27 Jan 2020

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 27 January

Air India doubles flights on Tel Aviv-New Delhi route to tackle increase in passenger rush

In view of the increase in passenger traffic on the Tel Aviv-New Delhi sector, India's official carrier Air India will double the number of flights on the route to six per week from April.  The national carrier created history by becoming the first commercial flight to fly to Israel over Saudi Arabia and Oman in March 2018, seen by many as a diplomatic breakthrough and often presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a major achievement of his government signalling improving ties with Gulf countries. Air India sale: EoI out, govt to completely exit airline The Government of India (GoI) will completely exit Air India, including in units Air India Express (AIXL) and Air India SATS (AISATS), in what is seen a major step to ensure success in its second attempt at divesting the national carrier. "The GoI has given an ‘in-principle’ approval for the strategic disinvestment of Air India by way of transfer of management control and sale of 100 percent equity share capital of AI held by GoI, which will include AI’s shareholding interest of 100 percent in AIXL and 50 percent in AISATS," the expression of interest (EoI) document released on 27^th January stated. The government has appointed EY to advise and manage the proposed transaction. The last date to submit the EoI is 17^th March , and the government will intimate the qualified bidders by 31^st March. Jaipur airport to offer free healthcare to passengers Jaipur: With the number of flights operating from Jaipur constantly increasing, the Airports Authority of India has signed an MoU with a private hospital to provide free healthcare to passengers in need of treatment. Joga Ram said that the number of international flights and passengers has increased over the years. Medical Centre is an essential requirement to handle any kind of emergency. LOT Polish Airlines increases frequency from New Delhi to Warsaw After the successful launch of its New Delhi – Warsaw operations in September 2019, LOT Polish Airlines will increase its frequency from 5 weekly to daily. The airline stated based on strong demand from the Indian Point-of-Sale and latest booking forecasts for flights from India to Europe and North America, as well as high demand from corporate travellers and leisure guests from Europe to New Delhi, the airline has decided to increase the number of weekly flights. SpiceJet to induct more aircraft on a short-term lease due to delay in return of Boeing MAX The delay in the return of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is "disappointing" and will mean induction of more aircraft on a short-term lease for SpiceJet, chairman and managing director Ajay Singh told CNBC-TV18. SriLankan Airlines to expand operations from India   SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of the island nation, is planning to ramp up operations in India within this calendar year (2020). This would include adding new destinations such as Ahmedabad and Calicut – and an increase in frequency from existing cities such as Kolkata, Coimbatore and Hyderabad. Acumen Aviation © 27 January 2020 All Rights Reserved.