Page 5 - Aviation Sector

Domestic air passenger volume rises 3% to 23.4 million in November: Icra

Domestic air passenger volume increased 3 per cent to 23.4 million in November on a sequential basis propelled by resilient travel demand and onset of the peak holiday season, credit ratings agency Icra said on Thursday. However, it remained 7 per cent lower compared to the corresponding month of the pre-pandemic period, it said. Overall, the recovery in domestic passenger traffic has been strong since April this year, supported by easing of travel restrictions, resilient passenger demand, reopening of offices, and increase in business and leisure travel, Icra said. On a year-on-year basis, passenger traffic grew 13 per cent in the previous month, as per Icra. Post resumption of international commercial operations from March 27, international air passenger traffic has steadily increased and reached 81 per cent of pre-Covid levels in November, at 4.9 million in the month, growing 3 per cent sequentially, it stated. Overall passenger traffic (including international) stood at 28.3 .

IndiGo to operate 168 weekly flights from Goa's new international airport

No-frills carrier IndiGo said on Thursday it will operate 168 weekly flights to eight domestic destinations from the New Goa International Airport. The second international airport in the state will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11. The airport will commence commercial operations from January 5 next year. The present airport at Dabolim in South Goa will remain active, and IndiGo will continue its existing operations there, the airline said in a release. Twelve daily and a total of 168 weekly, new flights to and from the New Goa International Airport at Mopa in North Goa from January 5 will be IndiGo's largest ever-new station launch and will immediately connect the new facility to eight cities across India, it said. Besides improving direct connectivity to the state, the launch of the new flight services is also aimed at catering to the increasing demand, it added.

EasyJet averts cabin crew strike in France as it clinches deal with unions

Concession highlights continued pressure on easyJet and airlines to agree better terms and wages to retain staff and avert more labour strife after months of disruption since the end of Covid lockdown

Jalan-Kalrock consortium looks to move SC over Jet Airways staffers' dues

The consortium won the bid to revive the grounded airline in October 2020, and its revival plan was cleared by the National Company Law Tribunal in June 2021

Jet airways revival hits new snag as banks push back on funding

The new owners meanwhile have indicated that extra money wasn't part of the already agreed upon resolution plan and instead must be taken out of the banks' dues

IndiGo Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer Sanjay Kumar puts in papers

Leaves after three years of service in second stint; Vinay Malhotra, head of IndiGo's Global Sales, will take over from him

Adani Airport Holdings increases borrowing limit by Rs 2,500 crore

AAHL currently manages seven functional airports in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram

IndiGo, SpiceJet international flights diverted due to technical glitches

Failure in one of IndiGo aircraft's hydraulic systems, caution light indication in SpiceJet plane's cockpit cause diversion

Grounded Jet Airways' cabin crew association moves NCLT for liquidation

Banks oppose consortium plea for handover of the company

Vistara merger will bolster Air India's transformation effort: CEO Wilson

Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Tuesday said that Vistara's success will strengthen Air India's transformation programme and also help in quickly attaining the size befitting a global carrier. After the announcement of the decision to merge Vistara with Air India, Vistara CEO said it will be business as usual for all its stakeholders during the integration process that will take some time. Subject to regulatory approvals, the merger is expected to be completed by March 2024. In a statement, Campbell said Vistara has achieved much over the last eight years. "The skills, people, systems and processes that have driven Vistara's success will complement, strengthen and accelerate Air India's Vihaan.AI transformation programme," the CEO and MD of Air India said. Further, he said the merger will enable the new Air India to more quickly attain the size, reach and quality befitting of a world class airline proudly representing India around the globe. Tata group took over the loss-makin

Changing flight path: Air India now flying more on metro-to-metro routes

Exiting unviable ones as part of domestic strategy

After suffering losses for 3 quarters, IndiGo on a flight path to profit

Cooling fuel prices and rupee depreciation and rising demand could help the country's largest airline by market share to reverse successive quarters of losses

Air India posts best monthly on-time performance among carriers after years

When it was a run by the government, the airline was usually at the bottom of DGCA's list for on-time performance

Air ticket rates hurting wallet? Centre not to intervene in price mechanism

The aviation ministry will reportedly not intervene in the issue of airlines charging prices for particular seats on a flight

VRS scheme: Air India gives cabin crew option to extend their release date

Air India has given an option to the cabin crew who have opted for voluntary retirement scheme to extend their tenure until January 31 next year, amid shortage of cabin crew and long waiting period for US visas, according to sources. The Tata group-owned airline, which is being revived with expanding fleet and routes, offered Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to its employees, including the cabin crew, in June this year. The relieving date for those who opted for the VRS was fixed as November 30. The sources said around 4,500 employees had applied for the scheme. "The release date from the services of the company for VRS crew has been extended. Crew members may choose to extend their release date till January 31, 2023," the airline said in a communication on Saturday. A query sent to Air India seeking comments on the matter remained unanswered. According to the communication, the VRS scheme remains unchanged and the VRS benefit will be applicable to employees who are extending the

Jet Airways asks 60% staff to go on leave without pay for 3 months

This news comes after Jet Airways's revival plan hit another roadblock on November 18, after the new owner Jalan-Kalrock told the NCLAT of its inability to pay additional money

Tata Group plans to merge carriers under Air India, scrap Vistara brand

Tata is considering scrapping Vistara brand, Singapore Airlines Ltd's local affiliate in South Asian nation; Singapore Airlines is evaluating the size of stake it should take in the combined entity

Aviation ministry modifies rule to make masks optional on domestic flights

In-flight announcements may only mention that all passengers should preferably use masks/face covers; no specific reference to fine/penal action needed

US transport dept fines Air India $1.4 mn for delaying refunds of $121 mn

Refunds were on account of flights cancelled during Covid-19 pandemic; AI among six airlines that collectively forked out $600 mn in refunds and $7.25 mn in penalties

SpiceJet posts highest ever quarterly loss amid high fuel prices

The airline has raised Rs 210 crore from the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) this year