Aneesh Phadnis

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Grounded Jet Airways' cabin crew association moves NCLT for liquidation

Grounded Jet Airways' cabin crew association moves NCLT for liquidation

Rediff.com30 Nov 2022

A Jet Airways employees' union has moved court for liquidation amid continued differences between lenders and the Kalrock-Jalan consortium over the revival of the grounded airline. Last month, the consortium had made an application to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking control of the airline. The consortium said it has fulfilled all the conditions according to the plan and said banks should initiate steps to hand the company over to them.

'Govt equity in Vodafone Idea hinges on stock recovery'

'Govt equity in Vodafone Idea hinges on stock recovery'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2022

The conversion of interest into equity stake for the government in Vodafone Idea (Vi) will be decided after the telecommunications (telecom) company's stock price stabilises above Rs 10, India's largest mobile tower installation company Indus Towers has said in its second-quarter report. The board of Vi had, in January, approved the conversion of Rs 16,130 crore worth of interest on adjusted gross revenue dues into equity for the government. This will give the government around 33 per cent stake in Vi.

Adani enters aircraft maintenance with Air Works buyout

Adani enters aircraft maintenance with Air Works buyout

Rediff.com19 Oct 2022

The maintenance, repairs and overhault firm, which has six investors, received its first external funding from GTI Group and Punj Lloyd in 2007. All existing investors will exit the company following the transaction.

Singapore Airlines confirms Vistara-Air India merger discussions

Singapore Airlines confirms Vistara-Air India merger discussions

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is engaged in confidential talks with Tata Sons for merging Vistara with Air India, the flagship carrier of the Republic of Singapore informed the stock exchange in the Southeast Asian nation on Thursday in a first acknowledgement of a possible integration of the two airlines. "In line with its multi-hub strategy, SIA is currently in confidential discussions with the Tatas to explore a potential transaction in relation to the securities of Vistara and Air India. "The discussions seek to deepen the existing partnership between SIA and Tatas and may include a potential integration of Vistara and Air India," SIA said in a notification to the Singapore stock exchange. SIA owns 49 per cent stake in Vistara and is among the four airlines run by Tata Group.

Nokia to scale up mfg in India by 1.5x to support its 5G service rollout

Nokia to scale up mfg in India by 1.5x to support its 5G service rollout

Rediff.com5 Oct 2022

Telecom gearmaker Nokia will boost its manufacturing capacity in India by 1.5x over the next few years to support the 5G services roll-out, said Tarun Chhabra, the company's country head of mobile networks business. Nokia is supplying network equipment to Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio for their 5G networks from its plant in Chennai. Vodafone Idea is yet to finalise its contract as it awaits fresh funding.

Jet Airways faces turbulence ahead of launch as 3 senior executives quit

Jet Airways faces turbulence ahead of launch as 3 senior executives quit

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

Jet Airways has been hit by three top-level resignations ahead of its relaunch. The three senior executives who have resigned include Captains Niraj Chandan (head of flight safety), Vishesh Oberoi (head of operations) and Sorab Variava (head of training). These posts are critical and generally senior pilots are nominated for the roles.

IndiGo's new CEO Pieter Elbers takes over, eyes 'new frontiers'

IndiGo's new CEO Pieter Elbers takes over, eyes 'new frontiers'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

The coming years will be among the most exciting of your professional lives, IndiGo's new chief executive officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers wrote to the airline's staff after taking charge on Tuesday. Elbers, who spent three decades at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, replaces Ronojoy Dutta at the top post. "Earlier, IndiGo communication summarised it all in just three words: 'Towards new heights' and-let me add here: 'across new frontiers'. "With that vision in mind, you should feel assured that the coming years will be among the most exciting of your professional lives," Elbers said.

3 Pilots Tested Positive For Psychotropic Substances

3 Pilots Tested Positive For Psychotropic Substances

Rediff.com27 Aug 2022

commercial airlines and air navigation service providers have to carry out random drug tests on at least 10 per cent of their flight crew and air traffic controllers every year.

1,900 private security guards to be deployed at airports

1,900 private security guards to be deployed at airports

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

ersonnel in a revamp that aims to provide cost-effective, reliable, and professionally competent security service at airports. Aneesh Phadnis reports.

Telcos pay Rs 17,873 crore as first instalment of 5G spectrum dues

Telcos pay Rs 17,873 crore as first instalment of 5G spectrum dues

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) on Wednesday received over Rs 17,873 crore from companies towards 5G spectrum dues. Nearly half the amount (Rs 8312.4 crore) was paid by Bharti Airtel, which made advance payments for four years to free up cash for future investments. Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea paid Rs 7,864 crore and Rs 1,680 crore, respectively.

The Akasa Air experience as it takes to the skies

The Akasa Air experience as it takes to the skies

Rediff.com8 Aug 2022

Sundays are generally quiet days for air travel, but this Sunday was a tad different. There was quite an excitement at Gate 28 of Mumbai airport's Terminal 1 as Akasa Air, India's newest airline, prepared to take to the skies on Day 1. With a new fuel-efficient Boeing 737 Max aircraft and soft cushioned seats equipped with USB ports, Akasa Air hopes to bring freshness to the flying experience.

Bullish on 5G, Xiaomi to launch sub-Rs 15K phones

Bullish on 5G, Xiaomi to launch sub-Rs 15K phones

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

Xiaomi will strengthen its product portfolio and launch 5G devices in the sub-Rs 15,000 segment as it looks to increase its market share in the segment. Xiaomi led the shipments in overall smartphone category in 2021 with a 24 per cent share, according to Counterpoint Research. However, in the 5G segment it is ranked fourth behind One Plus, Samsung, and Vivo, with a 13 per cent share.

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

It was supposed to be a happy journey to London, one that the Imam family had been planning for the past two months. Everything was set - except the visa, which did not arrive in time for one of its members. "Visa was the villain...As a consequence, half of the family of four will be in London today and the other half at home in India and the US, respectively," Sanjar Imam, director of travel firm Panache World, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Ten years on, ex-Kingfisher Airline employees wait for their dues

Ten years on, ex-Kingfisher Airline employees wait for their dues

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

Ten years after Kingfisher Airlines was grounded, its former employees continue to wait for their dues. On Monday, the Supreme Court awarded a four-month sentence to the grounded airline's flamboyant owner Vijay Mallya in a contempt case. The apex court also ordered him to deposit $40 million plus interest in four weeks to avoid attachment of his properties.

Airlines cancel, reschedule London flights as Heathrow restrictions kick in

Airlines cancel, reschedule London flights as Heathrow restrictions kick in

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

On Thursday, Virgin Atlantic, for instance, cancelled its morning flight between London and Delhi. And Air India rescheduled its London-Ahmedabad flight by several hours. With the Heathrow restrictions to remain in place till September 11, air traffic between India and London is likely to see slower growth over the next two months.

IndiGo's technicians go on sick leave to seek salary revision

IndiGo's technicians go on sick leave to seek salary revision

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

Some aircraft technicians at IndiGo are on sick leave since Friday demanding a revision in salaries. The protest comes days after the airline partially restored salaries of its pilots and cabin crew and made changes to its human resource (HR) policies. Some technicians in Hyderabad reported sick on Friday night while those from other bases skipped work on Sunday demanding a revision in salary, an industry source said.

Around 1,500 cabin crew are under training at IndiGo

Around 1,500 cabin crew are under training at IndiGo

Rediff.com6 Jul 2022

IndiGo's management is of the opinion that Saturday's flight delays caused by sick leaves taken by many in the cabin crew are just an aberration. The airline's on-time performance nosedived to 45 per cent on Saturday as a large part of the cabin crew reported sick to participate in Air India's recruitment process. Privately, Air India executives denied holding interviews on Saturday and the airline did not issue any statement.

Jet claims rights on livery, objects to SpiceJet using it on some planes

Jet claims rights on livery, objects to SpiceJet using it on some planes

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

Jet Airways has complained to India's aviation regulator about the use of its livery on SpiceJet aircraft, saying the practice could "mislead the public" and is a safety hazard. Jet collapsed in 2019 and lessors repossessed its Boeing 737s. Some of these aircraft were leased to SpiceJet, which operates them without changing the livery. Jet, which is now being revived by the Kalrock Jalan consortium and aims to restart operations in September, has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ask SpiceJet to stop using its livery.

Visa on time: Embassies work to meet spike in applications by Indians

Visa on time: Embassies work to meet spike in applications by Indians

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

Visa delays have perturbed Indian visitors this summer. But a solution could be in sight soon, as embassies gear up to address the challenges caused by a spike in applications and staff shortages. While the British High Commission has said it is working urgently to reduce the current visa processing time, the German Embassy has introduced extra shifts to process more visas. However, appointments with the latter are fully booked till August-end due to high volumes.

How Airtel took a long call on profit by focusing on costs and customers

How Airtel took a long call on profit by focusing on costs and customers

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

Six consecutive profitable quarters after an equal number of losses - for Bharti Airtel, the turnaround has been quick. But it is not a result of higher tariffs or absence of exceptional items alone. Execution and strategy are playing a part, too. Bharti Airtel's chief executive officer Gopal Vittal summed it up in a post-result conference call last month. "We track the profit in each of our 237,500 (cell) sites.

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