Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Summer sale on in global jet industry AEROSPACE-SALE-BOEING-AIRBUS:Summer sale on in global jet industry


A summer battle for orders is underway in the global jet industry, which gathers in Beijing on Sunday for the first of two crucial events in two months, pitting the world's largest planemakers against each other in a race for deals worth $50 billion at catalogue prices.
The potential deals span all continents and every pattern of powered flight from the largest airliners to warplanes and luxury business jets, shielding aerospace workers from the worst effects of a slowdown spreading from Europe's debt crisis

But analysts say Airbus and Boeing are having to offer sporadically hefty discounts to ride out economic uncertainty, especially for maturing models or early batches of new ones like the 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing is expected to win the fiercely contested annual order race for the first time since 2006 as it catches up with a decision by Airbus to revamp medium-haul jets, resulting in big fuel savings for airlines on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
The dominant civil planemakers are also positioning themselves early ahead of next month's Farnborough air show, with deals worth $14 billion announced in the past 72 hours.
Both companies have accused each other of waging a price war to win hundreds of orders for the revamped A320neo and 737 MAX respectively, and deny cutting corners themselves. Several industry analysts say pricing is under pressure this year.
"Both sides are heavily discounting," said Richard Aboulafia, aerospace analyst at U.S.-based Teal Group.
Although the madeover medium-haul jets offer airlines a reduction of 15 percent in fuel, the industry's highest cost, most carriers remain under financial pressure and some are delaying deliveries to shore up their cash positions.
Airlines meeting in Beijing are expected to hear that their industry body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has left its forecast for 2012 sector profit unchanged at $3 billion, but unease is growing as Europe discusses a new bailout and China's economy slows.
Major characters in the aerospace industry are in the Chinese capital negotiating on the sidelines of IATA's Beijing summit, which comes weeks before another showcase, the July 9-15 Farnborough air show in Britain.
Chicago-based Boeing was relegated to the background during most of last year's equivalent event as Airbus broke records with sales of the A320neo, but later opted for a similar upgrade.
This year will be different.
Boeing is preparing to hit back with a spree that could soon include an order from United Continental for 100 narrowbody jets plus some 70 options, industry sources said.
It will want to persuade the top five aircraft leasing companies led by AIG unit ILFC to put firm signatures on undisclosed draft orders that U.S. aerospace analyst Scott Hamilton estimates at 300-400 jets. These will include an order from GECAS, whose General Electric makes 737 engines.
SUMMER SHOWDOWN
If all goes as some in the industry expect, Boeing could double the number of firm orders for its revamped 737 MAX to as high as 1,000 by the end of Farnborough. It may be European Airbus's turn to be overshadowed, though possibly not without surprises such as a new order for its A380 superjumbo.
Airbus on Friday reached 1,425 sales of the revamped A320neo since it was introduced, giving it a share of 76 percent in medium-haul, the market's hottest segment. Over time the balance of power is expected to be roughly equal as the duopoly recovers.
Boeing has 451 firm MAX sales and its data suggests it has at least 549 draft orders including 414 yet to be identified.
The industry's arch-rivals are also facing off indirectly in the global arms market this summer with a competition to supply dozens of fighters to South Korea.
Bids are due on June 18 and industry sources believe a decision may come as early as September in an $8 billion contest between Boeing's F-15, the Eurofighter made by a group including Airbus parent EADS , and the Lockheed Martin F-35.
Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are re-arming to replace ageing equipment or in the face of regional threats, and Western suppliers are wooing them aggressively to try to offset domestic budget cuts.
The global fighter market is pegged at $15-20 billion a year excluding lucrative parts and upgrade deals. The share of exports within this total hovered around 30 percent for the past decade but is moving towards 50 percent, Aboulafia said.
Manufacturers are also seeing a steady rise in demand for top-line business jets from China as the number of millionaires in the world's second largest economy rapidly expands.
China accounts for a quarter of global consumption of luxury goods despite a recent cooling of its economy, and suppliers like Brazil's Embraer say China's super-rich are jumping straight into buying the biggest business jets.
The key unknown is to what extent the crisis in Europe will escalate, and throw fast-growing new economies off course.
For now, emerging market growth in transport rolls on.
On Friday, Boeing confirmed that Indonesia's Lion Air had placed a draft order for model 787 Dreamliners after a record order for over 200 smaller 737s. Finance for the purchase has been heavily supported by U.S.-backed export loan guarantees.
The 787-8s are part of an early batch that had to be reworked at significant cost and are expected by analysts to be sold for less than half the $194 million price tag, driven down by competition from Airbus's older A330. Boeing aims to focus its efforts on improving pricing for the more popular 787-9 model.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/summer-salein-global-jet-industry/174144/on

IATA attacks India for rise in airport charges


India today came under sharp attack for the recent rise in charges at the Delhi airport and major delays in building new airports and strengthening infrastructure, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) saying this was “clearly unacceptable” and the government should encourage the aviation sector for overall economic growth.
Observing that the Airports Economic Regula-tory Authority of India (AERA) allowed a 346 per cent rise in Delhi airport charges, IATA Director General and Chief Executive Tony Tyler said, “This is clearly unacceptable.”

“Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has to pay 46 per cent of its revenue to the government. This is neither in the interest of the airlines nor of the airport,” Tyler added.
Addressing the annual general meeting of the IATA here, Tyler said he would be holding discussions with Indian authorities on this issue soon, expressing hope that “there might be some common ground” which could be found to protect airlines’ and consumers’ interests.
“Governments often miss the mark with economic regulation of infrastructure supplies. This was outdone by the Indian regulator, which allowed a 346 per cent increase in Delhi, making it among the world’s most expensive airports,” he said.
The Indian airport regulator “failed to protect the public interest”, though it followed the prescribed guidelines to allow the massive rise in airport charges and user development fees for passengers.
On aviation infrastructure in India and other parts of the world, Tyler lamented that “Mumbai’s much-needed new airport (at Navi Mumbai) will not open as scheduled in 2014, construction has not even started”.
“Airlines need infrastructure to grow. Just like taxes and regulation, some governments understand and reap the benefits. Others don’t and the economy suffers the consequences,” the IATA chief said.
He said the governments must build regulations that support jobs and economic growth by keeping the cost of connectivity reasonable.
Releasing the global industry outlook, Tyler said the global airline profits were expected to be $3 billion this year, significantly down from $7.9 billion in 2011 and $15.8 billion in 2010. The major challenges were high jet fuel prices and economic uncertainty, particularly in Europe that was affecting Asia-Pacific region

Zurich Airport eyes Navi Mumbai, Goa


Says won?t sell stake in Bengaluru airport, interested in airports with 2-3 million passengers a year


Even as German airport developer Fraport AG is shutting its operations in India, deciding to sell its small stake in the Delhi airport, its competitor in Europe, Zurich Airport, is bullish on Asia’s third-largest economy. The company is eying investments in the greenfield international airport projects at Navi Mumbai and Goa.
“Zurich Airport is planning further investments in Navi Mumbai and Goa. In general, we are interested in any airport with two to three million or more passengers a year,’’ company spokesperson Michael Stief said in an emailed response to Business Standard. Ending speculation the company would sell its five per cent stake in the GVK-controlled Bengaluru International Airport Limited, Steif said, “We do not plan to sell our stake
In 2009, Zurich Airport had sold about 12 per cent in the Bangalore airport to the GVK group.
Last week, while chairing the Cabinet’s infrastructure committee meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said new greenfield airport projects in Navi Mumbai, Goa and Kannur would be awarded in FY13. Though government rules allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment in airports, in practice, the level of foreign investment is lower and is determined by the government authority implementing the project.
“Our main concern is the uncertainty for investors in the market, especially the regulatory framework. We do have a long-term commitment in India and are, therefore, interested and willing to facilitate the regulator and exchange our best practices,’’ Zurich Airport said.
The company is among the few foreign airport developers to have invested in India, the others being Fraport, Malaysian Airports (it has invested in the Delhi and the Hyderabad airports) and Airport Company of South Africa (with investment in the Mumbai Airport).
On Friday, Fraport had announced it was exiting India, owing to lack of opportunities and the slow pace of reforms. “We expected opportunities (in airport development) to come up, but that did not happen. This did not justify running an office in India,’’ said Fraport India’s managing director Ansgar Sickert.
Singapore’s Changi Airport had also decided against investing in GVK group’s airport division because of regulatory uncertainty, according to media reports. Changi Airport did not respond to queries by Business Standard.
Amrit Pandurangi, senior director, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, says, “International investors are not coming to India because there are no opportunities, not because of regulatory framework issues. There are no clear-cut time tables on the Navi Mumbai or Goa airports. Foreign investors would look for developing airports that can handle five million passengers or more. No one wants to invest in small airports that can handle half a million.”
He says another issue investors are concerned about is the government’s land acquisition Bill.
“Compensation of land under the policy would be so high that the airport would have to depend on the government for viability gap funding or subsidy.’’ Another concern for investors is a perception that the government retracted its commitment to private airport developers such as GMR and GVK on rate models at the airports, he adds.

Airline industry's profitability balancing on a knife's edge: IATA director-general and CEO Tony Tyler


BEIJING: The fragile state of the aviation industry marked the general backdrop of the 68th annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as the head of the global airline body, Tony Tyler, acknowledged that the industry's profitability is precariously balanced on a "knife's edge."

"If the bottom line worsens by an equivalent of just 1% of revenue, our $3-billion profit very quickly becomes a $3-billion loss," IATA director-general and CEO Tony Tyler remarked at the annual conference.

Citing the example of a round trip from New York to Beijing costing seven cents a kilometre as opposed to 31 cents for a New York taxi ride with four people on board, Tyler drew attention to the intense price competition to deliver value, which has toughened further.

He pointed out that the high price of oil and the Eurozone crisis were the most immediate and serious downside risks to the industry in 2012. IATA expects average oil price of $110/barrel for this year.

Calling the EU's carbon tax a "polarising obstacle preventing real progress", Tyler hinted that it has the potential of turning into a trade war. China and India are at the forefront in opposing the EU's Emission Trading System (ETS) as they have forbidden their air carriers to participate in the scheme, touted as a measure to lessen the aviation industry's carbon footprint. The two have also openly spoken about retaliatory taxes on European carriers if the EU decides to hold on to the ETS.

"Sustainability should unite the world with common purpose, not divide it with affronts to sovereignty that risk a trade war that nobody wants...Certainly no airline-European or otherwise-should be a target for retaliation because European governments are acting extra-territorially," Tyler added.


Recounting various examples worldwide of bad regulation of infrastructure supplies, Tyler criticised India heavily for trebling charges at the Delhi airport, which he said, has placed it among the world's most expensive airports.

THE FUTURE

Putting aside the present challenges that the industry is facing worldwide, Tyler predicted a bright future for the sector by 2030. He estimated global air traffic to double to 5.9 billion, while cargo could triple to nearly 150 million tonnes, supporting 82 million jobs, thereby contributing $6.9 trillion to global GDP.

"Modern economies cannot grow, prosper and create jobs if they are not connected to global opportunities through aviation. That should make airlines and governments strong partners in supporting aviation's success," Tyler said.

Jet Airways may induct 9 A330-300s planes


BEIJING: In a bid to expand overseas operations, Jet Airways is in talks with European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, for inducting nine A330-300 planes into its fleet, possibly in a year.

"We are in talks with Jet Airways for nine A330-300s and as of now we don't have a fixed timeline to deliver them. But Jet will definitely induct four of them this year, starting October," Kiran Rao, Airbus executive V-P (sales and marketing) and president Airbus (India) told ET during the 68th AGM of global airline body, International Air Transport Association (IATA). On Jet's reported interest on 100 A320 neo deal, Rao said, "We are in talks, but let rumours remain rumours on this."

With the civil aviation ministry ending Air India's monopoly over bilateral traffic rights, allowing all Indian carriers to utilise these, Jet Airways has sought government permission to expand its international services to 518 flights per week by winter of 2012 from 370 at present.

Jet Airways' promoter Naresh Goyal changes stand, open to FDI in aviation


BEIJING: Naresh Goyal, promoter of Jet Airways, India's largest airline by market share, is not enthused by the recent government move to allow direct import of airline turbine fuel but said he is open to "any policy initiative" the government undertakes on allowing foreign direct investment in civil aviation, a shift from his earlier position.

Jet, aviation industry officials say, stands to gain from the current crisis gripping the aviation industry in India, particularly the travails of Kingfisher Airlines and state-owned Air India. It has a market share of 28.2% for May this year and while its share has not increased significantly so far - Indigo and SpiceJet are the gainers - it is likely to benefit in the medium term from the hardening of airfares.

But, like all other airlines, Jet is struggling to make money because of interest costs and high taxes. The airline reported a loss of Rs 298 crore in the fourth quarter 2012, as it has been hit by a depreciating rupee and volatile prices. It has debt burden of Rs 13,100 crore compared with a market capitalisation of Rs 3,072 crore. The company had a top line of Rs 14,816 crore for the year ended March 31, 2012, while notching up a loss of Rs 1,236 crore.

In an interview on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a Geneva-based grouping of some 240 airlines who have gathered for an annual summit in Beijing, Goyal said he did not have the infrastructure to import ATF. "Direct ATF import is of no use and we are not considering it. When you don't have the infrastructure to do so, it can't be of any use," he said. SpiceJet and Air India, India's third and fourth largest by domestic market share, respectively, are considering imports. Breaking his silence on his interest in joining global airline groupings, Goyal admitted that he is in talks with both Star Alliance and Sky Team.

Jet is keen to diversify its routes to include more European destinations at a time Air India is struggling to keep its planes flying as a strike by its pilots enters the second month. "We want to go to a few places in Europe and we are looking at those destinations which will make money like Paris, Munich and Frankfurt to name a few. We still want to go beyond India," Goyal declared.

"We are planning to induct four more A330-300 aircraft by early part of the next fiscal for this purpose," he said.

Goyal bemoaned what he described as the lack of state support for Indian carriers compared to that of China. "They (Chinese carriers) are all state-owned and have solid government backing, not from now but for a very long time. The Chinese government doesn't tax their own carriers and there is a lot of state support to them," he claimed. "

India is the only country in the world to impose a service tax on its airlines. Do you know that the fares of Chinese airlines are a third of the Indian carriers? Why is it so? Because there are no taxes here. In fact, the Indian fares are higher by 200-300% as compared to other carriers," he said.



Chartered aircraft enters restricted space, grounded


chartered aircraft flying from Muscat to Dhaka entered the restricted airspace over Jodhpur airbase and has been grounded by authorities at the Sanganer Airport here. "The aircraft piloted by captain Ibrahim Hun flew over Jodhpur airforce area without permission before scheduled landing at the Sanganer Airport in Jaipur for refuelling last evening," official sources said here today.
"The aircraft deviated from its scheduled route but it was being monitored. We got information from Delhi ATC about the violation so the pilot was questioned and the matter is being examined," they said.
Intelligence agencies were also informed and the aircraft will be allowed to take off only after clearance from DGCA, they said.
According to the pilot, the aircraft deviated from the route because of some technical problem in the GPS system.
"We are examining its data recorder," they said.
The airport authorities will serve notice to the airline, they added.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Jaipur/Chartered-aircraft-enters-restricted-space-grounded/Article1-869446.aspx

Airline to pay for cancelling tickets


Virgin Atlantic Airways has been directed by a Delhi consumer forum to pay Rs 70,000 to a family of three for cancelling their tickets to the UK and not informing them about it.

The Haryana-based family was denied permission to board their flight by the airline’s staff. The airline contended that it was done on the direction of the British High Commission.

Observing that the family should have been informed in advance that their tickets were cancelled to avoid causing them embarrassment, the district consumer disputes redressal forum held that the airline’s actions amounted to deficiency in service. The forum said the family was entitled to compensation.

“We presume that on instructions Virgin Atlantic may have cancelled the tickets. We are of the considered opinion that instructions of the British High Commission should have been received by it much in advance,” the forum observed.

“There was a possibility of informing the complainants in a decent way in advance to avoid embarrassment to them,” the forum said.

The action and the way adopted by the airline certainly amounts to deficiency in service and the complainants deserve compensation for harassment and mental agony faced by them, it said.

“We direct the airline to pay Rs 50,000 to complainants as compensation for physical and mental harassment, along with Rs 20,000 as cost of litigation,” the forum added.

The order of the bench came on the plea of the family, which had alleged that despite having confirmed tickets and valid travel visas, they were not allowed to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to the UK by the airline staff.

They also alleged that they were harassed, manhandled and abused by the airline’s staff.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/256334/airline-pay-cancelling-tickets.html

AI to take call on keeping striking pilots on payroll: Ajit Singh


New Delhi: As Air India mulled sacking 300 striking Air India pilots, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Monday said the management should take a call now on how long can the airline keep the defiant pilots on its payroll if they stayed away for work.
With the 36-day-old strike showing no signs of being called off, the troubled national carrier meanwhile set up a committee to review its global operations to find out how many pilots are actually required to operate the international flights.
This committee would advise the management on the actual number of pilots needed to run Air India's international operations, airline officials said, adding it was felt that the carrier had far more pilots than it needed.
Singh also cautioned that "vulnerability" of the state-owned airline to even slightest irresponsible and agitational act of one or other section of the employees may lead to raising of eyebrows about its utility and necessity and infusion of public money to ensure the carrier's survival.
"It is for the Air India management to take action now. These pilots have not come to work for more than 30 days....It is an illegal strike,. They have defied the High Court."
"We have requested them again and again to come back to work. So, it is for the management to decide for how long can they keep them on their payroll when they are not working. And they have no intention of coming back," he said.
Singh cautioned about the "vulnerability" of Air India in a letter to the Executive pilots, whom he thanked for not letting Air India "falter during this difficult time".
He said that any hindrances and obstacles to the survival of the national carrier, through infusion of funds for Financial Restructuring Plan have "to be addressed appropriately by all of us collectively and by acting synergistically".
The Minister said each one of them holds the key to achieve success for survival and revival and to regain the lost glory by acheiving the specified benchmarks in a time bound manner.
Since the strike began on May 7, Air India has sacked 101 striking pilots and de-recognised the Indian Pilots' Guild which has been leading this agitation.
The Air India management is contemplating dismissing 300 pilots owing allegiance to IPG, according to sources.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/air-india-to-take-call-on-keeping-striking-pilots/265543-7.html

IATA raps govt for airport fees hike, delays in aviation sector development


The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has criticised the recent hike in charges at Delhi airport and major delays in building new airports and strengthening infrastructure.

The international body said the hike in airport fees was "clearly unacceptable" and the Indian government should encourage the aviation sector for overall economic growth.

Observing that India's airport regulator AERA allowed a whopping 346 per cent hike in Delhi airport charges, IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler said "this is clearly unacceptable".

"The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has to pay 46 per cent of its revenue to the government... This is neither in the interest of the airlines nor of the airport".

Addressing the annual general meeting of IATA in Beijing, Tyler said he would be holding discussions with Indian authorities on this issue soon, expressing hope that "there might be some common ground" which could be found to protect airlines' and consumers' interests.

"Governments often miss the mark with economic regulation of infrastructure supplies ... The (airport) regulator in South Africa allowed a 161 per cent increase in airport charges...This was outdone by the Indian regulator which allowed a 346 per cent increase in Delhi, making it among the world's most expensive airports," he said.

Both the Indian and the South African airport regulators "failed to protect the public interest", though they followed the prescribed guidelines to allow the massive hike in airport charges and user development fees for passengers.

On aviation infrastructure in India and other parts of the world, Tyler lamented that "Mumbai's much-needed new airport (at Navi Mumbai) will not open as scheduled in 2014 construction has not even started".

"Airlines need infrastructure to grow. Just like taxes and regulation, some governments understand and reap the benefits. Others don't and the economy suffers the consequences," the IATA chief said.

Tyler said the governments must build regulations that support jobs and economic growth by keeping the cost of connectivity reasonable.

Releasing the global industry outlook, Tyler said the global airline profits were expected to be $3 billion this year, significantly down from $7.9 billion in 2011 and $15.8 billion in 2010.

The major challenges were high jet fuel prices and economic uncertainty, particularly in Europe that was affecting Asia-Pacific region.

"This will be the second year of declining returns since airline profits peaked in 2010," he said, adding that the projected industry profit of $three billion industry would yield a net profit margin of "just 0.5 per cent".

Compared with the previous forecast in March, North American and Latin American carriers are expected to see improved prospects.

The outlook for African carriers is unchanged.

But the outlook for European, Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern carriers has been downgraded, with European losses now expected to be $1.1 billion, which is nearly double the previously forecast $600 million loss, the report said.

Asia-Pacific airlines are expected to make the largest contribution to industry profits of estimated $two billion, which is less than half the $4.9 billion profit that the region delivered in 2011.

The slowdown in the Indian and Chinese economies was a factor in the slow growth environment, the IATA report said.

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/iata-raps-govt-on-airport-fees-hike-delay-in-development/1/185294.html


Fliers ‘lose sleep’ over flight times


Flying to Europe or the US can be an exciting prospect, but it also means spending a sleepless night as airlines operating on these routes have flights taking off at odd times, post-midnight, much to the discomfort of children and the old undertaking these journeys.
At least 23 flights to the Gulf and Europe from the three Kerala airports take off between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. every day and as it’s mandatory for passengers to check-in three hours prior to departure, the whole affair gets more tedious than it needs to be.
“People like us who live in Alappuzha or Kottayam need to leave at least three hours ahead to reach the airport on time and even after spending much of the night awake, breakfast is served on board the flight an hour after take-off.
This upsets bodily functions, more so for those who are ill or old. The ordeal does not end there as there is also the long wait for connecting flights to Europe,” grumbles Ms Mini Vinod, a teacher in a CBSE school who recently returned from a trip to Europe.
The grouse of passengers like her is genuine as those departing from Kochi need to take connecting flights from other metros, Qatar or Dubai for Europe or USA. A survey by airport authorities puts the number of passengers travelling from the state to the West at 3,000 on an average.
But ask Indian authorities and they throw up their hands, helplessly, saying most airports in Europe and the US are under a night flight ban. The last one to curtail flights after sunset is Frankfurt Airport as a German court has ruled in favour of a night flight ban, turning down a plea by Lufthansa Airline.
“Unlike us, many of the European and US airports don’t operate flights at night. So airlines draw up schedules to make sure they reach there during the day. As the journeys are nearly 14 hours long, the flights take off from here early morning.
We allow them whatever slot they demand as India has a Fixed Freedom Traffic policy,” says Director General of Civil Aviation, E.K. Bharat Bhushan, explaining the problem is not confined to airports in Kerala but is common to Asia.
The only solution would be to introduce direct flights to Europe and the US, believes Mr Paulose K. Mathew, chairman, Kerala chapter of the Travel Agent Federation of India. “Currently there are no direct flights in these sectors from the state.
Airlines schedule early morning flights to allow passengers to board connecting flights from the Gulf. The government should enter into bi-lateral agreements with European countries and the US to allow
Air India too to operate services to these destinations,” he suggests, however, lamenting that the national carrier has not been able to even make use of routes available in the Gulf sector.
“Hampered by strikes and poor in-flight services, Air India is finding it hard to compete with airlines like the Emirates,” Mr Mathew notes.
Director of Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), A.C.K. Nair reveals top CIAL officials have visited European countries to persuade foreign carriers to start direct flights from Kochi by offering them concessions.
With airlines such as Lufthansa, Cathy Pacific and British Airways mooting India operations, CIAL has offered them concessions in landing, parking, and other airport fees.
They will, however, need the approval of the DGCA and also the signing of bilateral agreements between the countries concerned, to take the CIAL up on its offer.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/fliers-%E2%80%98lose-sleep%E2%80%99-over-flight-times-856

IATA warning on EU emissions trading


International Air Transport Association reiterates call for EU to drop its ‘unilateral and extra—territorial' scheme
European attempts to enforce its emissions trading scheme on airlines may undermine a global solution to curb aviation's environmental damage and risk a trade war, IATA claims.
The International Air Transport Association, which represents 240 airlines worldwide, reiterated its call for the EU to drop its “unilateral and extra-territorial” scheme, which is opposed by several major powers, some of whom have hinted at retaliatory measures.
Tony Tyler, the chief executive of IATA, said the emissions trading scheme (ETS) was “not a stepping stone” to meeting global environmental targets. “It's a polarising obstacle that is preventing real progress.” He said a global solution, negotiated through the International Civil Aviation Organisation, needed to be agreed, and that there were “concrete proposals” that could be agreed in 2013.
The planned EU levy on airlines will be calculated based on carbon emissions for entire flights, not just travel over Europe, something its opponents regard as an infringement of sovereignty.
China, which is hosting IATA's annual general meeting in Beijing, has already forbidden its carriers to participate in the scheme.
The EU has said it wishes to meet international targets to reduce pollution, and has pointed to the lack of progress on any global deal. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2012

AAI okays revised plan for Kolkata Metro's airport linking project


Kolkata, June 11:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is learnt to have approved of a revised plan for Kolkata Metro's 32 km-long airport linking project.
The revision relates to a 3.2-km stretch, which now would have underground tracks instead of a proposed over-ground passage.
Already running a year behind its scheduled completion date, the nearly Rs 4,000-crore project will now see a cost escalation of a few hundred crore, officials in the Metro Railway said.
The proposed rail transit project would connect the airport with the southern fringes of the city. Award for 24 km of the stretch has so far been awarded to Afcons Infrastructure, L&T Infra and Gammon India by the Railway authorities.
Earlier, the airport authorities had raised objections on the grounds of disruption in flight operations at the airport because of these elevated tracks.
Mr B.P. Sharma, director Kolkata airport, remained unavailable for comments. Metro Railway will soon float a tender for carrying out construction work along these the 5 km stretches.
Mr Saugata Roy, Union Minister of State for Urban Development and the Chairman of the advisory committee of the Kolkata airport, too remained unavailable for comments.
Other Revisions
Two other proposed Metro links, to which AAI had objected to regarding the over-ground right of way, has also been approved with revision. However, this change would escalate the project cost by Rs 400 crore, a Metro Railway senior official told Business Line.
Apart from the 3.2-km leg of the Airport-New Garia link, a total of 1.6 km in two other Metro-links passing alongside the Kolkata Airport has received the airport authorities' clearance for underground track, Metro Railway sources said.
The two other underground tracks would include a 900 metre (0.9 km) stretch from Noapara (northern part of the city) to the airport and a 700-m (0.7 km) stretch from airport towards Birati (north eastern part).
All revisions (put together) of nearly 5 km would involve underground tunnelling instead of tracks on elevated structures.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-others/tp-states/article3517224.ece

SriLankan to offer wider choice for flyers from smaller cities


Beijing, June 11:
From late next year, passengers flying with SriLankan Airline from Kochi, Tiruchirapalli and Thiruvananthapuram will be able to connect to 850 international destinations in 150 countries.
This follows the announcement that SriLankan will join the Oneworld global airline alliance later next year. Currently, a flyer on Sri Lanka's national carrier can connect to 34 cities globally.
“The tie-up will expand the options available for Indian passengers to transit through Colombo airport and connect on SriLankan Airline and the Oneworld network,” the Airline Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kapila Chandrasena, said.
The Oneworld Alliance includes global airlines like British Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and the Australian airline Qantas. It has a combined fleet of 2,500 aircraft operating 9,000 flights daily, generating annual revenue of over $100 billion.
Speaking to Business Line, Mr Chandrasena said that the airline was looking at Tier 2 cities in India to expand SriLankan's global route network. “We are mainly looking at South India and certainly enhancing flights to the metro cities,” he said.
Along with the low cost airline Mihin, SriLankan will look to destinations in South Asian countries, he said. “Currently, we are looking at Bangladesh and Nepal.”

Jet Air in talks with Star, Skyteam for global tie-up


Beijing, June 11:
Jet Airways is in talks with two global airline alliances — Star Alliance and Skyteam, the airline's promoter, Mr Naresh Goyal, has said.
The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) had recently indicated in a report that Jet Airways would join the Star Alliance ahead of Air India.
However, Jet Airways has yet to begin the process of joining a global alliance. Air India's entry into Star Alliance has been stalled due to a variety of factors.
Star Alliance includes Air Canada, Air China, ANA, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines and operates 20,500 daily flights to 1,200 airports. In comparison, Skyteam has Aeroflot, Air France, China Eastern, Delta Airlines and KLM among others, and operates 14,700 daily flights to 958 destinations.
In an informal chat with Indian media persons on the sidelines of the 68th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association, Mr Goyal said that the airline was looking to expand its international operations to destinations that were economically viable .
The airline is said to be keen to start operations to Munich, Frankfurt and Paris. Currently, the airline operates flights to Brussels, Milan and London, in Europe.
Asked about his reaction to the Government's proposed move to allow 49 per cent foreign direct investment in domestic airlines, Mr Goyal merely said that he would welcome any policy initiative undertaken by the Government.
Mr Goyal said it would be wrong to compare the aviation markets of India and China, especially since there were differences in the purchasing power of the two Asian economies, and the manner in which airlines in China are supported by the state.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article3517105.ece

We are not looking at other partners in India'


Beijing, June 11:
Kingfisher Airlines' plans to join the global airline alliance, Oneworld, are still very much on. In an exclusive interview to Business Line, Oneworld's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Ashby, said that the airline's membership to Oneworld was currently on hold and that the alliance was supporting the airline in coming out of its financial problems. Excerpts:
What is the status of Kingfisher Airlines' application to join Oneworld?
Several months ago, we agreed to put Kingfisher's membership on hold while it worked through the challenges in the Indian environment, which are pretty severe these days.
There has been no change of status since then. Kingfisher is working on its plans and we are supporting it, hoping that it will come through well. But we have not announced any change in plans. We have not announced any new date.
Is this normal? Have other airlines come out of this kind of financial mess?
I would love to say that the airline business is stable and that this is a rare event. But the truth is that this happens more often than we would like. Airlines do go through severe dips in their fortunes for a period of time. Airlines are sensitive to a lot of things around them — from fuel prices to Government action.
It is not actually all that unusual for an airline to go through restructuring. We have had several airlines which have had significant restructuring. For example, Japan Airlines is now announcing profits after having a particularly bad time.
So, there is no timeline for Kingfisher Airlines to join the Oneworld Alliance?
I am reluctant to set timelines because the pressure is not internal to Kingfisher. It comes from many external factors — so a timeline, in a way, is a bit false here. We are just being patient and taking our time.
Is this an exclusive arrangement with Kingfisher or are you looking at other partners in India?
We are not looking at other partners in India.
Several months ago, we agreed to put Kingfisher's membership on hold while it worked through the challenges in the Indian environment, which are pretty severe these days. There has been no change of status since then. — Mr Bruce Ashby, Chief Executive Officer, Oneworld

Aviation sector's rosy profit forecast hinges on oil prices


IATA predicts sector reporting $3 b in profit on $631-b revenues globally this year
Beijing, June 11:
The global aviation industry is likely to report a profit of $3 billion this year on revenues of $631 billion, the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Mr Tony Tyler, said on Monday.
Addressing the 68th IATA Annual General Meeting, Mr Tyler warned that the projections come with some serious “downside risks” including high prices of oil.
Admitting that oil prices had softened slightly, Mr Tyler said that it was still expected to range around $110 a barrel on average.
“The industry's profitability is balancing on a knife's edge. If the bottomline worsens by even the equivalent of just 1 per cent of revenue, the $3-billion profit can very quickly become a $3 billion loss,” he added.
The global aviation body is also of the view that the biggest and most immediate risk comes from the crisis in the Eurozone.
However, the silver lining is that certain markets like those in America, which had not performed that well earlier, are doing much better, although Europe still remains a worry, officials said.
Partnership, the key
IATA is of the view that Governments, along with industry partnerships, play a key role in the success of the airline industry globally. “To be successful, the players in the value chain need to work as partners. If airlines are able to keep revenues ahead of costs, every player in the chain benefits. This is not always well understood,” the Director-General added.
In this context, Mr Tyler mentioned how Governments often miss the mark with economic regulations for the infrastructure supplied. “Many are monopolies that must be regulated to ensure that the public interest is served. Yet, the regulator in South Africa allowed a 161 per cent increase in airport charges and a 70 per cent increase for air navigation fees over 2010-15. This was outdone by the Indian regulator which allowed a 346 per cent increase in Delhi — making it among the world's most expensive airports,” Mr Tyler pointed out.
Talking about development of airports, the IATA chief said that some Governments, such as the Chinese, see aviation as a workhorse but also gave examples of other “less enlightened Governments,” including India, where the much needed new airport in Mumbai will not open as scheduled in 2014.

“The industry's profitability is balancing on a knife's edge. If the bottomline worsens by even the equivalent of just 1 per cent of revenue, the $3-billion profit can very quickly become a $3 billion loss,” Mr Tyler said.

Air India may sack remaining 300 pilots on strike


Beijing, June 11:
Air India may sack the remaining over 300 pilots who have been on an agitation for over a month now. The airline has already sacked about 100 pilots including the leaders of the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), which is spearheading the agitation.
Official sources told Business Line the airline was “seriously” considering terminating the remaining pilots on strike.
The airline has already written to the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking the cancellation of the flying licences of the pilots on agitation.
Sources indicated that the termination letters are likely to be sent out in batches. The agitation has resulted in severe flight disruptions and daily losses of about Rs 5 crore to the airline.
The pilots are on agitation to protest the management's decision to allow pilots of the erstwhile Indian to be trained on the Boeing 787 aircraft, more popularly known as the Dreamliner. The first of the 27 Boeing 787 aircraft ordered by the airline is expected to join the fleet later this month.
The airline, which has already advertised for more pilots, has also set up a committee to see how many pilots it actually requires.
The airline is looking to hire both expat and local pilots.
Sources indicated that while the expatriates will be taken on a short-term basis, local pilots will be hired for 3-5 years.
The new pilots will be taken on a contract basis, a move that will help cut costs for the airline. The airline is likely to hire about 100 pilots on contract, sources indicated.
Our Mumbai Bureau reports: Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Ajit Singh, said: “It is for the Air India management to take action now. These pilots have not come to work for more than 30 days....It is an illegal strike. They have defied the High Court.”
The strike has crippled Air India's international operations. As part of its contingency schedule, the airline is only operating 38 international flights from the original 45 services.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/article3517117.ece