Airlines

Air India to reinstate three more weekly flights to US this month

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Air India is planning to resume three additional weekly flights to the US this month as the staff shortage situation gradually improves. Three of the six weekly flights to the US that were temporarily canceled earlier this year by the airline operated by the Tata Group have now been restored.

Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD of Air India, stated that the personnel shortage scenario is gradually improving. “We had halted six of the 47 flights to the US every week. In an interview with PTI this week, he said, “We have reinstated 3 of those, and we’ll reinstate the other 3 by the end of June. Due to a crew shortage, six weekly flights — three each to Newark and San Francisco — were cancelled.

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Currently, Air India runs 44 flights to the US and 14 to Canada each week. The airline offers flights to the US cities of San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington, and Chicago as well as to the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Toronto. With a five-year transformation strategy in place, Air India is growing both its fleet and its service offerings. The airline will take 11 brand-new Boeing 777 aircraft this year.

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“We have promoted many employees from other fleets to the 777 aircraft in order to get 11 aircraft to run in a short period of time. Until then, we must turn to the expatriate market. In addition to flying 777s, we must also fly other types of aircraft and have the necessary level of experience. It is a brief importation of ability till we can develop our own in a year or so, he said.

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.