Aviation
IAF to induct Made-in-India light combat helicopter at Jodhpur
The first batch of indigenous developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) will be added to the Indian Air Force’s inventory at a ceremony in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

The first batch of indigenous developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) will be added to the Indian Air Force’s inventory at a ceremony in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, giving the IAF a significant boost in combat capabilities.
Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, will be present as the indigenous helicopters are accepted into the IAF.The new helicopter being recruited into the army has aerial warfare capabilities and will aid the force in combating slow-moving aircraft, drones, and armoured columns during battles. Rajnath Singh, who has been crucial in advancing cases for troops to purchase indigenous platforms, will oversee the induction event.
10 facts about the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) made by Indian HAL. (Opens in a new browser tab)
To satisfy the needs of the military forces, the choppers have been flown extensively in Ladakh and the desert region. In the past three to four years, the IAF has added a number of helicopters to its fleet, including the Chinooks, Apache assault helicopters, and now LCHs.
On March 30, 2022, CCS gathered in New Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CCS has approved the purchase of 15 Limited Series Production Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) For a total of Rs. 3,887 Cr. along with infrastructure sanctions of Rs. 377 Cr.
An indigenously designed, developed, and produced modern combat aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) has approximately 45 percent indigenous content by value and will have more than 55 percent for the SP Version.
IAF to induct first batch of domestically built LCH at Jodhpur (Opens in a new browser tab)
Many important aviation technology, like composite airframe structures and glass cockpits, have been indigenously developed. The upcoming Series Production version will have further contemporary and native systems. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, India is steadily improving its capacity to design, develop, and produce innovative cutting-edge technologies and systems on its own in the defence sector.
The production of LCH by HAL will support the Atmanirbhar Bharat project and advance the localization of defence production and the nation’s defence sector. LCH will lessen the nation’s reliance on imported combat helicopters. The embargo list for imports of light combat helicopters is already in place. LCH is capable of exporting due to its flexible characteristics that are integrated for combat operations.

Airlines
Virgin Atlantic to start daily flights from UK to São Paulo, Brazil and Bengaluru

- Airline enters South America by launching new daily service to São Paulo, Brazil
- India expansion continues with new route to Bengaluru, India (Bangalore)
- Premium sun offering bolstered by return of Manchester to Las Vegas and Heathrow to Dubai, in addition to new routes to the Maldives and Turks & Caicos
- New inter-island flying in the Caribbean reaffirms airline’s commitment to the region, offering locals and holidaymakers island hopping
- Arrival of state-of-the-art new aircraft continues, in parallel with the recruitment of 350 additional award-winning cabin crew
Today, Virgin Atlantic announced the opening of thrilling new routes with all-new planes on three continents. With more than 250,000 total additional seats* across Virgin Atlantic’s network, compared to 2019, customers are expected to benefit from network growth as the airline takes advantage of the ongoing demand for international travel.
By adding a brand-new daily flight from London Heathrow to So Paulo, Brazil, the airline will expand its network of international routes. One of the world’s most populated cities, Sao Paulo, is home to numerous international corporations, giving corporate clients and business visitors the chance to fly in the Virgin Atlantic fashion.
Three new A380 destinations, three continents, one day(Opens in a new browser tab)
Signalling expansion in the country, Bengaluru (Bangalore) will become the airline’s third destination and fourth daily service to India. Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has increased capacity to India by 250%, the airline’s largest area of growth outside the United States. Launching in Summer 2024, the addition of this new route means the airline will offer 500,000 seats (total) each year between the UK and India, while its growing codeshare with IndiGo, India’s leading airline, flies to 34 destinations across the country.
Providing customer connectivity remains a focus, working with a range of world class partners. Alongside expanded joint venture partners Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM, the airline joined SkyTeam alliance in March 2023, meaning customers benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries, with a further codeshare announcement with Korean Air since launch.
Virgin Atlantic Fined for Operating Flights in Prohibited Airspace(Opens in a new browser tab)
By the end of 2024, the airline will have received its full order of 12 Airbus A350s, as well as the arrival of a further four A330neos. To support the operation, 350 additional cabin crew will be recruited to join the airline’s award-winning frontline team in delivering its renowned customer service.
Flights from London Heathrow to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport will operate daily on the airline’s flagship Boeing 787-9, from 13 May 2024. Flights are set to be on sale from August, with fares starting from £655. Flights to Bengaluru will operate on Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from 31 March 2024, boasting 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats, as well as the airline’s signature Upper-Class social space.
Route Aircraft On Sale Launch Date Frequency LHR-DXB-LHR Boeing 787-9 07 June 2023 28 October 2023 X4 weekly,October 2023- March 2024 MAN-LAS-MAN Boeing 787-9 July 2023 2 June 2024 X3 Summer LHR-BLR-LHR Boeing 787-9 14 June 2023 31 March 2024 Daily – year round LHR-GRU-LHR Boeing 787-9 August 2023 13 May 2024 Daily – year round LHR-MLE-LHR Boeing 787-9 On sale now 22 October 2023 X3 weekly, October 2023- March 2024 LHR-PLS-LHR Boeing 787-9 On sale now 4 November 2023 X2 weekly, year round BGI-SVD-BGI AirbusA330-300 On sale now 14 June 2023 X2 Summer 2023/ X3 Winter 2023 BGI-GND-BGI AirbusA330-300 On sale now 14 June 2023 X2 Summer 2023/ X3 Winter 2023
Aerospace
Embraer, a renowned aircraft manufacturer, has joined forces with Tata and Mahindra Group
A well-known aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, is in talks to partner up with Tata Group and Mahindra Group to build up local manufacturing capabilities in India. With the help of this strategic alliance, India’s aerospace sector will expand, domestic manufacturing will be strengthened, and jobs will be generated.
“Tata told us that their initial focus would be on large aircraft, including Airbus and Boeing. After that, they would consider smaller, regional aircraft, and there is the market where we are,” according to president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto.
While Airbus and Boeing dominate the market for bigger commercial planes, Embraer is a market leader in regional aviation. By the end of 2023, the business wants to have decided on an Indian partner for the production of defense aircraft.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for medium-transport aircraft that have a lifting capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes. It aims to finish this search by 2025 or 2026. The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical air transport aircraft, the newest defense offering from Embraer, which debuted the plane at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru in February, has been pushed for the order.
According to CEO Neto, Embraer sees “a good opportunity” in India. “The IAF has already seen our aircraft, and they approve. We have received positive feedback about the C-390 Millennium from nations like the Netherlands. We believe that the C-390 Millennium is the greatest option for that size of aircraft.
The Indian defense aviation market is not new to Embraer. The business has previously worked with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to produce three Netra airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the ERJ145 platform of Embraer, which are used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF and the Border Security Force (BSF) both use Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft to fly VIPs and government officials.
The partnership combines the skills and strengths of each partner. Together with Tata Group’s manufacturing capabilities and Mahindra Group’s technical know-how, Embraer’s extensive domain understanding and technological expertise in the aerospace sector form a potent partnership that can provide high-quality products and solutions.
Embraer, Tata Group, and Mahindra Group’s cooperation paves the way for sustained success and growth. This cooperation can investigate the potential in both domestic and foreign markets as the demand for aircraft goods and services keeps growing. Together, it can boost India’s position as a major center of manufacturing, which would benefit the country’s aerospace sector as well.
Airlines
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air Reveals Livery of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

The first of two livery designs, branded “a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance,” was unveiled today by Riyadh Air. The livery is being shown on a Boeing 787-9, of which the airline has placed orders for up to 72 (including 39 definite orders and 33 options).
The livery of Riyadh Air features a purple fuselage and a light blue tail painted with the RX logo. As on the Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) livery, the airline’s name is featured at the front of the fuselage in both English and Arabic alongside the Saudi Arabian flag.
5 Facts About Saudi Arabia’s Newest Riyadh Air(Opens in a new browser tab)
Riyadh Air’s CEO , Tony Douglas, stated: “The new airline represents the ambitious aim of Saudi Arabia to be at the center of creating the future of global air travel and be a true disruptor in terms of customer experience.
“To create a smooth travel experience, Riyadh Air’s dedication to its clients will see the merging of digital innovation and genuine Saudi hospitality. Our new 787-9s will serve as a foundation for our global operations, as we build a wider network and connect our passengers to Saudi Arabia and many other destinations around the world, as we position the airline as both a global connector and a vehicle to drive tourist and business travel to Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Riyadh Air announced that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has granted it the “RX” airline designator code. We wanted something with a modernist feel and a digital edge, Douglas added. Early 2025 is the anticipated start date for operations. The airline placed an order for 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in March, and up to 150 Boeing 737 Max planes are anticipated to follow soon.
The new airline is anticipated to increase the Kingdom’s non-oil gross domestic product by up to 75 billion riyals and generate more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, the business plans to move up to five million tonnes of freight each year.
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