HAL airport closure illegal:Parliamentary committee

The Press Trust of India reports that the Government’s decision to shut down the old Bangalore airport could come under fresh legal scrutiny with a parliamentary panel asking civil aviation ministry to respond to charges of “irregularities” in the concession agreement it has signed with the airport developer. Quoting records of its hearings with the…

KLM suspends Amsterdam-Hyderabad service

KLM announced on October 22, 2008, that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is suspending its Amsterdam–Hyderabad service, effective February 1, 2009. KLM launched flights to this destination in October 2005 in anticipation of a growth in traffic to India. KLM is suspending this service in response to financial results of this route and local market developments.…

SpiceJet offers new Bangalore Jaipur direct flight

SpiceJet is sure going to win the hearts of the Rajasthani community, and major businesses like Bosch India, with its new Bangalore – Jaipur direct flight. Starting October 26, 2008, SpiceJet schedule will offer a B737 morning departure, same day evening return. SG284 depart Bangalore 08:45 arrival Jaipur 11:30.SG283 depart Jaipur 17:15 arrival Bangalore 20:00.

Jet wins Conde Nast award, introduces new low fares

At a ceremony at New York’s Public Library recently, Condé Nast Traveler one of the world’s leading high end travel magazine, announced that Jet Airways has been selected as one of the top three airlines in the world in its 2008 Readers Choice Awards survey. Congratulations to the team at Jet. Jet Airways, India’s leading…

Lok Sabha passes Airport Economic Regulatory Authority bill

The Bill for setting up the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) was passed by the Lok Sabha on 22-Oct-08. The prime objective of AERA will be to create a level playing field and foster healthy competition among all major airports (Government owned, Public Private Partnership based, Private) encourage investment in airport facilities regulate tariffs of…

Airlines to pay fuel dues in 6 monthly instalments

CNN-IBN reports that airlines will pay all outstanding dues on aviation fuel to oil companies in six monthly installments and will be given a credit limit of 90 days to purchase the current requirement of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), it was decided in the national capital on Wednesday. The decision was taken at a meeting…

Star Alliance launches new brand campaign

With the theme – “You’ve earned it”, Star Alliance launched its new multi-platform brand campaign on Monday, October 20th, 2008. The campaign is aimed at increasing awareness and familiarity of the Alliance customer benefits, with a special emphasis on the value of global recognition for the frequent International traveller. “Working away from home on international…

Taxes killing aviation – Interview with Dr. Vijay Mallya

Kingfisher Airlines Chairman, Dr. Vijay Mallya, in an interview with Ashwini Phadnis of the Hindu Business Line claims it is “Taxes, not over-capacity, that is killing the Indian civil aviation sector”. The business logic to Dr. Mallya’s statement is to reduce fares by reducing the ridiculous taxation structure on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which ensures…