Latest news with #MinistryofCivilAviation
Business Standard
3 days 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.
Fashion Value Chain
4 days 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.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Border skies stay shut as tensions simmer
Islamabad and Delhi's aviation authorities said they would extend an airspace ban on each other's airlines, after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. It comes a month after the deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which sparked a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire until a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, while India took a similar measure days later, with the ban to last until May 23. 'No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace,' Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement, adding that the ban had been extended until early morning on June 24. 'This ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft.' India's Ministry of Civil Aviation returned in kind, saying it 'extends (Notice to Airmen) for Pakistan flights for one month', until June 23. Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to carriers from its neighbour has seen journeys from India to Central Asia, Europe and North America take up to two hours longer. And the extra flying time may eventually make flights more expensive. — AFP
Daily Tribune
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Pakistan, India extend airspace ban on each other
• Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, while India took a similar measure days later, with the ban to last until May 23. • Journeys from India to Central Asia, Europe, and North America take up to two hours longer. Pakistan and India's aviation authorities said yesterday they would extend an airspace ban on each other's airlines, after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. It comes a month after the deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which sparked a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone, and artillery fire until a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Representative picture Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, while India took a similar measure days later, with the ban to last until May 23. "No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace," Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement, adding that the ban had been extended until early morning on June 24. "This ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft." India's Ministry of Civil Aviation returned in kind, saying it "extends (Notice to Airmen) for Pakistan flights for one month," until June 23. Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to carriers from its neighbour has seen journeys from India to Central Asia, Europe, and North America take up to two hours longer. And the extra flying time may eventually make flights more expensive. Indian government data shows that when Islamabad closed its airspace in 2019—after New Delhi hit it with airstrikes in response to an attack in Kashmir—domestic airlines saw a financial cost of nearly 5.5 billion rupees ($64.3 million) during the nearly five-month-long shutdown.
Eyewitness News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Pakistan, India extend airspace ban on each other
KARACHI - Pakistan and India's aviation authorities said on Friday they would extend an airspace ban on each other's airlines, after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. It comes a month after the deadly 22 April attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which sparked a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire until a ceasefire was announced on 10 May. Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on 24 April, while India took a similar measure days later, with the ban to last until 23 May. "No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace," Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement, adding that the ban had been extended until early morning on 24 June. "This ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft." India's Ministry of Civil Aviation returned in kind, saying it "extends [Notice to Airmen] for Pakistan flights for one month", until 23 June. Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, which have fought multiple wars over the Himalayan territory since their 1947 independence from Britain. Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to carriers from its neighbour has seen journeys from India to Central Asia, Europe and North America take up to two hours longer. And the extra flying time may eventually make flights more expensive. Indian government data shows that when Islamabad closed its airspace in 2019 - after New Delhi hit it with airstrikes in response to an attack in Kashmir - domestic airlines saw a financial cost of nearly 5.5 billion rupees ($64.3 million) during the nearly five-month-long shutdown.
