Airlines

Indigo strengthens connectivity to 15 countries in Europe

IndiGo commences four new direct flights from North Goa

IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, has announced the launch of new one-stop flights to 9 European countries via Istanbul, through its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines. These new 141 average weekly flights will operate to destinations like Malta, Hungary, Belgium, Israel, Ireland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Greece, and Denmark from Istanbul. IndiGo had previously launched connecting flights to various destinations in Portugal, Switzerland, France, Italy, England, and Austria. In total, now IndiGo operates 335 average weekly codeshare flights to 15 countries in Europe.

IndiGo strengthens international connectivity with direct flights between Mumbai and Istanbul(Opens in a new browser tab)

The flights between India and these destinations have been launched in line with IndiGo’s vision to enhance international connectivity. IndiGo will operate two daily flights to Malta, Budapest, Dublin, Prague, Amsterdam, Athens, and Copenhagen and three daily flights to Brussels and Tel Aviv. These new flights have been added in view of the increase in demand for outbound travel to Europe as air travel sees strong resurgence in 2023.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said, “We have witnessed a strong demand for international
travel and especially to Europe last year. These connecting flights will not only add capacity, but also provide
convenient travel options for people looking to travel between India and Europe. We are confident that with
the resurgence of international travel, these exciting options will offer people multiple choices for their travel
this summer. We will continue to explore opportunities to provide affordable fares, on-time performance,
and hassle-free connectivity for our customers.”

Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via official website www.goIndiGo.in. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.

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.