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Vijay Mallya Blames Faulty Engines For Kingfisher Airlines Collapse

King fisher

New Delhi: Vijay Mallya, the embattled businessman who is in the UK, today said faulty engines were one of the factors for the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines.
A group firm of Pratt & Whitney has been sued for supplying defective engines to Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya said amid aviation regulator DGCA ordering detailed inspection of P&W engines powering some Airbus 320 neo planes being operated in India.

Mallya has been declared a wilful defaulter and is wanted by Indian authorities for default in payment of loans related to Kingfisher Airlines that was grounded in 2012. He is also wanted in other cases.
“Not surprised at DGCA enquiry into Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines. Kingfisher Airlines sadly collapsed also due to faulty engines,” he said in a tweet.DGCA has ordered detailed inspection of 21 Airbus 320 neo planes of IndiGo and GoAir that are equipped with P&W engines, which have been frequently facing technical glitches.
“We have sued IAE, a Pratt & Whitney Group Company, for compensation towards defective aircraft engines supplied to Kingfisher Airlines,” Mallya said in another tweet .Response to queries sent to a P&W spokesperson on the issue was awaited.
As many as 21 A320 neo planes that are using P&W engines would be examined and the exercise is expected to be completed in the next two weeks, a senior DGCA official had said on February 28.The same day P&W said it is working with IndiGo and GoAir as well as the regulator over the issues.

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Airlines

Alaska Airlines Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Airlines' Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) jointly announced today the execution of a definitive agreement, signifying Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines at a cash price of $18.00 per share. The total transaction value stands at approximately $1.9 billion, encompassing Hawaiian Airlines’ net debt of $0.9 billion.

The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks

This strategic union is poised to open up an array of additional destinations, providing consumers with increased choices in crucial air service options across the Pacific region, Continental United States, and globally.

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The transaction is anticipated to establish a robust platform for growth and competition in the U.S., offering enduring employment opportunities, ongoing community investments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Key Points:

  1. Acquisition Overview:
    • Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Holdings for $18.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
    • Combined company aims to maintain the strong, high-quality brands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
  2. Fleet Expansion and Network Reach:
    • Creates the fifth-largest U.S. airline with a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes.
    • Enables access to 138 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations via the oneworld Alliance.
  3. Hub Development and Connectivity:
    • Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded services to the Continental U.S., Asia, and the Pacific.
    • Tripling the number of destinations from Hawai‘i to North America, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service.
  4. Commitment to Hawai‘i:
    • Strong commitment to Hawai‘i, ensuring robust Neighbor Island air service.
    • Aiming for a more competitive platform supporting growth, job opportunities, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
  5. Employee and Union Commitment:
    • Commitment to maintaining and growing the union-represented workforce in Hawai‘i.
    • Immediate value creation with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
  6. Investor Call and Timeline:
    • Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
    • Anticipated closing of the transaction within 12-18 months.
  7. Strategic and Financial Rationale:
    • Complementary networks to enhance competition and provide greater choice for consumers.
    • Preservation of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ brands on a single operating platform.
    • Expected to deliver high single-digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years.
  8. Community and Sustainability Commitment:
    • Focus on growth in union-represented jobs and strong operational presence in Hawai‘i.
    • Commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040.
  9. Synergies and Accretion:
    • Expected run-rate synergies of at least $235 million.
    • Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
  10. Conditions to Close:
  • Approval by regulatory authorities and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders.
  • Expected to close in 12-18 months, with the combined organization based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.
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Aerospace

Revolutionizing Air Cargo: Dronamics and Qatar Airways Cargo Pioneer Drone-Airline Partnership

Dronamics, the inaugural cargo drone airline licensed to operate in Europe, and Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s largest international cargo carrier, have announced a groundbreaking interline agreement. This partnership marks the first-ever interline agreement between a global airline and a cargo drone carrier.

The interline agreement facilitates the expansion of delivery networks for both collaborators, significantly broadening their outreach and granting access to regions traditionally challenging for conventional air freight.

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Droneports Network of Qatar Airways Cargo.

Through this arrangement, Dronamics can offer cargo services from any of its droneports, initially located in Greece, to the extensive network of Qatar Airways Cargo.

This network includes destinations like Singapore, China (including Hong Kong), and the United States (JFK). Conversely, Qatar Airways Cargo gains access to remote locations served by Dronamics, such as the Greek islands, through the cargo drone network.

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The expansion of this network allows Dronamics customers to make seamless bookings for transporting goods from a Dronamics droneport to any destination covered by the joint interline network, and vice versa.

It enables swift and reliable shipments

This development opens up significant potential for the flow of various goods, including pharmaceuticals, food, e-commerce items, mail, parcels, and spare parts. It enables swift and reliable shipments to and from locations that were previously underserved by air freight.

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Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO of Dronamics, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re very excited to have the world’s largest air cargo carrier as our partner for the first-of-its-kind interline agreement with our category-defining cargo drone airline.”

Rangelov emphasized the opportunity to exponentially expand air cargo accessibility globally, enabling same-day delivery to numerous communities worldwide.

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Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP Cargo Sales & Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo, highlighted the airline’s commitment to embracing disruptive technology and supporting ambitious companies like Dronamics.

She noted the significance of being the first international airline to offer this innovative service, marking a milestone in the advancement of autonomous cargo drone transportation.

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Dronamics is set to commence commercial operations in Greece early next year, with a focus on establishing a same-day service connecting Athens, the capital city, with the industrial north area of the country, as well as the southern islands.

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Airlines

India’s Top 6 Airlines Dominating the Aviation Market in 2023

Sky High Chronicles: Unraveling the Market Share Dynamics of India’s Aviation Giants

Top 10 Airlines in India 2015

The Indian aviation industry has been a dynamic landscape, witnessing continuous growth and evolving competition among domestic airlines.

As the demand for air travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, understanding the market share of key players becomes imperative for stakeholders, investors, and enthusiasts alike. According to DGCA data, In this article, we will explore the market share and passenger numbers achieved by these carriers. we analyze the key trends shaping the aviation sector in India.

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Market share of Scheduled domestic airlines

1. IndiGo: From January to October, IndiGo reached new heights, transporting an impressive 755.35 lakh passengers. IndiGo remains the unrivaled leader in the Indian skies, with a commanding market share of 60.2%, demonstrating efficiency, reliability, and an unwavering commitment to passenger satisfaction.

2. Air India: From January to October, it has successfully carried 118.74 lakh passengers, making it stand out as a beacon of distinction. Air India, which has a 9.5% market share, is recognized as a symbol of dependability, customer service, and a dedication to offering the best possible flying experience.

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3. Vistara: In the aviation spotlight from January to October, Vistara dazzled as it carried a remarkable 113.32 lakh passengers. With a market share of 9.0%, Vistara has carved its niche in the skies, offering a seamless blend of luxury and efficiency.

4.AirAsia: set a new record in 2023 by transporting 92.06 lakh passengers from January to October. AirAsia is a dynamic force with a 7.3% market share, providing a seamless blend of innovation and passenger-centric service.

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5.SpiceJet: emerged as a dynamic force, carrying a remarkable 68.34 lakh passengers. With a market share of 5.4%, SpiceJet showcases its prowess in offering a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

6.Akasa Air: has emerged as a rising star, overseeing the seamless journey of nearly 50.91 lakh passengers from January to October. With a market share of 4.1%, Akasa Air is carving its path in the competitive skies, embodying innovation, comfort, and a commitment to elevating the passenger experience.

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Aerospace

Tim, Bold Inquiry on A350 Engine: Rolls-Royce Assures Guaranteed Engine Performance

Tim, Bold Inquiry on A350 Engine: Rolls-Royce Assures Guaranteed Engine Performance

Airbus SE’s hopes of securing a sizable order at the Dubai Air Show were stopped by Emirates President Tim Clark, who declared that he would not purchase any more of the company’s flagship A350-1000 until engine performance issues were resolved.

Emirates Seeks Assurance on A350 Engine Performance

Clark told reporters during a press conference at the Dubai Air Show, “If they can do that at a maintenance cost per hour, that’s alright for us,” Emirates would order the aircraft.

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In regions like the Middle East and India that are hot, dusty, and sandy, engines have unique difficulties. Monday’s opening of the week-long Dubai Airshow was dominated by Emirates’s order for ninety additional Boeing 777X aircraft powered by GE.

Earlier, the Qatar CEO expressed concerns about the poor paint peeling on the A350, raising airworthiness risks. Airbus subsequently addressed and resolved the issue. Now, the Emirates Chief is questioning the engine’s ability to withstand extreme heat, anticipating increased maintenance and downtime challenges.

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R-R’s unique supplier engines ensure 2500 cycles

Rolls-Royce has responded, assuring the performance of the Trent XWB-97 engine with the following statement.

“The engine excels in benign operations but faces challenges in sandy, hot conditions, like many modern engines. Rolls-Royce is actively enhancing durability. Emirates considers ordering up to 50 A350-1000 only if R-R’s unique supplier engines ensure 2500 cycles on the wing before maintenance, a significant leap from the current Trent XWB-97 performance.”

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Only Rolls Royce Holdings Plc is responsible for building the aircraft, and Clark claimed that until the next maintenance cycle, the engine on the aircraft does not meet the requirements of so-called time on the wing. According to Clark, Emirates is considering purchasing 35 to 50 A350s, which would supplement their current order of 50 A350s of the smaller -900 widebody model.

According to industry sources, Airbus saw a second significant order from Turkish Airlines slip off the show’s agenda when plans for an Emirates A350 order were put on hold for the time being.

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