Hyderabad Aerospace & Aero Park Updates

[rizwan3]

http://expressbuzz.com/finance/finan...ap/234799.html

Financial closure for MGAI’s MRO facility in AP

First Published : 28 Dec 2010 03:10:05 AM IST


HYDERABAD: MAS GMR Aerospace Engineering (MGAE) on Monday said it has achieved financial closure for the proposed Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Shamshabad airport.

The total cost of the project is pegged at `309 crore, of which equity constitutes `77 crore, while the remaining `232 crore is being raised from State Bank of Hyderabad, Andhra Bank and State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur.

MGAE is a joint venture between GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) and Malaysian Aerospace Engineering Sdn. Bhd (MAE), a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines Systems Berhad (MAS).

The upcoming MRO is an integrated, first-of-its-kind third-party facility that offers better MRO infrastructure and end-to-end facilities to cater to airlines, said GHIAL in a release. It added that the facility is designed to perfrom base maintenance checks with one wide body, two narrow body and one narrow body-cum-paint hangar.

[rockystone]

Tatas to set up 3 JV projects in Aerospace SEZ, near Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Following Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata's announcement that Hyderabad will be made their aerospace hub, the company is setting up three joint venture projects in the Aerospace Special Economic Zone at Adibhatla near Hyderabad with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore.


Nova Integrated System for manufacturing radar and electronic equipment for defence, Tata Aero-structure Limited for assembling of aircraft equipment and Tata Aerospace Systems Limited for manufacturing aircraft parts are the three projects announced by the company.

The trio will collaborate with overseas partners for setting up the units.

Nova Integrated System chief executive officer and managing director Ajit Bhavnani met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday and discussed the proposed projects, said official sources in the Chief Minister's Office.

"The three projects will attract an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and provide direct employment to 1,000 persons. The government is in the process of allotting 125 acres of land in the SEZ to the companies," the CMO sources said.

Tata Aerospace Systems, a Tata Group company, has already established its unit at the SEZ for manufacturing helicopter cabins with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. It was during the inauguration of this facility in November last that Ratan Tata announced his group's proposal for establishing aerospace and defence clusters in Hyderabad.

The three overseas partners with whom the Tatas would collaborate would visit India next month for the Aero Show in Bengalore.

"The Tatas would like to conduct ground-breaking ceremony for the projects during February in the presence of their overseas partners," said the state government official.

[kdlara007]

Originally Posted by rockystone

Tatas to set up 3 JV projects in Aerospace SEZ, near Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Following Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata's announcement that Hyderabad will be made their aerospace hub, the company is setting up three joint venture projects in the Aerospace Special Economic Zone at Adibhatla near Hyderabad with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore.


Nova Integrated System for manufacturing radar and electronic equipment for defence, Tata Aero-structure Limited for assembling of aircraft equipment and Tata Aerospace Systems Limited for manufacturing aircraft parts are the three projects announced by the company.

The trio will collaborate with overseas partners for setting up the units.

Nova Integrated System chief executive officer and managing director Ajit Bhavnani met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday and discussed the proposed projects, said official sources in the Chief Minister's Office.

"The three projects will attract an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and provide direct employment to 1,000 persons. The government is in the process of allotting 125 acres of land in the SEZ to the companies," the CMO sources said.

Tata Aerospace Systems, a Tata Group company, has already established its unit at the SEZ for manufacturing helicopter cabins with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. It was during the inauguration of this facility in November last that Ratan Tata announced his group's proposal for establishing aerospace and defence clusters in Hyderabad.

The three overseas partners with whom the Tatas would collaborate would visit India next month for the Aero Show in Bengalore.

"The Tatas would like to conduct ground-breaking ceremony for the projects during February in the presence of their overseas partners," said the state government official.

I think there is no vacant land available in the Adibatla SEZ. Not sure when the government will acquire the land for TATA JV units.

[Prodigist]

3 Tata JVs to set up aerospace units

Sorry for posting the same news again but this is a more researched article

The Tata Group is planning to set up three more units as a part of its aerospace manufacturing initiative in Hyderabad with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.

Nova Integrated System, Tata Aero-structure Limited and Tata Aerospace Systems Limited, the three new joint venture companies formed by the Tata Group, would be engaged in making radar and electronic equipment for the defence sector, assembling of aircraft equipment and manufacturing of aircraft parts respectively.

According to a senior government official, the chief minister has assured all support including speedy allotment of 125 acres of land near the Aerospace SEZ on the city outskirts.

According to the company, these new units will employ about 1,000 persons besides making an investment of about Rs 1,000 crore. Overseas partners of these joint ventures are expected to visit the country in the first half of February this year during the Bangalore Aero Show.

Besides the Tata group, other major companies such as Mahindra and TVS have evinced interest in establishing their defence-related aerospace manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad.

According to Sriram, an office bearer of the Aerospace Industries Association, another 35-40 local companies are setting up their units on 100 acre in the Aerospace SEZ and most of them are expected to start production by 2012. “The total investment potential in the aerospace manufacturing sector in Hyderabad is between Rs 15,000 crore and Rs 20,000 crore. This could be much more in future,” he told Business Standard.

I guess more news will follow after Aero India in the second week of February

[rizwan3]

WOW thats a great News...!

[rizwan3]

http://www.business-standard.com/ind...-units/422764/

Tatas to expand aerospace units
BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad January 24, 2011, 0:02 IST

The Tata Group is planning to set up three more units as a part of its aerospace manufacturing initiative in Hyderabad with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.

Nova Integrated System, Tata Aero-structure Limited and Tata Aerospace Systems Limited, the three new joint venture companies formed by the Tata Group, would be engaged in making radar and electronic equipment for the defence sector, assembling of aircraft equipment and manufacturing of aircraft parts respectively.

A delegation led by Nova Integrated System CEO and managing director Ajit Bhavnani met Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy recently to apprise him of their new plans besides seeking necessary support from the government.

According to a senior government official, the chief minister has assured all support including speedy allotment of 125 acres of land near the Aerospace Special Economic Zone on the city outskirts.

The Tata group has already established a helicopter cabin manufacturing unit at the 250-acre aerospace SEZ. Group chairman Ratan Tata, who visited the city last November in connection with the release of the first helicopter cabin produced by Tata Advanced Systems Limited, announced that the group’s new initiatives in the aerospace technology sector would be centered in Andhra Pradesh.

While the group’s first company in this sector commenced production of helicopter cabins for US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in November 2010 on its 50-acre campus in the Aerospace SEZ, company officials have zeroed in on 125 acres of land near the existing location for setting up of these new units.

According to the company, these new units will employ about 1,000 persons besides making an investment of about Rs 1,000 crore.

Overseas partners of these joint ventures are expected to visit the country in the first half of February this year during the Bangalore Aero Show.

Besides the Tata group, other major companies such as Mahindra and TVS have evinced interest in establishing their defence-related aerospace manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad.

According to Sriram, an office bearer of the Aerospace Industries Association, another 35-40 local companies are setting up their units on 100 acre in the Aerospace Special Economic Zone and most of them are expected to start production by 2012.

[rizwan3]

http://expressbuzz.com/finance/helic...rk/246455.html

Helicopter assembly facility at GMR Park

First Published : 09 Feb 2011 03:50:49 AM IST

HYDERABAD: GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Ltd, part of GMR Group, said Indian Rotorcraft Ltd (IRL) will set up a helicopter assembly and flight testing facility at GMR Aerospace Park. The proposed facility will assemble the 8-seater AW119ke, a top-of-the-range helicopter in the single engine market and the first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2012.

The company didn’t disclose the nature of investments in the upcoming facility. IRL is a joint venture between holding company Tata Sons Ltd and Italy-based Finmeccanica SpA’s helicopter unit AgustaWestland. The Tata group has a 74 per cent stake and Ratan Tata is the chairman of the country’s first private helicopter assembly line. GMR said it had alloted 10 acres for the facility, for which construction will commence after seeking necessary approvals from the government.

The AW119Ke assembly line, the first of its kind in private sector in India will provide remarkable industrial opportunities in the aerospace sector in India and will enable the company to play an increasing role in the development of the Indian helicopter market.

“Tata Sons and AgustaWestland are leaders in their respective fields and the GMR Group takes pride in being the chosen partner to these two eminent companies. I hope this sets a trend for many other leaders in the aviation sector to start making Hyderabad their home,” said G M Rao, Chairman, GMR Group.

According to GMR, over 190 such helicopters have been ordered across 30 countries. These choppers are typically suited to perform a wide range of tasks including law enforcemnt, utility, fire-fighting, EMS, VIP transport, offshore transport as well as military missions.

[Prodigist]

Dassault plans MRO facility in Hyderabad

Dassault Aviation, a part of French aerospace company Groupe Dassault, has drawn up an ambitious map for expansion in the Indian market. The company, which has a majority share in the Indian business jet market, is looking at setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre next year. Its business jets are sold under the ‘Falcon’ brand name.

"We have a 60 per cent share in the business jet market in India (around 120 private jets are in operation so far), which is growing rapidly. We now plan to set up an MRO centre in Hyderabad for their quality service and spares,” said Thierry de Poncins, international sales director, Falcon Business Jets.

It was in talks with some Indian companies to set up an MRO facility jointly, he said without naming any. Dassault Aviation is owned 50.21 per cent by Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault of France. Talking to Business Standard on the sidelines of Aero India 2011 today, he said the company had delivered 30 Falcon jets in the last 15 years and would deliver another 15 business jets in the next two years. Almost half of the new aircraft orders are for the Dassault Falcon 7X, the first business jet certified with a fully-digital flight control system. Also, the company is in talks with various charter operators for another 20 business jets.

[rizwan3]

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/13/stor...1362630500.htm

AEMS to offer Aerospace MBA from this year

\
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad-based Aerospace Education and Management Services (AEMS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Toulouse Business School, France at the ongoing Aero India-2011 show at Bangalore to offer the latter's Aerospace MBA in India.

AEMS officials stated in a release that the course would be offered from later this year. The AeMBA of Toulouse School was one of the globally-acclaimed and American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited courses in aerospace education.

They had spent over two years in developing the Aerospace University with support from Indian and international aviation community including manufacturers and suppliers.

[rizwan3]

http://expressbuzz.com/finance/tatas...ty/247795.html

Tatas to invest Rs 1k crore in Adibatla facility

14 Feb 2011 12:10:47 AM IST


HYDERABAD: The $70-billion Tata Group is expanding operations at its facility in Aerospace and Precision Engineering SEZ, Adibatla. The Group, which made Hyderabad as its global hub for aerospace and defence sectors, said it would invest `1,000 crore to manufacture helicopter components in Adibatla.

As part of its expansion, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, part of the Tata Group, is now tying up with three firms namely — US-based defence major Lockheed Martin Corporation, Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) and Hanford-based United Technologies Corporation (UTC) — to manufacture defence equipment, aircraft structures and helicopter components.

The Tatas already have a tie-up with UTC and IAI and are now stepping up production activities in related segments.

According to sources, the Andhra Pradesh government is likely to allot about 130 acres for the facility, which is expected to employ over 1,000. The export-oriented facility will be fully operational over the next three years.

“The Tatas started their aerospace operations in July, 2009 in Hyderabad and invested over `500 crore so far. They have also made the facility as its global hub for all aerospace and defence-related activities. Hyderabad is now emerging as the hub for aerospace manufacturing in India” a senior government official told Express.

As part of its tie-up with UTC, the company is currently producing cabins for Sikorsky’s S-92 helicopters, a four-bladed twin-engine medium lift helicopter, used for search and rescue missions, transportation of oil workers to offshore platforms and other assignments. Sikorsky, one of the largest helicopter manufacturers, is a subsidiary of NYSE-listed UTC.

“We are now taking the partnership to the next level with Sikorsky. From cabin manufacturing, we will now produce other helicopter components for Sikorsky,” a Tata Group official said.

He added that the tie up with Lockheed Martin will include design, development and production of aerospace and aerostructure products. Similarly, it will produce defence-related equipment including high-end surveillance systems with Israeli Aerospace Industry.

[Prodigist]

Tata forges venture with Lockheed Martin for C-130 aircraft parts

Indian corporate major, Tata group has entered into a joint venture with the US aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin Corp to make aircraft components for the C-130 transport planes. Under the venture — Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures — Tata Advanced Systems will hold 74 per cent while Lockheed will hold the remaining 26 per cent. This is the second JV Tata Group signed in aerospace components space. The financial details are not known.

Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures will manufacture aerostructures for the C-130 aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin. The new facility will be set up in Hyderabad.

According to reports, Tata group’s is setting up three joint venture projects in the Aerospace Special Economic Zone at Adibhatla near Hyderabad. Tata Aerospace Systems has established its unit at the SEZ for manufacturing helicopter cabins with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. Another joint venture — NOVA — between Tata Advanced Systems and Israel Air Force Technology has also been allotted 30 acres in this SEZ.

Source

Groundbreaking of Tata aerospace projects held in Hyderabad

Speaking on the occasion, Ramadorai said that the three new projects mark a significant step ahead in India's growth as a high-technology, precision and manufacturing destination.

Ramadorai said, “These three projects mark a significant step forward in India’s growth as a high technology, precision manufacturing destination. It will place Hyderabad on the global Aerospace map and it is our hope that Hyderabad will develop into a global Aerospace and Defence Hub.”

Ramadorai added that the Tata group plans to locate many more of its aerospace projects in Hyderabad both in joint venture with global giants and on its own going forward taking into account the infrastructure and enabling environment in and around Hyderabad.

[rizwan3]

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/hydera...ts/248222.html

Foundation laid for aerospace units
15 Feb 2011 04:23:34 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The Aerospace and Precision Engineering SEZ at Adibatla on the outskirts of the city is expected to create employment for over 10,000 people, according to chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Laying the foundation stone for three facilities being set up by the Tata group in a joint venture with global aircraft and defence majors here today, Reddy said, “Hyderabad is the best destination for investments in the aerospace and defence sectors. The state has three international airports offering better connectivity.

Besides, there are numerous infrastructure-related advantages and availability of manpower.”

He said the government was developing Chittoor and Anantapur, adjoining Chennai and Bangalore respectively, as industrial hubs.

“We have a long sea coast and are working on strategies to increase trade from the seaports in the state.”

Stating that Andhra Pradesh was the only state having an Aerospace SEZ in the country, minister for major industries, commerce and export promotion J Geeta Reddy said the facility was likely to directly employ over 3,000 in the next few years.

“There are over 150 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the city that are into various critical aerospace and defence-related component manufacturing.

Tata’s tie-up with three global firms today will boost production in the aerospace SEZ here,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), part of the Tata group, said that it would invest about `550 crore to set up three facilities to manufacture aircraft structures, defence equipment and components for helicopters.

The three projects _ Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructure, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin; Tata Aerospace Systems, a JV between Tata Advanced Systems and Sikorsky Aircraft; and Nova Integrated Systems, a Tata enterprise _ will become fully operational in three years.

S Ramadorai, chairman of TASL, said these projects would place Hyderabad on the global aerospace map and help it evolve into a global aerospace and defence hub.

[rizwan3]

http://www.business-standard.com/ind...e-park/424413/

Indian Rotorcraft to commence operations at GMR Aerospace Park
Announcement / Corporate February 08, 2011, 19:24 IST

The GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Ltd., a company of the GMR Group announced today that they have reached an in-principle agreement on terms with Indian Rotorcraft Ltd to locate an AW119ke helicopter assembly and flight testing facility at the GMR Aerospace Park in Hyderabad.

The 8-seat AW119Ke is a top-of-the-range helicopter in the single engine market and has excellent performance even in extremely hot and high operating environments. Over 190 AW119 helicopters have been ordered to date in around 30 countries by more than 90 customers. The AW119Ke is ideally suited to perform a wide range of tasks including law enforcement, utility, fire-fighting, EMS, VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport as well as military missions.

An area of 10 acres has been allocated within the aviation specific Special Economic Zone of the Aero Park with an option for future expansion of the current facility or in order to establish new capabilities. The site was selected by Indian Rotorcraft after an exhaustive process of evaluation of other potential sites in India. Indian Rotorcraft Ltd will commence construction after all necessary Governmental approvals are obtained. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered from the new facility in 2012.

The AW119Ke assembly line, the first of its kind in private sector in India will provide remarkable industrial opportunities in the aerospace sector in India and will enable the company to play an increasing role in the development of the Indian helicopter market.

Speaking on the development, GMR Group Chairman, Mr. GM Rao, said “We are pleased to welcome Indian Rotorcraft to the GMR Hyderabad Aerospace Park. Tata Sons and AgustaWestland are leaders in their respective fields and the GMR Group takes pride in being the chosen partner to these two eminent companies. I would like to wish the venture all success and I hope this sets a trend for many other leaders in the aviation sector to start making Hyderabad their home.”

[razzy]

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/15/stor...1561490400.htm

Foundation laid for 3 Tata aerospace projects

Kiran thanks Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata for selecting Hyderabad for its three major projects

The three projects located in RR District are expected to go on stream by 2011 end

‘Projects which involve investment of Rs. 1,000 crore will provide jobs to 9,000 persons'

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy performed the ‘ground breaking' ceremony for three Tata Group projects here on Monday, pitchforking Hyderabad onto the global aerospace map.

Involving an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore and providing direct and indirect employment to 9,000 persons, the three aerospace manufacturing projects at Adibhatla village in Ranga Reddy district are Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructure, (joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) and Lockheed Martin), Tata Aerospace Systems (JV of TAS and Sikorsky Aircraft) and Nova Integrated systems (Tata enterprise). They are expected to go on stream by 2011 end.

The foundation was symbolically laid at a hotel by the Chief Minister and Major Industries Minister, J. Geeta Reddy, in the presence of S. Ramadorai, chairman of Tata Advanced Systems, Orville Prins, Vice President (Business Development), Lockheed Martin and Retired Air Vice-Marshal A. J. S. Walia, Managing Director, Sikorsky India.

Huge leap

The Chief Minister said the arrival of the Tata Group would be a big leap for the aerospace manufacturing industry in Hyderabad, already known as a hub for defence and aerospace units. Hyderabad was the best investment destination despite a few problems. But when it comes to infrastructure and power tariff, the State offered the best deal with tailor-made incentives for major industries.

Industry was being promoted with the twin objectives of industrialisation and creating local employment, he said. “We are prepared to do whatever best is possible to promote industrialisation.” He thanked Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, for selecting Hyderabad for its three major manufacturing projects. Ms. Geeta Reddy said the aerospace hub would add to the string of defence research institutions and industries like DRDO and Midhani. The State was able to attract investments worth Rs. 25,000 crore.

Benefits to industry

Mr. Ramadorai said the three projects marked a significant step forward in India's growth as a high-technology, precision and manufacturing destination. Mr. Prins felt the joint venture of TAS and Lockheed Martin would become a foundation for a long and beneficial partnership between the two companies, creating additional jobs in India and the United States. Mr. Walia said the ground breaking ceremony represented the next phase of the Tata-Sikorsky relationship, bringing benefits to local industry, the government and the region.

[ygvjs2000]

Hyderabad airport among world’s best
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Hy...-s-best/751020
Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) have been ranked first and the fourth best airports in their respective categories in the latest Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rankings of the Airports Council International (ACI).

While Hyderabad has retained its number one position for the second year in a row in the 5-15 million passengers per annum category, IGIA Delhi stood fourth for handling 25-40 million passengers per annum. Both are operated by the GMR Group-led consortia.

Mumbai’s CST International Airport, run by the GVK-led consortium, ranked second in the 15-25 million passengers per annum category. This league features the world’s best airports such as Incheon-Seoul, Changi-Singapore, and Shanghai Pudong-China.

The awards will be presented on April 7 during the ACI Asia Pacific Regional Conference and Exhibition to be held in New Delhi. One hundred and fifty-three airports across the globe, including six Indian airports, participated in the ASQ survey in 2010.

[harsh1802]

Originally Posted by razzy

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/15/stor...1561490400.htm

Foundation laid for 3 Tata aerospace projects

Kiran thanks Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata for selecting Hyderabad for its three major projects

The three projects located in RR District are expected to go on stream by 2011 end

‘Projects which involve investment of Rs. 1,000 crore will provide jobs to 9,000 persons'

[ygvjs2000]

source: http://www.livemint.com/2011/03/0400....html?atype=tp
SpiceJet Ltd, India’s second-biggest low-fare airline, is likely to select Hyderabad airport as its regional hub for the short-haul flights that it plans to start in July.

The carrier is in talks with GMR Hyderabad International Airport, or GHIAL, to seek additional incentives to base its aircraft there, said three industry officials who are familiar with the development.

Currently, Delhi airport serves as the hub for the budget carrier, which has a 13% local market share. Making Hyderabad its base for short-haul flights will help the Gurgaon-based SpiceJet save on fuel costs because of the city’s central location.

The airline, which was acquired by media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd in June, plans to start regional operations using Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

“Hyderabad is definitely a good hub,” said Mohan Ranganthan, a Chennai-based aviation expert. “This is more central and it is closer to most places to connect with international traffic.”

Hyderabad airport may pay back a small amount of the fees levied on passengers carried on SpiceJet’s Q400 from the airport, according to one of the models being discussed, said a SpiceJet official, who declined to be named.

“Essentially, there will be benefits on a per passenger basis, they will reimburse us a certain portion,” said the official.

Such a system is prevalent in international airports like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, where airports woo airlines to start services and increase footfalls.

Besides, SpiceJet will benefit from a waiver of landing and parking charges as aircraft with fewer than 80 seats are exempt from these under government rules.

A GMR executive, who declined to be named, confirmed the airport is in talks with SpiceJet to use it as a hub for regional services. He declined to give details.

“You will get to hear about it soon, one way or the other,” said SpiceJet chief executive Neil Raymond Mills, without elaborating.

SpiceJet had ordered 15 Q400s last year that are valued at $450 million at list prices. Eight are scheduled to be inducted this year into the airline’s fleet, which now has 25 Boeing 737s.

About four-five Q400s are planned to be stationed at Hyderabad and the remaining at Bangalore and Chennai.

The Hyderabad airport is the most expensive in the country based on the levies it imposes on domestic and international passengers. The airport charges Rs700 as user development fee and a passenger service fee for each departing passenger, the highest in the country.

Kuala Lumpur-based Air Asia stopped operations from the Hyderabad airport because of the high charges, Mint reported on 6 January.

With as many as five of the eight new aircraft planned to be based out of Hyderabad, according to the SpiceJet official mentioned earlier, there could be at least 500 more passengers that may fly into the airport everyday, adding revenue to the airport. That could earn the airport an additional Rs12.8 crore a year.

SpiceJet operates 169 flights daily to 20 Indian cities.

The focus on south India does not mean the airline is going for a rebranding exercise, Mills said. The airline will sport the Sun Group logo on all its aircraft.

[rizwan3]

http://www.rediff.com/business/repor...a/20110311.htm

Lockheed Martin looking for tie-ups in India
March 11, 2011 18:06 IST

Aerospace major Lockheed Martin is exploring possibility of tie-ups with Indian companies and awaiting nod from the US and Indian government to move ahead, a top company official said on Friday.

"We have been interacting with local industry here, both in public and the private sector. We are looking forward to explore the possibilities of potential partnerships," Lockheed Martin India [ Images ] Private Ltd Senior Director Jagmohan Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a defence and aerospace exhibition that began in Hyderabad.

He said initially the company is looking for production of anti-tank guided missiles, and added, "we are hoping to move forward particularly in this (anti-tank guided missiles) area provided we get clearances from the US and the Indian government".

"We have sought the approval of the US government and hopeful of receiving it soon. After getting a go ahead from Indian government, we will start working with local companies to get the production facilities here," Singh said.

He said the company was already in talks with defence industries, including Bharat Dynamics Ltd, and other private companies.

"These talks are at initial stages. Our focus in Hyderabad has been on partnering for various kinds of missile production and we have been associating ourselves with local industry and Bharat Dynamics on setting up industrial processes."

[ygvjs2000]

http://www.inewsone.com/2011/03/18/j...mini-hub/36584
Jet Airways to develop Hyderabad as its mini hub
Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Leading private airline Jet Airways Friday said it will develop Hyderabad as a mini hub for its operations in south India and will introduce 15 new flights to the city.
‘We are keen to develop Hyderabad into a mini hub for our guests in southern India,’ said Sudheer Raghavan, chief commercial officer, Jet Airways.
According to Raghavan, the decision comes after the increase in flow of tourist and business traffic to and from Hyderabad.
The company said the capital of Andhra Pradesh will be linked to Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada, Jaipur and Nagpur from March 27.
‘We are confident that these new services would prove immensely popular and help further expansion of our services,’ Raghavan said.
Currently, the airline connects over 47 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations with a fleet of 97 aircraft.

[Prodigist]

Defence Cluster Sees Big Business

Source: Business Standard

The offset policy will offer a $5 billion opportunity for local industry

The city’s SME cluster, which has evolved over the past few decades around defence research establishment activities, is getting ready for an all-new business environment provided by the offset policy.

Until now, what mattered to a vendor was its ability to fabricate components. Now, global corporations setting foot in India are going beyond this technical aspect, since they have to source 30 per cent of the contract value domestically.

“The offset policy will be a $5 billion opportunity by the time the defence ministry finalises the aircraft contract. The policy unveiled in 2009 has now started translating into new business opportunities for local industry. Even if three per cent of this business comes to the Hyderabad cluster, the opportunity would be huge,” says Subba Rao, chairman and managing director of Ananth Technologies.

To qualify for a contract from a global company, a vendor has to comply with specific standards in terms of testing, quality and management practices. “This is a major challenge faced by several SMEs, as they have to make additional investments to achieve the standards required by global companies. This is not an easy proposition, as many of these companies are small,” says Ravinder Reddy, chairman of MTAR Technologies, which is involved in defence and aerospace.

There are over 100 engineering and electronics companies in the city with annual turnover in the Rs 10-150 crore range.These form the vendor base of the defence and aerospace sectors. Though most have attained a high degree of technological prowess, not many have grown in size — defence contracts have been a low-volume business so far.

“Hyderabad is the centre for the entire knowledge-based defence industry and is much larger in size than the one in Bangalore. Core defence research and development happen here. That is why the support industry is also much larger here,” says Subba Rao.

These companies together generate an annual business of over Rs 2,000 crore. They operate in the fields of mechanical, metallurgical, alloys, electrical, electronics and software support systems, composites, hydraulics, tooling, forging and foundry.

A few SMEs also have global exposure. Ananth Technologies, an electronics and embedded systems company, provides core embedded systems, telemetry, telecommand, avionics systems for launch vehicles, simulator units among other products and services to the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Space Applications Centre and National Remote Sensing Agency.

Similarly, Zetatek Industries Limited’s product portfolio includes test equipment, vibration testing, climatic chambers and quality control services for all defence projects. The company also makes motion simulators for testing of defence equipment, avionics components and navigation components. “We are the only company in the country that can calibrate guided systems,” says its chairman and managing director, R Siva Kumar.

The embedded systems and other electronic equipment developed by Ananth Technologies also go into foreign satellite systems being built by Isro. Zetatek exports its equipment to Israel, Russia, China, Germany and Spain. Siva Kumar says exports contribute 20 per cent of Zetatek’s business.

According to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers, global companies can achieve cost savings of 15-25 per cent through local sourcing, depending on the type of component.

The Tata group’s decision to establish four aerospace manufacturing units in collaboration with Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin in Hyderabad is testimony to the strengths of this cluster. The state government has also set up an exclusive aerospace SEZ near Hyderabad to boost the sector.

To cash in on global opportunities, 40-50 companies led by Ravinder Reddy of MTAR Technologies and Subba Rao of Ananth Technologies have jointly formed a company of technocrats christened Samuha Engineering Industries Ltd. The government has given 200 acres of land in the aerospace SEZ to this cluster company, which includes SEC Industries, S&U Mek Engineering and SKM Technologies.

Apart from developing basic infrastructure with Rs 200 crore, the group will also set up facilities for high-precision meteorological tests and measurements to be utilised by its members.

Samuha plans to launch operations at the SEZ in the first quarter of 2012. Later, it will upgrade to sub-systems, systems and integration from the present level of component fabrication, says Sriram M M, director of Samuha.

Samuha will bid for high-value global contracts, which in turn will be sub-contracted to SMEs, including its promoter members, in the SEZ.

Hope atleast a few of these turn into major players..
The idea of a few SME's joining together to bid for high value bids is refreshing.