Airlines

Air India To Add 4 International Routes and Induct 30 New Planes

Air India Unveils 'Fare Lock' Feature for Hassle-Free Flight Bookings

Over the next six months, Air India plans to increase over 400 weekly services, bring in over 30 new aircraft, and start flying to four new foreign locations.

The airline, owned by the Tata Group, disclosed information on its current network and fleet augmentation initiatives, stating that it intends to expand internationally into North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

It is also expanding its network of domestic and international routes by more than 400 flights per week until March 2024. This is part of the winter timetable, which runs from October 29 to March 30 of the next year.

Air India is set to increase its flight frequency on several key routes, with Delhi to Newark going from 3X to 4X weekly starting from November 27, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Delhi to Milan will see a boost from 4X to 5X weekly flights beginning December 12, with service available on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The Delhi to San Francisco route will expand from 10X to 11X weekly flights starting on November 24, offering 2X daily flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 1 daily flight on the remaining days.

Lastly, the Delhi to Washington Dulles route will increase from 3X to 4X weekly flights, commencing on November 28, with flights available on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Additionally, Delhi to Copenhagen will see a frequency boost from 3X to 4X weekly flights, starting on December 16, offering service on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Air India plans to add more than 200 weekly flights on multiple domestic routes and over 200 weekly flights on the international network, of which more than 80 weekly flights have already been added. These plans are based on the anticipated delivery of new aircraft over the next six months.

“Between now and March 2024, Air India expects to induct over 30 wide body and narrow body aircraft to its fleet, including six A350s, four B777s and 20 A320 neos,” according to Air India.

Airlines

KLM Begins Testing Self Driving Crew Buses at Schiphol Airport

In a significant step towards modernizing airport operations, Schiphol Airport has launched the second phase of its trial for electric self-driving buses.

This initiative, in collaboration with KLM Cityhopper and KLM Ground Services, is aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability at one of Europe’s busiest airports. Following a successful initial trial with the self-driving buses from supplier Ohmio, the new phase is now underway.

This phase focuses on deploying the autonomous buses on a fixed, pre-programmed route that connects the apron to the terminal. The primary users of this service are the KLM Cityhopper crew, who will benefit from a streamlined shuttle between their aircraft and the terminal. best cabin crew skytrax

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The trial’s first phase centered on assessing the technical capabilities and user-friendliness of the buses. Now, the focus shifts to the apron—a bustling area characterized by high activity levels, including aircraft movements and ground handling operations. The autonomous buses will navigate this complex environment multiple times a day, ferrying KLM Cityhopper crew from Apron A to the terminal.

Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and GPS, the buses are designed to handle the dynamic conditions of the apron. They feature LIDAR technology, providing a comprehensive 360-degree view that enables them to detect and avoid obstacles up to 30 meters away. This cutting-edge technology ensures safe and efficient operation in the busy airport setting.

Schiphol Airport is committed to becoming one of the world’s most sustainable and high-quality airports by 2050. A core component of this vision is the transition to a fleet of autonomous, zero-emission vehicles.

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This shift is part of a broader strategy to automate ground operations while maintaining a vital human presence in a supervisory role. By doing so, Schiphol aims to reduce emissions and enhance the overall efficiency of its operations.

The integration of self-driving buses into the airport’s daily operations represents a major milestone in achieving these sustainability goals. As the trial progresses, Schiphol, KLM Cityhopper, and KLM Ground Services will continue to evaluate and refine the technology, paving the way for a more automated and environmentally friendly future in aviation ground services.