Aviation

Rahul Bhatia…A down-to-earth- Airline Success Story…

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Over the past decade and a half, India has seen the business community grow at a rapid pace. Fronting this growth have been a few names who have left an indelible mark on the way we do business in this country. These are people who have shaped the Indian economy. These are people who have changed our lives. These are the Indian Business Icons. 

Rahul BhatiaRahul Bhatia

These are not salad days for the Indian airline industry. With aviation fuel prices soaring, and the rupee dropping, airlines have been seeing a drastic reversal of all the gains made in the growth in city-to-city air travel in the past decade. While the most dramatic casualty was Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet and Jet, long industry leaders, are facing losses and decreasing market shares. Emerging as the winner in the airline sweepstakes is IndiGo, founded in 2006 and now the fastest-growing, biggest airline in the country. It has been an eventful journey of rapid growth, overtaking established players and cornering what, in 2014, amounted to a 36.1% market share.

SOURCE:::: http://www.infinance.yahoo.com

Natarajan

TransAsia Airways Plane Crashes into River…

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A PASSENGER plane with 58 people on board plunged into a river after clipping a road bridge outside Taiwan’s capital, with 27 people rescued so far, leaving others unaccounted for.

The number of fatalities are unclear, but the Taiwanese Civil Aviation Authority said in a press conference that there were nine confirmed deaths, 18 people were injured, and 31 people who were unaccounted for.

Local media has since reported that up to 19 are dead, but according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, the death toll has risen to 21.

Since the crash, terrifiying images have also emerged of how the plane went off course before it hit the bridge and then crashed into the river.

Dashboard cam showing the moments before a TransAsia plane crash in Taipei

Terrifying images … A montage of dashboard cam images showing the moments before the TransAsia Airways plane crash in New Taipei City. Source: Missxoxo168 / Twitter Source: Twitter 

The plane’s wing also hit a taxi, the driver of which was injured, on the freeway just before it crashed into the river, Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS reported.

The driver survived the incident and was taken to hospital for further medical treatment

Close call ... a taxi was clipped by the plane as it crashed. Picture: TVBS/YouTube

Close call … a taxi was clipped by the plane as it crashed. Picture: TVBS/YouTube Source: Supplied 

A TransAsia media office declined comment on possible reasons for the crash. Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration also was also unable to discuss possible causes of the crash.

The New Taipei City Fire Department has dispatched five rescue teams, equipped with speed boats, to the accident site near the Nanyang Bridge in Xizhi district, CNA said.

The aeroplane was flying to the offshore island of Kinmen and had only just left Taipei Songshan Airport when the accident happened.

TransAsia Airways was involved in another fatal crash less than a year ago, while attempting to land at Magong Airport on July 23. Forty-seven of the 58 people on board the ATR-72-500 were killed, and seven seriously injured when the plane crashed at the end of the runway and slid into residential buildings.

Prior to that, the Taiwan based airline was involved in a runway collision with a truck in March 2003. All 175 passengers and crew survived the incident at Tainan Airport when the truck trespassed the tarmac into the path of the A320.

Survuvors ... passengers from the TransAsia ATR 72-600 turboprop plane. Picture: AFP

Survivors … passengers from the TransAsia ATR 72-600 turboprop plane. Picture: AFP Source: AFP 

An injured passenger ... is escorted by emergency personnel up the river bank. Picture: A

An injured passenger … is escorted by emergency personnel up the river bank. Picture: AFP Source: AFP 

SOURCE:::: http://www.news.com.au

Natarajan

 

 

This Boy’s Space Idea Takes him to NASA…

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City boy’s space idea takes him to NASA
Sanjay Lakshminarayana
Sanjay will present a paper with a set of plans to explore the outer solar system and beyond

A 20-year-old Bengaluru boy is on his way to Texas to present a paper at the prestigious National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Sanjay Lakshminarayana, a mechanical engineering student, has been selected to present his ideas and attend conventions. These will study important observations made by recent planetary missions and emerging nuclear technologies for space exploration and travel.

The youngster, who has been interested in space since childhood, will present a set of plans to explore the outer solar system and beyond. The ideas will have a significant focus on nuclear systems as enabling technologies.

Sanjay said he would use this opportunity to discuss the knowledge gaps in exploration of extra-terrestrial environments and the most recent discoveries in this area.

The youngster, who also has an interest in car designing, told BM that his background in mechanical engineering provided a base for his interest in space exploration and his consistent research in the area.

Unexpected invite

The meetings on Sanjay’s agenda have been sponsored by NASA and the American Nuclear Society. Speaking on the unexpected invite, Sanjay said, “It was at a meeting in Russia, that a professor from NASA noticed my interest and sent me an invite for this year”.

Commenting on what this opportunity meant for him, he said, “I want to learn a lot about the latest developments and share my ideas with scientists from across the world. I am looking to gain immense knowledge, a sense of direction and meet people who will be able to help me in my research. ”

The meetings are scheduled between February 3 and March 16. These will be held at various locations including the Lunar Planetary Institute in Houston. Sanjay has also been invited to present his paper titled “The Magneto-Confined Fusion Ion Thruster” at the 2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2015) conference to be held in Albuquerque.

Sanjay’s schedule

1. 2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2015) conference, March 23rd-26th, Albuquerque

2.Workshop on Early Solar System Impact Bombardment III, February 4th-6th, Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.

SOURCE:::: Apurva Venkat, Bangalore Mirror Bureau  in http://www.bangaloremirror.com
Natarajan

Dubai Airport…Busiest in the World…

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Dubai Airport The Emirates Terminal at Dubai International Airport.

In 2014, Dubai International took the crown of “World’s Busiest Airport” from London Heathrow International.

More than 70.4 million international passengers moved through the Dubai’s ornate concourses, terminals, and duty-free shops in 2014, up 6.1% from 2013.

Dubai’s numbers were boosted by rapid expansion and a convenient international location.

Also helping the airport’s numbers was Emirates — the world’s busiest airline by international volume — and its fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbo jets, based in Dubai.

Heathrow moved a record-setting 68.1 million international passengers for the year, but clearly couldn’t keep up with Dubai’s growth.

Officials at Heathrow blamed a stalled plan for a third runway for the title loss, according to a spokesman.

Dubai is set to open another concourse this year — and is forecasting 79 million international visitors. Dubai Airports also said it’s planning to build a $US32-billion new airport in the country within 8 years. It will have capacity for 240 million passengers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

And it will need it to match up with Emirate’s growth projections!

Check out pictures of Dubai’s beautiful airport, below.

Dubai airport Duty-free shops in Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Airport A palm-tree lined waiting room in Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Aiport A beautiful concourse at Dubai International Airport.

SOURCE::::: http://www.businessinsider.com.au

Natarajan

 

Image For the Day… Picture Taken From ISS…

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Marking the 100th anniversary of the Rocky Mountain National Park on Jan. 26, 2015, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry Virts posted this photograph, taken from the International Space Station, to Twitter. Virts wrote, “Majestic peaks and trails! Happy 100th anniversary @RockyNPS So much beauty to behold in our @NatlParkService.”

Image Credit: NASA/Terry Virts 

SOURCE:::: http://www.nasa.gov

Natarajan

Jan 28 2015

Joke of the Day… ” yes or no … ” !!!

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It was dinner time on a British Airways flight from London to New York. As the flight attendant moved down the plane, she asked one of the passengers: “Would you like dinner?” “What are my choices?” asked the passenger. “Yes or No,” replied the attendant

SOURCE:::: http://www.joke a day.com

Natarajan

Jan 28 2015

Bitter Experience of a British Journalist with British Airways …

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British airways boeing 747

A British Airways Boeing 747.

First-class airline tickets are expensive. Prices can easily reach $US15,000 a flight, and that’s not even for the really opulent first-class suites that have become more prevalent on the most prestigious carriers.

Those go for as much as $US30,000.

Just for the sake of comparison, Mercedes-Benz is offering its CLA sedan — an entire car — for $US29,995.

For that kind of money, passengers in first class expect a fine glass of champagne, in-flight entertainment, and an environment free from … dried-on stains and thick layers of dust.

That’s why a YouTube video posted by British journalist Owen Thomas last weekend was so shocking. (CNN originally reported Thomas’ experience.)

In the 29-second video — which has garnered more than 1 million views — Thomas documented his “filthy” first-class experience on board a British Airways jet from London to St. Lucia.

Thomas grows increasingly annoyed as he shows off the “cheap, motel-esque” dried stains and deep layers of dust that encrust his very expensive seat.

“This is British Airways first class and it is absolutely filthy,” the enraged journalist says in the video. “You see the marks on here you can just scrape off with you finger.”

“It’s when you open your seat, the real horror begins. This is first class. This is British Airways first class. It’s disgusting,” Thomas added.

British Airways didn’t let the video pass without comment.

“We have contacted our customer to apologise. We are very sorry that on this occasion we have fallen short of our usual high standards,” a representative for the airline told the Telegraph.

“We pride ourselves on delivering a relaxing and pleasant experience in first class, and are taking immediate action to address this issue.”

Thomas’ encounter with what looks like a fairly offensive level of filth is alarming, given that BA has built a solid reputation in recent years for quality service, especially in the first class cabins. After all, the airline’s motto is “To Fly, To Serve.”

But this incident seems to be the exception rather than the rule. British Airways is a Skytrax four-star airline, and reviews for the carrier’s service are generally positive.

And besides, it’s not as if YouTube is jammed with videos about poorly cleaned first-class seats — on BA’s planes or anyone else’s.

SOURCE::::: BENJAMIN ZHANG  in  www.businessinsider.com .au  and YOU TUBE

Natarajan

Jan 24 2015

 

Portland Airport Carpet … Most Sought After and a Social Media Star too !!!

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Portlanders REALLY love their airport carpet.

Portlanders REALLY love their airport carpet. Source: Facebook 

 

THE carpet at the Portland Airport has a cult-like following and has become a social media superstar.

That’s right. The people of Portland love the kitsch pattern that lines the flooring of their provincial airport so much that it has its own Facebook, Instagram and Twitteraccounts.

The carpet’s celebrity has spread through the internet as a growing number of travellers partake in a ritual of photographing themselves on the famed flooring. Currently there are nearly 30,000 photos on Instagram with the hashtag #PDXcarpet.

This airport carpet has a cult following

This is what you’re supposed to do at Portland Airport. Picture: adamdachis. Source: Flickr 

 

The popularity of the carpet’s pattern has spawned an online store where one can pick up shirts, mugs, bags and even posters designed in the carpet’s likeness.

But such is the adoration and dedication to the carpet that those not content with a bag have even gone as far as getting the renowned pattern tattooed on them.

If you’re a tad perplexed, you’re not alone.

A spokesperson for PDX, Kama Simonds, seems equally baffled by the carpet’s stardom.

“Yes, other airports have carpets, but right now people seem to think we have a masterpiece of a welcome mat,” she told USA Today.

 

It seems the affection felt for the carpet lies in the nostalgic sentiment it holds for Portland residents returning to their beloved city.

When it was announced that the carpet would be getting replaced this month (albeit with a somewhat similar pattern) people’s reaction on social media was closer to disappointment than despair. But only just.

In an effort to comfort travellers and commemorate the beloved carpet, the airport has installed an artistic display which hangs on the wall over one of the gates entitled “Carpet Diem!”

The 3 metre by 5 metre collage is made of — you guessed it — pieces of that sacred carpet from throughout the terminal.

 

Public demand for the old carpet is likely to be high with an airport spokesperson telling the LA Times they are “offering a very limited number of 1,000-square-yard (304.8 metres) increments of the carpet to interested parties through a formal public advertisement.”

By all accounts, it will be a very competitive sale. !!!

SOURCE:::: http://www.news.com.au

Natarajan

Jan 23 2015

 

 

” What the Customer Wants …. Customer Gets … ” !!!

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Airbus A380 Emirates

Emirates is not only the A380′s biggest customer, it can be argued that the airline is the superjumbo’s only customer that matters.

And what the customer wants, the customer gets. At least that’s what Emirates is hoping for.

Emirates wants an A380 “neo” — a superjumbo with newer, more fuel-efficient engines.

(“Neo” is the designation that Airbus gives to aircraft models that have had their engines and aerodynamics upgraded.)

As Business Insider reported last September, Emirates’ CEO Tim Clark said the airline could order another 60-70 non-neo superjumbos, valued at a whopping $US29 billion.

This figure seems to have changed.

This week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the outspoken airline boss said that his company would up the potential order to 100 additional A380s, if a new engine option becomes available, Bloomberg reported.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Clark essentially told Airbus that “if you build it, we will buy it.”

The total value of those 100 superjumbos? $US43 billion.

Although some airlines have had a hard time filling the seats on the massive double-decker plane, Emirates doesn’t seem to be one of them.

According to Bloomberg, flights on the airline’s fleet of A380s are putting money in the bank. Routes to popular destinations, such as London, are operating at 90% capacity. Emirates is also increasing A380 flights on its US and South Asia routes.

Clark believes upgraded engines could save his airline 10-13% in costs.

This latest development should comes as welcome news to the Airbus superjumbo program.

In short, the A380 is struggling.

Airbus didn’t sell a single superjumbo to an airline in 2014. And Amedeo, the leasing company that did buy 20 A380s in 2014, can’t seem to find anybody to rent them to.

Emirates Airline's Airbus A380

Fortunately, Airbus has Emirates. Of the 317 A380s ever ordered, 140 of them have been by the official airline of Dubai.

And of the 152 aircraft that have actually been delivered, 57 have gone to Emirates. The airline has even agreed to take delivery of its A380s early, in order to give Amedeo more time to find customers willing to lease the superjumbo.

Which makes Emirates a critical partner in the future of the A380. If Airbus wants to keep its superjumbo program going, it’s going to need Emirates.

And what about that $US43 billion price tag?

That’s just the sticker price. With Emirates quite literally flying the plane on the deal, don’t expect Tim Clark’s airline to pay anything more than $US30 billion.

Under the circumstances, that would be a great outcome for both parties.

SOURCE:::: BENJAMIN ZHANG   in  www.businessinsider.com

Natarajan

Jan 23 2015

Image For the Day… Astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the Apollo 11 Lunar Module !!!

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 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the Apollo 11 Lunar Module

This July 20, 1969 photograph of the interior view of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module shows astronaut Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. during the lunar landing mission. The picture was taken by astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, prior to the landing.

Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey, on Jan. 20, 1930. Aldrin became an astronaut during the selection of the third group by NASA in October 1963. On Nov. 11, 1966 he orbited aboard the Gemini XII spacecraft, a 4-day 59-revolution flight that successfully ended the Gemini program. During Project Gemini, Aldrin became one of the key figures working on the problem of rendezvous of spacecraft in Earth or lunar orbit, and docking them together for spaceflight. Aldrin was chosen as a member of the three-person Apollo 11 crew that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, fulfilling the mandate of President John F. Kennedy to send Americans to the moon before the end of the decade. Aldrin was the second American to set foot on the lunar surface.

Image Credit: NASA 

SOURCE::::: http://www.nasa.gov

Natarajan

Jan 22 2015