Aerospace

Qatar Airways to launch domestic airline in India, Bengaluru to likely serve as hub

Airbus scraps A350 contract with Qatar Airways in feud

New Delhi, Apr 25: Qatar Airways, a state-owned enterprise of the middle eastern nation, has decided to operate a domestic carrier in India. The airliner will be applying with the Qatar investment authority (QIA) for an operating licence within the next few weeks.
The proposed domestic carrier would be owned majorly by the Qatar Investment Authority, with Qatar Airways have a minor share of 49 per cent. The fleet will consist of will consist of approximately 100 aircraft.
According to a report by Reuters, the airline’s Chief Executive, Akbar al-Baker, told reporters in Dubai that aircraft manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer would be welcome to bid for orders from the proposed Indian carrier.
In preparation for the launch, officials from Qatar have been scouting various airports across India. One airport will be selected to serve as the carrier’s hub. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has already conveyed this message to major airports in India, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi.
However, informal signals indicate that the airline has already zeroed in on Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, to serve as its national hub. The successful launch of Qatar Airways’ domestic Indian carrier, would make it the first 100 per cent foreign owned airline in India.
Meanwhile, rival middle-eastern airline, Etihad Airways, already enjoys significant gains from the Indian airline industry. The UAE-based carrier has a significant stake of 49 per cent in the India-based Jet Airways. Etihad Airways had initially acquired 24% stake in Jet Airways for $349 million in 2013 which it almost doubled in 2016.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.