13 Nov 2017

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 13 November

Bengaluru airport projects 19% growth in winter air traffic movements The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has commenced the winter schedule 2017-18 for its Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (BLR Airport). During winter 2017-18, the daily Air Traffic Movement (ATM) is expected to be at 614 at the start of the schedule, and will progress to reach 660 ATM per day - a projected growth of 19% in overall ATMs, BIAL said in a press release. The planned average international movement per day during the winter season is expected to grow by 7%, compared to the previous season. Domestic and international share of ATMs is projected to be 89% and 11%, respectively, for Winter 2017. Brussels Airlines to further invest in Mumbai market On March 30, Brussels Airlines inaugurated its direct flights between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport and Brussels Airport and has since seen its results on the route growing more and more. After a positive seven month period with an average seat load factor of almost 80 per cent, the airline has decided to invest even more in the route, by adding an extra flight on Saturday, bringing the total to six flights per week. CAPA director South Asia details India's outbound leisure market CAPA - Centre for Aviation director South Asia Binit Somaia, speaking at the CAPA Asia Aviation Summit, said India's outbound leisure market is poorly understood and outlined the following features of the market. India's international market reached 60 million passengers in FY2017, making it the world's 17th largest. Indian carriers accounted for 38% of the market and LCCs accounted for 23%. LCCs are expected to grow significantly over the coming years as Indian LCCs focus more on international. Most traffic was to the Gulf and Southeast Asia, while long haul operations accounted for 34% of the total and were dominated by sixth freedom carriers, which made up 75%. Centre in talks with Tamil Nadu govt for second airport in Chennai The Centre is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government for a second airport in Chennai required by 2030-2035, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said. According to a study carried out by aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), Chennai handled 18.4 million passengers in 2016 and is expected to reach its maximum capacity of 23-26 million passengers by 2020, if traffic grows at an estimated rate of 12.5 per cent. IndiGo to touch 1000 flights per day milestone IndiGo announced the launch of 47 flights (19 new sectors and 28 additional flights) on its network; thereby achieving 1000 flights per day mark on December 23rd 2017. The carrier will add new sectors on Lucknow-Sharjah, Hyderabad- Sharjah, Lucknow-Srinagar, Hyderabad-Ranchi and Lucknow-Dehradun amongst others. These flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travelers. The schedule will also see additional frequencies connecting Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai with major cities including Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kochi respectively. India international market to grow in importance: BOC Aviation MD  BOC Aviation chairman and MD Robert Martin, speaking at the CAPA Asia Aviation Summit, predicted the growing importance of the India international market, stating: "I think that's the coming story going forward". Mr Martin predicted changes in the market in 2018, with AirAsia India and Vistara expected to meet the 20 aircraft requirement to commence international services and provide "strong potential competition" for Air India and Jet Airways. SpiceJet Explores Buying 100 Amphibious Kodiaks As part of its support for India’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik, or “Let Every Person Fly”) aviation expansion program, SpiceJet has reached out to Japan’s Setouchi Holdings, exploring a deal for about 100 Quest Kodiak amphibious floatplanes. Since 2015, Setouchi has owned Sandpoint, Idaho-based Quest, manufacturer of the 10- to 14-passenger turboprop single. SpiceJet hopes for financial support for the $400 million deal from India’s Prime Minister Narendara Modi and his aggressive plans for connecting the nation’s vast population by air, despite limited infrastructure. Very few of India's 450 airports can accommodate jet airliners. Acumen Aviation © 13 November All Rights Reserved.