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.
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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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