18 May 2020

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 18 May

Bengaluru airport voted as best regional airport in India & Central Asia Bengaluru's Kempegowda International was voted by customers as the best regional airport in India & Central Asia for the third time in four years at the 2020 World Airport Awards. CEO & MD BIAL (Bangalore International Airport Limited) said "This award reaffirms our commitment to provide a world-class experience for our travellers at BLR Airport with a slew of pioneering technology and sustainability initiatives. At a time like this, when our industry is facing such challenges, this award has rejuvenated the morale of the team at BLR Airport.” Book Air Ambulance launches India’s first-ever affordable ambulance service Book Air Ambulance, a flagship venture of Flaps Aviation has announced the launch of India’s first-ever affordable air ambulance service - ‘Cashless Air Ambulance’. Three King Air C90 aircraft are used for this service. Captain Amit Kumar, founder and CEO of Flaps Aviation launched the service in Mumbai. Captain Amit Kumar said “We are expecting a major breakthrough by joining hands with some insurance companies to cover the patient’s air ambulance transfers that will positively impact the company’s growth.” India Airspace restrictions eased; to bring in Rs 1,000 crore annually The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that restrictions on utilization of the Indian airspace, of which only 60% is freely available right now, will be eased. This will bring in a total benefit of about Rs 1,000 crore per year for the aviation sector. Along with ensuring optimal utilization of airspace, the new restrictions will also reduce fuel use, flying time and will have a positive impact on the environment. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said "Restrictions on the utilization of Indian airspace will be eased so that civilian flying becomes more efficient. Will bring a total benefit of Rs 1,000 crore per year for the aviation sector." India boosts Maintenance and Repair Overhaul (MRO) sector The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's announcement to make India a hub for Maintenance and Repair Overhaul (MRO) for aircraft has offered the much-needed relief to an aviation industry gasping for survival in the Covid-19 era.  It will open up a huge foreign market as well as generate much domestic employment, the industry says. Bharat Malkani, president of the MRO Association, said there are 600 aircraft in India and their maintenance and repairs is a billion-dollar affair annually. He said, “The big centres for the MRO industry are in Mumbai and New Delhi. The biggest chunk of operational expenses of any aircraft goes towards maintenance as it ensures safety of the aircraft and passengers. Lufthansa Group plans to resume flight services to India in June Lufthansa said it plans to resume its services to India, which are currently suspended due to the lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, by June, when it is expecting to operate to more than 130 destinations globally. The services in India will be restored to Mumbai from Frankfurt to begin with, subject to regulatory approvals. Ettiyil, Senior Director Sales South Asia said “I am proud of our decision to have Mumbai as one of the first destinations for increasing our long-haul services. It reflects the robust demand for flights to and from India, even in these unprecedented times. While we fully understand and respect the Indian government’s final call as to when this can take place, resuming flights to Mumbai underlines our confidence in how the Indian government is handling the pandemic crisis”. Acumen Aviation © 18 May 2020 All Rights Reserved.