Aviation
Plane crashes in Kazakhstan shortly after takeoff, at least 15 Plane crashes in Kazakhstan shortly after takeoff, at least 15 dead

A Kazakhstan plane with 98 people on board crashed shortly after takeoff early Friday, killing at least 15 people, officials in Almaty said.
At least 66 other people survived with injuries, with 50 of them taken to the hospital.
https://youtu.be/X4PLhE-YG4A
The Bek Air aircraft hit a concrete fence and a two-story building after takeoff from Almaty International Airport. It lost attitude at 7:22 a.m., the airport said.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the airport said there was no fire and a rescue operation got under way immediately following the crash.
About 1,000 people were working at the snow-covered site of the crash. The weather in Almaty was clear, with mild subzero temperatures that are common at this time of the year.
A survivor told news website Tengrinews she heard a “terrifying sound” before the plane started losing altitude.
“The plane was flying with a tilt. Everything was like in a movie: screaming, shouting, people crying,” she said.
A Reuters reporter travelling to the airport soon after the crash said there was thick fog in the area.
Authorities have not suggested any possible cause of the accident. The aviation committee said it was suspending all flights by carrier Bek Air and those of Fokker 100 aircraft pending an investigation.
“At some point we started falling, not vertically, but at an angle. It seemed like control over the plane was lost,” he said.
At least 15 people were killed, and 66 were taken to hospital, including some in grave condition, municipal authorities said.
The crash site in Almerek village – just beyond the end of the runway – has been cordoned off.
A Reuters reporter saw the plane torn into two parts next to a house half-demolished by the impact. Other planes could be seen taking off from the airport.
“Those responsible will face tough punishment in accordance with the law,” Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev tweeted, expressing condolences to the victims and their families.
The government said the crashed plane was produced in 1996 and its most recent flight certificate was issued in May 2019.
Kazakhstan’s interior ministry said it was investigating a possible breach of flight operations and safety rules.
News courtesy : economic time and wsj

Airlines
Virgin Atlantic to start daily flights from UK to São Paulo, Brazil and Bengaluru

- Airline enters South America by launching new daily service to São Paulo, Brazil
- India expansion continues with new route to Bengaluru, India (Bangalore)
- Premium sun offering bolstered by return of Manchester to Las Vegas and Heathrow to Dubai, in addition to new routes to the Maldives and Turks & Caicos
- New inter-island flying in the Caribbean reaffirms airline’s commitment to the region, offering locals and holidaymakers island hopping
- Arrival of state-of-the-art new aircraft continues, in parallel with the recruitment of 350 additional award-winning cabin crew
Today, Virgin Atlantic announced the opening of thrilling new routes with all-new planes on three continents. With more than 250,000 total additional seats* across Virgin Atlantic’s network, compared to 2019, customers are expected to benefit from network growth as the airline takes advantage of the ongoing demand for international travel.
By adding a brand-new daily flight from London Heathrow to So Paulo, Brazil, the airline will expand its network of international routes. One of the world’s most populated cities, Sao Paulo, is home to numerous international corporations, giving corporate clients and business visitors the chance to fly in the Virgin Atlantic fashion.
Three new A380 destinations, three continents, one day(Opens in a new browser tab)
Signalling expansion in the country, Bengaluru (Bangalore) will become the airline’s third destination and fourth daily service to India. Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has increased capacity to India by 250%, the airline’s largest area of growth outside the United States. Launching in Summer 2024, the addition of this new route means the airline will offer 500,000 seats (total) each year between the UK and India, while its growing codeshare with IndiGo, India’s leading airline, flies to 34 destinations across the country.
Providing customer connectivity remains a focus, working with a range of world class partners. Alongside expanded joint venture partners Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM, the airline joined SkyTeam alliance in March 2023, meaning customers benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries, with a further codeshare announcement with Korean Air since launch.
Virgin Atlantic Fined for Operating Flights in Prohibited Airspace(Opens in a new browser tab)
By the end of 2024, the airline will have received its full order of 12 Airbus A350s, as well as the arrival of a further four A330neos. To support the operation, 350 additional cabin crew will be recruited to join the airline’s award-winning frontline team in delivering its renowned customer service.
Flights from London Heathrow to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport will operate daily on the airline’s flagship Boeing 787-9, from 13 May 2024. Flights are set to be on sale from August, with fares starting from £655. Flights to Bengaluru will operate on Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from 31 March 2024, boasting 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats, as well as the airline’s signature Upper-Class social space.
Route Aircraft On Sale Launch Date Frequency LHR-DXB-LHR Boeing 787-9 07 June 2023 28 October 2023 X4 weekly,October 2023- March 2024 MAN-LAS-MAN Boeing 787-9 July 2023 2 June 2024 X3 Summer LHR-BLR-LHR Boeing 787-9 14 June 2023 31 March 2024 Daily – year round LHR-GRU-LHR Boeing 787-9 August 2023 13 May 2024 Daily – year round LHR-MLE-LHR Boeing 787-9 On sale now 22 October 2023 X3 weekly, October 2023- March 2024 LHR-PLS-LHR Boeing 787-9 On sale now 4 November 2023 X2 weekly, year round BGI-SVD-BGI AirbusA330-300 On sale now 14 June 2023 X2 Summer 2023/ X3 Winter 2023 BGI-GND-BGI AirbusA330-300 On sale now 14 June 2023 X2 Summer 2023/ X3 Winter 2023
Aerospace
Embraer, a renowned aircraft manufacturer, has joined forces with Tata and Mahindra Group
A well-known aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, is in talks to partner up with Tata Group and Mahindra Group to build up local manufacturing capabilities in India. With the help of this strategic alliance, India’s aerospace sector will expand, domestic manufacturing will be strengthened, and jobs will be generated.
“Tata told us that their initial focus would be on large aircraft, including Airbus and Boeing. After that, they would consider smaller, regional aircraft, and there is the market where we are,” according to president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto.
While Airbus and Boeing dominate the market for bigger commercial planes, Embraer is a market leader in regional aviation. By the end of 2023, the business wants to have decided on an Indian partner for the production of defense aircraft.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for medium-transport aircraft that have a lifting capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes. It aims to finish this search by 2025 or 2026. The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical air transport aircraft, the newest defense offering from Embraer, which debuted the plane at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru in February, has been pushed for the order.
According to CEO Neto, Embraer sees “a good opportunity” in India. “The IAF has already seen our aircraft, and they approve. We have received positive feedback about the C-390 Millennium from nations like the Netherlands. We believe that the C-390 Millennium is the greatest option for that size of aircraft.
The Indian defense aviation market is not new to Embraer. The business has previously worked with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to produce three Netra airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the ERJ145 platform of Embraer, which are used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF and the Border Security Force (BSF) both use Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft to fly VIPs and government officials.
The partnership combines the skills and strengths of each partner. Together with Tata Group’s manufacturing capabilities and Mahindra Group’s technical know-how, Embraer’s extensive domain understanding and technological expertise in the aerospace sector form a potent partnership that can provide high-quality products and solutions.
Embraer, Tata Group, and Mahindra Group’s cooperation paves the way for sustained success and growth. This cooperation can investigate the potential in both domestic and foreign markets as the demand for aircraft goods and services keeps growing. Together, it can boost India’s position as a major center of manufacturing, which would benefit the country’s aerospace sector as well.
Airlines
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air Reveals Livery of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

The first of two livery designs, branded “a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance,” was unveiled today by Riyadh Air. The livery is being shown on a Boeing 787-9, of which the airline has placed orders for up to 72 (including 39 definite orders and 33 options).
The livery of Riyadh Air features a purple fuselage and a light blue tail painted with the RX logo. As on the Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) livery, the airline’s name is featured at the front of the fuselage in both English and Arabic alongside the Saudi Arabian flag.
5 Facts About Saudi Arabia’s Newest Riyadh Air(Opens in a new browser tab)
Riyadh Air’s CEO , Tony Douglas, stated: “The new airline represents the ambitious aim of Saudi Arabia to be at the center of creating the future of global air travel and be a true disruptor in terms of customer experience.
“To create a smooth travel experience, Riyadh Air’s dedication to its clients will see the merging of digital innovation and genuine Saudi hospitality. Our new 787-9s will serve as a foundation for our global operations, as we build a wider network and connect our passengers to Saudi Arabia and many other destinations around the world, as we position the airline as both a global connector and a vehicle to drive tourist and business travel to Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Riyadh Air announced that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has granted it the “RX” airline designator code. We wanted something with a modernist feel and a digital edge, Douglas added. Early 2025 is the anticipated start date for operations. The airline placed an order for 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in March, and up to 150 Boeing 737 Max planes are anticipated to follow soon.
The new airline is anticipated to increase the Kingdom’s non-oil gross domestic product by up to 75 billion riyals and generate more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, the business plans to move up to five million tonnes of freight each year.
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