Yearly Archives: 2015

Indigo introduces live chat for instant web support

Low cost carrier IndiGo has introduces a web chat support line called “6E chat”, the service allows users to chat online with the IndiGo staff at its call centre. The 6E chat feature is running on the IndiGo website. At the moment we have only found access to 6E chat from the contact us page on the airlines website. Aditya …

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Through the lens: Lufthansa Retro Livery and more

Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i D-ABYT in the "retro livery"

Late last night we got a heads up from friends in Germany that Lufthansa was operating their retro liveried Boeing 747-8i to Bangalore today morning. So of-course there we were at our spotting location at 1 AM waiting for it to arrive. The aircraft is D-ABYT, named Köln is the 1,513th Boeing 747 to be produced and is painted in …

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Bangalore Airport salutes the Father of Indian Aviation

AirAsia India Airbus A320 VT-JRT, crossing the water cannon salute. AirAsia Image.

Air Asia India’s fourth Airbus A320 named “The Pioneer” which bears bears a special livery commemorating JRD Tata, who is known as the ‘Father of Indian Aviation’, was welcomed on it’s arrival to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengalore with the traditional water cannon salute by two Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks. The aircraft is registered VT-JRT, and is a …

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Turkish Airlines hosts a wedding in the sky

When a beautiful Serbian actress, Vjera Mujović and Stefan Preis, an esteemed doctor from Germany boarded the same flight in May 2014, little did they know that just a year later they’d be returning to the same spot for their wedding. Having been seated next to each other on the Turkish Airlines TK 342 flight from Istanbul to Ulan Bator …

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Goverment clears Tata-Airbus C295 transport order

Airbus C295 military medium lift transport. Airbus image.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) government has cleared the lone bid of the Tata-Airbus consortium for the CASA C-295. The aircraft will replace the ageing Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal is expected to be worth Rs.11,930 crore (USD 1.87 Billion). The aircraft will be the first to be built …

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VivaAerobus takes delivery of the first of 52 aircraft

VivaAerobus Airbus A320. Airbus Image.

Mexican Ultra-low-cost carrier VivaAerobus has taken delivery of its first new A320 following the aircraft. The A320 is the first to be delivered from an order for 52 aircraft (12 A320ceo and 40 A320neo). VivaAerobus already operates six leased A320s and will become an all Airbus operator as it completes its fleet transition from 737-300s by early 2016. All VivaAerobus’ …

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Pilatus PC-24 completes maiden flight

Pilatus PC-24 takes off for it's maiden flight. Pilatus Image.

Swiss air framer Pilatus successfully carried out the maiden flight of it’s new business jet the PC-24 yesterday. Prototype P01, which bears the registration HB-VXA took off from the company’s headquarters at Buochs Airport in front of around 1800 Pilatus staff. The aircraft flew for 55 minutes before returning to the airport. The aircraft was flown by Pilatus test pilots …

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Qatar Airways to operate high density Airbus A340-600

Qatar Airways Airbus A340-600.

Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways is planning to introduce a two-class high density Airbus A340-600 on the Doha-Kuala Lumpur route. The aircraft will have 372 seats with 24 seats in business and 348 seats in economy. The airline currently operates the aircraft with eight seats in first, 42 in business and 260 in economy for a total of 310 seats. …

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Airbus A400M crashes near Seville Airport in Spain

The crash site of the Airbus A400M.

A Airbus A400M MSN23 has crashed near Seville Airport in southern Spain. The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off for a test flight. All the occupants of the aircraft are believed to have been killed in the crash. The Airbus A400M Atlas is a four-engine military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military as a tactical airlifter to replace …

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LEAP-1B for the Boeing 737 MAX begins flight test program

The First Flight of the LEAP-1B on a modified Boeing 747 testbed. Boeing Image.

American airframer Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International have successfully initiated flight testing of the LEAP-1B engine on a modified 747 flying testbed at GE Aviation Flight Test Operations in Victorville, California. The LEAP-1B engine is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX family. The testing is the next major milestone in a two-year program that will culminate in …

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India’s domestic air passenger traffic and airline performance for March 2015

The nightly aircraft line-up tail parade at the apron of Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore

We invite you to please read all the way to the bottom. We have introduced a new style for this monthly report and seek your inputs. India’s domestic air passenger traffic statistics for the month of March 2015, show some curious numbers, while by and large maintaining the status-quo. Passengers carried Domestic air passenger traffic for the first calendar quarter …

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Indian airlines reduce fares, carry free supplies to aid Nepal earthquake relief

The nightly aircraft line-up tail parade at the apron of Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore

Disasters bring out the best in people, and Indian airlines are no exception. Following the deadly earthquake in Nepal, all four Indian carriers operating to Kathmandu, Air India, IndiGo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet, are putting their best feet (or wings) forward, and pitching in to support the aid efforts directed towards the stricken Himalayan nation. Additional flights Indian carriers were …

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SpiceJet introduces hand baggage only fares starting at Rs 999

Spicejet Boeing 737-800WL VT-SGK at New Delhi airport.

Following the DGCA’s decision to allow unbundling of check-in baggage, low fare carrier SpiceJet has introduced an ultra-low fare of just Rs 999 ($16) which only allows for hand baggage. These fares which compete head-on with 2AC train fares are valid for booking till April 29, 2015, for travel from July 1 to October 15. The airline says it is …

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Vistara to connect Bangalore with New Delhi and Mumbai in June

Inaugural flight of Vistara, Tata-SIA airline. Cabin luggage tags for the Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class.

Vistara, the joint venture of Tata and Singapore Airlines, will finally connect Bangalore to New Delhi and Mumbai in mid June 2015. The airline will offer daily flights on the New Delhi Bengaluru and Mumbai Bengaluru routes starting June 16, 2015 for which bookings have been opened. Vistara Bengaluru schedule Route Flight Dep Arr Day of Week New Delhi to …

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Vistara (Tata-SIA) time table effective April 24, 2015

Vistara Airlines, Airbus A320 VT-TTB in its official livery

Route Weekly Frequency Flight No. Departure Arrival Effective date Days of Ops Delhi to Lucknow 7 UK970 1200 1305 18th May -24th Oct’15 Daily 7 UK927 0730 0840 16th Jun- 24th Oct’15 Daily Lucknow to Delhi 7 UK933 1355 1510 18th May -24th Oct’15 Daily 7 UK936 0925 1040 16th Jun- 24th Oct’15 Daily Delhi to Bengaluru 7 UK889 0640 …

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Jet Airways offers all its Boeing 777 and Airbus A330-200s for sale

Jet Airways Boeing 777-300ER VT-JEG performing flight 9W117 from London approaches Mumbai airport

India’s largest private airline Jet Airways appears to have offered almost all of its wide-body fleet on sale. Bangalore Aviation has confirmed the Mumbai head-quartered airline has invited offers for all 10 of its Boeing 777-300ERs (B77W) and all six of its Airbus A330-200s (A332), on the trade website SpeedNews.com. After Jet sells these 16 aircraft, it will be left …

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Air Asia India’s New Delhi flights to Bangalore, Goa and Guwahati

First flight of AirAsia India. Takeoff.

AirAsia India has announced schedules for its much awaited flights from India’s capital New Delhi. Starting May 21, the airline will offer flights from New Delhi to Bangalore, Goa and Guwahati and represents a major expansion in to a very competitive market. New Delhi is hub to two of India’s large low cost airlines; IndiGo and SpiceJet. The airline is …

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Vistara’s free premium economy upgrade promotion ends today

Vistara Airlines, Airbus A320 VT-TTB in its official livery

The Tata Singapore Airlines joint venture Vistara is offering 100 free upgrades from economy class to premium economy class to 100 passengers as part of its celebration of 100 days in operation. The upgrade promotion ends today. A chance for these 100 upgrades is available passengers who purchase tickets on its website between April 16 and 20 for travel between …

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Pictures: Jet Airways’ 737 landing gear collapses at Khajuraho. Airport closed.

Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 VT-JGA.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, airport is shut down after the landing gear of a Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 registration VT-JGA collapsed soon after landing, blocking the sole runway at the airport. All 59 passengers and eight crew on board evacuated safely. Flight 9W-2423 originated from New Delhi via Varanasi before arriving at Khajuraho around 13:15 this afternoon. The landing gear is …

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Air Pegasus commences with Hubli flight

Air Pegasus counter at Kempegowda airport, Bangalore.

India’s newest airline, Air Pegasus will commence operations today with its inaugural flight between Bangalore and Hubballi. Indian civil aviation minister, Ashok Gajapati Raju, is inaugurating flight OP111 which will depart Bangalore at 10:30. Air Pegasus will join Gurgaon based SpiceJet on this popular business route. Bangalore Aviation team member Vedant will bring you updates from the venue and the …

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