Touch Base with Indian A&D Industry

Kingfisher Airlines has put an end to its pilot recruitments for now, and has opted not to honour the ‘letters of intent’ it had issued to its co-pilots earlier this year.

Reports quoted unnamed sources while saying that the airline had issued letters of intent to young pilots promising them jobs as co-pilots once they completed their Type Rating training from institutes abroad. They reports say that a number of these trainee pilots have since then completed their training programmes successfully and have even received their Indian licences, but have not heard from Kingfisher Airlines.

Reports quoted sources as saying that the trainee pilots had been informed that Kingfisher Airlines does not need crew and that the communication was given to the students as and when they completed course and thereafter contacted the airline for the job promised to them earlier.

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Global aviation training and recruitment major, Cabin Crew Direct, will set up seven cabin crew training and recruitment centres in the country. The UK-headquartered firm said it would run the centres in collaboration with Kouni India, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Kouni International.

The service provider said it plans to place around 70-80 cabin crew executives with major global airlines by end of the year. “We have just set up the first centre in collaboration with Kouni at New Delhi and would be opening six other centres at Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chandigarh soon,” Cabin Crew Direct chief executive officer, John Ellis, said.

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The aviation industry and analysts are divided over the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to stay a Bombay High Court order, which quashed the guidelines issued by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) on working hours for pilots. The SC had asked pilots to comply with a DGCA circular, which specified that they can operate three flights within nine hours, instead of two flights in nine hours as ordered by the HC.

According to senior industry executives, a pilot can follow the DGCA guidelines in the domestic sector, but it is different to comply with them while flying on international routes. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) is likely to decide on its future action this week. The stand of the private airlines, led by Jet Airways, is not known yet.

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More than 100 Indian students, training to be pilots at an aviation academy in California, have been left in the lurch after their academy shut-down abruptly. The students, who have paid heavy fees for the course, have now been served with an eviction notice by school authorities and asked to vacate the premises by 27 June, Friday.

The students, reportedly, are part of a commercial pilot training programme (CPL), jointly tun by Kingfisher Airlines and American School of Aviation (ASA). According to the students, who have paid up to  $46,000 for the course, they were handed a letter of intent by private carrier, Kingfisher Airlines, offering them jobs as co-pilots on completion of training with the ASA and getting their CPL and subsequent conversion from the DGCA.

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Faced with a massive human resource crunch, merged carrier Air India would be pleased about the induction of 44 new pilots into its ranks. Trained at its own academy, the fresh inductees increase the number of pilots in the flag carrier’s ranks to 1,244.

Air India spokesman, Jitendra Bhargava, said, ”The induction of these new pilots in the airline will create a new line of co-pilots and these pilots after successfully flying for 2,000 hours would be eligible for commanding an aircraft. Simultaneously we will also train fresh pilots and have a batch of fresh co-pilots ready.”

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The pilot training capabilities of the Central Training Establishment (CTE) here have got a shot in the arm with the institute getting recognition as a Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO).

The TRTO status would mean that the CTE can conduct exams for pilots independently. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which conducts this examination, has given the approval to the CTE, according to Capt. C.J. Bhoopal, Executive Director (Training).

It will expedite the training process, which in turn would help airlines meet the big demand for qualified pilots to fly their growing fleets of aircraft in the near future, Capt. Bhoopal told Business Line.

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From June 1, India’s commercial aircraft will not have foreign co-pilots on board. This will open fresh opportunities for thousands of aspiring pilots in the airline industry, said a government official.

The development comes in the wake of the government’s decision that Indian airlines should have only Indian co-pilots from June 1. The carriers are also required to discontinue the services of senior foreign pilots, designated as commanders, by July 2010, the official said.

According to official sources, leading private airline Jet Airways received over 900 applications for the 10 posts it had advertised for hiring co-pilots.

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Changi International Airport Services has tied up with United Educational Institutes Global or UEI Global for launching aviation courses in India. According to the UEI, this is an exclusive and first of its kind partnership with CIAS in the country.

UEI, the educational venture of Berggruen Holdings will be offering two courses in aviation which are in-flight service and airport service management.

Mr Praveen Roy, Managing Director and CEO of UEI, told Business Line that the entire curriculum of the airport services course and parts of the other course has been designed by CIAS. “Not just the curriculum but they are going to audit the courses and train our faculty as well.”

Incorporated in 1977, CIAS as an independent ground handling company has provided professional ground handling services to a diverse clientele of international airlines at Singapore Changi Airport. A subsidiary of Dnata and a member of the Emirates Group of companies, it offers a full range of ground handling, cargo and catering services to over 25 airlines in Singapore.

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France said Wednesday that it is planning to set up an aviation training school, along with helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, to train chopper pilots in India as part of its overall effort to seek technical and business partnership with this country in the field of transport.

"There is a huge shortage of helicopter pilots in India. We have started a dialogue for setting up a training school for such pilots. In the next few days we would be looking at concretising the plans," French minister of state for transport, Dominique Bussereau, currently on a two-day visit to India, informed the media.

Bussereau confirmed that he had spoken to civil aviation minister, Paful Patel, in this regard.

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Moving forward with its plans to launch a low-cost airline service, Frankfinn Aviation is now mulling a full service airline operation by 2009 end or the beginning of 2010.

The airhostess-training institute is also planning an IPO at the beginning of next year .

“We plan to operate both low-cost and higher end full service airline services.

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The UB Group owned Kingfisher Training Academy plans to set up 25 training centres by 2010 in the country, according to company officials. The academy seeks to provide training in the aviation as well as the hospitality sectors.

According to senior Kingfisher officials, they may set up the centres even earlier than 2010, with atleast 12 centres being set up set up over the next two months.

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US-based Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron Inc, is mulling establishing a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report which quotes a senior company executive.

“We are looking at an MRO in India, but it’s in the preliminary stages,” the report quoted Max E Wiley, Bell Helicopter’s vice-president of Asia Pacific sales, as saying.

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The civil aviation sector may have a requirement for almost five thousand pilots over the next five years, according to civil aviation minister, Praful Patel. This phenomenal need has forced the aviation sector to rely on foreign pilots, whose current strength stands at 944, the minister said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

“On the basis of the estimated growth, their may a requirement of about 5,000 pilots in the country in the next five years,” the minister said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
In his reply the minister said that the country was facing a shortage of type rated pilots.

In order to bridge the gap between the demand and availability, 944 foreign pilots have been engaged by airlines, the minister said.

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Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc company, announced an order from India’s Chimes Aviation for 20 single engine piston Cessna 172-Skyhawks for its aviation academies at the Singapore Airshow.

The order includes 11 172R aircraft for immediate delivery and nine turbo-diesel 172 models for delivery later this year.

The aircraft will be used for flight training by the Chimes Aviation Academy, which operates from Sagar airport in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.

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In a bid to tap growing aviation industry at 30 per cent, Kingfisher will start a training institute for cabin crew and other professionals in the industry, hospitality and customer care services which would go onstream from April this year.

Executive Vice-President of Kingfisher Airline Rajesh Verma said today that nearly 800 to 900 candidates would be trained annually in Kolkata under one year and six months diploma course with a fee of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.25 lakh respectively.

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Bangalore will soon have a world-class flying training institute for helicopter pilots as aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has entered into a joint venture project with a Canadian company to set up a “helicopter simulation park” there.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ashok Baweja said the facility would be developed jointly by HAL and Canada-based aviation firm CAE on an equal partnership basis at an initial investment of Rs 240 crore to provide complete range of solution on helicopter training.

“We are setting up a helicopter simulator park in Bangalore to offer complete solution on helicopter training,” Baweja said here at a function. He said HAL was taking up the project as an industry.

The park, which is being developed on five acres, will provide flying training basically on Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv.

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The Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University (DAE University) says it plans to dramatically alter the way the aviation industry views how pilots and technical personnel are qualified for employment.

According to DAE statement, the DAE University through its planned DAE Flight Academy and DAE College will better-prepare its graduates as airline and airport personnel by providing accelerated flight training and licensed technical programmes.

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Vikas Kothari, a 34-year-old Delhi-based businessman, plans to buy a Cirrus aircraft or a used Turboprop. He could then visit his factories in Jammu, Kota and Baroda on the same day. But Mr Kothari’s more excited about his Private Pilot Licence (PPL), which will allow him to fly his dream machine.

Similarly, 47-year-old Surendra Sonik took his PPL training just for the thrill of flying. “I run a company that manufactures equipment for adventure sports. I wanted to experience all kind of adventure sports, including flying myself,” he says.

Welcome to the world of hobby flying, the new buzzword in Indian skies. Rising affluence in the country is now spilling onto aviation with more andt—some for practical purposes, others just for kicks.

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Year End Review 2007

1.         INTRODUCTION

All of us are aware that India’s economy has captured world imagination and alongwith this Indian aviation has grown as a significant compliment.

2.         BOOM IN AIR TRAVEL

The Civil Aviation Sector in the country has witnessed a boom as the domestic passenger carriage, cargo movement and international air traffic have shown exponential growth.  This growth has been largely due to policy of increased liberalization both on domestic and international sectors.  The year 2007 has been especially remarkable for the growth witnessed in passenger traffic.  During the year 2007, domestic airline passenger traffic has shown a growth of 36.74% in first nine months (January to September, 2007) as compared to the corresponding period of 2006.  Further, the scheduled domestic air services are now available to/from 82 airports as against nearly 75 in the year 2006.

3.         INDIA AVIATION 2008

It has been decided to hold India Aviation 2008, an exhibition cum conference on Civil Aviation in October, 2008 at Hyderabad.  The theme of the show is “Scaling new heights”. The show would include exhibitors both domestic and international from different areas like Airlines, Aircraft Manufacturers, MRO, Infrastructure companies, Airport services, security, management and maintenance.

4.         NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AVIATION

As the aviation sector is experiencing an unprecedented growth, it has been felt imperative to constructively engage the State Governments and make them active partners in the development of civil aviation.  The Ministry of Civil Aviation has scheduled a one-day conference on January 18, 2008 at the Ashok Hotel, New Delhi with the concerned State Ministers and the Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs so as to discuss various programmes and policies of the Government of India as well as to provide a forum for the States to project issues of concern to them.

5.         LIBERAL APPROACH IN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS

In accordance with the policy of liberalization in the civil aviation sector and with a view to attract more foreign passengers, the Government has adopted a forward looking approach in the matter of grant of traffic rights under bilateral agreements with various foreign countries.  The India-US aviation market has registered significant growth under the new revised  Air Services Agreement signed between the two countries.  During the year 2007, traffic rights were enhanced with Singapore, Cambodia, Jordan, UAE (Abu Dhabi/Dubai/Sharjah), Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Chile and Hong Kong. This would not only lead to more flights and better connectivity from these countries to India but also provide more competitive fares for passengers.

6.         INTERNATIONAL OPERATION BY PRIVATE SCHEDULED AIRLINES ON INDIA-GULF SECTOR

The Government has decided to open the India-Gulf route to eligible private schedule carriers with effect from 1st January, 2008. Jet Airways has been permitted to operate international services to certain destinations in the Gulf region from 1st January, 2008.

7.         ICAO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

In the ICAO General Assembly held in Montreal from 18th to 28th September, 2007, India was re-elected as a Member in the Council of ICAO for a period of 3 years.

8.         LIMITED OPEN SKY POLICY

In order to ensure sufficient availability of seats during the peak winter season, India has been declaring a limited Open Sky Policy since 1999 – 2000 under which the designated airlines of foreign countries were being allowed to operate additional flights as well as upgrade their equipment.  In keeping with this approach, the Government has permitted the designated foreign airlines to upgrade their equipment at their discretion on their existing frequencies during the period 1st December, 2007 to 31st January, 2008.  Additional flights were not considered necessary, as liberalized traffic arrangements have been put in place with the main traffic generating countries in the recent past.

9.         CAPE TOWN CONVENTION/AIRCRAFT PROTOCOL

The Cabinet has on 26.11.2007 approved India’s accession to the Cape Town Convention and the Aircraft Protocol.  The principal objective of the Convention/Protocol is the efficient financing of mobile equipment.  It is designed to establish an international legal regime for categories of high value and uniquely identifiable mobile equipments.

The economic benefits of the Cape Town Convention are significant.  It is likely to reduce the risk applicable to asset-based financing and leasing transactions by establishing an international legal framework, backed by treaty relations and, where necessary, implementing domestic laws.  The risk reduction will not only increase the availability of aviation credit at a cheaper cost, but will also broaden the spectrum of financing alternatives available to aircraft operators.

10.        AIRCRAFT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2007 (AMENDEMENT TO THE AIRCFART ACT, 1934

Keeping in view various developments in the civil aviation sector in the past few years, a review of the existing provisions of the Aircraft Act, 1934 was undertaken and it was considered necessary to carry out certain amendments to make it more effective and consistent with the present requirements.

Through the Amendment to the Aircraft Act, for ensuring Safety and Security Control, the Central Government will be empowered to make rules on:

#          Licensing of personnel engaged in air traffic control.

#          Certification, inspection and regulation of the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) facilities.

#          Safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference and ensuring civil aviation security since at present there is no legal provision under which the various orders on security are issued.

The existing power of DGCA has been enlarged to issue directions on:

#          Regulation of air transport services (e.g. aircraft operations, air traffic control or maintenance and operation of any aerodrome, communications, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management).

#          Prohibition of slaughtering and flaying of animals etc. within 10 kilometers radius of the airports.

A New clause in the Act has been added to exercise regulatory control on foreign registered aircraft coming to or flying over India.

Through these amendments it would be ensured that air travel in India continues to meet international safety and security standards.

11.        CIVIL AVIATION COOPERATION PROGRAMME

An Aviation Cooperation Programme (ACP) has been signed with USA during the visit of the Minister (Civil Aviation) on 21-22 June, 2007, which is to be funded through US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).  The proposed ACP is a public/private partnership between the USTDA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Aviation companies.  This Programme is designed to provide a Forum for communication between the Government of India and US public and private sector entities in India.  The initial funding of the Programme is proposed through the public institutions of USA and private companies having stakes in aviation.  The ACP’s specific objectives are:-

(i)                   To promote increased safety, operational efficiency and system capacity in the Indian aviation sector;

(ii)                 Facilitate and coordinate aviation industry training and technical ties between the U.S. and India; and

(iii)                Strengthen overall US – India aviation cooperation.

12.        IATA RESOLUTION 815

The Government of India has given approval for adoption of IATA Resolution 815, which will enable the implementation of the Cargo Accounts Settlement System (CASS), which is the equivalent of the Bank Settlement Plan (BSP) of IATA applicable for the passenger airlines.  The CASS plan of IATA facilitates improved accounting and easy payment methods by the airlines to the cargo agents.  However to protect smaller agents, the Government has approved the Resolution with two reservations.

13.        DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Development of airport infrastructure has been undertaken through the PPP route in major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.  Modernisation of the Kolkata and Chennai airports is being undertaken by the AAI.  The aim of the government is to transform these airports into world-class facilities through this hybrid mechanism.
14.        MODERNISATION OF DELHI AND MUMBAI AIRPORTS

The International airports in Delhi and Mumbai have been restructured and are being modernised through Private sector participation.  The construction of first phase of Delhi airport started in January 2007 and is likely to be completed by March 2010. The cost of first phase of development is about Rs. 8,890 crores approximately.  The construction work of Mumbai airport also started in January 2007. The airport will be saturated by 2014 with capacity of 40 million passengers per annum. The cost of development is Rs. 7000 crores approximately.

15.        CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT NAVI MUMBAI.

Government of India has given “in-principle” approval for the setting up of a Greenfield airport through Public Private Partnership (PPP) at Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra subject to certain conditions.  The Ministry has set up a Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Civil Aviation and comprising of officials of the State Government, Ministry of Civil Aviation, City & Industries Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) and Airports Authority of India was set up during the year 2007 to monitor the implementation.  Three meetings of the said Committee were held.

16.        MODERNISATION/ EXPANSION OF KOLKATA  AIRPORT

An Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, has approved the Action Plan for development of Kolkata airport.   The proposal involves construction of an integrated terminal building to handle 20 million passengers per annum and airside works at a total cost of Rs.1942.51 crores for completion in June, 2010.

17.        EXPANSION/MODERNISATION OF CHENNAI AIRPORT

An Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, has approved an Action plan for development of Chennai airport.  The proposal involves expansion of international and domestic terminal building to handle additional 13 million passengers per annum and major airside work, including extension of secondary runway at a total estimated cost of Rs.1808 crores, for completion in June, 2010.

18.        POLICY FOR GREENFIELD AIRPORTS

In order to streamline the policy framework for setting up of new airports an Inter Ministerial Group was set up to examine the extant procedures and recommend a new policy for Greenfield airports.  The Draft policy finalized by the IMG was considered by the Committee on Infrastructure and approved it subject to resolution of certain issues by a Group of Ministers.  The Group of Ministers has since met and considered these issues.  The Policy would now be forwarded for consideration by the Union Cabinet.  The Policy aims at providing a clear-cut architecture of the approval mechanism for setting up of new airports.  Guidelines for granting technical approvals by various agencies involved in setting up of an airport would be provided upfront to provide clarity.  A time bound process for approval of proposals received in this regard is also being suggested.  The policy is likely to be finalized in a couple of months.

19.        BANGALORE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIMITED (BIAL)

Greenfield airport project at Devanahalli near Bangalore is being implemented on a Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for 30 years with Public – Private – Participation (PPP) at revised cost of Rs.2,470 crores. Government of Karnataka (GoK) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) together hold 26% equity and the strategic joint venture partners hold the balance 74%. The target date of opening of the airport is 30th March 2008.

20.        HYDERABAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIMITED (HIAL)

A Greenfield airport is being developed in Shamshabad, near Hyderabad on BOOT basis with Public Private Participation (PPP) by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.  The approximate cost of the Project is Rs.2,478 crores. AAI and Government of Andhra Pradesh together hold 26% equity with AAI’s equity being capped at Rs. 50 crores. The balance 74% being held by the strategic partner, a consortium consisting of M/s GMR Enterprises and Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhard (MAHB).  The target date of opening the airport is 16th March 2008.

21.        MODERNISATION OF 35 NON-METRO AIRPORTS

AAI has undertaken an ambitions project of modernization of 35 non-metro airports.  As per a decision taken by the Committee on Infrastructure, airside work, including construction of terminal buildings, would be undertaken by AAI.  Work on most of these airports has been taken up.  The work at Agra Airport (Civil Enclave) has been completed and major work at 7 other airports viz. Agatti, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Jaipur, Nagpur, Trichy and Udaipur is scheduled to be completed within the current financial year.  It is expected that terminal buildings and associated air side works in respect of 24 airports will be completed by end March 2009 whereas remaining 11 airport would be completed by end March, 2010.  City side development of 24 select non metro airports would be taken through PPP.  The city side development includes commercial exploitation and maintenance of terminal buildings besides real estate development.  RFQ for Amritsar and Udaipur has already been issued and, while the bids will be received by January, 2008, the initial response from prospective bidders has been promising.

22.        ESTABLISHMENT OF AIRPORT ECONOMIC REGULATORY AUTHORITY (AERA)

With the objective of creating a level playing field, to foster healthy competition amongst all airports, encourage investment in airport facilities, regulation of tariffs of aeronautical services, protection of reasonable interest of users, operation of efficient, economic and viable airports, etc., it has been decided to set up an Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA).  The functions of the Authority shall be as under:

(a)                 to fix, review and approve tariff structure for the aeronautical services taking into consideration the capital expenditure incurred, the service provided, its quality and other relevant factors;

(b)                 to fix, review and approve users development fees which may be levied by service provider for development of an airport;

(c)                 to monitor the set performance standards relating to quality, continuity and reliability of service as prescribed by Central Government or its authorized agencies through concession agreement or such other agreement;

(d)                 to call for such information required to review the regulated tariff structure;

(e)                 to perform such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government or as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2007 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 5th September, 2007.  The Bill has been referred to the Department  - related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture for examination and report within three months.  The Committee took Oral Evidence of the MOCA representatives on the Bill on 23.10.2007.

23.        STREAMLING AND PROMOTING CARGO OPERATIONS

To streamline and promote the cargo operations, an Inter Ministerial Group is looking into various aspects of air cargo operations. Based on its recommendations, free time available for the cargo has been reduced to 72 hours from 5 days.  The IMG is deliberating on additional steps to be taken to streamline the procedures relating to air cargo operations so as to make the operations more efficient.  The cargo activities, at present, are much below the potential available in the country.  One of the steps contemplated is to promote cargo operations through PPP at non-metro airports.

24.        AIRPORT CONNECTIVITY

The Ministry has also taken up the issue of improving connectivity to major airports and selected 12 airports in the first phase.  These are CSI Airport at Mumbai and the proposed Navi Mumbai, IGI Airport at Delhi and the proposed Greater Noida airport at Jawar, Chennai airport, Bangalore airport, Kolkata airport, Hyderabad airport, Ahmedabad airport, Cochin airport, Coimbatore airport and Jaipur airport. The Ministry has firmed up various connectivity plans for four of the above airports and is working on similar proposals for the remaining airports.

25.        PROMOTION OF REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY

To expand air connectivity on Tier II and Tier III cities and to promote regional air connectivity, a separate category of permit, Scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services has been introduced. Accordingly, Director General of Civil Aviation on 28.08.2007 has issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) stipulating minimum requirements for grant of permit to operate Scheduled Air Transport Regional Services.

Schedule Regional Air Transport Services means a Scheduled Air Transport Services which operates primarily in a designated region and which on grounds of operational and commercial exigencies may be allowed to operate from its designated region to airports in other regions, except metro airports of other regions.

The following airlines have been given initial No objection Certification to operate regional air transport services viz. Southern Region – M/s Star Aviation; Northern Region – M/s Jagson Airlines and M/s MDLR Airlines Pvt. Ltd.

26.        INCREASING CONNECTIVITY IN NORTH EAST STATES

With regard to air connectivity in the North East region, scheduled domestic airlines are operating 296 flights/week to and within the North East region including six freighter services per week operated by Alliance Air.

27.        AUGMENTING HELICOPTER SERVICES FOR NON-ACCESSIBLE AREAS AND TOURISM

The year 2008 is being declared as year of Helicopter services.  Ministry has approved a large number of proposals for helicopter acquisition/import.  During the year PHHL has inducted two additional Dauphin N3 helicopters.  With the above acquisitions, the total fleet size of the Company has been enhanced to 35 helicopters.

Presently passenger services are being provided by PHHL to Kedarnath & Badrinath Dham and Amarnath during yatra seasons.  There are also plans to further diversify/connect to important adjoining tourists/tourism places in Uttaranchal such as Ghangharia, Hemkund Sahib etc., subject to necessary permissions. Important tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu – Coimbatore, Madurai, Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, etc. in Puducherry – Chennai-Karaikal-Puducherry sector and in Uttarakhand etc. will also be started.

28.        CONSTRUCTION OF HELIPORTS

PHHL has a plan to construct a Heliport in NCR to meet the significant and growing demand for helicopter services both in the government and business sector.  Accordingly, DDA and NOIDA has been approached for allotment of land for the proposed heliport. Proposal to set up a heliport in South Mumbai is also under consideration.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (M/o YA&S) has also been approached for inclusion of the project in the overall scheme of Commonwealth Games arrangement so that the various requirements related to this project are met on a fast track basis and the proposed heliport can be showcased as an additional facility for the Commonwealth Games.

29.        CONTINGENCY MEASURES ON AIRPORT SECURITY

As a preventive security measure contingency plan has been put in place.  AVSEC manual giving detail standard operating procedures for operating the contingency plan has been finalized and issued to all concerned.  Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is regularly conducting Aviation Security Audits and Inspections to ensure compliance of all aviation security measures by Airport and airlines operators.  The Aviation Security Quality Control Plan is prepared and implemented by the BCAS.  The areas identified for introducing advanced technology are Access Control, Perimeter Security, X-ray Baggage Inspection System and Detection of Explosives.  Apart from it, BCAS/AAI have been directed for standardization and upgradation of security equipments for aviation security at airports.  So far, CISF has been deployed at 54 airports.

30.        PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING IN DGCA

Due to the exponential growth of air traffic in recent years, there is a mismatch in growing workload and the existing strength, resources and infrastructure of DGCA, especially, manpower, which has been static over a decade.  The workload and responsibilities of DGCA official increases with the growing number of aircraft in commercial and general aviation. KAW Committee had also recommended the restructuring and strengthening of DGCA.  There is a need to keep the office of DGCA in a dynamic state to keep pace with the challenges thrown by exponential growth of civil aviation in India.  The process of re-engineering of DGCA has been initiated by developing systems like IT based online examination, outsourcing of pilot examination (which will be introduced by early next year) etc. The manpower of DGCA is also being reviewed to ensure the highest standard of Air Safety in India.

31.        OBSERVANCE OF AVIATION SAFETY WEEK, 10-15 DECEMBER, 2007

An Aviation Safety week was organized by Airports Authority of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the auspices of Ministry of Civil Aviation from December 10-15, 2007 to sensitize the general public about aviation safety issue.  Seminars and workshops were organized during the week and series of advertisements were released in leading newspapers to make the public aware about Government efforts to ensure aviation safety.

32.        ACQUISITION OF AIRCRAFT BY AI/IA

Air India

Air India has signed a purchase agreement with Boeing Company for the purchase of 68 aircraft comprising 8XB777-200LR, 15XB777-300ER and 27XB787-8 all powered with GE engines for Air India and 18XB737-800W all powered with CFM engines for Air India Charters Limited (a subsidiary of Air India).  The net project cost of 68 aircraft to be acquired by Air India is estimated to be Rs.34,615 crores.

The delivery schedule of 50 Aircraft of Air India and 18 aircraft of Air India Express is as under:

Air India            B777-200LR                08         June 2007 through June 2009

B777-300ER               15         June 2007 through August 2011

B787-8                       27         Sept. 2008 through Oct. 2011

AICL                 B737-800                   18         Dec. 2006 through Oct.2009

Air India and Air India Express have taken delivery of 3 and10 aircraft respectively.
Indian Airlines

With the approval of the government, erstwhile Indian airlines Limited (IAL) had signed an agreement with Airbus Industries and CFM International on 20.02.2006 for procurement of 43 Airbus family aircraft, comprising 19 A-319, 4 A-320 and 20 A 321 all fitted with CFM 56-5B engines, at an estimated cost of Rs.9890 crores.  In flight Entertainment System (IFES) would also be fitted in 43 of these aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs.279 crores.

The Indian Airlines has already received seven A-321 aircraft.  The aircraft equipped with State-of-the-art avionics and in-flight entertainment systems has been pressed into services.

The schedule of supply of the remaining aircraft is as follows:

Year                                                     Number of Aircraft

2007                                                                                                                                  04

2008                                                                                                                                  08

2009                                                                                                                                  17

2010                                                                                                                                  07

33.        MERGER OF AIR INDIA AND INDIAN AIRLINES

The Cabinet in its meeting held on 1st March, 2007 approved the proposal to merge Indian Airlines and Air India. Accordingly, a new company viz. National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL) was incorporated on 30th March, 2007 with its headquarters at Mumbai. The brand name of the new airline is Air India and its logo is Maharaja. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines with National Aviation Company of India Limited on 22nd August, 2007 and issued a Certificate to this effect on 27th August, 2007. With this approval, the Board of Directors of erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines stand dissolved. Shri V. Thulasidas and Shri Vishwapati Trivedi have taken over charge of CMD and Joint MD respectively of NACIL w.e.f. 27.08.2007 in accordance with this Ministry’s order of 13.06.2007. Further with the approval of the ACC, Board of Directors of NACIL was re-constituted on 18th September, 2007.  A 3-tier Grievances Redressal Machinery to address the employee’s grievances has been set up in Air India.

34.        STAR Alliance

Air India has been invited to become the member of Star Alliance.  The CEOs of Star Alliance member airlines at their Annual Board Meeting in Beijing on 13 December 2007 voted to accept the application of Air India to become a future member of the Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network, which was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, seeks to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003, 2006 and 2007 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

This invitation comes in the wake of Air India’s merger with India’s leading domestic carrier Indian Airlines, thus making Air India the prime player in the Indian subcontinent. In addition, the recently announced fleet expansion of over 100 aircraft would enhance Air India’s operations in terms of global reach and services. The specialised teams at Air India, Star Alliance and its member carriers will now be working on the integration process, which once completed, will make Air India a part of the Star Alliance network.

35.        NATIONAL FLYING TRAINING INSTITUTE AT GONDIA, MAHARASHTRA

The Ministry plans to establish a premier pilot training institute at Gondia, Maharashtra to augment the ongoing efforts of Flying Training Schools for increasing the number of qualified and well-trained pilots, to tackle the huge demand for pilots in the industry.  In this context, to enable the training of the pilots, the proposal for development of Birsi aerodrome at Gondia has been approved.

36.        INDIRA GANDHI RASHTRIYA URAN AKADEMI (IGRUA)

For suitable modernization, renovation and upgradation of infrastructure of IGRUA, with a view to enhancing the number of trainees being trained at IGRUA from 40 to 100 per course for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), two projects have been approved.  These are:-

(i)                   Project for upgradation of existing training facilities at IGRUA at an estimated cost of Rs. 21.82 crores and

(ii)                 Augmentation of training facilities like acquisition of single and multi engine aircraft and modern training equipment at a cost not exceeding Rs.41.30 crore.  The selection of suitable trainer aircraft is underway.

To induct professionalism of management in IGRUA, a Management Contract has been entered by IGRUA with M/s. CAE Canada and the terms and conditions of the contract are being negotiated.

37.        HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMISSION OF RAILWAY SAFETY-2007

Detailed checklists have been introduced for sanctions of the various works like introduction of new rolling stock, condonation of infringements to schedule of dimensions and minor works like bridge works etc. facilitating the smooth working of the system and fast disposal of the cases.  This has been implemented all over Indian Railways.

38.        HAJ 2007 Operations

The current Haj operations (Haj 2007) to carry Haj pilgrims to Jeddah/Madinah and back commenced on 11th November, 2007. Saudi Arabian Airlines and National Aviation Company of India Limited will carry around 1,10,000 pilgrims to Jeddah and back.  Varanasi has been added as a new embarkation point for Haj 2007 and with this the number of embarkation points has gone up to 16, which are Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Calicut, Delhi, Patna, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Srinagar, Guwahati, Aurangabad and Varanasi.

The booming Indian aviation industry is becoming a major draw for several middle-class youngsters in the country, many of whom are from small towns.

The flight attendant training schools are offering a big hope for all. Anju Garg is one such young girl. She comes from a middle-class family and aspires to be an air-hostess. Her shopkeeper father Kashmiri Lal didn’t mind borrowing money to ensure his daughter’s enrolment at a flight attendant training institute.

Anju, the aspiring air-hostess, developed fascination to become an air-hostess while studying in standard X. She waited till graduation on parents’ advice but now having done with her Bachelor’s degree she is all out to realise here long cherished dream.

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