Airbus welcomes A380 operations in India

• Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation approves A380 operations in India

Airbus welcomes the news that the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved the operations of the Airbus A380 in India.

“This is good news for Indian airports and the Indian flying public. The A380 is the world’s most fuel efficient aircraft in service with the lowest operating costs per seat and the highest revenue generating potential which benefits the airlines and the travelling public. For the Indian flying public, the A380 offers the world’s most comfortable flying experience,” said Dr. Kiran Rao, Airbus EVP Strategy and Marketing.

                                                                 Photo credit: Airbus images

A booming economy, a growing middle classe, migration, urbanisation and tourism are all factors pushing India to become one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets.  Larger aircraft like the A380 combined with higher load factors make the most efficient use of limited airport slots and contribute to rising passenger numbers without additional flights to capture this growth.

As recently confirmed by London’s Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest A380 airport, the Airbus A380 lets airports maximise efficiency and revenue potential by offering more passenger seats with the same number of flights.

The A380 is the world’s quietest large aircraft inside and out, making less than half the noise of its nearest rival around airports. In recognition of this, in 2012 the A380 won an award from the UK’s Noise Abatement Society for its quiet operations. It is also one of the greenest aircraft, with unmatched fuel efficiency.

So far, over 120 A380s have been delivered to 10 of the world’s leading airlines. Over 50 million passengers have enjoyed the A380 flying experience and the fleet has accumulated some 150,000 flights and over 1.2 million flight hours. The A380 has visited nearly 160 airports of all sizes and in all continents of the world.

Airbus Media

India needs over 1,040 aircraft worth US$145 billion in next 20 years

Demand for larger Eco-efficient aircraft

 According to Airbus’ latest market forecast, Indian carriers will require 1,043 new passenger (1,020) and freighter (23) aircraft valued at US$145 billion between now and 2030 to satisfy surging annual demand. India’s market for new aircraft makes it the world’s fourth largest in both number of aircraft and value.

Indian annual passenger traffic growth rates of 7.2 per cent are well above the regional Asia Pacific average growth rate of 5.9 per cent and the world average 4.8 per cent.

Of the requirement for 1,020 new passenger aircraft, some 860 will be for growth and 160 to replace the eldest aircraft in the existing fleet of 327. By 2030, this means that India’s passenger fleet will more than triple to some 1,180 aircraft. The new passenger aircraft include 646 single aisles like the A320 and A320neo Family, 308 twin aisles like the A350 XWB and A330, and 66 very large aircraft such as the A380.

Growing urbanization and population concentrations combined with a growing middle class and dynamic economic growth are driving demand and this trend is expected to continue. Despite near term challenges, the Indian economy is forecast to continue expanding, helping India’s growth in domestic air travel to reach even higher growth rates of nearly 10 per cent annually, making it one of the fastest growing aviation markets anywhere in the world.

“By 2030, India’s economy is forecast to be the fourth largest in the world creating exceptional potential for growth in the aviation sector. Through our Indian industrial partnerships we are proud to boast that every A320 today is partly made in India,” said Dr. Kiran Rao, Airbus Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and President of Airbus India. “Our engineering and industrial footprint in India supports over 2,000 highly skilled Indian jobs throughout our supply chain, and this figure is growing.”

Airbus’ partnership with India dates back almost 40 years. Today, half of all A320 forward doors and all flap track beams are produced in India. Established in 2006, the Airbus Engineering Centre India (AECI) in Bangalore employs over 270 highly skilled local engineers working in high end analysis and design on all Airbus products. The center is expected to grow to 450 over the next three years. Airbus recently established a second pilot training center in Noida (this one in cooperation with CAE and Interglobe) to complement the existing facility in Bangalore. Combined, they will have the capacity to train up to 5,000 pilots and maintenance engineers per year. Airbus’ market share of new aircraft orders in India is over 70 per cent.

Flight Global

Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Air India Debuts in New Delhi

Photo Credit: Boeing Media

NEW DELHI, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After a 14-hour non-stop flight from Seattle, a Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner in Air India's colors touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi today.

"We're proud to bring the world's most advanced commercial airplane to India, especially when it proudly displays the colors of national flag carrier Air India," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This week even more of our airline customers will experience the game-changing technologies and innovations the 787 has to offer."

The 787 will be on static display in New Delhi before debuting at India Aviation 2012 in Hyderabad on March 14. The Dreamliner that will be showcased is outfitted in Air India's livery and an inviting passenger interior featuring full business and economy-class cabins.

Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first airplane to provide both long distance capabilities with mid-size capacity. This capability will allow airlines like Air India to profitably operate non-stop routes to many more distant cities, providing choices preferred by the traveling public.

As a result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 800 787s are on order by 60 customers, a testament to the airplane's unique capabilities.

Boeing Media

Indian carriers get approval for direct jet fuel imports

The Indian government has given formal approval for its domestic carriers to directly import jet fuel in a move aimed at lowering the airlines' operating costs.
Carriers that wish to do so have to get a licence from the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), said the Ministry of Civil Aviation in a statement.
The ministry submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Commerce last week, seeking approval to allow local carriers to directly import jet fuel.
Air turbine fuel prices in India are up to 40% higher than those in the international market because of the high base price and even higher taxes, both at the national and state level. This has long been a major concern of local carriers.
This move could come as a relief to local carriers, such as struggling Kingfisher Airlines, most of which are operating on huge losses.


 Flight Global

Jet Airways suspends pilot for 'trainee landing'

India's private airline Jet Airways has suspended a pilot and a crew member for allowing a trainee pilot to land a plane in the western city of Mumbai.

The two apparently allowed a trainee pilot to take over from the co-pilot and land the plane about four months ago, reports say. Jet Airways said action had been taken based on "appropriate investigations and a confidential report". Jet Airways is one of India's best-known and oldest private airlines. Reports say that the pilot was suspended for two-and-a-half months following the incident, and had resumed flying again.

A spokesman for the airline told the Press Trust Of India news agency that they had been in talks with the aviation regulator DGCA over the incident. "They are completely satisfied with the steps taken. In line with international practises on enforcing safety, a voluntary and confidential reporting system exists in Jet Airways for all its employees," the spokesman said. Last month a consumer court in Delhi ordered Jet Airways to compensate a female passenger who was refused an alcoholic drink because of her gender.

BBC/Asia