Latest news with #AviationMinistry
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Air India lobbies government to axe IndiGo lease with Turkish carrier, source says
Air India has lobbied Indian officials to halt rival IndiGo's leasing tie-up with Turkish Airlines, citing business impact as well as security concerns sparked by Istanbul's support for Pakistan, according to a source and a document seen by Reuters. Amid growing public anger in India against Turkey's stance on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, Indians have been cancelling holidays. The Indian government on Thursday revoked security clearance of Turkish ground handling service firm, Celebi, citing national security. Since 2023, IndiGo has had a leasing arrangement with state-backed Turkish Airlines, which has provided two planes with pilots and some crew to IndiGo to operate on New Delhi- and Mumbai-to-Istanbul routes. Air India has asked India's Civil Aviation ministry to disallow repeated extensions of the leasing deal, which must be renewed every six months, arguing it is benefiting Turkey and hurting India's aviation sector, according to the source and a document Air India submitted to some Indian government departments, seen by Reuters. The aircraft leasing arrangement had led to "a substantial increase in seat capacity" to Turkey, boosting that country's tourism as well, the document said. Air India and Turkish Airlines, as well as India's aviation ministry, did not respond to Reuters queries. In a statement, IndiGo said its partnership with Turkish Airlines, which also include a codeshare deal, "provides multiple benefits to Indian travellers", boosts aviation growth and jobs, and also "enabled IndiGo to build its presence in the long-haul markets in Europe and the USA." Indian aviation policies say the government can approve such leasing deals for six months in cases of "emergent" or "unforeseen" circumstances, but they can be extended. The last extension for IndiGo for such leases is valid until May 31, and the carrier has already applied for an extension, said another source with direct knowledge. IndiGo, like Air India and other global airlines, has faced delivery delays due to supply chain disruptions affecting planemakers Boeing and Airbus. INDIA-PAKISTAN TENSIONS Air India has in recent weeks also invoked national security concerns in its discussions with Indian officials, after India's strikes in Pakistan following a militant attack in Indian Kashmir saw Turkey publicly supporting Islamabad's "calm and restrained policies" in the crisis, the source added. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attacks. In revoking Celebi's clearance on Thursday, India's junior aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol said on X: "We have received requests from across India to ban Celebi ... Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests." Separately, IndiGo's codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, in place since 2018, allows it to offer many international destinations to its customers. Tata Group-owned Air India has told government officials that the carrier, as well as India's aviation sector, loses business due to IndiGo's longer-haul flights to the United States and Europe, as Turkey stands to gain more, the source added. "The codeshare partnership between IndiGo and Turkish Airlines provides an extra revenue stream for Turkish Airlines, further enhancing their financial gains," the document stated. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Abhijith Ganapavaram; Editing by Susan Fenton)
News18
09-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
24 Airports Across North India Remain Closed Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
Last Updated: The airports in Northern India were shut as a precautionary measure following Pakistan's unprovoked strikes on Thursday night. As tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following Islamabad's hostilities, the Civil Aviation Ministry informed that at least 24 airports across northern India has suspended civilian operations until further notice. The development came in view of Operation Sindoor, under which armed forces carried out strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday morning. The strikes on terror camps were launched to avenge the horrendous Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people — 25 tourists and one local — on April 22. The Aviation Ministry's notification was issued after Pakistan launched a series of drone and missile attacks on India, targeting multiple locations across Jammu, as well as parts of Punjab and Rajasthan. The situation between India and Pakistan escalated sharply on Thursday evening after Pakistan attempted to attack several areas in Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan through drone and missile attacks. The attempted strike, however, was intercepted by Indian air defence systems and was successfully thwarted. Notably, the attacks triggered blackouts, air raid sirens in several cities across northern India. Additionally, an IPL match between PBKS and DC was also suspended in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. First Published: May 09, 2025, 09:34 IST
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria seals direct air link deal with Brazil as Keyamo meets counterpart
In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations and fostering connectivity between Africa and South America, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo, met with his Brazilian counterpart, the Minister of Ports and Airports of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr Silvio Costa Filho, at the Ministry's headquarters in Brasília. According to a statement by Tunde Moshood, the high-level meeting marked a renewed commitment by both countries to finalise a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) that has long been stalled by bureaucratic bottlenecks. Both Ministers recalled the deep historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil and agreed on the urgent need to operationalise a direct air link between the two nations. To this end, the Ministers jointly announced the immediate formation of a technical working group tasked with drafting and harmonising the BASA for signature within the coming weeks. According to the statement, 'this development is seen as a precursor to the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil — a major milestone that will open up new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.' Speaking through an interpreter during the bilateral engagement, the Aviation Minister emphasised the mutual benefits of the initiative, saying, 'this is going to be a symbiotic relationship — beneficial to you and beneficial to us. Nigeria is the largest country in Africa, and Brazil is one of the biggest in South America. No matter how we want to look at it, this air link must commence without delay.' Highlighting the unique cultural connection between the two nations, Keyamo stated, 'Nigeria and Brazil share a common history. 'We are like brothers and sisters. There is a particular tribe in Nigeria — the Yoruba — who live here in Brazil and still speak the same language. We are like twins separated at birth and now reunited.' Beyond air connectivity, both Ministers expressed keen interest in exploring additional areas of cooperation in aviation and aerospace development, including knowledge exchange, technical training, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Business Standard
More flights, capped fares, food provided at Srinagar airport: Aviation min
Pahalgam terror attack: Aviation Ministry assures tourists of hassle-free flight changes and cancellations. Food and water provided at Srinagar airport New Delhi Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday announced a series of relief measures, including additional flights, capped fares, and waived cancellation charges for tourists from Srinagar. The announcement comes in the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. 'We are constantly making efforts to ensure safe travel for tourists from Srinagar,' the minister said in a post on X. 'Strict instructions have been given to airline companies to avoid fare surges. Fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels.' "Between 6 AM and 12 PM today, Srinagar Airport handled 20 Departures with 3337 Pax," he added. In the wake of the tragic terror attack, we are constantly making efforts to ensure safe travel of tourists from Srinagar. Strict instructions were given to Airline companies to avoid any fare surges, Fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels. In addition to the… — Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) April 23, 2025 Special flights announced from Srinagar The minister also confirmed that in addition to four special flights announced earlier, three more flights to Delhi were added for Wednesday. These include IndiGo flights 6E 3203 and 6E 3103, and a SpiceJet service scheduled to depart at 10:30 PM. All airlines operating out of Srinagar have agreed to waive rescheduling and cancellation charges in light of the situation. ALSO READ | Pahalgam attack: Photo, sketch of terrorists released by security agencies Food, water provided at Srinagar airport On-ground facilities have also been enhanced. Food and water are being provided at Srinagar airport, and an additional tent has been set up to accommodate those waiting for their flights. Between 6 am and 12 pm on Wednesday, the airport handled 20 departures with a total of 3,337 passengers. DGCA asks airlines to add more flights The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also issued directives to airlines to 'take swift action' by adding more flights and maintaining seamless connectivity to major Indian cities. The DGCA stressed the importance of providing 'uninterrupted' travel options for tourists wishing to exit the region. Naidu said he is personally monitoring the situation and remains in constant contact with the Home Ministry and airline operators. 'This is a time for solidarity,' he added. 'We stand with every citizen and will ensure all necessary support.' Pahalgam attack hurts tourist boom in J-K Srinagar has seen a tourism boom in recent years, with the state recording a record-breaking 23.5 million tourist visits in 2024. This includes both pilgrims and leisure travellers, alongside approximately 65,000 foreign tourists. However, Tuesday's attack has already caused widespread cancellations, especially from eastern India, tour operators said. Aviation data from Cirium shows that Indian airlines currently operate 676 weekly flights to and from Srinagar, marking a 17 per cent year-on-year increase. The sudden surge in demand post-attack has now prompted emergency measures to ease passenger movement and maintain public calm.
