'Government Has Decided To Modernise 25 Non-Metro Airports'
The civil aviation sector in India is poised for a significant take-off. State-owned Indian Airlines is all set to renew its fleet, with the government approving the acquisition of 43 aircraft last week. Also, the Centre is keen to privatise and modernise Mumbai and Delhi airports, despite stout opposition from the Left. And a draft civil policy is being mulled over by the government. Express Travel & Tourism caught up with Union minister for civil aviation Praful Patel.

Malaysia Airlines Hosts Global Aviation Safety Conference
Malaysia Airlines hosted its third global aviation safety conference in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to address the potential safety deficiencies. The event organised by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) and IATA (International Air Transport Association) was attended by over 250 aviation safety professionals.

Indo-EU Air Pact Could Trigger Fare War
The proposed unified aviation pact between India and the European Union (EU) may trigger a major fare war in the India-Europe airline sector.

In Brief

East Asia Eyes Vizag Airport As Gateway
Visakhapatnam airport is expected to emerge as a gateway for eastern countries once the facility is in place by June 2006.

Cabinet Gives IA Go Ahead For Airbus Acquisition
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has cleared Indian Airline's (IA) proposal to acquire 43 aircraft from Airbus at an estimated price of Rs 9,890 crore.

International Fares On Free Fall
Inspite of rising fuel prices and tight profit margins, several international airlines operating out of India have further dropped fares to access a larger market.

While Domestic Carriers Slip On Oil Prices, Contemplate Fare Hike
It seems that domestic carriers might be the first to blink at the rising oil prices. While they officially remain neutral regarding a fare hike, it appears to be imminent.

Austrian Airlines Adds Mumbai To Network, Keen On South India
Austrian Airlines recently announced direct flights between Vienna and Mumbai, five weekly September onwards and reaffirmed its strategy to boost traffic by concentrating on tourism and Bollywood to bring more Indians to Austria.

First Embraer For Paramount Airways Touches Base
The first Brazilian made Embraer jet plane, floated by Madurai-based textile major Paramount Airways, has touched Coimbatore base.

Air Arabia To Operate From Nagpur
Air Arabia LLC, Sharjah’s national airline and the first low fares airline operating to India, is to be the first international airline to operate on the Nagpur-Sharjah sector.