Latest news with #AirIndia
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
New York vs Las Vegas: Where to holiday this Summer?
New York versus Las Vegas? Which is a better holiday destination? It is an unending debate. With its casinos (there are nearly 300 big/small casinos and 2,000 slot machine parlours), the famed strip and all that bling, Las Vegas is an adrenaline rush; New York with its rich history, iconic landmarks, world-class museums and a gourmand's haven (there are nearly 25,000 restaurants) is a different vibe. Both have a million to-do/see things but New York gets an edge with a direct flight from Delhi with a flight time of nearly 15 hours; getting to Las Vegas can be tedious - 22-hour flight time + the long layover. The long frosty winter is a New York nightmare, Las Vegas stays mostly sunny. If New York has a quirky Museum of Sex, Las Vegas has a graveyard for neon signs. New York versus Las Vegas debate rages on. Both New York and Las Vegas are on everyone's bucket list, you decide which city is your kinda holiday destination. Also read: Where to holiday this summer? Dubai vs Bangkok Flights: Mumbai-New York 1 stop return Economy flight starts at ₹62,000 (flight duration 19 hours + layover). The fastest is Delhi-New York direct flight on Air India, price starts at ₹1.27 lakhs; flight duration 14 hours 40 minutes. What to see/do: Buy the Explorer Pass ($89, includes entry to two attractions) or get the 1-day All-Inclusive pass for $164). See Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA), 9/11 Museum, Museum of Sex. Explore Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Bronx Zoo. Catch a Broadway show. Discover a hanging garden inside the Guggenheim Museum. Walk the High Line. What to eat: Have a drink at The Parlour at the InterContinental New York Barclay shakes up classic cocktails in a 1920s-inspired setting. Cannoli at Madonia Bakery. Fried chicken at Charles Pan-Fried Chicken. Franks at Gray's Papaya. Mutton chop at Keens Steakhouse. Al pastor tacos at Los Tacos No. 1. Burger at JG Melon, and Smacking Burger. Pastrami Sandwich at Katz's Deli. Cronut at Dominique Ansel's Bakery. Pizza at Joe's Pizza. Chicken Over Rice at the Halal Guys. Must do: A trip to Niagara Falls. You can take a bus or opt for a guided tour. Where to stay: As a rule, stay close to a subway station, you'll save a lot on transport & walking. Always check the extra resort fee that hotels charge above the regular room tariff. If you prefer to be closer to Broadway, stay in Midtown. Want to be closer to Central Park, choose an accommodation in Upper West Side. Financial District has many subway lines and from here it is easier to take the fear to the Statue of Liberty or the Staten Island Ferry. If you are new to the city, avoid staying in East Harlem, parts of South Bronx, Brownsville. Tips: • Traffic can be a nightmare, plan accordingly. • Use public transport. Try the New York Subway MTA Map app, or use the transit option on Apple Maps or Google Maps. • Not all establishments accept credit cards, so carry a little cash. • You can hail a cab, open the door, get into it without telling the driver where you have to go. Once you are in the cab, the driver cannot refuse to take you within the five boroughs. • There is no reason to rent a car, NYC has an extremely efficient subway system. Remember, never to get into an empty train car during rush hour, there is a reason why it is empty. • Skip the expensive boat cruise to the Statue of Liberty and take the Staten Island Ferry for free. • A 10-15% tip is expected in a restaurant. Give. • Avoid the bicycle pedicabs, they are criminally expensive (and might charge you by the minute!) • The 'costumed characters' in Times Square will charge you for a photograph. Don't be sneaky, they'll harass you for money. • NYC has a notoriously low number of public restrooms, so pee when you find a toilet. Many parks have comfort stations with public restrooms. Flights: There are no direct flights from India to Las Vegas. 1 stop return Economy flight from Mumbai & Delhi starts at ₹79,000, from Bengaluru it starts at ₹66,000. Flight duration is long: minimum 22 hours + layover for 1 stop flight. What to see/do: Fremont Street Experience. Bellagio's Choreographed Fountains. Mob Museum. The Neon Museum. Check the calendar for celebrity singers' performances. High Roller. Shop at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and Las Vegas North Premium Outlets. There are lots of free things to do: The Aquarium, The Arts Factory, Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Coca-Cola Store Las Vegas, Downtown Art Murals, Ethel M Chocolates & Cactus Garden, Hershey's Chocolate World, Pinball Hall of Fame. What to eat: Always opt for the buffet - there is a nothing quite like a Las Vegas buffet. Food Halls are the next best option. Black Out dining in the dark. Oyster Bar. Balla Italian Soul. Ito. Don'a Prime. Peppermill Restaurant. Sinatra. Delilah. Sparrow + Wolf. Miznon. Wakuda. Step into one of the Speakeasies. Must do: One-day trip to the Grand Canyon (about 4-hour drive from Vegas). You can also opt for Grand Canyon tours. Grand Canyon day-trip bus tour starts at US$75. A Grand Canyon 70/90 minute Helicopter ride costs around $250. Where to stay: The Strip seems to be the obvious choice - for all the action happens at walkable distance. Go to the Visit Vegas official website to look for best hotel options + booking codes for discounts. You get bigger discounts for booking 30+ days in advance. Fontainebleau is the tallest hotel in Vegas. NoMad Las Vegas is a hotel within the Park MGM hotel. The Venetian Resort. Bellagio. Wynn. Caesars Palace. MGM Grand 7 Casino. Tips: • There'll be a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes. • Stay hydrated, the desert climate can be very tiring. • Tipping at restaurants is an unsaid rule. • It is illegal for taxis to stop on the strip, so don't try flagging one down. • When booking hotel rooms, ask about resort fee that is added to the the initial room price. These fees range from $20-$50 per day so check the mandatory fee before booking. • Jaywalking is illegal and dangerous in Las Vegas. Don't. • Be careful of your belongings in crowded areas. • Do not use ATMs inside casinos, they charge an additional fee of up to $8 per transaction. • Don't fall for free-show tickets. Avoid them. • Remember, no one under the age of 21 is allowed on the casino floor. US currency: US dollar (USD). 1 USD = 85.17 INR
Business Standard
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
"Our MRO Sector's New Strategies and Cost-effective Practices will Augment Operational Efficiency," says Jaideep Mirchandani Group Chairman Sky One
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 28: In 2024, India crossed 350 million annual air passengers, establishing itself as the third-largest aviation market in the world, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Over the past decade, domestic air passenger traffic has grown steadily at 10-12% each year. To keep pace with this rising demand, major Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have collectively placed orders for more than 1,700 new aircraft. However, due to global supply chain disruptions, deliveries will take time, pushing airlines to extend the operational life of their current fleets. An analysis by McKinsey & Company suggests that aircraft retirement rates between 2024 and 2026 will be about 24% lower than in the pre-pandemic years of 2010 to 2019. This extension in aircraft use will likely require more maintenance work, especially on engines and airframes than would have been necessary in a balanced supply-demand environment. As airlines strive for efficiency by relying more on existing aircraft, the demand for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector will increase. "Delayed retirements will pressure the system, pushing the MRO sector to adopt new strategies. Older aircraft will need more attention, which could drive the adoption of predictive maintenance and cost-effective practices to maintain operational efficiency," says Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of global aviation company Sky One. Explaining predictive maintenance, he says, "It relies on sensors, data analytics, and machine learning to anticipate maintenance needs before equipment fails. These systems collect data from aircraft systems, components, and structures and analyse them to detect early signs of wear or malfunction. Maintenance schedules can then be adjusted in real-time based on how the aircraft is used, reducing downtime and cost." He says predictive maintenance prevents unexpected failures and improves safety, reliability, and fleet availability. He adds that augmented Reality (AR) further enhances this process by giving technicians real-time data, guided instructions, and remote expert support. This leads to faster, more accurate maintenance and improves safety checks and repair quality. AR also helps streamline complex procedures by connecting technicians with experts instantly. MRO providers are also turning to drones, robotics, and vision systems to speed up inspections and make them more precise. At the same time, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is being used to handle repetitive backend tasks, reducing manual workload and improving efficiency. In addition, more providers are investing in intelligent enterprise software that helps manage contract planning, maintenance execution, reporting, and invoicing. These systems offer greater accuracy, consistency, and scalability. The industry expects that by 2028, aircraft retirements will return to normal, supply chains will stabilise, and new aircraft deliveries will accelerate. "By then, the MRO sector is also likely to have transitioned to smarter, more efficient solutions," concludes Mr Mirchandani.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Narrow escape for 180 passengers as Air India flight aborts landing 200 feet above Chennai runway
CHENNAI: Around 180 passengers on board an Air India flight from Singapore had a narrow escape on Wednesday morning after the aircraft was forced to abort landing just moments before touchdown at Chennai airport. The Airbus, scheduled to land at 10.15am, descended to nearly 200 feet before the pilots initiated a go-around due to a high rate of descent and sudden crosswinds, officials confirmed. According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the approach was deemed 'unstabilised' — a term used in aviation when an aircraft's descent does not meet safe landing parameters. 'There was a high descent rate, and the wind conditions shifted unexpectedly near the runway, prompting the crew to go around,' an official said. The flight eventually circled back and landed safely on its second attempt about 30 minutes later. No injuries were reported, and passengers disembarked without incident. Aviation sources highlighted that a safe landing requires a precise alignment of descent speed, rate, and trajectory — factors that were compromised in this instance due to weather and approach instability. The incident adds to a series of recent air safety scares at Chennai airport. In March, a flight from Mumbai suffered a tail strike during landing, and last October, an Indigo aircraft from Jaipur was forced into a touch-and-go manoeuvre under similar circumstances. Authorities are expected to review the latest incident and examine wind pattern data and flight logs to determine if any further action is needed.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Mumbai braces for more intense rain, Delhi sees relief from heatwave
Heavy rain and widespread waterlogging disrupted flights and trains operations in Mumbai with several airlines such as IndiGo and Air India issuing a travel advisory New Delhi Mumbai is likely to see more intense rain on Wednesday (May 28), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast predicts a generally cloudy sky with heavy rain, and possibility of thunder, lightning, and gusty winds. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius during the day. The IMD has also issued warnings for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across central Maharashtra from May 27 to 29 and over Konkan and Goa from May 27 to June 2. Mumbai records highest 24-hour rain since 2021 By Tuesday morning, cumulative rainfall in Santacruz stood at 324 mm. Colaba surpassed its previous May record of 279.4 mm set in 1918, marking the highest-ever rainfall for the month. Heavy rain and widespread waterlogging disrupted flights and trains operations in Mumbai with several airlines such as IndiGo and Air India issuing a travel advisory. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) suspended operations on Monday following flooding at the underground Acharya Atre Chowk station. Mumbai metro seepage due to sudden downpour: MMRC chief The water seepage at Acharya Atre Chowk Metro station was caused by an abrupt and intense downpour and posed no safety risk to the underground corridor, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) said on Tuesday. The flooding happened at both the concourse and platform levels of the Aqua Line's Acharya Atre Chowk station in Worli Naka, as Mumbai recorded nearly 90 mm of rain in just 90 minutes. The 33-km Colaba-BKC-Aarey line, the city's first fully underground Metro corridor, has since faced scrutiny, including political criticism, but MMRC maintains that passenger safety remains uncompromised. Rain brings relief from heat in Delhi Delhi is set to witness partly cloudy skies with hot, humid conditions on May 28. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected today. The minimum temperature is likely to hover 27 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to stay near 39 degrees Celsius. The Met Department has issued no alert for today.
Fashion Value Chain
a day ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
'Our MRO Sector's New Strategies and Cost-effective Practices will Augment Operational Efficiency,' says Jaideep Mirchandani Group Chairman Sky One
In 2024, India crossed 350 million annual air passengers, establishing itself as the third-largest aviation market in the world, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Over the past decade, domestic air passenger traffic has grown steadily at 10-12% each year. To keep pace with this rising demand, major Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have collectively placed orders for more than 1,700 new aircraft. However, due to global supply chain disruptions, deliveries will take time, pushing airlines to extend the operational life of their current fleets. An analysis by McKinsey & Company suggests that aircraft retirement rates between 2024 and 2026 will be about 24% lower than in the pre-pandemic years of 2010 to 2019. This extension in aircraft use will likely require more maintenance work, especially on engines and airframes than would have been necessary in a balanced supply-demand environment. As airlines strive for efficiency by relying more on existing aircraft, the demand for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector will increase. Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman Sky One 'Delayed retirements will pressure the system, pushing the MRO sector to adopt new strategies. Older aircraft will need more attention, which could drive the adoption of predictive maintenance and cost-effective practices to maintain operational efficiency,' says Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of global aviation company Sky One. Explaining predictive maintenance, he says, 'It relies on sensors, data analytics, and machine learning to anticipate maintenance needs before equipment fails. These systems collect data from aircraft systems, components, and structures and analyse them to detect early signs of wear or malfunction. Maintenance schedules can then be adjusted in real-time based on how the aircraft is used, reducing downtime and cost.' He says predictive maintenance prevents unexpected failures and improves safety, reliability, and fleet availability. He adds that augmented Reality (AR) further enhances this process by giving technicians real-time data, guided instructions, and remote expert support. This leads to faster, more accurate maintenance and improves safety checks and repair quality. AR also helps streamline complex procedures by connecting technicians with experts instantly. MRO providers are also turning to drones, robotics, and vision systems to speed up inspections and make them more precise. At the same time, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is being used to handle repetitive backend tasks, reducing manual workload and improving efficiency. In addition, more providers are investing in intelligent enterprise software that helps manage contract planning, maintenance execution, reporting, and invoicing. These systems offer greater accuracy, consistency, and scalability. The industry expects that by 2028, aircraft retirements will return to normal, supply chains will stabilise, and new aircraft deliveries will accelerate. 'By then, the MRO sector is also likely to have transitioned to smarter, more efficient solutions,' concludes Mr Mirchandani.
