25 Nov 2019

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 25 November

Bengaluru Airport To Introduce Biometric Technology For Immigration

The BIAL (Bangalore International Airport Pvt. Ltd.) has proposed to install biometric technology for immigration clearance at the Bengaluru airport. Indian citizens may not have to wait in queues anymore to get their passports stamped for immigration. Biometric technology will be installed for immigration for Indian citizens flying back to the country. Under a unified immigration database, the passport will get stamped digitally and will contain all the information that a physical stamp does. An iris scan or a finger scan may be used to register arrival in the country. Pre-exiting biometric technology at the Kempegowda International Airport for paperless self-boarding has been largely successful. With its Digi Yatra project, the airport introduced the biometric system for boarding in order to avoid long queues, enable seamless boarding and for conservation of time. Emirates and SpiceJet seal codeshare deal Emirates has signed a codeshare and interline agreement* with SpiceJet to give travelers to and from India seamless access to a wider and a stronger route network. This is the first-ever codeshare agreement signed by SpiceJet. From early 2020, customers travelling to India can take advantage of many more flight options on routes common to both airlines – Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Cochin and Delhi. Emirates’ customers can conveniently book and connect seamlessly in Dubai on direct services to Amritsar, Calicut, Mangalore, Madurai, Jaipur and Pune – routes served by SpiceJet. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “Emirates has historically shared a close and collaborative bond with India. In the last decade, we have flown more than 50 million customers on our Indian routes, which we now serve with 170 weekly services from Dubai. Our partnership will help us leverage SpiceJet’s extensive route network, so that our customers who are visiting friends and family can fly closer to their hometowns, while tourists can more easily access many of the incredible sights and sounds India has to offer. This will also have a significant and positive impact on businesses in both countries and globally. We look to strengthening our partnership with SpiceJet even more in the coming months.” Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said: “We are very pleased to partner with Emirates for this new codeshare agreement which will offer a seamless travel experience and the widest possible travel options to our passengers travelling to and from Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East. This codeshare will further strengthen our position in the region and complement our international expansion strategy.” GoAir selects Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines to Power 72 Additional Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft Pratt & Whitney announced that GoAir has signed an agreement selecting the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine for the airline's order of 72 A320neo family aircraft. Pratt & Whitney will also provide GoAir with a long-term EngineWise® Comprehensive service agreement. The aircraft are expected to begin delivery in 2021. Mr. Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, GoAir said “We are pleased to partner with Pratt & Whitney once again for our next batch of 72 Airbus A320neo aircraft.  We believe that the Pratt & Whitney GTF fuel efficient engines are the best-in-class and most suited for our network and operations.  With its revolutionary geared fan technology the GTF engines will allow GoAir to fulfill its commitment towards carbon emissions.  These benefits result in quieter communities, quieter flights and cleaner air.  Besides, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines will permit GoAir to continue its aggressive growth strategy and at the same time maintain our cost advantage." Star Air to launch Bengaluru to Kalaburagi route Air connectivity between Bengaluru and the North Eastern region of Karnataka is all set to take off with the launch of Star Air commercial operations between Bengaluru and Kalaburagi apart from connecting the state capital with these two Tier II cities is also expected to spur economic growth in the region.  Star Air will be operating three times a week (Sunday, Monday and Friday) operated by the Embraer ERJ145. Acumen Aviation © 25 November 2019 All Rights Reserved.