Kingfisher applies for licence renewal

Kingfisher Airlines has applied for renewal of its licence that would expire on December 31, soon after the airline committed to restarting operations.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the airline can renew its license within two years of the expiry of the licence.

But the DGCA has rejected the request as the airline has not yet submitted a revival plan, it is learnt.

In October the airline’s licence was suspended by the DGCA following a labour unrest and airline has not yet augmented funds to restart operations. Despite promises made to the DGCA, the airline has not yet submitted a revival plan.

Concrete plan

According to sources in the DGCA, Kingfisher would have to provide a concrete business plan for the revival of operations and would need to have sufficient working capital to restart operations.

The DGCA also wants the airline to clear all outstanding wage dues to workers and sort out any labour and vendor related issues before seeking permission to fly again.

Earlier this week, Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya, while making a presentation before the lenders, said that the airline would soon start limited operations.

But he did not give any time frame.

Limited restart

Mr Mallya told bankers that the airline would restart operations through its own funds and the promoters would pump in Rs. 425 crore. Meanwhile, Kingfisher is talking with Etihad Airways to sell a stake but no final decision has been taken yet.

Apart from augmenting funds to restart operations, Kingfisher will have to clear large portion of its dues to airport operators, fuel suppliers, tax authorities, aircraft leasing companies and other vendors.

According to aviation experts, the airline would require Rs. 3,000 crore to resume full operations.

Kingfisher Airlines’ shares were down 4.69 per cent to close at Rs. 15.43 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/kingfisher-applies-for-licence-renewal/article4224024.ece

Airport fire: delay of twenty minutes in alerting fire-fighters

A private security guard near airport called fire tenders

Every minute counts in case of fire accidents. However, investigations into the Monday’s fire accident in the Begumpet airport hangar, reveals that 20 precious minutes were lost before fire-fighters arrived.

A guard on duty at the Begumpet Air Force Station had noticed the fire at around 11.15 p.m. Sources, however, pointed out that the crash fire tenders from fire station inside the airport arrived only after 11.35 p.m. In the interregnum, six trainer aircraft and the chopper were gutted.

Sources said the crash fire tenders arrived after being alerted by a private security guard near the airport premises and not by the on-duty civil guard posted by the Aviation Academy or the two policemen guarding the government chopper.

Investigation

“Why the policemen and guard inside the hangar delayed in making the fire call will be investigated,” a police official on condition of anonymity said. Authorities said that the fire control room received a call from a night duty Sub-Inspector from the police control room at 11.35 p.m.

A fire tender from the Secunderabad station started at 11.36 p.m. and another multipurpose tender was dispatched at 11.40 p.m. when it was realised that the intensity of fire was high.

Later, ten more vehicles from different fire stations were rushed, said Assistant District Fire Officer Y. Prabhakar Reddy. Fire tenders of the Air Force Station, Hakeempet too assisted in dousing the flames.

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·  Crash fire tenders arrived after being alerted by a private security guard near the airport premises, say sources

·  ‘Reasons for delay in making a fire call by policemen and guard inside the hangar will be investigated’

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/airport-fire-delay-of-twenty-minutes-in-alerting-firefighters/article4224480.ece

 

New Dreamliners for five routes

Minister asks AI to run it as a commercial entity

Air India is drawing up plans to deploy five new Boeing Dreamliners B-787, which it expects to receive in the next few weeks, on the Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Bali and Istanbul routes, Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said on Thursday.

So far Air India has received three Dreamliners.

Mr. Singh has asked Air India to explore the possibility of flying to Indonesia, including Bali, Istanbul and beyond too.

The Minister made this suggestion at a meeting called to review the functioning of Air India, including its revenue generation and cash flow management as part of its turnaround and financial restructuring plans.

Expressing satisfaction over the payment of salaries to the employees till November, he said out of Rs. 2,000 crore which Air India would receive next month in the form of equity as budgetary support, Rs. 500 crore must be utilised to clear all arrears.

The Minister expressed concern at the estimated shortfall of about Rs. 404 crore in the monthly average cash flow. He directed Air India to try to ensure that the cash inflow matched the outflow. In the ongoing financial year so far, the airline's revenue was Rs. 1,348 crore and expenditure Rs. 1,752 crore. He asked it to go into operational details to cut costs, especially on heads such as its overseas offices, fuel, salaries and office expenses, the spokesperson said.

Asking Air India to think out of the box and run the organisation as a commercial entity, instead of a government-owned body, Mr. Singh said the airline should negotiate with public sector oil marketing companies for the same discount as they provided to the international and other Indian carriers.

He directed it to examine whether it was necessary to depute staff abroad for assisting embassies to provide ticketing and other facilities, as such services were now available online.

An automated Crew Management System (Auto Roster) would become operational for pilots by next month and for cabin crew by February-March next year.

The system is an algorithm that automates the task of Flight Duty Assignments aiming at equalising flying hours, sectors flown, day and night flights, number of landings and other parameters.

Mr. Singh also stressed on need to screen the employees, including the cabin crew on various parameters such as medical fitness.

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·  In current financial year, AI’s revenue was Rs. 1,348 crore and expenditure Rs. 1,752 crore

·  Automated Crew Management System to be made functional by January end

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/new-dreamliners-for-five-routes/article4224137.ece

Passport applications from senior citizens and children to be treated as tatkal cases

Applicants required to pay only a fee of Rs.1, 500 as under normal category

Applications seeking passports from senior citizens above the age 65 years, minor children up to the age of 15, and government or public sector employees would be treated and processed as tatkal cases even if the applications are filed under the normal category, K.Balamurugan, Regional Passport Officer, Tiruchi, has said. However, the facility would be available only for senior citizens whose adult child holds a valid passport and for minor children whose parents hold valid passports.

Applications from government servants or public sector employees and their dependent family members, including spouses and dependent children up to the age of 18, would also be treated and processed as tatkal cases. However, the government servants or PSU employees have to produce prescribed identity certificate (Annexure B) under the format available in the website www.passportindia.gov.in

Applications seeking reissuance of passports, if applied before expiry or within 3 years after expiry of passport, would also be treated on a par with tatkal applications provided there is clear police verification. All these applicants would be required to pay only Rs.1, 500 as fee as under the normal category of applications. However, all such applicants have to submit proper documents and the decision of the passport officers will be final, Mr.Balamurugan said in a press release.

Mr.Balamurugan also pointed out that physically challenged persons, senior citizens (above 60 years of age), minors up to 15 years of age (with parents holding valid passports), Central and State government servants (with no objection or identity certificate), their spouses and dependent minor children, applicants seeking deletion of ECR (emigration clearance required) status in passports without change in personal particulars or inclusion of name of spouse in passport or new booklets can walk-in at the Passport Seva Kendras in Tiruchi and Thanjavur without waiting for appointments.

Such applicants have to come with the printed copy of the online application form with application registration number (ARN) and the requisite documents. Walk-in applicants would be entertained only between 10 a.m. and noon.

The walk-in system was meant to avoid long queues at the PSKs and in view of representations from such applicants citing difficulties in getting the appointments online, Mr.Balamurugan said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/passport-applications-from-senior-citizens-and-children-to-be-treated-as-tatkal-cases/article4224388.ece

 

Air India plans to fly next set of Dreamliners to Sydney, Singapore, Melbourne and Istanbul

Air India is drawing up plans to deploy the five new Boeing Dreamliners B-787, which it expects to receive during the next few weeks, on the Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Bali and Istanbul routes.

At present, Air India has received three Dreamliners and five more will be received during the current financial year, which the Air India plans to fly to Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore, according to Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Thursday.

Mr. Singh also asked Air India to explore the possibility of flying to Indonesia, including Bali and Istanbul and beyond. He made this suggestion at a meeting here to review the functioning of Air India, including its revenue generation and cash flow management as part of its turnaround and financial restructuring plans.

Expressing satisfaction over the payment of salaries to the employees till November, he said out of Rs. 2,000 crore, which Air India would receive next month in the form of equity as budgetary support, Rs. 500 crore must be utilised to clear all arrears of the employees.

Expressing concern over the estimated shortfall of about Rs. 404 crore in the monthly average cash flow, he directed Air India to try to ensure that cash inflow matched the outflow. In the ongoing financial year so far, the airline's revenue was Rs. 1,348 crore and expenditure Rs. 1,752 crore. He asked Air India to go into operational details to cut costs, especially on heads like its overseas offices, fuel, salaries and office expenses, the spokesperson said.

Asking Air India to think out of the box and run the organisation as a commercial entity instead of a government owned body, Mr. Singh said the airline should negotiate with public sector oil marketing companies for the same discount as they provided to the international and other Indian carriers. He directed the airline to examine whether it was necessary to depute staff abroad for assisting Embassies to provide ticketing and other facilities as such services were now available online.

He said an automated Crew Management System (Auto Roster) would become operational for pilots by the next month and for cabin crew by February-March next year. The new system is an algorithm that automates the task of Flight Duty Assignments aiming at equalising flying hours, sectors flown, day and night flights, number of landings and other parameters. Mr. Singh also stressed on the need to screen the employees including the cabin crew on various parameters such as medical fitness.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/air-india-plans-to-fly-next-set-of-dreamliners-to-sydney-singapore-melbourne-and-istanbul/article4224007.ece

 

GoAir’s new flights from Kolkata

GoAir has announced services from Kolkata to Ahmedabad, Bagdogra and Guwahati, with one-way fares ranging from Rs. 2,099 to Rs. 3,799 on advance bookings.

The flights would commence from February 4, a company statement said. Sectors such as Kolkata-Bagdogra and Kolkata-Guwahati have great potential. GoAir will operate A320 aircraft on these sectors. They will be fitted with sharklets, a technology that allows significant fuel saving and is, thus, more environment-friendly.

The new routes supplement the existing return connectivity to Delhi and Port Blair, says the statement

 

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/goairs-new-flights-from-kolkata/article4224054.ece

Great India Tour package

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 20:

Great India Tour Company has announced six new ‘value-for-money’ Kerala tour packages named ‘Kerala Calling.’ This covers exotic destinations such as Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alappuzha and Kovalam and is priced at Rs 9,999 for six days five nights at the highest range. The packages include accommodation in a three star hotel, breakfast, all transfers and sightseeing. A discount of 20 per cent is offered to tourists at the Adventure Park in Munnar and 10 per cent in selected spice shops and other facilities. Details can be had from www.gitc.travel. – Our Bureau

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-others/tp-states/great-india-tour-packages/article4223132.ece

GoAir to connect Ahmedabad, Kolkata from Feb

Ahmedabad, Dec. 20:

GoAir announced today it would start daily flights between Ahmedabad and Kolkata from February 4. These same-day return flights will go further to Bagdogra in West Bengal and Guwahati in Assam.

The new sharklet-equipped A320 aircraft, which use less fuel, will fly on these routes, the company said.

Like GoAir’s other flights, flights on these routes will also have GoBusiness seats that have more legroom and come with other offers such as 40-kg baggage limit, a press release said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/goair-to-connect-ahmedabad-kolkata-from-feb/article4223086.ece

Kingfisher licence unlikely to be renewed

 

New Delhi, Dec 20:

The operating licence of Kingfisher Airlines will lapse on December 31, despite the airline applying to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its renewal on Thursday.

Terming the decision to apply for its licence renewal as a routine procedure, official sources told Business Line that as there was no mention of when the airline planned to start operations or where the funds needed to clear debtors’ dues were, the licence was unlikely to be renewed.

“The airline is following laid down procedures. A scheduled airline has to apply for renewal before the licence expires. They have fulfilled the formality. Now the airline watchdog will have to see whether they fulfil the criterion on which they were grounded before renewing or rejecting the licence,” a senior Government official said. The airline’s licence was suspended on October 20. DGCA had then said the licence would remain suspended till it submitted a concrete and reliable revival plan ensuring safe, efficient and sustainable Scheduled Air Transport Services.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/kingfisher-licence-unlikely-to-be-renewed/article4223051.ece

Air India's Rs 404-cr monthly cash flow shortfall worries Ministe

Mumbai, Dec. 20:

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh on Thursday expressed concern over the estimated monthly average cash flows of Air India for the October 2012-March 2013 period of the current financial year.

The cash flow during the period shows a net shortfall of Rs 404 crore per month with inflows being at Rs 1,348 crore and outflows estimated at Rs 1,752 crore, said a Ministry statement after a review meeting.

The Minister said that though there was an overall improvement in the performance of Air India, it is important that the revenue generated should meet the costs incurred.

The Minister reviewed in detail the functioning of Air India, including revenue generation and cash flow management, status of implementation of Computerised Management System for pilots and cabin crew, status of operations of the Dreamliner (Boeing 787) and other issues.

He asked Air India to go into minute operational details to cut costs including those incurred on overseas offices, salaries, fuel and office expenses.

Singh said since online facility was available, the necessity of deputing staff abroad for assisting Air India/embassies for ticketing needed to be examined.

He further asked Air India to negotiate with public sector oil marketing companies for the same discount they are providing to international and domestic carriers.

The Minister said that Air India should think out of the box to change its image of being a public sector unit and transform itself to a commercial organisation.

He also expressed concern about the on-time performance (OTP) of Air India and asked the company to take all steps to improve its position. Priority should be given for providing adequate training to pilots and optimally utilising the maximum allowed duty hours, he said.

The review meeting also discussed the need to screen employees, including cabin crew, on various parameters such as medical fitness.

Singh stressed on regular payment of salaries to the employees by a fixed cut-off date. He said that out of Rs 2,000 crore which Air India is to receive next month in the form of equity as budgetary support, Rs 500 crore must be utilised to clear all arrears of employees.

While noting that three B-787 Dreamliner aircraft have been received and five more would be received during the current financial year, which Air India plans to fly to Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore, Singh asked the company to explore the possibility of flying to Indonesia and other areas.

Belt-tightening Minister made a detailed review of Air India’s functioning Air India urged to seek discounts from PSU oil retailers Airline asked to improve on-time performance Rs 500 cr to be utilised to clear dues to employees

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/air-indias-rs-404cr-monthly-cash-flow-shortfall-worries-minister/article4223052.ece

Air India plans to fly next set of Dreamliners to Sydney, Singapore, Melbourne and Istanbul

Air India is drawing up plans to deploy the five new Boeing Dreamliners B-787, which it expects to receive during the next few weeks, on the Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Bali and Istanbul routes.

At present, Air India has received three Dreamliners and five more will be received during the current financial year, which the Air India plans to fly to Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore, according to Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Thursday.

Mr. Singh also asked Air India to explore the possibility of flying to Indonesia, including Bali and Istanbul and beyond. He made this suggestion at a meeting here to review the functioning of Air India, including its revenue generation and cash flow management as part of its turnaround and financial restructuring plans.

Expressing satisfaction over the payment of salaries to the employees till November, he said out of Rs. 2,000 crore, which Air India would receive next month in the form of equity as budgetary support, Rs. 500 crore must be utilised to clear all arrears of the employees.

Expressing concern over the estimated shortfall of about Rs. 404 crore in the monthly average cash flow, he directed Air India to try to ensure that cash inflow matched the outflow. In the ongoing financial year so far, the airline's revenue was Rs. 1,348 crore and expenditure Rs. 1,752 crore. He asked Air India to go into operational details to cut costs, especially on heads like its overseas offices, fuel, salaries and office expenses, the spokesperson said.

Asking Air India to think out of the box and run the organisation as a commercial entity instead of a government owned body, Mr. Singh said the airline should negotiate with public sector oil marketing companies for the same discount as they provided to the international and other Indian carriers. He directed the airline to examine whether it was necessary to depute staff abroad for assisting Embassies to provide ticketing and other facilities as such services were now available online.

He said an automated Crew Management System (Auto Roster) would become operational for pilots by the next month and for cabin crew by February-March next year. The new system is an algorithm that automates the task of Flight Duty Assignments aiming at equalising flying hours, sectors flown, day and night flights, number of landings and other parameters. Mr. Singh also stressed on the need to screen the employees including the cabin crew on various parameters such as medical fitness.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/air-india-plans-to-fly-next-set-of-dreamliners-to-sydney-singapore-melbourne-and-istanbul/article4224007.ece