Air aviation news- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has accepted assurances by Air India (AI, Mumbai International) and Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) that they will maintain a minimum capacity on a number of routes to alleviate possible competitive concerns arising from the planned merger between the flag carrier and Vistara (UK, Delhi International).
The CCI approved the proposed merger earlier this month, subject to compliance with voluntary commitments the parties offered. Under the merger, the Vistara brand, a 51/49 joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines, will disappear as the carrier is enfolded within Air India. The deal also involves the Singaporean airline taking a 25.1% stake in its Indian counterpart.
The minimum capacity/supply level commitments agreed to concern certain overlapping origin and destination routes, namely:
- Bhubaneswar – Delhi International;
- Bangalore International – Guwahati;
- Kochi International – Delhi;
- Amritsar – Delhi;
- Thiruvananthapuram – Delhi;
- Bhubaneshwar – Mumbai International;
- Bangalore – Delhi;
- Sydney…
Pratt & Whitney engine issues impact multiple airlines
15.09.2023 – 03:35 UTCWizz Air Holdings is one of several airline groups grappling with significant numbers of A320neo Family-type aircraft going out of service for an extended period after RTX Corporation, owner of Pratt & Whitney, told customer airlines earlier this week that approximately 3,000 geared turbofan (GTF) engines fitted to in-service aircraft will need to be inspected.
In an advisory published on September 11, RTX expanded the number of PW1100 GTF engines needing inspection. The engines are used on A320neo family-type aircraft. When it first disclosed the metal contamination issue in the Pratt & Whitney-manufactured engines in late July, RTX estimated around 1,200 motors would require inspection. That number has now grown to approximately 3,000, or over 90% of the 3,200 GTF engines presently in service.
The engine inspections, which may take as long as 60 days, will take place between 2023 and 2026 and result in around 350 aircraft being parked each annually through 2026, although RTX says that figure will peak at about 650 planes in the first half of 2024.
- Wizz…
Sarawak’s premier discusses MASwings takeover plans
13.09.2023 – 02:30 UTCSarawak Premier Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says his planned state-owned airline would likely fly to Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Speaking to local media on the sidelines of a September 6 transport conference in Kuching, the premier said the Sarawak state government was advancing its plans to takeover MASwings (MY, Kota Kinabalu) and establish it as a Sarawak-based airline. MASwings is currently owned by the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). The Malaysian government ultimately owns that entity.
“The strategic advantage of having a Sarawak airline will allow us control over route preferences,” he said. “We will not be limited to the decisions of private airlines because we can tailor our flight offerings to cater to destinations in the Philippines, Indonesia and also to Bandar Seri Begawan.”
Openg has campaigned for a locally-based airline for some time now. He argues Sarawak residents need better connectivity and more competitive airfares. However, Sarawak’s capital, Kuching, is home to one of Malaysia’s busiest airports. According to ch-aviation PRO airports…
Malaysia’s MASwings to keep subsidies even if owner changes
24.07.2023 – 06:32 UTCThe Malaysian government says MASwings (MY, Kota Kinabalu) will continue to receive a MYR209 million ringgit (USD45.8 million) annual subsidy to maintain rural air service (RAS) flights even if it changes hands from Malaysia Aviation Group to the state of Sarawak.
Malaysia’s federal transport minister, Loke Siew Fook, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sarawak state officials in Kuching on July 20, according to the Free Malaysia Today outlet. Subsidies are in place until 2025, but Fook told media on the day that the MoU included a provision for the subsidies to be re-negotiated and continue past then.
“The MoU signed this afternoon is about our commitment to provide the subsidy to the rural air services in the event that Sarawak takes over MASwings. This MOU is important to give our commitment to Sarawak,” he said. “The most important thing is that rural air services won’t be disrupted. It must go on so that passengers will not be affected.”
The takeover of MASwings has the “in-principle” support of the federal government. The…
source: https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/132789-singapores-scoot-adjusts-post-pandemic-business-model
