Paving the way for the first foreign carrier to enter the Indian domestic aviation sector, AirAsia BhdÂ’s proposal to set up an airline jointly with the Tata group was approved on March 6 by the Indian governmentÂ’s foreign investment regulator. MalaysiaÂ’s AirAsia, the largest budget carrier in Asia, plans to launch a regional airline in India with an initial investment of 800 million rupees to cash in on rising demand for domestic air travel among IndiaÂ’s rapidly expanding middle class.
Category: Aviation & Airports
Post
Post
AirAsia’s entry: Local carriers will have to change strategy
India's low-cost carriers such as SpiceJet and IndiGo are certain to face challenges with the entry of AirAsia and other foreign partners. AirAsia's foray comes at a time the airline industry is in turmoil with passenger traffic sliding. The number of passengers in fact shrunk 7.3 per cent in November on a year-on-year.
Post
Air India Express fleet to get 15 more aircraft
As part of the turnaround plan of Air India, 15 more aircraft would be added in the fleet of the State-owned carrier Air India Express (AIE), Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said on March 7. The turnaround plan of Air India of which AIE is a subsidiary, envisages increase in the fleet strength of AIE from the present 21 to 36 aircraft by March 2018, he told the Rajya Sabha.
Post
Delhi airport to build Cargo Village in its premises
To promote cargo gateway in India the Delhi International Airport has planned a 'Cargo Village,' said the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation KC Venugopal in the Rajya Sabha on March 7.
Post
APM Terminals handles record containers in Feb
APM Terminals Pipavav set a record of handling 250 box rakes (both import and export) in February 2013, more than 224 box rakes handled in December 2012. The port management attributed this record to the commissioning of its 3 RMGC and the resumption of double stack operations besides the continued dedication of its workforce
Post
Indian airports need Rs 670 bn investment in 5 yrs
Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh informed reporters that according to current estimates, Indian airports would require an investment of about Rs 67,000 crore during the next five years alone of which 75 per cent is likely to be contributed by the private sector. It may be noted that the government approved 15 more airports under the Greenfield Airports policy with majority of them being developed under the public priva
Post
Air Asia, Tata JV seeks nod for aircraft leasing
For renting and leasing of aircraft, besides carrying of air freight Air Asia and Tata Group have sought approval from the government. The two firms, along with Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace, have proposed to set up a domestic airline. According to sources, in its application to the FIPB, the partners have also sought permission for engaging in ancillary activities.
Post
Jet Airways seeks govt’s nod to buy 6 KFA’s slots
With the government withdrawing Kingfisher Airlines' international flying rights and domestic slots, the Jet Airways has approached the Aviation Ministry to acquire six of the vacant slots. The airline company has applied to the government to acquire six slots from Mumbai. Of these, it is looking at four domestic and two international routes, Jet Airways sources said in Mumbai.
Post
AirAsia India starts headhunting for its crew
AirAsia India, the new joint venture airline that AirAsia Bhd and Tata Sons propose to launch has started approaching top aviation executives in India, as it attempts to build its team ahead of a nod from the government, sources said. The fate of AirAsiaÂ’s proposal will be decided by the government on March 6, but the partners have already scheduled interviews with potential hires this week, indicating their confidence of receiving a clearance.
Post
AI-owned Dreamliners may fly again next month
Air India's Dreamliner planes may fly again by mid-April, with the airline expressing hope that a permanent solution to the battery-fire that led to the grounding of all the 50 Boeing 787s flying worldwide will be achieved by the month-end, sources said on March 4. Air India's hopes were strengthened after a meeting of officials aviation regulators of seven countries, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration, US Department of Transport