Aviation Trek

IAF starts operations to airlift oxygen containers amid Covid crisis

The government has enlisted the help of the Indian Air Force to airlift oxygen cylinders, regulators, and necessary medicines in the face of the deteriorating Covid-19 situation. The IAF has been using its C-17 and IL-76 aircraft to airlift oxygen tankers, cutting transportation time in half. To assist the government in combating the pandemic, the IAF has already airlifted troops, physicians, and nursing staff.

Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases, the country is experiencing an acute shortage of oxygen and critical drugs. The Indian Air Force will also be assigned to airlift oxygen containers and equipment from friendly nations, according to the government. The government is having transportation problems due to a severe shortage of containers to ship. The government has already begun discussions with all stakeholders in order to obtain the contingency plan

Doctors and nurses have already been airlifted from Kochi, Mumbai, Vizag, and Bengaluru in order to establish a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Covid hospital in Delhi. The force also airlifted DRDO oxygen containers from Bengaluru to Delhi’s Covid centres.

IAF starts operations to airlift oxygen containers amid Covid crisis. Courtesy : Ministry of Defense

To deal with the crisis, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ordered all defence establishments to construct more Covid-19 hospitals, use emergency forces, and bring in retired personnel on Tuesday.

IAF starts operations to airlift oxygen containers amid Covid crisis. Courtesy : Ministry of Defence

Indian Air Force (IAF) has swung into action by carrying out sorties from various parts of the country to airlift oxygen containers, cylinders, essential medicines, equipment required for setting up and sustaining COVID hospitals and facilities in the fight against fresh surge in COVID-19 cases. The IAF Transport aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into service for carrying out these tasks. These include transport aircraft C-17, C-130J, IL-76, An-32 and Avro. Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are on standby. Tasks undertaken include airlift of doctors and nursing staff from Kochi, Mumbai, Vizag and Bangalore for various hospitals at Delhi.

IAF starts operations to airlift oxygen containers amid Covid crisis. Courtesy : Ministry of Defense

The C-17 and IL-76 aircraft of IAF have started airlifting big empty oxygen tankers from their place of use to the filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of much needed oxygen. In addition to this, the C-17 and IL-76 have transported large quantity of load comprising bio safety cabinets and autoclave machines for setting up of an additional COVID test facility at Leh. The IAF transport and helicopter assets are on standby to be deployed at short notice.

IAF starts operations to airlift oxygen containers amid Covid crisis. Courtesy : Ministry of Defense

It may be recalled that in the initial days of COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the IAF ran several sorties to deliver medicines, medical and other essential supplies required to combat the coronavirus pandemic as well as brought back stranded Indian nationals from abroad.

Indian Air Force jets do 5,000 sorties in 72 hours on western front

Related Topics:IAF Indian Air Force Oxygen Airlift

Airlines

Alaska Airlines Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) jointly announced today the execution of a definitive agreement, signifying Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines at a cash price of $18.00 per share. The total transaction value stands at approximately $1.9 billion, encompassing Hawaiian Airlines’ net debt of $0.9 billion.

The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks

This strategic union is poised to open up an array of additional destinations, providing consumers with increased choices in crucial air service options across the Pacific region, Continental United States, and globally.

The transaction is anticipated to establish a robust platform for growth and competition in the U.S., offering enduring employment opportunities, ongoing community investments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Key Points:

Acquisition Overview:
- Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Holdings for $18.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
- Combined company aims to maintain the strong, high-quality brands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Fleet Expansion and Network Reach:
- Creates the fifth-largest U.S. airline with a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes.
- Enables access to 138 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations via the oneworld Alliance.
Hub Development and Connectivity:
- Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded services to the Continental U.S., Asia, and the Pacific.
- Tripling the number of destinations from Hawai‘i to North America, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service.
Commitment to Hawai‘i:
- Strong commitment to Hawai‘i, ensuring robust Neighbor Island air service.
- Aiming for a more competitive platform supporting growth, job opportunities, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
Employee and Union Commitment:
- Commitment to maintaining and growing the union-represented workforce in Hawai‘i.
- Immediate value creation with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
Investor Call and Timeline:
- Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
- Anticipated closing of the transaction within 12-18 months.
Strategic and Financial Rationale:
- Complementary networks to enhance competition and provide greater choice for consumers.
- Preservation of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ brands on a single operating platform.
- Expected to deliver high single-digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years.
Community and Sustainability Commitment:
- Focus on growth in union-represented jobs and strong operational presence in Hawai‘i.
- Commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040.
Synergies and Accretion:
- Expected run-rate synergies of at least $235 million.
- Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
Conditions to Close:

Approval by regulatory authorities and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders.
Expected to close in 12-18 months, with the combined organization based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.