Prior thread went off topic due to (political) discussion.

This thread is on India aviation.

Prior locked thread:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1383203

New flights by Spicejet from Hubbali wef 14th May 2018. HBX becomes the 4th Karnataka city where SG will fly to.

So 2x daily to BLR and 1x daily to BOM, MAA, HYD? This effectively doubles daily seat capacity to HBX!

I assume the Q400 will be used for Hubli?

What should be the ideal future fleet plans for Air India?

anubhav787 wrote:

What should be the ideal future fleet plans for Air India?

22 x ATR72-600s. In case you missed the fine print, Allied Air Services aka AI(Regional) is not for sale.

dtw2hyd wrote:

anubhav787 wrote:

What should be the ideal future fleet plans for Air India?

22 x ATR72-600s. In case you missed the fine print, Allied Air Services aka AI(Regional) is not for sale.

Even long haul fleet is getting old.

Slash787 wrote:

I assume the Q400 will be used for Hubli?

Yes it says so in the post

unrave wrote:

So 2x daily to BLR and 1x daily to BOM, MAA, HYD? This effectively doubles daily seat capacity to HBX!

Yes, also none of these are under UDAN if im not wrong. Next IndiGo will begin ATR services to HBX, connecting HBX to MAA,HYD and PNQ(unconfimed).

anubhav787 wrote:

dtw2hyd wrote:

anubhav787 wrote:

What should be the ideal future fleet plans for Air India?

22 x ATR72-600s. In case you missed the fine print, Allied Air Services aka AI(Regional) is not for sale.

Even long haul fleet is getting old.

I'd imagine that would be dependent on who buys AI, since their plans for righting AI including potential codeshares/alliances, long term strategy and fleet commonality would factor into the decision making process. If for example UK buys AI, we might see a shootout between A359ULR and B789 to replace the 77W/L on the North American routes, perhaps even an expansion in terms of a couple of new routes (primarily US centric, as I think Ai+UK would look to codeshare on AC for the Canadian routes) and perhaps increased frequencies (like what we've seen on DEL-SFO). 788s would still be quite usable on the medium-haul markets, again perhaps increasing frequencies to daily for most of the markets that do not already have daily flights. I expect the older 788s to be deployed on trunk routes between metros domestically (one early morning and one late night), but most of the A320 fleet would probably be reconfigured into an IX-type configuration and used in a point-to-point network domestically and connecting to the Middle East and near South East Asia. We'd probably even see increasing numbers of leased 320Neo and 737Max aircraft to build out a competitive LCC network. It's time for IX to become the new IC and let AI be the old AI.

Of course, if 6E comes back and buys AI, we'll probably see a drawdown of the ULH flights to focus more on medium haul to Europe and Far East Asia based on the 788 fleet.

That is the fleet plan for a new owner, not AI. AI(R) will be the only residual part of AI.

Also unlike most well-run airlines, AI owns its 777s, those will be paid off in a year or two. It will be dumb to get rid of those.

unrave wrote:

Many AAI airports don't even have a passable lounge you know? We Indians have become quite used to dysfunctional government run entities.Why do you think we long queues for immigration at major airports? Lack of manpower - yet another shortcoming of he government. Do you imply that if DEL/BOM were to be brought under AAI control the queues would magically disappear? I have wasted my hours at small AAI airports too - TRZ for instance is a sardine can at peak hours, and the airport handles barely 1.5m pax a year.

No, I am nowhere implying that AAI control will solve everything--just that the problems are not between "government run" and "private run" Indian airports, but with Indian airports in general.

unrave wrote:

So 2x daily to BLR and 1x daily to BOM, MAA, HYD? This effectively doubles daily seat capacity to HBX!

sand26391 wrote:

Yes, also none of these are under UDAN if im not wrong. Next IndiGo will begin ATR services to HBX, connecting HBX to MAA,HYD and PNQ(unconfimed).

There is more to it: All these flights have been transferred from Belgaum! Nobody seems to know why

I guess IXG wont work unless its under UDAN scheme. Plus the daily HYD service wasnt doing well.. getting around 40-50 pax at max, during the weekends said a ground staff working for SG. The BLR-PNY flight by SG is working well only coz its under UDAN( as of now).
It wil be interesting to see how HBX will work for SG. Metros yes, it shud do well... but I have no idea about the traffic potential on JLR-HBX route as its not under UDAN scheme. I guess SG trying to take away the slots at HBX before IndiGo starts from Hubli in the next 45 days or so. This shud be interesting

AirAsia India adds 18th aircraft, to expand in north east from Kolkata

https://m.timesofindia.com/business/ind ... 667948.cms

Anyone watching IPL? Looks like AI is sponsoring Delhi Daredevils !!

I wonder how much it costs AI to sponsor an Ad like that? A few crore rupees?

This report on DNA claims 11 of the 14 grounded neos are back in service after change of engines
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-o ... rs-2602198

3 cheers to Vistara!!


https://mobile.twitter.com/TheSanjivKap ... 4110698496

sand26391 wrote:

Yes, also none of these are under UDAN if im not wrong. Next IndiGo will begin ATR services to HBX, connecting HBX to MAA,HYD and PNQ(unconfimed).

Wow! That's unbelievable! My first impression was that this was all under UDAAN.

unrave wrote:

All these flights have been transferred from Belgaum! Nobody seems to know why

I dunno why SpiceJet keeps switching between Hubli and Belgaum. Previously IIRC they pulled out from Hubli entirely in favor of Belgaum.

Yes, SG seems to be doing pretty well at IXG... acc to AAI data that is...


Maybe yields dropped? 70s look fine for a non peak season. The IXG folks are not happy at all with SG though..... HBX seems to be getting lot of limelight recently.
Has SG shifted to HBX as to 6E will be starting ops at HBX around the same time? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell...

Forgot to mention that 6E will start HBX ops under UDAN 2.0(unlike SG), all of 6e flights will be under UDAN at hbx.

anshabhi wrote:

AirAsia India adds 18th aircraft, to expand in north east from Kolkata

I50519 CCU VTZ 05:10 06:45
I50518 VTZ CCU 07:10 08:35

I50582 CCU IXB 09:00 10:20
I50583 IXB CCU 10:45 11:55

I50524 CCU IMF 12:20 13:40
I50525 IMF CCU 14:10 15:25

I50538 CCU GAU 15:50 17:00
I50539 GAU CCU 17:30 18:50

I50598 CCU PNQ 19:30 22:30
I50599 PNQ CCU 22:55 01:40

All flights daily eff. May 31

unrave wrote:

I50598 CCU PNQ 19:30 22:30
I50599 PNQ CCU 22:55 01:40

All flights daily eff. May 31

Well, I wonder if due to extreme slot constraints at BOM, is PNQ in anyway acting as a gateway to Mumbai? Pune-Mumbai is almost 4 hours by road and Navi Mumbai is 3 hours ..
Still much better than taking a train.

It is official: DEL jumps six places to become the 16th busiest airport worldwide.
http://www.aci.aero/News/Releases/Most- ... -threaten-

DEL's rise since 2010 has been meteoric: from 44th rank to 16th rank 7 years.

BLR Stats for FY 2017-2018. Traffic up by 17.5% YoY

unrave wrote:

It is official: DEL jumps six places to become the 16th busiest airport worldwide.
http://www.aci.aero/News/Releases/Most- ... -threaten-

DEL's rise since 2010 has been meteoric: from 44th rank to 16th rank 7 years.

Amazing rise. Looks like DEL will be in the top 10 in either 2019 or 2020.

Doctor removed from indigo flight...

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indigo- ... ai-rum=off

unnayan wrote:

Doctor removed from indigo flight...

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indigo- ... ai-rum=off

Indigo PR doesn't know that there are WHO-approved insecticides which can be sprayed with passengers, and they operate internationally? What an embarrassment.

I was flying SYD-SIN on SQ earlier this week. I wanted to sample the in flight WiFi and bought a pack. The coverage areas map showed that connectivity is available globally except over the Arctic and a select few countries - including India. I was earlier under the impression that only Indian carriers or aircraft flying from/to India are disallowed from offering in flight WiFi. Turns out Indian bureaucracy bars any aircraft from offering in flight WiFi while overflying Indian airspace! How stupid is that.

unrave wrote:

I was flying SYD-SIN on SQ earlier this week. I wanted to sample the in flight WiFi and bought a pack. The coverage areas map showed that connectivity is available globally except over the Arctic and a select few countries - including India. I was earlier under the impression that only Indian carriers or aircraft flying from/to India are disallowed from offering in flight WiFi. Turns out Indian bureaucracy bars any aircraft from offering in flight WiFi while overflying Indian airspace! How stupid is that.

Thats not actually the case. Its just that Onair - SQ's supplier for certain aircraft doesnt have a license to offer service over India. Airlines using other suppliers do have coverage - LH, UA, LX all definitely work.

6E launches double daily Hyderabad-Madurai from 07JUN

6E7152 HYD0645 - 0910IXM AT7 D
6E7156 HYD1840 - 2105IXM AT7 D

6E7153 IXM0930 - 1150HYD AT7 D
6E7157 IXM2125 - 2345HYD AT7 D

No other carrier flies on this sector currently

unrave wrote:

6E launches double daily Hyderabad-Madurai from 07JUN

6E7152 HYD0645 - 0910IXM AT7 D
6E7156 HYD1840 - 2105IXM AT7 D

6E7153 IXM0930 - 1150HYD AT7 D
6E7157 IXM2125 - 2345HYD AT7 D

No other carrier flies on this sector currently

SG currently flies this sector with their Q400, with onward flight to CMB and back on the same route.

6E had this sector during their IXM launch time for a month using their 320 as a fill in before they used that aircraft for the HYD-BOM sector.

Glad to see 6E coming back on this sector, this time with 2 ATR services instead of one A320.

nmraja wrote:

SG currently flies this sector with their Q400, with onward flight to CMB and back on the same route.

Yes, I forgot about it.

DEL has issued tender for construction of Phase 3A of expansion
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/tend ... 2-2018.pdf

T1 departure and arrival to be merged and expanded to 40m from 20m
T3 to be expanded to 45m from 34mn
Construction of fourth runway

unrave wrote:

DEL has issued tender for construction of Phase 3A of expansion
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/tend ... 2-2018.pdf

T1 departure and arrival to be merged and expanded to 40m from 20m
T3 to be expanded to 45m from 34mn
Construction of fourth runway

Just wondering .. doesn't www.newdelhiairport.in belong to GMR and not the govt? Why would GMR release a tender?

Some BLR expansion Tenders have been released aswell
1) BLR has released tender for “Construction of a new Terminal (T2) and associated infrastructure facilities”
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... nal_T2.pdf

2) RFP for Concept Design of Eastern Connectivity Tunnel to KIA.
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... Tunnel.pdf

3) RFP - for Consultancy Services for Planning and Design of Multi-Mode Transportation Hub(MMTH) at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... P_MMTH.pdf

4) “DESIGN CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR BIRD AVIARY IN THE PROPOSED NEW
TERMINAL (T2) at KEMPEGOWDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BENGALURU”
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... Aviary.pdf

No, the website belongs to DIAL which is the Special Purpose Vehicle that operates the DEL airport. GMR holds the majority share in DIAL (65% I think)

sand26391 wrote:

Some BLR expansion Tenders have been released aswell
1) BLR has released tender for “Construction of a new Terminal (T2) and associated infrastructure facilities”
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... nal_T2.pdf

2) RFP for Concept Design of Eastern Connectivity Tunnel to KIA.
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... Tunnel.pdf

3) RFP - for Consultancy Services for Planning and Design of Multi-Mode Transportation Hub(MMTH) at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... P_MMTH.pdf

4) “DESIGN CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR BIRD AVIARY IN THE PROPOSED NEW
TERMINAL (T2) at KEMPEGOWDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BENGALURU”
http://bengaluruairport.com/bial/pdf/te ... Aviary.pdf

Is the masterplan for BIAL available somewhere? I think a 25m terminal is too small to meet the airport's growth

25 MPPA is phase 1. Phase 2 will be another 20 mppa extra.. So thats 45MPPA T2 when both the phases will gwt over.
So by April-May 2021 total terminal capacity will be 26.5+25 MPPA= 50MPPA. Which is more than enough. Plus the current Terminal will become Domestic Only terminal & T2 will become an integrated terminal handling both Intl & dom pax. Similar to BOM T2 & DEL T3...
Regarding masterplan, its been revised. There will be a 3rd Terminal(T3) which will be a 15MPPA terminal & located behind TAJ Hotel. This is will be built after T2 gets overcapacity.
Will put up the masterplan at the right time.

According to my sources, 23 A320NEO's are coming into the AI fleet across the next 2 years. Sourced from a Chinese leasing company.

Another 4/5 A320 CEO's are being looked at from a European company - these will be in a charter layout.

More details awaited.

unrave wrote:

DEL has issued tender for construction of Phase 3A of expansion
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/tend ... 2-2018.pdf

T1 departure and arrival to be merged and expanded to 40m from 20m
T3 to be expanded to 45m from 34mn
Construction of fourth runway

How can T3 be expanded?
Wouldn't increasing the gates take over the taxiway?

Spicejet doesnt cancel IXG-BLR from MAY 14th. The airline will fly 6x weekly(Ex Tues) on the route with Q400 aircraft. Bookings open!
SG3467 BLR 1415 1535 IXG
SG3468 IXG 1555 1715 BLR

Seems like the airline will Drop Madurai-BLR and continue with IXG-BLR from 14th May

anubhav787 wrote:

unrave wrote:

DEL has issued tender for construction of Phase 3A of expansion
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/tend ... 2-2018.pdf

T1 departure and arrival to be merged and expanded to 40m from 20m
T3 to be expanded to 45m from 34mn
Construction of fourth runway

How can T3 be expanded?
Wouldn't increasing the gates take over the taxiway?

I don't think they will increase capacity by adding gates. DEL T3 has enough of them. They might increase number of immigration and check in counters and increase the area of the departure hall.

Why are Air India's newest B777's (VT ALV/W/X) being used in passenger service?
Weren't they meant for VVIP's?

anubhav787 wrote:

Why are Air India's newest B777's (VT ALV/W/X) being used in passenger service?
Weren't they meant for VVIP's?

One of those three is for commercial use.

Two are waiting for $180M loan. As soon as some bank gives the loan, they will be on their way for VVIP cabin refit.

sand26391 wrote:

Seems like the airline will Drop Madurai-BLR and continue with IXG-BLR from 14th May

Spicejet was in the plan to add a morning BLR-IXM-BLR flight on top of their current mid-day flight. Now, the planned morning flight as well as the current flight is gone between Bangalore-Madurai.

Maybe 6E's entry, that too with a NB, is hitting them hard on this sector.

Hi, this is my first post, so I don't know if I should be posting this on this topic or on India Aviation, but it appears that Air Italy will be launching flights to Mumbai on the 30th of October this year. It weirdly hasn't been announced publicly, but the route is bookable on the website, and upon a wikipedia search, an Italian newspaper has been cited as a source.

BOMFlyer wrote:

Hi, this is my first post, so I don't know if I should be posting this on this topic or on India Aviation, but it appears that Air Italy will be launching flights to Mumbai on the 30th of October this year. It weirdly hasn't been announced publicly, but the route is bookable on the website, and upon a wikipedia search, an Italian newspaper has been cited as a source.

Welcome to the forum!
Airlineroute has just confirmed this route, MXP-BOM 5x weekly on A330-200.

sand26391 wrote:

25 MPPA is phase 1. Phase 2 will be another 20 mppa extra.. So thats 45MPPA T2 when both the phases will gwt over.
So by April-May 2021 total terminal capacity will be 26.5+25 MPPA= 50MPPA. Which is more than enough. Plus the current Terminal will become Domestic Only terminal & T2 will become an integrated terminal handling both Intl & dom pax. Similar to BOM T2 & DEL T3...
Regarding masterplan, its been revised. There will be a 3rd Terminal(T3) which will be a 15MPPA terminal & located behind TAJ Hotel. This is will be built after T2 gets overcapacity.
Will put up the masterplan at the right time.

So the T4/T5/T6 plans are dead? I had thought that the stupid requirement for transit visas would be lifted when T4 would be constructed as there would be a sterile terminal building for the connecting passengers.
On a related note, does anyone know if it is the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Home Affairs that wants to keep transit visas?

unrave wrote:
Welcome to the forum!
Airlineroute has just confirmed this route, MXP-BOM 5x weekly on A330-200.

It's quite surprising to see them add BOM before DOH. But it's nice to see some new connectivity for Mumbai, especially considering that AF and XT are leaving.

devmapper wrote:

sand26391 wrote:

25 MPPA is phase 1. Phase 2 will be another 20 mppa extra.. So thats 45MPPA T2 when both the phases will gwt over.
So by April-May 2021 total terminal capacity will be 26.5+25 MPPA= 50MPPA. Which is more than enough. Plus the current Terminal will become Domestic Only terminal & T2 will become an integrated terminal handling both Intl & dom pax. Similar to BOM T2 & DEL T3...
Regarding masterplan, its been revised. There will be a 3rd Terminal(T3) which will be a 15MPPA terminal & located behind TAJ Hotel. This is will be built after T2 gets overcapacity.
Will put up the masterplan at the right time.

So the T4/T5/T6 plans are dead? I had thought that the stupid requirement for transit visas would be lifted when T4 would be constructed as there would be a sterile terminal building for the connecting passengers.
On a related note, does anyone know if it is the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Home Affairs that wants to keep transit visas?

There was never a masterplan for T4, T5, T6. The masterplan for BLR as of now is T1+T2+T3= 80-85 MPPA.
Are u talking about DEL??