Hyderabad Aerospace & Aero Park Updates

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://business-standard.com/india/n...makers/467412/

Even as the country’s commercial airline companies are incurring losses, business jet manufactures see a lot of potential in India. In fact, they are increasing participation at the coming Hyderabad Air Show to find a market among millionaires. The country is home to around 200,000 millionaires and the number is set to double by 2015 .

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), which is organising the March 14 event at the Andhra Pradesh capital, said it was seeing increased participation from aircraft manufacturer companies that were coming with their business aircraft. “Embrear is coming for the first time with their new business jets,” pointed out Ficci assistant secretary-general Vinay Mathur. “Airbus is bringing its Corporate Jet for the first time, while (Russia-based) Irkut Group is coming with all 25 companies -- also for the first time.”

The number of aircraft on static display is set to see an increase from 25 (including helicopters) to 35 this year. “Major helicopter manufacturers like Augusta Westland, Bell, Eurocopter and Sikorsky are repeating their participation,” Mathur said. This was to encash on a growing helicopter market in India, where state governments also buy, he added.
The Hyderabad air show is organised once every two years. This year will be its third show.

India is a big general aviation market. The private jet market constitutes 12 per cent (142 private jets) of the global market, making it bigger than that of China (93) and Japan (76).

“The Indian market has a great potential,” said Francois Chazelle, vice-president (worldwide sales), Airbus Corporate Jets. “We have been able to sell two of our aircraft in the last few years and one more this year. With our presence at the air show, we plan to clock some more numbers.” The company, he added, expected India to contribute more because Indian businessmen are going global in a big way.

The air show’s star attraction, though, would be the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. “We are getting the Dreamliners in Air India colour for the first time,” said Boeing India president Dinesh Keskar. “The aircraft is fully done and will be showcased at Hyderabad. We will be flying this aircraft directly from the US.”

Air India has on order 27 Dreamliners, the delivery of which has been delayed by three years. The decision on inducting the aircraft in the government carrier is also to come from the Cabinet.

The show, for the first time, will see participation from global simulator companies from Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://twocircles.net/2012mar13/ajit...wednesday.html

New Delhi/Hyderabad : Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh will inaugurate the five-day bi-annual India Aviation international exhibition and conference here Wednesday.

"The event would bring together senior government officials, aviation business leaders, airlines, airport operators and regulators for an active discourse to address a wide range of challenges facing the aviation industry," the ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

"It would help in addressing a wide range of issues, including building a successful and sustainable future, climate change and security challenges."

France will be the focus country for the third edition of the event, while Britain will be partner country and US the guest country.

"Pavilions from UK, France, USA, Russia, Belgium, New Zealand, Canada and several other countries are being established in the show. The event will witness over 25 aircraft in static and flying displays at the show."

The theme of the show, being jointly organized by the civil aviation ministry and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), will be 'India: The Emerging Aviation Hub' and will also showcase growth opportunities in the sector.

Other highlights of the event will be display of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Air India colours, participation of Piaggio Aero, Russian aerospace major IRKUT, Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Embrear, Gulfstream, Hawker beechcraft and UAC-Sukhoi.

A postage Stamp to mark the centenary of civil aviation in India will also be released on Wednesday. The event was first launched in 2008.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/ne....php?id=652010

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home

HYDERABAD, MARCH 13:
Aircraft maker Airbus will exhibit its corporate jet ACJ-318 for the first time in India during India Aviation 2012 that gets under way here from March 14.

Airbus has won some 170 orders since it delivered its first corporate jet in the mid-1980s.

As Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) prepares for the India Aviation exhibit, the company said it continues to lead the market for aircraft delivered into India over the last decade.

Industry data show that more than 60 per cent of all business aircraft — from turboprops to super-midsize business jets — delivered into India in the past decade have been Hawker Beechcraft products.

According to JETNET research, 58 per cent of the business aircraft registered in India are HBC products.

Mr Dan Keady, Vice-President, Asia, Australia and India, said the company has is expanded its customer service and support capabilities in the region to reflect increased activity.

FLEET

The HBC fleet in India includes aircraft from across its product line, with the most popular models being the Hawker 125 series, King Air B200/250 and King Air C90.

“Hawker Beechcraft owns 86 per cent market share among business turboprops in India,” Mr Keady said.

HBC will showcase three of its products — Hawker 4000, Hawker 900XP and King Air C90GTx — during the aviation show.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/12251813.cms

HYDERABAD: Bombardier, a Canada-based manufacturer of commercial aircraft and business jets has forecast that the Asia-Pacific region including China will take delivery of about 4,000 aircraft in the 20-to 149-seat category over the next twenty years of which 1,300 will be in India.

India's large land mass, large population and strong economic performance are driving the growth in the country's domestic air travel, which is increasing proportionately with the development of the country's middle-class community, Bombardier said in a statement.

"Business aviation in India is experiencing rapid growth. Bombardier's latest market forecast for the aviation industry predicts a total delivery of 1,330 business jets destined for India over the next 20 years," the statement said.

As demand for business and commercial aircraft continues to accelerate within the Asia-Pacific region; Bombardier Aerospace will demonstrate the growing importance of this dynamic market at the Third International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation, India Aviation 2012, it further said.

There will be an impressive display of Bombardier'sLearjet 60XR, Challenger 300 and Global 5000 business jets, as well as the Q400 NextGen turboprop.

India Aviation 2012 biennial show will be open to trade visitors from March 14 to 16, and open to the public from March 17 to March 18.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...hyderabad.html

Embraer Executive Jets are participating in the third International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation (India Aviation) from March 14 to 18 at Begumpet Airport.

Located at Chalet No 14, the 2012 version of the Legacy 650 executive jet is making its Indian debut during the show.

It features refinements to its interior, a state-of-the-art cabin management system and offers increased efficiency and safety, significantly raising the bar for jets in its class.

Also on static display will be the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 executive jets, introduced in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

More than 300 of the entry-level and light aircraft have since been delivered. The Phenom 100 also recently achieved more than 100,000 flight hours.

“India is key to our growth strategy in the Asia Pacific,” said Jose Eduardo Costas, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, Asia Pacific–Embraer Executive Jets.

“With a growing, active business jet fleet, of which more than 60 per cent is less than 10 years old, India, is a prime market for the development of the business jet industry and we expect it to be largest market in this region, outside of China.

A third of the active Embraer executive jet fleet in service in the Asia Pacific region is based in India,” he added.

Embraer has also invested in developing a customer service network across the Asia Pacific. In India, Embraer has appointed Airworks and Indamer Pvt Ltd as Embraer Authorized Service Centres (EASC) to provide maintenance services for the Phenom 100, Legacy 600/650 as well as Lineage 1,000 jets.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetai...ils130312k.php

The India Aviation 2012 is being held from March 14-18.

The 3rd edition of this premier international exhibition and conference on civil aviation will showcase and share with stakeholders growth opportunities in Indian aviation sector.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘India: The Emerging Aviation Hub’.

The Key Highlights of the Show are:

i) First ever display of Boeing 787 (Dreamliner) in India will be the major attraction at India Aviation 2012.

ii) Piaggio Aero will be a part of India Aviation 2012 with aircraft participation and Hospitality Chalet.

iii) Renowned Russian Aerospace organization IRKUT participating for the first time in India Aviation Show.

iv) Leading business and commercial aircraft manufactures including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Embrear, Gulfstream, Hawker beechcraft, Piaggio Aero, UAC-Sukhoi, IRKUT-Berieve etc will participate in India Aviation 2012.

v) The event will also witness presence of major Helicopter manufacturers like Augusta Westland, BELL-Textron group, Eurocopter-EADS and UTC Sikorsky in the India Aviation 2012 Show.

The Largest event on civil aviation in India will offer a 6000 sqm exhibition space, 18 Hospitality Chalets and more than 25 aircrafts on display.

Postage Stamp to mark centenary of Civil Aviation in India will also be released on March 14.

The event would bring together senior Government Officials, aviation business leaders, airlines, airport operators and regulators, air navigation service providers, aircraft component manufacturers, technology providers, consultants, bilateral and multilateral agencies etc. for active discourse to address a wide range of pertinent challenges facing the aviation industry.

The country pavilions from UK, France, USA, Russia, Belgium, New Zealand, Canada and several other countries and leading business and commercial aircraft manufacturers are being established in the Show. The event will witness over 25 aircrafts for static and flying display at the show.

India Aviation Show 2012 is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) biennially.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/12256120.cms

HYDERABAD: Buoyed by its soaring sales in the Indian market, the Euro 5.4 billion turnover Franco-German-Spanish helicopter giant Eurocopter Group, which set up its Indian subsidiary Eurocopter India in 2010, is hoping to race past Bell Helicopter to emerge as the numero uno helicopter player in India over the next 5 years.

As part of its India ambitions, Europter, which is a part of aerospace giant EADS that also makes Airbus, is not only planning to unleash the new 'T2' and `e' (enhanced) range of offerings in India that will be more cost-effective and suited to Indian conditions, it would also be tapping new emerging markets like emergency medical services, utility, heli-tourism, law enforcement and search and rescue in India, Eurocopter India chief executive officer Xavier Hay told newspersons here on Tuesday.

"Our achievements in the first year augur well for Eurocopter India's future in this high growth market. The bookings that we received in the first quarter of 2012 is an encouraging sign that we will end the year on a high note," Hay said.

On the company's strategy to tap new market segments, Hay said that India offers a huge potential and while Eurocopter already has a good existing market in the passenger transportation segment comprising private, VIP and oil and gas segments, it was focusing on developing new market segments like emergency medical services. "We are already working with Indian companies, institutions and hospitals for tapping the helicopter emergency services and disaster management segment," he said.

According to him, Eurocopter India had delivered a strong performance in the first year of operation as a full-fledged Eurocopter subsidiary leading the market with 65% of new aircraft deliveries in 2011 with nine brand new turbine helicopters out of a total of 14 registered with DGCA last year.

Currently, Eurocopter has 29 customers that operate 80 helicopters in the civilian market with a total 500,000 flight hours and 360 helicopters in the military market in India. He also pointed out that Eurocopter had managed to double its fleet in India from 41 since 2005. On whether the company was mulling an assembly unit in India, Hay said though there were no immediate plans on the cards, it could not rule out the possibility of putting one up in the future. He also said that with Hyderabad emerging as a major aviation hub the company may look to set up some operations here in the future. The company will be showcasing models from its two renowned helicopter families - Ecureuil and Dauphin - at the India Aviation 2012 show that kicks off in the city on Wednesday.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.livemint.com/2012/03/1415...-MRO-in-N.html

Hyderabad/New Delhi: Boeing Co. will start its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Nagpur toward the end of this year, a month ahead of schedule. The company had pledged to set up the facility in return for state-run Air India’s order for 64 Boeing planes that was signed in 2006.

“We will complete the MRO by November,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific and India sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The facility was to have been completed in December, he said.


Construction began last year in January at the facility, which involves a total investment of around $100 million.
The MRO will be able to handle one Boeing 777, 787 or 747 aircraft or three 737s at one time.

Meanwhile, GMR Group’s GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) inaugurated its MRO at Hyderabad airport on Tuesday. The facility is run by MAS GMR Aero Technic Ltd (MGAT), a wholly owned unit of MAS GMR Aerospace Engineering Co. Ltd, an equal joint venture partnership between Malaysian Aerospace Engineering Sdn. Bhd. and GHIAL.

MGAT will service narrow-bodied aircraft such as the Boeing 737 NG, the ATR 42/72 and Airbus A320s, besides wide-bodied ones such as the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

Boeing Co. BA -0.08% and the Indian government clashed in a rare public dispute over whether the jet maker had agreed to pay up to $500 million for delays in delivering its new 787 Dreamliner jet.

A senior Indian government official said Wednesday that Boeing had been asked to pay nearly $1 billion to state-owned carrier Air India Ltd. "We met Boeing two weeks ago, and they agreed to a [compensation] amount of up to $500 million, but we have asked for more," Prashant Sukul, joint secretary of the country's aviation ministry told reporters.

Enlarge Image

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets seen at the Boeing production facilities in Everett, Wash., last month.

Boeing disputed that statement, breaking its previous silence in discussing contract terms. "We're not writing anybody a check for $500 million," Jim Albaugh, chief executive of Boeing's commercial-airliner unit, said at a J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. aviation conference in New York.

Compensation for delivery delays often takes forms other than cash payments. Chicago-based Boeing has sought to minimize the impact of Dreamliner delays and production snarls by offering sweetheart deals to various airlines on new orders and flexibility in accepting deliveries of existing ones.

Still, Air India's long, public battle for compensation has made it a touchstone for what analysts estimated could be the equivalent of billions of dollars in penalties. The carrier, which has ordered 27 Dreamliners, will be among the first airlines to take delivery of the new long-range plane. Boeing has delivered five of the jets so far, three years behind schedule, to launch customer All Nippon Airways Co. 9202.TO -0.39% of Japan.

Indian airlines are among the largest customers for Boeing and rival Airbus. But a crisis engulfing the country's aviation industry following a price war and soaring fuel prices has left executives on edge. Discount carrier IndiGo has produced consistent earnings. But Air India, Jet Airways (India) Ltd., SpiceJet Ltd. and Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. are struggling.

"We think the airline industry in India has to suffer with high fuel prices and high taxes. Revenue doesn't cover cost and we find the airlines are in trouble," said Kiran Rao, executive vice president for global sales and marketing for Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. EAD.FR +0.56%

Executives remained bullish about the sector's long-term prospects, however. India is expected to generate demand for 1,000 commercial aircraft in the next two decades, Mr. Rao said at an air show in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Mr. Albaugh reiterated that Boeing aims to deliver 70 to 85 of its newest models—the Dreamliner and the 747-8—to airlines this year.

Boeing is under pressure to speed up production of the Dreamliner to reduce a backlog of more than 850 of the twin-aisle jet. The company plans to increase output to five planes a month "sometime this fall" from 3.5 today, Mr. Albaugh said.

[rockystone]

Indian Rotorcraft breaks ground for Hyderabad copter facility

[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]Artists impression of new Indian Rotorcraft facility.



Indian Rotorcraft, a joint venture company of Tata Sons and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, will assemble, customise and flight-test new helicopters at a facility in Hyderabad for the global market.

The joint venture will initially start producing the 8-seat AW119Ke light helicopter, with production commencing from mid-2013.

Indian Rotorcraft has announced that the ground breaking ceremony was held at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, marking the start of construction of a new helicopter production facility.

The ceremony was performed in the presence of Mr Ratan N Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland and other dignitaries.

In a statement, Mr Ratan Tata said: “The project is integral to our plans in the aerospace sector and we look forward to an enduring and successful partnership with AgustaWestland for fostering the growth of the Indian aerospace sector.”

Mr Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland, said, “Our joint venture with Tata Sons will play an important role in the development of the Indian aerospace industry. Not only will this new facility be able to build helicopters for the Indian market but it will supply helicopters to AgustaWestland customers around the world.”

The facility is being built on a 10-acre site adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, and include a 9,000 sq.m. building incorporating a main assembly building, flight hangar, office accommodation and outside several helicopter landing pads.

The facility will be capable of producing up to 30 helicopters per year and is designed to be further developed for other helicopter types, right up to the 16-ton AW101.

AgustaWestland has its operations in Italy, the UK, Poland and the US, with a global presence through its network of industrial partners.

[Gudavalli]

Originally Posted by rockystone

Indian Rotorcraft breaks ground for Hyderabad copter facility

[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]Artists impression of new Indian Rotorcraft facility.



Indian Rotorcraft, a joint venture company of Tata Sons and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, will assemble, customise and flight-test new helicopters at a facility in Hyderabad for the global market.

The joint venture will initially start producing the 8-seat AW119Ke light helicopter, with production commencing from mid-2013.

Indian Rotorcraft has announced that the ground breaking ceremony was held at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, marking the start of construction of a new helicopter production facility.

The ceremony was performed in the presence of Mr Ratan N Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland and other dignitaries.

In a statement, Mr Ratan Tata said: “The project is integral to our plans in the aerospace sector and we look forward to an enduring and successful partnership with AgustaWestland for fostering the growth of the Indian aerospace sector.”

Mr Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland, said, “Our joint venture with Tata Sons will play an important role in the development of the Indian aerospace industry. Not only will this new facility be able to build helicopters for the Indian market but it will supply helicopters to AgustaWestland customers around the world.”

The facility is being built on a 10-acre site adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, and include a 9,000 sq.m. building incorporating a main assembly building, flight hangar, office accommodation and outside several helicopter landing pads.

The facility will be capable of producing up to 30 helicopters per year and is designed to be further developed for other helicopter types, right up to the 16-ton AW101.

AgustaWestland has its operations in Italy, the UK, Poland and the US, with a global presence through its network of industrial partners.

Excellent news!
I was just about to post that article!

[sun124]

http://www.agustawestland.com/news/i...lity-hyderabad

Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, said at the ceremony “The project is integral to our plans in the aerospace sector and we look forward to an enduring and successful partnership with AgustaWestland for fostering the growth of the Indian aerospace sector.”
Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland added “We are very pleased through our joint venture with Tata Sons to be playing an important role in the development of the Indian aerospace industry. Not only will this new facility be able to build helicopters for the Indian market but importantly it will supply helicopters to AgustaWestland customers around the world.” He added “Indian Rotorcraft will initially create jobs for more than 70 highly skilled staff who will be trained by AgustaWestland. We see great potential to expand this facility in the future to become a support centre and production centre for other helicopter types.”

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/b...w/12283667.cms

HYDERABAD: With India emerging as one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world, aircraft majors are increasingly eyeing India as a global sourcing base for aircraft components as well as software.

Already, aerospace giants like European Airbus and US-based Boeing are sourcing components for not just existing offerings but also some of their latest offerings like the A-380 and 787 Dreamliner as part of their offset obligations and are now looking to step up their India sourcing programme, be it for big or small components or even engineering and software.

Under the Indian government's offset policy, aerospace firms are obliged to procure materials and services from within India equivalent to 30% of the contract value. While both the players have already set up R&D centres in Bangalore, Airbus has an India sourcing programme of Euro 150 million while Boeing has a $1.7 billion offset programme with India. They are also relying on Indian IT players like Infosys, Wipro, HCL and even Hyderabad-based companies like Infotech Enterprises and Mahindra Satyam for engineering and software requirements, with companies like HAL and Tatas also supplying aircraft components.

According to Airbus, there are nearly 2,000 people across Indian engineering and manufacturing companies that contribute to all aircraft programmes across the Airbus supply chain.

"Every A380 will have 16 made-in-India evacuation slides that are made by Goodrich. Also, for every second A-320 aircraft, the forward passenger doors are made in India by HAL and every single A320 we deliver will have made-in-India flap-track beams supplied by Dynamatis," Dr Srinivasan Dwarkanath, vice-president (international cooperation), Asia-Pacific and Middle East said.

While Airbus has 28 suppliers in India, it already has an Airbus Engineering Centre in India where it employs over 270 engineers and is looking to ramp this up to over 450 engineers in the next three years, he added. "Airbus' industrial partnerships in India span engineering, IT services, training, technical publications and research and technology and also includes manufacturing of aircraft parts and sub-assemblies such as doors and wing components for our aircraft and we are looking at consolidating," he said.

Boeing senior vice-president (sales) of Asia Pacific and India Dinesh Keskar pointed out that its R&D centre in Bangalore that currently employs around 30 engineers was looking at ramping it up over the next few years. "The Tatas will be making floor beams for the Dreamliner while Infotech Enterprises and HCL are working on the software and engineering services," Keskar explained.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/madeinhyd...40-60-121.html

HYDERABAD: The first fully-built made-in-Hyderabad helicopter is likely to be rolled out four to five years from now if the expansion plans of Sikorsky Aircraft Manufacturing are anything to go by. The company, which produces helicopter cabins in Andhra Pradesh, said it would be manufacturing two to three fully-built S-92 helicopters every month after 2015-16.
“We are building the production process line. Besides cabins, we are also producing over 4,000 components in Andhra Pradesh. By 2013, we hope to achieve localisation of up to 80 percent. Once we reach that milestone, we will be just a step away from building an entire helicopter that’s fully made in Hyderabad. We have set ourselves to touch this target by 2015-16,” AJS Walia, managing director (India & South Asia), Sikorsky, told Express.
Besides Adibatla unit in Ranga Reddy district, Sikorsky has several manufacturing units across the world, including those in China, Holland, Turkey and Columbia and other South American countries. “Globally, we produce 2-3 helicopters every month at each plant. When the production line falls in place, the Hyderabad facility too will roll out 2-3 S-92s,” Walia explained.
The facility at Adibatla is the country’s first cabin manufacturing unit and the company is currently in the process of shifting the S-92 helicopter production line from Japan to Andhra Pradesh. Besides S-92, Sikorsky is also open to bring in other production lines to Hyderabad. “There’s an opportunity to add to the production line. But we don’t have concrete plans right now,” he added.
Sikorsky, the helicopter manufacturing division of Hanford-based United Technologies Corp, which partnered with Tata Advanced Systems, is now ramping up S-92 cabin production from the current two cabins a month to three cabins by 2013.
“From a single shift, we will now switch to two shifts and by December 2013, we will have produced 36 cabins,” he added.
Subsequently, the company will also recruit more employees depending on the requirement. Tatas invested over Rs 1,000 crore in the facility that manufactures S-92 helicopters--a 4-blade twin-engine medium lift helicopter for civil operations. The helicopters perform search, rescue missions, transport oil workers to offshore platforms.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Sec...3311331902975/

CASCINA COSTA DI SAMARATE, Italy, March 16 (UPI) -- A joint venture of AgustaWestland and Tata Sons of India has begun construction of a helicopter production plant in India.

The facility of Indian Rotorcraft will be at the Rajiv Gandhi Airport in Hyderabad and will assemble, customize and flight test new helicopters for the international market.

The first aircraft it will produce is the AW119Ke light helicopter, beginning next year.

"We are very pleased through our joint venture with Tata Sons to be playing an important role in the development of the Indian aerospace industry," AgustaWestland Chief Executive Officer Bruno Spagnolini said at a ground breaking ceremony.

"Not only will this new facility be able to build helicopters for the Indian market but importantly it will supply helicopters to AgustaWestland customers around the world.

"Indian Rotorcraft will initially create jobs for more than 70 highly skilled staff who will be trained by AgustaWestland. We see great potential to expand this facility in the future to become a support center and production center for other helicopter types."



Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Sec...#ixzz1pKDqQyKO

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://rotor.com/Publications/RotorN...7/Default.aspx

Indian Rotorcraft is pleased to announce that a ground breaking ceremony has been held at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, marking the start of construction of a new helicopter production facility and a new step in the development of the Indian aerospace industry. The ground breaking ceremony was conducted in the presence of Mr. Ratan N Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons; Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland and other dignitaries.

Indian Rotorcraft is a joint venture company formed by Tata Sons and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, that will assemble, customise and flight test new helicopters for the worldwide market. The joint venture will initially start to produce the 8-seat AW119Ke light helicopter, with production commencing from mid-2013.

Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, said at the ceremony “The project is integral to our plans in the aerospace sector and we look forward to an enduring and successful partnership with AgustaWestland for fostering the growth of the Indian aerospace sector.” Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland added “We are very pleased through our joint venture with Tata Sons to be playing an important role in the development of the Indian aerospace industry. Not only will this new facility be able to build helicopters for the Indian market but importantly it will supply helicopters to AgustaWestland customers around the world.” He added “Indian Rotorcraft will initially create jobs for more than 70 highly skilled staff who will be trained by AgustaWestland. We see great potential to expand this facility in the future to become a support centre and production centre for other helicopter types.”

The Tata Group comprises over 100 operating companies in seven business sectors: communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals. The Group has operations in more than 80 countries across six continents, and its companies export products and services to 85 countries. The total revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was $83.3 billion (around Rs3,796.75 billion) in 2010-11, with 58 per cent of this coming from business outside India. Tata companies employ over 425,000 people worldwide. The Tata name has been respected in India for more than 140 years for its adherence to strong values and business ethics.

Every Tata company or enterprise operates independently. Each of these companies has its own board of directors and shareholders, to whom it is answerable. There are 31 publicly listed Tata enterprises and they have a combined market capitalisation of about $89.29 billion (as on March 7, 2012), and a shareholder base of 3.6 million. The major Tata companies are Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Global Beverages, Tata Teleservices, Titan, Tata Communications and Indian Hotels.

AgustaWestland has been present in India since the 1930s when the Westland Wapiti was the very first aircraft flown by the Indian Air Force, and then over 40 years ago AgustaWestland commenced the supply and support of the Indian Navy’s Sea King fleet. More recently it has achieved significant success with its commercial helicopter range for VIP and corporate transport, offshore oil and gas support and general charter operations. Nearly 50 AgustaWestland commercial helicopters have been sold in India in the last six years including almost 20 AW139 medium twins.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...s-mushroom-534

Regional airlines are all set to drive the growth of the Indian civil aviation sector as large carriers struggle to sustain themselves. Several aircraft makers are vying to woo the new entrants to the commercial aviation.

“Most regional airlines were running short haul charter flights. However, with airports popping up in small cities, regional airlines are planning to foray into commercial aviation space,” said Mr Saurabh Shah, the head of commercial operations for Bengaluru-based airport developer Regional Airport Holdings Intern-ational (RAHI) Ltd.

The companies, who are planning to launch commercial flights or quasi- commerical flights incl-ude Bengaluru-based Dec-can, New Delhi-based Religare Voyages and Hyderabad-based Turbo Aviation.
According to an official of Religare Voyages, the company has got permission to operate a regional commercial airline Mantra, which would initially operate in north India. The operational date of the airline is yet to be decided.

Speaking to this newspaper, an official of Deccan said that the company has long-term plans to start a commercial airline. But in the short term, they may run unscheduled flights to small towns.

The advent of small and short-haul aircraft, which can land on shorter runways, and the development of airports in smaller cities are expected to spur the development of regional aviation.

Under the 12th Five-Year Plan, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to develop and operationalise the existing 25 small non-operations airports in the country.

Hyderabad-based regional airline Turbo, which bought a 19-seater aircraft from Czech Republic’s LET Aircraft Industries, announced its plans to start its service to tier-2 cities in Andhra Pradesh. The service is expected to start in the next four months.

“Initially, the company would fly to Kadapa, Tirupati, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada from Hyderabad. It also plans Vijayawada-Vizag and Kadapa-Bengaluru routes. A ticket in the 19-seater aircraft to Tirupati could cost `2,000,” said Mr V. Umesh, the managing director of Turbo Aviation.

Mr Miroslav Kozisek, commercial director of LET Aircraft Industries, says that their aircraft are made for the rugged Indian conditions. “These aircraft don’t require an airstrip. They can land even on unpaved surfaces. The 19-seater commuter aircraft with the high wing design and and low maintenance is ideal for the Indian market.”

Indian aircraft maker Mahindra Aerospace has entered into a deal to sell an unspecified number of eight-seater aircraft to a company, which plans to operate regional commerical operations.

Ventura Airconnect, a six-month-old company with focus on short-haul flights, operates 19 flights a day on its 19-seater Cessna B208s, with a hitherto unconnected Bhopal-Indore route. The fare starts from `1,500. The company expects to ferry 68,000 passengers and break even in a year.

“There is a tremendous growth potential in Madhya Pradesh, where road conditions are bad. We hope that the government create new airstrips and repair existing ones,” Mr Arun Tiwari, head of sales and marketing, Ventura Airconnect.

It has recently expanded into Maharashtra and is currently in talks with the AP government.
“India remains an untapped market with a huge potential. There is scope for a pan-India presence” said Mr Nigel Har-wood of ESTD, which represents Czech airplane maker LET in India.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.constructionweekonline.in...ation_academy/

At the inaugural function of ‘India Aviation -2012’ in Begumpet, Hyderabad recently, International Air Transport Association (IATA) signed an MOU with GMR Aviation Academy, accrediting the latter as the Authorized Training Center (ATC) for the Aviation related programs in India. Representing IATA, Antony Tyler, Director General & CEO and Maunu Von Lueders, Regional Vice President Asia Pacific and Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman - Airports and PS Nair, CEO Corporate- Airports representing GMR Airports signed the MOU.
To start with, GMR Aviation Academy will conduct three IATA Certificate Programs, viz; Airport Operations, Travel & Tourism and DGR Courses. GMR AA already been appointed by Airport Council International (ACI) as its Global Training Hub (GTH) worldwide. DGCA has accredited GMR Aviation Academy to conduct the Dangerous Goods Regulation trainings. It has also signed an MOU with ‘Incheon International Airport Aviation Academy’ for joint development and delivery of training programs. GMR AA is in the process of acquiring ICAO’s TRAINAIR PLUS stature.
GMR AA earlier achieved 'a first in India' when it hosted ACI/ICAO‘s AMPAP Gateway program –(Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program – Air Transport Systems) towards an International Airport Professional (IAP) designation. GMR Airports with four Airports in India and abroad, viz Delhi, Hyderabad, Male and Istanbul; have its Aviation Academy functioning from its GMR Hyderabad International Airport Campus in Shamshabad, Hyderabad since 2009.

[ygvjs2000]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/12336033.cms
Eurocopter gets 3 new bookings
HYDERABAD: The five-day civil aviation mega show India Aviation 2012 has proven to be lucrative for Eurocopter India.

The helicopter giant said it had snagged three new bookings for light and medium class helicopters including an AS350 B3e, EC135 and EC155 from corporate customers at the just-concluded show in the city. The choppers will be delivered within this year.

While GR Constructions ordered an AS350 B3e for business use, two undisclosed customers booked EC 135 and 155 for corporate travel, the company said in a communique. The twin-engine aircrafts offer comfortable rides both for passenger transport and business aviation. In corporate configuration, an EC135 can seat up to six passengers, while EC155 can take up to nine, the company said.

"Business aviation is one of the key segments that is driving the growth of the helicopter market in India. These bookings mark a good start to the year," Xavier Hay, CEO, Eurocopter India, said in a statement. He said that the company would continue working on developing other segments such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, utility and aerial work in India, where Eurocopter claims a 65% market share of total deliveries in 2011.