Now THIS is an interesting development!!

Indian airline giant flies into Virgin with low cost plan
India's biggest passenger airline is putting together a proposal for Virgin Australia that would take the company back to the future.
Street Talk understands IndiGo - a low cost airline with 48 per cent market share in India - is in the Virgin Australia data room and seeking to put together an indicative proposal for administrator Deloitte.
Sources said IndiGo's interest was in taking Virgin back to its roots as a low cost carrier, and look to return it to profitability by running a lean and mean operation.

https://www.afr.com/street-talk/indian- ... 511-p54rns

airhansa wrote:

Overall deaths are actually lower than the normal death rate, because so few people have been killed by road accidents etc... and Singapore shows that a large number of young Indians being infected isn't such a cause for concern. The curve isn't flattening because it's already low (look at Japan). And regardless, India will still be the least affected by the coronavirus simply because everyone else is more affected, and India already has the history of dealing with (passively) both MERS and SARS, so it wouldn't take long for Indians to leave their houses and for economic activity to rebound. The west is going to face a far deeper recession than the east.

Flattening the curve is still a thing - big population or small population. And yes, large number of migrant workers being affected in Singapore is a big concern for the government of Singapore and they are mobilizing as much resources as they can in order to test and contain the spread.

The main reason the curve isn't flattening out in India is because people are still resisting to stay in their homes and because of crowded communities. If people don't realize that then there can be severe harm to Indian economy in the upcoming months.

P.S. Please stop taking non-sense about topics you are not familiar with. Please try to contain misinformation.

So far 25,000 registered from the USA to India, as expected this will be a continuous process.
https://in.news.yahoo.com/around-25-000 ... 21629.html

Read somewhere 200,000 registered from the Middle East to India.

India may start repatriation from Europe very soon.

I am surprised SpiceJet still hasn't jumped into passenger flights, it is operating a lot of cargo flights.

I thought Indigo denied it but here is the case against the foray in to Oz:

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/artic ... er-airline


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VTORD wrote:

I thought Indigo denied it but here is the case against the foray in to Oz:

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/artic ... er-airline

IndiGo (the company) has denied it to the stock exchange market. But this article above (if true?) seems to suggest it's only Rahul Bhatia (Interglobe) studying the prospects of taking up VA.
So not connected to 6E as such, which is co-owned by Gangwal & Bhatia both, as a separate company.

VTORD wrote:

I thought Indigo denied it but here is the case against the foray in to Oz:

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/artic ... er-airline


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IndiGo isn't looking at VA. Rahul Bhatia is. The Australian media got mixed up with InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) and InterGlobe Enterprises (Bhatia).

As far as the opinion expressed in the article is concerned, I think the author makes the error of incorrectly categorising Bhatia as a 'foreign airline' rather than 'airline promoter' and then goes on to talk about why IndiGo the airline should not invest in Virgin Australia (which is fair in itself).

Similar naysaying articles were probably written about InterGlobe when IndiGo announced its unprecedented 100 Airbus order 15 years ago! But it turned out that Bhatia and Gangwal knew what they were doing, after all. So who is to say IGE won't be able to turn around VA, especially since Bhatia has stated that they would take the airline back to its roots as an LCC?

https://www.business-standard.com/artic ... 137_1.html

As per the reports that I have been able to find on internet pertaining to Vande Bharat Phase 2 and specifically flights to my Home Base and State as a whole,it seems we will have 6 Flights from (Malaysia,Ukraine,Moscow,Singapore,UK and Kazakstan)

Though one thing I havent been able to find are the Aircrafts type on these routes...does anyone have any links to Aircraft types on the VB Mission 2nd Phase ??

Id love to spot 787s at my base and hope AI flies them here..though in these dormant times It would be great to spot any aircraft even be it the 320s.

avier"But this article above (if true?) seems to suggest it's only Rahul Bhatia (Interglobe) studying the prospects of taking up VA. [/quote]
[quote="trinidadeG wrote:

IndiGo isn't looking at VA. Rahul Bhatia is. The Australian media got mixed up with InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) and InterGlobe Enterprises (Bhatia).

Thanks! I re-read it and makes sense what you are suggesting.

In other news:
VS has closed reservations for MAN - DEL (planned W20).
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -oct-2020/

Looks like DEL and BOM will resume in S21.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/br ... w-network/

By the time Vande BJP Mission is done, it will reveal true popular O&D routes, these routes are based on actual requests, not network planners imagination.

dtw2hyd wrote:

By the time Vande BJP Mission is done, it will reveal true popular O&D routes, these routes are based on actual requests, not network planners imagination.

I take it that this was not meant to be a complement to the ruling party.

However it appears that you seem to be in agreement with their policies.

Still no allocation to private players in Phase 2 of Vande Bharat mission. Only AI and IX are allotted flights and thereby some earnings from these flights... I wonder how long will the private players be quiet...

unnayan wrote:

Still no allocation to private players in Phase 2 of Vande Bharat mission. Only AI and IX are allotted flights and thereby some earnings from these flights... I wonder how long will the private players be quiet...

Also no financial relief measures announced for the aviation sector in the economy revival package, apart from some paltry measures which were already in the making.

Which means govt is going to continue using large amounts of public funds to only keep the big white elephant (AI) going.
Pvt airlines might just have to pray for some divine intervention. They might be seeing AI like some curse on Indian Aviation.

The govt has to choose between rescuing AI or the pvt. airlines. It's not rocket science to figure out the better option.

trinidadeG wrote:

VTORD wrote:

I thought Indigo denied it but here is the case against the foray in to Oz:

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/artic ... er-airline


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IndiGo isn't looking at VA. Rahul Bhatia is. The Australian media got mixed up with InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) and InterGlobe Enterprises (Bhatia).

As far as the opinion expressed in the article is concerned, I think the author makes the error of incorrectly categorising Bhatia as a 'foreign airline' rather than 'airline promoter' and then goes on to talk about why IndiGo the airline should not invest in Virgin Australia (which is fair in itself).

Similar naysaying articles were probably written about InterGlobe when IndiGo announced its unprecedented 100 Airbus order 15 years ago! But it turned out that Bhatia and Gangwal knew what they were doing, after all. So who is to say IGE won't be able to turn around VA, especially since Bhatia has stated that they would take the airline back to its roots as an LCC?

https://www.business-standard.com/artic ... 137_1.html

I hope that no group from India invests in any Australian or Canadian airline, as travel/tourism in the west will remain depressed for many years. It's also very unlikely that Chinese students/employees will return to the West, as western degrees are no longer seen as valuable in China due to the development of Chinese universities, and the western jobs market is worse. The impact for the West will be for years, not months. But investing in Asian airlines is a better option, because Asian travel will rebound quicker due to the history of SARS. The financial impact has been less in Asia and savings rates are far higher as well (if there's a time to use your rainy day fund...). Most of Asians will avoid visiting the West due to tarnished perceptions about the quality/standard of western healthcare, so the rebound will benefit regional Asia the most.

Please continue the overall situation and politics in the dedicated thread and stay on topic. The general thread can be found here:

COVID-19 India Lockdown Thread

avier wrote:

unnayan wrote:

Still no allocation to private players in Phase 2 of Vande Bharat mission. Only AI and IX are allotted flights and thereby some earnings from these flights... I wonder how long will the private players be quiet...

Also no financial relief measures announced for the aviation sector in the economy revival package, apart from some paltry measures which were already in the making.

Which means govt is going to continue using large amounts of public funds to only keep the big white elephant (AI) going.
Pvt airlines might just have to pray for some divine intervention. They might be seeing AI like some curse on Indian Aviation.

The govt has to choose between rescuing AI or the pvt. airlines. It's not rocket science to figure out the better option.

Normally the govt can get away giving aid to AI, but this time, when all airlines have been shut down by the govt, all airlines have the right to demand the same money that AI receives. Even a low interest loan would be better than nothing.

However, all the evacuation flights are by AI, it generally makes sense, since the govt has been giving money to AI and it is logical that only AI gets the nod, but in this case the private airlines which are also hurting for money should demand that they also get their fair share.

I suppose by now reasonable people should have realized the big numbers Indian government throws around doesn't actually convert into real currency. 20 Trillion Rupee stimulus package is just hot air.

India has no money to give it to anybody including AI. AI never got low interest loans from Indian banks, it got low interest, sovereign guaranteed loans for aircraft purchases. I doubt GoI can give sovereign guarantee for SpiceJet planes.

I am still perplexed why SpiceJet didn't start passenger repatriation flights, it is just concentrating on cargo flights. We will know the real reason in due course.

The over smart move (or mistake) Modi did is to payoff AI aircraft. If AI cannot be sold because of current overall economy and aviation worldwide, AI is in a better shape than most airlines in the world by "truly" owning half of its fleet including all 777s. It was a move to help a cozy buyer, but it is helping AI.

Also, there are thousands of people registered from Gulf to repatriate... why make them wait by 2-3 AI flights daily only... distribute some rights to private players so that they can earn some revenue as well as stranded passengers can get relief.. its not like AI can manage it all alone in a reasonable time frame... give long haul to AI as it has the aircrafts.... if Govt cant help ailing airlines directly.. atleast give some relief...

It's not just about satisfying demand, some of the states have requested limited or no flights as they don't have enough facilities for the 1000s of evacuees. If everyone who wants to return is brought back in as short a time as possible, the systems will get overwhelmed.

With domestic travel within India not likely to start until mid June or July and international may be a month after, and no meaningful aid package announced by the Govt, I wonder how many airlines can survive. The govt has not even announced a loan package to any airline yet, (except AI getting its usual loan/aid).

Go Air was in trouble even before, and Spice Jet had cash issues, I wonder if they will make it.

Vistara, Air Asia India may make it since due to the Tata connection, and TruJet was relying on UDAN, and not heard of any immediate cash issues. Indigo of course is in the best shape, but doubt it can accept any more aircraft for rest of the year.

Domestic flights to resume from May 25.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/in ... 848594.cms

Private airlines to join Vande Bharat

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bus ... 832517.cms

Qantas repatriation flight to MAA - first ever non-stop south India-Australia flight.

https://twitter.com/aaichnairport/statu ... 5104052225

Indigo is allocated 97 out of 180 repatriation flights

https://m.republicworld.com/india-news/ ... iddle.html

avier wrote:

Domestic flights to resume from May 25.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/in ... 848594.cms

-Fares to be capped(floor & ceiling) by stage length. Rule to be in effect till August likely.

-Only one-third of domestic flights (of SS'20 schedule) to begin from May 25.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/business ... two-months

avier wrote:

avier wrote:

Domestic flights to resume from May 25.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/in ... 848594.cms

-Fares to be capped(floor & ceiling) by stage length. Rule to be in effect till August likely.

-Only one-third of domestic flights (of SS'20 schedule) to begin from May 25.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/business ... two-months

Capping fares, especially by the government is never a good idea. All it does is stifle operations and screws up revenue management. I had hoped the airlines will get some sort of relief, but nothing seems forthcoming.

Asiana operated a repatriation flight (A359) to MAA







https://twitter.com/aerowanderer/status ... 98113?s=20

First A359 into MAA!! And probably first B78X into MAA as well! (9V-SCJ, SQ8028)

unnayan wrote:

Indigo is allocated 97 out of 180 repatriation flights

https://m.republicworld.com/india-news/ ... iddle.html

I am guessing GoI following the standard playbook of announcing winners in reverse order.

3rd prize - AI Group
2nd prize - IndiGo
1st prize- SpiceJet
Consolation prize - Vistara

Maavomm wrote:

First A359 into MAA!! And probably first B78X into MAA as well! (9V-SCJ, SQ8028)

This was the 3rd A359 to MAA actually, last year a MH A359 diverted to MAA and earlier this month ET operated a cargo only A359.

SQ was the 2nd B78X, the first being an EY cargo only flight earlier this month as well. Coincidentally, SQ was supposed to start regular B78X ops to MAA from this week to mark their 50th anniversary of service to MAA, their first Indian station.

Maavomm wrote:

First A359 into MAA!! And probably first B78X into MAA as well! (9V-SCJ, SQ8028)

Nope not the 1st

Thank you for your correction, I usually check FR24, would have missed them earlier.

avier wrote:

Domestic flights to resume from May 25.

GoAir will resume ops from June 1st, unlike all other airlines which start from May 25.

Reason: Not enough clarity yet on some states permitting flights or over the mandatory qurantine period for incoming pax. Also the many hiccups that would be faced with all new procedures at airports and onboard.
Maybe they want to study the other airlines and the issues they face when ops resume.

Just love how cautious GoAir always is about everything. Let's see if this works in their favour or not.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bus ... 922497.cms

Air India repatriation flight to YVR





https://twitter.com/cgivancouver/status ... 09824?s=20

lightsaber wrote:

Airlines who decided not to buy widebody aircraft must be happy with that choice.

airboss787 wrote:

avier wrote:

-Fares to be capped(floor & ceiling) by stage length. Rule to be in effect till August likely.

-Only one-third of domestic flights (of SS'20 schedule) to begin from May 25.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/business ... two-months

Capping fares, especially by the government is never a good idea. All it does is stifle operations and screws up revenue management. I had hoped the airlines will get some sort of relief, but nothing seems forthcoming.

Capped fares either drive away buyers or result in shortages.

Lightsaber

People who need to travel, will travel by air, especially those who were travelling by air before. Rather than sit in the train and got exposed, they are better off in a plane. It might result in shortages in premium trunk routes.

Spicejet has removed seats from 2 Q400's and converted them into freighters



https://twitter.com/ari_maj/status/1265 ... 63585?s=20

qf789 wrote:

Spicejet has removed seats from 2 Q400's and converted them into freighters

I don't mean to nitpick, but other sources say Three Q400s were converted into freighters.

Also, it seems like SG chose to convert their oldest turbo-props into freighters. I suspect they might stay in that configuration permanently.

https://networkthoughts.com/2020/05/28/ ... reighters/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bus ... 058460.cms

Please continue your discussion and to post your updates here:

Indian Aviation Thread - June 2020

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