The number of airports in India will go up from the present 85 to about 400 in the next 10 years, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel
said here on Saturday.
It was a busy day for Patel, who visited three cities to inaugurate two new air terminals and lay the foundation stone of a third.
Patel opened new integrated terminals at Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) airports and later flew in to Goa to lay the foundation stone for the new integrated terminal at Goa airport.
On Friday, he visited five cities - Mumbai, Indore, Bhopal, Raipur and Ranchi - to start the modernisation projects at their airports.
All these airports are to get new integrated terminal buildings as part of the government's ambitious project to upgrade 35 non-metro airports at a cost of Rs.105 billion (Rs.10,500 crore).
Speaking at the foundation-stone laying ceremony at Chicalim in south Goa, Patel said the civil aviation sector would attract investments worth Rs.500 billion (Rs.50,000 crore) in the next 10 years and the number of airports will go up from 85 to 400 during this period.
He added that the civil aviation sector would alter India's employment landscape within a decade. "The civil aviation industry is the future for Indian youth."
"Now we have 500 passenger aeroplanes and nearly 85 operational airports," which is a welcome sign compared to 110 aircraft and 45 airports in 2004, Patel said.
"We need to take the airports to the remotest regions so that our farmers can look at exporting agricultural and farm-related products to the world. This time will come," he added.
Patel also said the policy of greenfield airports which was pursued by his government was the way for the future. "The time of one airport for a region is gone. Now we have to look at a situation where one airport will have to compete with another for business," he said.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Singapore Airlines to cut 17 percent of fleet
Singapore Airlines said Monday it will cut 17 percent of its operating fleet and is exploring other cost-saving measures amid a global economic slump which has hit travel and cargo demand.
The airline, one of Asia's major carriers, said in a statement that it will decommission 17 passenger aircraft over the financial year from April 2009 to March 2010, instead of just four as originally planned before the global downturn hit major markets.
An airline spokesman said Singapore Airlines (SIA) had 102 passenger aircraft as of February 1.
"The drop in air transportation has been sharp and swift," SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said in the statement.
"Given the falls of over 20 percent that we have seen recently in air cargo shipments and the tradition of demand for air travel following closely behind trends on the cargo side of business, we have to face the reality that 2009 is going to be a very difficult year."
SIA said it made the decision in view of falling demand which is reflected in advance bookings. The cuts will translate into an 11 percent reduction in capacity from the preceding 12 months, it said.
"It's going to get worse," said Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst with Standard and Poor's. "It is likely that layoffs will come next."
Chew said job cuts would be only a last resort, but the airline management had met with the leaders of its labour unions about plans to cushion the impact of the downturn.
This includes asking staff for voluntary unpaid leave, early retirement, shorter work months and accelerated clearance of leaves.
"If there are to be cuts in salary, the management will be the first to take them," Chew said.
SIA said recently it will push through with all its current orders, including 13 Airbus A380 superjumbos -- the world's largest passenger plane -- 18 A330s and 20 Boeing B787-9 "Dreamliners", so that it can retire older aircraft.
After the latest announcement there was no immediate word from the airline -- the first to fly the A380 -- on whether those plans remain.
SIA's latest announcement came just two days after it said it will indefinitely suspend its thrice-weekly service from Singapore to Vancouver from April 25 due to poor passenger demand.
Chew said that unlike airlines of bigger countries, SIA does not have a domestic operation to soften the impact of the slump in international traffic, so the management must act decisively.
"We have determined the capacity to be operated that will enable the airline to remain viable in a shrinking market, but the removal of surplus capacity will result in redundant resources and will draw sacrifices from every one of us in the company," he said.
"We will contemplate retrenchment only as a last resort but we do not have the luxury of time and we need to agree and act on some measures quickly so that we can push back the point of retrenchment as far as possible and improve our chances of avoiding it altogether."
SIA reported a 42.8 percent fall in net profit in the third quarter to December from the year before as it carried fewer passengers and cargo. It also forecast a bleak outlook for this year.
The airline announced late last month the suspension of some international flights to India, Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe. It also said it was reducing an all-business-class service to New York and Los Angeles.
"Compared with Cathay Pacific Airways or Qantas, SIA's latest results looked strong but the airline is flying into very turbulent, treacherous weather. And its profits are going to fall substantially," Yusof said.
source:google.com
The airline, one of Asia's major carriers, said in a statement that it will decommission 17 passenger aircraft over the financial year from April 2009 to March 2010, instead of just four as originally planned before the global downturn hit major markets.
An airline spokesman said Singapore Airlines (SIA) had 102 passenger aircraft as of February 1.
"The drop in air transportation has been sharp and swift," SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said in the statement.
"Given the falls of over 20 percent that we have seen recently in air cargo shipments and the tradition of demand for air travel following closely behind trends on the cargo side of business, we have to face the reality that 2009 is going to be a very difficult year."
SIA said it made the decision in view of falling demand which is reflected in advance bookings. The cuts will translate into an 11 percent reduction in capacity from the preceding 12 months, it said.
"It's going to get worse," said Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst with Standard and Poor's. "It is likely that layoffs will come next."
Chew said job cuts would be only a last resort, but the airline management had met with the leaders of its labour unions about plans to cushion the impact of the downturn.
This includes asking staff for voluntary unpaid leave, early retirement, shorter work months and accelerated clearance of leaves.
"If there are to be cuts in salary, the management will be the first to take them," Chew said.
SIA said recently it will push through with all its current orders, including 13 Airbus A380 superjumbos -- the world's largest passenger plane -- 18 A330s and 20 Boeing B787-9 "Dreamliners", so that it can retire older aircraft.
After the latest announcement there was no immediate word from the airline -- the first to fly the A380 -- on whether those plans remain.
SIA's latest announcement came just two days after it said it will indefinitely suspend its thrice-weekly service from Singapore to Vancouver from April 25 due to poor passenger demand.
Chew said that unlike airlines of bigger countries, SIA does not have a domestic operation to soften the impact of the slump in international traffic, so the management must act decisively.
"We have determined the capacity to be operated that will enable the airline to remain viable in a shrinking market, but the removal of surplus capacity will result in redundant resources and will draw sacrifices from every one of us in the company," he said.
"We will contemplate retrenchment only as a last resort but we do not have the luxury of time and we need to agree and act on some measures quickly so that we can push back the point of retrenchment as far as possible and improve our chances of avoiding it altogether."
SIA reported a 42.8 percent fall in net profit in the third quarter to December from the year before as it carried fewer passengers and cargo. It also forecast a bleak outlook for this year.
The airline announced late last month the suspension of some international flights to India, Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe. It also said it was reducing an all-business-class service to New York and Los Angeles.
"Compared with Cathay Pacific Airways or Qantas, SIA's latest results looked strong but the airline is flying into very turbulent, treacherous weather. And its profits are going to fall substantially," Yusof said.
source:google.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
Fly from Mumbai to Nasik on Kingfisher Airlines at Rs 883/-
Kingfisher Airlines, India’s first and only 5-Star airline and the only airline that offers flights between Mumbai and Nasik now offers an excellent value proposition for travelers.
Kingfisher Airlines offers an all inclusive fares starting at Rs. 885/- for travel from Nasik to Mumbai and Rs 883/- for travel from Mumbai to Nasik. Guests can now avail these “Value fares” by planning their travel in advance.
The flights between Mumbai and Nasik are operated by Kingfisher Red Service using an ATR aircraft. On board, guests are served complimentary hot and filling food and can earn King Miles every time they fly.
Kingfisher Red has redefined Low Fare Flying in India and is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of excellence in making your journey a memorable experience without burning a hole in your pocket.
The Kingfisher Airlines’ flight leaves Mumbai airport at 05:50 am and arrives at Nasik at 06:40 am. The return flight leaves Nasik at 4:30pm and arrives at Mumbai at 5:20pm. These convenient fight timings ensure that those who would like to return to Mumbai on the same day can make the best use of their time and the day, when they are at Nasik. Guests from Nasik can now get onward connections to Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and London from Mumbai and it is now possible for Mumbai based guests to visit Shirdi & return on the same day.
Commenting on all-inclusive starting fare of Rs. 883/-, Mr. Siva Ramachandran – Vice President Global Sales, Kingfisher Airlines said, “Since the commencement of flights on the Mumbai-Nasik route Kingfisher Airlines has offered pilgrims, businessmen, traders, corporate executives and other guests a very cost-effective option to travel from Mumbai to Nasik and save time by choosing to fly instead of using surface transport, all for just a little more.”
Kingfisher Airlines has blazed a trail of innovations and introduced a range of market-firsts that have completely redefined the whole experience of flying. By elevating its customers to a level of being 'guests' and not just passengers, Kingfisher Airlines has endeared itself to consumers.
Source:moneycontrol.com
Kingfisher Airlines offers an all inclusive fares starting at Rs. 885/- for travel from Nasik to Mumbai and Rs 883/- for travel from Mumbai to Nasik. Guests can now avail these “Value fares” by planning their travel in advance.
The flights between Mumbai and Nasik are operated by Kingfisher Red Service using an ATR aircraft. On board, guests are served complimentary hot and filling food and can earn King Miles every time they fly.
Kingfisher Red has redefined Low Fare Flying in India and is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of excellence in making your journey a memorable experience without burning a hole in your pocket.
The Kingfisher Airlines’ flight leaves Mumbai airport at 05:50 am and arrives at Nasik at 06:40 am. The return flight leaves Nasik at 4:30pm and arrives at Mumbai at 5:20pm. These convenient fight timings ensure that those who would like to return to Mumbai on the same day can make the best use of their time and the day, when they are at Nasik. Guests from Nasik can now get onward connections to Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and London from Mumbai and it is now possible for Mumbai based guests to visit Shirdi & return on the same day.
Commenting on all-inclusive starting fare of Rs. 883/-, Mr. Siva Ramachandran – Vice President Global Sales, Kingfisher Airlines said, “Since the commencement of flights on the Mumbai-Nasik route Kingfisher Airlines has offered pilgrims, businessmen, traders, corporate executives and other guests a very cost-effective option to travel from Mumbai to Nasik and save time by choosing to fly instead of using surface transport, all for just a little more.”
Kingfisher Airlines has blazed a trail of innovations and introduced a range of market-firsts that have completely redefined the whole experience of flying. By elevating its customers to a level of being 'guests' and not just passengers, Kingfisher Airlines has endeared itself to consumers.
Source:moneycontrol.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Srinagar-Dubai flight from Feb 14
Dubai, Feb 3: India’s low-cost carrier, Air India Express, has announced that it would commence operations to Srinagar, its 12th destination from Dubai, from this month.
From February 14, the carrier, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, will operate once-a-week non-stop flights from Srinagar to Dubai on Saturdays.
Biswajit Mukherji, Manager, Dubai & Northern Emirates, Air India and Air India Express, said,’ ‘there would be a one-way introductory fare starting from Dh99 (Rs 1300) plus taxes.’’
The competition in the highly profitable Gulf India sector has recently been hotting up and even the premium carrier Emirates has slashed its prices for India-bound flights.
Source:greaterkashmir
From February 14, the carrier, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, will operate once-a-week non-stop flights from Srinagar to Dubai on Saturdays.
Biswajit Mukherji, Manager, Dubai & Northern Emirates, Air India and Air India Express, said,’ ‘there would be a one-way introductory fare starting from Dh99 (Rs 1300) plus taxes.’’
The competition in the highly profitable Gulf India sector has recently been hotting up and even the premium carrier Emirates has slashed its prices for India-bound flights.
Source:greaterkashmir
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