Want to Fly Long Haul? Here’s a list of Top 10 Airlines From The Telegraph

The top 10 :

1. Singapore Airlines

2. Emirates

3. Virgin Atlantic

4. British Airways

5. Air New Zealand

6. Etihad

7. Cathay Pacific

8. Qatar Airways

9. Thai Airways International

10. EVA Air

ICAO Recommends Creation of A System Among Nations to Warn About War Zones

International Civil Aviation Organization, the premier world body for civil aviation has recommended creation of a centralized system of information sharing among the different countries of the world for warning the carriers about the war zones. This development has taken effect after the downing of Malaysian Airlines over the conflict zone of Ukraine that led to killing of 298 people on-board.

It is noteworthy that ICAO had established the task force in August this year in order to identify the gaps in civil aviation operations with respect to flights to, from and over the conflict zones. The task force consisted of experts from different domains. ICAO has asked its 191 member states to provide fail-safe aviation zones over their airspaces. It has also asked members to share intelligence data, if they have it, for the tragedies that occur in civil aviation.

With member states generally agreeing to the blueprint of this centralized system of information gathering and sharing, it is likely that the recommendations will soon take the final shape and be ready for adoption and execution by the member states. 

FAA Exemptions for UAS Flights- Choosing Progressive Action Over Security Concerns

FAA has granted exemptions to four companies operating the drones and by doing it, it has served a perfect example of how the regulatory authorities can encourage innovation without allowing it to be misused in any way. In a spate of recent discussions over the security concerns of UAS that originated when some of drones were flown close to the airports, this is a welcome step. By granting this exemption, FAA has chosen to go in favour innovation in technology that finds use in a number of industrial and civilian uses.

The companies who were granted exemption are Trimble Navigation Ltd, VDOS Global, LCC, Woolpert, Inc and Clayco, Inc. These are in addition to the seven other companies engaged in the film and video production. The exemptions have been granted because the UAS which have to be used for operations do not pose a threat to the American airspace or its security. Another ground of granting the exemptions was that these weigh less than 55 pounds and will be kept in line of sight at all time during their flights.

These companies, with these exemptions granted, would be able to use these UAS for aerial surveying, monitoring of the construction sites and inspections of the oil rig flares. As FAA moves towards determination of regulatory procedures which will automatically allow the operation of UAS by companies, these exemptions showcase the right path.

Spicejet in Deep Trouble, Investor Hunting On

Spicejet airline is the low cost carrier of India which is one of the four low cost carriers operating at this time: IndiGo, GoAir and Air Asia India being the other three. As the airline sees a major hurdle in meeting its financial obligations in the wake of recurrent loses, DGCA has begun taking stock of its financial health and the resultant impact on the safety and the operational feasibility of its routes. In directives, DGCA, the civil aviation regulator of India, has made it clear that the carrier has to seek financial respite in this time of crises and shall find an investor, otherwise its operations might be curtailed and even the license might get suspended.

DGCA has also measure to ensure that public does not suffer. It has asked the airline not to book tickets in advance of more than a month. It has also directed it to refund all the money for bookings taken till the month of October 2015. It has also taken back those slots (186 in number) which have seen flight cancellations. The companies that have leased the aircraft to the company have also taken back some of their aircraft which include the Boeing 737s and Q 400s. Reduction in fleet has led to curtailing of scheduled flights, resignation of more than a 100 pilots and even the salaries of employees have not been paid. All this leads to a messy situation in which Spicejet finds itself.  It is to be noted that the carrier has dues amounting to 1600 cr. and it will be required to provide a credible payment schedule to DGCA by December mid. It has also been asked to give the salary to employees by the seventh of every month and has also been told to pay the dues of salaries by December 15.

Spicejet has been in news recently for its lowest fare price which it contented has led to market stimulation even though it was itself in turbulent weather. It has been surviving on funding provided by its owners who have infused capital to keep it afloat in past.

‘Hidden City’ Tickets- What Are These?

Hidden City Tickets is the name given to a practice of booking the connecting flight tickets and then alighting from the airline at the stopover destination,before reaching the final destination. You must be wondering why is this practice wrong and after all it is passengers’ right to deplane even before it reaches its destination. In this respect, two points are noteworthy. One, there might be a cheaper fare for a connecting flight than the direct flight which might prompt one to book a connecting flight instead of a one-way trip. Secondly, there are concerns of public safety and delay of departure which might create logistical problems.

Hidden City ticketing is different from the Opaque Tickets, which is another form of a ticketing practice which is forbidden by the airlines and their governing bodies. In case of opaque ticketing, the travel agents publish the lowest airfare to clear their inventories but do not inform the passengers about the airline on which they would be travelling till the last minute of booking.

Both of these practices are rued by the airlines and cause friction between the carriers and the travel agencies.

Recently, hidden city ticketing method was resorted to by Skiplagged.com which was sued by the United Airways and Orbitz.

Jet Airways Begins Lucknow to Abu Dhabi Flight

It is a known fact that the aviation markets of the Metro and the Tier I cities has reached a maturity level and the hope for expansion of the airlines lies in the aviation traffic of Tier II and Tier III cities. The budget and the full service carriers of India are mindful of this fact and pinning their hopes on these cities for fueling their expansion plans and improving profitability. Jet Airways, one of the two full service carriers presently operating in the domestic and the international sector, has begun flights from Lucknow to Abu Dhabi. Since the passenger traffic is increasing exponentially in Tier II cities, this opens new markets for the carriers.

Jet Airways flies connecting flights from Abu Dhabi to other parts of the world, such as North America, Africa, West Asia and other part of the Gulf region. So, the passengers from Lucknow and its hinterland would have easy connectivity with the cities of Gulf and beyond. India holds immense aviation potential and there is a considerable impetus given by the government for improving the airport infrastructure in smaller cities. There is also a proposal to revamp airports and upgrade to international status. There are about 4 lakh international visitors who currently use Lucknow airport on an annual basis. However, all of the international air services are confined to the Arabian peninsula or Gulf region only. More international destinations are also likely to be added from this airport. 

The Berlin Charter- Will it strengthen the Relations of Airlines with Corporate Entities?

Past few years have seen greater impetus being put on the business and the first class travelers by the airlines. A number of airlines from all over the globe have come up with many products, services and offers for these high spending travelers. In the wake of increasing importance of these travelers has come another initiative, this time from a Global Business Travel Association, called the Berlin Charter, which aims to strengthen the bonding of corporate travelers with the airlines further. 

This initiative is being taken in the wake of the IATA’s initiative of reinventing the airline distribution capability through its New Distribution Capability (NDC). As NDC begins to take shape and is expected to be implemented soon, there corporate community has realized the need to bring to notice of IATA the vital role played by the corporate traveler. To that extent, the charter is expected to be a interest group that would present a strong case to leverage NDC in its favour. 

Paul Tilstone of GBTA has clearly said in an interview , “airlines shall understand the need of a corporate client... rather than focus on only needs of traveler”. The aim is clearly to put the needs of corporate buyer in focus. The charter, once ready, will be asked to be signed to by the airlines and, by doing so, the airlines will be committing themselves to the requirements of the charter. In case of failure to observe their duties as per the charter, the airlines will be shown how corporate travelers might be affected and, in extreme cases, they might even be removed from the Charter.

The  Charter is expected to be ready by the end of this year.