31 Jul 2017

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 31 July

AirAsia India to break-even by 2019, says CEO Amar Abrol Air Asia India is reportedly likely to break-even or earn profits by the end of 2019. According to the a report in The Financial Express, the airline, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Air Asia, is planning to expand its domestic base and is also in the process of finalizing its plans to launch its international operations by the end of the next year. The carrier is also planning to make use of the four existing A320 aircraft by November this year and increase the size of its fleet to 20 aircraft by October-November next year, the report says. Boeing forecasts demand for 2,100 new aircraft in India Boeing on Monday said it expects a demand for 2,100 new aircraft in India over the next 20 years. According to the company's 2017 India current market outlook, the demand for 2,100 new aircraft is valued at $290 billion. Commercial aerospace demand in India continues to grow at unprecedented rates," said Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.  Government to offer only 20 airports in second round of RCS bidding The government is likely to offer only 20 airports in the second round of the bidding for flights under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) said Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey. The second round of bidding for RCS routes is expected to take place by August end. The distance stipulation in the second round of bidding will be waived off to facilitate intra-northeast air traffic. He also said that the condition of plying at least 9- seater aircraft or helicopter would be waived off for these two regions since there are many airstrips and ALGs, particularly in places like Arunachal Pradesh, where only a four-seater aircraft can land. Indian carriers eye inflight Internet as country mulls removing block India’s archaic regulatory policy continues to freeze out inflight Internet in the country. Even international aircraft entering Indian airspace must switch off their systems. This may soon change as the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), anxious to open up wifi in the airspace of one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, is awaiting the nod from the Ministry of Home Affairs (India’s homeland security). According to Runway Girl Network (RGN) over 391 million people subscribed to the Internet in India by the end of December last year. This will rise to 730 million of the 1.3 billion population by 2020, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. IndiGo makes first move in pursuit of the Maharajah Eager to spread its wings and fly long haul, no-frills airline IndiGo has expressed interest in acquiring the international operations of Air India (AI) after the Union Cabinet on June 28 gave an in-principle nod to privatize the state-owned carrier. IndiGo is the first off the block in pursuit of the Maharajah. Given that AI’s international business comprises direct flights to the US, UK, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia, Bhatia was only stating the obvious when he said: “It [AI’s global operations] would provide [IndiGo] rapid entry into restricted and, in some cases, closed international markets.” Jet Airways Appoints Discover The World For Increased Presence In Switzerland Jet Airways has appointed Discover the World to provide sales and marketing in Switzerland. "Discover is delighted to partner with Jet Airways for the first time," said Jenny Adams, CEO of Discover the World. "Our team in Switzerland, headed by Director Richard Gugerli, will expand the airline's visibility, helping to increase its revenues especially through its code share partnership with Air France/KLM." Jet Airways may virtually merge with KLM-Air France Within 24 hours of KLM-Air France, Virgin Atlantic and Delta announcing a blockbuster global deal, according to an exclusive report by ET NOW exclusively learns the Indian skies may also soon be a part of this grand alliance. Sources tell ET Now that Jet Airways in advanced talks with KLM-Air France for a strategic cooperation that could function as a virtual merger of the two airlines. Simultaneously, Jet is in talks with the US-based carrier Delta for an equity stake sale and the talks are on to finalise the valuations. Lufthansa to strengthen brand presence in india with digitisation Lufthansa is set to strengthen its brand presence in India with a series of initiatives, including those for start-ups and small businesses, even as it simultaneously focuses on digitisation and innovation to power its operations this year. The company is also focusing on enhancing its brand position in the Indian market, through initiatives like the ‘Runway to Success’ programme for entrepreneurs it is conducting currently. Mentorship camps are being organised as part of the programme in Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Hubli and Hyderabad, with a final Startup Expo in Delhi on August 23, 2017. Acumen Aviation © 31 July All Rights Reserved.