Category Archives: Aviation

AISATS Delivers 100 Automated Aircraft Exterior Cleanings for Vistara

Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) delivered its 100th Robotic Aircraft Exterior Cleaning for Vistara at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). AISATS launched its automated aircraft cleaning service ‘AeroWash’ for Vistara in June this year. Through these 100 aircraft exterior cleanings AISATS has helped Vistara save 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions and 120,000 litres of water. This 100th aircraft wash milestone is a testament to AISATS’s drive for providing innovative and tech-savvy airport services and encapsulates how this game-changing tech is being adopted as a new benchmark in aircraft exterior washing across the Indian aviation landscape.

AeroWash harnesses state-of-the-art robotic technology, delivering precise and efficient exterior cleaning while upholding the highest safety standards for both the aircraft and the equipment operators. This system minimizes the use of water during the cleaning service and reduces aerodynamic drag on aircrafts leading to lower fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions for airlines.

Commenting in this milestone, Sanjay Gupta, CEO, AISATS, said “AISATS is proud to undertake its 100th robotic aircraft exterior cleaning for Vistara. This technology represents a paradigm shift in the aviation industry’s approach to maintaining aircraft cleanliness and appearance and sets new benchmarks for aircraft washing standards. AISATS remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, consistently striving to provide advanced, eco-friendly solutions to the aviation sector and introducing AeroWash to our industry is a testament in this direction.”

AISATS has been at the forefront of introducing sustainable solutions to the Indian aviation sector, further solidifying its position as an industry leader. Recent initiatives, such as the introduction of solar-powered passenger ramp bridges and electric buses at various airports, underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

Uganda Airlines Selects Çelebi India as Its Preferred Ground Handling Services Partner in Mumbai

Çelebi India adds another milestone by announcing its latest partnership with Uganda Airlines to deliver ground handling services in the country. This partnership displays the unwavering commitment by Çelebi to raise the Indian aviation service standards and continuously deliver global standards ground and cargo handling services.

Çelebi India commenced supporting the ground handling services for Uganda Airlines’ with its inaugural direct flight from Entebbe to Mumbai on October 7, 2023. Uganda Airlines has launched three weekly flights connecting Entebbe and Mumbai and has expressed its intention to further expand its presence in India.

With a proven track record of over a decade, Çelebi has established a culture of excellence in ground handling services at Mumbai Airport, catering to both domestic and international airlines.

Tauseef Khan, CEO, Çelebi Ground Handling – India, said, “We are delighted to bring our ground handling expertise to Uganda Airlines in Mumbai. We anticipate a long-term partnership as Uganda Airlines expands its footprint in India. Our commitment remains steadfast in providing seamless services and contributing to the growth of aviation in India.”

Speaking on the occasion Jenifer Bamuturaki, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Airlines, said, “Uganda Airlines is proud to strengthen the business and commercial ties between India and Uganda by launching direct flights from Entebbe to Mumbai. We are also planning to expand our network to other points in India. We extend our congratulations to Çelebi India for supporting the growing demand for air passenger and cargo services in India.”

Çelebi India recently commenced ground handling services at Chennai Airport, adding to its portfolio of nine airports in India, including major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Goa (Manohar International Airport, Mopa), and Kannur.

At the forefront of sustainability within the Indian ground handling industry, Çelebi India is dedicated to assisting the Indian aviation sector in achieving carbon neutrality. As part of its sustainability initiatives, the company has introduced eco-friendly services, including 100% electric, air-conditioned tarmac coaches, electric baggage and cargo towing tugs, taxi-bots, and bridge-mounted equipment services.

Akasa Air rationalises network by reducing some flights from Bengaluru

Akasa Air, which is facing headwinds due to pilot issues, has cancelled some flights from Bengaluru, sources said on Thursday, while the airline stated it has rationalised the network to ensure high operational reliability. Bengaluru is the hub for the carrier, which operates around 700 flights daily.

Sources said the airline, which has been flying for more than a year, has cancelled some flights from Bengaluru. However, specific details could not be immediately ascertained.

“As we have mentioned before in the July-August 2023 timeframe when a small set of pilots abandoned their duties and left the organisation without serving their mandatory contractual notice period, we were forced to cancel a number of flights.

“Since then, we have rationalised our network to ensure that we offer our customers the highest levels of operational reliability, as we did for the first 11 months of our operation,” an Akasa Air spokesperson said in a statement.
The airline flies to 16 cities. According to the spokesperson, with its advanced pilot planning and training programmes, the airline is “now squarely back in growth mode”.

“As we take delivery of several additional aircraft in the remainder of this fiscal year, we look forward to opening up several domestic and international destinations within the fiscal year 2023-24,” the spokesperson said, adding that the carrier is financially strong.

‘Bengaluru Airport has potential to become aviation hub for IndiGo & Air India’

Bengaluru Airport has the potential to become a major hub for two prominent Indian airlines, IndiGo and Air India, according to Hari Marar, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL).

Marar pointed out that for years, India lacked an airline with the stature and an airline-airport partnership necessary to establish a hub, while neighbouring countries like Singapore and Dubai capitalised on this opportunity by creating exceptional hubs.

He believes that the time has come for IndiGo and Air India to collaborate and create an airline-airport partnership that can transform Bengaluru into a hub, reports Bhagya Subhashini for Swarajya.

This vision aligns with Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s plan to transform Indian airports into aviation hubs and encourages domestic airlines to contribute to the establishment of an international civil aviation hub in India.

Bengaluru has attracted attention not only from Indian airlines but also from international players due to its immense business potential. The airport’s new runway and heavy reliance on automation make it an attractive option for airlines.

BIAL currently ranks as India’s third-largest airport, connecting 76 domestic destinations and 25 international destinations with the participation of 36 airlines and 13 freight carriers.

BIAL has expanded its workforce significantly, growing from 25,000 employees before the creation of Terminal 2 to its current count of 38,000. The airport aims to further increase its workforce to 50,000 within the next two years, according to Marar.

The airport served 31.9 million passengers in FY23, coming close to the pre-pandemic levels, and anticipates hosting 39-40 million passengers in FY24. (Source: Swarajya)

Naveen Jindal’s Jindal Power submits EoI for Go First

Naveen Jindal-backed Jindal Power Ltd (JPL) has submitted the sole expression of interest (EoI) for Go First.

The Wadia-group airline suspended operations in May due to a cash crunch resulting from defective aircraft engines. In July, Shailendra Ajmera, the airline’s resolution applicant, called for expressions of interest from interested parties to take over the airline. After multiple extensions, the EoI process closed in September with a single interested party. It is also learnt that two other foreign entities had shown interest but didn’t qualify, reports Aneesh Phadnis for The Hindu Business Line.

JPL will now have access to virtual data room and can carry out its due diligence before making a bid for the grounded airline, a source said. Incidentally, the 180-day period for completion of insolvency resolution process ends on November 6 and the airline’s lenders will have to take a call on an extension based on JPL’s interest.
JPL was not available for comment. JPL is privately owned by Naveen Jindal and family. It was acquired from the listed Jindal Steel & Power by a promoter entity in 2021. The Jindal’s also own a charter company called India Flysafe Aviation Ltd that rents out helicopter and planes.

While a single-bid scenario is not an issue under the bankruptcy code, Go First restart and revival is facing challenges due to litigation with aircraft lessors. (Source: The Hindu Business Line)

 

Air India Cancels Flights To Tel Aviv till October 14

Air India has cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv till October 14. Israel came under attack by Hamas group on Saturday and since then, both sides are engaged in fighting in which scores of people have died.
“Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till 14th October, 2023, for the safety of our passengers and crew,” an airline spokesperson said in a statement.

The airline will extend all possible support to passengers who have confirmed bookings on any flight during this period, the spokesperson added.

The full service carrier operates five weekly flights to Tel Aviv from the national capital. The service is on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday also, the carrier cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, expressed solidarity with Israel after Hamas militants launched an attack on the country.

PM Modi condemned it as “terrorist attacks” in Israel as its leader Benjamin Netanyahu said the country is at war.