Business jet operators clearly want smaller airports to stay open longer and be better equipped in terms of refuelling facilities and parking bays. But are we ready?
Shirdi. The airport is barely a year old – it started only in October 2017 – but within these few months it has topped the popularity lists of HNW (High Net Worth) individuals and celebrities who fly in and out of the pilgrimage town. Records from the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) point out that the number of chartered planes landing at Shirdi had increased since March. According to official data, of the total 126 chartered planes that flew in and out of Shirdi in the last seven months, 46 percent were used in March and April 2018 alone.
Fortunately, Shirdi continues to attract Saibaba's wealthy devotees in hordes — despite a major problem. The airport does not have refuelling facilities. So, a private jet flying to Shirdi has to go to Hyderabad for fuel, leading to an increase in operational costs. “We cannot refuel our aircraft in Shirdi and have to fly back to the nearest airport to refuel and fly back to Shirdi for the return flight,” said Kanika Tekriwal, Founder of JetSetGo, an online marketplace for private jets and helicopters. This despite the fact that refuelling at airports like Mumbai and Hyderabad takes more than the stipulated time. “One of the strongest point is that India has an excellent infrastructure in place, however, not enough is being done to utilise it. Jaisalmer airport, for example, has a ₹200 crore terminal, which cannot be utilised,” Tekriwal said.
A JetSetGo study of 36 airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, shows that the smaller ones are constrained by various factors: they work shorter hours, don’t have enough parking space and lack refuelling facilities. While 28 percent have limited hours of operation, 14 percent do not have adequate parking and 8 percent cannot refuel planes.
This story is from the August 2018 edition of Cruising Heights.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2018 edition of Cruising Heights.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
India's space economy set to soar
India's burgeoning space economy could see a substantial increase in its global share by 2040. At present, India's space sector contributes a modest $8 billion to the overall cake.
JettWings leads the way in UDAN 5.3
JettWings Airways has emerged as a frontrunner in the aviation industry, solidifying its position as a leading private operator under the UDAN RCS 5.3 scheme.
Sock drying to underwear adventures: Laundry tales at 30,000 feet
Picture this: you're settled into your first-class seat, ready for a smooth and luxurious flight with United Airlines. But as you glance around, you notice something that makes you do a double-take.
PLETHORA OF AIR TRAVEL ACTIVITY IN THE INDIAN SKIES
The Northern Summer schedule for 2024 took off on March 31, 2024, ushering in a rush of air travel activity. With DGCA's seal of approval on 24,275 weekly departures, the skies buzzed with an average of 3,467 flights daily. However, on the inaugural day, airlines only managed to execute 3,035 scheduled domestic flights, representing a modest 87.5 per cent of the approved schedule. Delving into the nuances of this aviation landscape, an exclusive analysis by aviation analytics company Cirium unveils fascinating insights into the longest and shortest flights crisscrossing the Indian skies.
Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket launch postponed again
Chennai-based space start-up Agnikul Cosmos called off the maiden launch of its 3D-printed, semi-cryogenic Agnibaan rocket about 129 seconds before lift-off citing communication in the onboard hardware.
Pushpak RLV-TD successfully lands autonomously
ISRO achieved another significant milestone in reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the successful landing of Pushpak (RLV-TD), the winged vehicle, autonomously on the runway.
TIME FOR CREDIBLE ROTARY-WING CAPABILITIES
With tactical-level challenges looming in India’s neighbourhood, it is time for the Indian armed forces to rapidly brush up on rotorcraft capabilities. A Special Report
"PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: A TROUBLED LEGACY IN NEED OF REVIVAL"
Pakistan International Airlines PIA), once renowned for its slogan Great People to Fly With,’ has a storied history of contributions to the aviation industry. despite its illustrious past, PIA has faced challenges in recent decades, witnessing a decline from its former glory. This downward trajectory has prompted concerns about the airline's sustainability and competitiveness in the modern aviation landscape. The Pakistan government is now preparing to privatise the
Qatar explores major widebody order with Boeing, Airbus
Qatar Airways is reportedly in preliminary discussions with both Boeing and Airbus regarding a potential order of up to 150 widebody jets to modernise and expand its fleet as it needs to tackle the issue of an ageing fleet for long-distance.
"Embraer achieves ETOPS-120 certification for E2 Series
Embraer recently achieved a significant milestone with the acquisition of 120-minute ETOPS (Extended-Twin Engine Operations Performance Standards) approval for its E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft.
