15 Oct 2018

India Aviation industry newsletter 16 October

Boeing Delivers SpiceJet's First 737 MAX Airplane Boeing and SpiceJet 12 October celebrated the delivery of the carrier's first 737 MAX 8. The airline plans to use the 737 MAX to expand and standardize its fleet, while leveraging the super-efficient jet to reduce fuel costs per airplane by $1.5 million a year. This is the first of up to 205 737 MAX airplanes SpiceJet has announced with Boeing. SpiceJet's new 737 MAX airplanes arrive at a time when India's commercial aviation market continues to grow at significant rates. Govt invites e-bids for international UDAN flights to select destinations by 22 November The central government has invited proposals from interested air operators for the international version of its 'UDAN' (Ude Desk Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme as it seeks to enhance air connectivity from India to select overseas destinations. India Says No to UAE’s Request for Additional Flights India’s civil aviation ministry has rejected UAE’s request of adding more flights and having access to newer destinations, Business Standard reported. According to the publication, Indian civil aviation authorities had discussions with UAE officials on 11 October where they turned down the demand. While UAE says there has been an increase in the two-way traffic between Emirates and India and beyond, Indian aviation officials have said there has been no change in either the destination or seats. The officials of both the nations are scheduled to resume talks next February. India ‘very promising market’; to deliver 1,000 engines in coming years, says CFM International Describing India as a “very promising market”, aircraft engine maker CFM International said it plans to deliver 1,000 engines in the country in the coming years as airlines expand their fleet. According to the CFM International, 1,000 engines are to be delivered in India in the coming years. As many as 500 CFM 56 engines are in service with 11 operators in India according to a report in Financial Express 12 October. India cuts aviation turbine fuel tax to 11% The Indian government has reduced aviation turbine fuel (ATF) taxes by three percentage points to 11%, effective 11 October. The announcement was made on 10 October, in a notification made by the ministry of finance's revenue department. Air India Express To Use Terminal 1 at Abu Dhabi International Airport Air India Express flights completed the move of operations to Terminal 1 at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Originally the airline departed from Terminal 1, and arrived to Terminal 2. P.A. Umadevi, Airport Manager for Air India & Air India Express operations, said: “Air India Express is pleased to announce the transition of its arriving flights to Terminal 1 at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which reflects our commitment to providing exceptional services to our passengers. The level of services offered to us by Abu Dhabi Airports helps us ensure our customers satisfaction and meet the rising demand in the Abu Dhabi market.” Travelport wins tender for sole distribution supplier to Air India Travelport announced 11 October that it had won a competitive tender process undertaken by Air India for the sole provision of distribution of its domestic flight content in the airline's home market. The contract awarded to Travelport came after a comprehensive bidding process. It will begin to come into effect from November 2018 and be fully implemented by the end of 2019. The agreement confirms Air India's continued deployment of Travelport Rich Content and Branding. Acumen Aviation © 16 October 2018 All Rights Reserved.