Cleared To Approach: The Aviation Blog

 The aviation industry is one of constant change and evolution. First, all we focused on was sheer size- increasing the number of passengers an aircraft could hold, with some of the most iconic planes till date, including the Boeing 747, and Airbus A380. Now, times have changed, and manufactures are primarily focusing on efficiency and sustainability- the ultimate mantra of the 21st century. We're back to twin engine aircraft, and today, even narrow bodies such as the A321-XLR can perform long, transatlantic flights, despite its size. The smaller size of this aircraft has a plethora of advantages as well as disadvantages, covered in an earlier post ( Click Here to View Post ) Now, the two largest manufacturers have their own answer to the changing times- the 787 by Boeing, and the A350 from Airbus. Overview: B787 & A350: The Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 were developed to replace older, less fuel-efficient aircraft and meet the growing demand for long-haul, twin-engine airliners. ...

  NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru: Aero India 2025 will be held in Bengaluru between the 10th and 14th February. The event will showcase advanced aerospace and defense technology. It will be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, attracting defense officials, locals and aviation enthusiasts from all over India. Top fighter jets such as the Tejas, Rafale, B1-Bomber, and Su-57 will be on display, as well as several helicopters such as the Apache. Akasa Air to get Funding Boost: Several investors are boosting the airline's funds by an unspecified sum. Persistent Pilot Apprehends Gunman at Texas Airport: On the 4th of February, Justen Spinks, the chief pilot at Wholesale Electric Supply's, apprehended a teenage gunman with an assault rifle, at 7:30 AM. After hearing the news, instead of hiding or fleeing, he found his pistol in his truck, and caught the gunman by surprise, leading to his arrest.

  NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: US Major Crash in Washington DC: On the 29th of January 2025, an American Airlines regional jet suffered a midair collision with a US Army Black Hawk Helicopter. The American Airlines flight was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington DC. As it approached Reagan International Airport, it suffered a midair collision over the Potomac River. All 67 individuals onboard lost their lives, marking the end of a 15-year period without any major, fatal aviation incidents in the country.  Philadelphia Air Ambulance Accident: On the first of February, a Learjet 55, crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was transporting a six-year-old Mexican girl who had received life-saving treatment in the U.S., along with her mother, a doctor, a paramedic, and two pilots.  The intended route was from Philadelphia to Tijuana, Mexico, with a planned stop in Missouri.  Tragically, the jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, re...

  NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: IndiGo Reports Decline in Q3 Profit Due to Forex Losses InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo, announced an 18.6% decrease in net profit for the third quarter ending December 31, 2024.  The profit fell to ₹2,448.80 crore from ₹2,998 crore in the same period the previous year. This decline is primarily attributed to a significant foreign exchange loss of ₹1,456.4 crore, stemming from the depreciation of the Indian rupee.  Despite steady air travel demand and lower fuel costs, overall expenses increased by 20%.  Excluding forex losses, the airline's profits saw a 26% rise. Passenger yields decreased by 1%, while revenue grew by 13.7% to ₹22,110.70 crore. IndiGo also reported a 12% increase in available seat kilometers (ASK) and anticipates a 20% year-on-year growth in ASK for the January-March period. Emirates A380 Makes Emergency Landing in Bengaluru On January 24, 2025, an Emirates Airline Airbus A380, operating flight EK342 from Dub...

  NOTICE: For the next month and a half, expect weekly news debriefs and not too many additional posts as I have exams and a shortage of free time. NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: DGCA Issues Warning to Akasa Air Over Regulatory Lapses: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued multiple warnings to Akasa Air for regulatory non-compliances.  On January 13, 2025, the DGCA warned the airline's accountable manager, Vinay Dube, citing incidents such as a hard landing and delayed revision of the operations manual.  Additionally, the DGCA identified violations in the handling of dangerous goods, including improper acceptance of electronic devices containing lithium batteries. Strikes Disrupt Flights in Belgium Nationwide strikes in Belgium have disrupted flights at Brussels Airport.  Aer Lingus has warned passengers to check flight updates as protests over pension reforms continue. Air New Zealand Named World's Safest Airline: AirlineRatings.com crowned Air New Ze...

  This week not only do we get a news debrief, but also, a recap for aviation's progress in 2024. NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: Japan Airlines retires the B777, operating its last flight to London. Air Kerala to start operating flights by mid-2025. 'Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam' has been taken into effect and replaced the Aircraft Act on the 1st of January. Air India introduces free-in-flight WiFi on domestic routes in India. This service can be availed on A350s, select A321-Neos, and B787-9. 2024 Aviation Recap: Air India was taken over by the Tata Group. It launched flights on brand new A350s, connecting major Indian cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai), as well as international destinations such as LHR and JFK. It, as well as the new A321-Neos, features fresh business, premium economy, and economy-class cabins. The carrier is also revamping old aircraft. On the 12th of November 2024, Vistara, a full-service carrier owned by the Tata Group and Singapore Airlin...

  NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: Major Plane Crash in South Korea: Jeju Air Flight 2216 suffered a fatal incident on 29 December 2024, due to a front landing gear failure, leading to an attempt at a belly-landing.  This caused the Boeing 737-800 to skid on the runway and burst into flames. At least 176 of the 181 people on board lost their lives, with only 2 confirmed survivors. Early investigations suggest that the crash was caused due to a combination of bad weather and a bird strike. Massive IndiGo Delay: An IndiGo flight (6E17) scheduled at 6:55 AM, on the 28th of December, from Mumbai to Istanbul (BOM-IST) was significantly delayed, allegedly leaving passengers stranded at the airport without much communication or compensation.  The flight was eventually cancelled, but this decision was later overturned when it took off at 11PM the same day. Another 737 Mishap- This Time KLM: An Amsterdam bound KLM 737-800 suffered a hydraulic failure and veered off the runway during an e...