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

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly