Forefront of Aviation Innovation as Airbus the leading aircraft manufacturer makes strides in testing groundbreaking Wing technology

Airbus’s revolutionary wing technology unveiled

A report by the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific (ACI Asia-Pacific) found that India, followed by United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore and Australia, had witnessed a significant rise in domestic airfares even as the airport charges have remained steady since the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

<h2>What was the report about?</h2>

The data for the study was collected by ACI Asia-Pacific in collaboration with Flare Aviation Consulting, which showed that the highest airfare increase was in India with 41 per cent,&nbsp;followed by the UAE (34 per cent), Singapore (30 per cent) and Australia (23 per cent).&nbsp;

The ACI Asia-Pacific studied the airfare trends in the region and examined around 36,000 routes in the top 10 aviation markets in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Meanwhile, the report also noted that the airfares on domestic routes&nbsp;increased by 10 per cent.&nbsp;

<h2>Why did airlines raise airfares?</h2>

The report has attributed “a significant portion of airfare increase” to fuel prices and inflation when the fuel prices went up 76 per cent in 2022 compared to 2019. During the same period, airlines’ costs reportedly also increased as the Consumer Price Index saw an average increase of 10 per cent.&nbsp;

The ACI Asia-Pacific has also argued that airlines have also capitalised on low competition and pent-up demand to increase profits and recover losses incurred during the pandemic when travel restrictions adversely affected the airline industry.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the report say about international airlines, routes?</h2>

The report also noted that the rise in airfares on international routes was up by 50 per cent. Additionally, several major international airlines have reported record profits in the financial year of 2022.

At the same time, airport operators have reported negative EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) margins for 10 consecutive quarters in countries like India, China, Japan, and Thailand.&nbsp;

This also comes as “airports continue to provide enhanced services to passengers despite incurring heavy operational and capital expenditures,” said ACI Asia-Pacific. It added, “ACI states that despite a decrease in passengers and continuous financial losses, airports have made considerable efforts to support airline partners during the crisis.” 
 
Some of the steps, as per the report, included freezing or reducing airport charges like landing, parking, and passenger fees and also providing incentives at the height of the pandemic. “This is despite the fact that airports have made significant investments in capital expansion and technology during this period to ensure a secure and smooth airport experience,” said the ACI Asia-Pacific.&nbsp;

<h2>ACI Asia-Pacific chief raises concerns over airfare&nbsp;hike</h2>

The report has since&nbsp;prompted Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific to raise concerns and urged the government’s intervention for liberalising markets through policies, such as open skies which will not only allow competition but keep airfares under control.&nbsp;

“These excessive airfares threaten the industry’s long-term recovery and may have a far-reaching influence on the associated industry by reducing demand for air travel and increasing the financial burden on the already stressed sector. Airlines should exercise fair pricing that supports recovery and safeguards consumers’ interests,” said Baronci.&nbsp;

He added, “A supply-demand imbalance should not be exploited by airlines at the expense of customers by restricting the capacity, especially international one which is a key driver of social and economic growth and a major source of revenues for the airport sector. We urge airlines to carefully consider the long-term impacts of their pricing decisions.”&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A report by the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific (ACI Asia-Pacific) found that India, followed by United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore and Australia, had witnessed a significant rise in domestic airfares even as the airport charges have remained steady since the COVID-19 pandemic.

A report by the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific (ACI Asia-Pacific) found that India, followed by United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore and Australia, had witnessed a significant rise in domestic airfares even as the airport charges have remained steady since the COVID-19 pandemic. What was the report about? The data for the study was collected by ACI Asia-Pacific in collaboration with Flare Aviation Consulting, which showed that the highest airfare increase was in India with 41 per cent, followed by the UAE (34 per cent), Singapore (30 per cent) and Australia (23 per cent). The ACI Asia-Pacific studied the airfare trends in the region and examined around 36,000 routes in the top 10 aviation markets in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Meanwhile, the report also noted that the airfares on domestic routes increased by 10 per cent. Why did airlines raise airfares? The report has attributed “a significant portion of airfare increase” to fuel prices and inflation when the fuel prices went up 76 per cent in 2022 compared to 2019. During the same period, airlines’ costs reportedly also increased as the Consumer Price Index saw an average increase of 10 per cent. The ACI Asia-Pacific has also argued that airlines have also capitalised on low competition and pent-up demand to increase profits and recover losses incurred during the pandemic when travel restrictions adversely affected the airline industry. What did the report say about international airlines, routes? The report also noted that the rise in airfares on international routes was up by 50 per cent. Additionally, several major international airlines have reported record profits in the financial year of 2022. At the same time, airport operators have reported negative EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) margins for 10 consecutive quarters in countries like India, China, Japan, and Thailand. This also comes as “airports continue to provide enhanced services to passengers despite incurring heavy operational and capital expenditures,” said ACI Asia-Pacific. It added, “ACI states that despite a decrease in passengers and continuous financial losses, airports have made considerable efforts to support airline partners during the crisis.” Some of the steps, as per the report, included freezing or reducing airport charges like landing, parking, and passenger fees and also providing incentives at the height of the pandemic. “This is despite the fact that airports have made significant investments in capital expansion and technology during this period to ensure a secure and smooth airport experience,” said the ACI Asia-Pacific. ACI Asia-Pacific chief raises concerns over airfare hike The report has since prompted Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific to raise concerns and urged the government’s intervention for liberalising markets through policies, such as open skies which will not only allow competition but keep airfares under control. “These excessive airfares threaten the industry’s long-term recovery and may have a far-reaching influence on the associated industry by reducing demand for air travel and increasing the financial burden on the already stressed sector. Airlines should exercise fair pricing that supports recovery and safeguards consumers’ interests,” said Baronci. He added, “A supply-demand imbalance should not be exploited by airlines at the expense of customers by restricting the capacity, especially international one which is a key driver of social and economic growth and a major source of revenues for the airport sector. We urge airlines to carefully consider the long-term impacts of their pricing decisions.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Domestic airfares in India have risen 41% since pandemic; most among APAC, middle east nations: Report

A new study has warned that using the fat of dead pigs, cattle and chickens to make greener jet fuel will adversely affect the planet Earth.&nbsp;

Animal fats are believed to be a waste, so aviation fuel which is made using it is considered to have a lower carbon footprint.

The requirement for fuel which is made using animal by-products is likely to triple by 2030, as airlines lead the charge.

However, experts fear scarcity will lead to other industries using more palm oil, which is a huge generator of carbon emissions.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pigs-exported-to-singapore-confirmed-to-have-african-swine-fever-virus-588391">Pigs exported to Singapore from Indonesia confirmed to have African swine fever virus</a>

Airlines have been under pressure to control their huge carbon emissions which are generally generated after fossil-based kerosene burns in aircraft engines.

However, a study released by Brussels-based Transport &amp; Environment, which is a clean transport campaign group, emphasised that not enough animals get slaughtered every year to meet the growing demand of airlines for animal fats.

"There's not a never-ending supply of animals or animal fat," stated Matt Finch from Transport &amp; Environment.

"So if you put on a massive extra demand source from anywhere from aviation, in this case, the industries where fat is currently being used, will have to look for alternatives. And that alternative is palm oil. So aviation indirectly, will be responsible for increasing the amount of palm oil being pulled through the European systems," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>How many dead pigs are needed to fuel an airplane?</h2>

As per Transport &amp; Environment, a flight from Paris to New York requires fat from 8,800 dead pigs if all the fuel to be used in the aircraft must come from animal sources.

Since the UK is likely to restrict the use of animal products, flights which will get refuelled in Britain are likely to contain small amounts of animal-derived material in their engines.

In the EU, airlines will be given a target of using six&nbsp;per cent sustainable aviation fuel for 2030 of which 1.2 per cent is likely to come from e-kerosene.&nbsp;

If the remaining 4.8 per cent of fuel is made out of animal fat, it would require around 400 dead pigs for every transatlantic flight.

WATCH |&nbsp;Indonesia confirms African Swine Fever outbreak

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indonesia-confirms-african-swine-fever-outbreak-590922/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pet food manufacturers and many other industries will have to source different ingredients if a greater share of animal fat is consumed by the aviation industry.&nbsp;

"These are really valuable ingredients for us and they are hard to replace, and they're put to good use already in a very sustainable way," stated Nicole Paley, deputy chief executive of UK Pet Food, the manufacturers' trade association.&nbsp;

"So diverting these ingredients to biofuels is actually creating another problem. It would put us in competition with the aviation industry. And when it comes to the purse strings of the aviation sector, the pet food industry would find it really difficult to compete," he added.&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A new study has warned that using the fat of dead pigs, cattle and chickens to make greener jet fuel will adversely affect the planet Earth. Animal fats are believed to be a waste, so aviation fuel which is made using it is considered to have a lower carbon footprint.

A new study has warned that using the fat of dead pigs, cattle and chickens to make greener jet fuel will adversely affect the planet Earth. Animal fats are believed to be a waste, so aviation fuel which is made using it is considered to have a lower carbon footprint. The requirement for fuel which is made using animal by-products is likely to triple by 2030, as airlines lead the charge. However, experts fear scarcity will lead to other industries using more palm oil, which is a huge generator of carbon emissions. ALSO READ | Pigs exported to Singapore from Indonesia confirmed to have African swine fever virus Airlines have been under pressure to control their huge carbon emissions which are generally generated after fossil-based kerosene burns in aircraft engines. However, a study released by Brussels-based Transport & Environment, which is a clean transport campaign group, emphasised that not enough animals get slaughtered every year to meet the growing demand of airlines for animal fats. "There's not a never-ending supply of animals or animal fat," stated Matt Finch from Transport & Environment. "So if you put on a massive extra demand source from anywhere from aviation, in this case, the industries where fat is currently being used, will have to look for alternatives. And that alternative is palm oil. So aviation indirectly, will be responsible for increasing the amount of palm oil being pulled through the European systems," he added. How many dead pigs are needed to fuel an airplane? As per Transport & Environment, a flight from Paris to New York requires fat from 8,800 dead pigs if all the fuel to be used in the aircraft must come from animal sources. Since the UK is likely to restrict the use of animal products, flights which will get refuelled in Britain are likely to contain small amounts of animal-derived material in their engines. In the EU, airlines will be given a target of using six per cent sustainable aviation fuel for 2030 of which 1.2 per cent is likely to come from e-kerosene. If the remaining 4.8 per cent of fuel is made out of animal fat, it would require around 400 dead pigs for every transatlantic flight. WATCH | Indonesia confirms African Swine Fever outbreak Pet food manufacturers and many other industries will have to source different ingredients if a greater share of animal fat is consumed by the aviation industry. "These are really valuable ingredients for us and they are hard to replace, and they're put to good use already in a very sustainable way," stated Nicole Paley, deputy chief executive of UK Pet Food, the manufacturers' trade association. "So diverting these ingredients to biofuels is actually creating another problem. It would put us in competition with the aviation industry. And when it comes to the purse strings of the aviation sector, the pet food industry would find it really difficult to compete," he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Use of pig fat for green jet fuel likely to hurt planet, warn experts

In pics | At least 100 climate activists briefly block air traffic in Geneva, four injured

At a&nbsp;time when airlines are&nbsp;shutting down, SpiceJet on Tuesday (May 23) announced a significant hike in the salary of its captains to Rs 7.5 lakhs or $9,068 for 75 hours of flying.&nbsp;

The Gurugram-based aviation giant announced the hike on the occasion of its 18th anniversary. The hike was applicable from May 16, 2023, the carrier added.&nbsp;

Along with this, the airline also announced a tenure-linked monthly loyalty reward for captains of up to Rs 1 lakh ($1,209) per month which would be over or above their monthly remuneration.

Back in November, the salaries of captains were Rs 7 lakhs or $8,463 for 80 hours of flying.

Similarly, a hike in salaries of trainers (DE, TRI) and first officers was also announced.&nbsp;

Stay committed to serving customers

Earlier Ajay Singh, the chairman told employees that the airline planned of initiating a process of reviving its grounded planes with $50 million in funds received from the ECGLS scheme and from its internal accruals.&nbsp;

As quoted by Economic Times, Singh said, "There is large investor interest in our logistics business. Leading UK-based international conglomerate SRAM and MRAM Group have already committed a $100 million investment in SpiceXpress. Both SpiceJet and SpiceXpress have great potential and will complement each other well."

He also urged the employees to remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of service to its customers, looking forwards to many coming years ahead.&nbsp;

18 Flight years of Spice Jet: Offers for customers

To commemorate 18 years of successful flying, the airline also announced a mega sale to thank its customers for their regular flying and trust, giving them an opportunity to serve them, The airline announced a special sale with one-way domestic fares starting at Rs 1,818 on selected routes such as Bengaluru to Goa or Mumbai to Goa. This offer is valid from May 23 to May 28, 2023. Passengers can also avail of other exciting additional benefits by going to the official website. A special gift is awaiting for people turning 18 this year, the airline will gift them a voucher worth Rs 3,000.

And if you feel like changing your seat, you can avail of the option at Rs 18 only.&nbsp;

SpiceJet operates some 250 flights daily to 48 destinations in India and international destinations.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

At a time when airlines are shutting down, SpiceJet on Tuesday (May 23) announced a significant hike in the salary of its captains to Rs 7.5 lakhs or $9,068 for 75 hours of flying.

At a time when airlines are shutting down, SpiceJet on Tuesday (May 23) announced a significant hike in the salary of its captains to Rs 7.5 lakhs or $9,068 for 75 hours of flying. The Gurugram-based aviation giant announced the hike on the occasion of its 18th anniversary. The hike was applicable from May 16, 2023, the carrier added. Along with this, the airline also announced a tenure-linked monthly loyalty reward for captains of up to Rs 1 lakh ($1,209) per month which would be over or above their monthly remuneration. Back in November, the salaries of captains were Rs 7 lakhs or $8,463 for 80 hours of flying. Similarly, a hike in salaries of trainers (DE, TRI) and first officers was also announced. Stay committed to serving customers Earlier Ajay Singh, the chairman told employees that the airline planned of initiating a process of reviving its grounded planes with $50 million in funds received from the ECGLS scheme and from its internal accruals. As quoted by Economic Times, Singh said, "There is large investor interest in our logistics business. Leading UK-based international conglomerate SRAM and MRAM Group have already committed a $100 million investment in SpiceXpress. Both SpiceJet and SpiceXpress have great potential and will complement each other well." He also urged the employees to remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of service to its customers, looking forwards to many coming years ahead. 18 Flight years of Spice Jet: Offers for customers To commemorate 18 years of successful flying, the airline also announced a mega sale to thank its customers for their regular flying and trust, giving them an opportunity to serve them, The airline announced a special sale with one-way domestic fares starting at Rs 1,818 on selected routes such as Bengaluru to Goa or Mumbai to Goa. This offer is valid from May 23 to May 28, 2023. Passengers can also avail of other exciting additional benefits by going to the official website. A special gift is awaiting for people turning 18 this year, the airline will gift them a voucher worth Rs 3,000. And if you feel like changing your seat, you can avail of the option at Rs 18 only. SpiceJet operates some 250 flights daily to 48 destinations in India and international destinations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cheaper tickets, salary hikes: SpiceJet bonanza on 18th anniversary

In a spectacular comeback, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has not only weathered the storm of the coronavirus pandemic but has also emerged with flying colors. According to sources cited by NDTV, AAI has soared back into the black, recording a remarkable profit of ₹3,400 crores for the fiscal year that ended in March. This achievement marks the first time AAI has reported profits since the onset of the pandemic, which had significantly impacted air traffic and the aviation sector as a whole.

&nbsp;

During the preceding two fiscal years, AAI faced challenging times, reporting losses that raised concerns about the authority's financial health. However, AAI's resilience and strategic measures have borne fruit, leading to this exceptional turnaround.

&nbsp;

Excluding exceptional and extraordinary items and tax, AAI reported a loss of ₹803.72 crores in the fiscal year ending in March 2022. The loss was even more significant in the previous financial year, amounting to ₹3,176.12 crore. These figures highlight the magnitude of the struggle faced by the authority during the height of the pandemic.

&nbsp;

The source, privy to the matter, informed PTI that AAI's remarkable performance for the 2022-23 financial year had propelled the authority back into profitability. While ₹3,400 crore is the provisional figure, the final audited results will accurately depict the authority's financial success.

&nbsp;

Surge in Domestic Demand Fuels Profits

&nbsp;

The key driver behind AAI's resurgence has been the impressive growth in domestic air traffic. In 2022, domestic air passenger traffic witnessed a remarkable surge of 47.05 percent, with the numbers reaching an astounding 12.32 crore compared to the 8.38 crore passengers in the previous year.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

This growth trend continued unabated in the first quarter of 2023, where passenger numbers soared by a staggering 51.70 percent to 3.75 crores, as per official data. This surge in domestic air travel has undeniably played a pivotal role in AAI's financial renaissance.

&nbsp;

It is worth noting that despite the challenging circumstances, AAI managed to scrape together a meager profit of ₹8.76 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2022. This figure includes exceptional items and taxes.

&nbsp;

The government waived AAI's compulsory dividend payment requirement in the fiscal year ending March 2022. This decision was made considering the government's decision to waive Air India's debt before selling the struggling carrier to the Tata Group in January 2022. This decision further eased the financial burden on AAI and allowed the authority to focus on its recovery and growth initiatives.

&nbsp;

AAI, responsible for managing a vast network of 137 airports, including 24 international and 80 domestic airports, holds a significant position in India's aviation landscape. Beyond airports, AAI also provides crucial Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) across the entire Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas. With this remarkable financial turnaround, AAI is poised to substantially impact the aviation sector's resurgence and contribute to the country's economic recovery.

 
&nbsp;

Inputs from NDTV)

In a spectacular comeback, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has not only weathered the storm of the coronavirus pandemic but has also emerged with flying colors.

In a spectacular comeback, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has not only weathered the storm of the coronavirus pandemic but has also emerged with flying colors. According to sources cited by NDTV, AAI has soared back into the black, recording a remarkable profit of ₹3,400 crores for the fiscal year that ended in March. This achievement marks the first time AAI has reported profits since the onset of the pandemic, which had significantly impacted air traffic and the aviation sector as a whole. During the preceding two fiscal years, AAI faced challenging times, reporting losses that raised concerns about the authority's financial health. However, AAI's resilience and strategic measures have borne fruit, leading to this exceptional turnaround. Excluding exceptional and extraordinary items and tax, AAI reported a loss of ₹803.72 crores in the fiscal year ending in March 2022. The loss was even more significant in the previous financial year, amounting to ₹3,176.12 crore. These figures highlight the magnitude of the struggle faced by the authority during the height of the pandemic. The source, privy to the matter, informed PTI that AAI's remarkable performance for the 2022-23 financial year had propelled the authority back into profitability. While ₹3,400 crore is the provisional figure, the final audited results will accurately depict the authority's financial success. Surge in Domestic Demand Fuels Profits The key driver behind AAI's resurgence has been the impressive growth in domestic air traffic. In 2022, domestic air passenger traffic witnessed a remarkable surge of 47.05 percent, with the numbers reaching an astounding 12.32 crore compared to the 8.38 crore passengers in the previous year. This growth trend continued unabated in the first quarter of 2023, where passenger numbers soared by a staggering 51.70 percent to 3.75 crores, as per official data. This surge in domestic air travel has undeniably played a pivotal role in AAI's financial renaissance. It is worth noting that despite the challenging circumstances, AAI managed to scrape together a meager profit of ₹8.76 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2022. This figure includes exceptional items and taxes. The government waived AAI's compulsory dividend payment requirement in the fiscal year ending March 2022. This decision was made considering the government's decision to waive Air India's debt before selling the struggling carrier to the Tata Group in January 2022. This decision further eased the financial burden on AAI and allowed the authority to focus on its recovery and growth initiatives. AAI, responsible for managing a vast network of 137 airports, including 24 international and 80 domestic airports, holds a significant position in India's aviation landscape. Beyond airports, AAI also provides crucial Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) across the entire Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas. With this remarkable financial turnaround, AAI is poised to substantially impact the aviation sector's resurgence and contribute to the country's economic recovery. Inputs from NDTV)

Profit-Takeoff: Domestic Demand Fuels Airport Authority of India's Profits

According to reports, despite the sanctions imposed on the Russian aviation industry, aircraft parts manufactured by the American company Boeing and the French company Airbus are still imported by Russian companies.

Report: Russian aviation industry imported aircraft parts from West

US aviation major&nbsp;Boeing has delivered more jets in the first quarter of 2023 than its European rival Airbus, media reports said.&nbsp;

The US firm delivered 130 aircraft in the first quarter, which corresponds to January-March 2023. This is a 37 per cent increase from last year. On the other hand, Airbus saw a 9 per cent drop in its delivery compared to 2022, while shipping 127 aircraft in the first three months of 2023.

The month of March, in particular, was significant for the US plane maker as it delivered 64 planes, which is nearly half of the quarterly numbers announced for the first quarter. In the same month, Airbus delivered 61 jets, three less than Boeing.&nbsp;

This is the first time in nearly five years that the US plane maker has beaten its European rival in terms of deliveries, a Bloomberg report noted. Back then, Airbus faced engine shortages for its a320neo airliners. In 2023, a shortfall in deliveries to China's airlines is being cited as a reason for the dip in Airbus' deliveries.&nbsp;

For Boeing, the Q1 result is like a shot in the arm. The US plane maker has faced several supply chain disruptions due to the Covid pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the 2022 lockdown in China. The disruptions in the supply chain impacted the delivery timelines of the US-based aviation company.&nbsp;

Reacting to the criticism of slower deliveries, a Boeing executive was quoted by Reuters as saying that increasing production after COVID-19 lockdowns was "not as easy as an on/off switch."

Boeing is betting on its 737 aircraft and its higher variant 737 MAX -- both are considered cash cows for the company -- for growing sales and revenue. According to a Bloomberg report, Boeing is laying plans to hike output at its Seattle factory by 23 per cent by June 2023.&nbsp;

However, Boeing is likely to face tough competition from Airbus. Media reports said that the European plane maker will ramp up its assembly line in China to boost production. Airbus aims to deliver 720 aircraft this year.&nbsp;

Boeing has a target of delivering 400 737 MAXs aircraft and 70 787s in 2023. Media reports suggest that Boeing is likely to meet its targets for 737 MAX deliveries. But with just 11 787s delivered in the first three months, it is still far from&nbsp;reaching the delivery target.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

US aviation major Boeing has delivered more jets in the first quarter of 2023 than its European rival Airbus, media reports said. The US firm delivered 130 aircraft in the first quarter, which corresponds to January-March 2023.

US aviation major Boeing has delivered more jets in the first quarter of 2023 than its European rival Airbus, media reports said. The US firm delivered 130 aircraft in the first quarter, which corresponds to January-March 2023. This is a 37 per cent increase from last year. On the other hand, Airbus saw a 9 per cent drop in its delivery compared to 2022, while shipping 127 aircraft in the first three months of 2023. The month of March, in particular, was significant for the US plane maker as it delivered 64 planes, which is nearly half of the quarterly numbers announced for the first quarter. In the same month, Airbus delivered 61 jets, three less than Boeing. This is the first time in nearly five years that the US plane maker has beaten its European rival in terms of deliveries, a Bloomberg report noted. Back then, Airbus faced engine shortages for its a320neo airliners. In 2023, a shortfall in deliveries to China's airlines is being cited as a reason for the dip in Airbus' deliveries. For Boeing, the Q1 result is like a shot in the arm. The US plane maker has faced several supply chain disruptions due to the Covid pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the 2022 lockdown in China. The disruptions in the supply chain impacted the delivery timelines of the US-based aviation company. Reacting to the criticism of slower deliveries, a Boeing executive was quoted by Reuters as saying that increasing production after COVID-19 lockdowns was "not as easy as an on/off switch." Boeing is betting on its 737 aircraft and its higher variant 737 MAX -- both are considered cash cows for the company -- for growing sales and revenue. According to a Bloomberg report, Boeing is laying plans to hike output at its Seattle factory by 23 per cent by June 2023. However, Boeing is likely to face tough competition from Airbus. Media reports said that the European plane maker will ramp up its assembly line in China to boost production. Airbus aims to deliver 720 aircraft this year. Boeing has a target of delivering 400 737 MAXs aircraft and 70 787s in 2023. Media reports suggest that Boeing is likely to meet its targets for 737 MAX deliveries. But with just 11 787s delivered in the first three months, it is still far from reaching the delivery target. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

For the first time in five years, Boeing beats Airbus in deliveries

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans.

According to the news agency PTI, Air India will need&nbsp;1,200 pilots for Airbus A350&nbsp;planes, 260 pilots for Boeing 777s and 400 pilots for Boeing 787s.&nbsp;

In addition, Air India&nbsp;plans to hire over 4,200 cabin crew members in a phased manner over the next few months.&nbsp;

Air India currently employs over 1,800 pilots. However, with the airline now on an expansion mode, a significant rise in staffing is expected.&nbsp;

The flag carrier has sought 210 A320/321&nbsp;and 40 A350s&nbsp;from Airbus. It has placed orders for 190 737-Max, 20 787s, and 10 777 aircraft&nbsp;with Boeing.&nbsp;

Air India's order of 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with the option to buy 370 more planes, is considered&nbsp;to be the largest aircraft order by any airline.&nbsp;The airline intends to fund the order through a combination of internal cash flow, shareholder equity, and aircraft sale and leaseback.

Air India is on a five-year transformation journey&nbsp;after it was taken over by the Tata group in 2022. Under the transformation plan,&nbsp;the airline seeks to expand routes, flights and increase market share in both domestic and international segments.

As part of consolidating its airline business, the Tata Group is also in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines.

Row over revised pay package

Meanwhile, the airline's pilot unions have raised concerns over the new compensation structure and service conditions announced by the carrier on April 17.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have rejected the new contracts on the grounds that the airline allegedly violated labor practices by not consulting with them before finalizing the changes.&nbsp;

The two unions have also urged their members not to sign/accept the revised contract and salary structure.

But Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Friday said that a majority of pilots have accepted the new compensation package.

"I'm pleased to report that 90 percent of cabin crew and a majority of pilots have received and accepted the new compensation package offered last week, which will be back dated to 1 April 2023," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans.

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans. According to the news agency PTI, Air India will need 1,200 pilots for Airbus A350 planes, 260 pilots for Boeing 777s and 400 pilots for Boeing 787s. In addition, Air India plans to hire over 4,200 cabin crew members in a phased manner over the next few months. Air India currently employs over 1,800 pilots. However, with the airline now on an expansion mode, a significant rise in staffing is expected. The flag carrier has sought 210 A320/321 and 40 A350s from Airbus. It has placed orders for 190 737-Max, 20 787s, and 10 777 aircraft with Boeing. Air India's order of 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with the option to buy 370 more planes, is considered to be the largest aircraft order by any airline. The airline intends to fund the order through a combination of internal cash flow, shareholder equity, and aircraft sale and leaseback. Air India is on a five-year transformation journey after it was taken over by the Tata group in 2022. Under the transformation plan, the airline seeks to expand routes, flights and increase market share in both domestic and international segments. As part of consolidating its airline business, the Tata Group is also in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines. Row over revised pay package Meanwhile, the airline's pilot unions have raised concerns over the new compensation structure and service conditions announced by the carrier on April 17. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have rejected the new contracts on the grounds that the airline allegedly violated labor practices by not consulting with them before finalizing the changes. The two unions have also urged their members not to sign/accept the revised contract and salary structure. But Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Friday said that a majority of pilots have accepted the new compensation package. "I'm pleased to report that 90 percent of cabin crew and a majority of pilots have received and accepted the new compensation package offered last week, which will be back dated to 1 April 2023," news agency PTI quoted him as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Air India's expansion takes flight: Airline set to hire over 1,000 pilots

The Indian aviation industry is experiencing a turbulent time. The recent bankruptcy of Go First&nbsp;leaves many of its employees feeling like they've been kicked out of the cockpit. But they see something at the end of the tunnel - Air India.

The Tata group, which bought back Air India from the government last year, is offering a new flight plan that includes hiring over 4,200 cabin crew and 900 pilots this year.&nbsp;

The buzz around this opportunity is so intense that Go First pilots and cabin crew were&nbsp;on Thursday seen&nbsp;lining up outside a Tata group hotel near Delhi for walk-in interviews with Air India. It's like a scene from a thriller rom-com, where the betrayal, in the end, seems inevitable.

Reuters quoted a pilot, who joined Go First two years ago, as saying: "We have to jump ship in order to keep our flying licenses current."&nbsp;

Another Go First cabin crew member was ecstatic about the possibility of working for Vistara, a Tata group joint venture with Singapore Airlines. "Vistara has been a dream airline to work with ever since I took one of its flights a few years ago. Plus, with the Tatas, our future would be secure,"&nbsp;a 27-year-old member of Go First’s cabin crew told Reuters.&nbsp;

Air India has already received over 700 applications in response to a recent job advertisement for pilots, with more expected in the future. Sister company Vistara also held interviews for cabin crew and pilots in Delhi and Mumbai.

The pandemic has hit the Indian aviation industry hard, with airlines struggling to stay afloat as passenger numbers plummeted. However, with the easing of lockdown measures and the country's massive population, demand for air travel is expected to soar. It's like a phoenix rising from the ashes, with airlines scrambling to position themselves for the post-pandemic era.

Go First Airline CEO is determined to bring the company back to life, but many employees are being swayed by the siren song of the Tata group's job opportunities. After all, who wouldn't want to trade choppy skies for a secure and steady flight?

Will Go First be able to navigate through&nbsp;choppy waters, or will they be forced to admit defeat and close up shop? Only time will tell us.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

The Indian aviation industry is experiencing a turbulent time. The recent bankruptcy of Go First leaves many of its employees feeling like they've been kicked out of the cockpit.

The Indian aviation industry is experiencing a turbulent time. The recent bankruptcy of Go First leaves many of its employees feeling like they've been kicked out of the cockpit. But they see something at the end of the tunnel - Air India. The Tata group, which bought back Air India from the government last year, is offering a new flight plan that includes hiring over 4,200 cabin crew and 900 pilots this year. The buzz around this opportunity is so intense that Go First pilots and cabin crew were on Thursday seen lining up outside a Tata group hotel near Delhi for walk-in interviews with Air India. It's like a scene from a thriller rom-com, where the betrayal, in the end, seems inevitable. Reuters quoted a pilot, who joined Go First two years ago, as saying: "We have to jump ship in order to keep our flying licenses current." Another Go First cabin crew member was ecstatic about the possibility of working for Vistara, a Tata group joint venture with Singapore Airlines. "Vistara has been a dream airline to work with ever since I took one of its flights a few years ago. Plus, with the Tatas, our future would be secure," a 27-year-old member of Go First’s cabin crew told Reuters. Air India has already received over 700 applications in response to a recent job advertisement for pilots, with more expected in the future. Sister company Vistara also held interviews for cabin crew and pilots in Delhi and Mumbai. The pandemic has hit the Indian aviation industry hard, with airlines struggling to stay afloat as passenger numbers plummeted. However, with the easing of lockdown measures and the country's massive population, demand for air travel is expected to soar. It's like a phoenix rising from the ashes, with airlines scrambling to position themselves for the post-pandemic era. Go First Airline CEO is determined to bring the company back to life, but many employees are being swayed by the siren song of the Tata group's job opportunities. After all, who wouldn't want to trade choppy skies for a secure and steady flight? Will Go First be able to navigate through choppy waters, or will they be forced to admit defeat and close up shop? Only time will tell us. (With agency inputs)

From crisis to cockpit: Go First employees flock to Air India for a chance to rise again

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said Wednesday its revenues and net profit fell during the first quarter of the year as deliveries dropped amid continuing supply chain difficulties.

The company delivered 127 aircraft in the first three months of this year, down from 142 during the same period last year.

While this had only a modest impact on revenue, which dipped two per cent to 11.76 billion ($13.0 billion), net profit fell by 62 per cent to 466 million euros.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/air-france-airbus-went-to-trial-for-the-2009-rio-paris-crash-heres-what-happened-583379">Explained | Air France, Airbus trial over the 2009 Rio-Paris crash. Here's what happened</a>

"We continue to face an adverse operating environment that includes in particular persistent tensions in the supply chain," said chief executive Guillaume Faury.

Airbus posted a record profit of 4.2 billion euros in 2022 despite supply chain problems limiting its ability to raise production.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Low output by Airbus causes concerns

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/low-output-by-airbus-causes-concerns-561721/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The company slashed production and jobs during the pandemic when airlines halted most operations, and it has had trouble scaling production back up, as have some of its suppliers.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine also complicated sourcing certain parts.

Revenues generated by Airbus' commercial aircraft activities decreased by five per cent year-on-year, mainly reflecting the lower deliveries, the company said.

The company's defence and space unit saw revenues drop by six per cent, while the helicopter unit jumped by 26 per cent as deliveries rose.

The first quarter performance was also hit by a charge of 360 million euros due to change in the value of the US dollar from when some pre-payments were made to settlement when aircrafts were delivered.

The company said it's 2023 outlook remains unchanged, which is for commercial aircraft deliveries to rise from 661 last year to 720 this year. 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said Wednesday its revenues and net profit fell during the first quarter of the year as deliveries dropped amid continuing supply chain difficulties.

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said Wednesday its revenues and net profit fell during the first quarter of the year as deliveries dropped amid continuing supply chain difficulties. The company delivered 127 aircraft in the first three months of this year, down from 142 during the same period last year. While this had only a modest impact on revenue, which dipped two per cent to 11.76 billion ($13.0 billion), net profit fell by 62 per cent to 466 million euros. ALSO READ | Explained | Air France, Airbus trial over the 2009 Rio-Paris crash. Here's what happened "We continue to face an adverse operating environment that includes in particular persistent tensions in the supply chain," said chief executive Guillaume Faury. Airbus posted a record profit of 4.2 billion euros in 2022 despite supply chain problems limiting its ability to raise production. ALSO WATCH | Low output by Airbus causes concerns × The company slashed production and jobs during the pandemic when airlines halted most operations, and it has had trouble scaling production back up, as have some of its suppliers. The Russian invasion of Ukraine also complicated sourcing certain parts. Revenues generated by Airbus' commercial aircraft activities decreased by five per cent year-on-year, mainly reflecting the lower deliveries, the company said. The company's defence and space unit saw revenues drop by six per cent, while the helicopter unit jumped by 26 per cent as deliveries rose. The first quarter performance was also hit by a charge of 360 million euros due to change in the value of the US dollar from when some pre-payments were made to settlement when aircrafts were delivered. The company said it's 2023 outlook remains unchanged, which is for commercial aircraft deliveries to rise from 661 last year to 720 this year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Airbus net profit goes down as airplane deliveries drop due to supply chain issues

As business and leisure travel has resumed, the worst of the pandemic has passed, countries are once again accessible, and airlines anticipate strong revenue. So why is air fare still so high?

There aren't enough planes, to start with, according to a Bloomberg report.&nbsp;Due to the pandemic's low travel demand, airlines shut down a significant portion of their fleets. The biggest jets have to be prepared for service after being parked away for 100 working hours, so they can't bring them back quickly enough at the moment.

Another factor is that after being denied the chance to travel, in some cases for up to three years, people are willing to pay more for tickets, the Bloomberg report said. More than 25,000 adults who planned to travel in the next 12 to 24 months participated in a Booking.com study, and many said they wished to be "more indulgent" with their travel plans in order to make up for missed opportunities.

“Even if some trips might be a bit more expensive than they were previously, many people still see value in spending on travel,” said Marcos Guerrero, senior director of flights at the online travel company, who spoke to Bloomberg.&nbsp;

<h2>Staff Shortage</h2>

Airlines suffered losses of almost $200 billion due to Covid, which resulted in the loss of tens of millions of aviation jobs. The travel industry is struggling to re-hire enough people, now that a recovery is well underway.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/facebook-owner-meta-jumps-after-earnings-lifting-us-stocks-586780">Facebook-owner Meta's shares jump after earnings, lifting US stocks</a>

Delays at airport check-in counters, immigration counters, and baggage carousels have gotten worse as a result of the shortages. They've also made airlines work harder to recruit and keep personnel, which has required paying higher wages. As a result, airlines charge more because they need to cover the extra expenses.

<h2>Rising oil prices</h2>

Although the cost of oil has decreased over the previous year, it is still more expensive than it was in January 2019, which is problematic for airlines because it is their single-highest expense. Numerous carriers, especially low-cost ones, don't hedge their fuel costs, making them susceptible to price increases brought on by situations like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Bloomberg report said.

A little over two per cent&nbsp;of the carbon emissions in the world come from airlines, but they lag well behind all other industries in their commitment to a greener future. That's in part because the sole practical option available right now, sustainable aviation fuel, costs up to five times as much as traditional jet fuel.&nbsp;

<h2>Aircraft shortage</h2>

At the height of the pandemic, up to 16,000 aircraft—or almost two-thirds of the commercial fleet worldwide—were grounded. It takes a lot of work to get them back in the air, and every component must be carefully inspected for safety. Many were maintained in the US and Australia's deserts, where they are less prone to deterioration, but they can still experience problems including harmed interiors and engines.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-broadening-counter-espionage-law-spooks-foreign-businesses-586656">China broadening counter-espionage law spooks foreign businesses</a>

Obtaining new engines is another hassle. Due to a lack of parts and the difficulty in producing new turbines, airlines including Spirit Airlines Inc. and India's IndiGo have been forced to idle new aircraft. Some newer technology also requires more frequent maintenance because components made of composites, coatings, and peculiar metal alloys wear out more quickly.

“Capacity is a challenge,” Ryanair’s O’Leary said at a Bloomberg conference this month.

“Over the medium term, the inability of Airbus and Boeing to deliver any meaningful increase in production means capacity is going to continue to be challenging for the next two, three, five years,” he said.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

As business and leisure travel has resumed, the worst of the pandemic has passed, countries are once again accessible, and airlines anticipate strong revenue. So why is air fare still so high?

As business and leisure travel has resumed, the worst of the pandemic has passed, countries are once again accessible, and airlines anticipate strong revenue. So why is air fare still so high? There aren't enough planes, to start with, according to a Bloomberg report. Due to the pandemic's low travel demand, airlines shut down a significant portion of their fleets. The biggest jets have to be prepared for service after being parked away for 100 working hours, so they can't bring them back quickly enough at the moment. Another factor is that after being denied the chance to travel, in some cases for up to three years, people are willing to pay more for tickets, the Bloomberg report said. More than 25,000 adults who planned to travel in the next 12 to 24 months participated in a Booking.com study, and many said they wished to be "more indulgent" with their travel plans in order to make up for missed opportunities. “Even if some trips might be a bit more expensive than they were previously, many people still see value in spending on travel,” said Marcos Guerrero, senior director of flights at the online travel company, who spoke to Bloomberg. Staff Shortage Airlines suffered losses of almost $200 billion due to Covid, which resulted in the loss of tens of millions of aviation jobs. The travel industry is struggling to re-hire enough people, now that a recovery is well underway. ALSO READ | Facebook-owner Meta's shares jump after earnings, lifting US stocks Delays at airport check-in counters, immigration counters, and baggage carousels have gotten worse as a result of the shortages. They've also made airlines work harder to recruit and keep personnel, which has required paying higher wages. As a result, airlines charge more because they need to cover the extra expenses. Rising oil prices Although the cost of oil has decreased over the previous year, it is still more expensive than it was in January 2019, which is problematic for airlines because it is their single-highest expense. Numerous carriers, especially low-cost ones, don't hedge their fuel costs, making them susceptible to price increases brought on by situations like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Bloomberg report said. A little over two per cent of the carbon emissions in the world come from airlines, but they lag well behind all other industries in their commitment to a greener future. That's in part because the sole practical option available right now, sustainable aviation fuel, costs up to five times as much as traditional jet fuel. Aircraft shortage At the height of the pandemic, up to 16,000 aircraft—or almost two-thirds of the commercial fleet worldwide—were grounded. It takes a lot of work to get them back in the air, and every component must be carefully inspected for safety. Many were maintained in the US and Australia's deserts, where they are less prone to deterioration, but they can still experience problems including harmed interiors and engines. ALSO READ | China broadening counter-espionage law spooks foreign businesses Obtaining new engines is another hassle. Due to a lack of parts and the difficulty in producing new turbines, airlines including Spirit Airlines Inc. and India's IndiGo have been forced to idle new aircraft. Some newer technology also requires more frequent maintenance because components made of composites, coatings, and peculiar metal alloys wear out more quickly. “Capacity is a challenge,” Ryanair’s O’Leary said at a Bloomberg conference this month. “Over the medium term, the inability of Airbus and Boeing to deliver any meaningful increase in production means capacity is going to continue to be challenging for the next two, three, five years,” he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

What's driving up air fares despite rising demand? Experts have the answer

The European Union has now agreed on a deal to set binding targets for airlines to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels. Hem Kaur Saroya brings you the report.

EU strikes deal on aviation fuel targets

The process of Air India's merger with Vistara is now underway. Tata Sons and Singapore International airlines have written to India's Competition Commission of India seeking permission to merge Air India and Vistara into one single airline.

Air India, Vistara merger kickstarts

In this show let's see the growth of India’s Civil aviation sector and challenges the aviation sector faces. Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra.

India is world's 3rd-largest air passenger market

The civil aviation industry in India has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries in the country in the last few years. In an exclusive conversation Vikram Chandra analyses India’s mammoth civil aviation growth with the minister in-charge, Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Jyotiraditya Scindia speaks on can passenger etiquette be improved

Akasa Air plans to hire about 1,000 additional employees, bringing the total number of staff to over 3,000 by the end of March 2024. Vinay Dube, the CEO of the seven-month-old airline, which began operations in August 2022, stated in an interview with PTI that by the end of 2023, the airline will also begin operating on new routes and will introduce international flights.

By the end of the year, a "three-digit aircraft order," according to Dube, will be placed. Akasa Air is expanding its fleet to include 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, which are expected to be delivered by early 2027, in addition to the 19 Boeing 737 Max aircraft that are already in operation.

The airline will increase its fleet size to 28 aircraft during the upcoming fiscal year. Dube&nbsp;emphasised that the company prioritises steady growth rather than "growth for the sake of growth," and that by the end of the summer, the airline will increase its daily flight operations from the current 110 (on 17 domestic routes) to 150.

By the end of the following fiscal year, the current 2,000-person workforce will increase to 3,000, Dube projected, and comprise 1,100 pilots and flight attendants. For planes that are set to begin flying in three months, the airline always makes advance hirings.&nbsp;

The CEO stated that the airline's three main objectives are to provide employees and customers with sustained levels of satisfaction and to do so with a stable price structure. This is made possible by the fact that the organisation, which calls itself as "India's most dependable airline," is not vying for top positions in the aviation industry or market influence.

He added&nbsp;that the airline was focusing on&nbsp;countries&nbsp;both in the east and west. "... we may want to fly to X cities, and there may be traffic rights available for that country, but in that particular airport, you may not have slots. All these permutations and combinations are being worked on right now,” he told PTI.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Akasa Air plans to hire about 1,000 additional employees, bringing the total number of staff to over 3,000 by the end of March 2024. Vinay Dube, the CEO of the seven-month-old airline, which began operations in August 2022, stated in an interview with PTI that by the end of 2023, the airline will also begin operating on new routes and will introduce international flights.

Akasa Air plans to hire about 1,000 additional employees, bringing the total number of staff to over 3,000 by the end of March 2024. Vinay Dube, the CEO of the seven-month-old airline, which began operations in August 2022, stated in an interview with PTI that by the end of 2023, the airline will also begin operating on new routes and will introduce international flights. By the end of the year, a "three-digit aircraft order," according to Dube, will be placed. Akasa Air is expanding its fleet to include 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, which are expected to be delivered by early 2027, in addition to the 19 Boeing 737 Max aircraft that are already in operation. The airline will increase its fleet size to 28 aircraft during the upcoming fiscal year. Dube emphasised that the company prioritises steady growth rather than "growth for the sake of growth," and that by the end of the summer, the airline will increase its daily flight operations from the current 110 (on 17 domestic routes) to 150. By the end of the following fiscal year, the current 2,000-person workforce will increase to 3,000, Dube projected, and comprise 1,100 pilots and flight attendants. For planes that are set to begin flying in three months, the airline always makes advance hirings. The CEO stated that the airline's three main objectives are to provide employees and customers with sustained levels of satisfaction and to do so with a stable price structure. This is made possible by the fact that the organisation, which calls itself as "India's most dependable airline," is not vying for top positions in the aviation industry or market influence. He added that the airline was focusing on countries both in the east and west. "... we may want to fly to X cities, and there may be traffic rights available for that country, but in that particular airport, you may not have slots. All these permutations and combinations are being worked on right now,” he told PTI. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Akasa Air plans to go international, increase daily flight operations from 110 to 150

India will spend around $12 billion on revamping airports over the next two years, with orders for hundreds of new aircraft to meet the growing travel demand which is adding pressure to the existing airport infrastructure of the country.

India will spend around $12 billion on revamping airports over the next two years, with orders for hundreds of new aircraft to meet the growing travel demand which is adding pressure to the existing airport infrastructure of the country. The goal of the world's fastest-growing aviation sector is to increase the number of airports from the present 148 to 220 by 2025, as per a Bloomberg report. To that end, private builders will contribute roughly $9 billion, with the balance coming from the government-run Airports Authority of India. It entails new terminal construction, greenfield projects, and refurbishment of existing buildings, including old military airfields from the colonial era. With a growing customer base and an expanding economy that is on pace to surpass China's $3.2 trillion in size, India is making more of a global statement with this move. With Air India Ltd.'s announcement of the largest contract in commercial aviation history last month, the nation has already made its imprint in the industry. ALSO READ | India reports over 1,000 new Covid cases for first time in 129 days Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of civil aviation, opened the three-day CAPA India Aviation Summit on Monday by declaring that India aims to be a global leader in aviation. From 2022 through 2041, according to Boeing, passenger traffic in India would increase at a rate of roughly 7 per cent per year, compared to 4.9 per cent in China. “The growth in aviation infrastructure will bring a huge amount of economic upside and new airports will improve the quality of life for most people partly because of bad road infrastructure and slow trains in India,” said Jayant Mukhopadhaya, researcher at the International Council of Clean Transportation, who spoke to Bloomberg. In addition to becoming a popular tourist and economic destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to transform India into a top-tier connecting centre. His development plan includes using air as a mode of transportation to connect smaller communities. ALSO READ | Bengaluru auto strike: Why are thousands of drivers protesting against bike taxis? What are their demands? While IndiGo, the country's top airline, is anticipated to place a larger order, Air India, controlled by the country's largest conglomerate Tata Group, has ordered 470 aircraft. India is making additional purchases in an effort to catch up to nations with larger aviation markets, like China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India to spend $12 bn on airports in next two years as traffic picks up

Boeing and Airbus are increasingly looking to India for highly skilled, low-cost engineers to meet a boom in demand for aircraft and expand their manufacturing presence in the world's fifth-largest economy.

Boeing and Airbus hunting for highly-skilled talent in India

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has chosen Group Captain Shaliza Dhami, a helicopter pilot, to assume the leadership of a missile squadron in the western sector, IAF officials announced on Tuesday (March 7). This would be the first time a woman officer of the IAF will be in control of a frontline combat unit.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the officials said that Dhami, who was commissioned into the IAF in 2003, is a qualified flight instructor and has spent more than 2,800 hours in the air.

The change occurs at a time when the military services are expanding women's horizons and providing them with possibilities on par with those available to males.

“Having been commended by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief on two occasions, the officer is presently posted in the operations branch of a frontline Command Headquarters” said one of the officials as quoted by the Hindustan Times.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-indian-toddler-was-crowned-youngest-prodigy-in-fluid-arts-569953">This Indian toddler was crowned youngest ‘prodigy’ in fluid arts</a>

“This is yet another milestone for women officers in combat and command appointments. Air defence units, such as the one that the lady officer is set to lead, are a critical operational asset of the armed forces,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

In an effort to promote gender equality within their ranks, the IAF and navy have also let women officers join their special forces units—the Garud Commando Force and Marine Commandos, respectively—so long as they match the eligibility requirements.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Indian PM Modi &amp; Australian counterpart visit the world's largest cricket stadium | Details

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-pm-modi-australian-counterpart-visit-the-worlds-largest-cricket-stadium-details-570213/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The army began appointing female officers to command positions outside the medical stream in February, and about 50 of them are slated to lead units in operational settings, including forward locations, under the Northern and Eastern Commands, which are in charge of securing China's borders with India.

A woman officer, Captain Shiva Chouhan, was initially sent by the army to the Siachen glacier in January of this year in a comparable position.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has chosen Group Captain Shaliza Dhami, a helicopter pilot, to assume the leadership of a missile squadron in the western sector, IAF officials announced on Tuesday (March 7).

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has chosen Group Captain Shaliza Dhami, a helicopter pilot, to assume the leadership of a missile squadron in the western sector, IAF officials announced on Tuesday (March 7). This would be the first time a woman officer of the IAF will be in control of a frontline combat unit. On the occasion of International Women's Day, the officials said that Dhami, who was commissioned into the IAF in 2003, is a qualified flight instructor and has spent more than 2,800 hours in the air. The change occurs at a time when the military services are expanding women's horizons and providing them with possibilities on par with those available to males. “Having been commended by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief on two occasions, the officer is presently posted in the operations branch of a frontline Command Headquarters” said one of the officials as quoted by the Hindustan Times. ALSO READ | This Indian toddler was crowned youngest ‘prodigy’ in fluid arts “This is yet another milestone for women officers in combat and command appointments. Air defence units, such as the one that the lady officer is set to lead, are a critical operational asset of the armed forces,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. In an effort to promote gender equality within their ranks, the IAF and navy have also let women officers join their special forces units—the Garud Commando Force and Marine Commandos, respectively—so long as they match the eligibility requirements. ALSO WATCH | Indian PM Modi & Australian counterpart visit the world's largest cricket stadium | Details The army began appointing female officers to command positions outside the medical stream in February, and about 50 of them are slated to lead units in operational settings, including forward locations, under the Northern and Eastern Commands, which are in charge of securing China's borders with India. A woman officer, Captain Shiva Chouhan, was initially sent by the army to the Siachen glacier in January of this year in a comparable position. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Meet Shaliza Dhami, first woman officer to lead combat unit in IAF

US aviation watchdog, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement on Friday (February 24) that Boeing has suspended deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner again over issues with a fuselage component. This is not the first time Boeing has had to take such a step over the top-tier but troubled model from the company.

The latest pause is a disappointment for the aerospace giant after it resumed deliveries of the jet in August following a halt of more than a year.&nbsp;

Boeing is "conducting additional analysis on a fuselage component," the FAA said in a statement.

"Deliveries will not resume until the FAA is satisfied that the issue has been addressed. The FAA is working with Boeing to determine any actions that might be required for recently delivered airplanes," the statement added.

Boeing, an aviation major, has said that it "discovered an analysis error" by its supplier related to the planes forward pressure bulkhead during a review. The company said pause in 737 delivered is due to analysis the company is carrying out in this matter.

"There is no immediate safety of flight concern for the in-service fleet," the Boeing spokesperson said, noting that production continues. Boeing does not expect a shift to its production and delivery outlook for the year.

The 787's travails date to late summer 2020, when the company uncovered manufacturing flaws with some jets and subsequently identified additional issues, including with the horizontal stabilizer.

The difficulties curtailed deliveries between November 2020 and March 2021. Boeing suspended deliveries later in spring 2021 after more problems surfaced.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

US aviation watchdog, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement on Friday (February 24) that Boeing has suspended deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner again over issues with a fuselage component.

US aviation watchdog, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement on Friday (February 24) that Boeing has suspended deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner again over issues with a fuselage component. This is not the first time Boeing has had to take such a step over the top-tier but troubled model from the company. The latest pause is a disappointment for the aerospace giant after it resumed deliveries of the jet in August following a halt of more than a year. Boeing is "conducting additional analysis on a fuselage component," the FAA said in a statement. "Deliveries will not resume until the FAA is satisfied that the issue has been addressed. The FAA is working with Boeing to determine any actions that might be required for recently delivered airplanes," the statement added. Boeing, an aviation major, has said that it "discovered an analysis error" by its supplier related to the planes forward pressure bulkhead during a review. The company said pause in 737 delivered is due to analysis the company is carrying out in this matter. "There is no immediate safety of flight concern for the in-service fleet," the Boeing spokesperson said, noting that production continues. Boeing does not expect a shift to its production and delivery outlook for the year. The 787's travails date to late summer 2020, when the company uncovered manufacturing flaws with some jets and subsequently identified additional issues, including with the horizontal stabilizer. The difficulties curtailed deliveries between November 2020 and March 2021. Boeing suspended deliveries later in spring 2021 after more problems surfaced. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Boeing 737 Dreamliner deliveries halted again due to fuselage issue

Air India Ltd. placed the largest aircraft order in aviation history, opting to purchase 540 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus on Monday (February 13), allowing the Tata Group airline to expand its operations both domestically and internationally, reported the Mint. Air India is estimated to spend a whopping $82 billion on the acquisition of short&nbsp;and long-haul aircraft, while the real cost would be less as bulk purchases are eligible for discounts and incentives.

Out of the total 540 aircraft, 470 are firm orders, while the remaining 70 are options with Boeing that Air India may subsequently exercise. 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft make up the 470 aircraft, with the first lot arriving later this year. The previous single-largest jet purchase, according to Bloomberg, was made by American Airlines in 2011 for 460 planes.

“The first aircraft to arrive will be 25 brand-new Boeing B737-800s and six Airbus A350-900s in the second half of 2023, with deliveries really ramping up in 2025 and beyond. In the meantime, our capacity growth will continue to be supported by the previously announced lease-in of additional narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and the restoration-to-service of the remainder of our grounded fleet," Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in an email to employees, reported Mint.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/western-leaders-hail-billion-dollar-air-india-airbus-and-boeing-annoucement-562059">Western leaders hail billion-dollar Air India, Airbus, Boeing announcement</a>

Around 450 single-aisle aircraft from the Airbus 320 family and Boeing 737 MAX are included in the total order; these aircraft will be used for local and short-haul international operations. The remaining 90 aircraft, all dual-aisle planes, will travel to Europe and the Americas.

<h2>Why is the Air India order for 470 new aircraft such a huge&nbsp;deal?&nbsp;</h2>

The historic Air India purchase of 470 jets, valued between $80-100 billion, has caused the world to sit up and take notice because of its scale and the ramifications it has for Air India, the aviation industry, and some of the biggest global economies.&nbsp;

This is the biggest bulk order for aircraft; American Airlines' purchase of 460 aircraft in 2011 is now&nbsp;the second-highest. The deal, which took more than a year to work out, marks India's debut as one of the major aircraft-buying countries.&nbsp;

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ced6aef1-0b66-4e31-9530-bb4a0cebbcdb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2872%29_0.png" />

Indian PM Narendra Modi addressing a virtual meeting&nbsp;on agreement between Air India and Airbus. Photo credits: Twitter

Air India has ordered 40 wide-bodied A350 planes and 210 narrow-bodied A320 neo-family planes from Airbus, reported Hindu BusinessLine.&nbsp;The Boeing order entails&nbsp;10 wide-bodied B777X planes, 20 wide-body B787 planes, and 190 narrow-body B737MAX planes.&nbsp;Indigo is reportedly considering similar plans to buy 500 aircraft, said the Hindu BusinessLine.&nbsp;

<h2>How is this order beneficial for Air India?</h2>

After the Tatas' takeover in early 2022, the former national airline of India, which had been making significant losses, has been working to improve its performance. By merging with Vistara recently, it became the nation's largest airline operating on foreign routes and the second-largest domestic airline after&nbsp;Indigo. Prior to the most recent order, the Tata group operated 218 aircraft, flying to 52 domestic and 38 overseas destinations.

With this deal, Air India's fleet size will more than double, and it will surpass Indigo's fleet of 300 aircraft to become the largest airline operating domestic routes as well. The kind of aircraft that&nbsp;Air India has ordered indicates that it aims to significantly expand its footprint on international routes as well as fly to both major and minor locations within the domestic market.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-layoffs-late-night-email-terminates-453-employees-in-india-562943">Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India</a>

How Air India finances this transaction will be interesting to observe. When the Tata family assumed control of the airline, they had paid off around 15 per cent&nbsp;of the struggling airline's 61,562 crore debt. The Tatas, however, claim to have already refinanced the debt they inherited, as per a Hindu BusinessLine&nbsp;report.&nbsp;

<h2>What does the deal really mean for India's aviation sector?</h2>

The Maharajah will re-ascend the throne to rule supremely over India's skies, and the aviation industry in India will undergo a shakeout. The agreement aims to turn India into a major international air travel hub by significantly increasing the number of international&nbsp;air carriers operating from India. This will require a revamp&nbsp;of Indian airports too.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Chetan Sharma Resigns: Indian cricket Chief selector resigns

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chetan-sharma-resigns-indian-cricket-chief-selector-resigns-bcci-india-game-over-563017/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The chairman of the Tata group suggests that some aircraft parts may be manufactured in India which will stimulate local manufacturing and provide new job opportunities.

<h2>Is this deal in tandem with the present passenger traffic?</h2>

Aviation traffic has undoubtedly increased during the previous 12 months. Between April and December 2022, domestic aviation traffic increased by 63 per cent&nbsp;year over year, according to ICRA, with 986 lakh passengers. Since the pandemic&nbsp;lows, the passenger load factor has also increased and now stands at 91 per cent.

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) predicts that India will move up one spot in the next 10 years, moving from seventh to third in terms of civil aviation. By 2024, India is expected to surpass the UK to acquire the third-largest position in the domestic aviation industry. The population and rising buying power of India would undoubtedly lead to an increase in domestic aviation travel.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Air India Ltd. placed the largest aircraft order in aviation history, opting to purchase 540 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus on Monday (February 13), allowing the Tata Group airline to expand its operations both domestically and internationally, reported the Mint.

Air India Ltd. placed the largest aircraft order in aviation history, opting to purchase 540 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus on Monday (February 13), allowing the Tata Group airline to expand its operations both domestically and internationally, reported the Mint. Air India is estimated to spend a whopping $82 billion on the acquisition of short and long-haul aircraft, while the real cost would be less as bulk purchases are eligible for discounts and incentives. Out of the total 540 aircraft, 470 are firm orders, while the remaining 70 are options with Boeing that Air India may subsequently exercise. 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft make up the 470 aircraft, with the first lot arriving later this year. The previous single-largest jet purchase, according to Bloomberg, was made by American Airlines in 2011 for 460 planes. “The first aircraft to arrive will be 25 brand-new Boeing B737-800s and six Airbus A350-900s in the second half of 2023, with deliveries really ramping up in 2025 and beyond. In the meantime, our capacity growth will continue to be supported by the previously announced lease-in of additional narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and the restoration-to-service of the remainder of our grounded fleet," Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in an email to employees, reported Mint. ALSO READ | Western leaders hail billion-dollar Air India, Airbus, Boeing announcement Around 450 single-aisle aircraft from the Airbus 320 family and Boeing 737 MAX are included in the total order; these aircraft will be used for local and short-haul international operations. The remaining 90 aircraft, all dual-aisle planes, will travel to Europe and the Americas. Why is the Air India order for 470 new aircraft such a huge deal? The historic Air India purchase of 470 jets, valued between $80-100 billion, has caused the world to sit up and take notice because of its scale and the ramifications it has for Air India, the aviation industry, and some of the biggest global economies. This is the biggest bulk order for aircraft; American Airlines' purchase of 460 aircraft in 2011 is now the second-highest. The deal, which took more than a year to work out, marks India's debut as one of the major aircraft-buying countries. Indian PM Narendra Modi addressing a virtual meeting on agreement between Air India and Airbus. Photo credits: Twitter Air India has ordered 40 wide-bodied A350 planes and 210 narrow-bodied A320 neo-family planes from Airbus, reported Hindu BusinessLine. The Boeing order entails 10 wide-bodied B777X planes, 20 wide-body B787 planes, and 190 narrow-body B737MAX planes. Indigo is reportedly considering similar plans to buy 500 aircraft, said the Hindu BusinessLine. How is this order beneficial for Air India? After the Tatas' takeover in early 2022, the former national airline of India, which had been making significant losses, has been working to improve its performance. By merging with Vistara recently, it became the nation's largest airline operating on foreign routes and the second-largest domestic airline after Indigo. Prior to the most recent order, the Tata group operated 218 aircraft, flying to 52 domestic and 38 overseas destinations. With this deal, Air India's fleet size will more than double, and it will surpass Indigo's fleet of 300 aircraft to become the largest airline operating domestic routes as well. The kind of aircraft that Air India has ordered indicates that it aims to significantly expand its footprint on international routes as well as fly to both major and minor locations within the domestic market. ALSO READ | Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India How Air India finances this transaction will be interesting to observe. When the Tata family assumed control of the airline, they had paid off around 15 per cent of the struggling airline's 61,562 crore debt. The Tatas, however, claim to have already refinanced the debt they inherited, as per a Hindu BusinessLine report. What does the deal really mean for India's aviation sector? The Maharajah will re-ascend the throne to rule supremely over India's skies, and the aviation industry in India will undergo a shakeout. The agreement aims to turn India into a major international air travel hub by significantly increasing the number of international air carriers operating from India. This will require a revamp of Indian airports too. ALSO WATCH | Chetan Sharma Resigns: Indian cricket Chief selector resigns The chairman of the Tata group suggests that some aircraft parts may be manufactured in India which will stimulate local manufacturing and provide new job opportunities. Is this deal in tandem with the present passenger traffic? Aviation traffic has undoubtedly increased during the previous 12 months. Between April and December 2022, domestic aviation traffic increased by 63 per cent year over year, according to ICRA, with 986 lakh passengers. Since the pandemic lows, the passenger load factor has also increased and now stands at 91 per cent. India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) predicts that India will move up one spot in the next 10 years, moving from seventh to third in terms of civil aviation. By 2024, India is expected to surpass the UK to acquire the third-largest position in the domestic aviation industry. The population and rising buying power of India would undoubtedly lead to an increase in domestic aviation travel. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED: What does Air India's historic aircraft deal mean for India?

Air India will buy 470 new planes from global aviation giants Airbus and Boeing, as per an official statement. The deal is one of the biggest in aviation history and Air India's biggest till date. Priyanka Sharma explains.

Gravitas: Air India inks one of the biggest deals in aviation history

Airbus kicks off 2023 on a poor note; deliveries drop 33 per cent&nbsp;in January

The largest airline manufacturer Airbus finds itself in a tough situation after underwhelming delivery figures for its airplanes.

The company, which produced around 661 planes in 2022, was safely riding the 1.6 per cent&nbsp;rise in its shares.

Watch | Low output by Airbus causes concerns

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/low-output-by-airbus-causes-concerns-561721/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But now, with just 20 deliveries in January, marking a significant drop of 33 per cent, the numbers have their telltale of a scary "wake-up call" for Airbus' executives.

The Chief Executive of the company Guillaume Faury riled up in anger looking at the abysmal output.

In his brief, he clarifies that "this does not happen twice".

But what has led to the situation, and what caused the slowdown?

The distortion to the global supply chain has affected many industries, including the airline manufacturing industry.

Airbus has strongly remained dependent on Russia's titanium resources, with the war on the edge of Europe disrupting supply chains.

Even the steel capacity has come under threat as restructuring remains underway in handling debt.

Amidst recession fears and rising costs, the trade and movement of raw materials remain a problem, along with several other structural and operation-related issues.

Apart from the supply chain-related delays, the Qatar-Airbus dispute remains in play, impeding Airbus' day-to-day operations.

The company's internal functioning has also come into question, with Faury directing his interest towards decarbonisation and modernising the industrial fabric at Airbus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-asias-largest-aero-show-aero-india-2023-begins-in-bengaluru-561493">Also read |&nbsp;In Pics | Asia’s largest aero show, Aero India 2023, begins in Bengaluru</a>

The focus remains on not dumping the blame on the supply chain but revamping the process by fixing the company's internal issues.

There needs to be higher employee engagement, as suggested by internal sources of the company.

The challenge is to fix external and internal affairs to streamline production.

The multifaceted layers of these issues have caused a pushback in producing new jets.

With a staggeringly low input, industry experts speculate a lower threshold of about 700 jets for the year, while some remain ambitiously confident about an output of nearly 750 planes.

As the production and tests of electronic chips stabilise, hopes remain high for manufacturing to return to normal in the company.

Still, the challenges make it clear the tasks will take a lot of work to manage.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Airbus kicks off 2023 on a poor note; deliveries drop 33 per cent in January The largest airline manufacturer Airbus finds itself in a tough situation after underwhelming delivery figures for its airplanes.

Airbus kicks off 2023 on a poor note; deliveries drop 33 per cent in January The largest airline manufacturer Airbus finds itself in a tough situation after underwhelming delivery figures for its airplanes. The company, which produced around 661 planes in 2022, was safely riding the 1.6 per cent rise in its shares. Watch | Low output by Airbus causes concerns But now, with just 20 deliveries in January, marking a significant drop of 33 per cent, the numbers have their telltale of a scary "wake-up call" for Airbus' executives. The Chief Executive of the company Guillaume Faury riled up in anger looking at the abysmal output. In his brief, he clarifies that "this does not happen twice". But what has led to the situation, and what caused the slowdown? The distortion to the global supply chain has affected many industries, including the airline manufacturing industry. Airbus has strongly remained dependent on Russia's titanium resources, with the war on the edge of Europe disrupting supply chains. Even the steel capacity has come under threat as restructuring remains underway in handling debt. Amidst recession fears and rising costs, the trade and movement of raw materials remain a problem, along with several other structural and operation-related issues. Apart from the supply chain-related delays, the Qatar-Airbus dispute remains in play, impeding Airbus' day-to-day operations. The company's internal functioning has also come into question, with Faury directing his interest towards decarbonisation and modernising the industrial fabric at Airbus. Also read | In Pics | Asia’s largest aero show, Aero India 2023, begins in Bengaluru The focus remains on not dumping the blame on the supply chain but revamping the process by fixing the company's internal issues. There needs to be higher employee engagement, as suggested by internal sources of the company. The challenge is to fix external and internal affairs to streamline production. The multifaceted layers of these issues have caused a pushback in producing new jets. With a staggeringly low input, industry experts speculate a lower threshold of about 700 jets for the year, while some remain ambitiously confident about an output of nearly 750 planes. As the production and tests of electronic chips stabilise, hopes remain high for manufacturing to return to normal in the company. Still, the challenges make it clear the tasks will take a lot of work to manage. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Airbus kicks off 2023 on a poor note; deliveries drop 33% in January

Japan has abandoned its plans to build its first 'homegrown passenger jet' after years of technical setbacks and rising building costs. A decade after the aircraft was supposed to have gone for commercial services, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said that it will cancel the public-private SapceJet Project, Guardian reported.&nbsp;

The company in its statement said that it was&nbsp;facing "difficulties to obtain an understanding and necessary cooperation from global partners."

The twin-engine plane, designed to carry passengers of fewer than 100, was invented for short flights and was supposed to open a new chapter in Japan's aviation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/with-rollout-of-delivery-robots-japan-set-to-welcome-newcomers-in-human-society-559958">Also read |&nbsp;With rollout of delivery robots, Japan set to welcome 'newcomers in human society'</a>

Being one of the most developed countries in the world, this project for Japan came as a disappointment.&nbsp;

The company in its statement said that the regional jet suffered several delivery delays and technical glitches and "failed to confirm sufficient business viability."

The firm's president, Seiji Izumisawa told reporters that Mitsubishi admits that it "lacked the know-how" to develop the passenger jets and that they are no longer sure of its viability.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sore-backs-and-shoulders-japanese-kids-as-young-as-six-complain-of-too-heavy-backpacks-559697">Also read |&nbsp;'Sore backs and shoulders': Japanese kids as young as six complain of 'too heavy' backpacks</a>

The project was launched in 2008 under the name Mitsubishi Regional Jet, suffered repeated setbacks and even missed its 2013 rollout.&nbsp;

It was put on hold in 2020 after a series of technical glitches and a dramatic fall in demand for the new aircraft.

Many suspects that the North American regulations, pilot shortages and the need to find "decarbonisation solutions" also contributed to the project's failure.&nbsp;

The aircraft which was renamed SapceJet in 2019 was supported by not only the government but many domestic companies like Toyota.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Japan has abandoned its plans to build its first 'homegrown passenger jet' after years of technical setbacks and rising building costs. A decade after the aircraft was supposed to have gone for commercial services, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said that it will cancel the public-private SapceJet Project, Guardian reported.

Japan has abandoned its plans to build its first 'homegrown passenger jet' after years of technical setbacks and rising building costs. A decade after the aircraft was supposed to have gone for commercial services, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said that it will cancel the public-private SapceJet Project, Guardian reported. The company in its statement said that it was facing "difficulties to obtain an understanding and necessary cooperation from global partners." The twin-engine plane, designed to carry passengers of fewer than 100, was invented for short flights and was supposed to open a new chapter in Japan's aviation. Also read | With rollout of delivery robots, Japan set to welcome 'newcomers in human society' Being one of the most developed countries in the world, this project for Japan came as a disappointment. The company in its statement said that the regional jet suffered several delivery delays and technical glitches and "failed to confirm sufficient business viability." The firm's president, Seiji Izumisawa told reporters that Mitsubishi admits that it "lacked the know-how" to develop the passenger jets and that they are no longer sure of its viability. Also read | 'Sore backs and shoulders': Japanese kids as young as six complain of 'too heavy' backpacks The project was launched in 2008 under the name Mitsubishi Regional Jet, suffered repeated setbacks and even missed its 2013 rollout. It was put on hold in 2020 after a series of technical glitches and a dramatic fall in demand for the new aircraft. Many suspects that the North American regulations, pilot shortages and the need to find "decarbonisation solutions" also contributed to the project's failure. The aircraft which was renamed SapceJet in 2019 was supported by not only the government but many domestic companies like Toyota. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japan's Mitsubishi abandons plans to build passenger jet, admits it 'lacked the know-how'

The UK climate minister, Graham Stuart received campaign donations from one of the largest fuel distributors in the Britain. Stuart also received donations from an aviation consultant and recruiter.

WION Climate Tracker: UK climate minister received donations from fuel and aviation companies

Computer outage grounded flights all over the United States and disrupted more than 11,000 flights. The Federal Aviation Administration said that the outage was caused by a procedural error related to the data file.

Over 11, 300 flights delayed, cancelled in U.S. due to system outage

Indian passengers can now board domestic flights hassle-free out of Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi airports by registering for a biometric facial recognition platform, DigiYatra (DY). It will enable paperless travel through biometric facial recognition technology, which means that a facial scan will confirm the identity of DY-registered passengers. All the travel details will be captured on this platform and passengers will not need to show any physical ID proof.

This technology will be launched with seven airports in the first phase, starting with Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi on Thursday. By March next year, the same facility will be launched in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada airports.&nbsp;

The aviation ministry has planned to take this technology further to all Indian airports gradually which will reduce the boarding time of passengers, making their travel hassle-free.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-plane-its-a-drone-no-its-a-bird-armys-new-anti-drone-weapon-539319">It's a plane, it's a drone, no it's a bird: Indian Army's new anti-drone weapon</a>

Jyotiradiyta Scindia, the Minister of Aviation, said, "The project envisages travellers pass through various checkpoints at airports through paperless and contactless processing using facial features to establish their identity which could be linked to their boarding pass. To use this facility, one-time registration on DY App is required using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. The project has tremendous advantages of improving passenger convenience and ease of travel."&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hon’ble Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/MoCA_GoI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoCA_GoI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JM_Scindia</a> inaugurated <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DigiYatra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DigiYatra</a> at Terminal 3, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DelhiAirport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DelhiAirport</a>, offering passengers a more seamless and hassle-free boarding experience with facial recognition technology. 
 
Skip the queue and save time!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DELairport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DELairport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FacialRecognition?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FacialRecognition</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DigitalIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DigitalIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/rpe0FRUYk4">pic.twitter.com/rpe0FRUYk4</a>
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiAirport/status/1598239345080733696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The DY project is taken in the wake of the revival of post-Omicron-variant Covid cases, as long queues are back at airports right from terminal entry to check-in, security, and immigration. Though using DY is optional for passengers, for now, they can instead show their physical IDs as well, which will streamline the entire process of boarding passengers.&nbsp;

Scindia gave the example of Dubai International Airport which uses the same technology and is saving up to 40 per cent of the time required to be spent at the airport.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the process to enroll for Digi Yatra?</h2>

a) Passengers can generate a Digi Yatra ID in a central system by providing the following information: 
1. Name, 2. Email Address, 3. Phone Number 4. Personal Information (Voter Id, Driving License, Aadhar, etc)

b) A Digi Yatra Id will be generated upon submission. This number can be used by passengers when booking their tickets. The airlines will send passenger data, including Digi Yatra IDs, to the departure airport.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scdab6-Wp5s">World Business Watch: Agri tech start-up investment add $4.6 billion in FY 22 | Latest News | WION</a>

c) On their first trip, passengers must go to the airport's registration kiosk to have their ID validated. 
1. In the case of Aadhar, verification will be done online. 2. CISF will manually verify any other id. 
After successful verification, the passenger's photo will be added to the Digi Yatra profile in the central system.

<h2>What are the benefits of Digi Yatra for passengers?</h2>

1. No need to show a boarding pass or ID at multiple checkpoints.

2. Minimize human intervention that will help in less queuing time.

3. Enhanced security with system mapping the PNR of the passenger.&nbsp;

4. The airport operator will have real-time information on Passenger load and resource planning becomes better.

5. Airlines will be benefitted by knowing the passenger position in the airport.

Digi Yatra is built on four key pillars- Connected Passengers, Connected Airports, Connected Flying, and Connected Systems.&nbsp;

Indian passengers can now board domestic flights hassle-free out of Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi airports by registering for a biometric facial recognition platform, DigiYatra (DY).

Indian passengers can now board domestic flights hassle-free out of Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi airports by registering for a biometric facial recognition platform, DigiYatra (DY). It will enable paperless travel through biometric facial recognition technology, which means that a facial scan will confirm the identity of DY-registered passengers. All the travel details will be captured on this platform and passengers will not need to show any physical ID proof. This technology will be launched with seven airports in the first phase, starting with Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi on Thursday. By March next year, the same facility will be launched in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada airports. The aviation ministry has planned to take this technology further to all Indian airports gradually which will reduce the boarding time of passengers, making their travel hassle-free. Also Read | It's a plane, it's a drone, no it's a bird: Indian Army's new anti-drone weapon Jyotiradiyta Scindia, the Minister of Aviation, said, "The project envisages travellers pass through various checkpoints at airports through paperless and contactless processing using facial features to establish their identity which could be linked to their boarding pass. To use this facility, one-time registration on DY App is required using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. The project has tremendous advantages of improving passenger convenience and ease of travel." Hon’ble Minister @MoCA_GoI @JM_Scindia inaugurated #DigiYatra at Terminal 3, #DelhiAirport, offering passengers a more seamless and hassle-free boarding experience with facial recognition technology. Skip the queue and save time!#DELairport #FacialRecognition #DigitalIndia pic.twitter.com/rpe0FRUYk4 — Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 1, 2022 × The DY project is taken in the wake of the revival of post-Omicron-variant Covid cases, as long queues are back at airports right from terminal entry to check-in, security, and immigration. Though using DY is optional for passengers, for now, they can instead show their physical IDs as well, which will streamline the entire process of boarding passengers. Scindia gave the example of Dubai International Airport which uses the same technology and is saving up to 40 per cent of the time required to be spent at the airport. What is the process to enroll for Digi Yatra? a) Passengers can generate a Digi Yatra ID in a central system by providing the following information: 1. Name, 2. Email Address, 3. Phone Number 4. Personal Information (Voter Id, Driving License, Aadhar, etc) b) A Digi Yatra Id will be generated upon submission. This number can be used by passengers when booking their tickets. The airlines will send passenger data, including Digi Yatra IDs, to the departure airport. Watch | World Business Watch: Agri tech start-up investment add $4.6 billion in FY 22 | Latest News | WION c) On their first trip, passengers must go to the airport's registration kiosk to have their ID validated. 1. In the case of Aadhar, verification will be done online. 2. CISF will manually verify any other id. After successful verification, the passenger's photo will be added to the Digi Yatra profile in the central system. What are the benefits of Digi Yatra for passengers? 1. No need to show a boarding pass or ID at multiple checkpoints. 2. Minimize human intervention that will help in less queuing time. 3. Enhanced security with system mapping the PNR of the passenger. 4. The airport operator will have real-time information on Passenger load and resource planning becomes better. 5. Airlines will be benefitted by knowing the passenger position in the airport. Digi Yatra is built on four key pillars- Connected Passengers, Connected Airports, Connected Flying, and Connected Systems.

No more standing in long queues, use face as ID on airports with new Digi Yatra rollout

From new supersonic jets making a comeback to having a new journey from the mountains in the United Arab Emirates to the eagerly anticipated flight token system at Hong Kong airport, join Sumit and discover the most recent news and trends in the aviation industry on WION Wings.

Promo: WION Wings

In Nigeria members of the Aviation Union blocked the entrance gate of an airport in Lagos to protest the termination of 34 Aviation workers.

Aviation Union Protests: Passengers stranded at Lagos airport

Japan Airlines (JAL) could be the first one that can fly supersonic aircraft, that are going to make a re-entry in the aviation market nearly two decades after the last flight of Concorde.

World Business Watch: Japan's JAL likely to be first one who can fly supersonic plane

aviation

Aviation, News on Aviation, stories on Aviation, articles on Aviation, Aviation stories at Wion, Aviation news, Aviation latest news