Aviation

IndiGo to have 1,000 daily flights by year-end

Indigo adds 6 new flights to bolster connectivity between India and Middle East

NEW DELHI: In a first for Indian carriers, IndiGo will be operating 1,000 daily flights before the end of this year. It got on track to cross that milestone with the announcement of 47 new flights (19 new sectors and 28 additional flights) on Monday which will see it operating 1,000 daily flights from December 23, 2017.

IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh said: “A thousand daily flights is a milestone that no airline in India has ever achieved before. As Indians we are proud to create this new record. While one thousand is just a number, for us each flight represents an opportunity for millions to chase their dreams. As we approach this mark, we cannot hide our excitement and thank our over a hundred million customers who have made this journey possible!”

IndiGo currently has 142 Airbus A-320s in its fleet, with over 400 narrow body planes still on order. IndiGo promoters have signaled their intent on operating wide body aircraft to long haul international routes.

IndiGo reaches 200 million passengers mark

Adding yet another milestone to its credit, IndiGo, country’s largest and
the fastest-growing carrier, flew its 200 millionth passenger thereby reaching another historic
milestone in eleven years of operations. The 200 millionth passenger – Ms Bheeni Kapur who flew from
Delhi on IndiGo flight 6E-6929 – was greeted by IndiGo staff on checking in at Delhi airport with a
boarding card placard, a bouquet and a hamper of goodies. On board the flight, IndiGo made a special
announcement to recognize its 200 millionth passenger Ms Kapur who also received a complimentary
on-board meal box.
After our 200 millionth passenger took off today, every following customer received a thank you card
at the boarding gates across stations. The milestone underlines IndiGo’s position as the country’s
largest and fastest-growing carrier with 149 Airplanes including 1 ATR aircraft connecting 49
destinations.

Courtesy : TOI

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.