Bangalore Aviation News, Reviews, Analysis and opinions of Indian Aviation

Earlier today, Air India announced that it was adding a second daily flight in the afternoon (complementing the existing overnight) between Chennai and Singapore utilizing a 279 seat Airbus A330-200 widebody aircraft in a 2 class configuration (24J/255Y). The move comes soon after low cost carrier IndiGo ended its flights from Mumbai to Singapore, and replaced them with flights from …

by Devesh Agarwal National carrier Air India, became the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner operator to commence scheduled commercial services to Paris, Charles De Gaulle (Roissy) airport earlier today. AI-143 will depart Delhi at 13:10 daily, arrive Paris, at 18:05.AI-142, will depart Paris 21:30, arrive Delhi at 10:10 the next day. Air India is gradually expanding operations of its Boeing 787 …

NTSB INVESTIGATORS LOOKING INTO BOEING 787 SMOKE EVENT IN BOSTON Jan. 7, 2013 WASHINGTON– Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are gathering information regarding reports of smoke aboard a Boeing 787 at Boston’s Logan Airport today. The Japan Airlines 787 was on the ground and empty of passengers at the time of the incident. The NTSB has dispatched an …

by Vinay BhaskaraThis is part 1 of our 2012 review of Indian aviation. Part 2 will come next week with a carrier by carrier review of  2012 in Indian aviation. When the story of Indian commercial aviation in 2012 is told, the overarching narrative across almost the entire industry will be one of cautious optimism (though Kingfisher Airlines obviously belies this …

by Devesh Agarwal Austrian carrier InterSky has taken delivery of their first ATR 72-600 aircraft ordered in 2012. This is also the first ATR aircraft that will fly in the livery of an Austrian airline. The second ATR 72-600 ordered by InterSky is scheduled for delivery in March this year. The new aircraft was welcomed this morning at Friedrichshafen Airport, …

by Devesh Agarwal Airbus Military has confirmed that it has been selected by the Government of India as the preferred bidder to supply its A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The decision follows a lengthy and thorough selection process including the completion of extensive flight demonstrations in India by the A330 MRTT during which …

Japan Airlines (JAL) will be introducing the award-winning Miyazaki beef in its in-flight meals for First Class on international routes from Tokyo (Narita) to Europe and North America between January 9 and March 31, 2013, to commemorate the launch of JAL Sky Suite 777 – the airline’s latest cabin product on its 777-300ERs. Produced in Miyazaki Prefecture situated in the …

Richard Branson promoted Virgin Atlantic Airways has appointed Craig Kreeger, 53, as its new Chief Executive from February 1, succeeding Steve Ridgway, who is retiring. Kreeger joins Virgin from Dallas based American Airlines (AA), where he has held a 27-year career spanning commercial, financial and strategic roles. Kreeger, a graduate of the University of California in San Diego (UCSD) and …

As I was returning to Bangalore on Saturday, I spotted this very unusual aircraft at the ramp across the passenger terminal at Mumbai CSI airport, an Antonov An-74-TK-100. UR-CKC belongs to Cavok Air, a Ukranian cargo operator. The striking feature of this aircraft is the overwing engines which are used to perform short take-off and landings by using the Coandă …

by Vinay Bhaskara Here is an overview of my flights taken this year, categorized by airline and route flown. Aircraft types are marked, as are any trips in Premium cabins. Flights Taken Southwest Airlines: Newark – Chicago Midway – Newark (Boeing 737-700) Delta Air Lines: New York La Guardia – Miami – New York La Guardia (McDonnell Douglas MD-88/Airbus A320) …

Passengers flying out of New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will receive some relief on the airport fees they pay. Based on an order issued by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority, the Airport Development Fee (ADF) rates at IGI Airport will be halved to Rs. 100 per embarking domestic passenger and Rs. 600 per embarking international passenger starting midnight tonight …

Less than 18 months after it commenced international operations, Indian low fare carrier appears to be withdrawing from three critical and what are considered lucrative routes. Mumbai Singapore, Delhi Singapore, and Mumbai Bangkok. A search for seat availability on the airline’s booking engine shows no flights available on these three routes from March 1, 2013 onwards. This is normally routine …

From 14th January 2013, low cost carrier (LCC) SpiceJet will launch thrice weekly Bangalore – Mysore services using Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops. The schedule of the flights will be as follows: SG3305 BLR – MYQ ~ 1220 – 1310 ~ Q400 135SG3306 MYQ- BLR ~ 1330  – 1420 ~ Q400 135 The new route marks the beginning of the next round of Q400 …

by Devesh Agarwal A week ago, Airbus S.A.S. rolled out an A320 aircraft serial number MSN 5437 from its assembly line. This aircraft is destined to become Indian budget carrier IndiGo’s first ‘Sharklet’ equipped A320 VT-IFH, and when delivered only the second airline aircraft in the world to be fitted with the new fuel saving large wing-tip device. Photo copyright …

by Vinay BhaskaraEarlier this week, Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), the world’s second busiest airport by passenger enplanements, crossed 80 million passengers carried in one calendar year. According to Zhang Guanghui, general manager of Beijing Capital International Airport co., the airport is likely to cross the 90 million passengers per annum mark by 2015, allowing it to pass Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International …

Our two videos today come courtesy Air France. Have you ever wondered what happens around your plane while you are waiting for your flight to board and depart? In first video, Air France reveals an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the frenetic activity performed by hundreds of people prior to the departure of an A380. Next go behind the scene at …

Air India operated its first flight to Agra earlier today. Following a circuitous route (Delhi-Varanasi-Agra), this flight has a schedule that leaves much to be desired. Image courtesy gcmap.com The flight will be operated with an all-economy class Airbus A320 aircraft, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flight AI 406 departs New Delhi at 1245, arrives Varanasi …

Effective January 3, 2013, Jet Airways, will fly six times a week on the Mangalore-Dubai sector. The airline will deploy a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 170 Economy seats on this route. 9W 532 will depart Mangalore at 2000 and arrive Dubai at 2230 (all times local) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. On Tuesdays, flight 9W 532 will depart Managalore …

Hope you had a good holiday. Turn the volume up for this one. Another of our videos from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, thanks to the team at Delhi International Airport Ltd. This one focusses on the sounds heard at the runway from various aircraft and their many engines. Hope you enjoy. As usual comments, praises, or brick-bats are …

The entire team at Bangalore Aviation joins me in extending our warmest wishes for your safe and happy holiday celebration. We thank you for your consistent support. A few days back we crossed the 3 million annual page views mark. Making us the dominant aviation enthusiast site in India. You can see the annual views in the right column mid …