5 minute read
Aviation
Singapore Airlines plans to reintroduce flights to Vancouver, after a 12-year absence, only this time the flights will be non-stop to the airline's home base. The airline had flown thrice weekly between Singapore and Vancouver, using Seoul, Korea, as a stop-over. In 2007, it asked the Canadian government for permission to fly that route daily, but because of the two countries' air agreement, domestic airlines had to agree to give Singapore Airlines that permission. Air Canada rejected the request because Singapore Airlines' extra flights on the Vancouver-Seoul leg of the journey would have cut into Air Canada's business, Air Canada confirmed to BIV in 2013. Singapore Airlines was permitted to fly daily flights non-stop between Singapore and Vancouver, but the airline did not deem that a viable route in 2009, when the world was also recovering from the global economic crisis.
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IndiGo expands regional presence, commences six new flights from Indore
In-line with its vision to strengthen regional connectivity, IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, commenced its new direct flights from Indore to Prayagraj, Jodhpur, and Surat, effective October 31, 2021. The new route was inaugurated with lamp lighting at the Indore airport as well as Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi. The ceremony was graced by Honourable Union Minister for Civil Aviation – ShriJyotiradityaScindia (virtually), Honourable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh - ShriShivraj Singh Chouhan (virtually-TBC), and other eminent dignitaries from Indore at the airport. The addition of routes from Indore is a part of IndiGo’s strategy to enhance connectivity to central India. IndiGo operates a total of 604 weekly flights from Madhya Pradesh, including connections from destinations like Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior.
SpiceJet cuts weekly domestic flights by 31%
Flybig announces new sector between Lilabari and Guwahati
SpiceJet has decreased its domestic services by 31% to 2,995 weekly flights in the upcoming winter schedule as compared to 4,316 weekly flights that it got approved for the winter schedule of 2019, the aviation regulator DGCA said. Meanwhile, Vistara, another private carrier, has increased its domestic services by 22 per cent to 1,675 weekly flights as compared to 1,376 weekly flights for 2019 winter schedule, the regulator added. The winter schedule begins on October 31 of a year and ends on March 26 next year. Overall, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved 22,287 weekly domestic flights of Indian carriers for the winter schedule of 2021.
Newly scheduled regional commuter Airline flybig, North East India’s biggest Airline, has announced that it will provide direct connectivity between Lilabari and Guwahati from 4 th November 2021, every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at an attractive all- inclusive low fare of Rs 999/-. The airline also announced that from 1stNovember, 2021 onwards, it will now operate its Guwahati and Agartala flights, twice a day every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.While speaking about the tie up Captain Sanjay Mandavia, CEO, flybig said, “We are the only Airline that has its base in Guwahati. We are commencing operations from 4thNovember 2021 for Lilabari and Guwahati and will be soon connecting the entire North East at super affordable rates helping boost Tourism in the region”.
Vistara and Lufthansa enter Frequent Flyer Partnership
Vistara has announced a reciprocal partnership for its frequent flyer program, Club Vistara (CV), with Lufthansa’s Miles & More frequent flyer program. The partnership enables Club Vistara members to earn and redeem CV Points on flights operated and marketed by Lufthansa, covering an extensive network of nearly 200 destinations across the world. Reciprocally, Miles & More members will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Vistara. The partnership agreement comes into effect on October 27, 2021. “We are delighted to extend our strong partnership with Lufthansa and bring synergies between our respective frequent flyer programs. I am confident that this will enable us to provide greater value and convenience to our Club Vistara members on their travels across the world. We are also equally excited to welcome Miles & More members and provide them a consistent, world-class flying experience when they fly ‘India’s best airline’,” VinodKannan, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara said.
Singapore Airlines unveils allnew narrowbody aircraft cabin products
Singapore Airlines (SIA) launched its highly-anticipated new cabin products, which will be rolled out on its Boeing 737-8 fleet in the coming weeks. This elevates the customer experience on board the Airline’s narrowbody aircraft fleet to a level similar to its widebody aircraft, offering a consistent and premium travel journey across the entire Singapore Airlines network. All of SIA’s 737-8 aircraft will have 154 seats in two classes, 10 in Business Class and 144 in Economy Class, with new cabin products featuring bespoke elements that have been designed especially for the SIA customer. The lie-flat Business Class seats have been designed by London-based Factory design, and manufactured for Singapore Airlines by Thompson Aero Seating. The Economy Class cabin will feature the latest generation sleek and slimline seats, which have been built by Collins Aerospace. The 737-8 cabin has been designed with a special focus on ergonomics, helping to ensure that everything is within easy reach for customers.
Cathay Pacific becomes a founding member of the ACT
Cathay Pacific together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and other airline leaders announced the formation of the Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT), a new non-profit organisation founded to tackle the challenge of eliminating carbon emissions in aviation through innovation and collaboration. Cathay Pacific has pioneered efforts in decarbonisation technologies over the years. It became the first airline investor of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) developer Fulcrum BioEnergy in 2014, and recently committed to using SAF for 10% of its total fuel consumption by 2030. This crosssector partnership will contribute to the airline’s ongoing decarbonisation efforts and commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Go first becomes first airline to introduce direct service from Srinagar to Sharjah
GO FIRST (formerly known as GoAir), achieved a milestone in Jammu & Kashmir by becoming the first airline to start direct international connection and direct international cargo operations from Srinagar, thus strengthening its expanding international network. Operated by an Airbus A320neo, the maiden GO FIRST flight G8 1595 departed Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar at 18:00 hours and arrived in Sharjah at 21:00 hours. GO FIRST will operate four flights every week between Srinagar and Sharjah.The inaugural flight was flagged off by Hon’ble Home Minister, Respected Shri. Amit Shah from the Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar with a full complement of passengers in presence of Hon’able Lt Governor Mr. Manoj Sinha and other dignitaries. Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia has conveyed his presence through online presence from New Delhi.
