Why compete with yourself? For India’s Tata Group, owning both Air India and Vistara – the country’s two full service carriers – presented precisely that challenge. Now Air India and Vistara will merge, bringing a coherent competitive stance to the market, along with an additional cash infusion to boost operations.
India
OneWeb successfully orbits 36 more satellites
OneWeb added 36 more satellites to its constellation over the weekend, bringing the total to 462 Gen 1 satellites in orbit.
Hans Airways picks its wireless IFE Moment
Hans Airways will offer streaming entertainment to passengers when it launches service between the UK and India. The carrier announced a deal with Moment to deliver the Flymingo wireless streaming solution on the carrier’s A330-200 aircraft.
India proves critical for Air Canada, Emirates truce
A lot can change in ten years, especially in the aviation world. Now, rather rivals, Air Canada and Emirates have a burgeoning partnership. And it is all about India.
Intelsat brings inflight WiFi online in India
Passengers fly to, from, or over India can now stay online if their aircraft carries the Intelsat 2Ku inflight WiFi system. v
IndiGo selects Recaro seats for A320neo fleet
IndiGo’s newest A320neo and A321neo planes will shave a bit of weight on the seating side. The carrier selected Recaro’s BL3710 seats to fit its next 75 aircraft, with deliveries expected from January 2023.
Qantas boosts rebound, points opportunities with Australia border reopening
Australia is reopening its borders, and Qantas is ready to take advantage of the pent up demand for travel. The airline will accelerate the return of many international routes, as well as larger aircraft, to support consumer demand. It is also adding a frequent flyer twist, with several “points planes” loaded for travelers.
SpiceJet online later this year with Inmarsat’s GX Aviation
Inmarsat’s GX Aviation in-flight wifi service is expected to come online over India later this year, with SpiceJet as the launch carrier.
Tata retakes Air India in privatization push
Nearly 70 years after Air India was nationalized, it will return to (a version of) its prior home. The government announced today that Tata Sons offered the successful bid for the privatization of the airline. The original operation was run by JRD Tata until the government took it over in 1953.
Vistara scores tentative DOT approval for US operations
Just five weeks after submitting its application the US Department of Transportation, India’s Vistara received tentative approval to begin operations to the United States. Assuming no objections from other carriers a final decision could be delivered by the end of the month.