Category Archives: Aviation

Vistara has started non-stop, 5x weekly flights between Mumbai and London (London Heathrow), to be operated by the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Vinod Kannan, CEO, Vistara, recently said that London has been the most lucrative route in Europe for them.

Vistara inaugurates its non-stop, 5x weekly flights between Mumbai and London . The inaugural flight, operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, departed from Mumbai at 14:35 Hours (IST) and is scheduled to arrive at London Heathrow Airport at 19:55 Hours (BST). It is known for its distinctive features such as comfortable three-class seating, modern interiors, wireless connectivity on-board, cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system with live TV at 35,000 feet and wellness lighting solution to name a few. Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are excited to launch direct connectivity between Mumbai and London – a historically significant route for trade, business and leisure alike. While Mumbai is the financial capital of India, London holds critical importance in the global financial world while also being a popular destination for travel and tourism from India”. “The new route, at convenient departure and arrival timings, is in line with our continued efforts towards offering more flexibility and ease to our customers when planning their travel with India’s best airline. We believe that our world-class product complemented with our globally awarded service make for just the right combination for an exceptional flying experience”, he added With this Vistara celebrated the launch of the new international route with a ceremonious lamp lighting ceremony at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Customers will be offered themed delicacies on the inaugural flight including regional favourites – pav bhaji and keema pav, and London’s speciality beer – Brewdog Punk IPA, on the return flight.

Akasa Air announced a special ‘Monsoon Bonanza’ sale across its network, offering travelers an opportunity to book their upcoming travel at reasonable fares. The airline is offering a 10 per cent discount on “Saver” and “Flexi” fares upon booking one-way or return flights to 16 destinations across India. Customers can avail discounts through www.akasaair.com, Android & IOS app and through travel agents and several Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Customers have a chance to check off their travel wish lists at affordable prices from serene landscapes of Bagdogra, to exotic beaches of Goa, to a historic tour of Lucknow. Bookings are open for a period of one week from 0001 hours of 30 May 2023 to 2359 hours of 5 June for travel from 1 July 2023 onwards using the code ‘Monsoon’ to avail the offer. Akasa Air has reveals’ multiple best-in-class products and services to ensure an inclusive, warm, comfortable, and efficient flying experience. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft seats provide ample legroom and come with USB ports in a majority of aircraft, allowing passengers to charge their gadgets and devices. Café Akasa, the in-flight catering service offers an assortment of healthy and delectable meals, including festive menus and unique options to offer customers an indulgent gourmet experience in the skies.  The airline allows customers to travel with their pets in the cabin or carry them in cargo based on their size. Furthermore, in an endeavour to make travel inclusive, Akasa Air also recently introduced its safety instruction card in Braille for persons with visual impairment. Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing network since its launch in August 2022, has carried over 2 million revenue passengers and crossed the milestone of operating over …

Vietjet has announced 50% off on SkyBoss and SkyBoss Business class ticket on the latest wide-body A330 aircraft, valid on all domestic and international route networks. Passengers are given the opportunity to fly like leaders, with exclusive benefits available on their website. Vietjet has launched its latest mega sale on every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (GMT+7). One million of promo tickets priced from ₹5,555 can be purchased from website or the Vietjet Air app, which is subjected to availability, to fly between India and Vietnam for traveling from 10 Aug – 31 March 2023. Passengers can save 50 per cent off on SkyBoss and SkyBoss Business tickets by using the special codes SKYBOSSALL50 and BUSINESS50 until June 30, 2023, which are valid for all the routes flying across Vietnam and internationally to Australia, Kazakhstan, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. Nguyen Thanh Son, VP, Vietjet said, “Vietjet has just received new wide-body A330 aircraft to respond the needs of SkyBoss Business passengers, we have also increased the frequency of the Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi route (more than 24 flights per day), and opened new international routes across five continents. Sharing his concern on sustainability, he welcomed businessmen to experience its SkyBoss Business class with different services, green cuisine, macrobiotics, support for use of recycled products, eco-friendly and bamboo material, towards the goal of green future”. SkyBoss Business ticket holder can have access to the luxury lounge, enjoy private cabins, a cocktail bar, a flat bed seat, fresh and tasty organic meals, 18 Kg cabin baggage, 60 Kg checked baggage and a golf club set, and travel insurance and priority treatment throughout the flight.  

The delivery ceremony of ITA Airways’ first Airbus A330-900 held on April 26, 2023, at the Toulouse Airbus Delivery Center in the presence of Philippe Mhun, Executive Vice President Programmes and Services Airbus, Christophe Molus, Senior Vice President Airbus at Rolls Royce, Alex Khatibi, Vice President Marketing and Commercial Affairs Air Lease Corporation, Riccardo Privitera, Director Flight Operations ITA Airways, and Francesco Presicce, Chief Technology Officer ITA Airways. Airbus was delivered to Italy’s flagship carrier the first fully configured A330neo for ITA Airways’. The delivery flight from Toulouse to Fiumicino will be powered by 16 per cent blend of sustainable aviation fuel. ITA Airways’ first A330neo further strengthens the airline’s strategy of building a fleet entirely featuring Airbus aircraft, with 68 currently in operation. The A330neo expands ITA Airways’ long-haul fleet and will enter operation in June to serve the airline’s new intercontinental destinations. Francesco Presicce, Chief Technology Officer of ITA Airways’ was glad to be present at the ceremony, “Today the strategic partnership with Airbus takes one step forward”. He added, “With Airbus, the unique aircraft supplier for our fleet, we have created a special synergy from the beginning, involving different areas of collaboration and business development, always with the aim of realizing a more modern, comfortable and fuel-efficient air mobility, equipped with cutting-edge technologies”. ITA Airways’ new Airbus is dedicated to Gelindo Bordin, the marathon runner and Olympic champion, and follows the airline’s strategy of dedicating its Blue Savoia liveried aircraft to Italian sports champions. Award-winning Airspace cabin provides the highest levels of comfort and increased cabin space, a new lighting system, sophisticated in-flight entertainment systems and full Wi-Fi connectivity inside the cabin. It features a three-class configuration: …

IndiGo, has announced 6 new flights including exclusive connections between Hyderabad-Nashik, Indore-Nashik, and additional frequency on Ahmedabad-Nashik route from June 01, 2023. Earlier this year, IndiGo, India’s preferred airline had started direct flights from Nashik, the 77th domestic and 103rd overall destination in the 6E network. These new flights and frequencies are being added in view of the high travel demand this summer season and will further enhance accessibility while promoting tourism in the city. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to announce new connections from Nashik to cater to the increased travel demand from, both, business, and leisure travelers. Nashik is famous for its rich cultural history, being one of the major Hindu pilgrimage sites hosting the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. It is also known as Napa Valley of India, contributing to around 90% of wine production in the country”. He also mentioned that the addition of these new flights and frequencies will provide customers with increased flight options to explore India’s wine capital. We are committed to providing on-time, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences as we continue to expand our regional connectivity. Nashik is well-known for its connection to the Ramayana. Situated on the banks of Godavari River, Nashik is best known for being one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites, that of Kumbh Mela which is held every 12 years and attracts many pilgrims. Panchavati, Saptashrungi, Trimbakeshwar, Sita Gufa, and Pandavleni Caves are also some of the popular sightseeing tourist destinations in the city. The city is called the “Wine Capital of India” as more than half of India’s vineyards and wineries are located here. Around 90% of all Indian wine …

According to a report by SITA, 7.6 bags per 1,000 passengers were mishandled in 2022, up from 4.35 per 1,000 passengers the previous year. In total, 26 million bags were mishandled last year, compared to 9.9 million in 2021, as the number of travelers neared pre-Covid levels

CEO of Akasa Airlines, Vinay Dube said that within next 60 days, the airline will welcome its 20th aircraft. This will enable the airline to start international operations and connect India to rest of the world. This ex-Vietjet aircraft is going to be India’s first B737 MAX 8 200.,” he adds.   

Commenting on the monthly domestic passenger traffic data for April 2023, ICRA states that numbers for April 2023 is estimated at 129 lakh, similar to that in March 2023, though 22% higher in comparison to 105 lakh in April 2022 and 17% higher than pre-Covid levels of 110 lakh in April 2019. It added that despite a healthy recovery in passenger traffic, the domestic aviation industry continues to face challenges on account of elevated ATF prices and depreciation of the INR vis-à-vis the US$ compared to the pre-Covid era, both of which have a major bearing on the airlines’ cost structure. While the ATF prices have witnessed a sequential decline over the past four months, they still remain at elevated levels as compared to the pre-Covid era. The airlines’ efforts to ensure fare hikes proportionate to their input cost increases will be key to expanding their profitability margins.

The latest ICRA report has mentioned that for FY2022-23, domestic air passenger traffic was around 1360 lakh, a YoY growth of roughly 60%, and marginally lower by 4% compared to 1416 lakh in FY2019-20. It was up than ICRA’s estimate of 1300-1350 lakh.