Aviation News 'AviaN'

*Delta Airlines Plane Crash: Why did flight 4819 flip upside down upon landing in Toronto?* A Delta Airlines plane crash-landed in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, on Monday, but fortunately, all 80 people on board survived. The incident occurred amid windy conditions following a snowstorm at Toronto Pearson International Airport. At least 18 people were injured, with the plane flipping upside down during landing. According to a report in Al Jazeera, experts believe the plane flipped due to the adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy snow. Aviation analyst Scott Hamilton noted that such flips, though rare, can occur because of factors like weather, speed, and braking anomalies. The report also quotes John Cox, an aviation safety expert, saying that while the aircraft is designed to handle weather like this, questions remain, particularly about the missing right wing of the plane. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/airlines-aviation-delta-airlines-plane-crash-why-did-flight-4819-flip-upside-down-upon-landing-in-toronto-3754266/

*Pucca helipad to be developed every 45 km, airport every 150 km in Madhya Pradesh: CM Yadav* Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said under the state's new civil aviation policy, a 'pucca' helipad will be built in every 45 km radius and an airport in every 150 km. Yadav was speaking on Tuesday during a dialogue with industrialists in Indore in connection with the 'Invest Madhya Pradesh - Global Investors Summit' to be held in Bhopal on February 24 and 25. The cabinet headed by Yadav on Tuesday approved the Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Policy-2025. https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/pucca-helipad-to-be-developed-every-45-km-airport-every-150-km-in-mp-cm-yadav/amp_articleshow/118373114.cms

*Record air traffic, first international flight in 93 years: How Maha Kumbh transformed Prayagraj airport* With lakhs of people rushing to Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela before its conclusion on February 26, the airport at the city which otherwise handles modest air traffic and passenger footfall is now seeing an unusual surge in traffic. According to a news agency PTI report, the Prayagraj airport's daily flight figures touched 70 from an average of 40 ferries which include non-scheduled charters and private jets daily for the rich and famous. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/record-air-traffic-first-international-flight-in-93-years-how-maha-kumbh-transformed-prayagraj-airport-101740395716986.html

*Indian air taxi maker plans its largest fundraise ever as it gears up for takeoff* Chennai-based electric air taxi startup The ePlane Co is looking to raise another $30-50 million as it prepares to manufacture three prototypes by 2026 and set the stage for its first launch. https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/the-eplane-co-indian-air-taxi-startup-series-c-fundraise-manufacturing-prototypes-launch-11740484994738.html

*Govt to launch e-licenses for pilots; India to be second country to do so for flight crew* Union aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu will Thursday launch Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) “electronic personnel license (EPL) for pilots, making India the second country in the world after China to implement EPL for flight crew, according to the regulator. Digitising pilot licences will do away with the need of getting the same endorsed/renewed time and again by physically applying with the regulator. “Every time a pilot license is endorsed, say with a type rating, or the same is renewed, this will reflect in real time on the eGCA platform (e platform of DGCA). Pilots can simply carry their licences on their phones and show it anywhere in the world as the same is accepted across countries. Implementing EPL for flight crew is in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (178th amendment to ICAO Annex 1),” said sources. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-to-launch-e-licences-for-pilots-india-to-be-second-country-to-do-so-for-flight-crew/articleshow/118390292.cms

*IndiGo Airlines First Boeing 787-9 will Take Flight to a Surprising Destination* IndiGo Airlines (6E) has officially opened bookings for its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service. The airline will launch daily flights on Delhi-Bangkok sector. Flights are set to begin from 1st March 2025. The destination the airline has chosen has taken everyone by surprise. Instead of a long-haul European route, the airline will debut its widebody operations on the Delhi–Bangkok route, starting March 2025. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/02/25/indigos-first-787-will-take-flight-to-bangkok/

*Delhi Airport bets big on retail as 65% of flyers travel for leisure, says CEO* The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Videh Jaipuria, has said that 60-65% of air travellers at Delhi Airport are those visiting friends and relatives or flying for vacations. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Jaipuria explained that the airport follows a hybrid tariff system, where aeronautical charges are cross-subsidised by up to 30% through non-aeronautical revenues. https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/delhi-airport-bets-big-on-retail-as-65-pc-of-flyers-travel-for-leisure-says-ceo-19565089.htm/amp

*Delhi Airport to operate at full capacity before festive season after refurbishment of Terminal-2* The Delhi Airport will operate at its full capacity of handling around 109 million passengers annually by the end of this year. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on Wednesday said that by April Terminal-1 will be in operation and Terminal-2 will be under refurbishment for 4-5 months. https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/delhi-airport-to-operate-at-full-capacity-before-festive-season-after-refurbishment-of-terminal-2/amp_articleshow/118582897.cms

*Under the Tatas, Air India Express has become a jumbo airline* In January 2022, when the Tata group took over Air India and Air India Express, the low-cost subsidiary largely restricted to Gulf routes had a fleet of 26 aircraft, all B737-800NGs. While the group has invested in merging its four airlines to form two airlines, one full service and one low cost, Air India Express has nearly quadrupled its fleet to cross 100 planes. Air India Express is the third airline in India to have a triple-digit fleet, with the other two being IndiGo and parent Air India. This makes Air India Express one of the fastest-growing airlines. https://www.livemint.com/news/under-the-tatas-air-india-express-has-become-a-jumbo-airline-11739957350509.html

*FlyDubai eyes to start domestic airline in India by acquiring Go First* Dubai-based low-cost carrier FlyDubai is in talks to potentially launch a new domestic airline in India through collaboration with Busy Bee Airways. Busy Bee is currently negotiating with creditors to acquire the trademarks, flying licenses, and airport slots of the bankrupt Indian airline Go First, according to a report by Moneycontrol. According to media reports citing sources, Busy Bee, which first expressed interest in acquiring Go First in March 2024, aims to revive the airline’s brand without purchasing its physical assets. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.business-standard.com/amp/industry/news/flydubai-busybee-go-first-acquisition-india-aviation-125021700439_1.html