Airlines

Over 75 planes of Indian carriers grounded due to engine issues

More than 75 aircraft operated by Indian carriers have been grounded because of maintenance and engine-related issues

More than 75 aircraft operated by Indian carriers have been grounded because of maintenance and engine-related issues, according to aviation consulting firm Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) on Tuesday. Ten to twelve percent of the Indian fleet consists of these aircraft.

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In the second half, these “will have a significant impact on financials,” according to CAPA’s India Mid-Year Outlook 2023, which was published on Tuesday. More than 75 aircraft are currently grounded, according to the report, which poses serious difficulties in the context of an already hostile cost environment and increases losses.

It added that serious supply chain problems have a negative impact on capacity and have an effect on both current and upcoming deliveries. These problems are also likely to spread throughout the fiscal year beginning in April 2023, which will have an adverse effect on upcoming deliveries.

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Notably, none of the domestic airlines, not even IndiGo and SpiceJet, two listed companies, have made any public statements about the planes’ grounding to date. According to CAPA, the income from the sale and leaseback financing may be less than anticipated, which could result in liquidity issues as a result of future delivery delays.

Due to the need to extend the leases of older aircraft in the fleet, which have higher maintenance costs and fuel consumption than the new aircraft that would have replaced them, delays in aircraft deliveries may also result in higher unit costs for carriers. A lack of engineers and pilots, for example, is predicted to occur next year, according to the report.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.