Airlines
Air India-Airbus-Boeing deal: Airline will require over 6,500 pilots for 470 planes
According to industry sources, Air India would need more than 6,500 pilots to fly 470 aircraft that will be provided by Airbus and Boeing in the coming years. The airline has placed orders for the purchase of 840 aircraft in total, with an option to purchase an additional 370 aircraft, in an effort to expand both its fleet and operations. One of the largest aircraft orders ever placed by a carrier.
There are currently 1,600 pilots working for Air India to fly its 113 aircraft, but there have recently been incidents of ultra-long distance flights being canceled or delayed due to a staff shortage.
Embraer E195-E2 and E190-E2 Receives Type Certification in Canada(Opens in a new browser tab)
The most recent solid order from Airbus includes 40 A350-900/1000 and 210 A320/321 Neo. The 190 737-Max, 20 787, and 10 777 aircraft make up the firm Boeing order. “This 40 A350 are mostly being used by Air India on its extremely long-haul flights, which may take up to 16 hours. The airline will need 30 pilots — 15 commanders and 15 first officers — each aircraft, or 1,200 pilots for A350s alone “a source stated.
The source claims that one Boeing 777 requires 26 pilots. If the airline adds 10 of these aircraft, it will need 260 pilots, but adding 20 Boeing 787s will require about 400 pilots given that each of these aircraft requires 20 pilots—10 commanders and 10 first officers.
The deal consists of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options, and purchase rights to be bought from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade, according to a Linkedin post by Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Agarwal on Thursday.
In order to get Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) holders type rated, adequate opportunities must be offered, according to former Air India Commercial Director Pankaj Shrivastava. A pilot can only operate a specific type of aircraft after completing special training known as type ratings.
“Thousands of domestic pilots, engineers, cabin crew members, airport administrators, and other function professionals would be needed over the next years by the ambitious new Air India and the aviation industry as a whole. We must develop this potential as the flag carrier airline for India, he said.
Airlines
Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery
In an innovative move towards sustainability, renowned Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has recently floated an unconventional idea to its business class customers.
Bringing their own cutlery sets onboard. This initiative, revealed through a member survey circulated within the airline’s “Cathay Lab” community – a platform comprising frequent business class travelers – has stirred a wave of curiosity within the aviation industry.
With sustainability becoming an increasing concern in aviation, Cathay Pacific’s survey aimed to gauge passengers‘ willingness to partake in various eco-friendly practices during their journeys.
Among the initiatives presented, including refilling reusable water bottles and recycling plastic, the prospect of bringing personal cutlery garnered significant attention. Some members expressed practical concerns, questioning the feasibility of carrying cutlery through airport security and the potential inconvenience for passengers unaware of regulations.
Others suggested that Cathay Pacific should simply provide reusable cutlery onboard instead. Furthermore, there were suspicions among some respondents that the BYO cutlery proposal might be a precursor to introducing additional charges, with one user humorously envisioning a scenario where the airline lends cutlery sets for a fee.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the proposal, Cathay Pacific’s exploration of innovative sustainability measures reflects a broader industry trend towards environmental consciousness.
Airlines
Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft
In a bold move that underscores their confidence in India’s burgeoning aviation sector, Air India and IndiGo have revealed ambitious plans to acquire a combined total of up to 170 wide-body aircraft.
This strategic investment marks a significant shift in the country’s aviation landscape, as it brings European aircraft manufacturer Airbus into a domain traditionally dominated by American giant Boeing.
With India positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for such expansion endeavors. The aim is clear: to elevate India’s status as a global aviation hub by enhancing connectivity through direct flights between Indian cities and international destinations.
Currently, a substantial portion of India’s international air traffic relies on overseas hubs, particularly in the Gulf region. IndiGo’s announcement of firm orders for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with an option for an additional 70, signals its commitment to capturing a larger share of the long-haul market.
Meanwhile, Air India’s comprehensive order, unveiled last year, encompasses 70 wide-body planes, including a mix of A350 and Boeing 787 models.
Recognizing the potential for disruption in the long and ultra-long haul segments, aviation consultancy CAPA India has emphasized the pivotal role Indian carriers can play in driving innovation and transformation.
With the current combined fleet size of Indian airlines exceeding 700 aircraft, the stage is set for Air India and IndiGo to spearhead a new era of growth and connectivity in the Indian aviation sector.
Airlines
Air China Makes Landmark Deal: Orders 100 C919 Jets from COMAC
In a strategic move that could reshape China’s aviation industry, Air China has inked a monumental deal with Comac, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s commercial aircraft procurement landscape.
The agreement, valued at a staggering $10.8 billion based on list prices, entails the purchase of 100 Comac C919 jets, a resounding endorsement of the homegrown challenger to aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing.
The announcement, disclosed in a filing by Air China, underscores the airline’s commitment to bolstering its fleet with domestically manufactured aircraft. These C919 jets, slated for delivery between 2024 and 2031, are poised to amplify Air China’s operational capabilities and enhance its competitive stance in the global aviation arena.
The C919, a formidable competitor to Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo, symbolizes China’s ambitious foray into the global aviation market. With Air China’s commitment to acquiring a substantial fleet of C919s, the aircraft is poised to carve out a formidable niche in the industry, challenging the dominance of established players.
Notably, Air China‘s existing fleet comprises an extensive array of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, showcasing its diverse operational portfolio.
With nearly 500 airplanes in service, including models from the A320 family and the 737 series, Air China’s decision to incorporate the C919 into its fleet underscores a strategic diversification strategy.
While Airbus has enjoyed notable success in China, buoyed by its local assembly line, Boeing has faced formidable challenges in recent years. However, Air China’s resolute investment in the C919 signals a paradigm shift, amplifying China’s quest for self-sufficiency in aviation.
India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN
Does AirAsia show interest in Comac aircraft in the future?
Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery
Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft
Airbus is set to increase the production rate for the A350 as demand surges
Air China Makes Landmark Deal: Orders 100 C919 Jets from COMAC
All passengers killed in plane crash, after pilot let his children to control the plane
American Airlines Flight Attendant Orders First-Class Traveler to use Economy Restroom
Airbus and the Antonov An-225: The Best Partnership for Rebuilding the Largest Aircraft
United Airlines Discover Fake engines parts on several aircrafts
The total aircraft orders for Boeing and Airbus at the Dubai Airshow 2023 : Day 5
Indigo’s Latest Milestone: Connecting Australia with 21 New Indian Destinations
Airline Introduces Child-Free Zones On Its long haul flights
American Airlines plane diverted after passenger calls Flight Attendant ‘waiter’
From CEO to Cabin Crew: Lufthansa CEO Works Trip As a Flight Attendant
