Lost luggage? New Apple feature will let you share bag location with airlines
Apple's new Share Item Location feature allows users to share AirTag locations with airlines, enhancing lost luggage recovery. Major airlines are adopting this to improve baggage tracking. Key Points
India TodaySupply constraints are airlines’ Achilles heel
The number of domestic air passengers rose by a mere 1% year-on-year in February (adjusted for the extra day this leap year), the slowest growth in the past 24 months. But there are signs that this will pick up. Key Points
mintDGCA says no to any extension in pilot duty hour rule
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has declined to extend the deadline for implementing new pilot duty hours beyond June 1st. airlines are instructed to prepare for the implementation of revised norms and have their new pilot flight duty schedules approved by April 15th. Key Points
Economic TimesAirports in India are posh and plush. So why are they stingy with basics like wheelchairs?
Airlines can take seat cushions out to run budget carriers, not critical support. Wheelchairs are critical. Key Points
ThePrintAlaska airlines has begun flying Boeing Max 9 jetliners again for the first time Friday
Alaska airlines has resumed flying Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners after a panel blew out of one of its planes. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the inspection and maintenance process to return the planes to flying. Technicians at Alaska began inspections that night and expect to complete them by the end of next week. Key Points
Economic Times
No-frills flying emerges as air travel’s painful, greener future
With global air travel almost completely recovered from the pandemic, cutting emissions is once again the industrys No. 1 challenge. Key Points
Economic TimesFocus on efficiency or you will lose customers: Jytoriaditya Scindia warns airline CEOs after fog fiasco
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has warned airlines to enhance efficiency or risk losing customers. During a meeting with airline CEOs, Scindia emphasized the need for growth without compromising efficiency. The minister's comments follow significant disruptions at Delhi Airport due to severe fog, causing delays for over 500 flights. Key Points
Economic TimesConsumer not the king: Why airlines have so many disgruntled passengers
A passenger assault on an IndiGo pilot during a flight delay caused by fog has added to incidents of the already frustrated Indian flyers. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Indian aviation industry, including delays, cancellations, poor service, and harassment. The sector is dominated by a near-duopoly, with IndiGo and Tata-owned airlines controlling a significant market share. However, struggling smaller airlines may find respite as market conditions change. Despite these issues, the industry plans to add more aircraft in 2024, though a fare war is not expected due to the grounded planes. Key Points
Economic TimesMassive winter storm forces U.S. airlines to cancel more than 1,600 flights; grid operator issues cold wea
Various airlines, including Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, issued travel advisories acknowledging the expected operational challenges due to adverse weather conditions in the Midwest. Southwest airlines specifically highlighted potential impacts on flights in Chicago, Detroit, and Omaha. Key Points
Economic TimesSweet pilot dreams may pinch fliers, says airline industry
New rules by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which come into effect from June 1, will need airlines to increase their pilot strength by 20% within three months or cut flights to conform to the rules. We all want to ensure safe flying, but the new rules are incredibly limiting and an over-reaction. This will be disruptive as increasing the number of pilots in such a short time is practically impossible, the CEO of an airline said, asking not to be named. Key Points
Economic Times
Boeing's latest MAX problem creates more headache for airlines
A cabin blowout at 16,000 feet and the grounding of over 170 Boeing jets amplify airlines' frustrations with the planemaker's safety and supply issues. Alaska and United Airlines, with 70% of the MAX 9 fleet, cancel flights as provisional checks reveal loose bolts, potentially delaying the return to service. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledges mistakes, anticipating a challenging period. Industry insiders suggest growing discontent with Boeing's repeated problems and production delays, urging airlines to explore alternative suppliers for risk reduction. Key Points
Economic TimesGlobal air travel at 99% of pre-covid level, says IATA
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 63.8% rise in November traffic compared to November 2022, the highest year-over-year rate among regions, according to the International Air Transport Association. Key Points
mintUnited airlines finds loose bolts on several 737 MAX planes, raising pressure on Boeing
U.S. regulators grounded 171 MAX 9 planes after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines-operated flight not long after taking off from a Portland, Oregon, airport on Friday, forcing pilots to scramble to land the plane safely. United, one of the two U.S. carriers that fly this Boeing model with the panels, said its own preliminary checks found bolts that needed tightening on several panels. Key Points
Economic TimesAlaska airlines mid-air blowout: plane had warnings days before the incident
The NTSB highlighted that pilots had reported pressurization warning lights in three prior flights involving the specific Alaska airlines Max 9. The decision to restrict flights over water aimed to ensure a quick return to an airport in case of repeated warnings. Key Points
Economic TimesBoeing shares decline over 8% in premarket trading in France market, here’s why
Boeing shares were down 8%, trading at a price of 228.54, marking a decrease of 20.46 (-8.22%). Key Points
mint
One plane breaks apart, another burns: air travel’s rough 2024 start
A surge in demand and labor issues have put the industry under stress. Commercial flying remains safe by historical measures. Key Points
mintIn a first, over 10 foreign airlines questioned by DGGI over alleged tax evasion charges
The DGGI has questioned executives of at least ten prominent foreign airlines, including British Airways, Etihad, Thai Airways, and Qatar Airways, over allegations of tax evasion involving hundreds of crores of rupees. The DGGI has requested documentation covering all expenses incurred by these airlines for their operations in India, including aircraft leasing, crew and ground staff costs, fuel for the aircraft, and any additional maintenance or repair expenses. Key Points
Economic TimesFrance detains flight from UAE with mostly Indian-origin passengers, probes possible human trafficking
Chartered flight with 303 passengers on board, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, was on its way to Nicaragua. Indian embassy has got consular access & is investigating. Key Points
ThePrintWhat Legend airlines said after France grounds plane over suspected 'human trafficking'. 6 things we know so far
Officials in France grounded a plane carrying 300 Indian passengers on suspicion of human trafficking. The aircraft was detained after an anonymous tipoff. Key Points
mintAirfares are sky-high — is that a good thing?
Airlines are making huge profits from a global travel boom that's keeping airfares at high levels. Travellers are asking if the ticket prices will come down. | Travel Key Points
Hindustan Times
As Diwali fails to light up travel, airlines drop fares
Data from the civil aviation ministry shows average occupancy of airlines has stayed below 85%, against airlines' expectation of 90% load in the peak season, while industry executives said there has been a 10-15% drop in yield compared to last year's festive season. The drop is even sharper compared to the 2019 festive season, the last normal year before Covid-19, said industry executives. Key Points
Economic TimesAmerican airlines orders four E175 jets from Brazilian plane manufacturer Embraer
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has announced that American airlines has committed to purchasing four E175 jets, which will be used by Envoy Air for regional flights. The order is worth approximately $230.6 million and the planes are expected to be delivered in late 2024. This order will help expand Envoy Air's fleet to over 150 planes by the end of next year. In other news, American airlines has reported a decrease in its annual profit forecast due to higher fuel prices, expecting to earn $2.25 to $2.50 per share for the year. Key Points
Economic TimesFliers enjoy spoils of dogfight; carriers are unable to raise fares beyond a point
IndiGo recently imposed fuel surcharge, but none of its peers followed suit. Why? Because ‘normalcy has returned to the sector. Key Points
Economic TimesYour air ticket price has stayed the same in the last one decade
In 2012, the average price of an air ticket between Delhi and Mumbai in November cost Rs 5,392. In 2023, that ticket costs Rs 5,557- a meagre 3%. During that period an airline is paying 55% more for jet fuel and 127% more for landing at Mumbai airport. Key Points
Economic TimesAir India, IndiGo's expanding wings are making Indians' finances weak as airfare discounts fly out
Ticket prices in India's airline market are on the rise as the industry transitions into a duopoly dominated by IndiGo and Air India. Airfares on popular routes have increased, and smaller airlines are struggling to compete. This consolidation is expected to leave consumers with fewer choices and higher prices. However, higher prices can help sustain airlines' profits in the post-pandemic recovery, as low fares have previously led to the collapse of several carriers. Key Points
Economic Times
As Asian airlines soar, luggage concerns cast dark clouds
As Asia's aviation sector witnesses remarkable financial performances, airlines need to reconsider their luggage policies as a key strategy to secure returnee customers. Due to the pandemic, passenger demand reduced drastically, giving rise to a surge in cargo demand. However, this cargo demand is now falling, and airlines are using the empty cargo space as an opportunity to increase passenger luggage allowances Key Points
Economic TimesParliamentary panel calls for 'reasonable' cap on air fares
A parliamentary panel in India has recommended the introduction of reasonable upper fare caps for all airlines to ensure accessibility of air transport. The report also suggested devising a mechanism to encourage airlines to implement a price lock option for customers to reserve seats without paying the actual ticket price upfront. Key Points
Economic TimesTeen's airfare trip goes awry: American airlines foils 'skiplagging' attempt
Teenager's "skiplagging" plan backfires with American Airlines. Booking a layover flight and skipping the final leg leads to canceled ticket and stranded teen. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesPassengers crown THESE airlines as the best in 2023. Check here
Singapore airlines has been named the top airline of 2023, followed by Qatar Airways, in the latest survey of passengers by Skytrax World Airline Awards. Qatar Airways dominated several categories, including best business class airline, seat, and lounge. Key Points
mintHow United Became an Airline
It took killing the jobs of thousands of people who sorted used tickets. It’s a lesson about technology and productivity. Key Points
mint
DGCA sought clarity from Go First on flight resumption plan: Scindia
The Mumbai-based airline suspended flights from 3 May, having voluntarily filed for insolvency in the National Company Law Tribunal a day earlier. The airline had a market share of around 7% as of March with over 300 flights a day around the time it suspended operations. Key Points
mintGovt asks airlines to devise mechanism for reasonable pricing of air tickets
Airfares have jumped significantly on certain routes, especially in the wake of crisis-hit Go First suspending operations from May 3. During an hour-long meeting of the airlines advisory group, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia shared his concerns about the steep rise in airfares on certain routes. Key Points
Economic TimesAirline made over $1.62bn in 22/23, gives staff eight months' salary as bonus
The airlines reported net income of S$2.16 billion ($1.62 billion) for the year ended March 31, and said forward sales are healthy across all cabin classes. Key Points
Hindustan TimesThese are the best and worst airlines in the US
First-class travelers see improvement since 2022, a new study shows. But overall, consumers are increasingly dissatisfied with American carriers. | Travel Key Points
Hindustan TimesNCLT tells Go First airlines there is no scope for interim moratorium
The Delhi National Company Law Tribunal has stated that there is no provision for an interim moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) while hearing a petition by Go First airlines for seeking an interim moratorium. The tribunal bench mentioned that there is only a provision for absolute moratorium under IBC. Go First airlines is seeking a comprehensive debt restructuring, and it is not a malicious petition to avoid payments of dues. Key Points
Economic Times
Air India, Vistara agree to ease customers' journey via multiple stops
Tata-owned Air India and Vistara, a joint venture between the Indian conglomerate and Singapore Airlines, has signed an interline agreement that are used to handle passengers or baggage between two or more airlines. This is primarily used to handle passengers and baggage travelling to destinations with multiple stops. The new interline partnership with Vistara is in addition to over 100 interline agreements and close to 50 through check-in agreements it has with partner airlines globally. Key Points
Economic TimesGovernment plans to reallocate unused overseas flying rights of Indian airlines
This tussle comes at a time when major global airlines from the Middle East have pitched for an increase in their quota of seats. Additionally, Akasa Air, which is drawing up its international flight plan, faces the issue of unavailability of flying rights to popular destinations such as Dubai, Sharjah, and Thailand. Key Points
Economic Times