Monday, December 23, 2024

AVIATION SNIPPETS: Indian Civil Aviation Minister Scindia inaugurates first direct flight on Bhavnagar-Delhi route

Bhavnagar will now get six new flight routes. Due to the non-connectivity of direct flights from Bhavnagar to Delhi and Bhavnagar to Surat, people had to travel to Ahmedabad to board a flight

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation said, “I feel honoured to flag off the first direct flight operations on the heritage city of Bhavnagar to Delhi route. The city has played a vital role in the economic activities of entire Gujarat since ancient times. The city is an important center for the diamond cutting, polishing, and ship breaking industry not only for India but for the entire world. Bhavnagar is the prominent city of India where a blend of the symbolic initiatives of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local to Global’ started by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is found. Furthermore, the Vehicle Scrappage Policy will also benefit the people of Bhavnagar. Apart from economic activities, the city has its own rich cultural and historical significance. These new flights will act as a catalyst for the tourism sector of the region while aiding the trade and commerce sector of Bhavnagar.”

Bhavnagar will now get six new flight routes. Due to the non-connectivity of direct flights from Bhavnagar to Delhi and Bhavnagar to Surat, people had to travel to Ahmedabad to board a flight, now, they can travel at ease by opting for the newly inaugurated direct flight services on these sectors. Flights from Bhavnagar to Delhi and Mumbai will be operational on all days except on Tuesdays and Saturdays, flights from Bhavnagar to Surat will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays starting from August 21, 2021.

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Flybig takes off to Tezu

India’s scheduled commuter airline, flybig took off its first flight on the Guwahati – Tezu route recently. Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu honoured the event with his virtual presence to flag-off the maiden flight from Tezu along with Captain Sanjay Mandavia, President, flybig. The inaugural ceremony at Tezu was graced by Nakap Nalo, Minister of State, Civil Aviation and Tapir Gao, MP, Arunachal East.

flybig will operate on this route with a frequency of four flights per week. The launch fares start from INR 1199 making it possible for a larger number of people to travel by flight. With Guwahati – Tezu route, flybig has established air connectivity in 10 out of 16 routes in the Northeast under UDAN-RCS scheme.

Commemorating India’s 75th Independence Day, flybig is offering a special fare of INR 75 to army officers, their immediate family members and senior citizens, honouring their exemplary service to the nation. The offer is valid on Tezu – Guwahati and Guwahati – Pasighat flights for travelling till December 2021.

flybig will operate on Guwahati – Tezu route route with a frequency of four flights per week

As per the overall business plan, flybig has on boarded a strategic investor in India. This partnership will play a key role in maximizing their fleet expansion. In order to reinforce its network, the airline is introducing 2 new aircraft to its fleet in September and another 2 in October making a total of 5 operational aircraft by the end of 2021. The new planes will be stationed at Guwahati and Indore hub.

As the airline is gearing up to fly new skies and expanding its fleet, the company has strengthened its management team.

Flybig is proud to welcome Captain CS Randhawa as the Executive Vice President. Captain Randhawa comes with a rich and vast experience of 40 years in Indian Air Force, Aviation Industry and DGCA. He started his career as a Wing Commander in Indian Air Force, serving the nation for 16 years. He was associated with DGCA and Air India in the later part for career.

“It brings me an absolute pleasure to unite with flybig airlines. I completely resonate with their vision of bringing air connectivity to the regional areas.” Expressed, Captain CS Randhawa, Executive Vice President, flybig.

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GMR Hyderabad Intl Airport restarts Hyderabad – Malé flights

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), restarted direct flight services from Hyderabad to Malé, Maldives on August 22. IndiGo started this new route from Hyderabad. The aircraft took off from Hyderabad to Malé amidst much fanfare at the airport. Senior officials from GMR Hyderabad International Airport and IndiGo, along with other airport stakeholders were at the terminal to wish passengers and crew bon voyage.

IndiGo flight 6E 8108 departed from GMR Hyderabad International Airport at 2.20 PM (IST) and arrived at Maldives’ Velana International Airport at 4.30 PM (IST). The return flight 6E 8107 from Malé arrived in Hyderabad at 20.50 PM (IST).  Initially the flights will operate between GMR Hyderabad International Airport and Malé three times a week from August 22 (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). The frequency will increase to four times a week from 15th October (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday).

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, said, “With the direct flight service connecting Hyderabad and Malé, travelers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh can now enjoy the bright marine life with rich scenic splendors of the beaches of Maldives. The hassle-free travel experience will attract holiday goers, nature lovers and adventure junkies alike.  This is an enticing vacation destination for vacation travelers from Hyderabad. Airlines have shown keen interest in adding new flight routes and connecting more exotic international destinations from the city of pearls.”

The frequency of flights will increase to four times a week from 15th October (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday)

William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “This new route will offer access to an unparalleled international holiday destination to travelers from south India. Maldives has always been a favourite amongst Indians, and more so after the pandemic. This new service will cater to the increased demand for international holiday travel demand from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. We are committed to providing an affordable, on-time, safe and hassle-free travel experience onboard our lean clean flying machine.”

Leveraging the natural location advantage and multi-modal connectivity, Hyderabad International Airport with its extensive route network and choice of airlines for its passengers, has firmly established itself as the ‘Gateway of Choice’ in South and Central India. Its proximity for passengers from the nearby cities, viz. Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Rajahmundry, Bhopal, and Tirupati has ushered in a large movement of air travelers visiting the city or transiting via Hyderabad to other International and Domestic destinations.

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Saudi Arabia showcases experiences at its Expo 2020 pavilion

With less than two months to go, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to welcome the world to its state-of-the-art pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. At the Saudi Pavilion – the second largest after the UAE’s – visitors will experience the Kingdom’s rich past, vibrant present, and promising future.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai: A 68 square-meter, curved LED screen greets visitors as they embark on a technology-enabled journey through five ecosystems, hinting at the Kingdom’s natural spaces, beautiful coasts, vast deserts, surrounding seas, and high mountains. The journey will walk through the flora of Al Bardani Valley in Asir Region to the mighty mountains of Tabuk, and from the dunes of the Empty Quarter in southeastern Saudi to the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea.

Visitors to the Saudi Pavilion will then experience 14 cultural landmarks along a stunning escalator ride. These include acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah, Hegra Archaeological Site in AlUla, Historic Jeddah, Rock Art in the Hail Region, and Al-Ahsa Oasis.

Through an audiovisual guide, guests can explore 23 other destinations, including world-leading giga-projects which are rewriting the possibilities of sustainable development such as Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate, and King Salman Park.

Following this, visitors will enter ‘Vision’, a one-of-a-kind art exhibition curated by celebrated Saudi artists. Highlights include a 30m floating virtual sphere and a bespoke interactive floor.

Finally, the pavilion will take visitors through the ‘Discovery Center’, where an innovative platform will connect leaders from around the world to forge exciting partnerships and discuss investment opportunities, visualized through an interactive digital map of Saudi Arabia.

People, opportunity, nature, and heritage are the four pillars that anchor the visitor experience of the Kingdom’s 13,000 square-meter pavilion; an adventure woven into one of the most sustainable structures at Expo 2020 Dubai. It has been awarded the LEED Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the highest internationally recognized sustainability rating in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

In addition, the pavilion holds three Guinness World Records: the largest interactive lighting floor with around 8,000 LED lights, the longest interactive water feature at more than 32 meters, and the largest LED interactive digital mirror screen at 1302.5 square meters.

Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity to reconnect, meet new people, and discover new horizons. The people of Saudi Arabia are excited to open the doors and for visitors to experience their renowned hospitality first-hand.

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