Aviation

Bangalore residents were puzzled after an Air India one B777 VVIP circling at a low altitude

In Bengaluru’s Koramangala neighborhood, residents have been experiencing persistent disturbance from a jet flying overhead for the past two days.

Many individuals in the community have noted a Boeing aircraft making repeated passes over the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) Airport, causing concern and speculation. The specific aircraft identified is a Boeing 777-337 (ER) with registration number K7067, known for its role in transporting VVIPs such as the president, vice president, and prime minister.

Flight tracking data from platforms like Flightradar24 confirmed its departure from Delhi and subsequent circling of the HAL airport six times before returning to Bengaluru.

Residents have expressed frustration and annoyance at the continuous noise generated by the low-flying aircraft, particularly those in the Indiranagar and Koramangala areas. Some have shared sightings of the aircraft approaching ground level before ascending again without making contact.

Mohan Krishnan, a former scientist at the National Informatics Centre, suggested that the aircraft’s activities could be related to maintenance checks or pilot training, especially considering the implementation of the model code of conduct due to the Lok Sabha elections.

Despite ongoing concerns raised by residents and observations of the aircraft over the past weeks, officials have yet to provide any formal statements regarding the nature or purpose of the low-level flights over Bengaluru.

Really low flying plane circling Bangalore near Koramangala / Indiranagar area. This is the 6th circle. Comes really close to ground then takes off again without touching. Military exercise? pic.twitter.com/A9OpoJXIaj
— Hemant Mohapatra (@MohapatraHemant) April 3, 2024

Aviation

China Eastern Receives Its Ninth C919 Aircraft, Marking a New Milestone

China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of its ninth COMAC C919 aircraft, continuing its lead as the launch customer for China’s domestic narrow-body airliner.

On Thursday, the airline received the latest addition to its fleet, registered as B-657T, marking another step in China’s ambitious efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market.

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This delivery is part of a major achievement for COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), which has now delivered a total of 10 comac c919 in 2024 alone, a remarkable increase from just three jets delivered by the end of 2023.

The C919 program represents China’s entry into the competitive market for commercial aircraft, aiming to rival the dominance of manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body sector.

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One standout feature of the c919 is its innovative in-flight technology, particularly its Wi-Fi system. Developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), this system allows passengers to connect to the “CEAIR-WIFI” wireless hotspot, providing seamless access to in-flight entertainment.

Through the website www.muflyer.com, travelers can enjoy a range of features including “Air Cinema” and “Air Games,” which enhance the flying experience.

Looking ahead, COMAC’s ambitions are not limited to narrow-body aircraft. At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, c919 aircraft price made waves with the announcement of over 100 new aircraft orders.

A significant highlight was a high-profile agreement with Air China for the development of the C929, a widebody aircraft set to compete c919 vs a320 and c919 vs 737 with these models.