JOB OPENINGS FOR AME’s

Walk-in for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Fresher (AME – Mechanical Only) at Hyderabad on 11th October 2014 (Saturday).

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEER (AME – Mechanical only)

(Job Code: IN10092014115808) 

Qualification       :   Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME – Mechanical Only)  2012 / 2013 Pass outs only. AME professionals specialized in Mechanical and who have completed a minimum of 2 papers (CAR, Engineering Practices and any of HA, JE, LA and CP)

Job location        :   Hyderabad

You may contact: Ramakrishna Koganti for more information. Extension: 3388

Walk-in Details

Venue:

Cyient Limited,

Plot No. 2, IT Park,

Nanakramguda, Manikonda,

Hyderabad - 500 032

Phone No.67489000

Date:  11^th October 2014 (Saturday)

Time: 09:00 AM to 11:00AM 

Note: Candidates who have attended interview with Cyient in the past 6 months are not eligible.

BE/B.Tech, ME M.Tech (Avionics or Mechanical) are not eligible. 

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Capt Mamtha .Eenadu article on Aviation 30/03/2014

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AirAsia India closer to launch, gets first Airbus A-320

AirAsia India closer to launch, gets first Airbus A-320PTI    Chennai   Last Updated: March 22, 2014  | 15:34 IST

First aircraft of AirAsia India lands in Chennai

Inching closer to launch its operations, new no-frill carrier AirAsia India on Saturday took delivery of its first Airbus A-320 as it landed in Chennai after flying in from Toulouse headquarters of the European aircraft manufacturer.

"Great news! India's latest airline, AirAsia India, has taken delivery of its first A-320 equipped with Sharklets," Airbus tweeted with a picture of the jet painted red and the name of the airline written in white.

Sharklets are the folded wing tips that helps an aircraft to glide smoothly, thereby reducing fuel burn and emission.

However, the no-frill carrier, a joint venture between Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd, Tata Sons Ltd and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace Pvt Ltd, is still awaiting a flying license from aviation regulator DGCA.

The A-320, bearing call-sign VT-ATF, landed in Chennai, where the headquarters of AirAsia India is located, at around 0930 hours this morning. The plane, configured in an all-economy layout with 180 seats, was greeted with a water cannon salute as it taxied on the runway, an airline statement said.

"AirAsia India family takes immense pride in welcoming home it's first aircraft which has just rolled of the manufacturing line from Toulouse", AirAsia India's CEO Mittu Chandilya said.

"The arrival of our first A320 signifies that we are a step closer to our dream to create a new benchmark in the low-cost air travel category", he said.

Earlier in a tweet on the microblogging site, he had said, "Our first iron bird just left Toulouse to come home to India. Can't wait to revolutionise Indian aviation."

AirAsia India was granted in-principle approval for the import of ten A320-200 aircraft in December last year. It plans to operate a fleet of A320-200 aircraft, initially with 4-5 planes and quickly expand it to ten within a year.

In April last year, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board had approved the $30 million deal to launch AirAsia India, which received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Civil Aviation Ministry a few months later.

AirAsia India's entry is expected to intensify competition in the Indian aviation industry, with the new entrant likely to offer low fares to undercut other airlines.

Malaysian carrier AirAsia's group CEO Tony Fernandes said in a tweet: "Airasia India first aircraft arrives in India. In Chennai. Wow. Still a bit to do bit on the final straight."

Last month, the DGCA had dismissed a collective objection by private airlines like IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir, to the grant of a licence to AirAsia India.

They had argued that a September 2012 policy change allowing foreign airlines to invest in local airlines was applicable only to existing airlines and not new ones.

DGCA had set up a three-member committee to examine the objections and concluded that it found "no reasons to put on hold the processing of the application of M/s Air Asia (India) Pvt Ltd for issuance of Air Operator Permit".

In an order, DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar had said "in view of the above, it is decided to consider the application of M/s. Air Asia (India) Pvt Ltd, for issuance of Air Operator's Permit subject to compliance of various requirements" under the law and procedures.

It had also held that in view of the rapid growth of the civil aviation sector, there was "a strong need" to facilitate air traffic by encouraging the existing airlines as well as allowing new entrants so that Indian travellers could avail optimum availability of air traffic services at reasonably affordable tariffs.

DGCA had sent a team of its officers to Malaysia few weeks ago to inspect and certify facilities where the start-up carrier is training its cockpit and cabin crew.

AirAsia India, which is using the training facilities of its parent airline AirAsia in Malaysia, plans to set up similar facilities in India in the coming years, airline sources had said earlier.

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Air passenger traffic grows 1.10 per cent in FebruaryIANS

Air passenger traffic grows 1.10 per cent in FebruaryIANS    New Delhi   Last Updated: March 15, 2014  | 09:39 IST

Air passenger traffic grows 1.10 per cent in February

Domestic air passenger traffic rose 1.10 per cent in February to 49.46 lakh passengers -- up from 48.92 lakh ferried during the corresponding month last year, data showed on Friday.

According to data furnished by the civil aviation ministry, passengers carried by domestic airlines during January-February, 2014 was up 0.69 per cent at 100.93 lakh from 100.24 lakh passengers in the corresponding period of last year.

Budget carrier GoAir achieved the highest overall occupancy in the month under review at 77.3 per cent, followed by JetLite at 76.4 per cent, IndiGo at 75.5 per cent, Air India's domestic operations at 75.1 per cent, Jet Airways at 72.3 per cent and newly formed Air Costa at 71.6 per cent.

The data also showed that low cost carrier (LCC) SpiceJet had the highest cancellation rate of 1.5 per cent followed by GoAir at 1.3 per cent, Jet Airways at 1.3 per cent, Air India's domestic operations at 1.2 per cent, JetLite at 0.7 per cent and IndiGo at 0.5 per cent.

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International Women's day: Jet offers 10% discount.

International Women's day: Jet offers 10% discount,

 AI considers all-women crew flightPTI    Mumbai   Last Updated: March 7, 2014  | 18:57 IST

International Women's day: Jet offers discount for two months
Domestic airlines are wooing women travellers with discounts and an-all-women crew flights to mark the International Women's Day which falls on Saturday.
While private carrier Jet Airways has announced discounted tickets with a two months booking window and 11 months validity, budget carrier Goair has offered upgrade to business class at low prices.
The national carrier Air India is considering an all-women crew flight.
Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways has offered discounted fares to women travellers with a two-month booking period, starting from Saturday.
Under the offer, women travellers will get a special 10 per cent discount on base fares for international journey and a similar discount on base fare and fuel surcharge for domestic travel, it said today.
All tickets, for both domestic and international travel, must be booked online between March 8, 2014 and May 8, 2014, with travel validity of 11 months, Jet Airways said adding the offer is applicable for both Jet Airways and Jet Konnect.
Air India, which has been operating an all-women crew flight to mark the International Women's Day for last few years now, plans a similar flight this year too.
"We have been operating such flights for the last several years. And this year also, we will be operating flights with all-women crew on both international and domestic sectors," an Air India official said.
Such move sends out a strong message that women are no different from the men when it comes to the tough job of flying, the official said.
For more news from Business Today, follow us on Twitter @bt_india and on Facebook at facebook.com/BusinessToday

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TATA AEROSPACE RECRUITMENT DRIVE at FLYTECH AVIATION ACADEMY HYDERABAD

TATA AEROSPACE RECRUITMENT DRIVE

TASL, located at Adibatla Hyderabad, does aero-structures assembly for Helicopter and Aircraft, for US based customers.

TASL is conducting CAMPUS RECRUITMENT DRIVE AT FLYTECH AVIAINTION ACADEMY

DATE:                                    21 March 2014

VENUE :                                 Flytech Aviation Academy

        Ame Institute Campus, Opp Nadergul Arfield

                                     Hyderebad

  

QUALIFICATION :               Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Mechanical                                                                                                                         (only).

      Paper 1 and 2 compulsory.

      Age less than 28 years.

      Candidates should be able to join us within 1 month

      (Candidates from previous batches are also most             welcome to apply).

Interested / eligible candidates may send a detailed resume’ with photograph, your email / phone contact details. The resume should consist details like

a)    Dates of AME course (5 semesters) attended

b)   Dates and organization of OJT attended

c)    C of C issue date

d)    Details of DGCA Papers passed, if any

e)    Job experience, if any.

f)     Computer No.

g)    Passport Details

You may contact the below:

ci@flytechaviation.aero, tvr175@rediffmail.com

Contact person : Mr T Venkat Reddy

Ph:  040-32400833/09347032099

Last date for sending in your details to above mentioned email ID is 11^th MARCH 2014.

Wish you All the best.

Regards,

Flytech Team.

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AirAsia-Tata SIA unlikely to take flight anytime soon

AirAsia-Tata SIA unlikely to take flight anytime soon
New Delhi: 

Tata Sons’ two airline ventures with Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia Berhad and Singapore Airlines are unlikely to take flight anytime soon with both start-ups embroiled in securing regulatory clearances.
While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is yet to issue an Air Operator’s Permit (AOP) to AirAsia India, applications are pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for according security clearance to three directors on board of Tata-SIA – Prasad Menon, Mukund Rajan and Mak Swee Wah. Tata-SIA had applied for a no-objection certificate to the ministry of civil aviation in the last week of December 2013. MoCA had consequently forwarded applications for security clearances to MHA.
Tata-SIA has finalized a project team to lead India operations which would include Phee Teik Yeoh (divisional vice-president, IT, SIA) and former GM India Glamming Toh, but recruitments are yet to be made for pilots and other employees. A spokesperson at Tata-SIA said, “It usually takes up to two months from the time of application to get approval from the ministry. Only after we receive a NOC, can we go begin processes for importing aircraft. We are interviewing pilots and other employees but have not hired anyone. Recruiting people at this point of time will only add to our payrolls.”
20/02/14 Sharmistha Mukherjee/Business Standard.

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India must review its aircraft tax policy: Bombardier

India must review its aircraft tax policy: Bombardier




Canadian aviation company Bombardier has said India should review its high fuel costs and aircraft tax policy to make it viable for small airlines to operate in the country.
"India has the highest fuel cost and taxes in the world and if not it is among the top two or three" which hits the profitability of smaller airlines, said Torbjorn Karisson, Bombardier's Vice President forCommercial Aircraft Sales in Asia Pacific.
Expressing concern over operations of smaller airlines in India, Karisson said such airlines faced many challenges in the country. He noted that the current system imposes additional tax on aircraft which has more than 76 seats.
Karisson said the new planes were especially designed with additional seats for fuel efficiency and profitability by aircraft manufacturers, considering the need of smaller and start-up airlines.
India would need to review taxes and allow smaller airlines to operate planes with seat capacity between 29 to 149 passengers, Karisson told PTI at the Singapore Airshow.
People from the cities are going back to their homes during long festival holidays by travelling on airlines rather than spent days in rails, he observed. Travelling was no longer for the rich as average working class people were making cost effective use of their travel time, Karisson argued.
This would also mean more opportunities for airlines in the second and third tier cities and suppliers of smaller planes, said Karisson.
"What we are seeing in India is that people are valuing time more. This is also a general trend in Asia," he said.
Karisson was optimistic of Bombardier's prospects in India, saying it would aim to capture a significant share of the 600 small aircraft required by the country over the next 20 years, especially catering to the smaller tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
Bombardier has over 40 aircraft and business jets operating in India.
Though he did not give a country breakdown of the Bombardier share in the Indian market, he was quick to point out that the Canadian group had 50 per cent of smaller aircraft and business jet shares globally.
"Indian has been a very good and long-term market for us," he said.
Spicejet was currently Bombardier's largest customer in India with 15 aircraft, each of 86-seat capacity. "We expect SpiceJet to take the original plus 15 planes delivery as there is a need for that," Karisson said.

India must review its aircraft tax policy: Bombardier Gurdip Singh    Singapore   Last Updated: February 14, 2014  | 15:46 IST

(PTI)

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Loan interest subsidy to benefit 9 lakh students

Loan interest subsidy to benefit 9 lakh students

MUMBAI: In order to woo the youth, keeping in mind the upcoming general elections, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has proposed to provide interest subsidy on outstanding education loans sanctioned before March 2009.

"The government will pay the outstanding interest till December 2013 on such loans," said Chidambaram, adding that the borrower would have to pay interest for the period after January 2014. The scheme is expected to benefit around 9 lakh students and cost Rs 2,600 crore to the exchequer.

"It is a welcome step and will immensely help those students who are finding it difficult to service their loans. Since the amount has been allocated in this fiscal itself, we will be deploying it as soon it is made available to us," said Canara BankBSE 1.95 % chairman and managing director, RK Dubey. The bank is the designated banker for the Central Scheme for Interest Subsidy (CSIS).

"It will particularly be beneficial for students at a time when the economy and the job market are slow," said Rakesh Sethi, ED, Union Bank. The interest rate subsidy for the moratorium period is applicable only to a maximum loan amount of Rs 10 lakh and for families with income of up to Rs 4.5 lakh per annum.

Typically, in education loans, the moratorium or breather period for non-payment is the duration of the course plus 1 year, or 6 months after getting a job, whichever is earlier. Full interest subsidy is available for the period of the moratorium. Earlier this was applicable for the loan amount availed from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 (academic year 2009-10).

By Dheeraj Tiwari & Rica Bhattacharyya, ET Bureau | 18 Feb, 2014, 04.00AM IST

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IndiGo launches six new flightsPTI Chennai Last Updated: January 31, 2014 | 17:44 IST TAGS: indigo flights | indigo | Airbus A320 Aircraft | IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh

IndiGo launches six new flightsPTI    Chennai   Last Updated: January 31, 2014  | 17:44 IST
TAGS: indigo flights | indigo | Airbus A320 Aircraft | IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh

IndiGo launches six new flights
An IndiGo Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft parked at a gate at Mumbai's Chhatrapathi Shivaji International Airport . Reuters.
Low-cost airliner IndiGo has introduced six new flights on its route connecting various destinations with effect from February 1.

The daily schedule would witness addition of a new non- stop flight between Delhi and Bagdogra, non-stop flight between Kolkata and Bagdogra and Bangaluru-Chennai, non-stop flight between Chennai-Kolkata, ninth non-stop flight between Mumbai-Bangalore and one stop flight between Chennai and Bagdogra via Kolkata, IndiGo said in a statement.

With a fleet of 74 new Airbus A320 Aircraft, the airliner operates 458 flights connecting 35 destinations across the globe, it said.

"With the increased flow of tourist and business traffic to and from the six cities,we are providing our passengers the opportunity to experience hassle-free and on-time performance that IndiGo is synonymous with," IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh said.
For more news from Business Today, follow us on Twitter @bt_india and on Facebook at facebook.com/BusinessToday

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Air Costa Signs For Up to 100 Embraer E-Jet E2s

Friday, February 14, 2014
Air Costa Signs For Up to 100 Embraer E-Jet E2s

Singapore: Embraer took a giant step toward boosting its modest presence in the South Asian market at the Singapore Airshow on Thursday with a firm order for 50 E-Jet E2s and purchase rights on another 50 from Indian regional carrier Air Costa. The order calls for delivery of a mix of 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s worth $2.94 billion at list prices. If Air Costa exercises its purchase rights for 25 more of each of the models, the value of the transaction will rise to $5.88 billion.

Now flying a pair of E170s to six cities, Air Costa has registered an average load factor of 74 percent since it launched operations in October. It expects to take delivery of two E190s leased from GECAS this month, then another Embraer E-Jet every quarter starting in July until it takes its first E190-E2 in the first half of 2018. Plans call for delivery of the first E195-E2 a year later.
14/02/14 Gregory Polek/AINonline.

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Vacancies at GoAir, Jet Airways, Air India

February 8, 2014

The walk-in interviews being conducted by GoAir and Jet Airways to recruit cabin crew continue at different locations. And the airlines are looking for candidates to fill other vacancies too. 

GoAir

Walk-in Interviews to Recruit Female Cabin Crew
Freshers and those with flying experience (less than 4 years) can apply. Inflight Managers (IFMs) too will be recruited.
Walk-in interviews will be conducted on 13 of February, between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM at Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, New Delhi. Address: C-12, 2nd Floor, Vishal Enclave,
Opp. Metro Pillar No. 414, Rajouri Garden,Tagore Garden Extension, New Delhi 110027
On 14th of February, the walk-in will be at Chennai Aptech Aviation Academy (Address: 50/30, 1st Floor, Arihant VTN Complex, North Usman Road, Near Tanishq Jewellery, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600017) between 09:00 AM and 10:30 AM on February 14 to select
On February 17, the interviews will be in Bangalore, at Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, Infantry Road. Address is: B – 16 – 18, 66, Gem Plaza, Infantry Road, Near-Sangeet Theatre, Shivaji Nagar, Infantry Rd, Tasker Town, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore 560001
See the details here
Other vacancies at GoAir:

• SEP Instructor
• Assistant Manager – Catering
• Catering Executive – New Delhi
• Airport Manager-Bengaluru 
• Manager/ Assistant Manager – Rostering

Please visit the career page of the airline for full details.

Jet Airways

Cabin Crew Walk in Interviews (Male & Female):

Venue details:

CITY	INTERVIEW DATE	TIME (HRS)	VENUE
Bengaluru	February 22, 2014	1000 hrs to 1400 hrs	Jet Airways (I) Limited, 1-4, M-Block, Unity Building, J.C. Road, Near Corporation Circle, Bengaluru-560002.
Kolkata	February 22, 2014	1000 hrs to 1400 hrs	New Link Building, 1st Floor, Domestic Terminal,(Opposite Cafe Coffee Day) NSCBI Airport, Kolkata-700052.

See the details here in the airlines website

 Air India

Air India is looking for Ramp Service Agent// Ramp Service Agent(LG)/Utility Agent cum Ramp Driver at Mumbai Airport and Junior Customer Agent/Utility Agent cum Ramp Driver at Kolkata Airport.  The last date of applications are February 18 & February 22, respectively. For details, visit the airlines website.

- See more at: http://www.indianaviationnews.net/careers/2014/02/vacancies-at-goair-jet-airways-air-india.html#sthash.3oI2QIdk.dpuf

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Demand for aviation training shoots up

Bhubaneswar: Youngsters in the city are pursuing dreams of finding jobs in the aviation sector.
Besides jobs as airhostesses and in-cabin crew, the young boys and girls are looking for ways to find jobs as ground staff.

Sources said aviation and hospitality training institutes are flooded with applications from youths belonging to various economic sections.

Sources said once international operations start here, various airlines would require about 80-100 additional ground staff, who will be mainly engaged as guest relations executives, ticketing and security managers besides other ground duties. As far as in-flight staff is concerned, an estimated 30-40 personnel would be required.

Biju Patnaik Airport received international status on October 30.
10/12/13 Riyan Ramanath V/Times of India

December 13, 2013

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A Salute to his passion: Poor tailor’s son becomes pilot in Punjab

Chandiagrh/Jalandhar: Nothing more than a salute is what this boy deserves for dreaming about becoming a pilot in the circumstances, where making two-ends-meet involved considerable hardships on a daily basis, for his father, who is a tailor by profession.

However, he dreamed and dreamed big, and after struggle of four-long-years, Manoj hailing from Amritsar, finally accomplished his dream.

In the year 2003, in an entrance test organized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for obtaining private pilot license, out of the 40 students selected from across the country, he was the only candidate representing Punjab.

After two years of rigorous training in Amritsar, Manoj obtained a flying experience of 48 hours. However, he required Rs. 25 lakh more to complete further training, but in wake of pitiable financial condition of his party, he gave up the dream.

Finally, in the year 2009, he received the required amount from Centre after applying for Post-Matric-Scholarship in the year 2008. And, now his parents can finally see their son guiding planes through the skies of the country and abroad.


February 5, 2014

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Emerging careers in the aerospace industry

Pritam Bhavnani, president, Honeywell Aerospace talks about emerging career opportunities within the Indian aerospace industry. Honeywell’s Aero Club initiative provides training to students who are looking to pursue a career in aerospace about the fundamentals of flying and aerospace modelling.

Which are the career opportunities in the Indian aerospace industry?

Students could look at training to join a cabin crew or become an aircraft maintenance engineer.

For those not that keen on flying, there is always a need for ground staff, ticketing agents, airport management, security or customer service.

In the defense aviation sector, outside of pilot opportunities, students can look into fields such as structural engineering, electrical technology, field service engineering, air combat officer training, technical support engineering, supply chain management, technical instruction and project engineering.

There is also ample opportunity as an aviation corps officer, aircraft life support fitter, air warfare officer, avionics technician, machinist, parachute jump instructor and safety and service technician.

Apart from these, there are careers on the safety side that candidates could consider. For instance one could explore a profession as an air traffic controller, who is responsible for the overall safety and efficient flow of air traffic.

February 5, 2014

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Jobs aplenty in aviation sector

Mumbai: The skill gaps in the Indian aviation industry, which is the ninth largest market in the world and will be the third largest by 2020, is sought to be bridged by the Indian Institute of Aerospace Engineering and

Management under the auspices of the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries.
It will take expert assistance from organisations like HAL, NAL, DRDO, ISRO, AAI, Air India, BIAL, private carriers and many leading aerospace organisations said Dr N.G.R. Iyengar director IIAEM. He is also provice chancellor of Jain University that has designed and has just started offering MBA-aviation business management courses.

Dr Iyengar said aviation business management could become a lucrative career for Indian students but there are not enough or good courses available.

They are making a small beginning because whether in the aviation or the arms industry or in managing the business jet fleets of Indian’s growing number of billionaires, the job opportunities would be tremendous in the next 10 years.

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Etihad Airways promises red carpet welcome to Air India pilots with double salaries and perks

Mumbai: Air India Boeing 777 pilots are most happy with the Jet-Etihad deal. For, they are suddenly in demand.
Last week, Etihad Airways emailed Air India pilots individually, promising them a red-carpet welcome with tempting salaries and compensations that are hard to refuse. AI pilots who have been complaining of salary cuts for the past year or so are more than glad to accept the offer.

“Etihad Airways invited us through personalised emails. The vacancies are for Indian pilot licence holders with experience of flying Boeing 777 aircraft,” a senior AI pilot said.

Only Air India and Jet Airways so far operate Boeing 777 aircraft in the country. At least 10 AI pilots have confirmed that they would join the Etihad Airways. They will be based in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad airways needs 50-70 pilots for ultra-long haul flights, specially to the US, Canada and other places as it will be adding over seven Boeing 777 aircraft by April next year.

Etihad has offered a monthly compensation of nearly Rs10 lakh (tax free) to a commander level pilot. In Air India, the package is Rs5 lakh (taxable).

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Demand for aviation training shoots up

Bhubaneswar: Youngsters in the city are pursuing dreams of finding jobs in the aviation sector.
Besides jobs as airhostesses and in-cabin crew, the young boys and girls are looking for ways to find jobs as ground staff.

Sources said aviation and hospitality training institutes are flooded with applications from youths belonging to various economic sections.

Sources said once international operations start here, various airlines would require about 80-100 additional ground staff, who will be mainly engaged as guest relations executives, ticketing and security managers besides other ground duties. As far as in-flight staff is concerned, an estimated 30-40 personnel would be required.

Biju Patnaik Airport received international status on October 30.

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Mahindra Aerospace to spread wings with small aircraft

Melbourne facility. The company is confident of selling at least 25 aircraft annually, a top official said.

“More than six months ago, we applied to DGCA for approval to fly eight-seater aircraft. They have allowed flying of only five members on board. Already, 32 countries have certified this aircraft,” said Hemant Luthra, president of Mahindra Systech and member of the group executive board of M&M Ltd.

Mahindra Systech, a division of the $16.2-billion Mahindra Group, is a ‘design to delivery’ supplier of comprehensive component products and engineering services.

Mahindra’s utility aircraft business is sold in 32 countries. Apart from making the GA8, it is developing the GA10, a 10-seat turboprop derivative, for market entry in 2014.

The company is also awaiting FAR23 certification, allowing it to become a Tier-1 supplier of components and aerostructures to original equipment makers (OEMs). The company is currently classified as a Tier-2 supplier of components and aerostructures.

Spanish collaborator
Besides supplying parts to its own facility in Australia, the company will supply these to Aernnova Group of Spain. Mahindra Aerospace on Monday announced the signing of a technology partnership with Aernnova, a Tier-1 supplier of aerostructures.

Under the partnership, Aernnova has taken a 24 per cent stake in Mahindra Aerostructures, a company under the fold of Mahindra Aerospace, for Rs 48 crore. Aernnova would provide training and transfer technology to Mahindra; the two would work together to develop capabilities and meet market demand.

“Our vision is to become a very robust part of the global aerospace supply chain for OEMs in the next few years. We have capacity to make utility aircraft and we want to become a major player in the global aerospace industry,” said Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra.

New facility
Mahindra Group also inaugurated their new facility to manufacture aerostructures and components at Narasapura, about 55 km from here. It has invested Rs 150 crore on the new facility, which will start with the manufacture of aerostructures to be supplied to Gipps Aero, based in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley in Australia. Mahindra Group acquired Gipps Aero about three years earlier.

“This is our first step towards becoming a Tier-I supplier to OEMs. Simultaneously, we are going acquire capabilities to manufacture utility aircraft at our facility near Bangalore. In the next two years, we intend to build the capability to manufacture the eight-seater aircraft currently made in our Australian facility,” Luthra told Business Standard.

He said once the DGCA approval comes, the company would commence sales. “If things go as planned we should be able to shift the manufacture of the eight-seater aircraft to Bangalore from Australia. Te Australian subsidiary will focus on GA10 and GA18 aircraft," he said.

The new facility near this city has the capacity to deliver about Rs 250 crore in annual revenue in the next three to four years. Initially, the company plans to commence manufacturing activities with smaller parts and sub-assemblies, and then move to larger and more complex ones.

IN EXPANSION MODE

* Mahindra Systech, a division of the $16.2-billion Mahindra Group, is a supplier of comprehensive component products and engineering services

* Mahindra’s utility aircraft business is sold in over 32 countries

* Besides supplying parts to its own facility in Australia, the company will supply these to Aernnova Group of Spain

* The company is awaiting FAR23 certification,  to become a Tier-1 supplier of components and aerostructures to original equipment makers

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VAT relief for aviation sector

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: The state cabinet today gave its nod to the reduction of value added tax (VAT) on the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from the current 20 per cent to 5 per cent to ensure growth of aviation sector.

The move is expected to woo airlines operators to start international flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport.

Chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra said: “Biju Patnaik International Airport has become ready to handle international flights. If VAT on aviation fuel is reduced, it would attract commercial airlines to operate international flights from Bhubaneswar.”

                                                                             Chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra

The reduction of VAT on the ATF will not only boost air connectivity, but also make the city airport an international hub for re-fuelling. It may also add to the development of a cargo terminal. The Telegraph carried several reports on ATF in the past.

Airport director Sharad Kumar said: “The decision will boost the air connectivity as Indigo has already shown interest to add four more flights to the city. They will connect Bangalore, Delhi, Calcutta and Mumbai. Similarly, Spicejet and GoAir are also keen to add the city as their destination shortly.”

With the slashing of VAT on the ATF, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also ready to waive night parking fees for flights. This will ensure that more morning flights from the city will be available, so that people can start from city as early as 7.30am.

At present, the state gets annual revenue of Rs 27 crore. “It is not the question of how much revenue we lose if waive the VAT on the aviation fuel. If we get more international flights, we can earn more revenue from tourism,” Mohapatra said.

The chief secretary met various airlines operators in New Delhi yesterday to connect Bhubaneswar with south and south-east Asia and the middle east. Fly Dubai and Air Arabia have also expressed their interest to start international operations.

The state government also decided to launch “Sabuja Odisha” (green Odisha) to increase green cover in the state. Around 44.52 crore seedlings will be planted under the scheme to raise the green cover.

The cabinet also decided to launch a Rs 1,000crore scheme to provide water through canals to farmers at the tail end of the channel.

The chief secretary said: “We have earmarked Rs 438.20 crore to continue the plantation programme to have nearly 44 crore seedlings within a span of four years. Out of this seedlings, 15.60 crore seedlings will be distributed to the public.”

Govt to recruit docs, medical officers

The state government has sought to speed up the recruitment process for medical officers and doctors in periphery cadres through introduction of an entrance test. Personal interviews, which were in practice till now and carried 10 per cent weightage, shall be discontinued.

The cabinet today approved these amendments to the Odisha Medical and Health Service Rule, which include 70 per cent weightage on marks secured in entrance test and 30 per cent on academic career. This would ensure selection of meritorious and quality candidates for appointment to medical and health services cadre, said an official.

“Selection will now be held based on performances in the written test and marks secured in Class X, Plus Two and MBBS or postgraduate levels. Once it receives the governor’s assent, we will notify the vacancies and the Odisha Public Service Commission would conduct the recruitment procedure,” said health secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.

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Dreamliner now faces cold blues

New Delhi: After overheating, the Boeing-787 Dreamliner aircraft of Air India and other airlines is now facing cold-related issues in Delhi.
Japan Airlines (JAL) will, from Monday, stop using the Dreamliner on the Delhi-Tokyo route and replace it with the Boeing-777 after being warned of ice crystals forming on the aircraft's General Electric (GE) engines.
A senior JAL official said: "The engine manufacturer (GE) has said that engines being used on the Dreamliner and Boeing 747-8 series flying over 30,000 feet may see ice crystal icing (ICI) formation when the aircraft gets in contact with cumulonimbus clouds. Aircraft have been asked to divert from the flight path to be at least 80 to 90 km away from such clouds. On the Delhi-Narita (Tokyo airport) route, we do not have the permission to divert so much. "
Moreover, the aviation regulator has said that Air India is now unlikely to get permission to use the plane in dense fog using instrument landing system category-III. AI's B-787s may at best be certified for use in Cat-II or shallow fog this winter.
28/11/13 Saurabh SInha/Times of India

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