29 Jul 2019

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 29 July

AAI to relook at borrowing plan as govt prepares to privatise more airports Privatisation of state-run airports has decreased the capital expenditure requirements and borrowing needs for state-run airport operator, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the organisation is now tweaking its borrowing roadmap taking into account the income from the newly privatised airports. In an exclusive interaction, AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra, who will take charge as secretary, Department for promoters of Industry and Internal Trade from 1^st August, said that more airports are in the pipeline for privatisation. AAI Signs a Contract with Aireon LLC for Implementation of Air Traffic Surveillance Service The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed a contract with Aireon LLC for implementation of Aireon’s air traffic surveillance service in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata’s oceanic airspaces. These regions are located in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean and represent over six million square kilometers. The goal is to deploy space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) by the end of 2019. This landmark agreement will immediately provide AAI coverage of all ADS-B OUT 1090 MHz equipped oceanic air traffic, ensuring one of the densest oceanic airspaces in the world has access to the best tools to enhance safety and efficiency and accommodate unprecedented double-digit growth, year over year. Beyond those benefits, real-time air traffic surveillance over the busy routes between South East Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe and beyond will significantly increase efficiency and improve transitions between oceanic and domestic airspace. Air Canada To Resume Full India Schedule Air Canada announced it will resume its daily, non-stop Toronto-Delhi flights on 1^st October (eastbound) and 3^rd October (westbound). "We are very pleased to resume our daily, non-stop Toronto-Delhi flights in time for Diwali celebrations, and with additional capacity going forward to meet expected demand. With our Delhi flights returning to normal together with our seasonal return to Mumbai for fall firmly demonstrating our long term commitment to this vibrant market, we look forward to operating our full schedule to India," said Mark Galardo, Vice President, Network Planning at Air Canada.

Direct flights from Mumbai to Nairobi set to boost tourism business

The move by Air India to resume direct flights between Mumbai and Nairobi from September has been welcomed as a huge opportunity for local hospitality business and leisure industry. PrideInn Group of Hotels  Group Managing Director Hasnain Noorani said the development is a welcome boost for PrideInn as a majority of the hotel’s business guests from Asia are from South Asia.  He added that shortened flight hours would also bring added benefits to the tourism industry. “This direct flight is sure to boost tourism and trade in East Africa. Passengers from all around South Asia will now be able to take a short flight to Mumbai, make their connection and arrive in Nairobi or Mombasa nearly half the time that it previously took,” he said. Dubai International Airport welcomes first GoAir flight from Kerala Dubai International Airport (DXB) has added a new airline to its family of 70 international carriers and expanded its connectivity to a new destination. GoAir made its inaugural flight to DXB from Kannur in the South Indian state of Kerala. The airline has launched daily direct flights between DXB Terminal 1 and Kannur International Airport, making Dubai its sixth international destination. IndiGo announces entry into Myanmar; introduces Yangon as its 18th International IndiGo announced 24^th July the addition of Yangon as the 18th international destination effective 20^th September operating daily non-stop flight on the Kolkata-Yangon route. Yangon will be IndiGo’s 77th overall destination. Mr. William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “In line with our international expansion strategy, we are excited to announce Yangon as our new international destination. We see significant traffic coming from Yangon to the Buddhist circuit thereby enhancing economic growth and tourism in India. This new route will strengthen the cultural relationship between the two countries and will boost trade, tourism and mobility.” IndiGo introduces non-stop flights on Delhi-Dhaka route IndiGo announced 24^th July new daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi and Dhaka effective 22^nd August. Mr. William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “As part of our mission to extend affordable air connectivity within India and internationally, we are delighted to announce daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Dhaka. We are confident, with Dhaka being a handicraft and textile hub in Asia, enhanced connectivity will promote trade as well as tourism between India and Bangladesh.”

IndiGo plans to enter Vietnam, expand in China

After rapidly expanding its presence in Asia, Europe and the Middle East IndiGo plans to add destinations such as Hanoi and Chengdu to its flight schedule from September quarter onwards. IndiGo's Chief Commercial Officer William Boulter told IANS that the airline has received clearances from the Vietnamese authorities to commence operations from India to Hanoi. Acumen Aviation © 29 July 2019 All Rights Reserved.