Analysis and Features

Fastest flights between Bangalore and San Francisco

Bengaluru Kempegowda airport ramp. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal. Used with permission.

Earlier this week, Singapore Airlines launched its non-stop Singapore San Francisco flight, shaving a few hours off their total flight time between the Silicon Plateau of Bangalore (BLR) and the Silicon Valley served by San Francisco (SFO). The San Francisco Bangalore route is one of the most lucrative for the airlines. Even an airline not renowned for their service, Air …

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SpiceJet Q1FY17 results analysis

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

SpiceJetJet reported numbers for the first quarter and the earnings did not disappoint. For the quarter ending 30 June 2016, the airline reported a net profit of INR 149 crores with the same fleet as the previous quarter. The impact on the share prices was almost immediate with almost a 20% rise to INR 67.7 per share. An analysis of …

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Jet Airways Q1 FY2017 results analysis – headwinds and turbulence likely

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

Jet Airways reported results on August 12th with a net profit of Rs 103.1 crores on revenues of Rs 5,112 crores for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016-17 (FY17). The results indicate several challenges and highlights are as below: Operational performance The quarter saw an overall capacity increase of 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year, when measured …

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Indian carriers’ flights cancelled as Dubai airport curtails operations

Dubai airport at dawn

All Indian airlines operating to Dubai have cancelled their flights for today. This includes IndiGo, Spicejet, Jet Airways, Air India, and Air India Express. Jet Airways and Air India have just one of two flights to the Gulf city. Dubai Airports authorities have curtailed operations to a single runway at DXB airport in the aftermath of the crash of Emirates …

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Indigo first quarter FY2017 results analysis – profitable but challenges loom

Indigo Airbus A320neo VT-ITC. Copyrighted image. Re-use prohibited.

[bsu_note note_color=”#affbcd” text_color=”#070707″ radius=”4″]This report was written by a professional analyst for Bangalore Aviation. The analyst remains anonymous as they are not authorised to place their views publicly.[/bsu_note] India’s largest domestic airline IndiGo, reported its first quarter results for the FY2017. With earnings of Rs 591.8 crores, the results yet again failed to meet analysts’ expectations bringing down its stock …

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Lean season brings bounty of offers for passengers

A view of the ramp at Bangalore Airport.

SpiceJet is offering a 10% discount to students. Tata-Singapore Airlines Vistara is offering corporate travellers, free upgrades to their business and premium economy classes. Jet Airways is offering ‘Fare Choices’, where you the passenger decide what services you are willing to forgo to get a lower fare. National carrier Air India is offering low same-day return fares in both economy …

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Indian airlines offer famous food brands to woo passengers

Airlines in India are partnering with famous food brands to leverage their ‘star power’ in an effort to woo passengers. The partnerships are with both home grown and glocal (global brands operating locally) brands. Last month, India’s largest private airline Jet Airways, announced a partnership to serve Subway sandwiches and Krispy Kreme doughnuts on board its flights. A week back, low-fare carrier …

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India permits 100% foreign investment in airlines and airports

Domestic ramp at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji airport. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal.

As part of a dramatic overall liberalisation, the Indian government will allow 100% foreign direct investment in domestic airlines. At present the limit is 49%. However, the caveat is that the 49% is automatic approval while the 100% is automatic for non-resident Indians (NRIs) and with government approval for others. Foreign airlines remain limited investing 49% in Indian companies operating …

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Jet Airways Q4 and full year 2015-16 results and performance analysis

Jet Airways Boeing 737-700 VT-JNS at Bengaluru Kempegowda airport

Jet Airways recently reported numbers for the quarter and the year. For the fourth quarter ending 31 March 2016, the airline reported an impressive net profit of Rs 3,972 million and for the year a net profit of INR 11,733 million. After extensive research into qualitative and quantitative details an analysis is presented below: Strategic shift Jet has moved away …

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SpiceJet’s record profits & turn-around. Fiscal 15-16 results analysis

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

SpiceJet has reported its highest ever profit of Rs 407 crores for the financial year ending 31 March 2016. For the quarter ending 31 March 2016, the airline reported a net profit of Rs 73 crores. Strong performance indeed, considering that the airline had reported a loss of Rs 687 crores for the last financial year. Operational performance A look …

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Anticipated change(s) to the 5/20 rule and its impact

A view of the ramp at Bangalore Airport.

The Indian government is in the final stages of finalizing the civil aviation policy and the 5/20 rule remains one of the core issues of contention. With the rule being integral to international operations and expansion strategy, airlines are lobbying hard for/against it depending on their own plans. The 5/20 rule was introduced in 2004 and stipulates that an airline …

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Indian aviation largely overlooked in the 2016 budget

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

For all the talk of the Government promoting aviation and as the industry watched with baited breath, the budget seems to have continued the Modi-government’s ignoring of  civil aviation. The sum-total budget proposals pertinent to aviation do not even warrant us writing an article. If anything, they could likely be summed up in an SMS message. Namely, Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) …

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Analysis: How will IndiGo integrate the Airbus A320neo?

IndiGo's first A320neo. MSN6799. VT-ITC. Photo courtesy the airline.

Indigo received their first Airbus A320neo (new engine option) today and within a week of the Directorate General’s of Civil Aviation approval with type certificate. With a few more formalities the aircraft will be ready to fly the Indian skies making Indigo the first Asian and Indian operator of the new aircraft. Other airlines (GoAir, Vistara and Air India, all have …

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SpiceJet Q3 FY2016 results analysis – record profits on the path of recovery

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SPJ. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal.

SpiceJet reported its highest ever profit of Rs 238 crores for fiscal year 2015-16, third quarter ending December 31, 2015. With revenues of Rs 1,439 crores, this continues the upward climb for SpiceJet. A phoenix rising Last year during this same period SpiceJet was in turmoil, on the brink of a shut-down with auditors doubting its ability to continue as …

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Indigo Q3 FY2016 results analysis – flying high but some minor turbulence

IndiGo Airbus A320-232(SL) VT-IFK with Sharklets.

Indigo reported its highest ever earnings of Rs 657 crores for the third quarter ending December 31, 2015 of fiscal year 2015-16 which will end March 31, 2016. With passenger growth of 28% compared to the same period last year, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices at an all-time low, and a 20% capacity increase in seats deployed; Indigo had key …

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Will the Etihad deal end Jet Airways’ funding woes?

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

[bsu_note note_color=”#affbcd” text_color=”#070707″ radius=”4″] By the numbers A fortnightly financial analysis column by independent financial analyst Nupur Sarraf. The views are of the author and Bangalore Aviation may not subscribe to them in full or in part.[/bsu_note] Jet Airways has once again turned to Etihad to raise funds. The Indian carrier is in talks with the Middle Eastern airline to …

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A suggestion for Mr. Lohani, CMD of Air India. Experience your airline!!

Listen to your passengers Mr. Lohani

Soon after he took over as Chairman and Managing Director of national carrier Air India, Ashwani Lohani, declared he would engage the over 20,000 work force at the airline. Good idea. I have just one additional suggestion for Mr. Lohani. Learn from the TV series Undercover boss; personally experience your airline by travelling on it, anonymously. To best understand what …

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DGCA report finds Air India operated 787 with only 4 of 47 screws installed

Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner line number 35 test registered N1015 (later became VT-ANH) at the India Aviation show, Hyderabad March 2012. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal.

On October 12, 2013, a little over two years ago, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registration VT-ANK performing flight AI803 from New Delhi to Bangalore with 147 passengers and seven crew, had its right hand side (RHS) heat exchanger access panel 196KR detach from the aircraft as it was landing at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru around 09:40 (0410Z) 04:10 …

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