New vehicle set to absorb Air India debt, sell off units

New Delhi has approved the establishment of a special purpose company that will take around half of Air India’s debt and four subsidiaries that are set to be sold off. Air India Asset Holdings was incorporated on 22 January, and will take Rs295 billion ($4.4 billion) of the carrier’s unsecured debt, along with regional unit […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/new-vehicle-set-to-absorb-air-india-debt-sell-off-units/

China Southern converts two 777-300ER orders to 777Fs

China Southern Airlines has converted an order for two Boeing 777-300ERs to 777-200LR Freighters. The carrier disclosed the order change in a stock exchange statement, and adds that the two freighter aircraft will be delivered in 2020. The two 777-300ERs are from an October 2017 order for eight that were scheduled for delivery between 2019 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/china-southern-converts-two-777-300er-orders-to-777fs/

India set to welcome its hero – Wing Commander Abhinandan

It was India's diplomacy which finally did a great job in the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan. Pakistan bent for the first time under immense pressure from the international community. This is the first time when Pakistan has announced to release an Indian soldier so soon. Earlier on several occasions Pakistan had inhumanly treated Indian soldiers captured. Pakistan had violated the Geneva Treaty every time.

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/pilot-release/

Southwest acknowledges Berkshire Hathaway takeover rumours

Southwest Airlines has acknowledged speculation that Berkshire Hathaway – already one of Southwest’s largest investors – has interest in acquiring the carrier. Though such speculation has arisen before, renewed suggestions that Berkshire and its chief executive Warren Buffett might target for Southwest for a takeover surfaced on 28 February. “There has been speculation circulating that […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/southwest-acknowledges-berkshire-hathaway-takeover-rumours/

Court declares InselAir bankrupt

A Curacao court has declared already-grounded local airline InselAir International bankrupt. The decision of the Common Court of Justice of Willemstad was announced after the airline failed to attract a strategic investor and had lost its air operator’s certificate earlier this month. On 2 February, what had once been the principal airline of the Dutch […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/court-declares-inselair-bankrupt/

India welcomes today the return of captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD

Indian military officials said on Thursday they welcomed Pakistan’s planned return of a captured pilot, but did not confirm they would de-escalate a conflict between India and Pakistan.

The pilot, identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan, became the human face of the flare-up over the contested claims on terrorist activities in Pakistan.

“We are happy our pilot is being released,” said Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor, at a joint news conference of India’s three armed forces on Thursday evening.

He did not affirm whether India considered the return a de-escalation in the conflict. Tensions escalated following a suicide car bombing that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in Pulwama on Feb. 14.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said the pilot would be released on Friday, to the relief of many Indians. “As a peace gesture we will be releasing him tomorrow,” Khan told Pakistan’s parliament on Thursday afternoon. Lawmakers thumped their desks in response.

The U.S., China, EU and other powers pressurized Pakistan to take this step while urging restraint from the two nations. Khan’s decision to release the pilot came after several countries offered diplomatic assistance to mediate between two countries.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also proposed to facilitate dialogue between India and Pakistan.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after Khan’s announcement that he had spoken to the leaders of both countries and urged them to avoid “any action that would escalate and greatly increase risk”.

China’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, spoke on telephone with Pakistan’s foreign minister and expressed “deep concern”.

India also pressured Pakistan through the Arab world. Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to India Saud Mohammad Al-Sati met with Prime Minister Modi on Thursday.

The U.S., Britain and France have proposed the United Nations Security Council to blacklist Masood Azhar, the head of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, the group that claimed responsibility for the Feb. 14 attack. China is, however, likely to be oppose the move as it has been doing earlier.

In 2017, the United States, Britain and France came together with a similar offer. However, on every occasion, the permanent member of the United Nations, China, used veto on it and stalled India’s efforts. This time too, China will be the viewer. It is no secret that China is close to Pakistan.

On 26/2/19, India’s fighter jets hit training camps of the Pakistan-based group who claimed responsibility for the suicide attack, and a senior government source told reporters that 300 militants had been killed.

Pakistan denies this, saying the attack was a failure and no one died, with bombs dropped on a largely empty hillside. It denies any militant camp was in the area. Local people said they had seen no sign of major casualties or significant damage, with only one man known to have been slightly hurt by the bombs.

Asked about the damage caused by Indian warplanes in Tuesday’s air strike, Kapoor said it was premature to provide details about casualties. But they said they had “credible” evidence of the damage inflicted on the camp by the air strikes.

“Whatever we intended to destroy, we did,” he said.

Earlier, the U.S. President Trump said he expected “reasonably decent news” regarding the conflict between India and Pakistan, adding that the United States was trying to mediate.

“They have been going at it and we have been involved in trying to have them stop,” Trump said in Hanoi, where he was attending a summit with North Korea’s leader.

“We have been in the middle trying to help them both out.”

As a precaution amid the increased military activity, Pakistan has shut its airspace, forcing commercial airlines to reroute. Thai Airways International announced on Thursday that it had cancelled flights to Pakistan and Europe, which left thousands of passengers stranded in Bangkok.

Also Read: Flights axed, diverted as India-Pakistan tensions soar

Air Canada raises financial goals through 2021

Air Canada has set higher financial expectations through 2021 as its international network expands, targeting a 19-22% annual modified profit margin through the period and an annual return on invested capital of 16-20%. These expectations announced on 28 February in Montreal at Air Canada’s investor day are more ambitious than those the airline presented to […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/air-canada-raises-financial-goals-through-2021/

PICTURES: Alaska unveils new Airbus cabins

Alaska Airlines will begin operating Airbus aircraft with cabin upgrades including new premium seats this year, with the goal of updating 36% of its cabins by “early 2020.” “Just two years after acquiring Virgin America, we’re thrilled to introduce a modern cabin that aligns the onboard experience across our fleet,” Alaska president Ben Minicucci says […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-alaska-unveils-new-airbus-cabins/

BA looks towards 777-200 successor after 777-9 order

IAG has stressed that British Airways still has a requirement for a substantial number of Boeing 777-200ERs, following the intense competition which resulted in its ordering up to 42 Boeing 777-9s. Chief executive Willie Walsh states that BA engaged with all four of the airframe and engine suppliers – Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and General Electric […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/ba-looks-towards-777-200-successor-after-777-9-order/

British Airways orders up to 42 777-9s

British Airways is ordering up to 42 Boeing 777-9s to modernise the UK flag-carrier’s long-haul fleet. Eighteen aircraft are firm orders, complemented by another 24 as options. The twinjets will be fitted with 325 seats in a four-class configuration. Boeing BA parent IAG has disclosed the decision. It says the 777-9s will be used to […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/british-airways-orders-up-to-42-777-9s/

United States, Britain and France support India to ban Azhar in UN

The whole world condemned the attack on the February 14 attack in Pulwama of Jammu and Kashmir. After this attack, once again, India reiterated its demand for declaring Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) guru Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. The United States, Britain and France have supported India. Now these countries have asked the United Nations Security […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/azhar/

FAA grants Southwest approval for Hawaii flights

Southwest Airlines has received Federal Aviation Administration authority to fly passengers to Hawaii after the government shutdown delayed regulatory approval.

The FAA granted the carrier the extended twin-engined operations authority (ETOPS) required to operate the overwater flights, the airline adds.

“We’ll finalise our plans for offering service to Hawaii, and we’ll publicly announce our timing for selling tickets and inaugurating flights to the Hawaiian Islands in the coming days,” a spokesperson for Southwest says in a statement.

The FAA confirms the approval in a statement, adding, “as standard practice, we will increase our surveillance of its operations for six months as service begins”.

The Dallas-based airline had hoped to sell tickets for Hawaii flights before the government shutdown in January delayed the process. It aims to offer flights between Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose, and Honolulu, Kahului, Kona and Lihue, it has said.

Earlier this month Southwest said it intended to conduct a validation flight from Oakland to Honolulu using a Boeing 737-800.

FAA grants Southwest approval for Hawaii flights

Southwest Airlines has received Federal Aviation Administration authority to fly passengers to Hawaii after the government shutdown delayed regulatory approval. The FAA granted the carrier the extended twin-engined operations authority (ETOPS) required to operate the overwater flights, the airline adds. “We’ll finalise our plans for offering service to Hawaii, and we’ll publicly announce our timing […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/faa-grants-southwest-approval-for-hawaii-flights/

Wizz considering Russian flights from UK

Wizz Air is examining the possibility of starting flights from the UK to Russia. Speaking to FlightGlobal in London today, its chief executive Jozsef Varadi said the carrier could use the air operator’s certificate acquired for its Wizz Air UK subsidiary to serve Russian destinations. He says Wizz Air UK is trying to secure status […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/wizz-considering-russian-flights-from-uk/

Lessors repossess 7 more Jet planes

Jet Airways Ltd had to ground seven more of its planes as it did not pay its lessors their due. Thus, the tally of planes withdrawn from its fleet due to the defaults in lease payments up to 13. Jet Airways has a fleet of about 123 mainly Boeing planes, including 16-owned aircraft. The rest […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/7-more-jet-planes/

Cross-border tension continues to brew over the capture of Abhinandan Varthaman

Pakistan made a sensational claim that during an aerial engagement on Wednesday, two India jets had been shot down and two Indian pilots were in Pakistan's custody. Later, Pakistan retracted and said that it has just one Indian pilot- Abhinandan Varthaman- in their custody

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/abhinandan/

It’s advantage Narendra Modi all the way

New Delhi: India’s air strike early on Tuesday morning, well into Pakistan territory in reply to the Pulwama attack on Indian jawans earlier this month, could well change the narrative for the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2019 general election.

Noted economist Swaminathan Aiyar on Tuesday said India’s pre-dawn air strikes on the terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) in a strong response to the Pulwama terror attack may have improved the prospects of the Narendra Modi BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“I always rated Modi’s prospects in the forthcoming elections as 50:50. This may now boost Modi’s prospects,” Swami told ETNow in an interview. He, however, said a lot will depend on how the situation evolves from here on. “The key thing to watch is how Pakistan responds,” he said.

Reeling under the Rafale controversy, economic slowdown, growing unemployment, the alliance of Opposition parties taking a threatening shape and Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into politics, the BJP had its back to the wall.

Tuesday’s early morning air strike, destroying the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp inside Pakistan, could put the BJP way ahead of others in the run-up to the 2019 parliamentary elections.

Within hours of the strike, an aggressive Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared at a public rally in Churu in Rajasthan: “I promise this that I will not let this country bow down. India is in safe hands.”

Swami said Pakistan’s economy is not in good condition, but that may not be relevant at this time, as the question of national honour is bigger than the economy.

He said this action is not a guarantee that there will not be any further terror attacks. “After Uri strike, there were more cases of infiltrations,” he noted.

The Opposition, which was sharpening its knives to take on the government over the reported “intelligence failure” on the Pulwama terror attack, was not merely stumped but was all praise for the Indian Air Force.

Even as they chose to ignore the PM in their praise, a senior Congress leader pointed out: “No doubt Modi has surged ahead with the air strike.” With the strike, Mr Modi has regained his image as a “strong and decisive” leader. A BJP leader said, “Now you know what the man with 56-inch chest can do.”

BJP president Amit Shah tweeted, “I congratulate and salute the bravery and valour of our armed forces. Today’s action further demonstrates that India is safe and secure under the strong & decisive leadership of PM @narendramodi.”

…

Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism ink co-operation agreement

National carrier Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism signed a tourism development co-operation agreement in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Tuesday that runs through 2021.

The signing ceremony took place under the witness of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, who ended his two-day working visit to Cambodia on Tuesday.

As one of airlines that carries the highest volumes of passengers to Cambodia, Vietnam Airlines said it would make an important contribution to the development of the tourism in “Southeast Asia’s golden land” through this co-operation agreement.

According to the agreement, the airline will promote Cambodian tourism through fairs in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism to build common tourism products and organise workshops.

Vietnam Airlines will consider opening new routes connecting Ha Long Bay and Da Nang to Cambodia’s destinations including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

The carrier will also support the provision of free tickets for Cambodian officials and experts attending workshops and training programmes for resource development; create employment opportunities at the airline for outstanding students in the tourism industry; implement marketing programmes; and introduce products to key markets to improve the quality of travel and accommodation services in Cambodia.

CEO of Vietnam Airlines Duong Tri Thanh said the co-operation between Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism meant consolidating and expanding the fundamental relationship between the two countries.

“Vietnam Airlines is delighted to be the ‘air messenger’ along with Cambodia in the fields of aviation tourism and trade promotion, contributing to boosting the Cambodian economy,” Thanh said.

In 2018, the two-way passenger volume of Viet Nam and Cambodia on Vietnam Airlines was more than 700,000 seats.

Vietnam Airlines has operated the route connecting Viet Nam with Cambodia for more than 40 years. The carrier is currently operating two routes across Indochina and three direct routes to Cambodia including Ha Noi-Siem Reap, HCM City-Siem Reap and HCM City-Phnom Penh with a total frequency of 56 flights per week.

In addition, Cambodia Angkor Air also operates routes from Da Nang to Siem Reap, and between HCM City and Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, with a total frequency of 56 flights per week.

It is expected that from April 2019, Vietnam Airlines will run four flights per week on the Da Nang-Siem Reap route. Vietnam News/ANN

SBI calls emergency meeting on Jet Airways to thrash out contentious issues

State Bank of India, which leads the consortium of lenders for Jet Airways, has called an urgent meeting of its members on Wednesday to thrash out contentious issues between promoter Naresh Goyal and his joint venture partner Etihad Airways as well as resolve other matters with the banks.

According to sources, top executives of both the companies are expected to come for the discussion.

It is believed that Goyal, as well as Etihad group Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas, has been invited for the meeting.

Etihad, according to sources, wants the size of the rights issue to be increased to Rs 5,000 crore instead of Rs 4,000 crore as envisaged in the bank-led provisional resolution plan. That is because it wants to limit its exposure to Rs 1,400 crore and peg its stake in the company to its current level of 24 per cent. It wants banks and another financial investor (talks are on to bring in the National Infrastructure and Investment Fund) to bring in more funds — from the earlier planned Rs 2,000 crore now to Rs 3,000 crore.

It does not want to be designated promoter of the company. Instead, it wants Goyal to be the sole promoter, a condition not acceptable to him because he is on the brink of losing control of the management of the company and might not have board membership.

Etihad also wants Goyal to pledge his shares in Jet as well as Jet Privilege Pvt Ltd to the banks and raise money, again a move not acceptable to Goyal.

The Gulf carrier has been pitching for the lenders and the new investor taking 51 per cent in the company.

It has sought the right of first refusal after one year in the case of a sale of shares and has asked SBI to get an endorsement from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) that in case it exercises this right, the mandatory open offer requirement will not be triggered.

However, Sebi is not willing to make an exemption and neither is SBI willing to give the right of first refusal.

A Jet Airways spokesperson, when contacted, said: “In line with its policy, Jet Airways does not comment on speculation”.

An e mail query to Etihad did not elicit any response.

However, in a joint statement on Monday Jet Airways and Etihad said they were working together on a resolution plan to make the airline robust and viable. Etihad Airways is learnt to have abstained from voting on resolutions to convert Jet Airways’ debt into equity in the extraordinary general meeting on Thursday.

The airlines wanted clarity on all the questions they had raised before they endorsed the resolution plan.

The lenders, however, may seek additional securities, including share pledges or guarantees from promoters, while sanctioning loans, and are not planning to move the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) at present. A delay in clearing the resolution plan would make it difficult for the airlines to negotiate interim funding from banks. The lenders’ consortium is considering a Rs 500-crore loan, but a final decision is yet to be taken, Punjab National Bank Managing Director Sunil Mehta had said on Friday.

Flights axed, diverted as India-Pakistan tensions soar

Numerous flights were cancelled or diverted Wednesday after Pakistan closed its airspace and India shut airports, as soaring tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals stoked fears of a full-blown conflict.

The closures came after Pakistan said it had shot down two Indian Air Force planes in its airspace over disputed Kashmir. India said its forces shot down a Pakistani fighter jet, but also lost one of its own planes.

The air traffic disruption was affecting routes passing through the region that are popular with Western holidaymakers, with an industry body saying that a huge number of flights to Southeast Asia may have to be diverted.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority and the military said the country’s entire airspace had been closed, with a CAA source telling AFP that all airlines had been notified to “suspend their operations in Pakistan until further notice”.

Pakistan International Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, warned that “flights may be affected due to closure of Pakistan commercial air space”.

In India, at least six airports were shut – Srinagar, Jammu and Leh in Kashmir and Amritsar, Chandigarh and Dehradun, and a vast area of airspace north of New Delhi was closed to civilian flights.

Scores of flights were cancelled and many between Asia and Europe that would normally fly over Kashmir have been diverted, aviation company officials said on condition of anonymity.

The Aviation Authority of India did not respond to requests for comment.

A map of live air traffic in the area by monitoring group Flight Radar showed almost no flights over Pakistan or in a strip of land across the border on the Indian side.

“International flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected,” the group said on Twitter.

“Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing.”

A spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, an industry group representing many of the world’s airlines, did not immediately have details about all the affected flights.

But he said about 220 flights usually pass through Pakistani airspace each day between Europe and Southeast Asia.

“Alternative routes are available for the flights impacted by the closure of Pakistan airspace,” he said.

India and Pakistan’s ties have been under intense strain since a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian Kashmir that killed 40 troops.

Tensions escalate as Indian airstrike hits inside Pakistan

Tensions escalated sharply on the Asian subcontinent Tuesday with nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India trading accusations and warnings after a pre-dawn airstrike by India that New Delhi said targeted a terrorist training camp.

The Feb. 14 attack was the worst on Indian forces since the start of the 1989 insurgency in Kashmir and came as anticipation rises for an Indian general election, which is due by May.

Addressing a rally of former soldiers in the Indian state of Rajasthan hours after the airstrike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was in “safe hands.”

“I vow that I will not let the country bow down,” he said.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemned Tuesday’s incursion, saying New Delhi had “endangered” peace in the region for political gains.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan dismissed India’s account of the airstrike on a terrorist training camp as “self-serving, reckless and fictitious.”

Earlier this month, Khan had authorized the army to “respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure” by India, after New Delhi vowed a “jaw-breaking response” to the Kashmir suicide bombing.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo encouraged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.

A statement from his spokesperson’s office said Pompeo spoke to government ministers of both countries and underscored to Pakistan the urgency of taking meaningful action against terrorist groups on its soil.

Pakistan has vowed to help investigate the suicide bombing and to take action against anyone found to be using Pakistani soil for attacks on India.

It also offered to hold a dialogue with India on all issues, including terrorism.

Kashmir, which is split between the two countries but claimed by each in its entirety, has been the cause of two wars between the neighbors.

They fought a third war in 1979 over East Pakistan, which gained independence with the help of India and became Bangladesh.

Insurgents in Indian-controlled Kashmir have been demanding either outright independence or union with Pakistan.

India routinely accuses Pakistan of arming and training militants who cross the mountainous Himalayan region.

The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing. The bomber, who made a video beforehand, was a resident of Indian-controlled sector of Kashmir.

Muhammad Amir Rana, a security analyst and executive director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, urged the international community to move quickly to de-escalate tensions.

“It’s quite critical and it is important that the international community intervene quickly to start a peace process between India and Pakistan,” he said, adding that the United States, China and Russia should take the lead.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, urged both sides to show restraint.

“We hope that both India and Pakistan can … take actions that will help stabilize the situation in the region and help to improve mutual relations,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

Pakistan said Tuesday that Indian warplanes crossed into its airspace over the ceasefire line in Kashmir and dropped payloads, after tensions spiked between the nuclear-armed neighbours over the disputed region.

“Indian Air Force violated Line of Control,” Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted, referring to the de facto border between Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan Air Force jets were scrambled in response to the incursion, Ghafoor said.

“Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force (the Indian aircraft) released payload in haste while escaping near Balakot. No casualties or damage.”

He did not provide further information on the location, and whether it was a town of that name in Pakistani-administered Kashmir or further into its territory.

Ghafoor tweeted images of what he said was the payload, showing what appeared to be pieces of metal in a heavily forested area.

There was no immediate comment from New Delhi.

However, Indian news reports said that air force jets hit multiple targets including camps run by Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Islamist group that claimed the February 14 suicide attack in Kashmir that sent tensions soaring.

“Top government sources said that there were nearly 200 casualties from the (Indian Air Force) strike,” private broadcaster CNN News 18 said.

New Delhi had threatened to retaliate after the deadliest attack in three decades in Kashmir killed more than 40 Indian paramilitaries.

Islamabad has said it had nothing to do with the attack, and warned it will retaliate if India launches any strike.

JeM is one of several anti-Indian groups fighting in Kashmir, which has been claimed by both India and Pakistan since independence in 1947.

They have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan territory.

Pakistan’s interior ministry announced last week that authorities had seized control of a complex believed to be the JeM headquarters.

​PICTURES: Comair 737 Max arrives in British Airways livery

South African airline Comair has begun its fleet renewal programme with the delivery of the first of eight Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Boeing The first aircraft is adorned with the livery of British Airways, for whom the Johannesburg-based carrier operates under franchise. Comair’s existing all-Boeing fleet includes 18 737NG and seven 737 Classic aircraft, […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bpictures-comair-737-max-arrives-in-british-airways-livery/

Border clashes shut Pakistan’s airspace and north Indian airports

Pakistan’s civil aviation authority has confirmed the closure of its airspace, while its Indian counterpart has barred all flights from eight northern airports, amid clashes between the nations’ forces in the disputed Kashmir region. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a NOTAM barring flights in and out of Amritsar, Jammu, Kangra, Kullu Manali, Kushok […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/border-clashes-shut-pakistans-airspace-and-north-indian-airports/

U.S. to Pak: Take “meaningful action” Against Terrorists based in Your Soil

India took its revenge in its own style in one master stroke lasting less than 20 minutes. India conducted an anti-terror 3:45 AM precision air strike on a JeM training camp situated in a thick forest area atop a hill in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on 26/2/2019. The terror camp was led by Ustad Gauri, brother-in-law of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/america/

PICTURES: Bamboo Airways and VietJet firm up Boeing commitments

Bamboo Airways and VietJet Air have firmed up commitments to order 110 Boeing aircraft during a visit by US president Donald Trump to Hanoi. The two orders are valued at $15.7 billion at list prices, with Bamboo ordering 10 Boeing 787-9s and VietJet 80 Max 10s and 20 737 Max 8s. Bamboo’s order follows from […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-bamboo-airways-and-vietjet-firm-up-boeing-commitments/

VIDEO: NTSB video shows Atlas 767 debris field

The US National Transportation Safety Board has released video and photographs showing the debris field left by Atlas Air flight 3591, that crashed southeast of Houston killing three people on 23 February. The NTSB’s video, released on 25 February, shows a wide swath of wreckage strewn about what appears to be marshland and shallow water. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/video-ntsb-video-shows-atlas-767-debris-field/

Alaska refinanced debt in December quarter

Alaska Airlines prepaid $220 million in debt during the fourth quarter, refinancing the loans with new borrowing. Sign in/Register here Registration gives you instant free access to FlightGlobal’s news, in-depth analysis, insight and opinion from our global team of experts, and access to our Flight International and Flight Airline Business online libraries. You’ll only need […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/alaska-refinanced-debt-in-december-quarter/

Unqualified pilot at controls before E190 crash at Durango

Mexican investigators have disclosed that an unqualified pilot had been sitting in the first officer’s seat of an Embraer 190, flying the aircraft, moments before it crashed on take-off during poor weather at Durango. All 103 occupants survived the crash, on 31 July last year, although the Aeromexico Connect aircraft (XA-GAL) was destroyed. The commission […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/unqualified-pilot-at-controls-before-e190-crash-at-durango/

Goyal and Etihad back Jet Airways revival plan

Jet Airways’ two largest shareholders, chairman Naresh Goyal and Etihad Aviation Group, have backed the bank-led bailout plan for the struggling Indian airline. In a joint statement, Goyal and Etihad chief executive Tony Douglas, say that a number of stakeholders are working towards “the finalisation and subsequent implementation of the bank-led provisional resolution plan (BLPRP) […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/goyal-and-etihad-back-jet-airways-revival-plan/

Air Vanuatu orders four A220s

Air Vanuatu has ordered two Airbus A220-100s and two A220-300s, making it the launch customer for the A220 in the South Pacific. The order, announced at the start of the Avalon air show in Australia, is the first Airbus purchase by Air Vanuatu, and will form a major part of its future growth plans. The […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/air-vanuatu-orders-four-a220s/

PICTURES: Austrian goes back to the ‘80s with A320 retrojet

Austrian Airlines has joined the “retrojet” club with the introduction of an Airbus A320 adorned with the livery the carrier flew in the 1980s. Austrian The aircraft (OE-LBO) has been applied with the distinctive livery featuring an angular chevron, grey belly and traditional red/white/red flag on the tail. This scheme adorned the airline’s Airbus A310 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-austrian-goes-back-to-the-80s-with-a320-retrojet/

​PICTURE: Icelandair’s first 737 Max 9 arrives, leased from BOC

Icelandair has taken its first Boeing 737 Max 9, which has been delivered on lease from BOC Aviation. BOC Aviation/Boeing The aircraft, which is also BOC’s first Max 9, joins Icelandair’s existing fleet of four 737 Max 8s, according to Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer. “Following the successful induction of the Max 8 into our fleet last […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bpicture-icelandairs-first-737-max-9-arrives-leased-from-boc/

No Respite from ED Questioning; Vadra not to be left behind in Politics

Vadra had filed a petition in the court on Saturday that ED has been interrogating him on the basis of documents seized, so he should be made available to him.

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/vadraa/

Makkal Needhi Maiam growing in stature : Kamal Haasan

Tirunelveli (TN): Addressing a party rally late on Sunday night, Haasan, without directly naming any outfit, said he was being targeted as his party was growing in stature.

One of the attacks was calling his party “the BJP’s B team,” he said.

Rejecting the claim that his party was BJP’s “B team,” Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan said it was being targeted as they were growing in stature.

Refuting it, he said, “I am not a B team for anyone, this is Tamil Nadu’s A team.”

Days ago, the DMK organ ‘Murasoli’, had alleged that he was accusing it of corruption due to “BJP’s pressure”.

During such times, only his party would stand upright – without giving room for horse trading – for the Tamil Nadu people, he said.

His party’s voice will be heard in such a situation, he said, adding “we cannot say what is going to happen,” an apparent reference to the Lok Sabha poll outcome.

During such times, a voice should be heard saying that at least the Prime Minister should be changed, Haasan said.

“Let us see if there is humility if another person takes over,” he said in an attack perceived to be aimed at the BJP.

He said that he was not facing the Lok Sabha election alone and pointed to the huge crowd and sought donations from them to face the polls.

“It will be an investment for the future,” he said.

Describing himself as a fan of Mahatma Gandhi, he said the Father of the Nation was his mentor and because of him, he founded the party.

On a sword being gifted to him, he said it was an old practice, adding only “ahimsa is a big valour.”

Outlining his party’s principles, he said: “People’s welfare alone is MNM’s ideology.”

Redeeming the lost political dignity and ethos of the Tamil people, upholding secularism, poverty alleviation and ensuring the education of international standards are among the party ideals, he said.

…

AWA signs MoU with South Africa Airlines to widen connectivity for passengers

Indigenous carrier, Africa World Airlines (AWA) and South Africa Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise and deepen corporation between the two Airlines.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister for Aviation Kofi Adda said “through this affiliation, we are able to move from Ghana to other parts of the world.

The ability to move from parts of Ghana like Kumasi and Takoradi out of Ghana seamlessly is a much-welcomed effort and ties in with our vision of making Ghana an aviation hub.”

With this Strategic agreement, SAA’s ongoing operations with AWA in Ghana will offer its long haul customers from North America and South Africa further reach to domestic Ghana and West Coast on Africa World Airlines Network.

Chief Executive Officer of South Africa Airlines Vuyani Jarana explained that the partnership was going to expand connectivity for Africa.

He said, “we are a firm believer that for Africa to be connected, it is not going to be just one airline but it will take such partnerships and collaborations between airlines like ours and this will create better and wider connectivity.”

Mr Vuyani also stressed on the need to cut down costs for both Airlines through further discussions and planning.

Similarly, Africa World Airlines will get to offer its customers more reach within the continent, that is, destinations outside the scope of AWA but on the SAA route as well as flights beyond the continent.

Co-founder and Chairman of Africa World Airlines Togbe Afede said this strategic partnership is part of the Airline expansion strategy to the benefit of the continent.

He said, “The link will help us bring to Ghana, people who will ordinarily not come to Ghana. With this, we are working directly into the government’s plan of making Ghana an aviation hub and improving commercial activity between African countries.”

Togbe Afede underscored the Airlines’ readiness and potential to contribute to the establishment of the Home-based carrier.

Also Present at the signing of the MOU was the Deputy Minister for aviation Kwabena Otchere Darko Mensah, High commissioner for South Africa Lulu Xingwana, Board Chairman for AWA Togbe Afede, Ceo of AWA John Quan DG for The Ghana civil aviation authority Simon Allotey, MD for the Ghana Airports company limited Yaw Kwakwa , Directors at the ministry for Aviation and Other Industry Stakeholders.

He further appealed to the two Airlines to sustain the MOU to ensure that the Airline industry sees sustained growth.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covers scope to introduce partnerships, including functional areas such as interlines, code-share and other related projects.

The relationship between the airlines will thus allow passengers to purchase single tickets from any destination served by either SAA or AWA, and transfer seamlessly between the airlines to their final destination.

This will create an expanded network for both airlines, and allow travel between city pairs that did not previously have good connectivity options bringing about ease for the travelling populace

The relationship between the two Airlines goes as far as 2015 when Africa World Airlines was identified as South Africa Airlines partner Airline in Ghana for regional cooperation to feed and defend the SAA long Haul Flights using the Kotoka International Airport as the main connecting hub to the West Coast.

Based on growing demand from the partnership between the two Airlines on the Ghana Market, SAA further plans to introduce one additional flight on its Washington DC route bringing it to 5X weekly beginning 2nd April 2019.

WHAT IS A CODE SHARE?

A codeshare is a business arrangement, common in the aviation industry, whereby two airlines sell flights operated by each other under their own flight numbers.

One airline will be the operating carrier while the other will be the marketing carrier and vice versa. A seat can be purchased from an airline on a flight that is actually operated by another airline under a different flight number or code.

For example, Africa World Airlines flight AW 465 may be sold as South African Airways flight SA 7465. This allows both airlines to sell seats on the same plane and offer more flight choices to customers.

HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT PASSENGERS?

Passengers benefit from the ability to purchase a single ticket for their entire journey and will enjoy seamless connections at both SAA’s hub in Johannesburg and AWA’s hub in Accra.

There will be no need to collect baggage and check-in again when connecting between the airlines unless at the first entry point into the country to clear customs and immigration

Also Read : Africa: Four Top African Airlines to Take On Ethiopian

BAGGAGE

In Code Share flights, the baggage policy will be set by the airline that issued the ticket.

For example, a passenger can purchase a single ticket from Kumasi to Washington via Accra. They can then check-in at Kumasi airport with their full international baggage allowance, and collect their baggage upon arrival in the USA.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Big projects planned for Gladstone

Automotive Industry Against Balearic Islands’ Energy Transition To Achieve 100% Renewable Energy

On February 12 the parliament of the Balearic Islands approved a pioneer Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition, whose ultimate goal is to free the islands of fossil fuels and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050. Although the law places the islands at the forefront of clean energy transition, it has angered the automotive sector as it will prohibit the access and sale of vehicles with diesel from 2025 and with gasoline from 2035. So much so, the Spanish Association of Vehicle and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC) has requested the European Commission to initiate proceedings for infringement of EU law.

It was last year when Francina Armengol, the socialist president of the Balearic Islands announced the controversial law. Ever since, the Balearic Government has not hesitated to defend the legislation, arguing that citizens will “gain in quality of life and seal a guaranteed future for the Islands,” Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. For that, the objective for 2030 is to reach 35% renewable energy, a 23% reduction in energy consumption, and a 40% reduction of polluting emissions. The Balearic Islands will be “a pioneer at a national and also European level,” said the councilor of Energy issues in Baleares, Marc Pons.

It is, without doubt, a very ambitious plan that sets an example for other islands across the EU. In fact, last February 18, 26 European islands (including Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca) officially launched their clean energy transition with the support of the European Commission.   The objective is to help EU islands to exploit the renewable resources at their disposal becoming more self-sufficient, prosperous and sustainable. “By embarking on this path, not only will they become more energy self-reliant and prosperous, but also provide inspiring examples for other islands and Europe as a whole,” said Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission.

At first sight, Balearics’ law seems to fit perfectly with the EU transition strategy but there are discordant voices that call into question the legality of the measures adopted.

Sustainable mobility versus a profitable automotive industry  

According to Government estimates, 35% of CO2 emissions in the Balearic Islands come from road traffic.  In order to mitigate the negative effects on climate change, the Government made the ban on the circulation of diesel vehicles from 2025 and gasoline vehicles from 2035 one of the law’s pillars. Only citizens who reside in the Balearic Islands will be allowed to circulate with no restrictions as far as they use vehicles already registered. However, all the tourists that go with their own car using maritime transport will have to respect the new mobility limitations.

This is why the law also addresses the islands’ car rental companies, which from 2020 must progressively introduce electric vehicles in the fleets (2% initial) until becoming all-electric by 2035. To facilitate the transition, the Government will install 1,000 electric vehicle charging points in 2025 and allocate more than €8.5 million ($9.64 million) in aid to companies, individuals, and local administrations for the installation of self-consumption systems like photovoltaic panels. According to Armengol, all sectors of society must make efforts so that the law can be implemented effectively.

However, the car industry has claimed that the automotive sector bears most of the law’s burden, so last January the Spanish Association of Vehicle and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC) denounced the islands’ decision to prohibit the circulation of combustion vehicles before the European Commission. The Association described the measure as “arbitrary, unsuitable, and disproportionate,” and requested the EU Executive to initiate proceedings for infringement of EU law as they considered that the Balearic legislation “seriously affects the normal functioning of the market and the freedom of movement of goods in a burdensome and harmful manner.”

According to ANFAC, manufacturers are widely committed to the decarbonization and are investing billions in research to achieve increasingly cleaner propulsion technologies. However, they consider that the law proposal goes far beyond the European framework which is focused on support and impulse the transition from a broad point of view, with the contribution of all sectors and not by prohibition.

The Association has also pointed out that the prohibition would be a “serious obstacle to the unity of the Spanish market,” and would have very negative effects for the automotive sector. For example, although there are still six years left until the ban comes into force, the announcement of the bill last year provoked a much slower pace in the market for the sale of new vehicles in the Balearic Islands (which increased by 1.6% in 2018) comparing to the rest of Spain (which increased by 7% during the same year).

One step ahead of the Central Government

When the Spanish President, Pedro Sánchez, reached the Government he announced the National Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition, which foresees the prohibition of registration and sale of combustion cars (diesel, gasoline, and hybrids) by 2040 in order to reduce CO2 emissions.

The fact that Sánchez did not approve the bill when he arrived at ‘la Moncloa’ (the presidential house) was criticized by the Spanish Green Party, Equo, that had repeatedly expressed the urgent need to initiate processes. Meanwhile, some organizations such as Greenpeace, have pointed out that “the Balearic law should serve as an example for the Law of Climate Change and Energy Transition that the central government has not yet presented.”

The surprise came last Friday when the Spanish Council of Ministers finally approved the draft bill on climate change, although it is very likely that it will not see the light of day since Sánchez has called for early elections on April 28. For the Spanish green party, this decision is an “authentic tease” and will remain dead letter as there is not enough time for Congress to process the bill.

INTERVIEW: Getting pilot careers off the ground

Alistair Checketts is chief flying instructor, with Gloucester, UK-based training school Skyborne, where he develops and manages airline training programmes. How did you get into aviation? My grandfather had a passion for flying and was in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, before getting a job with BAC (now BAE). His enthusiasm […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/interview-getting-pilot-careers-off-the-ground/

US investigators puzzle over Atlas 767’s fatal dive

Twenty years after the most notorious accident in the Boeing 767’s history, US investigators are faced with explaining another fatal dive involving a twinjet which has maintained an impressive safety record over its near-40-year service life. The Atlas Air 767-300F had been inbound to Houston on 23 February when, during descent to its cleared height […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/us-investigators-puzzle-over-atlas-767s-fatal-dive/

JAL targets 500 destinations by FY2020

Japan Airlines is targeting to connect 500 destinations by the end of April 2020 by leveraging on its partnerships with other carriers, the airline disclosed in an update to its medium-term management plan. The 500 destinations target was listed among three key network expansion initiatives, which included preparing for “functional improvements at Haneda and Narita” […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jal-targets-500-destinations-by-fy2020/

US-Bangla to lease 737 Max 8

US-Bangla Airlines has agreed to lease a Boeing 737 Max 8 from AerCap, making it the first Bangladeshi carrier to have committed to the re-engined variant. Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows that the carrier will take delivery of the aircraft, which comes from AerCap’s existing order stream, in early 2020. It will be leased for 12 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/us-bangla-to-lease-737-max-8/

Jet’s shareholders approve debt-for-equity swap

Shareholders of Jet Airways approved a plan to swap the airline’s lenders’ loans for equity at a 21 February extraordinary general meeting. The debt-for-equity swap is part of the bailout plan driven by a consortium of lenders led by the State Bank of India that was approved by Jet’s board on 14 February. The plan […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jets-shareholders-approve-debt-for-equity-swap/

Jet Airways grounds two more aircraft for lease defaults

Jet Airways has grounded two more aircraft after it failed to pay their lease rentals. The carrier disclosed the additional groundings on 23 February in a letter to its two stock exchanges. It had previously disclosed that four jets were grounded for non-payment of rentals on 7 February, but none of the six aircraft have […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jet-airways-grounds-two-more-aircraft-for-lease-defaults/

Afghanistan opens a new route to India via Chabahar in Iran for export to India

Afghanistan opened a new route to India on Sunday on the way to Chabahar in Iran for export to India. Actually, the war-torn country land-locked country – Afghanistan – is trying to reach overseas markets to improve its economy. Officials said that 23 trucks carrying 57 tonnes of dry fruits, textiles, carpets and mineral items […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/new-route/

Video shows Atlas 767F in ‘steep’ dive prior to crash: NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has obtained security video showing Atlas Air flight 3591 in a “steep nose-down attitude” prior to crashing in Trinity Bay near Houston on 23 February. “The aircraft is in the video… at a steep descent – [a] steep nose-down attitude,” NTSB chair Robert Sumwalt said during a press conference […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/video-shows-atlas-767f-in-steep-dive-prior-to-crash-ntsb/

US investigators converge on site of deadly Atlas Air 767 crash

US investigators are converging on the site where the 767-300ER Freighter crashed into the water on 23 February, killing three people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a “go team” from Washington, DC to the crash site, which is near the town of Baytown, Texas, not far from Houston, says the agency […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/us-investigators-converge-on-site-of-deadly-atlas-air-767-crash/

Attempt made to hijack a plane failed in Bangladesh

Bangladesh commandos shot and killed a purported hijacker who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Sunday, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing, airline and aviation authority officials said. Also Read: Terrorists Threaten to Hijack Aircraft The purported hijacker, who told the pilot he had a personal […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/hijack-2/

American Airlines launches new nonstop flight from Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY – Officials at Will Rogers World Airport announced a new nonstop service from American Airlines.

On February 15, American Airlines launched a nonstop service from WRWA to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.

“We are very pleased with American’s addition of nonstop service to one of our city’s most frequented destinations,” says Mark Kranenburg, airports director.  “Sustained growth in areas of aviation, bioscience and aerospace, plus the significant presence of state and federal campuses, has driven the demand for more service to the D.C. area. This new nonstop will be a great benefit for our travelers.”

The addition of DCA brings the total number of cities served by American from OKC to seven and includes Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

American Airlines also began a second daily flight to Phoenix.  The carrier introduced nonstop Phoenix service April 3, 2018 and has been operating one daily flight. Officials say the flight has been so successful that American Airlines added a second daily nonstop flight utilizing mainline service.

India vs Australia 1st T20: Bumrah’s Brilliant 19th Over Nearly Won the Game for India

Australia beat India by three wickets with the final delivery in a low-scoring first Twenty20 international at Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

India’s best fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was rested for India’s limited-overs trip to New Zealand. He returned afresh, took 3-16, including two wickets in his final two balls in the penultimate over, but it proved inadequate.

India skipper Virat Kohli wasn’t perturbed by his team’s shoddy batting display in the first T20 International – it turned out to be a nail-biting contest, last ball decider.

Virat wants to give more chances to youngsters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant looking ahead at the World Cup in England. KL Rahul scored a fifty on his return to international cricket.

Rahul made a 50 on his return but Pant was needlessly run-out during India’s three-wicket defeat against Australia in the first T20 International. Rahul did no harm to his chances with an impressive 36-ball 50 and combined in a rapid fire partnership of 55 for the 2nd wicket with Virat Kohli, who made 24.

Chasing a target of 127, Australia were cruising along before Jasprit Bumrah’s (3/16 in 4 overs) brilliant 19th over nearly won the game for India.

“We want to give Rahul and Rishabh more game-time. Rahul played a really good knock and we had a good partnership. Had we gone on, we could have got 150, which would have been a match-winning score on this pitch. But Australia played better cricket overall and deserved to win,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

However, he didn’t forget to praise his bowlers for making a match of a low target like 127. “Very pleased with the bowling effort. Never thought we would be in this situation but Bumrah can do wonders when the ball is reversing. Even Mayank (Markande) bowled brilliantly (17th over), I thought,” said Kohli.

Winning captain Aaron Finch also conceded that facing Bumrah in the death overs is not an easy proposition. “When Bumrah has got overs up his sleeve, it’s never easy. But the run-outs didn’t help either. Maxwell played a hell of an innings on a difficult pitch,” Finch lauded the senior batsman. Maxwell hit 56 off 43 balls.

Coulter-Nile shines in Australia’s last-ball win over India.

Pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was the pick of the Aussie bowlers with figures of three for 26, felt that the ball wasn’t coming onto the bat.

“I thought the boys bowled really well and we scraped home. We worked out quickly that the ball was not coming on to the bat. We have been playing a bit of cricket in the BBL. Really good to have a win and hopefully we will have another one and win the series,” said Coulter-Nile.

The second and final T20 will be played in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

BJP govt will pull out every illegal immigrant from Kashmir to Kanyakumari: Amit Shah

Jammu: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday sounded the election bugle here and said the party would ensure that every illegal immigrant from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is thrown out of the country, following the Assam model. Addressing a ‘Vijay Sankalp Sammelan’, the BJP chief spoke about various issues, including the resolution of the Modi government to fight militancy saying “the BJP government has zero-tolerance on terrorism”.

He also talked about discrimination of Ladakh and Jammu divisions by the previous regimes and said ‘chowkidar’, in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ensured that funds meant for these regions are spent for development.

“Previous dynastic governments of Congress, the National Conference and the PDP were more bothered about their own development but ever since the BJP took over, we ensured that every single penny reaches common people,” Shah said.

Asserting that the place where Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee sacrificed his life, it ‘belongs to us’, Shah referred to the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and said: “their sacrifice will not go in vain”.

“The Prime Minister has authorised security forces to take any punitive action they think fit against perpetrators of terrorism,” he said.

Mookerjee was arrested upon entering Kashmir on May 11, 1953, to protest against granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He died during his detention in June 1953 after suffering a massive heart attack. Referring to the National Register of Citizens in Assam, the BJP president said his party would carry out a similar exercise from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to ensure that every illegal immigrant is thrown out of the country.

Energy min. urges responsible bodies to boost new energies’ capacity

He made the remark on the sidelines of 11th Iran International Renewable Energy, Lighting & Energy Saving Exhibition, held in Tehran Permanent International Fairground on Feb. 21-24, 2019, in the presence of private sector activists entitled “Opportunities and Challenges of Development of Renewable Energies”.

The minister pointed to the development of renewable energies in the country and added, “boosting new energies in the country requires coordination and cooperation of Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA), ministries of Oil and Energy and other responsible organizations.”

Crashed 767’s crew appeared to be trying to avoid weather

Preliminary analysis of air traffic control communications with the crashed Atlas Air Boeing 767-300ER freighter near Houston indicates that the crew was trying to avoid a weather system during the approach. Meteorological data for the airport around the time of the accident, 12:40 on 23 February, points to good visibility but winds from the north-west […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/crashed-767s-crew-appeared-to-be-trying-to-avoid-weather/

UAE’s first waste-to-energy project recognised at PFI Awards 2018

Masdar, in partnership with Bee’ah, the Middle East’s leading and award-winning environmental management company, is developing a cutting-edge waste-to-energy plant in Emirates of Sharjah. Diverting more than 300,000 tonnes of solid municipal waste from landfill each year, it will contribute to Sharjah’s effort to reach “zero waste-to-landfill” target 2020 and the UAE to deliver its 2021 goal of diverting 75% of solid waste from landfills.

Bee’ah, the Middle East’s sustainability pioneer, and Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, have announced that their joint project, the Sharjah Waste to Energy Facility, was recognised as the Clean Energy Deal of the Year, for the Middle East and Africa region, at the Project Finance International Awards 2018.

The award, which is considered to be the most prestigious in global capital markets, was presented during a ceremony held at the London Hilton on Park Lane, on 6th February, 2019.

The project was named in recognition of the precedent it has set in project-financed waste-to-energy projects in the GCC. It brought together a consortium of five banks to provide financing on a non-recourse basis, via a soft mini-perm structure. Through a robust implementation plan, coordination between government entities, and a well-aligned approach to risk allocation, the project succeeded in securing external investment, in a traditionally risk-averse lender market, spurring private sector participation towards the UAE’s renewable energy ambitions.

Khaled Al Huraimel, Chairman of the Emirates Waste to Energy Company and Group CEO of Bee’ah, said, “We are honoured to receive this award which recognises the cumulative efforts of our finance teams and investors towards establishing the region’s first waste-to-energy project. While the Sharjah Waste to Energy Facility aims to help the UAE set new milestones towards zero-waste and renewable energy generation, the financing of this project sets new precedents in private sector participation in the nation’s sustainability drive. This landmark transaction is an example of how environmental advocacy can be promoted in the banking and finance sector, while simultaneously addressing the economic challenges faced by many innovative sustainability projects.”

The facility, which is the UAE’s first waste-to-energy facility, is being managed by the Emirates Waste to Energy Company, EWEC, a joint venture formed by Bee’ah and Masdar. Located within Bee’ah’s Waste Management Centre in Sharjah, the 30MW plant will process more than 37.5 tonnes of municipal solid waste per hour to generate electricity sustainably; and divert more than 300,000 tonnes of municipal waste away from landfills every year. Operating at full capacity, it will contribute significantly to reaching the UAE’s target of diverting 75 per cent of its solid waste from landfills by 2021, as well as Sharjah’s zero-waste-to-landfill goal.

“We are thrilled to see the financing of this landmark project for Sharjah and the UAE receive yet further praise and recognition around the world as a result of winning this prestigious industry award,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. “The first transaction of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, it illustrates the growing confidence of the financial sector in clean technology, as well as the attractiveness of Sharjah as an investment destination.”

The waste supply agreement with Bee’ah and power purchase agreement with the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority also enhanced the bankability of the project, initiating a first-of-its-kind deal in the region’s project financing market.

The 20-year term loan of US$162 million was procured from a consortium including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and the Standard Chartered Bank. Last year, the financing of the project was also recognised as the Structured Loan Deal of the Year at the Bonds, Loans and Sukuk Middle East Awards.

All allies from 2014 will stay with BJP for 2019 polls: Keshav Prasad Maurya

Barely a week after the BJP placated its ally, Om Prakash Rajbhar of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, political circles are abuzz about Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal (S) meeting Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi. But Keshav Prasad Maurya, deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, told ET in New Delhi that the BJP will soon sort out differences with its partners. Edited excerpts:

Now that Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have come together, how big is the challenge for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh?
The lotus will bloom in all the places where the SP or the BSP will field candidates. We will win more than 73 seats in UP.

But the BJP does not seem to be able to take along smaller allies. Om Prakash Rajbhar relinquished one of his ministries citing displeasure with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
We are confident that all our allies who were with us in 2014 will stay with us in 2019 and 2022 (assembly polls). There may be some differences with allies but they will be heard and the differences will be sorted out soon.

But Anupriya Patel is said to be in talks with Priyanka Gandhi.
Those who were with us will remain with us. As a politician, any leader can meet anyone else. Even if there are differences — be it on the number of seats or anything else — they can be sorted out. I’m confident Apna Dal and other allies will stay with us.

Now that Priyanka Gandhi has come in as general secretary, there are talks that the Congress may eat into the BJP’s core votes.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Priyanka campaigned in more than 40 constituencies (out of 80 in UP). But the Congress was restricted to two pocket boroughs where the SP didn’t field candidates. The BJP’s wave is still there because of the popularity of Modiji.

But what about anti-incumbency against sitting BJP MLAs & MPs?
These Lok Sabha elections are not about making someone an MP but about making Modiji the prime minister.

2014 Lok Sabha elections and the 2017 assembly polls were fought keeping Other Backward Classes in the front. But OBCs now feel they have been let down.
Our PM himself comes from an OBC community. He hasn’t taken a holiday, has worked 18 hours, has celebrated Holi-Diwali with the armed forces. No other party has such a leader. Baki parties ke paas dulhe hai, baraati nahi hai (Other parties only have bridegrooms, no followers). OBCs are determined to make Modiji the PM again.

Centre’s 10% reservation for the poor in general category seems to have angered the backward classes. What steps has the government taken for them?
OBCs have found place in most posts in organisations and ministries. Apart from this, giving constitutional status to the OBC Commission is not a small move by Modiji. The demand was there since Independence but the BJP took the step. How large the OBC population is needs to be ascertained. To get the right figure, a decision was taken for a caste-based census and the next census will have the actual figures. Reservation for the economically poor in the general category is a good step. As far as OBCs are concerned, based on the figures we get from the next census, necessary steps will be taken for their uplift.

What about the allegations that Thakurs are getting most of the plum posts in UP?
Yogiji is our chief minister and a sanyasi as well. A sanyasi has no caste. The Opposition has no issue. They rake up this issue for political gains but they will not be successful.

What about law & order in the state?
There has been a remarkable improvement in law & order. Bringing down crime rate is one thing and bringing in a feeling of security among common people is another.

But even police officers do not seem safe after an inspector was killed while controlling protests against cow slaughter in Bulandshahr.
It is sad that a cow was slaughtered and it is equally sad that a policeman was killed while trying to control the mob. For bringing back rule of law, we have come to power. Good governance is another name for the BJP. Having said that, if there is any discrepancy or wrongdoing, we will take action as and when required.

Talking about the UP economy, despite the much-publicised investor summit, the conversion rate into actual investment remains low.
It’s not like that. After the last investor summit, we have got actual investments to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore. Based on those MoUs, all investors are in touch with the government. The process takes time. We have rolled out a red carpet for the industry. An enabling environment has been created for willing investors.

What steps is the state taking for families of jawans killed in the Pulwama terrorist attack?
Twelve jawans who lost their lives in Pulwama were from UP. The government, the party and the society are all standing together with their families. We have announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the kin of each martyr.

Politics in UP invariably revolves around caste. How does the BJP plan to maintain the right balance between caste and vikas (development)?
Either during Vidhan Sabha elections or gram sabha polls, there is no denying the fact that caste is the main factor. But gradually, especially after Gujarat saw development under Narendra Modi, the trend has changed. Polls are being fought based on development. People assess parties on the basis of their capability to bring development and security. Other parties have a history of corruption and have come together to join this contest to stop Modi from returning to power.

American Airlines Adds Private Aviation Touches

American Airlines has boosted its Five Star service options on both sides of the U.S. through partnerships with two private aviation companies. Customers traveling through Los Angeles International and New York JFK Airports can now book private helicopter transfers through the airline as part of the American’s agreement with rotorcraft operator Blade. The helicopters will pick passengers up at destinations of their choice in both cities and fly them to the airports, where they will be met by an American Airlines team member and escorted via luxury car to Flagship First check-in.

“The number-one pain point of traveling from NYC and LA to the airports is traffic,” explained Blade founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal, adding that helicopter transfers can reduce a potential hour-and-a-half drive to just under seven minutes. “Blade and American Airlines will now provide customers with a seamless experience from the door of the helicopter to their seat on their American flight.”

The airline also has inked a deal with The Private Suite, a new exclusive terminal at LAX designed for first- and business-class travelers that features its own private airport entrance and in-house TSA screening and customs processing. Passengers are then driven across the tarmac directly to their gate.

Both services are available as individual add-ons to customers purchasing Five Star or Five Star Select services from American.

Jet Airways India Ltd grounds additional two aircrafts

Jet Airways India Ltd has announced that an additional two aircraft have been grounded due to non-payment of amounts outstanding to lessors under their respective lease agreements. As mentioned earlier, the Company is actively engaged with all its aircraft lessors and regularly provides them with updates on the efforts undertaken by the Company to improve its liquidity. Aircraft lessors have been supportive of the Company’s efforts in this regard.

The Company is also making all efforts to minimize disruption to its network due to the above and is proactively informing and re-accommodating its affected guests. The Company also continues to provide required and periodic updates to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in this regard.

Shares of JET AIRWAYS (INDIA) LTD. was last trading in BSE at Rs.236.7 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 234.85. The total number of shares traded during the day was 535512 in over 6332 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 242.45 and intraday low of 235.4. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 127422672.

PM In Gorakhpur: 1.2 Million Farmers to Get Rs 2000 each Directly in Their Accounts

During this, he released the first installment of this fund in the account of the farmers. With this, he also distributed the credit card to the farmers.

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/%e0%a4%aa%e0%a5%80%e0%a4%8f%e0%a4%ae-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%8b%e0%a4%a6%e0%a5%80-%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%9c%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b0%e0%a5%80-%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%80-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b8%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%a8/

AT&T: sustainability on a massive scale

Aligning the notion and practice of sustainability within the biggest companies on the planet is no small undertaking and AT&T – founded by Alexander Graham Bell – is no exception. The world’s largest telecommunications company and ranked number nine on the Fortune 500, this giant multinational conglomerate has just under over 270,000 employees and posted a 2017 revenue of $190.5bn. This is a holding company whose operations spread out over numerous sectors and territories and to seek a sustainable road map at such a business is as complex as it is integral.

Shannon Thomas Carroll is Director of Global Environmental Sustainability at AT&T and possesses a rich knowledge of both the company’s operations and its sustainable practices as he works to reduce the environmental impact of the telco’s operations. His key accomplishments include “being the internal driver for large scale renewable energy, zero-waste, and supply chain human rights audits”.

Carroll has been with the company for almost 20 years, having served in several different capacities across the 133-year-old conglomerate. “I’ve worked on a consumer side, the business side of the house and on the network side,” he explains. “So I’ve had lots of different roles. I spent a lot of time in project management, as well as with a couple different business units. I did project management and compliance for our supply chain; that’s one of the things that transitioned me into my current role. On the compliance side, you have things like environmental health and safety and that was one of the transitional topics that really got me interested in this work. Then I just started asking for more work around environmental sustainability while I was still in supply chain and was lucky enough to transition that into a full-time role over on the corporate side. I took that supply chain focus and expanded it to a corporate view. Now my responsibilities are specific to environmental sustainability within our operations. So, anything that has an environmental impact within our four walls is, generally speaking, something I would look at.”

AT&T has had a long history of corporate social responsibility, even if it wasn’t always labelled as CSR. “We have an extensive history of strong energy management and corporate real estate management,” Carrol explains. “We looked at things like waste water, and obviously there are natural financial incentives to use those resources, but you also want to look at being a good corporate citizen. What are the positive environmental impacts of doing that? I see my role, first and foremost, as looking into what’s going to be best for the company, while also seeing how we can have the most sustainable business practices possible.”

One of the first things Carroll explored when he stepped into his current role was AT&T’s greenhouse gas footprint. Carroll monitored all the different aspects of scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 through an inventory to gather the required information. “Once we had that information, we had it verified by an independent third party,” he explains. “That was a great introduction to the job because I got to touch all parts of the business when undertaking a corporate greenhouse gas footprint. From there you then start looking at some of the larger responsibilities, such as waste and how you dematerialise. What projects have been done? What was successful? What wasn’t successful? What maybe didn’t happen in terms of timing and can you pick up the ball again and start trying to work with what hasn’t been done? You have to be strategic in your thinking. You’ve got to read the tea leaves and see how the wind’s blowing externally as well. There’s obviously an importance to the business and what our stakeholders are asking of us is important. You’re looking internally, but you’re also looking externally. You’re trying to think strategically while you still have the practical responsibilities to get the job done.”

As the scale of operations at AT&T is so vast, Carroll liaises with Chief Sustainability Officer, Charlene Lake. They operate at what Carroll describes as the ‘ink level’ or the corporate side of operations. “The advantage that gives us is we can go into all parts of the business, essentially representing the company. What’s really important though is that we don’t just walk into the different business units and say, ‘This is what you’re gonna do!’ We have to be good business partners, whether it’s internal or external. We’re very lucky that sustainability really is at the core of a lot of our work. So, as we go in to talk to our network folks or our corporate real-estate folks, or our supply chain folks, they’re already doing a lot of this work. What we try to do is help frame that work and see what we can amplify; see what we can do better. We just try to partner with them.”

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With support from AT&T’s corporate level, Carroll and his team launched 10X Goals. A 2025 goal, the program is aiming to enable 10 times the carbon savings for AT&T’s customers as well as for its our own footprint. “We have somebody who works full-time on that making sure the methodology is sound,” says Carroll. “We have somebody who’s working on the numerator part of that, making sure that our products and services can deliver that. You have me, I’m on more the denominator side. I’m trying to shrink our own operational footprint so it makes it easier to achieve it. We’re very lucky. We are a large company, but we have the right amount of resources addressing sustainability here.”

One of the challenges Carrol cites as specific to large-scale renewable energy is that first time you put the practice into action. Thus, off-site research is essential in getting these methods right. “We’ve obviously been looking at renewable energy options for years and years and years. We did have some onsite solar and we just knew, because of our scale, that if we’re going to have a significant impact we needed to look offsite at the large-scale renewable energies. We look at what others are doing and then try to figure out if that’s something that could potentially work for us. You do a lot of research and then bring that research and those findings home. We would then start stakeholdering those. I’d say the biggest challenge is because you’ve never done it before, you have to educate a lot of folks on what it is and how it works and how the mechanics of it work. What does it mean for AT&T to go from a relatively small renewable energy concern to one of the largest corporate buyers in the United States? A lot of education has to be done, in getting people familiar with new terminology. I’d say that’s the biggest challenge; the newness of it all.”

In reference to large scale renewable energy, AT&T is one of the top five corporate renewable energy buyers in the US. “The fact that we were able to scale up so quickly is a credit to the professionalism we have on our energy management team. I would say the thing I’m most proud of is just the scale ’cause what you’re really looking for is impact. We’re proud of the 820 megawatts we’ve done so far. We’re the evangelists. We’re going around talking about all the benefits. The interesting thing is when you go into the different business units, my experience is that even if people don’t know it by name, they’re doing the work. These are folks who do sustainability for a living. We already have folks who are trying to save as much water as they can. They’re already trying to remove as many kilowatts as they can from the business. They’re already trying to be as efficient as they can.”

AT&T has an energy intensity goal, relative to its network, to be 60% more efficient. Carroll wants to push more data through the network using the same, or less energy. “We have a public goal around that. We have a public goal to reduce our fleet emissions by 30%. We have lots of public goals that are already tagged at this work and within the business units. They just have their heads down and are doing the really hard work to achieve this.  When we come into departments and explain it’s really about the work that they’re already doing, the light bulbs go off and they become really good business partners. We’re constantly looking at the landscape in terms of the environment. A few years ago, we worked with EDF on our water footprint for example. We’re always looking at every aspect of our operations.”

Technology is driving sustainability and AT&T is largely a technology company thus possessing a read edge when it comes to finding solutions. “I would say just about everything we do has a technology component,” Carroll explains. “For example, we’ve got a project called Icon. It’s basically our internal IoT solution, where we’ve put sensors on all types of internal equipment, including network equipment, HVACS, water towers, everything you can think of. We then actively monitor that through our Icon dashboard and are able to look at predictive and preventative maintenance. Are things running as efficiently as they should? If they aren’t, how can we maximise their efficiency? There’s a lot of data out there, so the key is not just having accessibility to data, but being able to do something smart and good with it. We need to make good, smart decisions around that data.”

“I think it’s important when you’re a company our size that you’re comprehensive. You need to have a short-term plan, a mid-term plan and a long-term plan. You have to think strategically, you have to look far down the line. You just can’t say you’re going to do this and that. You have to be transparent in the way that you do it. And you have actually have to do it.”