Kasturi Garg's Blog: March 2019

Sunday, 31 March 2019

Indonesia raises price floor on domestic tickets

Indonesia raised the price floor on over 1,000 domestic routes on 29 March, and signalled that it will review the floor regularly to ensure the country’s airlines remain viable. The adjustment has increased the minimum fare that permitted from 30% of the maximum set by the transport ministry for each of the routes to 35%. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/indonesia-raises-price-floor-on-domestic-tickets-2/

Indonesia raises price floor on domestic tickets

Crisis Averted at Jet Airways till April 15

Mumbai/Delhi: A major crisis at Jet Airways was averted Sunday after its pilots body National Aviator’s Guild (NAG) deferred its call for strike till April 15. This decision was taken at an open house meeting of NAG members that took place both in Mumbai and Delhi Sunday afternoon. The NAG represents around 1,100 pilots of […]

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

Major S7 shareholder Fileva killed in German air crash

One of Russian carrier S7 Airlines’ key shareholders, Nataliya Fileva, has been killed in a light aircraft accident in Germany. Fileva is the wife of Vladislav Filev, the former chief executive of S7 Airlines. S7 states that she had been an occupant in a single-engined Epic LT private aircraft involved in an accident during landing […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/major-s7-shareholder-fileva-killed-in-german-air-crash/

Fearing Loss in Amethi, Rahul chooses a safe Wayanad: Amit Shah

When asked whether Rahul Gandhi was scared to contest from Amethi, the traditional seat of the Gandhi family, Maneka Gandhi, aunt of Rahul Gandhi and BJP leader, said, "It's up to him where he wants to contest from, how will I know whether he got scared or not?"

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/both-wayanad-and-amethi/

Saturday, 30 March 2019

Differences Escalate between Lalu’s Sons

Lalu’s son Tej Pratap Yadav has already quit as RJD student wing president Mahagathbandhan declares allocation of seats as RJD-Congress seal deal, 32 candidates declared Bihar Election News. All is not well with the Mahagathbandhan. In-fighting is going on. The differences between Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/lalus-elder-son-tej-pratap-yadav-to-field-his-candidate-against-brother-tejashwis-in-jehanabad/

Uddhav Thackeray asks opposition, “Who is your leader?”

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who was present on the stage in a rally organized before the nomination of BJP national president Amit Shah, aimed at the opposition. Uddhav Thackeray said on this occasion that many parties were happy to see the rift between the BJP and the Shiv Sena that the two parties of […]

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

Unhappy Jet Pilots May go for Legal Recourse, Strike likely

Pilots of Jet Airways, who are all set to stop flying from April 1, will meet today for a final decision on the strike, a senior National Aviators Guild (NAG) member said. The pilots had earlier decided to go on a strike starting April 1 after arrears of 1,100 Jet pilots, which have accumulated over […]

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

ISRO to launch PSLV-C45 on April 1

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C45 (PSLV-C45) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on April 1. “An evening in Sriharikota! All set for the launch of #PSLVC45 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on April 1 at 09:30 am. Onboard EMISAT and 28 foreign satellites. Our updates will […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/isro-to-launch-pslv-c45-on-april-1/

Harbour Air aims to lead electric flight with Beaver seaplanes

Some old planes in Canada may be getting very new engines, and could become the first electric-powered passenger aircraft. Harbour Air Group aims within several years to begin passenger flights with electric-powered de Havilland DHC-2 Beavers, an achievement that could bring electric passenger flight out of the purely conceptual realm. The Vancouver-based company intends by […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/harbour-air-aims-to-lead-electric-flight-with-beaver-seaplanes/

Friday, 29 March 2019

Congress welcomes BJP rebel

Welcome to Election News. U.P. Meet Ashok Kumar Dohre, 48, a Dalit leader. Sitting Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) MP from Etawah. Was earlier in the Bahujan Samaj Party, BSP, and was an MLA between 2007 to 2012. He also served as a cabinet minister in the Mayawati government. He has been denied a BJP ticket […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/etawah-mp-quits-bjp-after-being-denied-ticket-congress-fields-him/

ANALYSIS: United’s new premium economy cabin takes flight

United Airlines begins offering its new premium-economy cabin on some long-haul routes tomorrow, its latest step in offering a broader array of products to passengers. The Chicago-based Star Alliance carrier will offer Premium Plus cabins and service, an offering slotted between economy and business classes, on 15 routes from its Newark, San Francisco and Washington […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-uniteds-new-premium-economy-cabin-takes-flight/

PICTURE: Mauritania Airlines receives first E175

Mauritania Airlines has become the first airline in Africa to take delivery of an Embraer 175. The Brazilian manufacturer says that in a ceremony held on 28 March the Mauritanian flag carrier was presented with the first of two 175s it ordered last year. Both will be long-range variants, Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer indicates. Embraer says […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/picture-mauritania-airlines-receives-first-e175/

ANALYSIS: US airlines seek balance between comfort and revenue

Ahead of AIX 2019, we use data from Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer to explore how four airlines are adapting cabin configurations to sell more seats on key routes, especially into slot-constrained airports Now more than ever, airlines are finding the balance between maximising revenue from the aircraft cabin and retaining acceptable comfort levels for passengers. For […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-us-airlines-seek-balance-between-comfort-and-revenue-2/

ANALYSIS: US airlines seek balance between comfort and revenue

PICTURES: Airbus shows off second ANA A380

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways’ second Airbus A380 has rolled out of the airframer’s paint facilities bearing a green variant of the specially-commissioned ‘sea turtle’ livery. Airframe MSN263, which will be registered JA382A, has been painted at the Airbus facility at Hamburg Finkenwerder. It features a modified design of the turtle livery being applied to […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-airbus-shows-off-second-ana-a380-2/

PICTURES: Airbus shows off second ANA A380

Thursday, 28 March 2019

Jet Airways again defaults on loan repayment

Jet Airways has disclosed that it has again delayed repayment of a working capital facility that was due on 28 March, citing “temporary liquidity constraints.” It adds that it is “engaged with the lender”, but provided no other details on the lender, nor the amount now in arrears. Jet has now delayed repaying two external […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jet-airways-again-defaults-on-loan-repayment/

Opinion Divided, Ashwin proved right : Latest Mankad episode

Ravi Ashwin has been criticised for controversial IPL Mankad dismissal of Jos Buttler Overview. The Mankad tactic is controversial. It involves the bowler checking his run up to take off the bails at the non-striker’s end with the backing-up batsman out of his crease. This has been named after the Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad. The run-out […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/sports/opinion-in-cricket-world/

Crisis ridden Jet Airways delays ECB repayment amid financial woes

Cash strapped Jet Airways, where lenders are set to take control under a debt resolution plan, Thursday said it has delayed repayment of overseas borrowing due to “temporary liquidity constraints”. This is at least the fourth time that the airline has defaulted on debt repayment in recent months. After two months of speculations and uncertainties […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/cash-strapped-jet-airways-delays-ecb-repayment-amid-liquidity-crunch/

PICTURES: LATAM debuts new cabin interior in Peru

LATAM Airlines Group has debuted a new cabin interior that will roll out across two-thirds of the airline’s fleet, in a $400 million investment the Oneworld carrier says is “upping the game” in offering an industry-leading experience onboard. The new interior entered service on a LATAM Airlines Peru Boeing 767-300ER, registered CC-CXC, in recent weeks. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-latam-debuts-new-cabin-interior-in-peru-3/

PICTURES: LATAM debuts new cabin interior in Peru

ANALYSIS: Boeing finally takes its 737 Max message public

After months of relative quiet, Boeing on 27 March took its 737 Max message public. During a briefing with reporters, a top Boeing executive defended the safety of the 737 Max and described a software update intended to address concerns about the aircraft’s manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system (MCAS), Officials also stressed pilot procedures Boeing says […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-boeing-finally-takes-its-737-max-message-public-3/

ANALYSIS: Boeing finally takes its 737 Max message public

PICTURE: Spanish carrier Evelop receives first A350

Evelop Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350. The A350-900, supplied by Air Lease, will be used to serve Caribbean destinations from Madrid. Airbus The operator’s second A350-900 is due for delivery in 2020. Evelop is the dedicated airline of Spanish holiday company Avoris, itself a division of Barcelo Group. Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/picture-spanish-carrier-evelop-receives-first-a350/

ANALYSIS: Airliner configurations on the six longest routes

Ahead of AIX 2019 in Hamburg, we explore the airliner configurations in use on the world’s six longest routes The aviation industry entered an era of ultra-long flights on 18 June 2004 when Singapore Airlines introduced a nonstop service between its hub and New York Newark. Today, passengers have a choice of several of these […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-airliner-configurations-on-the-six-longest-routes/

Lok Sabha elections: Congress may part ways with Grand Alliance

All is not well with Grand alliance in Bihar. Lalu’s son Tej Pratap Yadav quits as RJD student wing president ‘PM Modi not my enemy but Rahul Gandhi acknowledged torture I was facing in BJP’: Shatrughan Sinha Tejashwi Yadav: ‘BJP is spreading lynching & casteism in India’. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejaswi Yadav […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/lok-sabha-elections/

ANALYSIS: Using data to improve the onboard experience

The use of data analytics is enabling airlines to improve and personalise the in-flight experience for passengers, from catering to retail products, reports Kerry Reals ahead of the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, a co-located partner event to AIX 2019 Next time you tweet a picture of the avocado on toast you had […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-using-data-to-improve-the-onboard-experience-2/

ANALYSIS: Using data to improve the onboard experience

Wow Air ceases operations and cancels all flights

Icelandic budget carrier Wow Air has ceased operations and cancelled all flights, hours after suspending services while it attempted a last-ditch financial rescue. The struggling carrier had been trying to arrange a debt-to-equity conversion with bondholders after talks with potential investment partners collapsed. But the airline, which had called a temporary halt to flights on […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/wow-air-ceases-operations-and-cancels-all-flights-2/

Wow Air ceases operations and cancels all flights

Wednesday, 27 March 2019

Air NZ defers A320 deliveries as it slows growth outlook

Air New Zealand is pushing back deliveries of four Airbus A320neo family jets as it dials back its planned capacity growth over the next three years. Three A321neos that were due for delivery in the year from 1 July 2020 and allocated to its domestic network deferred by one year. One A320neo, also due in […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/air-nz-defers-a320-deliveries-as-it-slows-growth-outlook/

US Senate scrutinises FAA on Boeing 737 Max oversight

Top aviation regulators during a US Senate committee hearing defended their scrutiny of pilot training, aircraft certification and restriction against making safety features optional purchases while lawmakers vowed to pass legislation to sharpen safety oversight following two fatal crashes of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. “Millions of Americans fly regularly on these planes, we need the […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/us-senate-scrutinises-faa-on-boeing-737-max-oversight/

Lufthansa A350 and 787 order driven by Frankfurt constraints

Constraints at Lufthansa’s flagship Frankfurt hub were behind its order for 40 Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s earlier this month, says group chief executive Carsten Spohr. “The order – 20 787s and 20 Airbus A350s – wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t had those problems with Frankfurt,” he told reporters in Washington DC on 27 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/lufthansa-a350-and-787-order-driven-by-frankfurt-constraints/

Lufthansa chief believes 737 Max ‘safe’ to order

Lufthansa Group chief executive Carsten Spohr believes the Boeing 737 Max is safe to order, as the group evaluates options for a significant narrowbody replacement programme. “The 737 Max, I believe, will be, by that time, a safe aircraft to order and fly,” he tells reporters on the planned order, which Lufthansa will begin taking […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/lufthansa-chief-believes-737-max-safe-to-order/

No Political Will for Mission Shakti in 2007: Madhavan Nair

India has acquired anti-satellite missile technology for security in space. Previously, this technology was only with America, Russia and China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Wednesday’s address to the nation that this step is not against any country and our scientists hit a live satellite in the space 300 km away in lower orbit. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/political-will/

Boeing rolls out software fix to prevent failures of an automated flight control system

SEATTLE/WASHINGTON The world’s largest plane maker, Boeing, in the midst of one its worst crises in years, is under immense pressure from crash victims’ families, airlines, lawmakers in Washington and regulators around the world to prove that the automated flight control systems aboard its 737 MAX aircraft are safe, and that pilots have the training […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/world-news/boeing-rolls-out/

Southwest sees additional $150m in lost revenue in Q1

Southwest Airlines expects lower unit revenue growth in the first quarter, as unscheduled maintenance disruptions and the Boeing 737 Max grounding contribute to an estimated $150 million in lost revenue for the period. The Dallas-based carrier is also expecting higher costs in the first quarter as it reaches an agreement in principle with its mechanics […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/southwest-sees-additional-150m-in-lost-revenue-in-q1/

Mission Shakti: Pakistan and China react

After India entered the elite space club of four countries that have anti-satellite missiles with a test launched today, its neighbours Pakistan and China reacted differently to India’s ‘Mission Shakti’. While China expressed hope that all countries will uphold peace and tranquillity in the outer space, Pakistan said that countries should use space technologies only […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/mission-shakti-pakistan-urges-world-to-slam-india-china-calls-for-peace/

India had anti-satellite missile capability in 2007, but no political will: Ex-ISRO chairman

Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said on Wednesday that India had the anti-satellite missile capability more than a decade ago but there was no political will at the time to demonstrate it. He said when China shot down an ageing weather satellite by launching a missile in 2007, India had the technology to undertake […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/india-had-anti-satellite-missile-capability-in-2007-but-no-political-will-ex-isro-chairman/

ANALYSIS: IFEC holds place as key growth sector

Keeping passengers connected and entertained during flights has created one of the biggest growth sectors in aviation over the past decade – and its expansion shows no sign of slowing. 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 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-ifec-holds-place-as-key-growth-sector/

Korean Air chief Cho voted off board

Korean Air shareholders have voted chief executive and chairman Cho Yang-ho off the carrier’s board. Disclosures show that 64.1% of attendees at the SkyTeam airline’s annual shareholders meeting backed a proposal by the carrier to renew Cho’s board term for three years, just short of the two-thirds majority required. South Korea’s National Pension Service, which […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/korean-air-chief-cho-voted-off-board/

India becomes the fourth country in the world to become a space superpower

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that ISRO has destroyed a live satellite located in the low orbit, about 300 km away using the ASM missile. In this way, India has become the fourth country in the world to become the a space superpower. So far only America, Russia and China […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/space-power/

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

Cathay Pacific to buy HK Express in HK$4.93bn deal

Cathay Pacific has agreed to take over budget rival Hong Kong Express Airways in a HK$4.93 billion ($628 million) deal that is set to close by the end of the year. A stock exchange disclosure states that Cathay entered into the deal on 27 March with HNA Aviation Group to buy the carrier for HK$2.25 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/cathay-pacific-to-buy-hk-express-in-hk4-93bn-deal/

Wow Air bondholders back restructuring plan

Wow Air bondholders have agreed to convert their debt into equity in the beleaguered low-cost carrier. The approval is part of Wow Air’s latest restructuring attempt, which it says involves raising funds from investors to secure its “long-term sustainability”. Bloomberg shows BNY Mellon, Forte Fondsforvaltning, Hansainvest Hanseatische Investment and Universal Investment hold Wow Air bonds. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/wow-air-bondholders-back-restructuring-plan/

Interjet grounds two-thirds of SSJ100 fleet

Mexico’s Interjet has grounded more than two-thirds of its Sukhoi Superjet 100 fleet, with dozens of engines out of service as the airline remains locked in talks with Sukhoi over the withdrawal of the aircraft. Fifteen of Interjet’s 22 SSJ100s are in storage while only seven aircraft remain in service, Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows. The […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/interjet-grounds-two-thirds-of-ssj100-fleet/

FLIGHT 110: Aviation roars into the 1920s

As Flight magazine marks its 110th anniversary, we look at the highlights of our second decade The 1920s began with Flight still under the leadership of our founding editor, Stanley Spooner, operating from a small office in Great Queen Street in central London. The magazine’s first decade from 1909 had been punctuated by the Great […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bflight-110-aviation-roars-into-the-1920s/

Extent of new orders unclear in Chinese 300-Airbus pact

Airbus has yet to disclose the extent to which its general terms agreement with China’s state aviation supply organisation will translate into new orders. The agreement, signed in Paris, covers the purchase of 300 aircraft, comprising 290 A320-family jets and 10 A350s. Airbus points out that the pact creates an “approval framework” for aircraft ordered […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/extent-of-new-orders-unclear-in-chinese-300-airbus-pact/

Monday, 25 March 2019

ANALYSIS: Goyal leaves his Jet plane; can it come back again?

The resignation of Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal from his long-held position as chairman looks to be the catalyst needed to get the airline moving again, but it faces a long road ahead. The airline announced the resignation of Goyal, his wife Anita Goyal, and Etihad Aviation Group-nominated director Kevin Knight from their board positions […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/analysis-goyal-leaves-his-jet-plane-can-it-come-back-again/

ANALYSIS: Five key themes for Big Data in aerospace

The concept of big data and predictive maintenance has echoed around industry boardrooms for several years. In its most ideal form, massive streams of data are pumped from aircraft in real time. On the ground, networks equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) use machine learning to make sense of it all and provide actionable maintenance suggestions […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8banalysis-five-key-themes-for-big-data-in-aerospace/

Chinese state aviation holding signs for 300 Airbus jets

Airbus has reached a general terms agreement covering the purchase of 300 aircraft by Chinese carriers. The agreement with the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company was signed in Paris during a visit by Chinese president Xi Jinping. Airbus says the agreement covers 290 A320-family jets – without a breakdown by variant – plus 10 A350s. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/chinese-state-aviation-holding-signs-for-300-airbus-jets-2/

Chinese state aviation holding signs for 300 Airbus jets

American 737 Max cancellations to top at least 2,700 flights

American Airlines has removed the Boeing 737 Max from its schedules through April, prompting the cancellation of thousands of flights. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has pre-emptively cancelled roughly 90 flights a day through 24 April, totalling at least 2,700 flights, as a result of the grounding, it said on 24 March. American The US […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/american-737-max-cancellations-to-top-at-least-2700-flights-2/

American 737 Max cancellations to top at least 2,700 flights

Boeing engages pilots, technicians and regulators on 737 Max

Boeing has started holding information sessions with pilots, technical leaders and regulators on the Boeing 737 Max as it works towards having the global grounding of the fleet lifted. The manufacturer confirms that it held a session on 23 March, and is planning a similar one on 27 March at Renton. “This is part of […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/boeing-engages-pilots-technicians-and-regulators-on-737-max/

Ethiopian chief vows ‘transparent’ co-operation in Max probe

Ethiopian Airlines group chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam has pledged “full and transparent” co-operation with the inquiry into the fatal loss of a Boeing 737 Max 8, and has underscored the airline’s faith in the US airframer. Investigators are still trying to understand the circumstances of the 10 March accident involving flight ET302 and whether it […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/ethiopian-chief-vows-transparent-co-operation-in-max-probe/

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, wife step down from board

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita Goyal have stepped down from the board of Jet Airways after a board meeting was held on Monday. The airline’s CEO Vinay Dube will continue in his position and has been tasked with guiding the company out of the crisis situation. A formal announcement will be […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/jet-airways-founder-naresh-goyal-wife-step-down-from-board/

Sunday, 24 March 2019

PICTURES: Lion Air retires Indonesia’s last Boeing 747-400

Lion Air retired Indonesia’s last Boeing 747-400 from service on 24 March, as it ramps up to receive its first Airbus A330-900s. The aircraft bore the registration PK-LHG (MSN 24065), and entered service with the low-cost carrier on 23 April 2009. It was configured with 504 seats in two class: 12 business and 492 in […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-lion-air-retires-indonesias-last-boeing-747-400-2/

PICTURES: Lion Air retires Indonesia’s last Boeing 747-400

Wow seeks agreement with bondholders to restructure

Icelandic budget carrier Wow Air is holding talks with creditors and bondholders with a view to agreeing a voluntary restructuring of the troubled company. Wow Air’s negotiations with Indigo Partners, and renewed talks with Icelandair Group, have failed to result in an investment or co-operation agreement. As a result Wow’s management is exploring other financing […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/wow-seeks-agreement-with-bondholders-to-restructure/

Boeing’s ‘aggressive’ MCAS software being doubted by Ethiopian Airlines

ADDIS ABABA The Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 and an October crash by Indonesia’s Lion Air killed 346 people have shaken the global aviation community. It has sparked the biggest crisis in decades for the plane manufacturer, Boeing. The two crashes involved 737 MAX 8 and took place in similar circumstances within five months. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/world-news/ethiopian-airlines/

Russia suspected to have sent troops in Venezuela by air

CARACAS Two Russian air force planes landed in Venezuela’s main airport on Saturday carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops, according to a local journalist, amid growing unease in the U.S.. and strengthening ties between Venezuela and Russia. According to a flight-tracking website Flightradar24, two planes left from a Russian military airport bound for Caracas […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/world-news/troops/

Icelandair Group pulls out of Wow Air discussions

Icelandic carrier Wow Air’s future appears increasingly uncertain after Icelandair Group ended newly-initiated discussions with the budget airline. Wow Air had entered talks with Icelandair Group on 21 March after previous potential suitor Indigo Partners pulled out of investment negotiations. But Icelandair Group says a possible involvement in Wow’s operations “will not materialise”. “All discussions […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/icelandair-group-pulls-out-of-wow-air-discussions/

Update: Haryanvi star Sapna Choudhary joining Congress or not

Earlier today, Haryanvi singer and dancer Sapna Choudhary’s name hit headlines after word was doing the rounds that she might be the new shining star for Congress’ as its newest member. She has stated that all the political parties for her are equal and she will not campaign for any particular party in the Lok […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/sapna-choudhary/

Saturday, 23 March 2019

Second Iranian Fokker in three days suffers gear failure

Iranian investigators are probing the second serious landing-gear incident involving a Fokker 100 in the space of three days after an Iran Aseman aircraft diverted to Tehran when its undercarriage only partially deployed. The aircraft (EP-ATG) had been operating the EP840 service from Tehran to Ilam on 22 March, states the Civil Aviation Organisation. It […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/second-iranian-fokker-in-three-days-suffers-gear-failure-2/

Second Iranian Fokker in three days suffers gear failure

Friday, 22 March 2019

NIA files charge sheet against Pakistan-based Falah-e-Insariyat

Updated Sat, 23 Mar 2019 08:55 AM IST National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a new charge sheet against Pakistan-based Falah-e-Insariyat (FIF). Chargesheet has been filed in India for causing many terrorism related incidents. The FIF is a front organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It is accused of creating a sleeper cell in Delhi and Haryana. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/nia-files/

Indian Government acts against separatists, restrictions imposed Yasin Malik’s JKLF

The government has tightened its stand against the separatist leaders after the terror attack on February 14 in Pulwama. All their security have been withdrawn. However, after the removal of the security, separatist leaders had said that they had never sought it. Enforcement Directorate (ED) has cracked the separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir. ED […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/jklf-ban/

Air Travelers Hit Hard by Jet’s Crisis

Travel within India and towards India have become more expensive as supply has been adversely impacted with the cancellation. Jet Airways used to have great frequency of daily flights to different parts of India. That is becoming quickly a part of history.

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jetcrisis/

जम्मू-कश्मीर: कल से अब तक सेना ने मार गिराए आठ आतंकी, मुठभेड़ अब भी जारी- Amarujala

Updated Sat, 23 Mar 2019 01:10 AM IST In Jammu and Kashmir, during the last 36 hours, eight terrorists have been killed in two separate encounters, two in Hadin of Bandipura, two in Shopian, two in Kalantar and two terrorists in Sopore. Operation is complete in other places except Sopore. Security forces in Sopore are […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/%e0%a4%9c%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%82-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%b6%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%80%e0%a4%b0-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%b2-%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%85%e0%a4%ac-%e0%a4%a4%e0%a4%95-%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%87/

Red Wings axes plan to lease six A220s

Russian carrier Red Wings has scrapped plans to acquire a batch of Airbus A220-300s, citing economic considerations for the decision. Red Wings had disclosed last year that it was intending to lease six aircraft – then still known as the Bombardier CS300 – for services on its joint network with Nordavia. It had planned to […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/red-wings-axes-plan-to-lease-six-a220s/

PICTURES: Ranking the best animal-faced airliners

After ANA took delivery of its first turtle-themed Airbus A380 on 20 March, we rank the top 10 animal-face liveries on commercial airliners. 1: Top spots Fedor Leukhin/Creative Commons Russian carrier Rossiya painted an Amur leopard on to one of its Boeing 777-300s in 2017, in support of efforts to save the critically endangered species. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-ranking-the-best-animal-faced-airliners-2/

PICTURES: Ranking the best animal-faced airliners

CommutAir ERJ landed off-runway after misaligned approaches

US investigators have disclosed that a CommutAir Embraer ERJ-145 had been aligned to the right of the runway during two approaches to Presque Isle airport, before an excursion on touchdown. The aircraft, operating as United Express flight 4933 on 4 March, had aborted its initial approach to runway 1, as it arrived from Newark, before […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/commutair-erj-landed-off-runway-after-misaligned-approaches/

Garuda considers cancelling 737 Max 8 orders

Garuda Indonesia hopes to cancel its orders for 49 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, and potentially convert them to another aircraft type. Media reports quoting company officials indicate that a letter has been sent to Boeing requesting the cancellation of the type. Apparently, the company hopes to change it to another member of the Boeing family. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bgaruda-considers-cancelling-737-max-8-orders/

Thursday, 21 March 2019

Asiana suspends share trading

Asiana Airlines suspended share trading on the Korea Exchange on 22 March. In a brief stock exchange statement, the carrier attributed the suspension to an “audit opinion non-conformity”. South Korean media reports indicate that Asiana’s external auditors Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers have issued a “limited option” on the airline’s audited report. A report from news.joins.com indicate that […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/asiana-suspends-share-trading/

Bangkok Airways enters U-Tapao development fray

Bangkok Airways and two other firms have submitted a joint proposal for the development of an aviation hub at Thailand’s U-Tapao airport. The company is teaming up with BTS Group and Sino-Thai Engineering for the bid, says the airline in a Stock Exchange of Thailand statement. The name of the entity is BBS Joint Venture, […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bbangkok-airways-enters-u-tapao-development-fray/

Wow Air resumes talks with Icelandair as Indigo walks

Indigo Partners has cancelled its proposed investment in Icelandic low-cost carrier Wow Air, prompting the airline to resume talks with Icelandair Group. Wow Air says it aims to conclude talks with Icelandair Group by 25 March. “The discussions will take place in cooperation with the Icelandic authorities,” says Icelandair Group, echoing the 25 March timeline. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/wow-air-resumes-talks-with-icelandair-as-indigo-walks-2/

Wow Air resumes talks with Icelandair as Indigo walks

Hydraulic failure preceded Iran Air Fokker gear-up landing

Iranian investigators probing a gear-up landing involving an Iran Air Fokker 100 believe a failure in one of the aircraft’s two main hydraulic systems led to the accident. The aircraft had been operating flight iR215 from Qeshm on 19 March, and had been conducting an approach to Tehran Mehrabad at around 19:07 when the crew […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/hydraulic-failure-preceded-iran-air-fokker-gear-up-landing-2/

Hydraulic failure preceded Iran Air Fokker gear-up landing

Virgin Trains plans airline partners for Orlando airport link

Virgin Trains USA plans to partner with airlines to offer seamless connections to travellers when its extension to Orlando International airport opens, the country’s first in-terminal long-distance rail connection at an airport. The private rail operator, previously known as Brightline, plans to enter into interline agreements with JetBlue Airways and other major airlines via Orlando […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/virgin-trains-plans-airline-partners-for-orlando-airport-link/

On Holi Day BJP Candidates’ List Announced for Lok Sabha polls 2019

As the nation celebrated Holi…… The BJP on Thursday fielded Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi constituency and its president Amit Shah from Gandhinagar in place of L K Advani as it announced its first list of 184 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections Senior party leader J P Nadda told a press conference that […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-pm-narendra-modi-to-contest-from-varanasi/

PICTURES: British Airways 747-400 in Negus retro-livery

British Airways has unveiled its fourth and final retro-livery – a Boeing 747-400 in the airline’s original red, white and blue design dating from 1973. James Mellon/FlightGlobal The 747-400 (G-CIVB) is adorned with the airline’s original “Negus” livery, featuring full “British airways” titles, which was employed until 1980. This scheme was adopted in 1973/74 when […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bpictures-british-airways-747-400-in-negus-retro-livery-2/

PICTURES: British Airways 747-400 in Negus retro-livery

PODCAST: Airline Business team on 737 Max, KLM, Saudia and A380

The new edition of the Airline Business Podcast is now available. Join premium news editor Graham Dunn and Airline Business managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max, the biggest talking points from the A4E Aviation Summit – including Air France-KLM tensions – and Etihad’s latest financial results. FlightGlobal’s […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/podcast-airline-business-team-on-737-max-klm-saudia-and-a380-2/

PODCAST: Airline Business team on 737 Max, KLM, Saudia and A380

Government looks at providing Jet Airways’ unused airport slots to other domestic airlines

New Delhi: The government plans to provide unused airport slots of Jet Airways to other domestic airlines on an interim basis, a senior official said Wednesday, amid efforts to minimise flight disruptions.

Cash-strapped Jet Airways, which is looking to raise fresh funds, has grounded at least 47 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals. Besides, many aircraft are on the ground due to other reasons.

Against this backdrop, the civil aviation ministry officials on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of various domestic airlines.

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said that domestic capacity should be increased when the season starts in April.

“We have to sit with Jet (Airways) and ask them what all are their requirements… At the airports slots are limited and they (Jet Airways) should tell us how many slots they will be using and how many they will not be using,” Kharola said.

The slots that are not being used can be offered for the additional aircraft, he added. It would be do as an “interim arrangement” at congested airports.

According to Kharola, domestic carriers would be able to add around 20-25 planes in by April end.

“Basically, (it is) a contigency plan for peak season traffic during the summer… and that we should be able to provide good service to passengers,” he noted.

Among others, representatives of Air India, SpiceJet, GoAir and IndiGo attended the meeting on Wednesday.

Augmentation of fleet and utilisation of existing planes were among the issues discussed during the meeting.

“Our concern is about operations (of flights), safety and comfort of passengers,” Kharola told reporters here.

Regarding Jet Airways, DGCA chief B S Bhullar said the summer schedule for the airline is yet to be approved.

In a tweet, the ministry Wednesday said it was working with all airlines to provide sufficient capacity and is monitoring safety as well as compliance levels on a daily basis.

Jet Airways pilots look to join SpiceJet, IndiGo pilots see injustice

The harried pilots of crisis-ridden Jet Airways, which is on the brink of closing operations, have now approached SpiceJet as job seekers.

Jet Airways pilots had earlier been welcomed by IndiGo with compensation for their pending salaries and other advantages. IndiGo’s original pilots remained mute spectators. Eventually, they voiced their protest. In IndiGo, this led to murmurs of uneasiness within IndiGo’s pilots. IndiGo did purchase a number of additional airplanes, but it forgot to enhance its manpower especially in the critical areas, ie., operations and engineering where highly skilled personnel are needed. IndiGo became the largest airline in India but it faced acute shortage of labour because it had not done its homework well. As a thumb rule, at least two cadets could have been trained and groomed under one senior pro. Given the number of planes at its disposal, given the hours of flight it undertakes, IndiGo could have produced a battery of young pilots during the last ten years or so. Such a rich pool of talent could have served not only IndiGo but other airlines of the world too.

Although, shortage of manpower in non-critical areas can be somehow managed, shortage of cockpit crew is the one which can not be tolerated. This finally leads to cancellation of hundreds of flights. This has been IndiGo’s experience last month.

According to IndiGo, all job offers are in line with its current terms and conditions.

But IndiGo pilots differ. They have called the move as “injustice” and “unacceptable”:

IndiGo Management takes us lightly.
Offer to Jet Airways pilots is sheer injustice to us
Jet Airways pilots are being offered a two-month bonus along with same designation-salary
They have also been allowed to choose their operational base.

“The management is saying it is not bonus but it is compensation for their (Jet pilots) delayed salaries. Are we also not entitled to similar bonuses?” IndiGo pilots ask.

Also, Jet pilots are joining with designation protection. So, basically if a non-type-rated examiner is joining us, she/he will be joining with a pay protection of the IndiGo examiner, pointed out the IndiGo pilots.

Alleging that the IndiGo pilots have not been given a hike since the last three-four years, the pilots say that after joining, the Jet pilots will again get a hike when Indigo revises the salaries of its existing pilots.

Also Read: Jet Airways pilots seek Centre’s help to recover unpaid salaries

Jet pilots along with engineers and senior management have not been paid for more than three months now as the airline is facing its worst existential crisis since its inception a quarter of a century ago. It can be noted that pilots at Jet, being a full-service carrier, get higher pay and other benefits.

The Gurugram-based SpiceJet, which has all its 12 Boeing Max planes grounded following the crash of an Ethiopian Airline plane early this month, is looking to hire pilots for its expansion plans, and has also conducted walk-in interviews here.

Unlike IndiGo, which flies majorly Airbus 320s, SpiceJet has Boeing 737s in the fleet. On the other hand it can be noted that majority Jet Airways pilots are trained and type-rated for Boeing planes.

Also Read : Jet Airways gets another setback, unlikely to recover

With no assurance on the payment of their pending salaries, Jet pilots had Tuesday warned that they would stop flying from April 1 if the management failed to provide clarity on the revival plan along with a deadline to clear their salary dues by March 31.

Also Read: Banks get ready to put in extra money in debt-laden Jet Airways

Parties battle it out on small business energy blueprint

Wednesday, 20 March 2019

Banks get ready to put in extra money in debt-laden Jet Airways

A day after Etihad walked out of the prolonged bank-led resolution plan for Jet Airways, lenders got into action to chalk out a plan B. Senior bank executives worked the phones and logged on to video-conferencing in a move to rescue Jet, which has a debt pile of about Rs 8,000 crore and is left with just half of its original fleet due to non-payment of dues to lessors.

Switching to a damage-control mode, bankers and government officials claimed that Jet Airways wouldn’t fall even if Etihad refuses to back the resolution plan and exits. Instead, lenders would infuse additional funds to keep Jet flying, they said. An option that was discussed was that Etihad and Jet Chairman Naresh Goyal, who owns 51 per cent in the airline, could pledge their shares and, in return, lenders would put in more funds.

The move comes after Etihad told SBI, which leads the consortium of lenders proposing a resolution plan for Jet, that it would like to exit the airline and sell its 24 per cent stake in Jet and 50.1 per cent in Jet Privilege to them.

ALSO READ: Jet Airways gets another setback, unlikely to recover

Etihad is also learnt to have asked the SBI to take over the guarantee on the $140-million ECB loan, which Jet had taken from HSBC. Etihad had stood guarantee for the loan, which is coming up for repayment on March 27. Etihad CEO Tony Douglas is also believed to have indicated that the company was willing to sell its stake in Jet to the banks at a discounted price of Rs 150 a share or at Rs 400 crore. It has also valued its equity holding in JPPL at around $600 million. An e mail query to Etihad did not elicit any response.

Despite the brave front put up by bankers and government officials trying to prevent an airline collapse so close to the Lok Sabha elections, the lenders’ meeting called at a short notice on Tuesday evening remained inconclusive. The discussion was all about who will pitch in with what in the suddenly changed scenario. With no consensus yet on how the additional burden would be shared by the lenders, another round of talks has been planned with the top management of banks. ‘’It’s a wait and watch situation and the picture would become clear in two days,’’ a source tracking the developments said.

ALSO READ: Jet Airways Nosedives Further, No Respite in Sight, 41 Planes Remain

A top government representative pointed out that while lenders would ideally want Jet and Etihad to put in more money, the largest state-owned lenders like SBI and Punjab National Bank could also infuse more. “The lenders have the option of pumping in money on behalf of the stakeholders if the latter pledge their shares,” he said. He added that the government was in favour of an Indian entity holding majority stake in Jet Airways. “Ideally, nobody would like Jet Airways to go into insolvency proceedings,”he said.

Banks, another source said, had held a meeting late evening on Monday too, to discuss ways to salvage the resolution plan. The lenders had earlier agreed that they would provide Rs 750 crore as interim financing and Rs 1,000 crore for fresh equity to revive Jet.

ALSO READ: Jet Airways pilots seek Centre’s help to recover unpaid salaries

As per the resolution plan, Goyal’s stake was to go down to 17.1 per cent from 51 per cent now. At present, only 1.5 per cent of Goyal’s shares are pledged and Jet has an agreement with PNB under which it has to take a no-objection certificate to sell its shares.

On its part, Etihad has been unwilling to pledge its shares from the very beginning. That’s the reason why Etihad’s draft memorandum of understanding with Goyal had put in a clause that the Abu Dhabi airline would not give any corporate guarantee or pledge its shares in Jet or JPPL. Also, it was again Jet which would pledge its remaining shares in JPPL to secure the $140 million loan from HSBC.

The nation must adopt new energy paradigms

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport recently experienced yet another sudden power outage resulting in delays for many travelers. It was the fourth outage in a year, but it was not related to Taiwan Power Co’s (Taipower) systems. It was caused by equipment that is not managed by Taipower.

Airports in many developed countries have their own cogeneration systems to guarantee a stable multisource power supply to protect the public’s rights and interests. For example, international airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles have cogeneration systems of different sizes.

In this situation, the power company is in effect a backup supplier of energy to the terminals, offering a second guarantee. In addition, emergency diesel-powered generators — which also exist at Taoyuan airport — provide a third guarantee, although they cannot be sustained for long periods and should be the last option.

This is the reason why a cogeneration system should be installed even if the power it generates is a bit more expensive.

Cogeneration systems have two other advantages. As they generate both heat and electricity, thermal efficiency can surpass 80 percent, making it one of the most efficient energy-saving solutions. This is also why many countries encourage and stipulate that power companies must purchase surplus energy generated by cogeneration systems as part of their cost avoidance policies. Taiwan is no exception.

The second advantage of a cogeneration system is that following the growing proportion of distributed energy resources, unstable solar and wind energy generation requires greater backup capacity, while cogeneration allows the flexible adjustment of the proportions of thermal and electric energy generation, making it one of the best backup systems.

This is why a developed country like Denmark estimates that cogeneration systems will continue to make up about 30 percent of total power generation capacity until 2030, while solar and wind generation will make up more than 50 percent and coal-fired generation will provide less than 20 percent.

This means that following Taiwan’s energy generation transformation toward green energy, a greater focus should be placed on the development of regional cogeneration systems and the construction of micro-grids that can operate independently and combine cogeneration with renewable energy sources.

It is worth noting that although there are more than 80 cogeneration systems in Taiwan, they all belong to the manufacturing industry and most are coal-fired. This is different from the situation in developed countries, where the main energy source is natural gas and the systems are used in the services and the manufacturing industries.

Furthermore, the vast majority of the liquefied natural gas that the nation imports is used by Taipower and private power plants for traditional power generation, which has a thermal efficiency of about 50 percent. This, unfortunately, is far less than at a cogeneration system.

The government should join the international trend toward green energy and energy savings, and pay more attention to developing a strategy for natural gas-fired cogeneration systems, which should be primarily used at service industry hubs or important buildings.

This would result in a stronger and more resilient energy system, facilitate flexible plans for a larger proportion of renewable energy generation and make stable low-carbon power supply in smart cities and communities a reality, thus guaranteeing the public’s right to use electricity.

PICTURES: JetBlue unveils second phase of A320 cabin restyling

JetBlue Airways has placed into service the first Airbus A320 reconfigured with a new cabin interior, under the second and final phase of an ongoing cabin restyling programme that will also add more seats to the aircraft. The aircraft, registered N729JB and nicknamed “If You Can Read This, You’re Blue Close” by the airline, re-entered […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-jetblue-unveils-second-phase-of-a320-cabin-restyling/

PICTURES: ANA receives first Japanese A380

Airbus has handed over the first A380 to All Nippon Airways, in a ceremony which also marks the last new customer delivery for the double-deck type. ANA is taking three A380s for services between Japan and Hawaii. Speaking at the delivery event in Toulouse, ANA Holdings chief Shinya Katanozaka said the aircraft would offer a […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-ana-receives-first-japanese-a380/

Pressure Mounts on Boeing, Ethiopian black box secrets being investigated

The twin crashes, killing 346 people, within a space of less than 5 months have shaken the global aviation community and have cast a shadow over the much hyped Boeing model which was supposed to be a standard.

source http://www.ncairways.co/world-news/boeing-inquiry/

Chase Ends, Nirav Modi Caught and Arrested in London, Denied Bail

Following India's request for Nirav's extradition, UK had earlier issued a warrant against him. Nirav was then produced at the Metropolitan Magistrate's court, and he offered half-a-million pounds for his bail, but the court didn't oblige. He will have to spend time till March 29 in prison, when the next hearing will take place.

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

PICTURE: Airbus shows off second BelugaXL

Airbus has shown off the second high-capacity BelugaXL transport after the aircraft emerged from painting at Toulouse. The aircraft – MSN1853 – carries the similar ‘beluga whale’ paint scheme of the initial airframe, MSN1824, which began its flight-test campaign in July last year. Airbus had previously indicated that MSN1853 would be the first to enter […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/picture-airbus-shows-off-second-belugaxl/

Virgin Atlantic to make South American debut by serving Sao Paulo

Virgin Atlantic is to enter the South American market with a new route from London to Sao Paulo next year. The UK carrier says it will offer a daily service between Heathrow and Guarulhos with a Boeing 787 in a five-class configuration. Cirium schedules data indicates that Virgin Atlantic will compete with British Airways and […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/virgin-atlantic-to-make-south-american-debut-by-serving-sao-paulo/

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Jet Airways’ fleet dwindles as grounding grows

Jet Airways has grounded another six aircraft, raising the number of grounded aircraft to at least 48 for defaults on lease payments. In a 19 March stock exchange disclosure, Jet says one of the six aircraft is operated by its subsidiary Jet Lite. Prior to this groundings have been concentrated on Jet Airways. The airline’s […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jet-airways-fleet-dwindles-as-grounding-grows/

India in Poll Mode, BJP Surges Ahead

In the 2019 elections, BJP may not give tickets to veteran leaders. Although this has not been finalized, but there are indications that many leaders, including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri can be denied tickets. As far as UP is concerned, at least two dozen MPs, including Sakshi Maharaj, are not being considered favorably for the ticket.

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/bjp-meet/

Former Delta executive nominated to lead FAA

The White House plans to nominate former Delta Air Lines senior vice-president of flight operations Steve Dickson to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. The nomination comes more than a year since the end of previous FAA administrator Michael Huerta’s term, and at a time when the aviation regulator is under scrutiny for its certification of […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/former-delta-executive-nominated-to-lead-faa/

Jet Airways Nosedives Further, No Respite in Sight, 41 Planes Remain

Recent Tweets on Jet Airways: President (NAG) National Aviators Guild, a registered pilots union of Jet airways threatens the management that if due salaries will not be disbursed and concrete decisions are not taken soon, union pilots of Jet airways will stop flying from 1st of April DGCA Sources: DGCA held a meeting with domestic […]

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

Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose appointed as Lokpal

Updated Tue, 19 Mar 2019 President Ramnath Kovind has appointed Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh, a former Judge of the Supreme Court, on Tuesday. He has been appointed the first Lokpal of the country. Justice Ghosh, who retired from the Supreme Court in May 2017, is a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Former […]

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

Congress-AAP Coalition in Delhi Ruled Out

The Congress has refused to form an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and the two parties are not in talks with each other, AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday (March 20). Talking to reporters, he claimed media reports stating that talks between the AAP and the […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/congress-has-refused/

Air Canada removes 737 Max flights until July

Air Canada is removing flights on Boeing 737 Max aircraft from its bookings until 1 July as the airline is uncertain how long the 24 Max 8 aircraft in its fleet will remain grounded for safety reasons. The Montreal-based airline says the 737 Max impacts 6% of its planned flights, so it has adjusted its […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/air-canada-removes-737-max-flights-until-july/

Corsair to lease A330neos and go all-Airbus under new owner Intro

French carrier Corsair is to phase out its Boeing aircraft over the next five years, in favour of an expanded, all-Airbus fleet which includes a trio of leased A330-900s. Under a strategy unveiled by new majority owner Intro Aviation, the airline will grow from its current seven long-haul aircraft to 13 by 2023. Each of […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/corsair-to-lease-a330neos-and-go-all-airbus-under-new-owner-intro/

Taiwan’s Starlux firms A350 order

New Taiwanese operator Starlux Airlines has firmed the agreement for 17 Airbus A350s previously unveiled during last year’s Farnborough air show. Starlux is taking 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s. All the twinjets are exclusively powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The carrier plans to deploy these aircraft on its long-haul services from Taipei to Europe […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/taiwans-starlux-firms-a350-order/

Monday, 18 March 2019

Boeing chief reinforces safety focus in open letter

Boeing chairman, president and chief executive Dennis Muilenburg has released an open letter to airlines, passengers and the aviation community reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, as most of the global fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft enters its second week of groundings. The letter repeatedly affirmed Boeing’s commitment to safety, and its unity with […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/boeing-chief-reinforces-safety-focus-in-open-letter/

Porpoising ATR lost nose-wheels in high-speed landing

Pilots of a White Airways ATR 72-600 failed to follow sterile cockpit procedures and allowed the aircraft to gain excessive energy before the turboprop porpoised on touchdown at Lisbon, suffering serious damage. As the aircraft, operating a TAP Portugal service, descended towards runway 21 it encountered rain and winds gusting up to 20kt, although the […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/porpoising-atr-lost-nose-wheels-in-high-speed-landing-2/

Porpoising ATR lost nose-wheels in high-speed landing

Chowkidar game round one: BJP wins, Cong way behind

BJP wins Chowkidar game on Twitter handsomely with over 1.5 million tweets The Prime Minister Narendra Modi had posted a tweet where he asked every Indian to be a ‘Chowkidar’ against corruption, social evils, and dirt on Saturday. A day later, he added the ‘Chowkidar’ prefix to his name. Soon after, the BJP leaders and […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/chowkidar-game/

EasyJet pulls out of Alitalia privatisation process

EasyJet has given up its interest in Alitalia. The UK low-cost airline had been discussions with Italian rail operator Ferrovie and US carrier Delta Air Lines about potentially forming a consortium to take over the Italian flag carrier, but has now decided to “withdraw from the process”, it says. EasyJet has not given a reason […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/easyjet-pulls-out-of-alitalia-privatisation-process-2/

EasyJet pulls out of Alitalia privatisation process

TUI confirms sale of majority stake in Corsair to Intro

TUI has sold its majority stake in French leisure carrier Corsair to German investment firm Intro Aviation, following through on the agreement-in-principle struck in October 2018. Intro has acquired a 53% in Corsair, says TUI, which will “initially” retain a 27% stake, while Corsair employees hold 20%. Financial details of the transaction have not been […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/tui-confirms-sale-of-majority-stake-in-corsair-to-intro-2/

TUI confirms sale of majority stake in Corsair to Intro

PICTURES: BA to debut new business-class seat on A350s

British Airways has unveiled a new business-class seat which will be introduced on its Airbus A350s and rolled out across the rest of its long-haul fleet. The IAG carrier says its new Club Suite flat-bed seats will be configured in a 1-2-1 layout and feature wi-fi capability, 18.5in in-flight entertainment screens and PC/USB power points. […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/pictures-ba-to-debut-new-business-class-seat-on-a350s/

Jet Airways to miss interest payment, grounds four more jets

Jet Airways has delayed paying interest on debentures coming due on 19 March, and grounded four more jets over defaults on lease rentals as the carrier’s cash crunch show little sign of abating. The carrier disclosed that its interest payments “will be delayed owing to temporary liquidity constraints” in a stock exchange statement. It did […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/jet-airways-to-miss-interest-payment-grounds-four-more-jets/

Mayawati tells Congress not to spread confusion, no coalition with it

BSP supremo Mayawati has attacked the Congress in a big way. Mayawati said that there is no coalition with Congress; it should not spread confusion. We are alone capable of fighting the BJP.

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

Sunday, 17 March 2019

Ethiopian 737 flight data shows ‘similarities’ to Lion Air crash

Data retrieved from the recently crashed Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 shows “clear similarities” with the October 2018 crash of a Lion Air aircraft, according to Ethiopian transport minister Dagmawit Moges. The similarities were noted after an initial review of information retrieved from the crashed Ethiopian aircraft’s flight data recorder, Moges said on 17 […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/ethiopian-737-flight-data-shows-similarities-to-lion-air-crash/

‘Ethiopia Airlines crash had ‘clear similarity’ with Lion Air crash’: Official

Ethiopia Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges said the black box from the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157 people last week is in good condition.

Moges told reporters on Sunday evening that data so far shows there is a “clear similarity” between that crash and an earlier one in Indonesia that involved the same type of plane.

Officials said victims hailed from 35 different countries were killed when the Nairobi-bound plane crashed shortly after takeoff.

The United States and other countries grounded Boeing 737 Max 8 planes after they were involved in both the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash and an earlier Lion Air crash in Indonesia.

The U.S.-based Boeing faces the challenge of proving the jets are safe to fly amid suspicions that faulty sensors and software contributed to the two crashes in less than six months.

News

Thousands mourned the Ethiopian plane crash victims on Sunday, accompanying 17 empty caskets draped in the national flag through the streets of the capital as some victims’ relatives fainted and fell to the ground.

The service came one day after officials began delivering bags of earth to family members of the victims. Because of the lengthy identification process, they likely won’t receive remains of loved ones anytime soon.

Family members confirmed they were given a 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) sack of scorched earth taken from the crash site. Many relatives already have gathered at the rural, dusty crash site outside Ethiopia’s capital.

Elias Bilew said he had worked with one of the victims, Sintayehu Shafi, for the past eight years.

“He was such a good person,” Bilew said. “He doesn’t deserve this. He was the pillar for his whole family.”

French investigators said Saturday night that they had successfully downloaded the cockpit recorder data and had transferred it to the Ethiopian investigation team without listening to the audio files. Work on the flight data recorder resumed Sunday but no additional details were given.

Experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the plane’s manufacturer Boeing are among those involved in the investigation.

News

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has said satellite-based tracking data shows that the movements of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 were similar to those of Lion Air Flight 610, which crashed off Indonesia in October, killing 189 people. Both involved Boeing 737 Max 8 planes.

The planes in both crashes flew with erratic altitude changes that could indicate the pilots struggled to control the aircraft. Shortly after their takeoffs, both crews tried to return to the airports but crashed.

The United States and many other countries have now grounded the Max 8s as the U.S.-based company faces the challenge of proving the jets are safe to fly amid suspicions that faulty sensors and software contributed to the two crashes that killed hundreds in less than six months.

Also Read: Infighting hampers analysis of Ethiopian Airlines flight recorders

Also Read: Ethiopian Airlines black boxes showed ‘clear similarities’

SBI not able to finalise resolution plan for Jet Airways after 75 days

Since 31st December 2018, Jet Airways has not paid its debt. Its lenders are trying the debt-equity turnaround plan for the last 75 days or so. Interest, as usual, kept on increasing every day, Jet could not earn adequately as lessors repossessed their planes. The situation has moved from bad to worse.

Amidst increasing differences between Jet Airways and Etihad Airways, the only party that can bailout the beleaguered airline, over the equity cap that its founder chairman Naresh Goyal can hold after his forced exit, bankers on Friday exuded confidence of reaching a resolution plan as early as next week.

After agreeing to cap his shareholding at 22 per cent for perpetuity and completely exit the airline’s management as a precondition for a bailout that Etihad and bankers demanded, Goyal had last Friday wrote to Etihad to remove the perpetuity clause from the resolution plan and also the Gulf carrier immediately offer a lifeline of Rs 750 crore failing which the airline may get grounded.

This, according to media reports, has put off the Gulf carrier which already owns 24 per cent in the airline which has grounded 42 per cent of its 119 aircraft, most of them due to non-payment lease rentals to the aircraft lessors.

According to the draft resolution plan submitted to the lenders led by the lead lender SBI, Etihad will bring in around Rs 1,800 crore as fresh equity and increases its stake to 24.9 per cent, while Goyal will chip in with Rs 750 crore and the rest of the Rs 3,800 crore come from other investors.

Founder chairman Goyal and his family own 52 per cent in the airline now which he had agreed to pare down to 22 per cent to secure a financial bailout.

“It is a work in progress. Very soon, say by next week, we will have a solution plan in place,” a senior SBI official said here Friday.

The official said the resolution plans had started on November 1 last. “Any resolution plan for a corporate is a very complex process. Things don’t happen in a day or two or in even 15 days.

“There are various stakeholders, who have to be aligned; there are promoters and joint venture partners, so when the situation is so complex, it takes time,” SBI explained the reason for the delay.

“We are making every effort and SBI is leading that effort. We are clear on one thing: to ensure that the airline runs and not get grounded and not to stave off our accounts becoming NPAs. That’s the fundamental difference between any other NPA and Jet Airways,” he added.

Jet has a debt of over Rs 8,200 crore and needs to make repayments of up to Rs 1,700 crore by the end of March. It has already defaulted on an ECB payment earlier this week but is servicing its domestic debt.

The acute liquidity crunch has forced it to ground aircraft, shut down stations and delay salary payments to its pilots and engineers along with other senior staff. Since last July the airline has been trying to raise funds as cash crunch mounted leading to salary delays since then.

On March 8, Goyal wrote to Etihad chief executive Tony Douglas seeking an urgent funding of Rs 750 crore under an agreement signed between various stakeholders.

On 14 February, Jet Airways board approved a bank-led resolution plan whereby lenders would become the largest shareholders in the airline. Following approval from the shareholders, part of debt would be converted into 11.4 crore shares at a consideration of Re 1 apiece as per the RBI norms.

BJP and Opposition take social media by storm over Chowkidar jibes

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi began the Main Bhi Chowkidar’ social media campaign on Saturday to take the Congress’ Chowkidar Chor Hai’ jibe head-on. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday unleashed the second chapter of its Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the campaign as he changed his Twitter handle to […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/opposition-jibes/

Ethiopian Airlines black boxes showed ‘clear similarities’ with Lion Air crash

ADDIS ABABA Analysis of the data from the black boxes of an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed killing all 157 people on board showed ‘clear similarities’ with October’s Lion Air crash, a spokesman for the Ethiopian Transport Ministry said. Both planes were Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and both crashed minutes after take off after pilots […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/world-news/ethiopian-airlines-black-boxes-showed-clear-similarities-with/

DNA test of Ethiopian Airlines crash victims to take 6 months

Ethiopian Airlines said on Saturday (March 16) that DNA testing of the remains of the 157 passengers on board flight 302 may take up to six months as it offered bereaved families charred earth from the plane crash site to bury.

A team of investigators in Paris have begun examining the black box recorders recovered from the site where the Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane crashed into a field on Sunday after taking off from Addis Ababa. Passengers from more than 30 nations were aboard.

As families wait for the results from the investigation into the cause of the crash, Ethiopian Airlines is planning to hold a service on Sunday in Addis Ababa, at the Kidist Selassie, or Holy Trinity Cathedral, where many of the country’s past rulers are buried beneath its pink stone spires.

“We were told by the company that we will be given a kilo (of earth) each for burial at Selassie Church for a funeral they will organise,” said one family member who asked not to be named.

Papers given to the families at the Skylight Hotel on Saturday (March 16) said death certificates would be issued within two weeks, and an initial payment made to cover immediate expenses.

The return of remains – most of which are charred and fragmented – would take up to six months, the papers said, but in the meantime earth from the crash site would be given.

Abdulmajid Sheriff, a Kenyan whose Yemeni brother-in-law died, said they had already held a service.

“We are Muslims we didn’t care about that (earth). Yesterday we did our prayers at the mosque and that is all for us.”

Experts say it is too soon to know what caused the crash, but aviation authorities worldwide have grounded Boeing’s 737 MAXs, as concerns over the plane caused the company’s share price to tumble by around 10 percent.

Flight data has already indicated some similarities with a crash by the same model of plane during a Lion Air flight in October. All 189 people onboard were killed. Both planes crashed within minutes of take off after pilots reported problems.

The grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX jets after the crash in Ethiopia has had no immediate financial impact on airlines using the planes, but it will get painful for the industry the longer they do not fly, companies and analysts said on Friday (March 15)

Boeing plans to release upgraded software for its 737 MAX in a week to 10 days, sources familiar with the matter said.

The US plane maker has been working on a software upgrade for an anti-stall system and pilot displays on its fastest-selling jetliner in the wake of the deadly Lion Air crash.

Manohar Parrikar had the spartan, easy accessibility of George Fernandes

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who passed away on March 17 after a brief but spirited battle against cancer, was a reluctant entrant into the defence ministry. As he once told his aides, he preferred being a big fish in a small pond. Still, the prized ministry was reportedly kept aside for him with Finance […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/india-news/manohar-parrikar-had-the-spartan-easy-accessibility-of-george-fernandes/

Jet Airways pilots seek Centre’s help to recover unpaid salaries

Update: Chile-Floating Solar Island story

In a story March 15 about a floating island of solar panels in Chile, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the array is 1,200 square feet. The array is 1,200 square meters.

A corrected version of the story is below:

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A floating island of solar panels is being tested in Chile as a way to generate clean energy and reduce water loss at mine operations, a cornerstone of the Andean country’s economy that uses huge amounts of electricity and water.

The experimental “Las Tortolas” power-generating island is being run by the giant Anglo American mining company at its Los Bronces mine, and the initiative comes as the government pushes to put Chile at the forefront of renewable energy use in Latin America and the world.

The 1,200-square-meter (12,917-square-foot) array of solar panels was inaugurated Thursday by Chilean Mining Minister Baldo Prokurica. Officials said that if the test is successful, the $250,000 plant could be expanded to cover 40 hectares, or nearly 100 acres.

The array floats in the middle of a pond that is used to contain the refuse from mining, known as tailings, and it is expected that its shadow will lower the water temperature and reduce evaporation by 80 percent. Thus, the mine would retain more of that water for its operations and could reduce the amount of fresh water it pumps in the dry mountainous region where water is a scarce commodity.

“With this system, we can make our fresh water consumption more efficient, in line with our goal of re-imagining mining and reducing Anglo American’s fresh water consumption by 50 percent by 2030, as well as the CO2 emissions by producing non-polluting energy,” said Patricio Chacana, Los Bronces’ vice president of operations.

If the yearlong experiment works as planned, the solar panel island could be expanded and new ones could be installed at other mining ponds. Experts say there are approximately 800 such ponds in Chile.

“It is an excellent idea for the traceability of the mining industry and especially in terms of more efficient use of water. This is a company that recycles 76 percent of the water it uses in its processes,” the mining minister said at the unveiling and he encouraged other mining companies to follow suit.

In addition, Prokurica said the Mining Ministry is working on a plan to improve the safety of the mine holding ponds, to guard against failures such as one at an iron ore mine recently in Brazil that unleashed a wall of mud that killed at least 186 people and polluted hundreds of miles of river. Many of the tailing ponds in the north of the country are near urban centers.

Los Bronces is about 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level and is 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the country’s capital, Santiago. In 2018, the mine produced 370,000 tons of fine copper and 2,421 tons of molybdenum.

Almost 20 percent of the energy currently produced and used in Chile comes from renewable sources, up from 6 percent in 2013.