Aerospace

Qantas Responds to Misleading claims by senator Tony Sheldon

Senator called Qantas “mongrels” and “big corporate gorillas” who “hoard all the bananas”.

As part of a government that rightly wants the public debate to be more respectful, Senator Tony Sheldon seems to have his own agenda.

In the past week, the Senator called Qantas “mongrels” and “big corporate gorillas” who “hoard all the bananas”. We’re also “the sharp part of the knife going through people’s workplace rights” as part of our “war on the middle class”.

This kind of rhetoric seems to borrow heavily from his time as head of the Transport Workers Union, with a lot of his comments similar to what he was saying about Qantas a decade ago. The difference is, he’s now a Senator in the Australian Parliament elected to represent the people of New South Wales and not focus disproportionately on a single company.

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So far this year, Senator Sheldon has taken the time to write almost 100 tweets about Qantas. He’s launched numerous attacks in the Senate. He’s called us to testify in front of several parliamentary inquiries he’s chaired. And he’s held press conferences to condemn how a company, which was 11 weeks from going broke during the pandemic and is now back in profit, is being run.

Oddly, he didn’t mention the fact Qantas returned to being Australia’s most reliable airline in October. Or that we have hired and trained thousands of people into well-paid careers over the past six months.

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Instead, the Senator has fired off a list of mistruths that’s so long we’ve had to create a dedicated page on our website to correct them.

One claim was that Qantas is cutting people’s pay by up to 40 per cent. That is absurd when we’re offering pay rises of 3 per cent and the opportunity to secure bonuses of up to $11,000 per employee for their part in our recovery.

Another was that we’re not investing in our fleet – despite the fact we have a new aircraft arriving almost every month.

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Most concerningly, the Senator claimed Qantas has “compromised safety”. When pressed on such a serious claim by Sky News, he repeated it. That’s frankly irresponsible given the high standards all airlines in Australia operate to. And it’s simply wrong given we’ve published data showing our safety performance was even better in 2022 than pre-COVID.

Playing the safety card against Qantas was another thing the Senator did often when he was head of the TWU, and it’s no truer now then it was then. That’s why we’ll keep correcting the record.

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SHELDON CLAIM: Qantas is unreliable and has some of the worst on-time performance and lost baggage.

FACT: Government data shows that Qantas’ domestic on-time performance, cancellations, and mishandled baggage rates back at or close to pre-COVID levels. We were the most punctual airline in October, well ahead of our main rival who we have outperformed in eight of the past 12 months.

SHELDON CLAIM: Qantas is trying to cut the wages and conditions of short haul cabin crew by “20 to 40 per cent”.

FACT: This is simply not correct. Our proposal would mean short haul cabin crew wages would increase (not decrease) and their maximum hours of work each roster would not change.

The proposal includes three per cent annual pay rises, including back pay, overtime of up to 300 per cent on longer shifts, as well as the opportunity to secure cash bonuses of up to $7000. Separate to the proposed agreements, cabin crew are also eligible for 1000 Qantas shares, currently worth more than $6000.

SHELDON CLAIM: Qantas is trying to strip 1300 ‘white collar’ workers of entitlements and “throw them on the unpaid overtime scrapheap”.

FACT: We are proposing to move a group of our employees into our management framework, which is a better fit for the work they do, and consistent with what many of them have requested.

They will be paid more, not less. They will also retain key entitlements and, importantly, would have the opportunity to receive annual bonuses for the first time. The very small minority of these workers who do shift work will retain overtime payments. This change would only occur if the majority of affected employees vote for it.

Aerospace

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN

Coutresy : Boeing planes

India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.

Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.

For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.

Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.

FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.

Aerospace

Does AirAsia show interest in Comac aircraft in the future?

Courtesy : Tony Fernandes (Linked in Story)

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, operating as AirAsia Group, recently paid a visit to the facilities of COMAC on April 2, 2024, and was thoroughly impressed by what he witnessed.

C919 already securing nearly 1000 orders

COMAC, known for its homegrown aircraft, has launched two promising jets: the ARJ21 and the C919 aircraft. Both aircraft are gaining popularity in the Chinese market, with the C919 already securing nearly 1000 orders from various airlines.

Fernandes expressed his admiration for COMAC’s achievements in aircraft manufacturing, acknowledging the immense challenge it entails. His visit underscored the realization that AirAsia now has a viable third option when it comes to selecting aircraft for its fleet.

During his tour, Fernandes was delighted by the innovation and technology evident in COMAC’s aircraft production and the company’s commitment to long-term partnerships.

He noted that many Western companies have shifted away from prioritizing loyalty and customer service, opting instead for short-term gains and a narrow definition of success.

Last month, COMAC embarked on an international tour, showcasing demonstration flights to neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. Fernandes believes that the positive impression left by COMAC during his visit opens up new opportunities for collaboration.

Fernandes emphasized COMAC’s remarkable achievements

The shared values of loyalty, customer service, and long-term vision align closely with AirAsia’s ethos, making collaboration with COMAC appealing. With a focus on innovation and excellence, both companies stand to benefit from a partnership grounded in trust and a shared commitment to success.

Indonesia and China have already collaborated in validating and maintaining the airworthiness of the ARJ21 aircraft, indicating a solid foundation for future partnerships.

In his statement, Fernandes emphasized COMAC’s remarkable achievements and genuine desire for long-term partnership, highlighting the absence of ego and a genuine willingness to succeed together. He marveled at COMAC’s fully automated, AI-driven factory, a testament to their dedication to innovation and efficiency.

Fernandes criticized Western firms for prioritizing short-term gains over loyalty, customer service, and long-term strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding customers’ needs and collaborating to achieve success.

Aerospace

Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India

Image:Archer Aviation

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.

Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.

This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.

At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.

Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.

Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).