Tag Archives: inaugurates

SCINDIA INAUGURATES INDIA’S AND AIR INDIA’S FIRST AIRBUS A350

In a landmark moment for Indian aviation, Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia officially inaugurated India’s and Air India’s first Airbus A350 aircraft on the first day of Wings India 2024.

This not only marks the arrival of a state-of-the-art aircraft to Air India’s fleet, but also signifies India’s growing stature as a major player in the global aviation industry.

“The A350 is a game-changer for Air India,” said Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India. “It will not only elevate our passenger experience but also open up new routes and opportunities for expansion. Together with the full interior refit of our legacy widebody aircraft commencing mid-2024, this upgradation of fleet and product is a key pillar of returning Air India to the upper echelons of world aviation.”

The arrival of the A350 coincides with a period of rapid growth and transformation for Air India. Under the leadership of the Tata Group, the airline is undergoing a comprehensive transformation, aimed at renewing its fleet, expanding its global route network, enhancing its service offerings, and regaining its position as a global aviation leader.

Equipped with powerful and fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the Airbus A350 delivers optimal performance, environmental benefits, and superior passenger comfort. Its impressive range of up to 9,700nm (18,000 km) enables non-stop flights from India to destinations in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The A350 offers wider cabins, larger windows, mood lighting, and advanced entertainment systems, and comes with world-class cabin products, setting a new benchmark for passenger experience on Indian airlines. Air India’s A350-900 comes with 316 seats in a three-class cabin configuration.

Luxe Business: Business class aboard Air India’s A350-900 features 28 private suites in a
1-2-1 configuration, each boasting direct aisle access and sliding privacy doors. At the touch of a button, the suite chairs convert into full-sized beds, becoming guests’ own private cocoons in the sky. Each suite has a personal wardrobe and ample stowage space for electronic devices, amenities, and shoes, as well as a conveniently located mirror, catering to every traveller’s needs. 21-inch HD touchscreen and video handset provide an immersive entertainment experience, while universal A/C and USB-A power outlets ensure mobile and electronic devices stay charged.

Upscale Premium Economy: The exclusive Premium Economy cabin on Air India’s A350-900 has 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, offering ample legroom with 38 inches of seat pitch, 18.5 inches of seat width, and 8-inch recline. Each seat has a 4-way adjustable headrest and leg rest with a foot paddle for customised comfort, and a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen, and universal AC and USB-A power outlets.

Comfortable Economy: Economy has 264 seats in a 3-4-3 configuration, each with 31 inches of seat pitch, 17.5 inches of seat width, and 6 inches of recline, 4-way adjustable headrest, and a 12-inch HD touchscreen for a comfortable, yet stylish flying experience that delivers value for money.

Entering commercial service
Air India’s A350 enters commercial service on 22 January 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation on flights to/from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The aircraft will be subsequently deployed on international routes.

The first A350 of the many arriving
Air India’s first A350, registered VT-JRA, is the first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India’s firm orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000 as well.

GO FIRST inaugurates direct flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi

GO FIRST (formerly known as GoAir) on June 28 achieved a milestone by introducing triweekly to and fro direct flights from Kochi to Abu Dhabi. The inaugural flight, G8 063 to Abu Dhabi, was flagged off from Kochi last evening at 20:05 hours.

GO FIRST will operate three direct flight services per week between Kochi and Abu Dhabi and bookings are now open at an attractive return fare starting from INR 15793. This region will strengthen GO FIRST’s international footprint in the Middle East and will enable an affordable world class travel experience for the passengers.

The flight was flagged off by Suhas (IAS), MD – CIAL; in presence of Shabeer, Executive Director – CIAL; Dinesh Kumar, Head Of Operations – CIAL; Anoop Krishna, FRRO; Vijesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Customs; Sumeet Sharma, Sr. Commandant (CISF); Chandran, Chief Of Immigration; Prasanna Kumar, JGM – Airports Authority of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Kaushik Khona, Chief Executive Officer, GO FIRST said, “Abu Dhabi has always been a focus city for us. We are pleased to inaugurate new non-stop flights connecting Kerala with Abu Dhabi which will not only benefit the blue-collar workers, but also the travellers who are planning to visit UAE and Kerala during the summer holidays.”

Vistara Inaugurates Non-Stop Flights Between Delhi And Paris

Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier and a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, operated its first non-stop flight to Paris CDG (Charles de Gaulle) airport yesterday. Under the air bubble agreement between India and Europe, Vistara will fly twice a week between the two cities – on Wednesdays and Sundays. Bookings for the flights are open on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents.

On this occasion Mr. Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “Paris is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and CDG an important airport for any airline intending to serve the region. Given the strong economic and cultural ties there is a high demand for direct connectivity between India and France, and therefore Paris fits our network very well. We are delighted to expand our global footprint as we bring India’s finest airline to Paris.”

The Delhi-Paris route is being served by Vistara’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, that provides travellers a world-class flying experience. Vistara will accept all eligible customers that meet visa/entry requirements in both the countries, as specified by the respective government bodies. Vistara strongly encourages its customers to fully understand these guidelines before making their bookings.

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and Tripadvisor, and has also been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards. In a short span of over six years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service standards in the Indian aviation industry.

PM to inaugurate the Projects and lays foundation stone of multiple projects in Gujarat’s Somnath

Prime Minister will be inaugurating the Somnath Promenade and Exhibition Gallery in Somnath which are among the components of the project developed under PRASHAD Scheme of Ministry of Tourism and Ahilyabai Mandir Parisar Renovation carried out by Shree Somnath Trust . He will also lay the Foundation Stone of Parvati Mata Mandir in Somnath, Gujarat through a Virtual Platform tomorrow the 20th August 2021 at 11:00 Hrs.

The PM will be joined by Sh. Amit Shah (Home Minister and Co-operation Minister, GoI),Shripad Yesso Naik (Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, GoI), Ajay Bhatt (Minister of State for Tourism and Defence, GoI), Vijay Rupani (Chief Minister, Gujarat), Jawahar Chawda (Tourism Minister, Gujarat) , Rajeshbhai Chudasama , Member of Parliament, Junagadh and Pravin K Leheri, Trustee- Secretary, Shree Somnath Trust.

The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations with focus on development of pilgrimage tourist destinations. Since its launch in January 2015 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 37 projects in 24 States with estimated expenditure of Rs. 1214.18 Cr. and a total amount of INR 675.47 Cr. has been released for these projects from FY 2014-15 to FY 2018-19 and the current financial year as on date.

Located about 94 km from Junagadh, the Somnath Temple is said to have been originally built by the moon god with gold. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Somnath Temple is one of the most important spiritual sites in the Hindu circuit. Believed to be the first of the 12 jyotirlingas (devotional shrines of Lord Shiva) in the country, the temple sees a large footfall every year. In the month of November, the Kartik Purnima fair organised here attracts a large number of pilgrims.