Cruising Heights - August 2023

In this issue

Cruising Heights’ August 2023 edition looks at the urgent need for the aviation industry to embrace the 2050 zero-carbon sustainability goals and how it is an uphill task to get there. Also, a report on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport getting a brand-new runway and how it will enormously improve the traffic at India’s number one airport. Delhi Airport also has a phenomenal new set of routes and flights all over the region. A detailed report on the new destinations and the cities they connect. The monsoon months are the weakest for the aviation business. Will it be a bleak quarter for the Industry? Will it be the same this year? From Hyderabad comes news of GMR’s MOU with Safran Engines for setting up a state-of-the-art MRO in Hyderabad. Plus, all our regular features including Check-in, News Digest and Strange but True.

CANDID APOLOGY

United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, found himself in the spotlight after he issued a candid apology for a private jet trip amidst the operational chaos at the airline, which resulted in thousands of delays and cancellations.

1 min

A BLOODY SITUATION

Blood on a plane might be a rarity, but it goes to show that sometimes reality can be stranger than fiction, even at 30,000 feet in the air.

1 min

BLAME GAME

Fox News is perceived as being habitual of attributing various transportation mishaps to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and their latest accusation left many amused.

1 min

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER CARE

Newlyweds Lawryn and Joe Fellwock were all set to embark on a honeymoon cruise from Detroit to Puerto Rico via Delta Air Lines. But, oh no! Disaster struck as they realized Lawryn left her passport back home in Michigan.

1 min

THE MONSOON BLUES

The JAS quarter July August-September) is usually the worst of the four quarters for Indian aviation. AMEYA JOSHI dissects how it is likely to fare this year.

4 mins

IGI GROWING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

With its unique connections, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is now among the top 10 airports in the world in terms of passengers, connections and transfers. AMEYA JOSHI reports

4 mins

Mumbai Airport achieves unique recognition

Mumbai achieved a significant feat by earning the fourth spot in a readers' survey of international airports conducted by a US-based travel magazine, Travel + Leisure.

1 min

Adani seeks a higher stake in Mumbai airport

Adani Airports is seeking to increase its ownership in the Mumbai Airport. Currently, Adani Airports holds a majority stake of 74 per cent in Mumbai airports, while the remaining 26 per cent is owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

1 min

Mumbai Airport achieves incredible recovery

Mumbai Airport has shown an impressive recovery of 107 per international sectors, compared to June 2019 levels.

1 min

GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ partners with Safran

GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Limited (GHASL), a subsidiary of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL), recently announced significant collaboration with Safran Aircraft Engines Services India Pvt. Ltd (SAESIPL), a subsidiary of aerospace and defence company Safran. The two entities have entered into a land lease agreement that will pave the way for the establishment of an advanced engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP turbofan engines at the GMR Aerospace & Industrial Park in Hyderabad.

1 min

India to get MRO facility for Rafale M-88 engines

In a major stride for India's defence industry, French Safran an advanced Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the Rafale M-88 engines within the country. This state-of-the-art facility, slated to be operational by the following year, will not only handle engine servicing but also conduct essential deep overhauls following the Time Between Overhaul (TBO) requirements.

1 min

Air India concludes deal for 800 CFM engines

Air India had in February announced its decision to choose CFM International, a joint venture of Safran and GE, as the engine supplier for their Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft.

1 min

Air India's significant steps in strengthening cargo

Air India CEO and MD of Air India, Campbell Wilson, expressed optimism about the potential of the air cargo sector, citing the Indian government's ambitious plan to grow it to 10 million tonnes by 2030.

1 min

Etihad Cargo expands European Road Feeder

Etihad Cargo has partnered with Wallenborn Transports to provide its customers with road feeder services in Europe. The partnership will offer seamless connectivity between Etihad Cargo's European gateways and Wallenborn's network of 90 airports in 27 countries.

1 min

Qatar Cargo takes Fresh to the next level

Qatar Airways Cargo, which annually carries more than 285,000 tonnes of perishable goods on its global network, has streamlined its Next Generation Fresh process for all kinds of perishable shipments ranging from fruits or vegetables to seafood or flowers.

1 min

A new cargo airline in the UK

Britain's new all-cargo airline, One Air, has completed its inaugural Boeing 747-400 freighter flight, operating a full charter for client Shandong Glory from China to the UK.

1 min

The second jet joins Gulfstream G800 Flight-test fleet

Gulfstream Aerospace's second flight test G800 ultra-long-range twinjet took off from Gulfstream's headquarters at Savannah/Hilton Head Airport in Georgia and flew for three hours and 26 minutes using a 30 per cent sustainable aviation fuel blend. It reached a top speed of Mach 0.935 during the flight.

1 min

Emirates' new on-demand charter service

Emirates unveiled a new on-demand charter service catering to elite customers in the Middle East. The service will utilise a fleet of Embraer Phenom 100EV twin-engine private jets to transport travellers from Dubai World Central (DWC), the city's second passenger airport, to various cities in the Gulf region.

1 min

Good response to CIAL's business jet terminal

Kochi Airport (Cochin International Airport Ltd) has achieved the distinction of being the fourth airport in the country to operate a business jet terminal, with a primary focus on handling charter operations.

1 min

INDIGO EXPANDING INTERNATIONAL REACH

IndiGo Airline is expanding its international reach, connecting a total of 32 destinations, up from 26, in Central Asia and Africa with direct flights. This ambitious plan aims to dominate international routes, just as IndiGo has in the domestic market.

1 min

SPICEJET NEW FLIGHTS FROM ODISHA'S JHARSUGUDA

Exciting news for travellers in Odisha! SpiceJet has launched flights from Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda to Kolkata and Visakhapatnam very soon., these new routes will started operating from July 10.

1 min

AI EXPRESS INTRODUCES GOURMAIR

Air India Express recently introduced 'GourmAir,' an award-winning in-flight dining brand, aiming to cater to diverse culinary preferences with an array of hot meals and lite bites. Guests can pre-book GourmAir's delectable offerings through the airline's new co-branded website, airindiaexpress.

1 min

AKASA ADDS MORE DESTINATIONS, MORE FLIGHTS

Akasa Air has strengthened its network across the country. The airline announced new routes and increased the number of flights on popular routes.

1 min

SYDNEY AND NSW CAPTIVATE INDIAN TOURISTS

Destination NSW's collaborative efforts are set to pave the way for a promising future of Indian tourism in Sydney and New South Wales (NSW).

1 min

MUMBAI-JAKARTA DIRECT FLIGHTS TOO

IndiGo has added Jakarta to its list of international destinations, becoming the 28th country it serves.

1 min

INDIGO'S CONNECTS LUCKNOW WITH VARANASI

IndiGo has connected Lucknow with Varanasi. With this new route, IndiGo will provide customers with increased flight options for travel between two of the most visited places in Uttar Pradesh, further expanding its domestic reach.

1 min

CONNECTS LUCKNOW AND AHMEDABAD' WITH ABU DHABI

IndiGo recently launched new connections, Lucknow-Abu Dhabi and Ahmedabad-Abu Dhabi respectively.

1 min

QATAR TOUCHES DOWN IN LYON AND TOULOUSE

Qatar Airways has launched flights to Lyon, France, using a Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

1 min

PAWAN HANS SERVICE TO MAKE AMARNATH YATRA EASY

Pawan Hans has launched helicopter services to establish convenient connections between Srinagar (Ex Budgam Helipad) and Pahalgam, as well as Neelgrath, with the additional option to reach Panchtarni.

1 min

FEDERAL BANK LOUNGE OFFER

Federal Bank, in collaboration with Collinson, the owner and operator of Priority PassTM Access India and LoungeKeyTM, launched a new programme that grants the Bank's customers access to premium airport lounges and travel experiences.

1 min

ETIHAD A 380 IS BACK IN ACTION

70 Business Studios are available on Etihad's A380 upper deck, granting privacy to customers and creating a serene atmosphere.

1 min

MOPA ENHANCES THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

Manohar Airport in Goa recently implemented cutting-edge check-in facilities at the airport.

1 min

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Cruising Heights Magazine Description:

CRUISING HEIGHTS is India's best known monthly aviation magazine with equal interests in air cargo, travel and tourism. In its four years of existence, Cruising Heights has received accolades from the Minister of Civil Aviation, Aviation CEOs, Airport Developers, Travel Agents Associations and others for its path-breaking stories.One of the first true aviation magazines of the country, Cruising Heights was started with the idea of supporting professionals in the airline business to make informed choices on a variety of subjects from ground handling to cargo to airport development-all of which are transforming the Indian aviation scene in mind-boggling ways. Later, due to the interest it generated and in response to demands from the travel and tourism industry stakeholders we have targeted the general reader-the educated Indian who is keen to be an informed Indian-to know what's happening in the business.