Air travel on all classes in both domestic and international sectors is likely to become costlier with the government expanding the scope of air transport services to attract service tax.
"The scope of air passenger transport service is being expanded to include domestic journeys and international journeys in any class," said the memorandum explaining the provisions of the 2010-11 Finance Bill, presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament on Friday.
So far, service tax was imposed only on international travel on First and Business classes. The government, however, has proposed to exclude from the taxable value the statutory taxes charged by foreign governments, it said, indicating airport taxes charged at foreign destinations.
The definition of 'airport services' was also being amended to include all services provided within the airport premises. An authorisation from the airport authority "would not be a pre-condition for taxing these services", it said.
The Finance Minister also announced that rate of tax on services will be retained at 10 per cent and added that certain services hitherto untaxed would be brought within the purview of service tax levy. These services will be notified separately, he said.
Source://ibnlive.in.com
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Alpine Air to commence regional flights
The airline would be operating daily flights between Kathmandu and Delhi using an Airbus A319-100 leased from Bahrain Air. The company has not fixed the fare for Kathmandu-New Delhi-Kathmandu flight yet.
Alpine had planned to go international five months ago, but the proposed service never got off the ground due to permission hassles in India, it is learnt.
The airlines will also start flights to Kuala Lumpur in April 2010 followed by flights to Guangzhou in Chan and Doha in Qatar.
Flight operation on the eve of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is expected to bolster the tourism industry of the country.
Alpine Air’s Airbus 319-100 has 132 seats - 12 business class seats and 120 economy class seats - suitable for regional flights.
Zenith Travels is Alpine's general sales agent (GSA) in Nepal while Inter-Group Enterprises has been appointed GSA for India.Source:.nepalnews.com
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Jet resumes flight after 5-day pilots' strike
Jet Airways resumed operations on a modest scale with 37 flights Sunday after a crippling five-day strike by pilots ended overnight.
Two of the flights - Mumbai-Dubai and return - were operated on an international route.
On the domestic route, flights would operate on the Mumbai-Delhi, Vadodara-Mumbai, Delhi-Mumbai, Mumbai-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Mangalore (including return), Mumbai-Hyderababad (return), Mumbai-Chennai, Ahmedabad-Delhi, Delhi-Lucknow (return), Delhi-Vadodara (return), Madurai-Chennai, Chennai-Coimbatore and Chennai-Bengaluru (return).
Resource:economictimes.indiatimes.com
Two of the flights - Mumbai-Dubai and return - were operated on an international route.
On the domestic route, flights would operate on the Mumbai-Delhi, Vadodara-Mumbai, Delhi-Mumbai, Mumbai-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Mangalore (including return), Mumbai-Hyderababad (return), Mumbai-Chennai, Ahmedabad-Delhi, Delhi-Lucknow (return), Delhi-Vadodara (return), Madurai-Chennai, Chennai-Coimbatore and Chennai-Bengaluru (return).
Resource:economictimes.indiatimes.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
Air India to convert several business class flights to all-economy
Air India, the flag carrier operated by National Aviation Co. of India Ltd (Nacil), will replace several of its West Asian flights that offer business class travel with all-economy flights of its discount carrier in an attempt to reduce costs and increase revenue.
Business class travel has been declining globally amid an economic slowdown, according to numbers released by the International Air Transport Association, an airline lobbying group. Global travel on premium tickets declined 23.8% in May from a year earlier; economy travel was down 7.6% in the same month.
“There is hardly any business class required (in West Asia),” said an Air India official, who didn’t want to be named.
The carrier’s low-cost affiliate, Air India Express, operates 186 flights a week between India and West Asia and South-East Asia. The airline will increase its services to West Asia to make up for the flights Air India plans to pull, said a government official who asked not to be named.
Mint couldn’t immediately ascertain the number of flights and destinations involved in the route rationalization plan.
Air India has committed to undertake an overhaul of its business operations, restructure its massive Rs15,241 crore debt, raise funds through a public offering in fiscal 2011 and convert three out of four of its flights into low-fare services.
Air India and the erstwhile Indian Airlines were united under Nacil in 2007. The flag carrier continued to fly several sectors in West Asia and South-East Asia with Indian Airlines’ IC code. Some of the West Asian sectors will be now serviced by Air India Express.
Flights such as Amritsar-Sharjah, Lucknow-Sharjah and those from Kochi and Kozhikode connecting destinations in West Asia may be handed to the low-cost carrier to operate.
Air India Express will also return three leased aircraft from its existing fleet of 22 Boeing 737-800 jets. With the same number of new aircraft to be delivered by Boeing Co. over the next three months, the fleet size of the subsidiary will remain at 22. The discount carrier is also set to start domestic discount services from next month with 10 Airbus SAS-made A320 aircraft.
Ahead of Air India Express’ September launch of its domestic services, Jet Airways (India) Ltd said on Thursday that its all-economy service, Jet Konnect, would increase flights on domestic routes from 135 to 180 daily between 3 September and 1 October.
The additional flights would be those operated previously by Jet Airways with aircraft that offered business class seats, besides economy. Jet Airways chief executive officer Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said in a statement that the move was in response to “strong demand for Konnect services on these domestic routes”.
Source:www.livemint.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Swine flu: Thermal scanners to be installed at Delhi airport (Lead)
New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) Thermal scanners, which scan the body temperature of a person, will be installed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport for early detection of suspected influenza A(H1N1) cases coming from affected countries, health officials said Friday.
The decision to install thermal scanners was taken at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar Thursday evening, as the World Health Organisation declared swine flu a pandemic and raised the alert against it to the highest level of Phase 6.
India Friday reported another fresh swine flu case in Hyderabad taking the total number of positive cases to 16.
“To begin with, four to six thermal scanners will be installed at the IGI airport and based on the feedback we might install them at other airports too,” Vineet Chawdhry, joint secretary in the health ministry, told reporters here.
Thermal scanners can point out individuals with raised body temperatures that could be indicative of a fever, a key symptom of A(H1N1), even as they walk past.
The instruments are being used globally since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) flu outbreak. Those who have higher body temperature are indicated by red colouring, as compared to others who have been in the same environment with them.
Chawdhry said: “There is a threshold temperature (normal) fed in the scanner and if the body temperature of a person passing the scanner is more than that, it is indicated on the scanner.”
However, he said the scanners are very sensitive and the threshold temperature automatically increases with increase in the surrounding temperature.
“We will check its effectiveness during the peak hour,” Chawdhry added.
Meanwhile, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the developer of the IGI airport, said that screening of passengers for swine flu had been stepped up at the airport.
“The screening is being done round-the-clock on passengers arriving at the international terminal. Passengers coming by international flights are requested to report at the health desk for thorough screening,” Arun Arora, a spokesperson for DIAL said.
According to health ministry, screening at 21 international airports in the country is on and so far 1.7 million people have been screened for the flu.
The H1N1 virus has spread to 74 countries and a total of 28,000 confirmed cases have been registered from across the world, he added.
Source:thaindian.com
The decision to install thermal scanners was taken at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar Thursday evening, as the World Health Organisation declared swine flu a pandemic and raised the alert against it to the highest level of Phase 6.
India Friday reported another fresh swine flu case in Hyderabad taking the total number of positive cases to 16.
“To begin with, four to six thermal scanners will be installed at the IGI airport and based on the feedback we might install them at other airports too,” Vineet Chawdhry, joint secretary in the health ministry, told reporters here.
Thermal scanners can point out individuals with raised body temperatures that could be indicative of a fever, a key symptom of A(H1N1), even as they walk past.
The instruments are being used globally since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) flu outbreak. Those who have higher body temperature are indicated by red colouring, as compared to others who have been in the same environment with them.
Chawdhry said: “There is a threshold temperature (normal) fed in the scanner and if the body temperature of a person passing the scanner is more than that, it is indicated on the scanner.”
However, he said the scanners are very sensitive and the threshold temperature automatically increases with increase in the surrounding temperature.
“We will check its effectiveness during the peak hour,” Chawdhry added.
Meanwhile, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the developer of the IGI airport, said that screening of passengers for swine flu had been stepped up at the airport.
“The screening is being done round-the-clock on passengers arriving at the international terminal. Passengers coming by international flights are requested to report at the health desk for thorough screening,” Arun Arora, a spokesperson for DIAL said.
According to health ministry, screening at 21 international airports in the country is on and so far 1.7 million people have been screened for the flu.
The H1N1 virus has spread to 74 countries and a total of 28,000 confirmed cases have been registered from across the world, he added.
Source:thaindian.com
Monday, May 25, 2009
Paramount Airways Operates Inaugural Flight to Delhi
In a major move towards its rapidly expanding network, Paramount Airways announced the launch of its daily flights to Delhi from Chennai effective immediately. The airline forays into the northern India following the recent introduction of flights to Kolkata and north east India. The carrier will operate e-jet 175 on this route with a two class configuration of 11 seats in first class and 64 seats in business class.
Paramount Airways will enhance the connectivity of other southern Indian cities into the Capital. The flight I7 601 to the historic city, took off from Chennai at 16:35 hrs and reached the Indira Gandhi | GMR Airport at 18:55 hrs. On return, flight I7 602 from Delhi will depart at 19:40 and reach the Kamaraj Domestic Airport at 21:55 hrs.
On the launch of the new route, Managing Director, Paramount Airways M.Thiagarajan announced “Paramount Airways is delighted to be entering into northern India. We expect to see excellent passenger traffic from this route. We are confident that discerning passengers out of New Delhi will enjoy the unique Paramount Experience.”
“Our aircrafts are enabled with Satcom Technology (subject to regulatory approvals); by coming September we will be able to provide mobile connectivity in all our aircrafts. This will allow passengers to make calls during take off, landing and on cruise,” added Thiagarajan.
Paramount is now set to repeat its successful business model for its Northern India operations. Paramount Airways operates brand new e-jets with luxurious seating; gourmet cuisine with value added services, coupled with the airline's competitiveness has always ensured that it attracts discerning passengers.
Source:/indiaaviation.aero
Paramount Airways will enhance the connectivity of other southern Indian cities into the Capital. The flight I7 601 to the historic city, took off from Chennai at 16:35 hrs and reached the Indira Gandhi | GMR Airport at 18:55 hrs. On return, flight I7 602 from Delhi will depart at 19:40 and reach the Kamaraj Domestic Airport at 21:55 hrs.
On the launch of the new route, Managing Director, Paramount Airways M.Thiagarajan announced “Paramount Airways is delighted to be entering into northern India. We expect to see excellent passenger traffic from this route. We are confident that discerning passengers out of New Delhi will enjoy the unique Paramount Experience.”
“Our aircrafts are enabled with Satcom Technology (subject to regulatory approvals); by coming September we will be able to provide mobile connectivity in all our aircrafts. This will allow passengers to make calls during take off, landing and on cruise,” added Thiagarajan.
Paramount is now set to repeat its successful business model for its Northern India operations. Paramount Airways operates brand new e-jets with luxurious seating; gourmet cuisine with value added services, coupled with the airline's competitiveness has always ensured that it attracts discerning passengers.
Source:/indiaaviation.aero
Friday, May 15, 2009
AirAsia wants to expand in Singapore
AIRASIA is now the biggest low-cost carrier here operating 48 daily flights in and out of Singapore, says its group chief executive officer, Mr Tony Fernandes.
He wants to increase these to 60 by the end of this year when he expects to have more flights between Singapore and Penang.
New destinations in East Malaysia and the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula are also in the plan for AirAsia to continues its rapid growth in Singapore since last year, he says.
Mr Fernandes cites the integrated resorts in SIngapore as an example of the huge business potential for AirAsia and other budget airlines.
"But I think there must be more long-term planning for Changi Airport to cater to budget carriers," he says.
These carriers need more support from the airport to cut costs and solve other operational issues, he adds.
"There is no reason why we cannot do 100 flights per day. It is a volume game for us, but need low costs to offer low fares.
"We have a business model that is different from the model for full service airlines. You cannot treat all airlines the same way."
AirAsia recently won Skytrax's 2009 best low-cost airline award.
On May 7, it held the official launching ceremony for the Singapore-Langkawi daily flight from June 1, when it will also start a daily Singapore-Penang service and the daily eighth flight between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
To start the new service, it is offering a S$1 and a RM1 fare for flights from Singapore to Langkawi.
AirAsia's GoHoliday division is also offering its guests free rooms in its partner hotels in Langkawi. Go to goholiday.airasia.com to check out the special offer.
You can make bookings from May 7 till May 12.
The promotional first-come-first served airfare and free hotels rooms are subject to availability.
Source:travel.asiaone.com
He wants to increase these to 60 by the end of this year when he expects to have more flights between Singapore and Penang.
New destinations in East Malaysia and the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula are also in the plan for AirAsia to continues its rapid growth in Singapore since last year, he says.
Mr Fernandes cites the integrated resorts in SIngapore as an example of the huge business potential for AirAsia and other budget airlines.
"But I think there must be more long-term planning for Changi Airport to cater to budget carriers," he says.
These carriers need more support from the airport to cut costs and solve other operational issues, he adds.
"There is no reason why we cannot do 100 flights per day. It is a volume game for us, but need low costs to offer low fares.
"We have a business model that is different from the model for full service airlines. You cannot treat all airlines the same way."
AirAsia recently won Skytrax's 2009 best low-cost airline award.
On May 7, it held the official launching ceremony for the Singapore-Langkawi daily flight from June 1, when it will also start a daily Singapore-Penang service and the daily eighth flight between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
To start the new service, it is offering a S$1 and a RM1 fare for flights from Singapore to Langkawi.
AirAsia's GoHoliday division is also offering its guests free rooms in its partner hotels in Langkawi. Go to goholiday.airasia.com to check out the special offer.
You can make bookings from May 7 till May 12.
The promotional first-come-first served airfare and free hotels rooms are subject to availability.
Source:travel.asiaone.com
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