Airline

Flight Delays Reduced At The Mumbai Airport Due To Change In System!

AirWhizzMay 25, 2018 No Comments

Flight Delays Reduced At The Mumbai Airport Due To Change In System!

Aviation Insider

Passengers at the Mumbai Airport have witnessed constant delays in flights for the past few days because of the upgradation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport.

However, these delays have drastically reduced because of two main reasons –

Familiarity With VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) system

The VOR system was used by airports before the ILS  was developed and implemented.

The Instrument is placed at the epicentre of the two main runways at the Mumbai airport and sends out radar signals which help the pilot to align the airplane to the runway by following the signal.

Since the upgradation work of the ILS started, the airport has been using this system to help pilots land.

The pilots and controllers are familiar with this replacement system and are now being able to land and take off much earlier.

Change In Norms For Manual Landing

The authorities have had to adjust their rules regarding manual landing at the airport, which has helped in reducing the time by which a flight is delayed.

The distance to be kept between 2 airplanes before landing has been reduced from 6.5 miles to 6 miles

By doing this, the airport is saving 20 seconds after every aircraft lands, allowing controllers to add 3 to 4 more airplanes in their schedule every hour.

The amount of aircrafts operating at the airport has increased from 40 to 44 airplanes per hour because of this change.

The airport is also using 2 other systems to make flight operations smoother.

The Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) system for handling flights that are arriving at the airport and the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) System which helps in the scheduling of flights on an hourly basis.

With this new traffic arrangement, aviation experts say that the number of hourly operations is now close to its full capacity at the airport and the way the airport is handling this situation shows high professional standards.

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Government May Not Sell Air India If The Price Is Not Right!

AirWhizzMay 24, 2018 No Comments

Government May Not Sell Air India If The Price Is Not Right!

Aviation Insider

Civil Aviation Secretary, Mr. R.N.Choubey, announced on Tuesday that government may pull the plug on sale of Air India if they don’t get the right price for the airline.

He said that the government holds the right to sell Air India and if the bid price is found to be inadequate they may consider not selling the airline. However, he also said that there is still hope and the national carrier may fetch a good price.

In March 2018, the government had decided to sell 76% stake in Air India, along with its subsidiary Air India Express and 50% stake in its ground handling joint venture AISATS, as a single entity.

The Expression Of interest(EoI) has to be submitted by interested companies by May 31st. The qualified bidders will be selected by June 15 and the government will release a Request For Proposal (RFP) which would be a more detailed document on the disinvestment of the airline.

The Successful bidder will be known by end of August after they get the security clearance and are verified by the DGCA that the substantial ownership and effective control will go to an Indian according to FDI norms.

The government will decide the ‘floor’ price for Air India after the financial bids have been received. They have hired Ernst & Young as its transaction advisor to decide on the airline and its asset’s value, which will be used to fix the floor price.

Domestic and foreign firms had shown interest in the airline sale, but many backed out after the EoI was released. Aviation experts say that the reasons for domestic airlines opting out from the bid are as follows-

  • The New buyer will have to take over 61 percent (or Rs 33,392 crore) of the debt burden.
  • The winning bidder has to Retain 10000 – 15000 Air India employees.
  • The government will have 24% stake in the airline after the sale.

Foreign players such as International Airlines Group (IAG), Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Etihad and other non-aviation firms have shown interest in the airline, however, they will have to partner with Indian companies to bid for the airline.

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New Air Passenger Charter Proposes Full Refund Upon Cancelling Tickets Within 24 Hours!

AirWhizzMay 23, 2018 No Comments

New Air Passenger Charter Proposes Full Refund Upon Cancelling Tickets Within 24 Hours!

Aviation Insider

For the convenience of air travellers in India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday published a draft of the passenger charter which say’s that travellers can cancel their flight ticket free of charge within 24 hours of booking it.

The new air passenger charter looks to amend the current provisions for charges incurred by travellers on cancellation and rescheduling of air tickets, amongst other proposed norms.

Here are the highlights of the proposed air passenger charter –

  • Passengers can cancel their tickets free of cost within 24 hours of booking it.
  • This rule will not apply if the tickets are booked less than 96 hours (4 days) before the scheduled departure time of the flight.
  • If a passenger misses their connecting flight due to a delay of more than 12 hours of the original flight, the airline has to compensate Rs 20000 to the passenger. If the delay is between 4 to 12 hours the airline has to compensate Rs 10000.
  • If the delay results in the flight departing the next day, then the airline will have to offer a free hotel stay.
  • These norms will be applicable only if the delay is due to the fault of the airline, and not if it is caused by bad weather.
  • If the airline informs about the delay more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time and there is a delay of over 4 hours, the airline has to offer the passenger with option of a full refund.
  • If the passenger is informed about flight cancellation between two weeks to 24 hours of the scheduled departure time, the airline has to offer an alternative flight which is scheduled to fly within 2 hours of the originally scheduled departure time or refund the ticket.
  • Cancellation charges and rules have to be printed clearly on the ticket.
  • Under no circumstance can the airline or the travel agent charge more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge on cancellation of tickets.
  • There will be no additional charges for correction of names on the tickets within 24 hours of booking the ticket.
  • The airline has to bear the cost of transferring the passenger to an alternate airport in case an alternate flight is offered which is scheduled to depart from a nearby airport.
  • In case a passenger is denied boarding, the airline has to pay Rs 5000 or more to compensate the passenger.
  • The airline has to have seats which are accessible to people with disabilities. They should have adequate leg space and remain blocked for special passengers, free of charge.
  • If the passenger does not receive their due compensation they can file a grievance on the AirSewa app or the DGCA’s grievance portal.

The charter has been published on ministry’s website for public consultation. The public has a 30-day window to put in their recommendations about the proposed charter.

The new norms are expected to be notified by July 15 after public comments on the proposed charter have been received by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

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Flight Delays Expected At The Mumbai Airport Till 5th June 2018!

AirWhizzMay 22, 2018 No Comments

Flight Delays Expected At The Mumbai Airport Till 5th June 2018!

Aviation Insider

If you are planning to fly to/from the Mumbai Airport before 5th June, be prepared for your flight to get delayed.

Flights from the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai might be delayed due to the upgradation work on the airport’s Instrumental Landing System (ILS).

The old ILS is being upgraded, for which the work started on 17th May and will continue till 5th June. Because of this, the system will be out of service from 11 a.m. To 11 p.m.

Here’s why the ILS is so important –

  • It is a ground-based navigational system which helps pilots to land. It gives guidance while landing and helps the pilots align the aircraft to the runway centreline.
  • With no ILS on Mumbai airports main runway ‘27’, the pilot has to slow down the aircraft earlier than usual while landing it.
  • Landing without the system’s guidance involves relying on the radar to look for the runway. This is known as “Non-Precision Approach”.
  • At the Mumbai airport, a pilot cannot continue to land below 1070 feet if they don’t spot the runway. This increases the chances of “go-around” and the pilot has to make another attempt to land the aircraft.
  • This can lead to air traffic congestion, as landing without the ILS takes more time.

On 18th May, the airport saw severe air traffic congestion with almost 230 arrival and 350 departure flights getting delayed for 40 to 60 minutes.

This forced officials to shift operations to the secondary runway ‘14’, which is shorter than the main runway and can handle only a few flights.

Airport officials also fear that due to weather conditions the visibility might fall below 1200 meters and the airport might have to shut operations. They have been coordinating with the meteorological department to keep a track of the weather conditions. As of now, chances of poor visibility are less for the next 20 days.

Jet Airways and Vistara have informed their guests about the situation via Twitter and have asked them to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

If you want to know whether your flight has been delayed at the Mumbai airport, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get real-time flight updates via push notification on your phone and Fly Stress-Free!

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Why Airport Security Is So Important!

AirWhizzMay 21, 2018 No Comments

Why Airport Security Is So Important!

Aviation Insider

Airport security has evolved with time. Before 1960’s, airport security wasn’t a big issue and was not that strict.

But a series of high jacking and terrorist attacks that took place eventually changed the entire airline security industry. These incidents led to the creation of the modern airport security system.

We have often seen how people get angry and agitated during security checks. But it is a necessary measure which must be taken to avoid incidents that can cause you harm.

Here are the reasons why airport security is so Important!

1.PROTECTION AGAINST TERRORISTS

High jackings of various airplanes in the 1960s and 1970s led to the system of screening, ticketing and monitoring procedures, which were followed till 2001.

However, all this changed after the 9/11 incident. It was a wake-up call for authorities who had become complacent with airport security.

New security measures have been developed to stop more elaborate and intelligently planned actions by terrorists.

Things are different now. It is difficult to get through airport security even with a bottle of water. These tough security measures have helped airlines avoid potential terrorist threats.

2.FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS

Drugs trafficking went up very quickly once smugglers started using airplanes. Drug lords like Pablo Escobar and others made billions using the flying routes to transport drugs.

This had a negative effect on the aviation industry, affected the society and disrupted the economy countries where drug trafficking was prominent.

Even today we see reports of people coming up with new ways to traffic drugs on airplanes, but modern day airport security measures have helped to catch the people responsible.

3.PREVENT SMUGGLING

Apart from drugs, airport security has been trained to detect different products that are transported illegally across borders on airplanes.

People in the past have tried to carry things like gold, stolen antiques and in some cases, rare and exotic animals in carry-on bags, but airport security has been successful in stopping such practices.

4.CYBER-SECURITY

Airport security doesn’t only involve security checks before boarding a flight.

Hackers are coming up with new and sophisticated ways to attack aviation network computers, Air Traffic Control systems and gain unauthorised access to airport and airline databases.

With the aviation industry becoming heavily dependent on digital technology, cyber-security has become a serious and urgent concern.

Authorities and Airlines are investing heavily in cyber-security and have been able to tackle cyber threats which can cause heavy financial losses and disrupt the air transportation network.

5.PROTECTS PASSENGERS INSIDE AIRPORT

With mass shooting incidences on the rise, airport security keeps passengers protected inside the airport.

If there was no airport security, the airport would be left vulnerable to surprise attacks from terrorists and criminals.

Security measures taken at the airport, discourage criminals from committing such crimes. CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) is a paramilitary organization that looks after the airport security in India.

With the advancement in technology, airports are now taking the help of modern tools and machines to tackle potential threats to the flyers and make air travel safer. Here are a few examples of these modern machines!

1.A.I.T SCANNERS

Since its introduction in 2007, Advanced Imaging Technology(AIT) scanners have replaced manual checking at many airports.

These scanners help the security personnel detect any concealed (purposely or not) metal, plastics, ceramics, chemical materials and explosives with the help of 3-dimensional images created by the machine after scanning the passenger.

2.BIOMETRIC SYSTEM

The Biometric Boarding System has had a positive effect on an airport’s security all around the world.

Biometric scanners at airports help security identify the passenger and get their information which is present in the government’s database.

This helps the security personnel to determine whether the passenger is a potential threat or not.

3.MRI LUGGAGE SCANNERS

These scanners are similar to MRI scanners present at the hospital.

They help airport security detect liquids and prohibited items in checked-in luggage.

They are currently being used at airports around the world such as London’s Luton Airport and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

4.CYBER-SECURITY SOLUTIONS

With airports adopting smart technology, aviation cyber-security solutions are being set up.

This software protects aviation networks, computers, and databases from cyber-attacks and unauthorised access.

Due to globalization, airlines are expanding their operations worldwide and are not limited to the country of origin. That is why advanced cyber-security solutions have become a prominent tool for maintaining security.

Airport security is important because it keeps the passenger at ease while flying. It assures that the airplane will make it to the destination safely and the person sitting beside has been deemed as a safe flyer.

If you want to know about your airline’s security policy and location of security checkpoints within the airport, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz app and get all the information you need about airport security on your phone itself.

Have a safe journey and Fly Stress-Free!

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Over 100 Passengers Lost Their Lives After Airplane Crash Near Havana Airport!

AirWhizzMay 19, 2018 No Comments

A Boeing 737 airplane which belonged to Cuba’s National Airline, Cubana De Aviacion, crashed on Friday morning near the Jose Martin International Airport in Havana, taking the lives of more than 110 people onboard.

Here are the details of the incident –

  • Cubana de Aviacion flight CU972 was to depart from Havana at 11 a.m. and reach Holguin at around 12:20 p.m.
  • Shortly after take-off, the plane crashed between the Jose Martin International Airport and Santiago de Las Vegas which is near Havana.
  • The Airplane had 114 people, including the crew, onboard when the unfortunate incident happened.
  • Almost all the passengers were Cuban except 5 passengers and the crew, who were all foreign nationals.
  • According to the reports, the aircraft started losing height shortly after take-off and crashed into the woodlands near the airport.
  • Only 4 passengers, all women, survived the crash, however, one woman lost her life shortly after reaching the hospital. The other 3 women were in critical condition but are out of danger for now.
  • The Cubana aircraft was leased from a Mexican airline, Aerolineas Damojh.
  • Authorities believe that the airplane crashed because it was an old aircraft. The Boeing 737 was built in 1979, making it around 39 years old.
  • It was first flown by the US airline, Piedmont, in 1979, and had flown for many other carriers over the years.

According to witnesses present in the area during the incident, they heard a huge explosion and saw a huge cloud of smoke go up.

Firefighters rushed to crash site to put out the fire. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited the crash site as soon as the incident was reported. A large number of ambulances and medical workers were deployed immediately.

Cubana de Aviacion has been removing old airplanes from its fleet in recent months because of mechanical problems however they have been heavily criticized due to frequent flight delays and cancellations.

Cuba had a record of no airplane crashes for 18 years however over the past 3 years the island country has seen 4 fatal airplane accidents.

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10 Types Of People You Meet On An Airplane!

AirWhizzMay 18, 2018 No Comments

10 Types Of People You Meet On An Airplane!

Aviation Insider

We’ve all taken flights with crying babies in the background, noisy passengers, inquisitive but well-meaning old ladies and even that someone cute who comes and sits on the seat next to you.

Whether it’s the first time you’re flying or the hundredth, you’ve probably had seatmates who either make your flight feel like a breeze or just ruin it.

From honeymooners to serious business travellers, here’s a look at the kind of flyers who might sit with you on your next flight.

1.THE CHATTERBOX

If you are welcomed by warm smiles from your seatmate who is very eager to help you place your bag in the overhead bin, Congratulations!

You just found a person who loves to make friends when they fly.

Be ready to be bombarded with questions about your life and hear stories about their fun and exciting times. They mean no harm and are just being friendly.

The only problem is, if you were planning on getting some sleep on the flight or work on that presentation of yours, you can forget about it!

2.THE NERVOUS FLYER

This person will let out an uncomfortable sigh every time they feel a bump while flying.

They fumble with their seatbelts and have a nervous look on their face throughout the flight. Just pray that your flight does not hit turbulence.

These types of flyers may be nervous because they might be afraid of heights or may be flying for the first time.

But remember to cut them some slack! Be a good person and help them or at the least don’t be annoyed at their behaviour no matter how irrational it may seem. Think about your own fears and phobias and show them some understanding.

3.THE LOVEBIRDS

Whether it’s a newly married couple or just two teenagers in love! You’ve probably seen them on your flight at least once.

They spend their entire journey whispering into each other’s ears, cuddling up as if both their airplanes seats have merged and take selfies whenever they get a chance.

But this just might work in your favour. They will be so busy cosying up to each other that they will not care who is sitting beside them and you might get some alone time with some extra space in the row.

And after all there’s nothing wrong with two people expressing their love as long as they don’t do anything inappropriate. Give them their space and don’t be a cynic!

4.THE COMPLAINER

You saw this person giving the poor attendant an earful at the check-in counter about how the flight was delayed by 15 mins.

You hope that this person does not sit with you but alas! There they are, sitting all grumpy in the adjacent seat!

They will complain about how bland the food is, the lack of leg room and how other airlines are better than the one you and “they” are flying in.

The only thing you can do here is smile, plug in your earphones and put your music on max volume.

5.THE BUSINESS TRAVELLER

You will be amazed by how much a tray table on the flight can hold when you sit beside this person.

A laptop, two cell phones, cups of coffee and a huge pile of papers usually accompany this traveller.

Forget about talking, they are so caught up in that excel sheet that they don’t even have the time to look at who’s sitting beside them.

They basically want to be left alone to do their work, so you can go ahead and catch up on some sleep or do whatever else you like.

6.THE BACKPACKER

You can just look at this person and tell they’re off on an adventure.

They usually travel alone and are accompanied by their backpack and a lot of energy and excitement.

You will feel like talking to them, asking them where they have been with that rugged backpack and where they’re going. They may have a lot of interesting stories but that doesn’t mean they want to share them with a stranger on an airplane.

But, if they do answer those questions, get ready to hear about some amazing adventures.

7.THE FOODIE

A lot of people like to bring their own food on the flight because let’s face it, airplane food does taste bland!

The only problem with that is, some flyers tend to be inconsiderate and bring food that can make the whole cabin smell strongly.

You can just hope that they finish and pack up their food as soon as possible and wait for that lingering smell to go away.

8.THE TODDLER

Kids on a flight are a bit difficult, they may cry or run in the aisles or need frequent visits to the restrooms.

At some point, we all have been on an airplane with young children or babies on board.

They are usually accompanied by their tired looking parents who can’t take a wink during the whole journey and are constantly trying to get their kid to calm down.

And while it may be annoying, imagine what they’re going through. If it bothers you, carry noise-cancelling headphones, speak to the parents or guardian politely and request them to keep it down and make the most of it.

9.THE OBLIVIOUS TRAVELLER

This can be the worst type to end up with.

They have no regard for personal space and sit as if they are relaxing on their personal sofa.

They spread their legs while sitting and take up most of the armrest. The worst part of sitting beside this person, they will also use your shoulder as their pillow. Honestly, they may not even realise that their behaviour is offensive.

And while you would probably be more comfortable sitting in the overhead bin than sitting beside this flyer, you should request them politely to make space and if needed ask the cabin crew for assistance.

10 THE PERFECT PASSENGER

They are interesting to talk to, polite and make you wish the flight never lands.

People say that such passengers don’t exist but that’s not true. However, the chances of you sitting beside this flyer are pretty rare!

It’s your lucky day if this passenger sits beside you because they make the flight pleasant and before you know it you’ve made a friend.

If you encounter such a person sitting next to you, thank your stars and enjoy your flight.

So always be prepared for any type of passenger might encounter and always try and be polite when dealing with them. Also, which one are you?

Note: If you enjoyed this article and want to Fly Stress-Free, download the AirWhizz app and get Live Flight Updates, Airport Info, Discounts & Offers For Your Trip & Much More!

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Air India Might Have To Compensate USD $8.8 Million To Passengers On Delhi-Chicago Flight!

AirWhizzMay 18, 2018 No Comments

Air India Might Have To Compensate USD $8.8 Million To Passengers On Delhi-Chicago Flight!

Aviation Insider

Following an incident that happened on a Delhi-Chicago Flight on 9th May, Air India may have to pay its 323 passengers onboard a compensation of $8.8 million.

The flight was delayed due to Directorate General Of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) order to restrict variations or changes in flight duty time limitation(FDTL) of the flight’s crew.

Here are the details of the incident that took place on 9th May 2018 –

  • Air India flight AI 127 was to depart from Delhi and reach Chicago in 16 hours.
  • The Flight was diverted to Milwaukee, due to bad weather conditions.
  • The duration of a flight from Milwaukee to Chicago is around 19 minutes.
  • The flight could have taken off after the weather cleared up, however, the flight crew was exhausted after travelling for 16 hours and waiting for 2 hours for the weather to settle down.
  • The crew was permitted to only one landing due to the DGCA’s decision to restrict variations in FDTL.
  • The Airline had no choice but to arrange for a new crew.
  • This change in crew caused the flight to be delayed by 6 hours at the Milwaukee airport. Passengers stayed onboard during this time.
  • Milwaukee airport itself was in distress due to diverted flights and did not have a gate available for the passengers to proceed to and get some rest.
  • Amongst the 323 passengers, there were 41 people in wheelchairs, 2 infants and an autistic kid onboard.
  • According to US guidelines, if passengers are onboard for more than four hours for international flights, the airline has to compensate travellers.
  • This delay affected passengers at the Chicago airport waiting for the Air India flight which was to travel back to Delhi.

In such cases, the airline has to pay $ 27,500 per passenger. If Air India is given the order to compensate for this delay, they will have to pay all the 323 passengers, which amounts to $ 8.8 Million.

Air India and The Federation Of Indian Airlines, represented by IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir, submitted a plea on May 15th to reverse DGCA’s decision to not permit variations in the FDTL. The High court has asked the government and the DGCA for their take on the incident and what should be done to solve this situation.

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