Airliners-India.com

sabya99 · Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:16 pm Post subject:

Another glass panel crumbles at new terminal

TNN | Apr 9, 2013, 04.31 AM IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Another-glass-panel-crumbles-at-new-terminal/articleshow/19452160.cms

KOLKATA: Barely an hour before Mamata Banerjee arrived at the airport to board the 5pm flight to Delhi on Monday, another glass panel crumbled in the departure section of the integrated terminal. So far, more than 100 panels have popped in the terminal, triggering fears about the safety of the terminal that has 5 lakh square feet glass panels.

A huge glass panel near gate 3A crumbled around 3.45pm on Monday, leaving the officials red-faced. Experts have visited the terminal and inspected the glass samples but have failed to identify the reason for the unusually high incidents of panel disintegration. While experts from the Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute said defects during the manufacturing of the reinforced glass may have led to their cracking, inspectors from the companies claimed there were no such defects.

Instead, they point to the possibility of some defect in the design of the building that is amplifying the resonance triggered by incoming and departing jet planes that is causing the panels to shatter. An AAI team that visited the terminal last week has called for the appointment of third-party inspectors and experts to identify the reason and remedy it. Embarassed

_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:20 pm Post subject:

Lack of subsidy from Bengal Govt. halts Cooch Behar-Kolkata flight service

By Ayan Pramanik

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/lack-of-subsidy-from-bengal-govt-halts-cooch-beharkolkata-flight-service/article4598767.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

The services were initiated based on the State’s promise to subsidize eight seats of an 18-seater Dornier 228 aircraft.
Kolkata, April 9:
The Kolkata-Cooch Behar flight service is unlikely to resume any time soon as the West Bengal Government failed to live up to its promise of subsidising operations for six months.
Operated by a non-scheduled carrier North East Shuttles Pvt Ltd, the flight service was stopped after just 12 flights in one-and-a-half months.
The services were initiated based on the State’s promise to subsidise eight seats of an 18-seater Dornier 228 aircraft, for the first six months, in case of non-availability of passengers. The idea was to give a cushion to the operator to help commercialise operations.
As anticipated, passenger availability was low initially. But, the carrier did not receive the promised subsidy for the flights it operated between October and mid-November last year.
“There were only two flights with full occupancy during the 45 days of service. The State Government’s proposed subsidy would have helped the carrier manage the operating cost of every flight,” sources told Business Line.
Available estimates suggest that the State Government is liable to pay a little more than Rs 3.6 lakh (at an average ticket price of Rs 4,500) as subsidy for the flights without full occupancy.
Capt. Shoba K Mani, Managing Director, North East Shuttles declined to comment on the subject.
According to the sources, low occupancy rate leading to higher cost of operations was another reason behind the withdrawal of the service.
Technical limitations
While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has claimed that it has already invested nearly Rs 40 crore to develop the terminal and the runway at the Cooch Benhar airport, sources said an outdated air traffic signalling system at the airport often delays landing and sends “incorrect” coordinates to the pilots.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:53 am Post subject:

Front façade of Terminal 2 of NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/EOH0CZZutGA
Latest problems of new terminal : http://youtu.be/U4918SciS1Y
This aircraft using Kilo taxiway to exit main runway ( landing from south ): http://youtu.be/7jrmikEv9WQ
More pictures of new terminal : http://youtu.be/p9G__Yt2MhM Mr. Derek-O-Brian on NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/XEfQ2cyOXFo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prasundutta/8635592086/
http://20twentytwo.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-look-at-kolkatas-new-airport-terminal.html ;
http://prasundutta.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/kolkata-international-airport-terminal-inside/ ; http://prasundutta.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/kolkata-international-airport-terminal/
http://photos.wikimapia.org/p/00/03/07/57/62_full.jpg ; http://www.demotix.com/photo/1773155/terminal-netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-international-airport#categories ; Underground car park at the new terminal :
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SfkOBMEmJu8/UPpSXMn8B1I/AAAAAAAAKLQ/BRS2Kxz2QN0/s1600/NSCBI_photo+1.jpg
Full interior view of Kolkata airport: https://plus.google.com/photos/108094285278243809386/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#s/kolkata%20airport
Busy apron area of NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/bvHAUpJbN0g Landing from south side : http://youtu.be/v2J3MbavM7o
Landing at Paro ,Bhutan from 7000 ft:
http://youtu.be/YsZqN-uEgQU ; http://youtu.be/_SNfb-ulc7g
Million pound heavy take off of B747-800: http://youtu.be/H-947MCi0gs ;
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:37 am Post subject:

Crater on airport runway

TNN | May 1, 2013, 05.30 AM IST,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Crater-on-airport-runway/articleshow/19812748.cms

KOLKATA: Flight operations at Kolkata airport were suspended for 20 minutes on Tuesday evening after a crater was detected on the northern end of the primary runway. Four incoming flights had to hover over the city till operations commenced on the secondary runway.

Sources said the captain of a Jet Airways flight noticed the crater around 6.30pm. He immediately suspended takeoff and informed the ATC. A team then arrived to check the damaged section and after inspection decided to shift operations to the secondary runway.

Meanwhile, four incoming flights were kept on hold as the ground staff inspected the secondary runway to clear it for operations. Flight operations resumed around 6.50pm with the incoming flights being allowed to land first.
Comments: At last secondary runway available for nite time operation!
_________________
Sabya99

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

sabya99 · Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 9:06 am Post subject:

Stink of a short cut to cleaner airport toilets
- No fresh contract, just 80 more workers.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130426/jsp/calcutta/story_16827264.jsp#.UYHdn8Fwah1

Calcutta airport has junked the idea of inviting fresh bids for toilet maintenance at its new terminal, sanctioning 80 additional personnel instead to tidy up the 45 dirty toilets that require almost three times more manpower.
The decision was apparently taken after a meeting with Impressions, the Delhi-headquartered private company that has a Rs 19 lakh-a-month contract with the Airports Authority of India to keep the 1,80,000sq metre integrated terminal clean.
In a proposal submitted in March, Impressions had asked for 210 extra personnel for the job. The facility maintenance firm currently deploys 130 workers and around 10 machines, way below the proposed strength of 340 personnel and 18 machines.
Airport officials said they decided to sanction additional manpower for Impressions rather than float tenders because it would have taken months to select a bidder and sign a fresh contract, given the complexities involved.
“We want the washrooms to be manned 24/7. So the manpower will be increased from April 30,” airport director B.P. Sharma said on Thursday.
Sources said the expenditure on maintenance would go up by Rs 8 to 10 lakh a month on account of the additional manpower.
Airport officials who did not wish to be named said adding just 80 private workers to the roster was hardly enough to improve the maintenance of the 45 toilets in the arrival and departure sections of the terminal.
“The proposal to deploy 210 more personnel was based on the estimate that each of the three shifts would have 110 workers, 70 more than the number deployed now. The decision to sanction only 80 extra workers means the agency can’t add more than 27 personnel to each shift, which will prove inadequate,” an official said.
The tentative plan is to deploy more workers during the morning and afternoon peak hours and a lesser number for the night shift.
An official said cutting manpower for the night shift was no solution. “All major cleaning work is taken up at night, when passenger load is low,” he pointed out.
In the original contract — Impressions had been chosen because it was the lowest bidder at Rs 19 lakh a month — the scope of work mentioned does not include round-the-clock washroom watch.
Sources said the revised contract would mention toilet maintenance to avoid legal complications.
Metro has been highlighting the poor condition of the toilets at the new facility since the first week of full operations.
A passenger booked on an Air India flight to Delhi on Thursday afternoon said he found the floor of the washroom opposite boarding gate number 20 “wet and generally untidy”.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 4:53 pm Post subject:

Fibreglass panels at airport

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Fibreglass-panels-at-airport/articleshow/19979814.cms

KOLKATA: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to install high-quality clear fibreglass panels in sections of the terminal where reinforced glass panels had mysteriously crumbled on its own. Orders have already been placed for the imported panels.

Ever since the terminal became commercially operational, in mid-March, over a dozen glass panels have popped without any apparent reason. Studies by experts failed to pin down why the problem was recurring. Even prior to the terminal being commissioned, over 100 glass panels had shattered.

Matters came to a head during a squall a few days back when two more panels crumbled. With more Nor'westers lined up, and monsoon round the corner, AAI has hence decided to put up fibreglass panels to fix the situation.
_________________
Sabya99

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

KOLKATA: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to install high-quality clear fibreglass panels in sections of the terminal where reinforced glass panels had mysteriously crumbled on its own. Orders have already been placed for the imported panels.

Rolling Eyes

_________________
eP007

sabya99 · Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 3:34 pm Post subject:

Decks cleared for new ATC at airport

TNN | May 14, 2013, 01.15 AM IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Decks-cleared-for-new-ATC-at-airport/articleshow/20038072.cms

KOLKATA: The city will have a spiral torch-shaped ATC tower within three years. The Rs270-crore project was cleared at a board meeting earlier this month, paving the way for a modern air traffic complex with the 86-metre tower, nearly twice the size of SahidMinar.

Airports Authority of India chairman V P Agrawal said the new tower will replace the 35-metre tower building constructed in 1972. Apart from being an iconic structure, the complex comprising the tower and a four-storied sprawling building will end the space faced by approach and area controllers and also give aerodrome controllers a much needed height for better all-round visibility. At present, parking bays at the southern-western section of the new terminal are not visible from the tower.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 6:11 pm Post subject:

200km flight with cracked windshield

The TNN | May 24, 2013,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/200km-flight-with-cracked-windshield/articleshow/20236614.cms

KOLKATA: It was a nerve-wracking 30 minutes for 179 passengers and crew on board an IndiGo Airlines flight from Kolkata to Dibrugarh on Thursday as the plane flew through 200km of extreme turbulence with a cracked cockpit windshield.

Flight 6E 205 took off at 12.57pm and hit turbulence almost immediately. Just as the aircraft was heading into clear weather at 35,000ft, the pilots saw the windshield crack. Deciding to return to Kolkata, they put the plane in a dive to lose altitude quickly, ease the pressure and prevent the glass from popping out.

The pilot informed the passengers they were returning to Kolkata because of a technical fault. "There were grumbles in the passenger cabin. We were almost halfway through," recounted Oil India's H Singh.

The sharp descent and the turbulence increased tension in the cabin. "The loss in altitude was in sudden bursts," said businessman Khaled Khan who was travelling with his mother. "The aircraft would go into a freefall, hold for a while and go into another drop. Passengers already knew there was some problem with the aircraft. The extreme turbulence freaked them out. I began to think about my daughter and pray for mercy. People were either screaming or praying."

Since all the passengers and crew had their seatbelts fastened, there were no injuries. To everyone's relief, the plane touched down safely at Kolkata airport at 1.59pm. The passengers took off for Dibrugarh in another aircraft at 3.32pm.

According to the airline, there was no danger since only one layer of the three-layered windshield had cracked. An airline official said had the flight gone on to land in Dibrugarh, the plane would have been stranded there till engineers and technicians flew in from Kolkata.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 5:44 am Post subject:

Sabya’s recent trip repots to Kolkata ( 2013 ):

1)Sabya's India trip report (2013). http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/airlinersindia-ftopic13136.html
2) Sabya's passage through Kolkata's new terminal. http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/airlinersindia-ftopic13150.html
3) Sabya's home coming to New Jersey from Kolkata ( 2013 ). http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/airlinersindia-ftopic13197.html
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 5:31 am Post subject:

Brace for a rough landing on bumpy runway
Subhro Niyogi, TNN | May 28, 2013,

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Brace-for-a-rough-landing-on-bumpy-runway/articleshow/20300034.cms

KOLKATA: Flying into and out of Kolkata is a bone-rattling experience. Pilots have labelled the city runway the bumpiest among major Indian airports that leaves fliers shaken and rattled.

"The tarmac is so bumpy that at times it is difficult to monitor the instruments in the cockpit. The rattling also creates a big racket in the cabin. No matter how smooth the touchdown, landing in Kolkata is always an unpleasant experience due to the bumpiness of the runway," Boeing 737-800 captain and Airlines Operators' Committee chairman (Kolkata) Sarvesh Gupta told TOI.

The bumpiness is an irritant but deterioration of the surface at either end of the runway is a bigger safety concern. There have been several instances of flights' operations being shut down after cracks were detected on the tarmac. On May 1, a Jet Airways captain, who was taxiing for takeoff, stopped the aircraft just short of the runway after noticing a crater. In April, too, a Jet Airways captain had alerted the ATC after spotting a crater during takeoff.

"The reinforced concrete has disintegrated and chipped off at the takeoff points, leading to formation of craters. Though patch repairs are carried out, there is need for a more thorough repair to ensure that safety is not compromised," Gupta said.

According to aviation industry experts, hitting a crater at speeds in excess of 200 kmph can trigger a major accident. After landing, the plane's braking action can get affected if it strikes a crater. The stress on the aircraft undercarriage is also immense.

"Tires can suffer puncture, the aircraft can lose direction or debris flying off the wheel can damage any part of the plane. It can be catastrophic during takeoff as had happened during the Concorde disaster when debris that had flown off the wheel got into the aircraft engine," an industry veteran pointed out.

Airport sources, on the other hand, blamed the poor quality of re-carpeting done five-six years ago for the current condition. "Both the process and the quality of work was inferior. Hence, the runway surface has deteriorated repeatedly, disrupting flight operations. Urgent patch repairs are carried out but they don't last. What is needed is thorough re-carpeting to improve runway strength and surface smoothness," an airport source said.

However, the airport authorities have no plans to take up re-carpeting in the near future but efforts are under way to take up major repairs at either ends of the primary runway.

"Since it is a major work, we have to shut down the main runway so that work can be done between 9pm and 6am when traffic is thin. During this time, operations will be shifted to the secondary runway. Four weeks will be needed to repair the section at the northern-end and three weeks to repair the southern end," an official said.

While domestic carriers are fine with repairs at night, foreign flights that operate large aircraft are not as the secondary runway is shorter and has ILS available to flights approaching from only one end. This runway is fine for narrow-bodied Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 aircraft but not for wide-bodied planes. Airports Authority of India officials in Delhi have asked Kolkata airport officials to discuss the matter with airlines before undertaking the repairs.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:30 pm Post subject:

Airport in early morning ; http://youtu.be/usxZSId7PjY Landing and taxing through new taxiway Roger ( R): http://youtu.be/HA9MIy1Snkw . Its all in the glass: http://youtu.be/3SHUpJAvbtQ Eleven things to do in a Kolkata trip : http://youtu.be/AvNdOJMDMyQ New NSC Bose airport, Kolkata fully made of glass : http://youtu.be/LABr1bG6dWA Rich cultural heritage of Kolkata city : http://youtu.be/l3VFA-BebXI New airport front view: http://youtu.be/EOH0CZZutGA Landing on main runway : http://youtu.be/aS9DLeseiIM Landing at NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/QNPkQB5tV9U Take off from Kolkata: http://youtu.be/9Xto4JfjGj4 Taxing to runway 01R at Kolkata airport : http://youtu.be/HJas1_IyQts Aero bridge engagement at Kolkata domestic terminal : http://youtu.be/9KeGplYnOf4
A few recent pictures of Kolkata airport from Flickr :
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/8861663827_17ae9f6835_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/8861716829_a1d6173f5f_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/8861663827_17ae9f6835_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/8861673355_5f67dbcde6_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/8862309652_20be9e68e4_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/8861769349_22cd532fff_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/8861728667_834f1b9c34_b.jpg
Copyright V B GOYAL74
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 7:02 pm Post subject:

Privatization wind blows over Kolkata airport

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Privatization-wind-blows-over-Kolkata-airport/articleshow/20484868.cms

KOLKATA: The civil aviation ministry has decided to privatize operations and maintenance of NetajiSubhas Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkata. The airport was modernized at a cost of Rs 2,325 core.

Though the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government will oppose the renewed bid to privatize Kolkata airport, much like the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front government had done six years ago, the Centre is unlikely to relent this time. Industry sources said civil aviation minister Ajit Singh as well as senior ministry officials were fed up with repeated complaints by MPs, state ministers and other passengers about the new terminal's shoddy upkeep and was keen to hand over the maintenance and operations to a private operator at the earliest.

A hint of the government's mood was revealed on Thursday when civil aviation secretary KN Srivastava asked Kolkata airport authorities to quickly sort out issues, including the mysterious shattering of glass panels and inadequate urinal/stalls at toilets.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 6:53 pm Post subject:

Bengal's airport city nears completion

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Bengals-airport-city-nears-completion/articleshow/20513934.cms

KOLKATA: Ever since the anti-land acquisition movement gained momentum in 2006-07, few projects have made progress. IISCO Steel Plant (Rs 18,000 crore), Durgapur Aerotropolis (Rs 10,000 crore) and Matix Fertilizer (Rs 5,000 crore) are the three that have, all of them in the Asansol-Durgapur belt. It even drew the notice of US ambassador to India Nancy Powell, who highlighted the importance of the region at her meeting with chief minister Mamata Banerjee last month.

While ISP and Matix are industrial units, the airport city is an infrastructure project that has the potential to transform the region's outlook and economy. The private sector project that kicked off within a month of Ratan Tata announcing the Nano plant pullout from Singur is today the state's most prestigious showcase project.

The Rs 600 crore greenfield airport that forms the heart of the aerocity project, is nearing completion. The runway is 97% complete, passenger terminal building 92%, air traffic control 97% and operational building (service cluster block) 97% ready.

"The airport will be ready for flight services by August-September. Thereafter, there are regulatory compliances that need to be met. The category C airport, like Patna, should be ready for flight operations by this year end," a source told TOI. Talks are underway with all airlines. Chances are, the first flight will be on the Kolkata-Durgapur-Delhi sector followed by connections to Mumbai and Bangalore.

"Once the airport becomes operational, several other sectors will open up. There is tremendous scope for hospitality, IT & ITeS and health sector," said Kenneth Scott, general manager of Pride Hotel in Rajarhat. Pride is keen on a hotel property at the airport city that has zones earmarked for residencies, IT offices, hospitals and low-pollution industries. Satyajit Bose, chairman of The Mission Hospital in Durgapur and cardiac surgeon, believes the airport will boost health tourism. "We have bought 2 acres in the airport area to develop a super speciality hospital there. A medical college hospital is also on the anvil," he said.

Several industries have already bought land at the airport city, including Joy Mining, Ardex Endura and Shree Shyam Agro Food Products Ltd. A delegation from Taiwan has expressed interest.

Rajendra Prasad Khaitan, a prominent chamber of commerce representative from the region, feels the airport is a tremendous business opportunity for the region that was once called the Ruhr of India.

When chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared Asansol-Durgapur as a metropolitan city in September 2011, it was perhaps premature. But when the Andal airport does become operational, it will be a big step towards achieving the dream of a second city after Kolkata in Bengal.

BAPL director Partha Ghosh feels the airport will not only serve towns in south Bengal, it will also be of use to residents and businesses in Dhanbad and Bokaro. With a six-lane highway on the anvil from Dhanbad to Panagarh, the connectivity with Andal and western Jharkhand will become even faster.

The airport project has already enthused two industrial units-MAMC and Hindustan Cables Ltd-that had shut down to reopen. The discovery of energy like coal bed methane and shale gas could help other units that closed shop to reopen.

The Aerotropolis is a planned industrial township, which will have, along with the airport, engineering and Technology Park, an IT centre, commercial complex, logistics hub, health centres, educational institutions, residential enclaves and retail business centres.

Urban planning is being done by the famous Townland Group of Hong Kong, which has successfully implemented more than 3,000 projects in the Asia-Pacific region. Tata Consulting Engineers are planning the infrastructure development. Road development and traffic planning are being done by STUP of France.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:12 pm Post subject:

Airport modernisation: Phase II set for take-off

Saptarshi Banerjee, Hindustan Times Kolkata, June 11, 2013
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Airport-modernisation-Phase-II-set-for-take-off/Article1-1074446.aspx

After completing construction of the state-of-theart new terminal building T2, Airports Authority of India (AAI) is all set to move on to phase two of Kolkata airport’s modernisation plan.
In this phase, the AAI would come up with an air traffic control (ATC) tower and a technical building.
During his recent visit to the city, AAI chairman VP Agarwal had said that construction of the towercum-technical building would begin soon and according to sources, it could start as early as December this year. The detailed plan and rough estimates are ready but detailed estimates are being prepared. Once this is done, the process of floating tenders would start. The entire process would take sometime.
“Having recently completed a world class terminal at Kolkata Airport, we are now all set to upgrade the ATC infrastructure as well. Construction of the new state-of-art control tower along with the technical block will commence soon,” Harpal Singh, executive director architect of AAI said.
The proposed tower would be 80 metres high. The people working on the tower would have a bird’s eye view of the entire airport area from the control room. “Air traffic controllers would have 360 degrees of unobstructed view. In addition, the tower would be equipped with the latest equipment and technology,” Agarwal said.
“Architecture of the proposed ATC will be of international standards,” an AAI official said.
Alongside the tower, a new six-storied modern office building to house technical offices would be built.
The proposed project would cost Rs. 271 crore approximately, which includes the cost of equipment worth Rs. 150 crore. The proposal has received the approval of the AAI board and it is expected that it would be completed approximately in twenty-four months after work is awarded.
“This would be step forward in achieving a comprehensive and inclusive upgrade combining passenger facilities and traffic control facilities at NSCBI Airport in Kolkata,” Singh said.
The existing air traffic control tower was built in the sixties and in order to cope with the growing demands, additions and modifications have been carried out from time to time.
The existing control tower is around 35 metres high and a view from it is partially blocked in certain parts of the operational area where some new bays have been constructed.
For example, a part of the operational area in front of the new terminal building’s international side is not visible from the control tower.
The technical building would have five floors and the tower would be connected with a sky bridge from the fifth floor of the building.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:12 am Post subject:

Singapore Airlines may increase capacity

TNN | Jun 19, 2013, 03.46 AM IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Singapore-Airlines-may-increase-capacity/articleshow/20656932.cms

KOLKATA: Singapore Airlines is open to adding more capacity out of Kolkata, airline general manager (India) GM Toh told TOI on Tuesday. The carrier had first increased its weekly capacity from 1,140 seats to 1,450 seats in August 2011. It was later raised to 1,590 seats in March 2013.

"We are on the lookout for incremental addition in seat capacity. We can add a further 375 seats by simply changing the aircraft that
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 5:32 am Post subject:

Tire of Thai Airways plane from Kolkata explodes while landing

Mar 16, 2013, 11.21 AM IST ,

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Tyre-of-Thai-Airways-plane-from-Kolkata-explodes-while-landing/articleshow/19001839.cms

BANGKOK: A tire of the Thai Airways International aircraft from India exploded while landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport here early this morning.
All 287 passengers and crew members were evacuated from the twin-engine Airbus 330-300 aircraft that had left Kolkata at 2.48 am, the Bangkok Post online reported.
The accident took place when the pilots of the flight THAI TG314 landed the plane at the Bangkok airport at 6.06am, the post reported quoting a local radio station.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:27 pm Post subject:

Arrived: flight. Delayed: luggage
Plane to terminal is a long journey

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130624/jsp/calcutta/story_17037371.jsp

A flier takes five to seven minutes to reach the terminal after landing at Calcutta airport, but it takes nearly 20 minutes on an average for his or her luggage to arrive on the belt.
If the belt stops midway, which happens often, the wait for luggage stretches longer, sometimes to 30 minutes and more.
M.J. Robertson, who travels frequently on business, had to wait nearly an hour for his luggage on the way back from a trip to Delhi and Mumbai.
Metro explores why it takes so much time for a bag to travel from the aircraft to the conveyor belt.
Distance One of the main reasons for the delay is the long distance the tractor trolleys have to cover when the aircraft is parked at a remote bay.
You didn’t face this problem in the old terminals because they were much closer to the parking bays.
An airline deploys four workers to unload registered luggage from the belly of the aircraft. It takes three to four minutes on an average for the luggage to be loaded on the tractor trolley, which then covers 2 to 2.5km to the integrated terminal. It takes a tractor trolley at least seven minutes to reach the building, an official said. “Often, the trolley has to wait as an aircraft moves along the taxiway for take-off. Then it takes more time to reach the terminal.”
On reaching the terminal, the trolley goes down two floors to the basement through a ramp. Loaders place the luggage on belts that take them up two floors through a shaft to the ground floor of the arrival lounge. It takes around six minutes for the baggage to travel up the 25-metre-long belts. “If everything goes smoothly, then it takes 17 to 20 minutes for a bag to arrive at the conveyor belt from a plane parked in a remote bay,” an official said.
Unused aerobridges It takes half the time for the baggage to reach the conveyor belt if a plane is parked in a “contact bay” connected to the terminal by an aerobridge.
There are 12 operational aerobridges at the airport, six each for international and domestic flights. But the number of domestic passengers in Calcutta is four times more.
While domestic flights have to be parked in the remote bays because all six aerobridges are occupied by other aircraft, most of the bridges in the international arena remain unused.
Three to four out of every 10 domestic flights make do without aerobridges, sources said. “We plan to use two aerobridges from the international section for domestic flights when they are idle,” an AAI official promised.
But ATR aircraft won’t be able to use the aerobridges.
Frequent glitches The conveyor belts in the integrated terminal often malfunction, which airport officials blame on lack of training in how to use the automated system set up by Siemens.
“A minimum gap of two feet must be maintained between two pieces of luggage, otherwise the sensors fitted to the belts will cause it to stall,” an official said.
Once a belt stops, precious minutes are lost trying to correct the problem and restart the system.
A few days ago, company executive Guru Ramabadhran arrived from Delhi on an IndiGo flight and waited 20 minutes for the first piece of luggage to show up on the belt.
“Then the belt stopped,” recalled Ramabadhran. “A person armed with a screwdriver arrived, did something with it for 10 minutes before the belt started moving again. But there was no luggage. Around 20 minutes went by before the bags started coming one by one.”
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:59 am Post subject:

Barrackpore Air Force Station mourns death of heroes killed in air crash in Uttarakhand

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Barrackpore-Air-Force-Station-mourns-death-of-heroes-killed-in-air-crash-in-Uttarakhand/articleshow/20779992.cms

KOLKATA: Eastern Command air chief Air Marshal R K Sharma reached Air Force Station Barrackpore near Kolkata on Wednesday to meet family members of the five Indian Air Force officers and JCOs killed in an air crash in Uttarakhand. The Mi-17 V5 chopper that crashed in on Tuesday afternoon while on its way from Kedarnath to Gaurikund belonged to the 153 Helicopter Unit (HU) of the IAF that became operational from Barrackpore on January 31 this year. The crew of the ill-fated chopper have been identified as Wg Cdr Darryl Castelino, Flt Lt K Praveen, Flt Lt Tapan Kapoor, Junior Warrant Officer A K Singh and Sergeant Sudhakar Yadav. All of them were based in Barrackpore. A pall of gloom has descended on the air force base ever since news of the crash came in.

The aircraft was under the able command of Wg Cdr Castelino, an experienced chopper pilot who has served in the 152 HU based in Kashmir earlier. Nearly the entire fleet of helicopters from the 153 HU has shifted to Uttarakhan for the ongoing Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

"The weather was very bad when the helicopter crashed into the wilderness. It had taken off at 12.30 pm from Kedarnath and crashed barely 7-10 minutes later," an official said. The others killed in the crash were Indo-Tibetan Border Police and National Disaster Response Force personnel who were involved in rescue operations.

The 153 HU is the fifth Mi-17 V5 unit in the country and the second in the state of West Bengal. The Mi-17 V5 choppers, more of which are being acquired by the IAF, have been touted as advanced aircraft with superior avionics allowing all-weather and day and night operations. When asked about the crash, officials said that the situation in Uttarakhand is far from normal and taking a heavy toll on men and equipment. "The trying conditions are resulting in material and human fatigue. The IAF has made it clear that it will continue to operate till there is a single survivor left to evacuate. The crews are waiting for those small windows of reasonably fair weather to take to the skies. Even on Tuesday afternoon, 3-4 aircraft were operating in that sector. This has made it more difficult to ascertain the exact number of people in the chopper when it crashed," the official added.

According to him, only a detailed court of inquiry can reveal the cause of the crash. "It can't be said whether there was an error of judgement on the part of the crew when they took off in that kind of weather. There are certain chances that have to be taken. This is a risk we have to take," he said.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject:

Parking woes for flights at international terminal

Saptarshi Banerjee, Hindustan Times Kolkata, June 28, 2013
(28/6/2013)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Parking-woes-for-flights-at-international-terminal/Article1-1083755.aspx

There seems to be no end to the teething troubles dogging the new terminal building of the city airport. After the unseemly episode of glass panels cracking and giving way, parking of international flights has emerged as the latest bugbear for the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
According to airport sources, the AAI officials could soon be drawn to mobilising measures to remove the bottlenecks at the parking bays close to the international wing of the new terminal building. While the parking bays have no known functional issues, problems do crop up when an international flight has already been parked at one of the bays and another needs to wheel in to the bay area to weigh anchor.
The incoming aircraft, said sources, is made to wait till such time the flight already parked has taxied off for take-off. The problem has been particularly rife with flights of the Singapore Airlines and Dragon Air, said sources.
“Flights of Singapore Airlines touch down at the city airport before those of Dragon Air and dock early at the parking bay on the international wing of the new terminal. Flights of the Hong Kong-based operators are hence made to wait for as long as 10-15 minutes, till those of the Singapore Airlines have been taxied out to the runway for take-off,” a senior pilot and a former member of the Regional Operators’ Committee (ROC), told HT. “The provision of a parallel taxi track could be a way out of the situation,” the pilot said.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject:

Civil aviation secretary’s visit to new terminal:
http://youtu.be/OfrbTOHtOIw and http://youtu.be/Se9U6ihNGi0
Old international terminal just before closing : http://youtu.be/RMEwzuFfBTw Further investigation of new terminal: http://youtu.be/3SHUpJAvbtQ Five days in Kolkata: http://youtu.be/ksOzsi_0Q8k .
A view of Kolkata from helicopter : http://youtu.be/-VbGXPV1kvI Landing on Kolkata airport main runway night time under cat 1 condition: http://youtu.be/ca731e_F0vY Dreamliner landing on south side of main runway : http://youtu.be/SDn4S71oT3U Landing at Kolkata main runway: http://youtu.be/yDBnEbcIYgk Take off from NSCBI airport showing the new terminal : http://youtu.be/rUvD6jt6Z1c Take off from main runway via Kilo taxiway amidst heavy rain: http://youtu.be/mGEEpb0flRA Spice jet take off from Kolkata main runway : http://youtu.be/w7LIUCREsIg Emirates A330 parking at NSCBI airport new terminal : http://youtu.be/zoZESkPlfdk Aerobridge deployment to Emirates A330 : http://youtu.be/5Pm7cPU-kuM Emirates at Kolkata airport with modern aero bridge and cargo handling systems: http://youtu.be/Ak-VWJtsPw0 Take off from 01R : http://youtu.be/gZo7DZlJ_IU A320 landing at Port Blair airport : http://youtu.be/JEsvRg2I7j4
You tube video on operation Trident ( attack on Karachi harbor , Dec. 3rd, 1971) : http://youtu.be/ZzNCePxoxp4
_________________
Sabya99

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Dr. Ganguly, I'll have a trip report to the old terminal circa 26 Jan'13, up soon. It has pictures of the somewhat re-furbished domestic terminal building.
Cheers, Sumantra.

sabya99 · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject:

Sumantra, that will be good. I am waiting for your TR. Thanks. Very Happy

_________________
Sabya99

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

sabya99 · Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 3:39 pm Post subject:

Bagdogra airport more useful now.

KOLKATA: Indian Air Force Authority has extended the flight operational hours at Bagdogra airport, in north Bengal, by five hours to 10 PM with effect from today.

An official intimation to this effect was received by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's office in a fax message from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Banerjee had earlier requested the union civil ministry to extend the watch hours of the airport to give boost to industry and tourism and for the benefit of the passengers.

"It is intimated that watch hours of Bagdogra airport is extended upto 2200 hours with effect from July 1, 2013", the fax message said. "Indian Air Force authority has agreed to extend the present watch hours up to 10 pm with immediate effect," it said.

The message said it would be beneficial in boosting tourism and transport and business opportunities of hotels in the region. "It would make for the steady growth of the airport in respect of passenger movement and cargo", it added.
Comments: Are they going to install ILS on one side of the runway?
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/operational-hours-of-bagdogra-airport-extended-up-to-10pm/articleshow/20864532.cms
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:30 pm Post subject:

Air India to restore Kolkata-Shillong service.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-restore-kolkata-shillong-service/articleshow/20931013.cms

KOLKATA: Air India would restore service on the Kolkata-Shillong-Kolkata sector with effect from July 10, the airline said here today.

The flight will operate five days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with ATR Aircraft.

Air India AI-9711 will leave Kolkata at 1215 hours and the return flight will depart from Shillong at 1415 hours and arrive in Kolkata at 1555 hours.

Since January, this year, Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, had stopped its operation from Kolkata to Tezpur and Lilabari airports after the North-Eastern Council stopped funding Alliance Air from December, 2011.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject:

New terminal departure area ; http://youtu.be/iRoc_C2OzzU Take off from Kolkata airport: http://youtu.be/rUvD6jt6Z1c . It seems old domestic terminal still being used with aircraft parked along aero bridges! City side of new terminal : http://youtu.be/UMi6VbPyQGM . Landing on secondary runway : http://youtu.be/1g5YrF42_LY Mr.O’Brian on NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/XEfQ2cyOXFo Take off from Kilo Taxiway : http://youtu.be/zugfYeUOQBs Landing at NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/HA9MIy1Snkw SFO crash of Asiana airline : http://youtu.be/oKkWVlW3JYQ SFO runway 28 the crash site : http://youtu.be/mv7_lzFKCSM Mercedes car in Kolkata : http://youtu.be/rrjEV4SOZBM Morning flight to Port Blair from Kolkata: http://youtu.be/Y9sNl5kF_j0 Final approach to Kolkata on 6E 321 : http://youtu.be/9jeeagZJzLI Night take off from Kolkata with runway view: http://youtu.be/O4q_fc8LneA SPICEJET Boeing 737-800 "Across India" : http://youtu.be/TPSwstBb_qE ( The 2nd and 4th landings seems to be on 19L ,north side of Kolkata main runway.) Take off from Bagdogra airport : http://youtu.be/isX5PPSA13g
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:08 am Post subject:

Behala to house UAV squadron.

Jayanta Gupta, TNN | Jul 18, 2013,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Behala-to-house-UAV-squadron/articleshow/21132531.cms

KOLKATA: The stage is set for Heron and Searcher MK II unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Navy to be stationed at the Behala airport.

According to officials, discussions between the Navy and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are at their final stage and work on building necessary infrastructure will start soon. The UAVs, with long endurance and stealth capabilities, will aid in search and detection and add punch to the surveillance capabilities of the Navy'sEastern Naval Command and coastal security as a whole.

The Navy first proposed the commissioning of a UAV squadron at Behala nearly two years ago. The AAI agreed to the proposal on principle and discussions began. The Navy plans to utilize about 15 acres of the airfield that it will obtain from AAI on a 30-year lease. Though the project was announced in 2011, there was some delay due to which doubts began to be raised on whether the Navy has backed out. In 2012, the Navy commissioned its third UAV squadron in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. UAV squadrons are also based at Kochi and Porbandar along the country's west coast.

"The Behala project is very much on. Our discussions with the AAI have reached the final stage. In fact,

Deputy chief of naval staff Vice-Admiral P K Chatterjee visited the Behala airfield recently along with AAI officials to take stock of the situation. It shouldn't take too long now for work to start," said Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia, naval officer in-charge, West Bengal.

Both the Heron and Searcher are Israeli-manufactured UAVs. The Heron has an operational speed of 130 miles per hour and a service ceiling of 32,800 feet. It has a range of 217 miles. The Searcher has an operational speed of 125 miles per hour with a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. It has a range of 18 hours.

"The UAV squadron in Behala will be of great strategic importance due to its proximity to the estuarine parts of the Bay of Bengal. Normal surveillance is difficult in this terrain. There are several creeks and waterways there where vessels can seek shelter. In the past suspicious movement has been spotted in this region. Kolkata doesn't have a naval base and the closest one is at Visakhapatnam. This is why the drones will be extremely essential to ensure coastal security. This UAV base will complement the radar stations that have been planned at Haldia and Sagar Island," an officer said.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:49 pm Post subject:

Grab a bite: Airport to get more food stations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/21499569.cms

From pizzas and pastas to noodles and tandoori chicken, swanky restaurants will serve appetizing goodies to passengers at Kolkata airport's Terminal 2 by the time the festive season sets in . Some of the biggest fast-service restaurant brands are already poised to set up their shops.

Speaking to TOI, airport director BP Sharma said Domino's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Costa Coffee, Yo! China, Punjab Grill, Baker's Street, Coffee World, Cream & Fudge Factory, Pizza Corner, Donut Baker and Au Bon Pain were among the brands that had queued up to open counters at the airport. A couple of other brands, including home grown confectioners Flurys, have scouted for opportunities in T2 but are yet to confirm.

"The applications will be processed within the next 30 days and letters will be sent by mid-September. Thereafter, they can set up stalls and begin functioning," Sharma said.

The decision to invite the brands was taken following an inordinate delay in appointing a master concessionaire to contract the food-and-retail space from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and bring in the brands. Though the process was initiated last October, the AAI had to rework the tender norms due to the poor response in round 1.

"Delhi and Mumbai airports have the master-franchisee model. But this is AAI's first attempt to implement it. The civil aviation ministry is yet to clear the franchisee selected in round 2," a source said.

At present, choice of food as well as retail is extremely limited in T2. While all outlets that were present in the old terminal have been relocated to the new one, they are still too few in number and get lost in the new terminal spread across 1,90,000 sq ft. Apart from inconveniencing fliers, the failure to appoint a mater concessionaire has also led to revenue loss for AAI.

"Since the process of selecting a master concessionaire is taking too long, we have taken permission to invite individual brands to set up outlets in the airport. That should give the place more verve and energy," Sharma said.

Sharma also said the problem of signage - both within and outside the terminal - will be fixed by August 20. Some 148 new signages will arrive from Delhi for installation at various points, giving clearer direction to passengers. "The passenger count in the Volvo bus service has dipped due to poor signage. Most passengers are not aware where buses are parked," Aiport Operators Committee (Kolkata) chairman Sarvesh Gupta pointed out.

Incidentally, MP and airport advisory committee chairman Saugata Roy, who was at the airport to review thefunctioning of the terminal four months after it was commissioned in March, said efforts were on to extend the Volvo service and make it round-the-clock. "The state government has invited an operator to run buses between the airport and the city from 8pm to 6am. This will help those who arrive by late-night domestic and international flights," he said.

In addition, toilets are being remodelled and seven more registered baggage X-ray machines are being installed in the international wing to facilitate passengers. While the lack of adequate capacity in toilets near the boarding gates and baggage claim belts have been a grouse ever since the terminal opened, airport authorities have had to consider installing more X-ray machines after the failure to put in place an in-line baggage X-ray system as exists in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad airports.

The airport authorities also plan to install a touch-screen kiosk near the pre-paid taxi counter in the terminal where passengers can check out the fare to various destinations in the city.
_________________
Sabya99

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

All this is positive news...I hope to visit Calcutta soon, to check out the new T2. The Volvo service is something positive, too. I wish they had a dedicated website unlike the antiquated ones at:
http://www.aai.aero/kolkata/aboutus.jsp
http://www.airportsindia.org.in/kolkata/passenger_info.jsp
I am just back from Chennai, this weekend. The new domestic terminal flt wonderful.
Cheers, Sumantra.

sabya99 · Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 4:40 am Post subject:

Coast Guard adds to aircraft fleet
TNN | Aug 1, 2013,

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Coast-Guard-adds-to-aircraft-fleet/articleshow/21520684.cms

KOLKATA: With a view to increase maritime surveillance in the Bay of Bengal region, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) North East Region on Wednesday inducted yet another Dornier aircraft in its operational air enclave in Kolkata.

To enhance its maritime surveillance capability over the coastal region in West Bengal and Odisha, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) North East Region on Wednesday, inducted a fourth Dornier aircraft under its operational air enclave in Kolkata.

This is the fourth Dornier aircraft to be inducted into the enclave operated by the 700 Squadron of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

The enclave operates from the Netaji Subhas International Airport in Kolkata. This was the first ICG air squadron in the country.

"Air operations by the Coast Guard began three decades ago with the 700 ICGS squadron. With this induction, the Coast Guard will have 38 aircraft in its squadrons across the country. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors. If the need arises, it can also be armed. This aircraft will add more teeth to our efforts to ensure security along the country's eastern coastline. These measures are being taken to prevent entry of suspicious vessels in Indian waters. The need for monitoring has gone up after the Mumbai strike," an official said.

With intelligence inputs referring to a possible terror strike along the country's eastern coast, security has been strengthened in the Bay of Bengal. Radar stations are being set up at Sagar Island and Haldia. The Navy has also increased vigil along the eastern coast. The Navy's patrol boats travel up the Hooghly and keep tabs on all vessels, including launches that ply in the Sunderbans.

The Navy is also preparing to set up a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) base at the Behala airfield for better monitoring of the Bay of Bengal. Heron and Searcher-II UAVs are likely to be stationed at Behala before long to keep tabs on the movement of vessels along the coast.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:08 pm Post subject:

Kolkata airport new terminal interior : http://youtu.be/dQ69ikoTRfU
Glass fitting at the new terminal : http://youtu.be/2Ovb4ahpSS4
Takeoff from Kolkata; Aircrafts still parked along the old domestic terminal aero bridges ; http://youtu.be/rUvD6jt6Z1c Take off from Ranchi airport, city seems to be well developed : http://youtu.be/NNGIejvochA IGI airport ,a wide view : http://youtu.be/bopOjb85lm0 Republic day parade Kolkata: http://youtu.be/jWkBw3jOfDM Nite time landing at NSCBI airport: http://youtu.be/IghZyYyB5JY Spicejet nite landing on main runway with center line lights : http://youtu.be/3mzQ4UiKcng Druk air landing at Bagdogra airport : http://youtu.be/TpJEM1OorIU New terminal investigation on glass breakage : http://youtu.be/EhTz98T93XE Taxing for takeoff: http://youtu.be/HJas1_IyQts Dragon air take off from Kolkata : http://youtu.be/waiAFxEqx9o An interview with airport executive director : http://youtu.be/910ZOdbThkE Landing Kolkata airport night time : http://youtu.be/joNn_btBP0E ; http://youtu.be/P-QalqmuRRM Landing on secondary runway from north (19R) ; http://youtu.be/9zpislJbUxs Apron area and taxiway : http://youtu.be/Nle8_eYmLFY Dum Dum Airport a few years ago : http://youtu.be/bvHAUpJbN0g Night time flight boarding at Kolkata airport : http://youtu.be/O4q_fc8LneA Parallel runway in action at Kolkata airport: http://youtu.be/113FKSqcWWU
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 5:14 am Post subject:

Pawan Hans to fly to Durgapur
TNN | Aug 6, 2013

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Pawan-Hans-to-fly-to-Durgapur/articleshow/21638302.cms
KOLKATA: Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd (BAPL), developer of the airport city at Andal near Durgapur, will sign the first MoU with an aviation company on Tuesday. Helicopter services operatorPawan Hans and BAPL will ink the pact at the state secretariat, clearing the skies for the first commercial flight between the steel town and Behala.

Pawan Hans, that conducted a test flight last month, is expected to start operations within a month. Since the company can operate up to seven charters a month, BAPL is eyeing pacts with other helicopter operators, including Prayag Aviation, so that there is a flight every alternate day.

BAPL officials said pacts with airlines that operate scheduled flights will happen closer to the commissioning date. While helicopter services can begin now, flight operators with fixed wing aircraft can start only after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issues a license to the airport. And that can happen once high tension power lines that run diagonally over runway are removed.

L&T has been handed the contract to divert the lines through an underground duct.

"The runway will be ready by October, office and ATC by August-end and passenger terminal by September. However, we have to wait till the high tension lines are removed to apply for licence," a BAPL source said. The licensing process is expected to take three months.

According to industry sources, Air India, SpiceJet and Air Costa have responded positively to flight services to the private airport. While Air India may consider 68-seater CRJ flights from Durgapur to Delhi six days a week, SpiceJet that is buying Bombardier aircraft may set up maintenance and repair operation (MRO) at the airport after three-four Bombardier planes are stationed in the east. Air Costa is open to flights subject to sops from the airport operator.
_________________
Sabya99

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Something that I posted on the Air India news thread...

sabya99 · Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:02 pm Post subject:

sabya99 · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:57 pm Post subject:

Tax break on ATF at Bagdogra airport makes it cheapest in the country.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/b...w/21665203.cms

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced a three-year sales tax waiver on aviation turbine fuel in Bagdogra, making it the cheapest airport in the country for airlines that want to tank up.

Coming on the back of last week's positive meeting with India Inc in Mumbai and approval to a Rs 600-crore plant proposed by Anil Ambani's Reliance Cements, it showed the CM's determination to steer the state out of industrial stagnation. Bengal is among the costliest states for ATF due to high axes and airlines have repeatedly urged the government to lower it. She also announced a 50% slash in sales tax on additional ATF lifted by airlines from Kolkata airport.

The zero-tax option is expected to put Bagdogra on every airline's radar. The inconspicuous north Bengal airport has about 22 flights a day that mostly ferry Darjeeling and Sikkim-bound traders. Though the waiver was extended to Cooch Behar and Durgapur airports as well, flights are unlikely to scramble to them immediately as the former is hamstrung with a short runway and the latter isn't operational yet.

Bagdogra is the country's first airport to waive sales tax completely. At present, Ranchi and Raipur levy 4% sales tax on ATF.

"To encourage more flights, enhance business opportunities and promote tourism, we will not levy sales tax on fuel sold from Durgapur, Cooch Behar and Bagdogra airports for the next three years," Mamata announced after a pact on helicopter service between Durgapur and Kolkata was signed between flight operator Pawan Hans Ltd and airport developer Bengal Aerotropolis Pvt Ltd (BAPL). AAI chairman VP Agrawal was also present.

While the quantum of ATF lifted last year will continue to draw 30% tax (25% sales tax and additional sales tax of 5%) in Kolkata airport, carriers that lift more fuel will be levied 15% sales tax.

Earlier, Agrawal had offered to completely waive off night parking fees at Kolkata airport to encourage more flights to base their aircraft in the city if the government reduced ATF to 5%. Though finance minister Amit Mitra did not comply fully, the slash despite the state's precarious financial situation may force AAI to reciprocate. "Tax sops encourage flights. We welcome the step and will do everything possible to promote operations to smaller airports," Agrawal said.

The price of aviation turbine fuel in Kolkata was among the highest in the country and has often been cited as one of the reasons for the reluctance of airlines to start operating from the city or add flights.

The aviation industry that is passing through turbulence lapped up the news. "I certainly expect more flights to Bagdogra. Nearly all flights to the northeast from rest of the country will stop at Bagdogra for refueling. It will also immensely benefit people in the region as they will get early morning and late evening flights to metros," said Airlines Operators' Committee chairman (Kolkata) Sarvesh Gupta. Incidentally, six northeastern airports—Agartala, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati,Lilabari and Imphal—will soon have night landing facilities.

While Bagdogra has 20-22 flights at present, airport director Kalyan Kishore Bhowmick said it could handle up to 60 flights a day if they are properly spaced out. "Since we have only two luggage conveyor belts, we can handle two flights at a time. But we are ready for more flights," he said.

BAPL director Partho Ghosh termed the decision to waive sales tax completely path-breaking. "It will change the dynamics of the aviation industry. I can't wait for the airport to takeoff. The waiver will force all airlines to seriously consider flying to Durgapur when the airport becomes operational," he said.

While Pawan Hans is expected to commence flights to Andal within a month, Air India, Spice Jet and Air Costa have shown interest as well. But scheduled flights can only begin once the airport gets a license and that may take eight to 12 months.

AAI's Agrawal later said the runway at Cooch Behar airport will be extended in a couple of years to accommodate regional aircraft like ATR, CRJ or Bombardier. The state government handed AAI a third of the Rs 45 crore project cost.
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:30 pm Post subject:

Pvt players may get Chennai, Kolkata airports for 7-10 years

Shishir Sinha
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/pvt-players-may-get-chennai-kolkata-airports-for-710-years/article5012808.ece

New Delhi, Aug. 11:
Kolkata, Chennai and four other airports may be given to private players on an ‘Operate, Maintain and Transfer (OMT)’ basis for a period of 7-10 years.
A senior Government official told that the concession period could even be slightly longer if the private party is making fresh investment.
“This will be done to recover the cost,” the officials explained and added that a final decision on giving the airports on OMT model is expected soon. There will be revenue sharing mechanism just like in Delhi and Mumbai airports.
Delhi and Mumbai airports were handed over to private parties for a period of 30 years which could be further extended by another 30 years. The Airports Authority of India gets a revenue share of 45.99 per cent in case of Delhi and 38.7 per cent for Mumbai on the gross revenue earned at these two airports.
OMT is a different concept where private parties are generally not required to make investment for construction or modernisation. This PPP model is different from that followed in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad or Bangalore, Nagpur or Kochi. In these airports private parties or the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had invested money to modernise or build a new airport.
Chennai Airport was modernised by the AAI at a cost of Rs 2,015 crore, while Rs 2,325 crore was spent on Kolkata. The Task Force on Financing Plan for development of airports constituted under the Planning Commission recommended the PPP mode for operation and management of Chennai and Kolkata Airports.
AAI suggested that management, maintenance and operation of these two airports be undertaken by formation of joint ventures with world class airport operators, with AAI being the lead partner.
Now, an Inter Ministerial Group has been constituted to evolve, recommend and monitor the implementation of the appropriate model for achieving the desired objectives of operation and management of these airports with private participation. The Prime Minister, in a meeting on June 28, decided that airport operations and maintenance through PPP contracts will be introduced in AAI airports. Airports being considered are Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Guwahati, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Later on July 19, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister chaired a meeting to finalised deadlines with time lines for the intermediate steps for key infrastructure projects. Accordingly, it was decided that Ministry of Civil Aviation will work towards awarding OMT contracts for 4-5 airports by March 31, 2014.
Commenting on the latest development, Amber Dubey, Partner and Head (Aerospace & Defence) KPMG, said, “Delhi-Mumbai concession periods are long since they involve significant capital expenditure. The operation and management contracts can be 5-10 years, with an option for further renewal, subject to meeting performance norms. Anything less than five years may not encourage the operator to bring in long-term systemic changes.”
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject:

Early morning departure from NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/kj-7wnvWYQ4
Kolkata-Hong Kong via Bangkok : http://youtu.be/PZxybbvoMhs
Landing at NSCBI airport : http://youtu.be/JrD22--4CDE
NSCBI airport, the old domestic terminal still being used for Jet Connect : http://youtu.be/2jR0oXfmL70
Take off from 01R : http://youtu.be/rANFk0Tnm38 , New terminal interior : http://youtu.be/dQ69ikoTRfU , On the way to Kolkata airport : http://youtu.be/wVa6uDG4fk8 Dreamliner cockpit ;http://youtu.be/nJJKkZY_7sU ;
Neighborhood of NSCBI airport: http://youtu.be/EoxgPAr_6j0 Aerodynamics of flight : http://youtu.be/5ltjFEei3AI Landing on main runway : http://youtu.be/UDoh3dpNJlM New Kolkata integrated terminal arrival area : http://youtu.be/H_HLqTc_5oo Spice jet landing at CCU main runway amidst strong runway edge lights and center line lights: http://youtu.be/3mzQ4UiKcng Dornier 328 landing day and night : http://youtu.be/9CGf-iAnnEE A tribute to Air India : http://youtu.be/a8-Gva-bc9c
_________________
Sabya99

sabya99 · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:46 pm Post subject:

Management contract, not outright privatisation, for AAI airports

The civil aviation ministry has dropped its plan to privatise six Airport Authority of India (AAI) airports on a long term lease basis. Instead the government wants to appoint private companies to run these airports on a management contract on a revenue share basis.

“We are going in for a management contract. A request for a proposal is being prepared,” said Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh.

The ministry has been planning to develop six AAI-run airports — Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati - on a public private partnership (PPP) basis. Last month, an inter-ministerial group gave its nod to develop Chennai and Kolkata airports on the PPP model on the lines of Mumbai and Delhi airports. The Planning Commission too has been in favour of the PPP model of development for AAI airports on a long-term lease basis.

GETTING PRICEY
Mumbai: Airport Development Fee - Rs 100/- and Rs 600/. For one year, till March 2014 UDF will be Rs 274 for domestic and Rs 548 for international passengers, respectively.
Bangalore: At Bangalore there is no ADF. Domestic passengers pay Rs 260 and international passengers pay Rs 1070 as UDF
Delhi: Airport Development Fee of Rs 100 and Rs 600. UDF of Rs 231-462 (domestic) and Rs 534-1068 (international) is charged for departing passenegrs. Arriving passengers are charged a UDF of Rs 195-391 (domestic) and Rs 436-881 (international)
Hyderabad: UDF - Rs 475 (domestic) and Rs 1875 (international)
Chennai: UDF - Rs 166 (domestic) and Rs 667 (international)
Kolkata: UDF - Rs 400 (domestic) and Rs 1000 (international)

Singh, however, said the AAI airports would not be sold or leased to private companies and the government would continue to own the assets.

He said these airports would require expansion and some would require construction of new terminals in the next three to five years and the government would take a call on the development model for expansion at a later date.

The plan to privatise Chennai and Kolkata airports is being opposed by AAI employees unions and the Trinamool Congress which runs the West Bengal government. The Trinamool has been planning to take up the issue along with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam which runs the Tamil Nadu government.

However, political opposition is not the sole reason for the change of policy. One of the factors influencing the government decision is economic.

Private airport developers in India are already under stress and reportedly not keen to participate in the privatisation of six airports.

Industry bodies too are opposing the privatisation of AAI airports as it would push up costs. “In the case of the six airports in question, the need for private sector funding is not obvious since the airport upgradation has already taken place with full funding provided through AAI. Even if it is a question of bringing in external management expertise to augment the internal expertise of AAI for managing these airports, this could be achieved without the need for transfer of ownership to the private sector. Efficiencies in operations could be better achieved through awarding a ‘management contract’ to an entity with expertise in this domain,” the International Air Transport Association wrote to the civil aviation ministry while making its opposition to privatisation clear.

“The airlines and International Air Transport Association are concerned that any unnecessary private shareholding might increase the focus on profit-maximisation and as a result, increase the cost to the users. The privatisation of these six AAI airports would only serve to fuel a further round of increases in the airport cost environment, adding to costs for passenger and the airlines,” the industry body said.

In the past too, IATA and airlines have been opposing private developers GVK and GMR's proposals to hike aeronautical tariffs at Mumbai and Delhi airports citing that increased costs would negatively impact the airlines.

In its Q1 FY 2014 investor presentation, Jet Airways said its result was impacted by $ 6 million (Rs 39 crore) due to increase in landing and navigation charges at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata airports.

Other airlines did not respond to email queries seeking details of cost impact.

http://www.business-standard.com/art...2700842_1.html
_________________
Sabya99