09 Apr 2018

India Aviation Industry Newsletter 9 April

AirAsia India to operate its 18th A320 at new Kolkata base AirAsia India took delivery of its 18th aircraft, an A320, which will begin operations from the carrier's latest base in Kolkata. The carrier currently operates from New Delhi and Bengaluru. Kolkata will serve as the airline's gateway to its North-East operations, with flights to Visakhapatnam, Imphal, Guwahati, Pune and Bagdogra, beginning 11 May 2018. Boeing, Jet Airways Announce New Order for 75 737 MAX Airplanes Boeing and Jet Airways announced 4 April a new order for 75 737 MAX airplanes as India's premier international airline looks to the new and improved 737 jet to power its future growth. "Our new order for the additional 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will allow us to deliver a differentiated and world class customer experience to our guests," said "Vinay Dube, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airway. "This additional order reemphasizes our trust and confidence in Boeing and also reaffirms our commitment to operate extremely modern, reliable and fuel efficient aircraft as part of our fleet. Jet Airways' partnership with Boeing goes back 25 years ever since the airline was conceived and took to the skies. This order underscores Jet Airways' commitment to the growth and sustainability of the Indian aviation market" IndiGo announces the launch of direct flights from Chennai to Trichy ATR flights IndiGo announced 2 April the introduction of Tiruchirappalli as a new station in the ever-expanding IndiGo network with IndiGo being the first airline in India to start four flights from Tiruchirappalli, the ATR will operate on Tiruchirappalli-Chennai sector. The flights will be operational effective 1st June 2018 with bookings opening with immediate effect. IndiGo is not interested in Air India based on current sale terms IndiGo has no plans to bid for Air India based on the government's current terms of the transaction which was recently issued, as Air India, Air India Express and Air India-SATS are not available separately. “From day one, IndiGo has expressed its interest primarily in the acquisition of AI’s international operations and AI Express. However, that option is not available under the government’s current divestiture plans for AI. Also, as we have communicated before, we do not believe that we have the capability to take on the task of acquiring and successfully turning around all of AI’s airline operations," said IndiGo president and Whole Time Director, Aditya Ghosh. Vistara Completes Initial Fleet Order with Arrival of 20th Aircraft Vistara received its 20th aircraft on 4 April and its seventh Airbus A320neo powered by CFM engines. The aircraft landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 0500 hours today. With this milestone addition to its fleet, Vistara completes its initial aircraft order as planned at the early stages of setting up the airline. Vistara will use the new aircraft to increase frequencies on existing routes to scale up operations in the domestic market, while gearing up to start international operations soon. In addition to its initial order of 20 aircraft, Vistara had placed an order of two more A320neo aircraft that are expected to be delivered by June 2018 and will enable the airline’s international operations. Acumen Aviation © 9 April All Rights Reserved.