to an end in 2021 with the 251st and the last model being delivered to its big-time customer- Emirates.

In what can be touted as the largest commercial freighter by volume from the Western hemisphere, the Airbus Beluga ST, which would be a part of the "Airbus Beluga Transport" fleet, would be deployed in diverse sectors such as space, energy, military, aeronautic, maritime and humanitarian aid.

Here's a quick peek into the iconic Beluga whale, with its iconic bulbous forehead.

Airbus BelugaST

The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), or Beluga, is a version of the standard A300-600 wide-body airliner modified to carry aircraft parts and outsized cargo. It derives its name from "Beluga"- a whale that it resembles. The BelugaXL, its replacement, made its first flight in January 2020. Additionally, they are also used to transport Airbus payloads such as helicopters, satellite components or complete satellites.

Overall length56.16 mHeight17.25 mLoadable volume length39.1 mLoadable cross-section max-height7.1 mMax payload47 tonnesMax take-off weight155 tonnesMax landing weight140 tonnesFuselage width7.7 mAIRBUS

 Managed by the Airbus Transport International (ATI) subsidiary, the company’s five existing Belugas feature one of the most voluminous cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today.

Wikimedia Commons

Airbus would be replacing its five Beluga ST aircraft for internal moves with six new Beluga XLs to support ramped-up airliner production.

Reportedly, the company bagged the first contract end of last year with delivery from Airbus Helicopters’ manufacturing site in Marignane, France, to Kobe, Japan, for an undisclosed customer.

The Beluga’s wider cross-section will open up new markets and new logistical possibilities for customers. In the case of loading helicopters — not having to dismantle them first — really is a plus. Similarly, the largest commercial aircraft engines can be accommodated in a fully dressed configurationsaid Phillippe Sabo, the head of Air Oversize Transport in the announcement

Airbus A300-600ST | The Beluga Carrying Fuselage | AERONEF.NET

Apparently, the Beluga ST are only at 50% of their life and have been designed for 30,000 flight cycles and currently have an average of 15,000-according to Phillippe.

According to analysts, demand for outsized cargoes that can be transported without dismantling them has been rising, partly on the back of weakened supply chains.

Within the past few years, even before COVID-19, we were n approached by several companies asking if our Beluga aircraft were available to perform some charter flightssaid Business Development Manager Reza Fazlollahi

Having previously offered ad hoc charters services to third parties depending on availability, Airbus Beluga Transport will now be a full-time contract carrier.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Aviation Stack Exchange