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Air India fast tracks Tier Status upgrade to reward Loyalty members

Air India fast tracks Tier Status upgrade to reward Loyalty members

With a limited-time opportunity, Air India, the largest airline in India and a member of Star Alliance, has given flight to its frequent flyer programme known as “Flying Returns,” enabling members to quickly upgrade or renew their tier status with only 50% of the customary required qualifying FR points.

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This faster route to benefiting from Air India’s and the other 25 Star Alliance members’ offerings is consistent with the airline’s goal of making Flying Returns one of the world’s most lucrative loyalty programs.

The refreshed Flying Returns programme offers compelling benefits and rewards for every member. These include:

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Star Alliance Advantages: The only airline programme in India, Flying Returns, gives its members access to Star Alliance’s 25 other international member airlines’ global network connectivity. Every month, more than 1 lakh redemption seats on Air India and Star Alliance partner airlines are available to members of Flying Returns.

Every time a member travels, they can fly on any of the 25 international Star Alliance member airlines and accrue points. Members may now simply use the Miles Calculator to track accrual rates on each route as a result of Air India’s latest website updates. Additionally, Gold & Maharaja Club Members get access to a global lounge network that spans 200 nations.

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No Blackout Date: Air India is one of the few airlines that doesn’t have blackout dates, so members may still use their redemption seats throughout busy travel times and holiday seasons.

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Benefits Related to Travel: The Fast Track programme will make it simpler for members to reach premium levels, giving them access to a variety of benefits like Family Pooling plans, global lounge access through the Star Alliance Network, best-in-class extra luggage allowance, and priority check-in and boarding for Tier Members.

Benefits Related to Reservation: Members now have access to a wide range of advantages when they make a reservation, such as a Welcome Bonus on their first trip after joining and an additional bonus when making a reservation through the Air India website or mobile app.

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Extended Validity of FR Points: The validity of Flying Returns points and tier status have just been extended by Air India until June 30, 2023. If members engage in any accrual or redemption activity in their account from April 1 through June 30 in 2023, the validity of their points will be further extended to the end of the year.

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The Flying Returns programme will continue to be enhanced. The entire range of offers and benefits of Flying Returns is just a click away at Flying Returns | Loyalty | Air India

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Airlines

Somalil and ATC Prevents Collision Between Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines

Somalil and ATC Prevents Collision Between Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines

Somalil and’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) played a pivotal role in preventing a potential catastrophe as an Ethiopian Airlines plane narrowly dodged another near-collision incident with an Emirates aircraft over Somalia’s airspace.

The harrowing event unfolded last Sunday, involving flight ethiopian airlines ETH 690 and emirates UAE 722, both cruising at 37,000 feet. According to an incident report released by the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority on Tuesday, the two planes were on a collision course after receiving conflicting instructions from Mogadishu Control, placing them on a collision trajectory.

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Fortunately, swift action by Somaliland’s ATC, in collaboration with the ethiopianairline
crew, averted disaster. The pilots of the et airline 737 MAX promptly ascended to 39,000 feet, creating a safe distance between the two airliners.

This incident underscores the critical importance of proficient air traffic control in ensuring the safety of airspace, particularly in the Horn of Africa region, which has witnessed similar close calls in recent times. The repeated errors by Mogadishu’s air traffic controllers highlight the pressing need for enhanced oversight and training within the aviation sector.

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The Somalil and Civil Aviation and Airports Authority has issued a cautionary statement, warning that such mistakes pose a significant threat to the safety of international flights. They emphasized that the “stubbornness and lack of knowledge” displayed by Mogadishu Tower personnel present a clear danger to air safety.

The government of Somalia has yet to respond to the incident or address concerns raised by Somaliland authorities.

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Airlines

Emirates A380 superjumbo was damaged by a ground vehicle in Moscow

Emirates A380 superjumbo was damaged by a ground vehicle in Moscow

In a startling incident at Moscow Domodedovo Airport, an Emirates Airbus A380, one of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, encountered significant damage as it prepared for departure.

The mishap unfolded on a Wednesday afternoon when a pushback tug found itself wedged beneath the colossal double-deck aircraft.

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Photographs circulated on social media platforms depicted the vivid yellow pushback truck ensnared under the belly of the A380, indicating the severity of the situation. The unfortunate incident, as per RadarBox data, unfolded mere hours prior, during the preparation for flight EK133 from Dubai to Moscow, operated by the aircraft with registration A6-EDM.

Thankfully, the aircraft had not yet welcomed passengers on board, as it awaited departure scheduled for 16:35 local time.emirates flights However, the faced postponement and eventual cancellation due to the damage sustained. The underbody of the airbus a380 emirates
bore notable harm, necessitating extensive repairs before it could resume service.

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Emirates promptly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety and convenience of its passengers. A spokesperson for the airline conveyed, “ek flight EK134 has been cancelled due to a ground services vehicle making contact with the aircraft prior to passengers boarding.” Additionally, affected passengers were swiftly rebooked on alternative Emirates flights, assuring minimal disruption to their travel plans.

The statement issued by emirates air line underscored their commitment to passenger and crew safety, reiterating that the well-being of all involved remains paramount. While the setback in Moscow may cause inconvenience, Emirates assures passengers that steps are being taken to rectify the situation and resume normal operations swiftly.

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Aerospace

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.

Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.

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Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.

The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.

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The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.

The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.

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Airlines

SpiceJet reaches a settlement for $91 million liabilities with EDC

SpiceJSpiceJet reaches a settlement for $91 million liabilities with EDCet reaches a settlement for $91 million liabilities with EDC

In a significant development, SpiceJet, one of India’s prominent budget carriers, has successfully negotiated a settlement agreement with Export Development Canada (EDC), a government agency, to resolve liabilities amounting to approximately $91 million.

This breakthrough agreement paves the way for SpiceJet to assume ownership of the majority of its bombardier q400 aircraft, marking a crucial step in the airline’s financial restructuring efforts. The comprehensive settlement amount, as per SpiceJet’s financial records, is set to alleviate the burden of outstanding liabilities, amounting to Rs 755 crore.

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This milestone achievement underscores SpiceJet’s commitment to achieving financial stability and prudent management practices. As part of the agreement, SpiceJet will gain full ownership of 13 EDC-financed q400 plane, thereby enhancing its operational capabilities and fleet management. This strategic move not only strengthens SpiceJet’s position in the aviation market but also signifies a significant milestone in its pursuit of long-term prosperity.

Ajay Singh, the Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, expressed his satisfaction with the settlement, acknowledging the cooperation and progressive approach demonstrated by EDC throughout the negotiation process. He emphasized that this agreement would fortify SpiceJet’s balance sheet, positioning the airline for sustained success in the future.

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Moreover, the settlement agreement heralds substantial long-term savings for SpiceJet, as it relieves the airline from the obligation of regular monthly rentals for the acquired aircraft. This newfound financial flexibility is poised to empower spicejet group booking
to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the dynamic aviation landscape.

Following the announcement of the settlement, spicejet b2b shares surged, indicating investor confidence in the airline’s financial restructuring initiatives. With this landmark agreement, SpiceJet is poised to embark on a trajectory of growth and resilience, further solidifying its position as a key player in India’s aviation industry.

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