03. February 2007
Airport undergoes makeover
Date: 03. Feb. 2007
Come June, jet setters in Shanghai dreaming Mumbai will be able to see the first visible changes at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), with airport operator Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) partially overhauling the domestic terminal currently, its first major city-side upgrade.
While travellers are dealing with temporary bottlenecks like traffic diversions and construction grime, within three months, a new arrivals plaza, verdant landscaping and new traffic patterns are assured.
Leighton Asia (Southern)-the firm installing sub-sea pipelines at Gujarat for Reliance Industries, which also recently bagged the $260 million office park and high-rise building construction project for Reliance-is onboard as contractors for the project.
Ravi Punde of Design Cell has been engaged to plan the landscaping of the arrivals plaza, while the Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay) has done traffic studies on the basis of which the traffic patterns will be altered.
But what will bring the most relief to travellers will be the opening of the 4,100 sq m new arrivals wing, which will help in bifurcation of the arriving traffic.
At the moment, the arrivals of all nine domestic airlines operating at Mumbai airport are clustered at terminal 1-A, with the infrastructure straining to cater to the burgeoning passenger numbers-serpentine queues for baggage claim are a regular feature. However, once the new arrivals wing with its five baggage carousels is commissioned, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, SpiceJet, Indus Air, and Indigo, that use terminal 1-B for departures will also arrive here.
Meanwhile, the capacity of the taxi parking will almost be halved—from nearly 320 parking spaces for cabs currently; the new taxi stand will have a capacity of only 166. Changes in access to the passenger cark park are also on the anvil-”right now, there are multiple entry and exit points for the general car park opposite terminal 1-B, which will be streamlined and we will restrict it to one entry and exit point soon,” said an MIAL spokesperson.
A canopied pedestrian concourse, connecting the arrivals wing to the car park directly, will be created as well. A plan for segregating vehicular traffic—with dedicated lanes for buses, coaches, taxis, auto rickshaws, and airport pickups—has also been chalked out.
Among the first facilities that were moved out for the construction, were the taxi stand and the Balaji canteen, with the latter being temporarily accommodated in the car park. But these are temporary measures, and overall, passengers will have a new travelling experience within three months, according to MIAL.
Source: http://cities.expressindia.com
Jet Airways introduces Kosher Meals on its flights
Date: 03. Feb. 2007
Mumbai, February 3: Jet Airways, India's premier airline, is pleased to announce the introduction of Kosher Meals for its international passengers. Special Kosher meals prepared and served according to Jewish Dietary Regulations will be available on board Jet Airways flights to London and Singapore.
To start with, Kosher Meals (KSML) would be served on the Mumbai-London-Mumbai and Mumbai-Singapore-Mumbai sectors. Passengers will need to inform the airline about their meal preference at least 48 hours prior to the date of travel.
Commenting on the introduction of Kosher Meals on board its international flights, Mr. Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways stated "The addition of the Kosher meals to our in-flight menus is a reiteration of our commitment to the requirements of international passengers. These Kosher Meals have been created especially for Jet Airways by expert Chefs from our in-flight Caterers in consultation with our own Food & Beverage Managers"
Passengers are requested to state their preference for a Kosher Meal (KSML) option while booking their tickets either online or through their travel agents.
In conformity with IATA regulations, the other special dietary options available on Jet Airways' international flights include Asian Vegetarian; Diabetic; Low-Cholesterol; Low Salt and Jain meals.
Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com
Air Deccan may rope in ADA
Date: 03. Feb. 2007
Air Deccan has approached some of the country’s leading conglomerates to raise $75-100 million for its expansion plans. The company has approached Reliance- Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) and a leading Delhi-based conglomerate and a host of private equity players for the same.
Private equity funds who are being targeted for this round of fund raising include Texas Pacific Group, Carlyle Group, Standard Chartered Private Equity, Macquirie Capital, Chrys Capital, Lehman Brothers, General Atlantic Partners and GIC of Singapore.
Air Deccan, which clawed its way back into profitability last quarter, is also looking to raise money by securitising its future receivables or issuing bonds.
Industry sources said it is talking to global players like International Lease and Finance Corporation (ILFC) and General Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS).
“We are talking to a variety of people. But no decision has been made yet,” said Air Deccan promoter Captain GR Gopinath.
Air Deccan had earlier said that it was open to divesting around 15% equity to raise $75 million from the market. The process is expected to be completed over the next three months.
In fact, Delhi-based low-cost airline SpiceJet on Thursday (Feb 1) completed the allotment of 7% shares to Tata investment company Ewart. And the company management is trying to get a Tata representative on its board. There is also speculation that the Tatas are planning to increase their stake in the company to 14%, though an official confirmation is yet to come from either side.
Source: http://www.timesnow.tv
