In this issue

Cruising Heights’ September issue takes an in depth look at how the potential of the MRO business to flourish in India continues to remain on paper. The size of industry in 2015 was Rs five billion (Rs 500 crore). Today, the size remains at the same Rs five billion. While on the one hand, we do not miss any opportunity to tom-tom the rapid growth of the aviation sector and how the country will be in the top three in the next five years in the world, the MRO industry – one could refer to it as the backbone of the aviation sector -- has been totally forgotten by the government. This edition also looks at pilots and the multiple issues plaguing airlines worldwide—thanks to the menad woman in the cockpit. Plus: India’s brand new drone policy and the UDAN project ASEAN that is in the works.

Down, down, down…

That is the way airline stocks have been going over the last few months. Most of these aviation stocks have been in the spotlight after global brokerage firm HSBC initiated coverage on major stocks.

6 mins

MROs: In Dire Need Of Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul

The potential of the MRO business to flourish in India continues to remain on paper. While on the one hand, we do not miss any opportunity to tom-tom the rapid growth of the aviation sector and how the country will be in the top three in the next five years in the world, the MRO industry – one could refer to it as the backbone of the aviation sector — has been totally forgotten by the government. The size of industry in 2015 was ₹5 billion. Today, is the size remains at the same ₹5 billion and as C Santhosh found out, most of the MROs would have to down shutters by March 2019 if the situation does not improve.

10+ mins

Tough Landings For Seaplanes

Even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi capped his Gujarat campaign with an eye-catching takeoff from the Sabarmati river to a touchdown in the Dharoi dam, seaplane services were being discussed by the government. But are the conditions conducive enough for air journeys via water?

4 mins

Is Udan Ready For International Skies?

The UDAN or regional connectivity scheme remains virtually on paper. Regular operation of regional flights continue to lag behind due to a variety of reasons. And even as these issues continue to trouble the scheme, the government has unveiled a draft scheme to extend the ‘affordable’ UDAN air travel programme to international destinations.

4 mins

Exports Slowdown: GST Effect Or international Phenomena?

While some international airports have shown a dip in cargo volumes in the first year of the Goods and Services Tax, others have seen a rise. Tirthankar Ghosh talked to freight forwarders and airport cargo heads to find out what a year of GST has thrown up for the air cargo trade.

5 mins

First Dedicated Cargo Airport No Longer A Dream

Andhra Pradesh ties up with SCL-Turbo Consortium to set up a dedicated cargo airport at Nellore.

3 mins

Read all stories from Cruising Heights

Cruising Heights Magazine Description:

CRUISING HEIGHTS is India's best known monthly aviation magazine with equal interests in air cargo, travel and tourism. In its four years of existence, Cruising Heights has received accolades from the Minister of Civil Aviation, Aviation CEOs, Airport Developers, Travel Agents Associations and others for its path-breaking stories.One of the first true aviation magazines of the country, Cruising Heights was started with the idea of supporting professionals in the airline business to make informed choices on a variety of subjects from ground handling to cargo to airport development-all of which are transforming the Indian aviation scene in mind-boggling ways. Later, due to the interest it generated and in response to demands from the travel and tourism industry stakeholders we have targeted the general reader-the educated Indian who is keen to be an informed Indian-to know what's happening in the business.