Cleared To Approach: The Aviation Blog

  NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK: Pakistan Closes Airspace for Indian Aircraft: Pakistan has shut off its airspace for Indian aircraft amid rising tensions due to a terror attack which killed 26 in Kashmir, allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan. This attack led to diplomatic tension between the two nations and only seems to escalate further. The ban went into effect at 12:30 UTC, 24th of April. Indian aircraft operating flights to Europe and North America will have to reroute, adding between 60 and 120 minutes of flying time; and also leading to increased fuel consumption.  Indigo Appoints Independent Director: InterGlobe aviation (indigo's parent company) has appoint former FAA administrator, Michael Whitaker as its Independent Director.

Air India Major 777 Refreshment Program: Some of Air India's Boeing 777s (e.g- VT-ALK) have been refreshed and are being rolled out on major international routes. These 777s have brand new interiors, including a new premium-economy cabin as well as refreshed Business (in 2-3-2 configuration) and first class seats featuring lie-flat beds. Old Air India aircraft are generally worn-out and sometimes untidy. The new A350s as well as the new / retrofitted A320 and A321 neos take the experience to another level. The 777s have been refreshed and will be retrofitted  in 2026, which will include the addition of IFE screens. 787s will also undergo a $400,000,000 retrofit program. First, old Air India aircraft will be retrofitted and will then be followed by the newer, better (compared to old AI aircraft) Vistara jets. The airline has committed to retrofit all 27 of its narrow-bodies by mid 2025. All of these aircraft will feature the newer livery, seats and 3-class configuration.

 The United States' President Donald Trump's trademark tool- tariffs- are being employed in abnormal amounts, aiming to boost domestic industries but will have serious ripple-effects on one of the world's most interconnected industries: aviation . The most obvious repercussion is at International Carriers flying into the States. While tariffs will not directly affect passenger operations, they may increase airport fees and heavily impact cargo operators. Following the 2018 tariffs, air cargo demand growth slowed from 9% in 2017 to 3.5% in 2018, and then declined by 3.9% in 2019.  Moreover, retaliation from other countries could affect the operations of US carriers such as Delta, United and American.  Reportedly, RyanAir will face ~500 million USD in import fees due to tariffs on the B737-Max. International air fare is projected to increase by 2-4%.  An airliner such as the A350 or B787 has parts sourced from more than 7 different countries, including some where not o...

 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...