CONNECTIVITY
Kazakhstan requests PM Modi's virtual presence at July 4 SCO Summit
Kazakhstan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate virtually in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on July 4, despite his decision to skip the event due to the ongoing Parliament session in India and strained relations with China. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the summit in Astana. The summit will focus on counterterrorism and Eurasian connectivity, with discussions on the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port. Kazakhstan had hoped for Modi's attendance for both the summit and a bilateral meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Indian Army constructs 70-feet Bailey Bridge in flood-hit Sikkim in less than 72 hours
As per PRO Defence, Guwahati, the construction work started on June 23 and was completed within 72 hours. "Supporting the efforts of BRO and local administration in restoring connectivity and getting normalcy back to areas cut off due to recent floods in Sikkim, Army engineers of Trishakti Corps constructed a 70 feet Bailey Bridge on road Dikchu - Sanklang, braving incessant rains & challenging technical constraints," PRO Defence, Guwahati.
PM GatiShakti: Eight infra projects worth ₹13,000 crore evaluated
During the meeting, all projects were evaluated for their integrated planning and conformity with the PM GatiShakti principles. Emphasis was placed on the socio-economic benefits, improved connectivity, reduced transit costs and enhanced efficiency. The railways project, from Manmad to Jalgaon, involved an estimated investment of Rs 2,594 crore. The other project (from Bhusawal to Burhanpur) involve investments of Rs 3,285 crore.
Feasibility study on proposal to establish land connectivity with India in final stages, says Sri Lankan President
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the feasibility study for a land connectivity proposal with India is nearing completion. This initiative, along with discussions on a potential power grid connection and the sale of excess renewable energy to India, will be on the agenda during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's upcoming visit to Sri Lanka on June 20.
Apple expands iPhone satellite connectivity with latest OS update, but itwon’t reach Indian iPhones yet
Apple has enhanced satellite connectivity on iPhones with iOS 18, enabling users to send and receive messages via satellite in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Initially limited to emergency services, this feature is now available for regular messaging in 16 countries, but is yet to be launched in India pending regulatory approvals. The update leverages existing satellite technology and allows users to seamlessly switch to satellite for messaging, ensuring connectivity even in remote areas without the need for a satellite terminal.
Air India utilising group airlines' engineering skills for improved aircraft maintenance works
After the takeover by the Tata Group in 2022, loss-making Air India has been making efforts for improvement and has embarked on a five-year transformation plan.
Delhi airport operator DIAL awaits BCAS nod for airside transfer of passenger baggage from T1 to T3
At the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), international flights are operated from T3, while T1 and T2 are for domestic flights. Currently, passengers landing at T1 have to carry their checked-in baggage to T3 for the connecting flight. Once the system of airside transfer of the checked-in baggage is in place, the passengers will not be required to carry them while taking a connecting flight from T3.
Air India in 'good position', to retrofit over 100 planes: CEO Campbell Wilson
Air India is set to retrofit over 100 planes, with a focus on integration, growth, and customer experience under Chief Campbell Wilson's leadership. The airline is ordered 25,000 new seats as part of its fleet revamp. Tata Group's aviation business consolidation sees AIX Connect merging with Air India Express and Vistara. Wilson emphasizes Air India's transformation plan, highlighting the airline's flexibility and potential partnerships.
DoT mulls using drones, balloons for 5G connectivity in emergencies
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is considering using drones and tethered balloons to restore 5G connectivity during emergencies and natural disasters. Trials are likely to be conducted soon to test this initiative, with a decision expected by June next year. This approach aims to provide temporary 5G networks during disasters, offering connectivity in remote locations or when normal telecom services are disrupted. The government believes this method is more convenient than setting up new mobile sites and can utilize existing spectrum and power supply backups.
IndiGo derosters 6 crew members in connection with Delhi-Varanasi flight bomb scare incident
IndiGo has derostered two pilots and four cabin crew members of the Delhi-Varanasi flight that saw 176 passengers being evacuated after a bomb threat earlier this week, according to sources. On May 28, following the bomb threat, which later turned out to be hoax, all the passengers were evacuated through emergency slides from the aircraft at the Delhi airport.
Air India gives salary increments to staff; announces target performance bonus for pilots
Air India unveiled its annual salary increments for employees and introduced an annual target performance bonus for pilots, marking the first appraisal cycle since the Tata Group assumed control of the struggling airline over two years ago. Alongside the rise in fixed pay for the fiscal year 2023-24, Air India has implemented an element of annual target performance bonus for its pilots, contingent upon both company-wide and individual performance. This addition will take effect starting from the fiscal year 2024-25.
Domestic air traffic rises to 1.32 crore in April
As many as 1,370 passengers were affected due to denied boarding, with airlines spending Rs 136.23 lakh towards compensation and facilities in this regard, as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data. The data showed there were a total of 32,314 flight cancellations in April and airlines spent Rs 89.26 lakh towards compensation and facilities.
Egyptair looks to operate daily services connecting Delhi, Cairo
Egyptair plans daily flights between Delhi and Cairo to boost Egypt-India air traffic, with India's growing civil aviation market as a potential powerhouse for future growth.
IndiGo in talks for 100 smaller planes as part of plan to widen regional network
The airline, which already operates 45, 78-seater ATR-72 planes and will take delivery of five more this year, is expected to stick with Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR to benefit from economies of scale, people aware of the development told ET. However, the Airbus A220 and Embraer’s E-175 planes also remain in fray, they added.
Did you make your connecting flight? You may have AI to thank
In Chicago last month, a United Airlines flight bound for London was poised for departure, yet 13 passengers were still en route from Costa Rica. The airline anticipated they would miss the flight by a mere seven minutes. Typically, this would prompt a rush to reschedule. However, with the aid of a novel artificial intelligence tool dubbed ConnectionSaver, the aircraft remained grounded, allowing the passengers—and their checked luggage—to catch up, ensuring the timely arrival in London.
Cabin crew crisis: Air India Express cancels over 100 flights; impacts 15,000 passengers
Air India Express has canceled over 100 flights impacting around 15,000 passengers as cabin crew protest alleged mismanagement. The airline will operate reduced flights until May 13 due to a shortage of crew. Civil aviation ministry seeks a report and urges prompt resolution. Passengers, mainly traveling to Gulf nations, faced delays and protests at airports in Kerala.
AI Express-cabin crew conciliation process: Labour dept to seek inputs from DGCA
The regional labour commissioner will involve aviation regulator DGCA in the ongoing conciliation process regarding a dispute between Air India Express management and a section of cabin crew members. Air India Express is merging AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India, with itself. A union representing a section of the cabin crew filed a complaint last year, raising concerns about room sharing during layovers. The matter is under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
Why did Air India Express cancel flights? Aviation ministry wants report
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has requested a report from Air India Express regarding flight cancellations and urged the airline to promptly resolve any issues. The airline, owned by Tata Group, faced cancellations reportedly due to protests by some cabin crew members over alleged mismanagement. The discontent among cabin crew has escalated, particularly during the merger process with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).
Kerala airports see passengers protest against AI Express' last minute cancellations
Passengers, mostly travelling to the Gulf nations, claimed that they were informed about the flight cancellations after they completed their security check and were waiting to board the flight. While Air India Express has offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date, passengers are not happy with that.
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