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Pilot Flying Schedules Are Compromising Safety Of Passengers!

AirWhizzApr 25, 2018 No Comments

Pilot Flying Schedules Are Compromising Safety Of Passengers!

Aviation Insider

Did you know? Pilots are hired on a minimum hour contract, which means, every month they get paid for the number of hours they are on the flight and if they fly above that they get an overtime bonus.

In India, pilots have to follow a very rigid and tight schedule. According to a news article published by the Financial Express, here’s what a pilot’s schedule on an Indian Carrier looks like –

  • The pilot starts his day by flying from Delhi at 8.15 a.m. for Amritsar and lands there by 9.30 a.m.
  • The pilot then takes off from Amritsar at 10.10 a.m. for Delhi and lands at 11.30 a.m.
  • After a short break, the pilot takes off for Bangkok from Delhi at 1.55 p.m. and lands in Bangkok at 6.25 p.m. (IST)
  • Next day, the pilot takes off from Bangkok at 1.45 p.m. and lands in Mumbai at 6.25 p.m.
  • The pilot again takes off from Mumbai for Chennai at 8.50 p.m. and lands there at 10.55 p.m.
  • Next day, the pilot finally flies back to his home base, Delhi, at 6.20 p.m. and lands there at 9.15 p.m.

It is over this nature of the scheduling that the pilot fraternity has locked horns with the management teams of airlines, saying they are fatigued. They complain that airlines are extracting more work out of them as they expand their fleet, without recruiting enough new pilots.

The problem with scheduling of a pilot’s flight is that even though it is within the Flight Duty Time Limitation(FDTL) and the pilot gets the rest period allowed the airlines have found a way around the limitations.

Airlines in India are allowed ‘exemptions’ to the Aircraft Rules of 1937 and Civil Aviation Requirement(CAR). This allows them to manipulate it for maximum duty hours and minimum rest period for pilots. They use variations to increase the duty hours as well. The country’s civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed airlines to use this as an operating norm.

A Delhi High Court order which was released on April 18th, asked the airlines and the DGCA to stop this practice. The Court cited five recent incidents that have resulted in both losses of life and aircraft, because of pilot fatigue from constant flying. The court added that the practice is driven by a profit motive and airlines are endangering people’s lives.

According to experts and professionals, this problem is caused by rapid growth in air traffic in India. It has been the highest in the world for the past five years and continues to rise. Airlines in India are falling short of the acceptable pilot-to-aircraft ratio.

It isn’t just flying time that is causing fatigue among pilots. Here are some other factors that contribute to a pilot’s fatigue –

  • One reason is the amount of time a pilot has to sit at the airport waiting or the amount of time he takes to exit an airport post flight, which are both not counted as his duty hours.
  • The second reason is Dead-Heading, a term used by IndiGo airlines which essentially means, the travel a pilot has to do to report for flight duty which is not located at the home base of the pilot.

Pilot fatigue has been an issue for a long time with both airlines and pilots agreeing that fatigue is an issue posing a very troubling threat to millions of passengers as well as valuable cargo supplies that are carried by air transport each day. Here’s are a few examples –

  • Exhaustion in the cockpit can be deadly. In 2009 an American commuter plane crashed taking the lives of everyone on board. The incident occurred when the pilot took a nap and the autopilot system failed.
  • 16 people were injured on an Air Canada flight as a result of pilot fatigue. The co-pilot woke up disorientated from a nap believing that the planet Venus was an airplane and that their aircraft was going to collide with it. In order to avoid the imaginary aircraft, he put the jet into a dive, injuring passengers in the cabin.

We can only hope that airlines take this issue seriously and not overwork pilots for increasing their profits.

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Air India Aircraft Sitting Idle Owing To Cash Crunch Of Rs 250 Cr Monthly!

AirWhizzApr 24, 2018 No Comments

Air India Aircraft Sitting Idle Owing To Cash Crunch Of Rs 250 Cr Monthly!

Aviation Insider

The Airline’s list of problems seem to keep increasing every week. Air India is facing a cash crunch on a monthly basis, which is affecting the maintenance work of its aircrafts. As a result, several aircrafts are lying unutilized.

According to the civil aviation ministry, due to lack of funds, Air India is not being able to purchase all the spare parts it needs. The airline has been showing a deficit in cash on a monthly basis, which equals to Rs 200 Crore to Rs 250 Crore.

The ministry informed the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee(PAC) that shortage of cash has been responsible for aircrafts not being operational despite a Turnaround Plan (TAP) which was implemented in 2011. Fleet expansion has also been hit by viability issues and an ongoing CBI probe into previous acquisitions on the airline.

The PAC is the governing body which is looking into Air India’s functioning after the government decided to disinvest 76 percent stake in the airline.

Replying on the measures taken by the airline to smoothen maintenance of its aircraft, the ministry told PAC that earlier the aircraft engines were sent abroad for overhaul and repair, but now these functions are performed domestically. The airline is also regularly talking to its suppliers to remove the credit hold so that a smooth supply of spares is maintained.

The ministry also stated that aircrafts acquired on lease were grounded for around two months at the time of redelivery as a number of conditions had not been satisfied by the airline.

Air India’s cash flow remains tight as total debt in the airline’s books stands at around Rs 49,000 crore. One of the objectives of the turnaround plan was to accumulate Rs 5,000 crore by selling properties, which has not happened and is a reason behind Air India’s debt remaining too high.

Though Air India’s turnover has been increasing, and the TAP and financial reconstruction plan have helped improve on-time performance, load factor and aircraft utilisation, cash losses remain high despite a declining trend. The national carrier was also planning to offer a VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) to its employees. The plan was dropped as it was not financially feasible.

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Do You Know Why Airplanes Are White In Colour?

AirWhizzApr 23, 2018 No Comments

Do You Know Why Airplanes Are White In Colour?

Aviation Insider

Have you noticed that the vast majority of airplanes are white?

Sure, some have stripes, decorations, and airline branding in different colours, but the base colour is almost always white.

We at AirWhizz, did some digging and found logical explanations as to why white is almost always the colour of choice for airplanes.

1.IT KEEPS YOU COOL

White is a very good reflector of sunlight. Darker colours absorb most of the light and heat of the sun. But white ensures that the heat bounces away from the airplane, reducing the temperature inside the cabin.

This is a good thing, not only when the airplane is in the air, but also when it lands, because it takes less time to cool down. Parked aircrafts also remain cooler after sitting on the ground in a hot, sunny environment.

2.EASIER TO INSPECT A WHITE AIRPLANE

Airplanes are checked for cracks, dents and any other form of surface damage for safety reasons on a regular basis.

Nothing works better than white when it comes to spotting cracks, corrosion marks and oil leak stains on the surface as these are easily visible and leave a dark coloured trail.

3.INCREASES VISIBILITY

One good reason for an aircraft being painted in white is increased visibility.

In the event of an airplane crash or any other mishap, the white colour makes it easy to spot, both, on water and land. It is also easy to spot a white airplane in the dark.

4.HELPS THE AIRPLANE AVOID BIRD STRIKES

Birds cause airplane damage worth approximately 600 million dollars each year.

Aircraft visibility can be enhanced by white or brightly-coloured exteriors reducing the chances of mid-air bird strikes.

A study was conducted, by the science journal –  ‘Human-Wildlife Interactions’ in 2011, on the correlation between bird strike rates among different airlines and aircraft colour schemes. It showed that darker coloured aircrafts reduce the ability of birds to detect and avoid the aircraft in sufficient time.

5.PAINTING IT IS EXPENSIVE

Painting an airplane is not like painting a fence! It requires a considerable investment in terms of money, manpower, and time.

The cost of painting a regular Boeing aircraft in colour falls between $50k-$200k and takes anywhere between two and seven days, depending on the budget.

With intense competition amongst airlines, it is a wise choice for carriers to cut down on coloured planes to avoid increased costs and loss in revenue.

6.EASIER TO LEASE AND RESELL

White paint helps if the aircraft has to be sold in a hurry.

Also, majority of the airlines don’t own their aircraft. They take it on lease from airplane leasing companies such as Airbus Asset Management and Aircastle Investment.

So, buying or leasing a coloured airplane would mean that the airline would likely have to paint it white again, adding to the cost.

Hence, it makes perfect sense that the airline would pay a lower price for a fancy, coloured airplane and more for a plain white aircraft.

7.WHITE DOESN’T FADE

White colour doesn’t fade away like other colours do. Moreover, maintaining and cleaning is pretty easy.

Usually, coloured paints fade away owing to exposure to sun, particularly at 30,000 feet where there is more UV radiation and thus require a lot of paint jobs to maintain their appeal.

A white airplane, on the other hand, doesn’t appear significantly different, even after spending a considerable amount of time in the air.

8.LESS WEIGHT

Did you know that if a Boeing aircraft painted in different colours, it would add 250kgs of weight to the aircraft?  But a white paint job would not add more than 25kgs!

The more weight you add to an aircraft the higher its fuel consumption. By painting the airplanes white, American Airlines saves over $2 million per year on fuel costs.

So the next time you fly take a moment to admire the fact that even the most insignificant details about an aircraft have a lot of thought and science behind them. Nothing in the aviation industry is done without a good reason. And most importantly, every one of these factors goes toward making flying the most comfortable and safest form of travel!

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Turbulence On Air India Flight Injures Three Passengers And Damages Airplane!

AirWhizzApr 23, 2018 No Comments

Turbulence On Air India Flight Injures Three Passengers And Damages Airplane!

Aviation Insider

A turbulent Air India flight from Amritsar to Delhi injured three people and caused a window panel inside the aircraft to break on Thursday.

Here are the details of the incident-

  • Air India’s AI 462 had a turbulent flight for 10 to 15 minutes during climb phase from 8,000 feet to 21,000 feet.
  • The turbulence on the flight was such that the head of a seated passenger, who possibly did not have his seatbelt fastened, hit the overhead cabin because of a bump. The person suffered injuries.
  • The inside of a window panel on Seat 18A came off. However, the outside window did not break and there was no de-pressurization.
  • Some oxygen masks also dropped during the severe turbulent phase of the flight.
  • The overhead panel cover of a seat got cracked during the incident.

On landing in Delhi, the emergency response team took three passengers to the hospital. According to the officials, the passenger whose head hit the overhead panel got stitches. Two passengers suffered minor injuries. They took their connecting flights after getting the treatment.

Besides Air India, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) are looking into the incident as to why it happened.

In 2014, a Singapore Airlines flight faced a similar situation while it was landing in Mumbai. About 22 passengers were injured.

A 50-second long video clip of happenings inside that flight showed an air hostess trying to fix the window panel that came off and helping an elderly passenger seated on that seat.

Here is the link to the video

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Kathmandu Airport Shuts Down After Malaysian Jet Skids Off Runway!

AirWhizzApr 21, 2018 No Comments

Kathmandu Airport Shuts Down After Malaysian Jet Skids Off Runway!

Aviation Insider

Kathmandu airport was closed on Friday after a Malaysian jet with 139 people on board aborted its take-off and skidded off the runway.

Nobody was hurt during the incident but flights flying into Kathmandu were diverted while authorities tried to move the Malindo flight which was stuck in the loose mud.

Nepal’s only international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), was forced to suspend all international flight operations after the incident took place on Thursday night. Even till Friday morning, the plane could not be pulled out because it was stuck in the mud which was soggy after rains. TIA, however, resumed international flight operations after a suspension of over 12 hours.

Below are the details about the incident-

  • Malindo Air flight OD 181 was aborted at 8:00 p.m. when it was gaining speed on the runway and ready to take off.
  • The flight captain aborted take-off at the final moment after he saw an error at the monitor inside the cockpit.
  • The plane, with 133 passengers and crew bound for Kuala Lumpur, was travelling at 165 mph.
  • The aircraft could not stop because of the take-off speed and load at the final moment and overran 50 metres south from the runway threshold.
  • It overran runway 02 and came to rest on the soggy grass beyond the threshold.

The aircraft was kept at the parking area when it was taken out and towed away from the grassland. No damage was caused to the airport runway during the incident.

The incident came one month after the crash of a US-Bangla Airways plane at Kathmandu airport, where 51 passengers lost their lives. In March 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet skid off the runway as it landed, forcing Tribhuvan International Airport to close for four days.

Nepal airport has one of the worlds most tricky runways, which is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Even the most accomplished pilots tremble when they are about to land or take off from the airport.

 

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10 Tips For Flying When You Are Unwell!

AirWhizzApr 20, 2018 No Comments

10 Tips For Flying When You Are Unwell!

Travel Like a Pro

The sniffles, the sneezing and the cough you try to muffle!

The last thing you want to do is board a plane when you are unwell. It can be the worst.

Cancelling your trip is an option, but what about your business meeting with that important client or the sad faces your children will make when they come to know the dream vacation you have been planning for a month is not going to happen?

Don’t worry we got your back!

We at AirWhizz, have compiled a list of travel hacks that can help you get through to your journey when you are feeling under the weather while you fly.

1.PREPARE BEFORE YOU LEAVE

The first key to a healthful flight anywhere is to make sure you have all the required and recommended travel vaccinations and medical supplies before you depart.

It is always wise to pack a travel sized first-aid kit, so you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Most airport stores have a pharmacy section where you can buy medicine in travel size.

In case you are carrying specially prescribed medicines, carry a prescription note from your doctor to show to the personnel at the security checkpoint.

You can also talk to an airline representative and explain your situation. See if they can help. It may not work, but it’s worth a try.

2.GET YOURSELF VACCINATED

Getting vaccinated before taking a trip is the best way to avoid serious illness and your family doctor can help you figure out the exact flu shots you need for before boarding a flight.

Even if you are just flying domestically, be sure to get your annual flu shot, especially because the busy holiday travel season will put you in touch with more people (and potential carriers of the flu virus) than normal.

3.GET TRAVEL INSURANCE

It may sound like a farfetched idea, but traveller’s insurance can make a world of difference in the event that something serious happens.

Travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, emergency cash expenses at the hospital and personal accidents which might occur when you are on-board.

It is a wise decision to buy travel insurance since it costs just a fraction of your total trip and you are at ease while travelling when you are insured.

4.CHECK-IN YOR BAGGAGE

Try to pack light but in case you have to carry suitcases with you, get your luggage checked-in.

Although this can be expensive in some low-cost carriers, it is worth the price!

Carrying extra bags can be downright exhausting while sick, so let the airline do the heavy lifting for you.

5.DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS

There’s nothing new about this tip but people don’t drink as much water as they should even when they’re healthy so don’t forget this one.

Also, the air on the plane is dry, cold and stifling and it can make breathing really difficult when your nose is blocked and your body is weak. Drink a TON of fluids the whole time you are on your flight!

In case you feel like having something other than water, you can drink coconut water, Gatorade or simply ask the cabin crew for some hot tea with honey.

6.EAT HEALTHY

Foods like sandwiches, tuna/chicken salad, burgers etc are easily available at the airport but avoid such deep-fried and fatty foods when you are flying unwell.

Pack some fruits rich in vitamin C like oranges or vegetable-based salads and bring them along with you on the flight as these items are often lighter and more nutritious than the regular plane food.

Loading up on fruits and veggies is really important cause they help boost your immunity system to fight illness and keep you comfortable and light throughout the flight.

7.DONT FORGET TO PACK TISSUES

Imagine having no tissues while you are sick and sneezing your nose out in an airplane filled with people giving you dirty looks!

Not a good situation to be in!

A very basic tip, but a really important one because sometimes the body fluids just can’t wait when you are sick. Pack ample tissue papers or handkerchiefs in your carry-on bag to help you get through the sneezing and coughing while you fly.

8.CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP

Travelling through traffic and catching your flight at the airport while being sick can take a toll on your body.

Once you are on board and the flight has taken off, try to catch up on some much need sleep your body needs. If your body is tired, it won’t be able to help you fight and fix what’s wrong with you.

The more rest you get, the stronger you’ll be!

9.PREVENT CONTACT WITH OTHERS

When you’re on the plane and you need to use the bathroom, grab a tissue to open and close the door with. Try to minimize contact with other objects people touch, as much as possible.

In an airplane, passengers are constantly passing germs back and forth between each other and you never know what could be hanging around. Prevent the possibility of contracting and spreading more germs as much as you can. You don’t want to worsen your health and make fellow passengers fall ill!

10.DON’T STRESS

Yes, you do feel angry and upset while you are travelling sick, but it won’t fix anything. In fact, stress can actually make you more sick.

DON’T STRESS OUT! Do your best to avoid stress before, during, and after your trip.

Try not to sweat the small stuff, take deep breaths, and find ways to smile through the challenging situations. After all, those “challenges” are likely to become great stories when you return!

With a relaxed attitude, you will surely enjoy your trip and stay healthier throughout.

So, if you are looking for pharmacies at the airport, look no further. Download the AirWhizz App and get information about shops, emergency contact details and other services available at the airport on the move. We have also partnered up with prestigious travel insurance companies such as HDFC Ergo, so you can book your travel insurance via the app itself.

Travel with ease the next time you are sick and Fly Stress-Free!

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Air India Sale Now Open To Firms Beyond Aviation Industry!

AirWhizzApr 20, 2018 No Comments

Air India Sale Now Open To Firms Beyond Aviation Industry!

Aviation Insider

The government has opened the sale of Air India to firms outside the aviation sector, stating that companies having sufficient financial backing and the ability to run the airline could buy the 76% stake on sale.

This announcement was made yesterday by Ministry of Finance after many airlines in India developed cold feet to bid for Air India due to the tough conditions laid down by the government and doubts about how much the airline is actually worth. Domestic carriers IndiGo and Jet Airways have indicated they won’t be bidding for the airline unless the current bidding conditions are changed.

According to the secretary of Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Mr. Neeraj Gupta, the eligibility of any potential bidder is based on its financial capability and does not require any prior experience in the aviation industry. The main criteria is to have the financial backing and the capability to turn the airline around.

There have been several queries from foreign airlines, private equity and venture capital investment firms for the privatisation of Air India. The VC and PE firms have the option of partnering up with other domestic companies to bid for the 76% stake in the airline.

According to the bid document released last month –

  • The investor’s net worth should be more than Rs 5,000 crore
  • The investor should have a track record of reporting profit after tax (PAT) in three of the previous five financial years
  • The government would retain 24% in the airline and the prospective investor is obligated to list the airline within a specified time-frame.
  • The last date for submission of expression of interest for Air India is May 14.
  • Of the Rs 60,000 crore liability of the airline, the investor would have to take over about Rs 33,000 crore debt

Employee unions are concerned over the job security of its employees’ once the deal is done and the airline is privatised. The government has assured them that the company which will take over the airline will follow the ‘best industry practices to ensure that the jobs of the employees are safeguarded. Air India and its two other units up for sale have 11000 employees working for them.

Allowing investors from other industries to partner with business in India for bidding, will widen the pool of potential bidders for the airline and may lead to an intense bidding war in the future. But, we will surely be able to know who has control over the 76% stake in Air India, 100% stake in Air India Express Ltd and 50% stake in Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt. Ltd by next month.

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In-Flight Wi-Fi To Soon Become A Reality In India!

AirWhizzApr 19, 2018 No Comments

In-Flight Wi-Fi To Soon Become A Reality In India!

Aviation Insider

A survey conducted by Inmarsat in May, last year, showed that about 86 percent of Indian air travellers would prefer to fly with an airline that offers Internet connectivity. The study also showed that 60 percent of air travellers thought that in-flight Wi-Fi is more of a necessity rather than a luxury service and 45 percent of those were ready to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi rather than in-flight entertainment provided by airlines.

Flyers will soon be able to use data services on flights. The Telecom Commission, which is the highest decision-making body at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is all set to approve the proposal for in-flight data services at its next meeting scheduled on 1st May. The DoT has taken all the necessary permissions from all stakeholders involved including the ministry of home affairs.

Here are the details about the Inflight Wi-Fi System which will be implemented –

  • As soon as DoT approves the plan, airlines would be free to offer Wi-Fi services to passengers.
  • Airlines will initially start with in-flight wi-fi but will slowly get into voice services.
  • The pricing of the services provided would be left to airlines.
  • Mobile calling service would be permitted once the flight is above 3000 meters in the air.

In August last year, the DoT had asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to provide recommendations on how to incorporate in-flight connectivity for voice, data and video services.

Here are the recommendations that were given by the TRAI in January which will be discussed in the meeting scheduled on 1st may –

  • There should be separate In-Flight Service(IFC) providers.
  • These IFC providers should be permitted to use either INSAT (Indian Satellite System) or foreign satellites outside INSAT systems in Indian airspace.
  • Internet services through in-flight Wi-Fi should be made available once it’s announced, that electronic devices are permitted to be used, on the airline.
  • The services can only be used in Airplane mode and an announcement regarding this should be made after boarding is completed and the aircraft is about to take off.

Some international airlines allow passengers to use Wi-Fi free of charge for WhatsApp and other messenger services, which may be implemented on airlines in India because they don’t need much bandwidth. Lufthansa, Emirates, British Airways, and Delta are among the airlines that have implemented In-flight wi-fi services successfully on their international routes.

In-flight connectivity will make the journey more efficient and passenger-friendly. However, there are certain security challenges to be addressed once your phone or a device is connected to a network. The biggest concern is the higher chances of hack, and attack on insecure data and systems.

One more issue is the cost that will go into implementing this system on flights. Fitting the equipment to provide such services in an aircraft could cost around $400,000-$600,000. Initially, the cost to the passenger may be on the higher side.

Once the plan has been approved and the in-flight wi-fi system is implemented, airlines and authorities will need to run many rounds of testing to overcome the above-mentioned issues, but once the technical bugs have been discovered and solved, In-flight entertainment will get a whole new makeover on Indian flights.

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