Top Stories 

Govt to relax norms for airlines to fly abroad

The government will relax the minimum requirements for Indian carriers to fly overseas, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh reportedly said. Reports stated that the new rules will relax current norms of a minimum requirement of 20 aircraft and five years of experience for airlines.

CCI may review cartelisation among airlines: report

The Competition Commission has reportedly said that it could take  relook at the issue of cartelisation in the airline industry in terms of a hike in airfares.

On the sidelines of an event organised by industry lobby FICCI, Chairman Ashok Chawla said that fares had moved up and down more because of the market play dynamics and not because of anti-competitive practices

There was volatility in demand and supply, mainly on account of two large airlines reducing capacity for certain reasons, Ashok Chawla reported.

Air India might get 3rd Boeing Dreamliner next week

Boeing Co is planning to deliver the first Dreamliner 787 made in South Carolina next week, according to reports.

Reports stated that North Charleston-built jet, for Air India, is "ticketed" and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, which means it is ready for delivery.

Its General Electric Co GEnx engines also have undergone special inspection, report said.

Air India started flying its first Dreamliner and took delivery of the second on Wednesday.

Jet Airways in talks with Etihad Airways for possible deal: reports

Jet Airways and Etihad Airways are reportedly in talks for a possible deal that could see Middle-Eastern carrier pick up a minority stake in the private airline.

If the deal approved, Jet will become the first local carrier to receive foreign investment after the government liberalised rules to permit overseas airlines to acquire up to 49% stake in Indian airlines, report says.

There are reports that the price that is being offered by Etihad is not even half of what is proposed.

In Focus Stories

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh takes tough stand

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ch. Ajit Singh has ordered immediate suspension and initiation of major penalty proceedings against six senior officers of Airports Authority of India (AAI). A CBI inquiry has found these officers involved in committing irregularities and favouring a particular company namely M/s Bhadra International India Ltd in award of contracts for ground handling services at certain airports.

The officers are Shri L.L. Krishnan, Executive Director (Commercial), Shri R. L. Saran, DGM (Finance), Shri S. Basu, Additional GM (Commercial), Shri Arun Mehan, DGM (Operations), Shri P. K. Chadha, DGM (Operations) and Shri Ravi Verma, GM. 

The Minister has also ordered filing of the First Information Report (FIR) against Shri Prem Bajaj, MD of the suspect company, Shri R. V. Narayanan, Retired ED (Commercial), Shri A. K. Dubey, Retired ED (Finance), AAI and others for their acts of manipulation, forgery, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy and corruption under Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Corruption Act.  It has also been decided that action may be initiated against M/s Bhadra International India Ltd. for cancellation of the award/contract and recovery of dues.  Shri Singh has directed the AAI to take corrective measures to prevent participation of defaulter contractor/parties (even if the default is by their sister/ related concerns) in future tender processes by incorporating suitable provisions in the rules and regulations.

Domestic News

Jet Airways offers attractive travel options to ASEAN countries

Jet Airways has a truly unmatched bouquet of unique travel options from India to multiple destinations in the ASEAN region, Australia and New Zealand. Jet Airways has launched these travel options with the help of it’s interline partners.
 
Jet Airways guests may avail, with immediate effect, enhanced daily connectivity from major Indian cities and onwards through the airlines' international gateway points in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Guests will now be able to connect conveniently through these gateway points to onward destinations in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and China.
 
Guests will be able to avail of these seamless connections at truly attractive prices given the start of the festive season and the airlines winter schedule. For example guests may avail of attractive return fares when they travel to; Tokyo with fares starting from Rs48,800, to Shanghai and Beijing at a fare of Rs40,700 onwards while fares for travel to Seoul will start from Rs39,200.

Ramco Systems bags order from Go Air

Ramco Systems ; an enterprise software company focused on enterprise cloud platform, products and services, today announced a prestigious order win from Wadia Group owned Go Airlines (GoAir) for its Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) suite of software. With this win Ramco’s software would be used in providing MRO, M&E and ERP services to nine aviation organisations in India. 

Under the agreement, Ramco will deliver its web-based Series 5 M&E system and Ramco ePublications, including Engineering and Configuration, Maintenance Program and Planning, Line Maintenance, Technical Records and Complete Materials.

Singapore Airlines to launch nonstop air services between Visakhapatnam and Singapore

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will launch nonstop air services between Visakhapatnam (VTZ) and Singapore (SIN) on 28 October 2012, subject to regulatory approvals. Following the launch, SilkAir will be the first airline carrier to provide a nonstop international air connection from Visakhapatnam.

The new services will be operated with Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, featuring both Business and Economy class cabins. Flights will operate three times weekly, departing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with next-day return flights, according to the following schedule:

SilkAir’s Chief Executive,  Leslie Thng, anticipates strong demand for the new service and expects the upcoming launch of the nonstop air services to provide a further boost to the growth and development of business and tourism in both countries.

IAF to spend Rs. 2 trillion during 12th & 13th Plan

International News

British Airways-Venice flights Take Off from London City

British Airways flights to the Northern Italian gateway of Venice take off from London City Airport today (September 17).
 
The six times a week service to the city of canals is the sixth new destination this year for British Airways from London City where the airline is now officially the largest operator with the highest number of routes and customers.
 
The year-round service adds to the leisure portfolio from the Docklands airport where this year British Airways will also be operating to Palma, Ibiza and Malaga during the winter for the first time.
 
All inclusive one-way fares to Venice from £85 are available on ba.com.
 
British Airways also offers holiday packages including three nights at the 4* Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria Wellness & Spa from £229 per person based on travel in October and November 2012. The price includes return British Airways flights from London City and accommodation with breakfast.

Qatar Airways introduces World renowned chefs to award-winning five star service

Tourism New Zealand partners with Malaysia Airlines

Northrop Grumman adds $2 billion to share buyback: reports

Singapore Airlines unveils Newest Silverkris Lounge in India