23 Mar 2020

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 23 March

ATF prices cut by 12% in India from 21 March In a major relief for airlines in the country, the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has been reduced by 12% with effect from March 21. CNBC-TV18 was the first to report the reduction in prices, which is now reflecting on the Indian Oil Corporation website. Traditionally, ATF prices are revised on the 1st of every month, hence the earlier revision took place on March 1. However, airlines have been requesting the government to revise oil prices on a weekly basis so that they can benefit from the decline in global oil prices. In India, expenses towards ATF is the largest expenditure on the balance sheet of airlines, constituting almost 35-40% of total costs.

Dunzo, Throttle get DGCA approval to conduct drone experiment

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given approval to drone maker Throttle Aerospace Systems and hyper delivery platform Dunzo to conduct experimental flights of remotely piloted aircraft or drones. The DGCA is conducting experiments for next-generation civil aviation requirement (CAR). At present, DGCA regulations allow only Visual Line of Sight. International freighters will be allowed to fly to and from India between March 22 and 29 The India government has allowed international freighter aircraft to operate from and to India between March 22 and March 29. Cathay Pacific operates over 20 weekly freighter flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. A major component of the incoming cargo is said to be active pharma ingredients. RAK airport boosts Indian trade links with agri and farming deal Trade operations between Ras Al Khaimah and India have been boosted by a three-way deal signed between the emirate’s airport, Hyderabad International Airport and Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet. The agreement will establish a dedicated freight corridor through which agri and farming products from centrally located Telangana and neighbouring regions can be sent over to the UAE. Sanjay Khanna, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, said: “Perishable goods is a growing market for air cargo. Ensuring that these delicate and short shelf life products reach the customer unspoiled with minimal waste and loss is essential and hence we are committed to assist and ensure smooth movement of cargo, support direct and point to point service and provide the finest quality of service to meet the growing demands from our consumers.” Second runway at Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport marks first landing The second runway also known as the ‘South Runway’ at the Kempegowda Airport in Bengaluru on Thursday 19 March marked its first commercial flight landing. The SpiceJet flight SG497 flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru landed at 0940 local. With the second runway fully functional, the airport becomes the only Indian airport to have two parallel independent runways which can work simultaneously enabling 90 movements per hour. The Bangalore International Airport Limited said, “With these regulatory clearances, the South Runway is now equipped to handle both arrivals and departures. BIAL is working with various stakeholders to commence rehabilitation projects of the North Runway (old runway).” Acumen Aviation © 23 March 2020 All Rights Reserved.