11 Mar 2019

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 11 March

Arkia to launch new routes to Goa and Kochi Arkia Airlines has announced it is to launch two new routes from Tel Aviv to Goa and Kochi operating twice weekly from September using Airbus A321LR aircraft according to The Economic Times 5 March. Government panel suggests fee hike for domestic fliers A government panel has recommended that the passenger service fee (PSF) levied on domestic flyers should be increased by Rs 20 in order to generate more revenue for clearing security dues worth crores. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) DG Rajesh Ranjan said “PSF issue is at a fairly advanced stage and we hope to see some decision in that regard very soon.” Hughes Communications India granted Indian FMC license Hughes Communications India Ltd (HCIL) has become the first company to be granted a Flight and Maritime Connectivity (FMC) license from the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. HCIL is now authorized to provide in-flight connectivity and high-quality broadband services to Indian and foreign airlines and shipping companies operating within Indian territory. HCIL has already set up a base mobility platform and is in discussion to enhance the services in India. India needs to revamp airport processes: IATA India, which is forecast to witness a threefold jump in air passenger traffic by 2037, will need to improve procedures at airports to meet the growing passenger demand, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a study. India needs to do away with stamping procedures at airports and allow mobile boarding pass (MBP), adopt automation for both departure and arrivals, adhere to global standards for advance passenger information, relocate hand luggage screening (for international arrivals) and adopt a risk-based approach instead of 100% screening transmission India to hike Saudi flying rights by 40% Saudi Arabia is set to become the biggest and only beneficiary of India’s tightly managed foreign flying rights with Saudi a 40% hike in quota from 1^st April citied The Economic Times 7 March. Under the new aviation policy, no country within 5,000 km flying distance from India will be allowed any extra seats unless Indian carriers exhaust 80% of the flying rights quota Saudi is near the figure with 74%. Vistara announces connectivity to Dibrugarh Vistara recently announced the addition of Dibrugarh to its nation-wide network, the 24th destination to be announced by the airline, and its second destination in Assam after Guwahat commencing 3 April. Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Vistara, said, “At Vistara, our aim is to bring ‘the new feeling of flying’ to more business and leisure travellers across the country, and we are pleased to add Dibrugarh to our growing network. Hot on the heels of our announcement of service to Raipur, this announcement of service to Dibrugarh is the second in a series of flight additions Vistara has planned starting this summer.” Acumen Aviation © 11 March 2019 All Rights Reserved.