From ‘Maharaja’ returns to Tata Group to launch of Akasa Air| Roadsleeper.com
From the homecoming of nationwide service Air India, identified for its widespread mascot ‘Maharaja’, to the Tata Group in January to the Ministry of Civil Aviation launching the Digi Yatra platform, an initiative to supply passengers with a seamless and hassle-free expertise at airports, 2022 was an eventful yr for the Indian aviation sector. Because the yr attracts to a detailed, this is a take a look at a number of the highlights of India’s aviation trade.
The yr 2022 started on a cautious notice for the aviation sector with fears of an Omicron-led wave of covid-19 affecting companies. However throughout the yr, the tide turned rapidly as home passenger visitors lastly broke towards pre-COVID-19 ranges. Because the yr attracts to a detailed, this is a take a look at a number of the highlights of India’s aerospace trade.
“Maharaja” returns to the Tatas
Nationwide service Air India, identified for its widespread mascot ‘Maharaja’, got here dwelling to the Tata Group in January after a protracted wait of just about 69 years. Since taking on, the brand new administration has tackled a number of legacy points to nurture the airline again to its former glory.
The group is planning for future enlargement, because it made some main selections. They acquired a nod from the Competitors Fee of India (CCI) for the merger of AirAsia India with Air India. The Tata Group has additionally signed an settlement with Singapore Airways to merge Vistara with Air India and retain Singapore Airways as an fairness associate within the firm.
Launch of Akasa Airways
This yr, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air took to the skies in August. However in an unlucky coincidence, Jhunjhunwala died only a week after the launch.
Akasa Air began on a constructive notice as its competitor, IndiGo was mired in world provide chain issues. Akasa Air goals to extend its fleet to 18 plane by the tip of March 2023 in response to a Hindu Businessline report.
Operation Ganga
Virtually a month after Tata Group’s takeover of Air India, Russia invaded Ukraine and the Indians in Ukraine have been to be evacuated. However this time there was no state airline that might fly near Ukraine. The Authorities of India launched “Operation Ganga” for the secure evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine in February-March.
Greater than 22,500 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated from Ukraine and a complete of 90 evacuation flights have been carried out throughout the mission interval.
Launch of Digi Yatra
This yr, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Digi Yatra platform, an initiative to supply passengers with a seamless and hassle-free expertise at airports with out the necessity for ticket and ID verification at a number of contact factors. Digi Yatra was launched at Delhi, Bengaluru and Varanasi airports in December.
Indigo continues to fly excessive
Considered one of India’s hottest airways, Indigo made some attention-grabbing strikes this yr. Regardless of the pandemic, Indigo was the one airline to generate each earnings and a constructive money stability. This yr it additionally launched operations to seven home and worldwide locations and its delivery enterprise.
Poor efficiency within the sector
This yr two airways SpiceJet and GoFirst continued to face issues. Whereas SpiceJet’s plans to spin off its cargo enterprise are but to see the sunshine of day, GoFirst’s IPO plans have additionally stalled. Each of those occasions are actually anticipated to happen in 2023.
Main adjustments to drone coverage
This yr, the federal government launched the Drone (Modification) Rules, 2022 in February, which introduced a number of adjustments to the laws.
The drone pilot license requirement was abolished and all 5 utility varieties below the Drone Guidelines, 2021 have been made on-line on the DigitalSky platform to make it simpler for producers to acquire kind certificates.
As well as, the Drone Import Coverage was launched which banned the import of all overseas drones and froze the import of drone elements as nicely.
Congestion at airports
The ultimate month of the yr began on a excessive, however airports got here below stress for service ranges. Social media was flooded with complaints of individuals spending hours in queues on the Delhi airport.
Because the state of affairs worsened, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Tradition summoned the CEO of Delhi Worldwide Airport. Even Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia visited the airport to examine and get the adjustments carried out to alleviate the passengers.
(Edited by : Sudarsana Mani)
