Aviation
Mumbai man becomes first to be put on no-fly list
Mumbai man becomes first to be put on no-fly list
New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) A Mumbai-based jeweller, who created a hijack scare onboard a Jet Airways flight in October last year, has become the first person to be put on the National No Fly List, eight months after it was unveiled.
Incidentally, he was also the first to be booked under the stringent Anti-Hijacking Act which had replaced the vintage law of 1982.
Birju Kishore Salla (37) was arrested in October last year by the crime branch following the emergency landing made by the Mumbai-Delhi Jet Airways plane at the Ahmedabad airport after the pilot was alerted about a note about hijackers and a bomb which was found in the plane’s washroom by a cabin crew.
“Mr Salla, the guy who had created the hijack scare in a Jet Airways flight last year, is the first person to be put on the no fly list,” a senior DGCA official said confirming the development.
The then Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, had advised airlines to put him on the no-fly list, in addition to other statutory criminal action.
Under the revised civil aviation requirement (CAR), a passenger can be considered to be placed under three categories of unruly behaviour, with category three bearing the harshest punishment.
Salla has been placed under the third category.
It says that if a passenger?s behaviour is considered life threatening like affecting the safety of the aircraft then he or she can be banned for up to two years or more.
Unruly behaviour is probed by an internal committee set up by every domestic airline under the chairmanship of a retired District and Sessions judge.
Its members are from different scheduled airlines and passenger associations, consumer associations and retired officials of the consumer dispute redressal forum.
Salla is a multi-millionaire jeweller having his office in the Zaveri Bazar area of Mumbai and a flat in a posh locality of the metropolis.
The note, placed by Salla, stated that there were hijackers and a bomb in the cargo area.
He had confessed to preparing the note, hoping the threat could make Jet Airways close operation in Delhi and his girlfriend, who works in the airlines Delhi office, comes back to Mumbai.
According to the crime branch, the note was a printed note in Urdu and English, asking that the plane be flown straight to POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). It ended with the words, “Allah is Great”. The reference to POK made investigators suspicious because Pakistan-based terrorists call the area Azad Kashmir.
According to the DGCA, it is the responsibility of Jet Airways now to inform other airlines about the grounding of this particular passenger under the CAR. The DGCA will continue to maintain database of such passengers. PTI SAN DIP DIP
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Aerospace
South Korean KF-21 Completed First Successful Aerial Refueling
The first aerial refuelling test of South Korea’s indigenous KF-21 Boramae fighter jet was successfully completed, marking a key milestone in the country’s defense capabilities.
Refueling from a Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force KC-330 aircraft off the southern coast, the Boramae fighter jet took off from Sacheon Airbase, some 183 miles southeast of Seoul. The Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) hailed this development, which represents a significant advancement for this state-of-the-art aircraft.
The successful aerial refueling test corresponds with a staged production plan intended to ease worries brought forward by the feasibility assessment carried out a year ago. The research recommended cutting production to just 20 units and made additional test suggestions. A DAPA official continues to state that after discussions with pertinent agencies, plans are in place to conclude verification testing by June of this year and complete a contract for the remaining 20 units by February of the following year.
The kf 21, which has been compared to the Turkish KAAN and the Indian AMCA, has a more stealthy airframe than fourth-generation aircraft, but it is not yet capable of fifth-generation fighter capabilities. However, in the future, modifications such as internal weapons bays might force South Korea to reclassify it as a fifth-generation fighter. Even while South Korea has made significant strides towards constructing the KF-21, other countries, including Turkey and India, are also stepping up their efforts to push plans for creating fifth-generation fighter jets.
As an initial phase, KAI boramae intends to manufacture a two-seat variant of the kai kf 21 boramae equipped with manned/unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities. According to current plans, the Block 2 kf 21 fighter is slated for an upgrade to a low observability (LO) configuration, elevating it to the status of a fifth-generation fighter.
Additionally, KAI has put forward a proposal for the development of a Block 3 kf 21 boramae fighter jet, categorized as a sixth-generation fighter. This iteration would be larger, boasting enhanced stealth features and capabilities. It would incorporate more potent engines and operate within a comprehensive ‘system of systems’ framework, integrating with unmanned effectors for increased effectiveness.
With the KF-21’s production set to start later in the year, DAPA intends to finalise an agreement with KAI by the beginning of 2024. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is expected to receive 120 KF-21 fighters by 2032.
The whole production plan for 40 kf21s has been approved by the Defence Project Promotion Committee, with an estimated cost of 7.92 trillion won (US$5.9 billion) between now and 2028.
Aviation
Laser Attack on Aircraft after flying over at Mexico Fireworks Festival
In a shocking turn of events, a passenger jet was nearly blinded by the intense beams of hundreds of laser pointers wielded by festival-goers at a pyrotechnics festival in Tultepec, Mexico.
The harrowing incident unfolded last weekend during the National Pyrotechnic Festival, an annual celebration showcasing Mexico’s rich tradition in fireworks production and usage.
Video footage captured the moment when a passenger jet, en route to Felipe Ángeles International Airport, soared above the festival grounds. As the aircraft approached, the sky became illuminated with a multitude of green laser beams, creating an eerie glow around the plane.
https://twitter.com/fl360aero/status/1770277290695385593
The sight was both astonishing and terrifying, as the lasers posed a serious risk to the safety of the aircraft and its passengers. Social media erupted with condemnation towards the festival-goers, labeling their actions as idiotic and dangerous.
Social media erupted with condemnation as the video spread rapidly, with users expressing outrage at the dangerous behavior of the festival attendees. Many denounced the act as foolish and illegal, highlighting the potential consequences of such reckless actions.
It is currently unclear if the police are investigating the video or if the airline targeted has complained to air safety officials.
Airlines
Indigo contributed 31 crores to India’s political party for election funds
In a recent disclosure, it has come to light that Rahul Bhatia, the promoter of IndiGo, along with companies under his InterGlobe Group, has made significant donations totaling Rs 56 crore to four political parties. Additionally, SpiceJet, led by Ajay Singh, has contributed Rs 70 lakh to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The data further reveals that InterGlobe Air Transport Ltd, a part of the InterGlobe Group, purchased 11 electoral bonds valued at Rs 1 crore each on May 10, 2019, amounting to a total of Rs 11 crore. Similarly, Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, acquired 5 electoral bonds worth Rs 1 crore each on October 23, 2023, totaling Rs 5 crore.
InterGlobe Real Estate Venture and InterGlobe Air Transport Ltd directed the lion’s share of their political contributions, totaling Rs 31 crore, to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Surprisingly, the second-largest recipient was the Trinamool Congress (TMC), receiving Rs 16.2 crore from Bhatia. Additionally, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd allocated Rs 5 crore to the Congress party, while Bhatia contributed Rs 3.8 crore to its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Rahul Bhatia, individually, also made substantial contributions through electoral bonds, purchasing bonds worth Rs 20 crore. On April 7, 2021, a total of 29 electoral bonds were acquired, with 19 bonds valued at Rs 1 crore each and 10 bonds at Rs 10 lakh each, summing up to Rs 20 crore. When combined with the donations from IndiGo and its affiliated companies, the total contributions from the promoter and associated entities reach Rs 56 crore.
On the other hand, SpiceJet, once a prominent player in the Indian aviation industry, has seen a decline in its market position, currently ranking fifth in terms of market share. Despite this, the airline has engaged in political contributions, with donations made in three separate installments.
Aviation
Air India Express to Operate 360+ Daily Flights in Summer 2024
In a strategic move aimed at significantly expanding its operations, Air India Express, the Tata Group-owned airline, is gearing up to soar to new heights this summer.
With a robust plan in place, the airline is set to operate more than 360 daily flights during the upcoming summer schedule, marking a substantial increase in its services both domestically and internationally.
Compared to last year’s summer schedule, Air India Express is witnessing remarkable growth, with a surge of over 25 percent in domestic flights and over 20 percent in international flights. This translates to an additional 55 domestic flights and 19 international flights, with a total of 259 domestic and 109 international departures.
As part of its efforts to bolster connectivity, the airline will be ramping up frequencies to key international destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Jeddah, and Sharjah, catering to the growing travel demand in these regions.
In addition to its expansion plans, air india american express is also delighting its passengers with an enhanced in-flight dining experience. To mark the upcoming Holi celebrations, the airline has introduced the traditional Indian sweet “Gujia” to its award-winning in-flight dining menu, ‘Gourmair,’ promising passengers a delightful gastronomic journey.
Recently, Air India Express Rolls Out ‘Xpress Lite’ Fares, Through the ‘Xpress Lite’ program, travelers can take advantage of fares that are less expensive than standard ones. Complementing this service is “Xpress Check-In,” a function that allows passengers to skip lines at baggage belts and check-in counters, thereby expediting the boarding procedure. air india express ticket offer Furthermore, travelers who choose “Xpress Lite” prices will be given a free 3-kilogram cabin luggage allowance.
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