19 Nov 2018

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 19 November

Avolon Places 15 Airbus A320neo Aircraft with Vistara Avolon announced 15 November the placement of fifteen Airbus A320neo aircraft with Vistara. The delivery of the aircraft will commence in June 2019 and continue up to August 2021. These are the first aircraft Avolon will have on lease to Vistara. Bangalore Airport launches Self Bag Drop Bangalore International Airport has once more raised the bar for passenger experience by deploying 16 fully-automated Self Bag Drop machines that will significantly accelerate the baggage transaction and reduce check-in queues. The BLR Airport is the first in the Country to introduce a large deployment of fully automated baggage drop-off units. BIAL’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Javed Malik said: “Continuous improvement of passenger experience at the BLR Airport has always been a priority for us and the introduction of the new Self-Bag-Drop is testimony to that. We’re excited to be the first airport in the Country to offer our passengers and airlines state-of-the-art technology, that will ease the process of air travel. Our goal is to use technology to improve the passenger experience and to make airport operations more efficient.” IndiGo launches flights to Kuala Lumpur IndiGo has launched flights to KL International Airport (KUL). The airline’s inaugural flight to KUL on 15 November carrying 180 passengers on its Airbus A320 aircraft from Delhi, India. KUL is IndiGo’s 12th international destination. Jet Airways' board accelerates turnaround strategy The Board of Directors of Jet Airways met 12 November to assess and announce the Company's financial results for the second quarter of FY19, based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee. The Board also reviewed the progress of the Company’s turnaround strategy outlined last quarter, together with an update on the success of other parallel measures being undertaken by the management to revive the economic health of the Company. Jet Airways to sell six B777s, phase out B737s Jet Airways announced 13 November plans to sell six B777s in a sale and leaseback deal with undisclosed aircraft lessors. The proceeds from the transaction is expected to clear most of the carrier's aircraft-related debt. Jet will also finance the purchase of its 225 B737 MAX on order via sale and leaseback deals. The carrier will phase out its 75 older B737s by 2025, while delivery of 15 new B737 MAX are expected in fiscal 2020. New route from Abu Dhabi to Kerala proves popular with UAE residents Air India Express has launched a new route between Kannur International Airport in Kerala and Abu Dhabi, with additional connections to Dubai and Sharjah in the pipeline. Tickets have been selling out within minutes due to high demand on certain dates. The first international flight from Kannur airport will leave for Abu Dhabi on December 9, the day the airport is set to open. There are an estimated 800,000 people from Kerala living in the country and Kannur airport expects to receive 1.5 million visitors each year. Thomas Cook to invest Rs 300 mn by 2020 to expand footprint in India Thomas Cook is looking to invest almost Rs 300 million by 2020 to expand its footprint in India. From the current network of about 175 branches, it plans to take up the number of outlets to around 225 by 2020, including franchisee-owned centres. "We are looking at opening 50-60 new outlets over the next two years, which would entail total investment in the region of Rs 250-300 million," Thomas Cook senior vice-president (leisure travel) Romil Pant told Business Standard. Acumen Aviation © 19 November 2018 All Rights Reserved.