Airlines

IndiGo Cargo operated its first international flight between Kolkata-Yangon

The Indigo’s first international freight flight takes off.

On November 22, 2022, IndiGo, the top airline in India, flew an international A321 P2F freighter from Kolkata to Yangon. More than 19,000Kg of general Cargo were transported on the freighter aircraft. Cargo recently carried on the freighter between Delhi and Mumbai.

This Cargo company has placed a new order for 10 Boeing 777-8 aircraft.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The aircraft between Kolkata and Yangon will allow IndiGo Cargo operations to reach international ports, according to Mr. Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer – Cargo, IndiGo. The supply chain between India and Myanmar will be strengthened by the addition of a freighter service between these two key commercial centers. As we increase our fleet of freighters and add new locations to our Cargo network, we anticipate seeing growth in the business over the next few months.

IndiGo receives its first A321 Freighter aircraft for cargo service(Opens in a new browser tab)

With 24 container positions and a cargo capacity of up to 27 tonnes, the A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion) is the most effective narrow-bodied freighter currently on the market. Through a programme run by ST Engineering and Airbus’ joint venture, Elbe FlugzeugWerke, the planes are being modified (EFW).

An international alternative investment organization with 17 years of experience investing in, financing, and managing aviation assets has leased the aircraft to IndiGo from funds managed by Castlelake Aviation Holdings (Ireland) Limited.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.