06 Apr 2020

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 6 April

Bengaluru airport a bustling hub of activity even during lockdown Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) continues to be a hub of activity - over the past week, hundreds of tonnes of medicines, medical equipment, perishables and other essential goods have been flown in and out of Bengaluru, as international and domestic cargo movement continue in full swing at the airport. Last week, Emirates SkyCargo carried around 140 tonnes of equipment and commodities to Bengaluru and Mumbai from the Far East, USA, Europe and Dubai. Over 110 tonnes of these goods were flown from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Incheon, Chicago, Seattle, Zurich, Sweden, and Dubai. From Bengaluru, the cargo airline carried around 70 tonnes of medical equipment and perishables to destinations in Europe and Dubai, Kuwait and Muscat. The airline operates freighters and cargo-only flights to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram right now. “Emirates SkyCargo made a record uplift of 52 tonnes of perishables, including fruits and vegetables, from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai and the GCC countries that rely on India for their crucial food supply- in the process supporting local farmers and business in Kerala. Another 83 tonnes of perishables made their way from Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai to these destinations Bengaluru airport''s gesture to needy during lockdown Bengaluru International Airport Limited, which managing the operations of Kempegowda International Airport has launched a new initiative called Namma Chethana to provide 3,500 meals along with a host of other corporates located on the airport premises. "As a responsible corporate citizen, BIAL, working together with other corporates located on the BLR Airport campus HMS Host, Satis Dining, Taj Bangalore and TFS has launched a joint initiative to provide 3,500 meals each day for affected people amid the lockdown following the COVID-19 outbreak." DGCA extends validity of airworthiness certificate of aircraft allowed to fly during lockdown The Indian Aviation regulator DGCA announced that it is temporarily extending the validity of airworthiness review certificate (ARC) of all aircraft, which are permitted to operate during the 21-day lockdown imposed by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus, till 3 July.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in a circular, said while no domestic and international commercial passenger flight is permitted till midnight on April 14, aircraft can fly if they are being used for cargo operations, medical evacuation flights, off-shore helicopter operations and flights, especially permitted by the regulator. Pakistan ATC lauds Air India’s COVID-19 relief efforts, says ‘proud of you’ Air India, which has been actively involved in evacuation of Indians and relief efforts around the globa during the coronavirus pandemic, has found an admirer in the Pakistan Air Traffic Controller. The Pakistan ATC welcomed Air India flights engaged in relief efforts into its airspace, and went on to say that they were proud of the work the airline was doing during these trying times.“As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you). This is Karachi Control welcoming Air India for relief flights,” the ATC said to the pilots. After confirming that the flight was enroute Frankfurt for relief efforts, the ATC said, “We are proud of you that in a pandemic situation you are operating flights. Good luck!”The Air India pilots thanked them for their words. They added that the Pakistan ATC saved them precious time by allowing the flight to fly closer to Karachi. Acumen Aviation © 6 April 2020 All Rights Reserved.