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Air India to increase fleet size by a third to 400 planes by 2027

Tata Sons-owned Air India is aiming to increase the group's fleet capacity by a third to 400 aircraft by 2027, its chief executive Campbell Wilson said on Thursday. In a media roundtable held at its headquarters in Gurugram, Wilson also said aircraft deliveries in 2025 are expected to be slower compared to 2024. The seven-week-long strike at Boeing's manufacturing facilities in the United States is one of the reasons for the slow deliveries, followed by supply chain challenges. Responding to Mint's question, he said, "Boeing strike lasted a while, the 737 production was also slowed through an even longer period than that. That does have an impact on the construction of their aircraft, so the guidance is that it's going to be six months-plus delay to the narrow body deliveries. Every airline is impacted by it and we just have to adjust." He also said that there is a slowdown in deliveries of 50 white tail aircraft that were expected to join Air India's fleet by December 2024. "Out of the total 50 white tail Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, at least 35 have joined the fleet. These planes are being operated by Air India Express. 50 white tail aircraft, all of them were to come by December this year. They will stretch up to June next year and that in itself has a little bit of impact." said Wilson. White tail aircraft are those that were originally manufactured for a particular airline, but were later delivered to another carrier. On 12 November, Air India completed its much-awaited merger with Vistara to create an integrated airline, partly owned by Singapore Airlines, that will be flying 120,000 passengers daily and connect more than 90 destinations. The completion of the amalgamation, which was announced in November 2022, came within six weeks of the integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect.

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Govind Sagar Lake set to become Himachal’s new adventure hotspot

Parasailing activities will commence at Govind Sagar lake in Himachal's Bilaspur district soon and a leading Delhi-based company, currently operating in Tehri, has been invited to conduct trial operations for this project, officials said on Thursday. The district administration has granted all necessary approvals for the project and the company will carry out parasailing activities in the lake for next two months, Deputy Commissioner Bilaspur Aabid Hussain Sadiq said in a statement issued here. The company will bring its parasailing boats to Bilaspur in the first week of December, marking the beginning of the trial phase, he said. During this period, a technical committee of experts will oversee the activities and based on the trial report, the District Regulation Committee will decide on granting permission for permanent operations, the DC said. If the trials are successful, parasailing will permanently be added to the lake's attractions. Formal permits will be issued, and a structured framework for operations will be developed to ensure smooth and safe functioning, the statement said.

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Greenland’s first international airport is open for global travellers

Greenland is opening a new international airport in the capital Nuuk as it expects to double the number of tourists arriving by air over the next year. The 2.2-kilometer (1.4-mile) runway was approved late Wednesday after a series of test flights, paving the way for the airport to formally open on Thursday, the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority said on its website. The airport — the first international gateway into the Greenland capital — is seen as a game changer for local tourism, allowing larger planes to land in the Arctic country. Starting in June 2025, United Airlines Holdings Inc. will open a direct route from Newark, New York to Nuuk, while SAS AB and Icelandair Group hf have announced flights from Copenhagen and Iceland’s biggest airport Keflavik, among other places. Previously, international flights landed further north, in the secluded town of Kangerlussuaq. Passenger traffic is expected to double to over 100,000 from more than 50,000 annually in the first year, Greenland Airport’s Chief Executive Officer Jens Lauridsen told Danish media Finans. In 2023, just under 65,000 tourists arrived to Greenland by air, with about 5,000 of them flying through the capital’s existing small, domestic airport, according to Visit Greenland.

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KSRTC's double-decker bus to offer an exciting way to explore the city

Good news for Kerala, especially Kochi and culture lovers! In a recent update, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), is all set to introduce an exciting new way for tourists to explore Kochi—an open-top double-decker bus designed to offer a unique "City Tour" experience. This bus, which was previously used for the "Heritage Tour" in Thalassery, has now been relocated to Kochi. This open-top double-decker bus aims to become a new tourist attraction in Kochi, offering both tourists and locals a novel way to discover the city's charm and scenic beauty. KSRTC has already begun conducting route trials to determine the best paths for the service, with one of the suggested routes running from Madhava Pharmacy to Fort Kochi via MG Road. However, there are a few challenges, such as narrow roads and the height of trees and nearby structures that may affect the bus’s smooth operation. The double-decker bus can accommodate up to 70 passengers and has been refurbished for an enhanced touring experience. The seating is designed to provide clear, unobstructed views of the city, particularly ideal for evening and nighttime rides. Additionally, a high-quality audio system will accompany the tour, enriching the experience with interesting commentary. The bus, a throwback to a bygone era with its double-clutch mechanism, has been carefully maintained and upgraded at the Ernakulam main depot to ensure a smooth and safe ride for all passengers. The "City Tour" service is planned to operate after 6 PM, allowing visitors to experience Kochi’s beauty under the evening sky while enjoying the advantage of reduced traffic.

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Western Railway set to launch 13 more AC train services

Western Railway (WR) is all set to introduce 13 additional air-conditioned (AC) train services on its suburban network starting Wednesday (November 27), operating throughout the week, an official announced on Tuesday. These new AC services will replace an equal number of existing non-AC trains on the busy routes, WR said in a statement. With the addition of these 13 new services, the total number of AC trains on WR’s suburban network will increase from 96 to 109 on weekdays, and from 52 to 65 on weekends. Despite this increase in AC services, the total number of suburban services will remain unchanged at 1,406, including the 109 AC services, the release added. Western Railway’s suburban network, which spans 128 kilometers from Churchgate in south Mumbai to Dahanu in Palghar district, serves around 35 lakh commuters daily.

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Indian Railways manufacturing 280 kmph high-speed trains at Rs 28 crore each

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, in collaboration with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), is spearheading the design and manufacturing of high-speed train sets with a design speed of 280 kmph. This initiative marks another milestone in Indian Railways’ (IR) commitment to innovation and indigenisation under the “Make in India” initiative. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, highlighted that the manufacturing cost of these high-speed train cars is approximately Rs 28 crore per car (excluding taxes). This cost is significantly competitive when compared to global counterparts. - Aerodynamic Design: Airtight car bodies for enhanced performance. - Propulsion Systems: Advanced electrics tailored for high-speed applications. - Weight Optimisation: Lightweight structures for improved efficiency. - HVAC Systems: State-of-the-art heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning for passenger comfort.

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