23 Apr 2018

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 23 April

Dassault Aviation Executive Committee gathers in New Delhi to reaffirm full commitment to the "Make in India" policy The delegation has made stops in New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where more than 390 business-to-business meetings have been co-organised with SIDM (Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers) and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). They have brought together the sectors’ companies from both countries. This took place on the occasion of two seminar dedicated to the “Indo-French Defence & Aerospace Cooperation”. A MoU between GIFAS and SIDM (Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers) has been signed to promote partnerships and cooperation. 60 French aerospace industrial companies participated. The major aviation and space players representing both civilian and defence business interests were present – Airbus, Ariane Group, Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran and Thales – not to mention 54 subcontractors, suppliers, SMEs and equipment manufacturers. In-flight Wi-Fi over Indian airspace moves closer to reality Flyers will soon be able to avail data services during flights with the Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body at the department of telecommunications (DoT), set to approve the much-awaited proposal at its next meeting scheduled on 1 May, a person aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity. The DoT had in August asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to furnish its recommendations on licensing terms and provision of in-flight connectivity for voice, data and video services and associated issues related to entry fee, licence fee and spectrum. India needs nearly 900 passenger planes in future: Senior government official To cater to the robust air passenger traffic across airports in the country as well as the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) that aims to provide air travel to the common man, India will need nearly 900 passenger aircraft in the future, said a senior state government official. In comparison, China has around 2,500 passenger planes, five times that of India. Lockheed-Tata JV Opens First India-Based Metal-to-Metal Bonding Facility A joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems has opened the first metal-to-metal bonding facility at Adibatla, Hyderabad in India. Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures inaugurated the 4,700 square-meter facility that will support the complex aerostructures manufacturing requirements of Tata Advanced Systems and the Make in India initiative. The Lockheed-Tata JV will also further the localization of the construction of C-130 platforms through the transfer of the production of around 2,000 empennage parts to the India-based Tata Sikorsky Aerospace joint venture of Tata and Lockheed’s Sikorsky subsidiary. Philippine Airlines (PAL) readies nonstop flights to India Philippine Airlines (PAL) will mount nonstop flights to India as well as boost its operations in Davao, Cebu, and Clark in Pampanga, as the flag carrier expects the arrival of 21 new aircraft by 2019. PAL’s expansion in 2018 includes Manila to New Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay) in India, nonstop flights by last quarter of 2018. Vistara likely to order wide-bodied aircraft in expansion bid Vistara is likely to place an order for wide-bodied aircraft in the next few weeks as part of its plans to expand to long-haul overseas routes, according sources aware of the deliberations at the premium domestic carrier told the Economic Times. The airline currently operates a fleet of 20 narrow-bodied Airbus A320 planes of 158 seats. Widebody aircraft typically have over 300 seats, twin-engine and longer range of more than 8 hours. Zoom Air to dry lease Bombardier jet from Club One Air Zoom Air has signed an initial pact with luxury business jet operator Club One Air to dry lease regional jet Bombardier. This is the first time a domestic carrier will lease out an aircraft to compatriot firm, Club One Air claimed in a release. As per the agreement, Club One Air will dry lease a Bombardier CRJ 200 plane to Zoom air, the release said. Acumen Aviation © 23 April All Rights Reserved.