Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

Singapore Airlines suspends Bangkok services indefinitely

Singapore Airlines will suspend all its flights to and from Bangkok until further notice due to the security situation, and a lack of operational service staff, at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The suspension includes those flights scheduled between Tokyo Narita and Bangkok, in addition to flights between Bangkok and Singapore. Customers booked on flights in the near future are advised to monitor …

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British Airways to resume Saudi flights after four years

British Airways will resume flights to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from March 29, 2009. The airline will fly five times each week from Heathrow Terminal 5 to both Jeddah and Riyadh. Flights to Riyadh will operate on a Boeing 777 and Jeddah flights will be on a smaller Boeing 767. This is definitely unwelcome news to British Midlands …

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20 Air France and Lufthansa crew rescued from Oberoi hotel

As per media reports, a group of about 20 airline crew members, have been evacuated from Mumbai’s Oberoi hotel. Most of the rescued airline staff were in Lufthansa and Air France uniforms. A bus immediately whisked the guests away from the hotel. One crew member in a Lufthansa uniform who wore a name tag identifying her as L. Laurence said …

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Flight operations at Mumbai largely unaffected, airlines announce fee waivers

Ratan Tata’s words say it all We cannot replace the lives that have been lost and we will never forget the terrifying events of last night, but we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder as citizens of India, and rebuild what has been destroyed. We must show that we cannot be disabled or destroyed, but that such heinous act will …

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BIAL files default notice against aviation ministry

The Deccan Herald reports that the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) consortium has filed a default notice about 10 days ago against the Union civil aviation ministry asking it to make good losses of Rs 23 crore. BIAL claims it had incurred the losses and indirectly held the ministry responsible for it — its complaint was the failure to clear …

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Protesters close Bangkok Don Muang airport also

Anti-government protests, in Thailand, which have been building for four months now, and have paralyzed the government, battered the stock market, spooked foreign investors, and dealt a serious blow to the tourism industry, sent Thailand in to a bigger tailspin. Thai authorities have shut down the Don Muang airport, which had been receiving some diverted flights from Suvarnabhumi airport. Till …

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Vote for Blogger features you want added – a wish list

I like Blogger for its simplicity, but also wish for more features at Blogger. I stumbled upon a help page where you can inform the folks at Blogger on what features you would like added – a wish list of sorts. As the page puts it If we don’t offer it yet, let us know about it. We’re constantly working …

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Air India, Jet, Kingfisher, withdraw transaction fee

India’s top three airlines have withdrawn a transaction fee on air tickets effective today for tickets sold through their call centres, websites or offices. Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines have withdrawn the fee, which ranges from 350 rupees on a domestic economy ticket to 1,200 to 10,000 rupees on first class international tickets. Earlier this month, airlines had …

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DIAL seeks Rs.2,000 Crore tax benefits and airport development fee

The Mint reports that Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd (DIAL), the operator running New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has sought relaxations on taxes from the Union government and permission to levy a new airport development fee (also called User Development Fee or UDF) on passengers that will together amount to a potential benefit of around Rs. 2,000 crore. …

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Protesters close Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport, flights diverted

Rampaging anti-government protesters forced the closure of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand’s main international airport, Tuesday. Photo:Wason Wanichakorn / Associated PressThousands of supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in a bid to pressure the current government to resign, breached police lines and stormed the airport, as a second day of demonstrations in Bangkok descended into violence with 11 …

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Jet re-introduces Mumbai Coimbatore flights

Effective November 27, 2008, Jet Airways, will reintroduce services on the Mumbai-Coimbatore sector, with a daily Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flight 9W 413 will depart Mumbai at 1235 hrs and arrive Coimbatore at 1420 hrs. On the return, flight 9W 414 will depart Coimbatore at 1500 hrs and arrive Mumbai at 1645 hrs.

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Thai Airways revises checked bag policy for USA and Canada flights

Thai Airways International has revised its checked baggage policy for flights to and from USA and Canada. Effective 1 December 2008, the free baggage allowance for passengers traveling with Thai will be as follows: Royal First Class and Royal Silk Class passengers receive a free baggage allowance of two pieces. The weight of each piece should not exceed 32 kgs …

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Paramount adds Pune as third destination in Western India

Paramount Airways extended its services to Western India, by launching daily flights from Chennai to Pune. Paramount already serves Ahmedabad and Goa from Chennai. Commenting on the Pune launch Mr Thiagarajan, MD, Paramount Airways said, “As part of our expansion strategy we have launched the Chennai – Pune sector today. This we believe will help our foray into the western …

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Why did Jet Airways suddenly withdraw Bangalore Brussels flight ?

Jet Airways Airbus A330-300 VT-JWQ. Image copyright Vedant Agarwal.

I was shocked by Jet Airways’ sudden withdrawal of its recently launched Bangalore Brussels flight. Read related article. It is a well known in the industry, that any international flight route, takes up to three years to stabilise. On the four flights a week, Jet is averaging about 150 passengers on the two weekend flights, and 60~70 passengers on the …

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New Delhi IGI Airport gears up for winter fog

New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is gearing up for the oncoming winter season and possible disruption of flights due to fog and low visibility. In consultation with Airlines, and other bodies Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport operator, has drawn up a strategy to provide additional facilities to passengers during the fog season. These activities include: City …

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Albert Brunner to step down as CEO of BIAL

After 7 years, Mr. Albert Brunner will not be extending his contract with Bengaluru International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) which comes to an end in early 2009, and will step down as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Brunner who joined BIAL as CEO in 2002 is synonymous with the new Bengaluru International Airport. He is expected to take up another overseas assignment …

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DHL and Blue Dart open integrated terminal at Bangalore airport

Logistics majors, DHL Express and Blue Dart Aviation inaugurated a $25 million integrated terminal at the Bangalore International Airport. The 220,757 sq. ft facility will integrate the South Indian domestic and international businesses of both companies. The facility, which was expected to bring synergies in operations, was said to improve services by reducing throughput time by 60 minutes. Malcolm Monteiro, …

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Jet Airways to stop Bangalore – Brussels service

In a shocking development, Alex McWhirter of Business Traveller reports that Jet Airways has decided to stop flying between Brussels and Bangalore, a route commenced just a few weeks ago. Raja Segran, the carrier’s VP for Europe and the Americas, confirmed to Business Traveller that Jet will cease flights by January 12, 2009. Along with Bangalore – Brussels, Jet will …

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Committee pressure for Bengaluru International Airport face-lift

The Deccan Chronicle reports, the 21-member Joint House Committee (JHC) headed by BJP MLA Hemachandra Sagar, to look into perceived lapses by Bengaluru International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) wants a complete makeover for Bengaluru International Airport. But BIAL has baulked at the idea, particularly as the bill for the face-lift touches Rs 1,000 crore. “The committee is of the opinion that …

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Germany first country to open consulate general in Bangalore

According to a press-statement issued by the German Embassy, “Germany will be the first country to have its consulate general in the Information Technology (IT) capital of India. There are already more than 120 German companies or Indo-German joint ventures in Bangalore.” German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, will fly to Bangalore today, to open the first consulate general in …

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