Airlines

Indigo achieves milestone of 150+ daily departures from Hyderabad

IndiGo commences four new direct flights from North Goa

IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, celebrates yet another milestone of achieving 150+ daily departures from Hyderabad airport w.e.f. February 01, 2023. Currently, IndiGo operates to 49 cities domestically and 8 cities internationally from Hyderabad including Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Dammam, Muscat, and Kuwait City.

Additionally, as part of strengthening sustainable operations at Hyderabad, IndiGo has also deployed 7 new electric buses with zero carbon emissions at Hyderabad airport. IndiGo is committed to an ESG strategy that balances ambition and the practical limitations of the aviation sector. In 2021, IndiGo reduced emissions via ground support equipment automation, adopting solutions in passenger and freight services such as ‘modified baggage BFL for cabin loading’, using 10-tonne electrical tug instead of a 20-tonne and battery-operated baggage freight loader.

IndiGo announces 21 additional flights in winter schedule for 2022-23(Opens in a new browser tab)

Sanjeev Ramdas, Executive Vice President: Customer Service, at IndiGo said, “We are excited to announce that IndiGo is now operating 150+ daily flights from Hyderabad. These flights cater to the increasing travel demand to and from Hyderabad, in line with the government’s vision to improve accessibility and tourism infrastructure in the state. It is definitely a big feat for us to celebrate as we also reduce our carbon footprint through the induction of e-buses for ground operations. We will strive to stay true to our vision of sustainability and promise of affordable fares, on-time performance, and courteous and hassle-free service across our wide network.”

A recent industry report stated that Hyderabad emerged as one of the most frequently booked business cities in India and bookings from Hyderabad increased by 100 percent year on year. The 150+ departures from Hyderabad will help in catering to the growing traffic demand and passenger volume from the city, as Indian aviation marks recovery and growth in 2023.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.