Aviation

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Gatwick Airport for nearly a week after Nigerian airline Med-View cancelled its flights.

Many of the passengers scheduled to travel to Lagos on Med-View flights have been sleeping on the floor since Friday (22 December) and may have to wait until the New Year to get a flight.

Many passengers have missed Christmas with their families in Nigeria

Med-View said technical problems were to blame for putting one of its three planes out of commission. The airline claimed it had arranged for planes to evacuate at least 700 people on Wednesday (27 December), but one of the flights had to be cancelled after passengers became unruly.

Upset customers, some of whom paid more than £1,000 for their tickets, accused Med-View of “abandoning” them. Ola Dami, a 26-year-old from Coventry, told The Sun he missed spending Christmas with his family in Lagos because of the cancelled flights.

“I feel abandoned and disrespected. I’ve been told there will be no flights until next year,” Dami said.

Police were called to maintain control at Gatwick’s South Terminal as passengers became increasingly angry.

A Twitter user identified as “Georgina” filmed an argument between a frustrated customer and an airline staff member. “If you listen well, you will hear a customer say ‘don’t tell me not to shout or I will shout,'” she tweeted.

Delayed passengers

One female customer reportedly became dizzy and collapsed at 10.20am on Wednesday (27 December). According to MailOnline, the woman was treated at the scene by South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Passengers were offered a hotel room for the night, according to a letter from the Civil Aviation Authority on 27 December.

Flyers were finally offered accommodation in hotels after sleeping in the airport

In a statement posted 24 December, Med-View said: “We sincerely apologise for all the recent flight disruptions. We are currently doing everything possible to get back on schedule.”

Meanwhile, up to 300 other passengers were left stranded at Stansted Airport after Ryanair and easyJet were forced to cancelled or delayed due to snow and ice in parts of the UK. Frustrated travellers faced hours of delays “because of a few centimetres of snow,” one witness noted.

More than 50 inbound and outbound flights were cancelled at Stansted, with another 50 flights cancelled at Luton.

According to the Telegraph, sub-zero temperatures are expected in large swathes of the UK again on Thursday night. Flight disruptions are expected to continue Thursday as planes will require de-icing.

Couretsy : IBtimes

Aviation

Tejas and C-390 Millennium: India and Brazil’s Defense Trade Vision

India and Brazil are exploring a mutually beneficial deal to enhance their defense product exports. There are indications that this potential agreement could include the exchange of fighter jets, essentially functioning as a barter system. For example, India has a long-standing offset policy requiring foreign defense companies to reinvest a portion of their contract value back into India through technology transfer or other reciprocal benefits.

Many countries engage in such exchanges to support each other’s defense industries, thereby strengthening national policies and economies. A notable example is the barter deal between South Korea and Indonesia, where South Korea sold its T-50 jets to Indonesia in return for defense-related goods and trade advantages.

India-Brazil defence mutual benefits

If the India-Brazil deal comes to fruition, it could provide mutual benefits, as both nations are in need of advanced platforms. Brazil is well-known for its Embraer aircraft, which ranks as one of the top three manufacturers of private and commercial jets. However, Brazil lacks expertise in fighter jet production, and this deal could provide the exposure needed to enter the fighter jet market.

In 2014, Brazil made a significant purchase of 36 Gripen fighters, with deliveries expected by 2027. Brazil is also producing Gripen fighter jets at its Embraer plant, with SAAB and Embraer collaborating to enhance the performance of the Gripen aircraft further.

India Faces Shortage of Military Aircraft Materials

Currently, India faces a shortage of medium military transport aircraft and is seeking to acquire more. The C-130J and C-17 Globemaster, along with the Russian IL-76, are currently in service. However, the production of the C-17 has been halted, making it unavailable in the market, while the IL-76 is experiencing maintenance challenges due to a shortage of spare parts.

Air India Might Operate Tata-Made New Airbus C295 Aircraft

India is currently seeking a reliable partner for military transport aircraft, and the Embraer C-390 Millennium stands out as an ideal fit. If a deal between Brazil and India materializes, it could yield significant benefits for both nations.

Embraer C390 payload capacity

The Brazilian Air Force is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest in the Americas. Embraer proudly presents the C-390 Millennium as the future of military transport aircraft, featuring a payload capacity of 26,000 kg. This makes it a compelling choice, especially since it outperforms the C-130J Super Hercules, which has a payload capacity of 19,000 kg. Given India’s interest in enhancing its military capabilities, it’s clear why experts believe that discussions around this aircraft could lead to a significant agreement.

This international airline is offering free flight tickets to Indian travelers

Brazil operates the Gripen E fighter jet, which is expected to expand its fleet in the near future. However, the Tejas fighter jet has certain advantages over the Gripen. For instance, the Tejas features a quadruple digital fly-by-wire system that offers greater redundancy and safety compared to the single FBW system in the Gripen. Additionally, its use of composite materials reduces its radar cross-section, and its wide duct air intake enhances performance. Notably, the Tejas can take off in as little as 460 meters, significantly shorter than the Gripen’s 800-meter requirement.

Tejas and Gripen E Engine

Both jets are equipped with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems, but the Gripen does hold some advantages with its more powerful GE F414 engine. The Gripen has a better payload capacity and maximum takeoff weight, and the optimized F414 engine provides superior thrust, enhancing agility and aerial engagement capabilities. However, the F404 engine of the Tejas is cheaper to maintain and operate compared to the F414.

With a maximum capacity of 26 tonnes, the C-390 surpasses the C-130’s 19-tonne capacity. Additionally, the C-390 is equipped with both probe and drogue systems, allowing it to refuel fighter jets and even serve as a tanker—capabilities that the C-130J does not offer. If India and Brazil decide to collaborate on the C-390’s production, it could be a game-changer for both nations.

India could potentially modify the C-390 aircraft for combat roles, such as launching long-range subsonic cruise missiles. This adaptation is feasible, as evidenced by the U.S. using its MC-130 to launch AGM-158 missiles.

India’s collbration with TATA & Airbus C295

Currently, India, in collaboration with Airbus, is producing around 56 aircraft for defense purposes. This milestone strengthens India’s defense capabilities, as spare parts will be more accessible due to local production and support. The C295 aircraft plays a crucial role in boosting regional connectivity and transporting troops and essential military supplies.

Furthermore, the C-390 could function as a drone mothership for deploying India’s swift and stealthy drones, providing a cost-effective solution that maximizes operational capabilities. However, challenges related to self-survivability, precision strikes, and operations in contested environments need to be addressed. If these challenges can be resolved, this concept could significantly enhance India’s long-range strike capabilities.

Similarly, manufacturing the Tejas MK1 in collaboration with Brazil would bring substantial benefits, especially for Brazil. Their mutual membership in BRICS could foster deep cooperation, defense technology sharing, and industrial development. By partnering on the Tejas program, Brazil’s aerospace industry could enter the fighter aircraft segment, leading to advancements in knowledge transfer and the establishment of local supply chains.

Reducing reliance on India for fighter maintenance and support, the C-390 Millennium would significantly enhance India’s logistical and operational capacity. Meanwhile, the Tejas MK1A offers Brazil an affordable yet effective solution to bolster its air combat capabilities, further deepening the strategic ties between the two nations.