airport

Varanasi Airport To Have India’s 1st Facial Recognition Security System!

AirWhizzNov 23, 2018 No Comments

Varanasi Airport To Have India’s 1st Facial Recognition Security System!

Aviation Insider

Air passengers from Varanasi airport will be among the first who can board flights via a facial recognition system.

Under Digi Yatra, which is a Civil Aviation Ministry initiative launched to promote paperless, hassle-free and speedy airport entry, a facial recognition system will be introduced at four government-run airports.

Varanasi airport Director Mr. AK Rai has said that the installation of the automated security system is already under process. The airport’s entry, security and boarding points, the automated walkthrough security scanners are being set up, which have been equipped with facial recognition technology.

After the installation of the system, security checks will be carried out through facial recognition as soon as travellers walk through the scanner.

However, there will be no alteration in the way the luggage of the passenger is being checked. The airport Director added that the system will be put into service over the next four months.

The four government-run airports for which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued requests for proposal (RFP) are Varanasi, Pune, Kolkata and Vijayawada. AAI is inviting companies to work out the logistics as well as implement the system.

Under the Digi Yatra initiative, a passenger will first have to get a unique ID by registering on the Digi Yatra portal using an approved ID proof document such as Aadhaar, PAN or driving license.

Once this step is completed, the passenger will have to go through a one-time facial verification at an e-gate at the airport’s departure terminal.

Following this, the details will be stored on a centralized registration system and thereafter, the passenger’s face will act as the boarding pass. Then, the passenger after dropping off baggage, if any, can directly proceed for security check.

The aim of the ministry is to reduce the waiting time of passengers by implementing this system. It is also being expected by the ministry that the move will lead to a reduction in overall costs and ultimately in airfares.

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Indian Airlines Seek Government’s Help To Get Out Of Financial Instability!

AirWhizzNov 22, 2018 No Comments

Indian Airlines Seek Government’s Help To Get Out Of Financial Instability!

Aviation Insider

Airlines are asking the government to help them obtain unsecured credit from oil companies and airports to help them get over operational difficulties, as rising oil prices have threatened their financial stability.

Competition and high demand for air travel is forcing airlines to keep airfares low, which in turn is having a drastic effect on their day to day operational costs.

The Federation Of Indian Airlines (FIA), which consists of Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, have sent a letter to the government addressing this issue saying that “Airlines are facing challenging times and substantial losses in the domestic environment”.

In the letter, airlines have asked the government to assist them to acquire a penalty-free, one-month unsecured credit from oil companies, as well as state-run Airports Authority of India and private airports.

The plea is the latest signal of the crisis facing airlines in India, where the world’s fastest growth in air travel has created a capacity shortage, while high fuel prices and a weaker rupee squeeze them further.

Base airfares can be as low as Rs 1 in India, while states charge taxes as high as 30% on jet fuel. The rupee has weakened almost 11% this year against the dollar, driving up financing costs on overseas borrowings. Airlines are unable to pass on those costs to the customer to keep their market share.

CRISIL, a renowned global analytics firm, has suggested that airlines will have to increase their current airfares by 12 % if airlines want to recover their losses and have enough to operate their day to day functions.

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Flying From Delhi Airport To Become Costlier Starting 1st December!

AirWhizzNov 21, 2018 No Comments

Flying From Delhi Airport To Become Costlier Starting 1st December!

Aviation Insider

Flying from Delhi Airport may become costlier for travellers from December 1st following a hike in the airport charges levied by authorities on airlines and passengers.

Delhi airport charges have been increased seven times to a flat Rs 77 for each departing domestic and international passenger, starting next month.

Currently, domestic flyers pay Rs 10 each for departing from the IGI airport while an international traveller has to shell out Rs 45 as User Development Fee (UDF).

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India has approved this hike after Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) put forward their point citing the current tariffs were below the base airport charge set out in the government agreement when Delhi Airport was privatised in 2006.

Apart from higher passenger charge, airport fuel concession fee has also increased by Rs 500/Kilo liter. Aircraft landing charges have also been increased by about 5%  which will increase the cost incurred to a carrier.

Airline officials have said that a 3-7% hike in airfares may be necessary to meet higher airport charges however, this is not confirmed.

While discussing the hike sought by DIAL, Federation of India, an umbrella organisation representing IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir, told AERA that the application of basic airport charges would have an adverse impact on airlines and passengers.

The charges are expected to rise again as DIAL has capital expenditure plans between 2019 and 2024 control period. A new runway and taxiways will be built at the IGI airport, which has a capacity to handle 70 million passengers per year, apart from the expansion of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 buildings.

The Delhi airport tariff is up for renewal from April next year.

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Reasons Why Flying Is Still The Best Way To Travel!

AirWhizzNov 19, 2018 No Comments

Reasons Why Flying Is Still The Best Way To Travel!

Aviation Insider

At times, Flying has been perceived very wrongly or unsafe which is not true!

There’s a whole new experience to discover while you’re sitting comfortably in your seat and travelling thousands of feet in the air.

Beautiful views, great service, decent food and accessibility are a few words you can associate with flying, but there’s much more to it.

Here are 9 reasons why flying is still the best way to travel.

1.Its The Fastest Way To Get Anywhere

Flying has always been faster than taking the bus, boat, or train!

For instance, if you travel via road from Delhi to Bombay it takes around 8 hours 11 minuets and whereas it takes on 1 hour 55 minuets by a flight on the same route.

Plus, when you’re to go back at the end of your trip, a flight is able to get you there in a matter of a few hours while a return trip by car or a train can seem painful.

2.Flights Are Surprisingly Affordable

It may seem like it due to inflation but airline ticket prices are actually near an all-time low. In fact they have been declining for the past 30 years, allowing more of us to fly than ever before.

More efficient airplanes, increased competition, and the amenity to bargain shop for flights online have all played a role in this trend.

And while we may frown when we see the ticket prices online, we are lucky enough to live in an era when the cost of flying is affordable.

3.It’s Safe

On a daily basis, there are more than 93,000 scheduled commercial aircraft flights across the world, and yet we can go weeks, months or even years without a fatal crash.

When you crunch the numbers, the chances of you being onboard an aircraft that crashes is really small. In fact, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be in an airplane crash.

But should your flight actually go down, you’re also likely to still survive. A study of all the air crashes that took place in the U.S. between 1993 and 2000 showed that more than 90% of passengers and crew survived.

Read more about “Why Flying Is The Safest Way To Travel”

4.It Opens The World To You

Want to visit Paris Or have dreams of chilling on the beaches of Hawaii? Then flying is really the best option you have.

The days of taking a slow boat to anywhere else in the world are long gone.

For international travellers, flying opens up nearly an unlimited number of possibilities, allowing us to visit distant lands, experience unique destinations, and explore our planet to the fullest.

5.In-Flight Entertainment

Modern airplanes are often equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment systems that put a selection of movies, television shows, music, and games right at our fingertips.

This can help time to pass more quickly while on a flight and allow us to relax more in the process.

But even if your aircraft doesn’t have a built-in entertainment system, chances are you brought one with you. Most travellers now come equipped with smartphones and tablets, which can fill the entertainment void nicely.

6.You Can Be Productive

Carrying a laptop with you when traveling, plus having some free time aboard the aircraft while in flight, can give you the opportunity to be more productive than if you were driving to your destination.

If you have a long flight, it can be the perfect time to pull out the computer and get some work done.

7.Instagram Worthy Views

If you’re lucky enough to get a window seat, you are often treated to some great views.

There is nothing quite like soaring over the countryside while lakes, rivers, mountains, and other beautiful landscapes pass beneath.

Even at night, when darkness shrouds the sky, it is fun to look out and see the islands of light that spread across the world below.

Sure, you can get good views from other forms of transportation as well, but there is nothing that compares to the bird’s eye view you get from an airplane.

8.A Sense Of Community

Flying, particularly in economy class, can create a sense of community amongst passengers.

There is often this feeling that everyone on the aircraft is traveling together, even if just for a brief time.

This can in turn knock down barriers and create good conversations between passengers. People are generally very excited about the journey they are about to undertake and they often want to share that excitement with others.

9.Amazing Services

Beautiful airports, friendly flight attendants and the amenities they provide to ease us flyers are unparalleled as compared to other modes of transport.

Aviation industry provides its guests with the most amazing services. For instance, mostly you won’t find celebrity chef restaurants or world-class spas at train or bus stations.

Airlines and airports work hard to make our journey as comfortable as possible and in return, we have to pay a comparatively small fee for it, which is definitely worth it.

If you want to know more about these amazing services, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz app and get information about different airport amenities, airline policies along with real-time flight updates on the move and Fly Stress-Free.

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Kolkata Airport To Soon Get Inline Baggage Scanning System!

AirWhizzNov 19, 2018 No Comments

Kolkata Airport To Soon Get Inline Baggage Scanning System!

Aviation Insider

For the convenience of flyers, an inline baggage scanning system is finally being installed in the domestic section of Kolkata Airport.

This will end a wait of more than five years for a passenger amenity that is meant to be a basic feature of any modern airport terminal.

Work on this started last week, in check-in portal C of the terminal’s domestic area and will be extended to the remaining ones over the next couple of months. Airport officials said it would take about 15 days on an average to complete the installation in each portal.

Of the eight check-in portals within the terminal, five are assigned for domestic operations.

A separate inline baggage scanning system would be set up for out-of-gauge luggage, according to officials. The international section of the terminal, which already offers inline baggage scanning, will be upgraded to the new system.

Once the inline baggage screening system becomes operational, passengers using the domestic section need not queue up separately at X-ray kiosks to get their bags scanned before check-in.

In an automated system, a bag deposited at the check-in counter goes through X-ray machines on a conveyor belt. The belts are fitted with cameras and sensors that create images of the luggage with a barcode. The luggage is screened in a control room manned by trained personnel.

The out-of-gauge belt will ease the check-in hassles of passengers carrying golf clubs or other cargo that does not fit in the conveyor belt. Currently, any such item carried by a passenger has to be scanned and then carried to the baggage make-up area before it is sent to the aircraft.

The installation was to be completed by June but a delay in the arrival of equipment imported from the US forced a change in schedule.

Domestic airlines operating to and from Kolkata requested the airport authorities to start the process after Diwali to avoid chaos during the peak of holiday traffic.

Airport officials said work started in the domestic section first because the number of passengers it handles is far more compared to the international traffic.

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8 Amazing Destinations You Can Fly To From India!

AirWhizzNov 16, 2018 No Comments

8 Amazing Destinations You Can Fly To From India!

Travel Like a Pro

There was a time when explorers and travelers spent years to reach new places and see new cultures.

Now the whole world is a global village. With airplanes being the fastest mode of travel, global connection of flights makes it possible for travellers to fly around the world in a matter of hours.

In case you are planning to travel and are looking for a place to unwind, here is a list of exciting destinations you can look forward to travelling to.

Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Nearest Airport- Siem Reap International Airport

Airlines In India That Fly To The Destination – Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines

Sunrise over the temples and ruins of Angkor Wat can leave any traveler in awe.

Cambodia recently became a free country and is now considered a safe place to travel. Travellers from around visit Siem Reap to see the 12th century Angkor Thom royal city.

You can learn about the cities history at the Cambodian Cultural Village and visit the Angkor night market to get a feel of the local culture.

Hanoi (Vietnam)

Nearest Airport – Noi Bai International Airport

Airlines In India That Fly To The Destination – Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Asia, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Malaysian Airlines

Apart from beaches, amazing food and lively streets, Hanoi will give you a taste of South East Asia.

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam with a mix of French and Chinese culture. It is a country of a cultural mix with its own way of life.

Don’t forget to visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison which is a crowd favorite. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples add to the appeal of this city, which can be easily explored by taxi.

Istanbul (Turkey)

Nearest Airport – Istanbul Atatürk Airport

Airlines in India That Fly To The Destination –  Air India, Air Astana, Turkish Airlines and Kuwait Airways

If you haven’t traveled to Turkey, you shouldn’t wait any longer. It is a perfect combination of past and present cultures.

European and Asian cultures meet in Istanbul and is a city of turbans, spices, and progressive culture with a lot of beautiful ancient and modern architecture.

In this city you will find centuries-old mosques, churches and markets happily co-existing with modern restaurants, galleries and nightclubs.

Prague (Czech Republic)

Nearest Airport – Václav Havel Airport

Airlines In India That Fly To The Destination –  Air India, Turkish Airlines, Jet Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa

Awesome beer, great food, crazy nightlife, and a lot of sights to see makes this small town in Czech Republic an amazing destination to travel to.

In Prague, don’t forget to see ancient architecture like the rebuilt Prague Castle that has overlooked the city since the 9th century, the synagogues and cemetery of the Jewish Quarter.

Marrakech (Morocco)

Nearest Airport – Marrakesh Menara Airport

Airlines in India That Fly To The Destination –  Air France, Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa and Qatar

This Moroccan city in North Africa offers a maze of souks, amazing gardens, plenty of beautiful mosques to travelers from around the world.

Marrakech is a colorful city but make sure you don’t travel during summer as it gets really hot. Snake charmers aren’t difficult to find in Djemaa el-Fna.

Find inner peace at the serene Jardin Majorelle or take in the beauty of one of the city’s historic mosques.

London (England)

Nearest Airport –  Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, London Biggin Hill Airport

Airlines in India That Fly To The Destination –  Jet Airways, Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Air France and KLM

Who doesn’t want to go to London? It is the world’s most visited city.

Major sights like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace are on most visitors’ itineraries, but no matter what your interests, you’ll probably find something here.

Art lovers can visit the National Gallery and the Tate Modern. If military history’s your thing, don’t miss the Cabinet War Rooms.

Rome (Italy)

Nearest Airport –  Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

Airlines in India That Fly To The Destination –  Alitalia, Aeroflot, Etihad, Jet Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways

This city has been nicknamed the Eternal City for a reason.

In Rome, you can drink from a street fountain fed by an ancient aqueduct Or the statue in the Capitoline Museum.

Also, you can travel to see Pope but can’t guarantee if he would to see you, maybe you’ll get lucky. Apart from that the whole architecture of Rome is mesmerizing and will leave you with an architectural beauty hangover.

Paris (France)

Nearest Airport – Charles de Gaulle Airport,Orly Airport

Airlines in India That Fly To The Destination –  Alitalia, Aeroflot, Etihad, Jet Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same list of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc.

Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible.

And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

There are many other places that should be on a traveller’s list apart from the above-mentioned list, which we will cover in our future articles, however, for the time being, we would recommend you to go these places and have an amazing time.

 

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Bengaluru Airport Launches Fully Automated Self Bag Drop System!

AirWhizzNov 16, 2018 No Comments

Bengaluru Airport Launches Fully Automated Self Bag Drop System!

Aviation Insider

There is some great news for passengers flying from Bengaluru Airport!

For the first time at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), automated baggage check-in facility will be open to air passengers from today. Following a three-month trial, 16 check-in counters will implement this system.

Here’s how the system will work:

  • The passenger will first have to print a boarding pass and an eezee-tag (bag tag) at a self-check-in kiosk.
  • Once Tagged, travellers need to go to these machines placed at the counters of the specific airline and place the check-in luggage on the conveyer belt near the counter
  • The weight of the luggage is digitally displayed
  • If it tallies with the luggage specifications of the airline, then a slip bearing the bar code for the luggage is printed and tagged to the luggage by the machine
  • Then the passenger has to feed in the PNR number from the ticket or mobile into the boarding pass kiosk, which automatically issues the boarding pass
  • The baggage will automatically head to the cargo hold

With this system, passengers will be able to check-in their luggage within an estimated time of 45 seconds.

This automated system will help airlines reduce its staff strength in the long run as presently two individuals are deployed by every airline to complete the check-in system. A person seated at the counter issues a boarding pass after verifying the ticket and another staffer tags the baggage to be checked in.

The fully-automated Self Bag Drop machines would initially be available for passengers flying with Air Asia and Spice Jet. This facility would be expanded to more airlines in the near future.

After terminal 1 of Mumbai airport got this facility in June 2018, KIA will be the second airport in India to have this system

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Flight Operations At Delhi Airport May Get Affected Starting This Week!

AirWhizzNov 14, 2018 No Comments

Flight Operations At Delhi Airport May Get Affected Starting This Week!

Aviation Insider

If you are planning to fly from Delhi Airport anytime soon, be prepared for flight delays.

Due to runway repairs at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, flight operations at the airport are likely to be affected for a week i.e., from November 16 to November 23, 2018.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said that runway 27/09 will be closed for preventive repairs and maintenance for a week from Friday onwards.

According to a DIAL official, the closing of the runway during this period could reduce the capacity of the airport by 50 arrivals as well as 50 departures per day.

The official also said that the work being carried out had been planned in advance and is a routine activity to ensure safe aircraft operations.

Initially, a 13-day runway closure was announced by the airport in October. However, the airport operator said that the period has been reduced in order to ensure minimal disturbances take place in the functioning of the airport.

Different Airlines have said that flight have been adjusted and cancelled in advance following this so that passengers don’t face any inconvenience however, they have also said that there may be slight flight delays.

According to RK Jenamani, Meteorological Head at the IGI airport, the national capital is witnessing a shallow fog during the day, however, flight operations are unlikely to be affected by fog during this period.

He said that the airport is only likely to see dense fog next month and cancellations start occurring around December 15.

Interestingly, a fourth runway is being introduced at the Delhi Airport. The runway is likely to be completed by 2022, making the airport, the first one in the country with four runways.

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