USDOT fines US Airways $1.2m for failure to provide wheelchair assistance

By BA Staff The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined US Airways $1.2 million for failing to provide adequate wheelchair assistance to passengers in Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C. The fine is one of the largest ever assessed by DOT in a disability case. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: “All air travelers deserve to be…

Tata-SIA joint venture receives FIPB approval

by Devesh Agarwal Photo © Devesh Agarwal The joint venture of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Tata Sons, Tata SIA Airlines Ltd., to set up a full service airline, has won approval from India’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). The company has an initial capital outlay of $100 million with Tatas holding 51% and Singapore Airlines…

Bangalore airport shut down as IndiGo flight veers off runway

by Devesh Agarwal IndiGo Airbus A320 VT-IGV at Bengaluru International Airport. Photo copyright Vedant Agarwal. Used with permission. At approximately 20:10 (14:40Z), an IndiGo Airbus A320-232 registration VT-IGV performing flight 6E-125 from New Delhi to Bangalore, with 110 passengers and six crew (two pilots, four cabin crew), veered off the runway 27 while attempting to…

India succesfully addresses ICAO’s safety concerns

by BA Staff The Press Information Bureau, Government of India reports, The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) validation team submitted its report and recommendations to ICAO headquarters for the review by the ICAO SSC Validation Committee. ICAO has conveyed that corrective action taken by India have successfully addressed and resolved two Significant Safety Concerns (SSC)…

Analysis: Jet Airways to withdraw from Bhubaneswar

by Vinay Bhaskara According to several reports, Mumbai-based full service carrier Jet Airways is planning on pulling out from Bhubaneswar from the Winter 2013/14 season. Inventory has been zeroed out from 27th October onwards and flights to and from Bhubaneswar are no longer bookable on jetairways.com. Additionally, sources are saying that Jet Airways has not…

Boeing to begin modifying 787s for return to service

Boeing image Today’s approval of battery system improvements for the 787 Dreamliner by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clears the way for Boeing and its customers to install the approved modifications and will lead to a return to service and resumption of new production deliveries. The FAA’s action will permit the return to service…

Guest Post: India scraps Aircraft Acquisition Committee

by Ashwin Jadhav The aircraft acquisition process for airlines in India The Indian government has scrapped its aircraft acquisition committee (AAC), meaning domestic airlines will find it easier to import aircraft. After allowing 49% FDI (foreign direct investment) by foreign airlines, in the Indian airline sector, the government last week moved a step closer to…