Airlines

Investigations Reveal Fake Chinese Titanium in Boeing and Airbus Jets

Airliners manufactured by Boeing and Airbus have components made from titanium that was sold with fake documentation.

The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) revealed the problem after Boeing reported it to the agency when it was notified by parts supplier Spirit AeroSystems. Spirit AeroSystems, the same company that made the door on the 737 Max plane which suffered a door blowout on January 5, is at the center of this issue.

The falsified documents are being investigated by Spirit AeroSystems, which supplies fuselages for Boeing and wings for Airbus, as well as the F.A.A. The investigation began after a parts supplier found small holes in the material from corrosion. Spirit was testing the metal to determine if it was up to standard and structurally sound enough.

“This is about documents that have been falsified, forged, and counterfeited,” Spirit AeroSystems stated. “Once we realized the counterfeit titanium made its way into the supply chain, we immediately contained all suspected parts to determine the scope of the issues.”

The F.A.A. said in a statement that it “will investigate further the root cause of the document traceability issue and continues to monitor closely any new developments that could potentially lead to an unsafe condition in the fleet.” The agency is trying to determine the short- and long-term safety implications for planes made using the parts. It is unclear how many planes have parts made with the questionable material.

Boeing, in its statement, reported a voluntary disclosure to the F.A.A. regarding the procurement of material through a distributor who may have falsified or provided incorrect records. “Boeing issued a bulletin outlining ways suppliers should remain alert to the potential of falsified records,” the company added.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which oversees Airbus, said it learned of the issue from authorities in Italy and began an investigation. So far, the agency said, it has not found indications of a safety problem. The problem was discovered after a parts supplier found small holes in the titanium from corrosion.

Airlines

IndiGo Flight Tickets Now Bookable Through WhatsApp

IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, has introduced an innovative AI conversational booking assistant named 6Eskai on WhatsApp, marking a significant step in enhancing customer experience.

This new feature aims to provide seamless travel solutions directly through WhatsApp, offering convenience right at the travelers‘ fingertips.

IndiGo launches AI conversational booking assistant

6Eskai is built on a generative AI assistant platform developed by Riafy, a Google partner. With this technology, customers can now book tickets, check-in, generate boarding passes, check flight statuses, and ask queries all via WhatsApp.

The service is capable of handling both text and voice messages in English, Hindi, and Tamil languages initially. To use this service, customers can simply initiate a WhatsApp text to +91 7065145858.

The AI assistant leverages Google Cloud’s Large Language Models to support this service. Through extensive prompt engineering, it offers conversational interactions, responds to emotions, and even adds humor to its responses, ensuring a more engaging customer experience.

6Eskai has 1.7 trillion parameters

This extension on WhatsApp is expected to significantly enhance the hassle-free travel booking services available through IndiGo’s digital channels. 6Eskai is a highly advanced AI with 1.7 trillion parameters, enabling it to answer a wide range of common questions effortlessly.

Its capabilities include booking tickets, applying promotional discounts, booking add-ons, performing web check-ins, assisting in seat selection, planning trips, answering FAQs, and connecting customers with an agent.

Airlines

Etihad Airways Launches 8 New Destinations this month

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, is embarking on a significant network expansion this June with the introduction of flights to eight new destinations.

Added Eight new destinations

This move increases their total summer season routes to 76, marking a milestone in their growth strategy. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity.

New routes to Bali, Jaipur, and Al Qassim

“It is an exciting month for Etihad as we deliver on our plans to expand our network with eight additional locations,” Neves stated. Highlighting the popularity of new routes like Bali, Jaipur, and Al Qassim based on forward bookings, he noted the positive reception from passengers.

The airline has commenced operations to summer hotspots such as Nice on the French Riviera and Antalya on the Turkish Riviera, as well as resumed services to Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini. Earlier in June, Etihad reintroduced flights to Málaga, a favored Spanish holiday destination.

This week, Etihad launched direct services to Jaipur, renowned for its vibrant culture and status as a key tourist destination in Rajasthan, India. This marks Etihad’s 11th gateway into India, aiming to strengthen connectivity and convenience for travelers from the UAE, Europe, North America, and the GCC.

Etihad’s four-times-weekly flights to Bali offer travelers an opportunity to experience the island’s tropical paradise. Visitors can indulge in its pristine beaches, lush green rice fields, and rich local culture, providing an ideal blend of relaxation and exploration.

Airlines

India Rejects China’s Request to Restart Passenger Flights

China is urging India to restart direct passenger flights after a four-year hiatus, but New Delhi is holding back as border disputes continue to strain relations between the two populous nations, officials report.

New Delhi resists due to ongoing border disputes

Tensions between India and China have remained high since a major military confrontation in the disputed Himalayan border region in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers. Thousands of troops are still stationed on both sides of the border.

Cargo flights between the countries continue

Following the clash, India has taken steps to limit Chinese investments, banned numerous Chinese apps, and halted direct passenger flights, though cargo flights between the countries have continued.

While the resumption of direct flights would economically benefit both nations, China stands to gain more given its lagging recovery in overseas travel post-COVID-19, in contrast to India’s booming aviation sector.

“We hope the Indian side will work with China in the same direction for the early resumption of direct flights,” China’s Foreign Ministry stated to Reuters last week, emphasizing that such a move would be mutually beneficial.

However, a senior Indian official involved in bilateral developments with China remarked on Beijing’s push to resume flights, stating, “Unless there is peace and tranquillity on the border, the rest of the relationship cannot move forward.”

Discussions are ongoing between Indian airlines and New Delhi, as well as between Chinese carriers and their government, regarding the potential resumption of direct routes.