Editor’s Note

A major focus in the issue of SP’s AirBuz is therefore on ‘Sustainability’. Ashmita Sethi, President and Country Head, Pratt & Whitney, a global leader in the manufacture of aircraft engines, writes about their efforts in promoting sustainability, whether it is the use of SAF or improving propulsion technologies to reduce emissions. This is further expanded by an article on Emerging Aero Engine Technologies. As IATA member airlines work towards a net-zero carbon emission from their operations by 2050, Joseph Noronha has covered the drive to improve the quality of aero engines in the future to achieve lower levels of emissions that are harmful to the atmosphere. Also, in an associated article on sustainability, B.K. Pandey showcases the leading next generation airliners that will focus on technologies that will enhance not only their operating efficiency but will achieve near zero levels of emission.

UDAN, or the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), a flagship scheme of the Government to promote the aviation sector, has completed five years. A roaring example of the success of this scheme is ‘Star Air’, a small airline launched under this scheme to connect tier-II and tier-III cities. In a short span of time, they now operate to 18 destinations. Star Air recently won the prestigious award for Best Domestic Airline (RCS) by Wings India 2022. We have an ‘Exclusive’ interview with Captain Simran Singh Tiwana, Chief Executive Officer, Star Air in this issue of the magazine.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of the entire shareholding in AirAsia India by Air India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons. This comes nearly six months after Tatas took over Air India, Air India Express and Air India SATS in an effort towards privatisation by the Government. A report on this development is included in this issue.

One issue that is likely to have an adverse impact on the global airline industry in not too distant a future is the shortage of trained airline pilots. As the global training infrastructure is unlikely to be able to cope with the rapidly increasing demand for trained airline pilots, one possible solution for airlines is to change over to single pilot operation. An in-depth analysis by Anil Chopra of the problem of increasing shortage of trained airline pilots and possible solutions is included in this issue.

India’s largest Drone Festival was recently held in New Delhi and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event included Drone Conference, Drone exhibition, panel discussions, flying demonstrations etc.. and the support of the Government in making India a global drone hub by 2030 was quite evident. Ayushee Chaudhary attended the event and has reported on it in this issue.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s AirBuz. We welcome you on board and we wish you many happy landings!

Jai Hind!