Airlines

Virgin sues Alaska Airlines for $160m in trademark dispute

Virgin Group is suing Alaska Airlines for $160 million

A software error caused the grounding entire airline fleet

Due to a disagreement on the use of the business’ trademarks during its merger with Virgin America, Virgin Group is suing Alaska Airlines for $160 million. At a stated price of $2.6 billion, Alaska Airlines merged with Virgin America in 2016. Alaska reportedly had to pay $8 million in annual royalties through 2039.

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They argue that they are no longer required to pay Virgin because Alaska no longer utilizes the Virgin name. According to Virgin, Alaska is still obligated to make yearly payments. Alaska must pay the minimal royalty as a debt in exchange for being allowed to use the Virgin trademark, Virgin lawyer Daniel Toledano stated, regardless of whether and to what extent Alaska actually uses the Virgin trademark.

Weisselberg further contends that due to protections put in place in 2007 to allow the airline to operate “completely unbranded from Virgin,” Alaska is protected from further payments to Virgin.

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Regardless of how Alaska Airlines operates its own business following the merger, Virgin wants the money they claim to be entitled. If Alaska has the measures in place to keep them from having to make those payments, they also have a good case, especially in light of the fact that the Virgin America name is no longer in use.

The time between now and 2039, though, is quite a minefield because if such an arrangement were signed, Alaska would have to start paying Virgin by that date. Of course, it makes sense that this issue ended up in court, as an impartial arbitrator is required to render a particular judgment based on the law.

It is heading to court because both sides have compelling arguments. The judge’s work is made a little more challenging in this sense because it is unknown who will win. The judge will probably be able to make an intelligent judgment.

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Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.