Aviation

Russia Seeks Foreign Carriers to Boost Domestic Air Travel

As Western sanctions continue to impact its aviation sector, Russia is turning to Kazakhstan for support. The Russian Ministry of Transport has revealed that negotiations are underway for Kazakhstani airlines to enter the Russian domestic market and operate local flights.

This initiative aims to address the dwindling fleet of Russian airlines, which has faced significant challenges since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Before the war, Russia boasted approximately 850 aircraft. However, the fleet has now decreased to just 736, primarily due to sanctions that have restricted access to essential spare parts and new aircraft. Some estimates suggest that Russia could lose up to half of its aircraft fleet within the next two years.

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For 2025, Russian officials initially aimed for the production of 82 aircraft but have since revised that target down to just 20. Similar reductions have been made for 2026 and 2027, with planned outputs decreasing from 120 to 97 and from 180 to 140, respectively.

In light of these challenges, Russian authorities have extended invitations to airlines from Kazakhstan and other unnamed countries with good relations to Russian carriers. This strategy is seen as a vital step to bolster the domestic air travel market amidst the ongoing limitations.

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Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, a state corporation responsible for promoting the development and export of high-tech products, has warned that the accelerated retirement of foreign-manufactured airliners will commence in 2025, as they will soon require major repairs.

In a related development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively seeking next-generation Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to enhance its logistical capabilities in transporting troops and military equipment to remote mountainous areas, particularly along its borders with Pakistan and China.

In response, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has proposed the manufacturing of its advanced IL-76MD-90A transport aircraft in India, showcasing a commitment to international cooperation in aviation il-76 amidst current geopolitical challenges.

Aviation

Air India Expands International Routes with Bengaluru to London Heathrow Flights

Air India, a leading airline in India, has announced an exciting expansion of its route network. Starting from 27 October 2024, the airline will launch daily, non-stop flights between Bengaluru and London Heathrow.

This new service replaces the existing Bengaluru-London Gatwick route, increasing the frequency of flights between Bengaluru and London from five times a week to seven times a week.

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The non-stop flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Each aircraft will feature 18 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 238 spacious seats in Economy, adding an impressive 3,584 seats per week in total for inbound and outbound travel at London Heathrow. Currently, Air India operates 31 flights weekly to London Heathrow from its hubs in Delhi and Mumbai.

In addition to the new Bengaluru-Heathrow route, air india will continue to provide 12 weekly flights a350-900 air india route to London Gatwick from four Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi. This strategic move enhances Air India’s overall capacity to London, now totaling 31 weekly flights from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai.

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Switching from London Gatwick to London Heathrow is a pivotal decision for Air India. Heathrow is one of the busiest and most prestigious airports globally, known for its excellent connectivity to international destinations. air india refurbishment, allows Air India to better position itself in the competitive aviation market by securing valuable landing slots at Heathrow.

Flight Schedule between Bengaluru and London Heathrow (Effective 27 October 2024)

Flight #	Sector	Departure	Arrival	Days of Operation
AI133	Bengaluru – London Heathrow	14:20	19:30	Daily
AI132	London Heathrow – Bengaluru	21:05	12:20 (+1)	Daily

Bookings for the new flights are now open across all platforms, including Air India’s official website, mobile app, air india wifi and authorized travel agents. This initiative reflects the airline’s commitment to providing convenient travel options for tech-savvy customers who prefer digital booking platforms.