Tag Archives: Devesh Agarwal

Kalanithi Maran’s takeover will make SpiceJet a game changer in Indian aviation

After six months of discussions, it is finally official. Media baron and political heavyweight, Kalanithi Maran will acquire a majority stake in low fare carrier SpiceJet.Mr. Maran in his individual capacity and via his aviation company KAL Airways jointly owned with wife Kaveri, will initially acquire the 37.73% stake of the Kansagara family promoted Royal Holding Services Ltd., Wilbur Ross …

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Petty politics grounds Lufthansa’s A380 India plans

With baited anticipation, many Indians were awaiting an announcement from German airline Lufthansa about commencing Airbus A380 services to India, specifically New Delhi. Late last year, there were strong indications that Lufthansa would be the first airline to commence a daily A380 service between New Delhi and Frankfurt. Lufthansa had to ignore the carrier’s two biggest markets for their initial …

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Images: British Airways gives its aircraft soccer noses

The FIFA World Cup is upon us, and British Airways appears to have caught footie fever expective to transport over 70,000 passengers to South Africa over the next one month, on its 26 weekly flights. The airline has given selected aircraft “soccer noses”. Enjoy the pictures and have a great weekend. Remember to click on the image for a high …

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Photo essay: Transit of Singapore Air Force elite 145 squadron F-16s, KC-135R, C-130H at Bangalore

On Monday evening an entire contingent of the elite 145 squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) touched down at Bangalore’s HAL airport. The 145 Squadron “Hornet” is a strike fighter squadron of the RSAF currently based at the new airbase Changi Airbase (East) which to the east of Singapore Changi Airport. With hornets as their motif and …

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One of the best plane spotting locations in the world – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) airport

May 22nd and I was back in my home town of Arlington, Texas, host to the next NFL Superbowl. Sure enough I was soon at DFW airport, home to one of the best spotting locations in world — Founder’s Plaza at the Dallas-Fort Worth International airport. Built by the airport operators, in cooperation and with funding from all the airlines, …

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Emirates orders additional 32 Airbus A380 superjumbos taking total order to 90

Dubai based Emirates Airline has increased its industry leading Airbus 380 superjumbo firm order tally to a whopping 90, by ordering a further 32 A380s from Airbus. A380 firm orders now stand at 234 from 17 customers. The order has a list price of US$ 11.5 billion but significant discounts are quite common. (Click on image for a high res …

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Image: First Boeing 747-8F Freighter in new Cargolux livery

The first Boeing 747-8 Freighter has been painted in launch customer, Cargolux’s, new livery. This photo captured as the plane emerged from the paint shop shows the new livery which is an evolution from the current design. The red, white and blue stripes symbolize the company’s roots in Luxembourg, and features a distinctive new red tail with an additional logo …

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Kingfisher Airlines becomes member elect of oneworld with British Airways as mentor

Kingfisher Airlines has officially become a member elect of the oneworld庐 alliance after its Chairman Dr. Vijay Mallya signed a formal membership agreement with all 12 of existing partners and members elect of the alliance. Ahead of Kingfisher is Russia鈥檚 leading domestic carrier S7 Airlines which is expected to join the alliance later this year. Kingfisher Airlines will bring 56 …

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Jet Airways shifts to SkyTeam lounge at London Heathrow

Jet Airways has replaced its premium passengers lounge at London’s Heathrow airport Terminal 4. Previously Jet was using the Etihad Airways lounge but has now shifted to the one year old SkyTeam lounge opposite gate 10. The two-floor lounge includes features such as food and bar counters on both levels, a wine bar, wi-fi internet access, a meeting room, showers …

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What would I do if I were Civil Aviation Minister of India – interview on Sify.com

I was recently interviewed by Ramanand Sengupta on the Shiva statue affecting Delhi IGI airport’s newest Code F runway 11-29. We also covered subjects of security, safety, and what I would do if I was offered the job of Minister of Civil Aviation (what a delicious thought). You can read the full interview here.

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Video: Rough landing by Korean Airlines Boeing 777-300ER at Tokyo Narita

Thanks to NYCAviation I found this video of a Korean Airlines Boeing 777-300ER doing a tippy-toe Bollywood gyrating landing at Tokyo’s Narita airport. Also do take the time to visit NYCAviation and see the video of a rather terse and snippy argument between an American Airlines flight and the ATC tower at New York JFK.

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Review: Menzies Aviation erodes Lufthansa’s passenger service quality at London Heathrow

In December last year I was a guest of Lufthansa and Fraport for a visit to the Frankfurt airport and Lufthansa world headquarters. Having travelled from Bangalore till Frankfurt, I decided to visit family in London after the visit, and would return via Munich to Delhi. Throughout the trip the on-board service was excellent in both business class (between India …

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Singapore Airlines introduces upgraded Boeing 777-200 on its Bangalore service

Seat Map.Singapore Airlines (SQ) has introduced a new cabin product on board its daily Boeing 777-200 service between Singapore and Bangalore which is probably the best cabin product ex-Bangalore by any airline in business class. Previously SQ used to fly a three class Boeing 777-200 in a dense 12-42-234 seat configuration. That product was not particularly liked by frequent business …

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Air India Mangalore accident highlights need for an independent accidents investigator

Ever since the unfortunate crash of Air India Express’ Boeing 737-800 VT-AXV at Mangalore Bajpe, I have been inundated by requests across the world to comment and even speculate about the crash and possible causes. Over the last few days we see all kinds of high energy stories in the media, be it speculating on reasons for the crash, or …

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NTSB issues urgent safety recommendation for General Electric CF6-45/50 engines

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued two urgent safety recommendations affecting General Electric CF6-45/50 engines. This engine is found mostly on cargo aircraft like Airbus A300s (now retired by Air India), Boeing 747s, DC-10s, MD-11s, and U.S. Air Force KC-10 tankers. However, there is a case involving a passenger Boeing 747-300 of Saudi Arabian Airlines. The …

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Former Inspector General Denzil Keelor slams Mangalore airport

The recent crash of the Air India Express Boeing 737-800 VT-AXV at Mangalore Bajpe airport continues to grab headlines. Numerous analytical reports can be found in the newspapers both national and regional. With the short-comings in the design of the runway at Mangalore, many reports are questioning the independence of the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation when it …

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Aviation Photographers India helps students win college award with plane spotting film

In early March, India’s only officially recognised plane spotting group Aviation Photographers India was approached by two students of Convergence Institute of Media Management (Commits), a media college in Bangalore to help them in producing of a Television news story type film for their college examination. Rohita Rambabu and Ketaki Ankalikar, students of the I year MA (Audiovisual Communication) course …

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Air India Express Boeing 737-800 crashes at Mangalore Bajpe airport

One of the latest Boeing 737-800 aircraft in low cost carrier Air India Express’ (AIX) fleet, VT-AXV, performing flight IX-812 from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Mangalore Bajpe, India overshot the runway early this morning while attempting to land, and crashed at 06:10 local (00:40Z) into a wooded valley near Kenjar village about ten km NE of Mangalore airport. Initial …

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SpiceJet sponsors the first ever plane spotting photo contest in India

This is good news for the members of the Aviation Photographers India. Gurgaon based value carrier is breaking new ground and sponsoring the first ever plane spotting photo contest in India. Winners will get free round-trip tickets on the SpiceJet network. The pictures can be uploaded to the SpiceJet Facebook page or sent via e-mail to spicejet.photos@gmail.com. Full details of …

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Lufthansa takes delivery of its first Airbus A380

At a glittering ceremony in Hamburg, Lufthansa has taken delivery of D-AIMA, the first of its 15 Airbus A380 superjumbos ordered. Due to production delays at airframe manufacturer Airbus S.A.S, only three more A380s will join the fleet in 2010. Lufthansa becomes the fifth airline after Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas and Air France, to introduce the A380 into service. The …

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