Tuesday 13 November 2012

Lufthansa to use IBS solution for air cargo management


KOCHI: Technopark-based IBS Software Services (IBS) has won a major contract from European cargo airline Lufthansa Cargo AG to implement iCargo, an air cargo management solution developed by IBS.
The deal, supposed to be one of the largest in the air cargo industry, is also viewed as a significant achievement for the Indian IT industry. "We can confirm having signed the contracts with IBS," Matthias Eberle, director of communications of Lufthansa Cargo, replied to an email query of The Times of India. The company is planning a press conference with IBS in Thiruvananthapuram on November 25 to announce the deal.
IBS developed iCargo in collaboration with major airlines like South African Airways Cargo, Gulf Air, Air New Zealand Cargo, Qantas Freight and Australian Air Express. The solution helps airlines to improve cargo revenues and volumes, along with profitability and customer service, while cutting down operational costs. Other iCargo users include Austrian Airlines, Nippon Cargo Airways, All Nippon Airways and Tokyo International Air Cargo Terminal.
IBS, founded by Kochi-born V K Mathews in 1997, is also planning an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2013. The company had attracted $60 million (Rs 330 crore) investment from General Atlantic LLC, a US-based private equity and venture capital firm, in 2007. In the last decade, IBS acquired five companies in the US and UK.
Frankfurt-based Lufthansa, the largest scheduled cargo airline in Europe, handled 1,885 tonnes of cargo in 2011.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Lufthansa-to-use-IBS-solution-for-air-cargo-management/articleshow/17204244.cms

 

Chinese J-31 stealth fighter for global market

While the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) have ostensibly developed the JF-17 jointly, analysts say most of the development was done by CAC

 

Two weeks after China’s new J-31 stealth fighter made its debut flight on October 31, it will be officially acknowledged with a mock-up of the aircraft in Airshow China, the Beijing-endorsed air show that opens in Zhuhai, China, on Tuesday. With China’s official media reporting the J-31 will be sold to abroad customers, Indian analysts say the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) might be one of the earliest customers of the fighter aircraft.
The English-language newspaper Global Times, owned by the Communist Party of China (CPC), cites Bai Wei, former editor of the Aviation World Monthly, as saying, “Currently, the only fifth generation fighter available for sale is the F-35 by the US. The J-31 will offer an alternative for non-traditional allies of the US.”
The leakage of photos of the J-31 debut flight, which analysts regard as deliberate, had triggered speculation that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) had built that aircraft for the international market, creating a rival for Lockheed Martin’s long-delayed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Aviation experts assess the J-31 would also need 7-10 years to enter operational service.
Indian analysts, including Pushpindar Singh of the Society for Aerospace Studies, point out the PAF’s preference for Chinese fighter aircraft make it likely that it would acquire the J-31 as soon as the fighter is ready for operational service. “Already, the backbone of the PAF is made up of Chinese fighters like the JF-17 Thunder, the J-10 and the F-7. It is close to certain that Pakistan would also opt for at least two squadrons of the J-31, given that the US is unlikely to allow it into the F-35 partnership,” says Pushpindar Singh.
Indian analysts believe the PAF will emerge as a 23-squadron air force by 2020, with its backbone consisting of 12-13 squadrons of the JF-17 light fighter.
While the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) have ostensibly developed the JF-17 jointly, analysts believe that most of the development was done by CAC. The PAF already operates four squadrons of the JF-17, which is part-built in Pakistan and China.
In 2020, the PAF would also have four squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16s, two squadrons of the J-10 from CAC, and three squadrons of older Chinese F-7TGs.
The close relationship between the PLAAF and the PAF is evident from the presence at the Zhuhai Air Show of three PAF JF-17 fighters, which will be flying displays during the show.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently down to 34 squadrons, with which it must defend both the Pakistan and China borders. By 2017, the 14 IAF squadrons that fly MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighters would also have been disbanded, and replaced by just four new squadrons of Sukhoi-30MKI fighters.
“With the procurement of the Dassault Rafale fighter also running late, the IAF will be facing what can only be described as a crisis in 2017,” says Pushpindar Singh.
Airshow China will also feature, for the first time ever, China’s new WZ-10 attack helicopter, which will be capable of flying anti-tank and anti-aircraft missions, fielding a payload of rockets, missiles and a rapid-fire cannon.
Like in every China-built fighter aircraft, the five-tonne helicopter will be powered by a foreign engine.
The air show at Zhuhai will also feature a new Chinese long-range ground-to-air missile called the FD-2000.

http://business-standard.com/india/news/chinese-j-31-stealth-fighter-for-global-market/492486/

SpiceJet narrows net loss to Rs 163 cr


Improved yields, with strict cost control measures, have helped SpiceJet narrow its second quarter losses to Rs 163.5 crore as against Rs 240 crore in the same period last year.
Revenue grew 57 per cent to Rs 1,207 crore on the back of higher fares and more optimal utilisation of fleet on high demand revenue generating routes. Revenue per passenger increased 37 per cent. The airline flies 48 planes, including 12 turboprop Bombardier Q400s and has a market share of 18.5 per cent, behind IndiGo, Jet Airways and Air India.
Fuel costs, interest and lease rentals increased but an increase in other income (Rs 11 crore) and non-operating income (Rs 28 crore) helped the airline to boost revenue and contain losses.
"Improved yields, coupled with effective cost controls, helped the company perform better in what is always been a weak quarter for the airline business. Increase in number of international operations and improved fleet management helped us to deliver better numbers for the quarter. Fuel costs and weakened rupee continue to be a cause of worry for aviation sector..but we hope to see better days in the near future,'' said chief executive officer Neil Mills.
On the net profit level the airline fell short of expectations. ICICI Securities had estimated the airline to post a modest net loss of Rs 19.6 crore this quarter on the back of higher revenue and yield improvements. Centre for Asia Pacific's estimate was closer to the actual. CAPA estimated that the airline to post losses of $25-28 million (Rs 132crore -Rs 148 crore).
In its recent research report CAPA had said the losses will increase the funding challenges for the airline.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/spicejet-narrows-net-loss-to-rs-163-cr/492509/

Kingfisher leaves employees in the dark on Diwali


MUMBAI: Around 3,000 employees of the near-bankruptKingfisher Airlines were left in the dark on Diwali after the management failed to pay their May salary, despite its commitment that their dues will be cleared by the festival.

"3,000 employees got a Diwali gift from chairman 
Vijay Mallyain the form of no salary despite his commitment," airline sources told PTI.

"It is a dark Diwali for us. The management has once again failed to keep its commitment on payment of salary dues. We did not receive salaries in our account till late last night, although the management had made tall claims of clearing our dues by the festival," the sources said.

The airline, which is grounded since October 1 after its engineers and pilots went on strike demanding payment of their salary dues, has not paid its employees since May this year.

The employees, however, called off their strike late last month after the airline's chief executive,
Sanjay Agarwal pleaded them to return to work and assured that they will receive their three-month salaries in staggered schedule by Diwali.

Aviation regulator 
DGCA suspended Kingfisher's flying licence and asked the airlines to submit a revival plan if it wants to fly again.

The airline spokesperson was not available for comment.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Kingfisher-leaves-employees-in-the-dark-on-Diwali/articleshow/17203695.cms

Near-miss involving Indigo plane, chopper at UP airport


In a narrow escape, an Indigo plane from Mumbai with over 180 people on board aborted landing at the airport here after its pilot detected a chopper of Uttar Pradesh government in close range, prompting authorities to order an inquiry.
The incident was reported last evening as the plane and the chopper were about to land at Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport, a senior airport official said here today.

Both the chopper and the flight were landing when the pilot of the airline decided to abort after he reported that the helicopter was is sight," director airport and ATC S C Hota told PTI, adding that the pilot "felt that the helicopter was close".

The Indigo Airbus 320 had 180 people and eight infants on board along with six crew members. Officials did not say who were on board the government chopper.
Hota said both the aircraft were following procedure.
"The matter is being investigated," the director said.
"It was not a near-miss. The Air Traffic Control told the aircraft pilot to go around as the runway was occupied," an airline source claimed.

http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/near-miss-involving-indigo-plane-chopper-atairport/78832/

One held for bomb hoax call in Delhi-bound GoAir flight


Mumbai: One person has been arrested in connection with a hoax bomb call because of which a Mumbai-Delhi GoAir flight was stranded at the Mumbai airport for hours on Saturday. Sandeep Menon, an engineer, was arrested on Monday as he wanted to stop his business partner Ambrish Parikh from leaving the city and therefore allegedly made a call saying that Parikh was carrying explosives, police said on Tuesday.
Menon had called up the GoAir office in Mumbai and reportedly said that one of the passengers in the Delhi-bound flight was "a suicide bomber," police said. During investigation, Menon told the police that he had recently won a contract from an educational institute in Oman to train over 300 students for the IIT entrance exam. At that time, Menon had contacted Parikh as he himself did not have an experience in vocational training.
Parikh was to design the study module and train the aspirants, police said. When Parikh arrived in the city last week, he had asked Menon for an advance payment and this was when a dispute had erupted between them, following which Parikh refused to take any persuasion from Menon and wanted to leave the city.

Later, Menon made a hoax call to the airliner. A Mumbai-Delhi GoAir flight 343 returned to an isolated bay on Saturday night after the pilot informed the ATC of a bomb scare. Menon had procured a SIM card using bogus documents to call up the airliner, police said. The accused has been remanded to police custody till November 19, they added.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/one-held-for-bomb-hoax-call-in-delhibound-goair-flight/305381-3.html

Japan passenger plane struck by lightning


A passenger plane carrying 145 people in Japan was struck by lightning Sunday night.
The incident took place around 10 p.m., about 25 minutes after the plane had taken off from Kitakyushu Airport in Fukuoka prefecture, Xinhua reported on Monday. The plane landed safely around 11 p.m. at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
The pilots noticed a crack in the cockpit window after the lightning strike.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/japan-passenger-plane-struck-by-lightning/article4092082.ece

 

Narrow escape for plane passengers


In a narrow escape, an Indigo plane from Mumbai with over 180 people on board aborted landing at the airport here on Monday evening after its pilot detected a chopper of Uttar Pradesh government in close range.
Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“Both the chopper and the flight were landing when the pilot of the airline decided to abort after he reported that the helicopter was is sight,” director airport and ATC S.C. Hota told PTI, adding that pilot “felt that the helicopter was close“.
Mr. Hota said both the aircraft were following procedure.
“It was not a near-miss. The Air Traffic Control told the aircraft pilot to go around as the runway was occupied,” airline sources claimed.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/narrow-escape-for-plane-passengers/article4094211.ece

SpiceJet posts Rs 164-cr loss on dearer fuel, weak rupee


Optimistic on Govt’s efforts to address issues
Chennai, Nov. 12:  
Budget carrier SpiceJet has posted a net loss of Rs 163.52 crore for the quarter ended September 30 against a loss of Rs 240 crore in the comparable previous year period.
However, turnover has gone up 57 per cent to Rs 1,207 crore from Rs 766 crore last year.
After five consecutive quarters, the airlines posted a net profit of Rs 56 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year.
Neil Mills, CEO of the company, attributes the net loss in the second quarter to fuel prices and other levies.
“Fuel costs and the weakened rupee continue to be a cause of worry for the aviation sector.
“But we are extremely encouraged by the fact that the Union Government is proactively addressing the several pain points that torment the struggling civil aviation industry.
“We hope to see better days in the near future,” he said in a statement.
International crude prices, which saw some reduction during the previous quarter, firmed up and threatened to get close to the previously recorded highs, although there are some signs of stability at lower levels now.
Fuel as a proportion of revenues was at 53 per cent, as against a comparable ratio of 62 per cent last year.
New stations
The sharp improvement in efficiency was due to better pricing discipline adopted by the company and redeployment of aircraft on to more profitable routes.
During the quarter, SpiceJet opened up several new stations such as Chandigarh, Amritsar, Hubli, Dehradun and Jabalpur within the country and Kabul internationally.
According to its regulatory filing, the company has said the average realisation per passenger increased by 37 per cent to Rs 4,001 during the quarter under consideration, against Rs 2,920 registered during the same period last year.
It also posted 15.9 per cent growth in number of passengers and 48 per cent growth in number of departures during the quarter.
According to the release, SpiceJet with a market share of 18.5 per cent has become the third largest airline in domestic skies.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-corporate/spicejet-posts-rs-164cr-loss-on-dearer-fuel-weak-rupee/article4091520.ece

Kingfisher staff fail to get May salary


New Delhi, Nov. 12:  
Kingfisher Airline’s management has failed to live up to its promise of paying employees their May 2012 salaries before Diwali.
Kingfisher employees told to Business Line late on Monday night that they had not been paid till 9 p.m. Kingfisher officials were not available for comment.
The airline has been grounded since October 1 this year after engineers refused to certify aircraft being fit to fly till they were paid seven months back wages.
Eventually the airline Chief Executive Officer, Sanjay Aggarwal assured the employees that they would be paid three months salaries — March salaries immediately, April salaries within a week and May salaries before Diwali. While the airline paid March and April salaries as promised, it had failed to pay May salaries till the time of going to press. Incidentally, the failure to pay back wages comes days after Kingfisher’s promoter, Vijay Mallya inked a deal with British liquor major, Diaego Plc. After an open offer, the deal will involve a total pay out of Rs 11,166.5 crore to Mallya’s United Spirits Ltd.
The airline has an accumulated debt of over Rs 8,000 crore and losses of over Rs 9,000 crore.
On October 20, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation suspended the airline’s licence till the time that it submitted a concrete and reliable revival plan ensuring safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable services.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/kingfisher-staff-fail-to-get-may-salary/article4091553.ece