Latest News
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Khatri, the co-founder of India's Akasa Airlines, will leave the airline due to expansion problems
Neelu Khtri, cofounder and head international operations of India's Akasa Airlines, will leave the airline in order to pursue new opportunities. This is at a moment when delayed Boeing jet delivery has hindered Akasa's expansion plans. Khatri is among the nine cofounders of Akasa. The company began commercial operations in the year 2022, and it is backed both by the investment arm of Indian billionaire Azim Premji and the family members of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The airline has not named a successor for Khatri. Khatri is a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander. Vinay Dube, CEO of the Mumbai-based airline, said in an email that Khatri’s transition had been planned with top executives. The international plans for the Mumbai-based carrier were not changed. In March, it was reported that Akasa Air executives privately criticized Boeing for the delayed delivery of planes as hundreds were left unemployed. The airline placed 226 Boeing 737 MAXs on order, but the delays in delivery are due to regulatory oversight and supply chain issues. Ankur Goel, the finance chief at the time, told reporters that he expects jet deliveries to increase in coming years. The airline launched its international operations in 2024, and added a sixth international route in the first half of this year. (Reporting and editing by Kirsty Donovan; Abhijith Ganahapavaram)
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ARM Energy invests $2.3 billion on Mustang Express pipeline in Texas
ARM Energy Holdings announced on Thursday that it and its partner Pacific Investment Management Company have reached a final decision regarding their $2.3 billion Mustang Express Pipeline Project in Texas. ARM, a marketing company for energy, stated that the project is benefited by a long-term contract with Sempra to ship natural gas for Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 Project, which has recently reached its final investment decision. Sempra announced earlier this month that it would sell a stake of 45% in its infrastructure division for $10 billion and approved a $14 billion expansion to the Port Arthur LNG Project in Texas. According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. will be the top LNG exporter in the world this year with a total capacity of 115 million MTPA. Donald Trump returned to office as President in January, promising to unleash U.S. Energy. The industry enjoyed a strong global demand. He reversed the freeze on new export licenses. The pipelines will be built and operated by ARM and will have a capacity of 2,5 billion cubic feet (bcf/d). They are expected to be finished in late 2028, or early 2029. The pipeline is divided into three segments: Mustang Mainline (also known as the Golden Triangle), Cougar Lateral, and Golden Triangle where the mainline connects Katy Hub with Port Arthur. (Reporting and editing by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru, Katha Kalia is based in Bengaluru)
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India's Akasa Airlines says that co-founder Khatri will leave the airline amid expansion problems
Neelu Khtri, cofounder and head international operations of India's Akasa Airlines, will leave the airline in order to pursue new opportunities. This is at a moment when delayed Boeing jet delivery has hindered Akasa's expansion plans. Khatri is among the nine cofounders of Akasa. The company began commercial operations in the year 2022, and it is backed both by the investment arm of Indian billionaire Azim Premji and the family members of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The airline has not named a successor for Khatri. Khatri is a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander. Vinay Dube, CEO of the Mumbai-based airline, said in an email that Khatri’s transition had been planned with top executives. The international plans for the Mumbai-based carrier were not changed. In March, it was reported that Akasa Air executives privately criticized Boeing for the delayed delivery of planes as hundreds were left unemployed. The airline placed 226 Boeing 737 MAX orders, but the delays in delivery are due to regulatory oversight and supply chain issues. Ankur Goel, the finance chief at the time, told reporters that he expects jet deliveries to increase in coming years. The airline launched its international operations in 2024, and added a sixth international route in the first half of this year. (Reporting and editing by Kirsty Donovan; Abhijith Ganahapavaram)
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Transnet gets control of Chinese spares disputed by S.African court
Transnet's CEO announced on Thursday that a South African court had ordered China's CRRC E-Loco, which has been in a long-running dispute with Transnet, to release locomotive parts it had refused to provide. This decision is a boost to the plans of Transnet to improve its performance. Both parties are involved in a legal battle after Transnet halted 1,064 locomotives supplied by four original equipment manufacturers, including CRRC E-Loco. Transnet claimed that contracts for 2014 worth $54.4 billion rand (3.18 billion dollars) were illegally awarded by previous company leadership. Transnet reported that in 2023 161 locomotives provided by CRRC E-Loco did not run due to the Chinese firm withholding spares or maintenance support. This had a negative impact on Transnet's rail freight operations. Transnet, who insists that it paid for parts under the disputed agreement before it was terminated won a separate order from a court last July, stopping CRRC E-Loco's ability to sell or relocate parts already in South Africa. Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips said, at a mining convention in Johannesburg, that Transnet recently won another court decision related to the handover of spares which were stored in warehouses across the country. "I would not pay for my parts again." Phillips explained that after going back to court the CRRC was given five days to deliver these parts to Transnet. We've been checking out those parts for the last few days. She added, "We are doing a full inventory of these parts." CRRC E-Loco did not respond to a request for comment. Transnet's dispute over CRRC E-Loco has exacerbated its equipment shortages. This includes locomotives not delivered under the contract that was terminated. Cable theft and vandalism have also affected the company's performance. The company's freight volume has fallen from 226 million tons in 2017/18, to 160 millions tons in 2024/25.
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Putin explains to Aliyev of Azerbaijan how Russian air defences brought down a passenger aircraft
Azerbaijani leader was told by Russian President Vladimir Putin that two Russian missiles were detonated next to an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft last year, after Ukrainian drones invaded Russian airspace. Putin promised compensation for those who had been affected. Flight J2-8243 was diverted from southern Russia where Ukrainian drones had been reported to have attacked several targets. The flight crashed-landed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, after it diverted from the Chechen capital Grozny. At least 38 people have been killed. On Thursday, video footage showed Putin and Aliyev smiling and shaking hands before a bilateral meet-up in Tajikistan where Putin discussed the plane crash. Putin issued a statement last year stating that he would be releasing a rare public apology Aliyev was criticized by the Kremlin for what it called a 'tragic incident' over Russia, in which a plane crashed after Russian air defenses were deployed to stop Ukrainian drones. He went even further on Thursday. Putin said to Aliyev, "Ofcourse, all that is needed in such tragic situations will be done on the Russian side with regards to compensation and legal assessments of all official matters will be given." It is our duty to provide an objective assessment and identify the real causes. Putin informed Aliyev of the fact that two Russian missiles were launched several metres from the aircraft after Ukrainian drones crossed into Russian airspace. The Embraer jet flew from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya where the accident occurred. It then traveled, with severe damage, a further 450 miles (280 miles) across the Caspian Sea. Aliyev has been vocal about his anger at the crash. Initial reactions He said that the Russian government was trying to conceal the truth about the incident. Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Writing by Andrew Osborn Editing by Andrew Osborn
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LSEG data shows that Taiwan and India were the top two destinations for Russian naphtha during August.
Data from LSEG and market sources showed that the cheaper barrels were what attracted buyers to Taiwan and India, where Russian naphtha was exported in August. The main destination for Russian naphtha has been the Middle East and Asia since the European Union's embargo against Russian oil products came into force in February 2023. Naphtha, a feedstock used in the petrochemical sector, is used to produce olefins (olefinols) and aromatics. These are then processed into a variety of products such as plastics, synthetic fibres, resins and other chemicals. According to LSEG, the export of naphtha from Russian ports to Taiwan has more than doubled month-on-month in August to 370,000 metric tonnes and will total 1.8 million tons by 2025's first eight months. Taiwan's Economy Minister said that private refiners would be willing to stop purchasing Russian naphtha if the EU asked them to. This was after a group non-governmental organizations criticized the island's continuing business with Russia. Private companies are not restricted from importing Russian oil, as the state-owned firms have been since 2023. Exports of naphtha from Russian ports to India totaled 151,000 metric tonnes in August, down by 28% from the previous month after ample supplies. Shipping data revealed that Russian naphtha has arrived in the ports of Mundra and Hazira in western India. China, Singapore and Malaysia were also among the top destinations of Russian naphtha supplies in August. All shipping data are based on date of departure. (Reporting in Moscow, Editing by Vijay Kishore).
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Flight delays and cancellations are causing air travelers to rethink their plans due to the US government shutdown
The U.S. Travel Industry is suffering from the federal government shutdown, which worsens as Congress remains in a deadlock. The United States lawmakers may take several days or even weeks to find a solution to reopening the government. Until then, travelers are canceling trips and avoiding airports. This means that key workers, such as air traffic controllers or security screeners, will be without pay for a longer period of time. As more workers call in sick, fewer people are available to meet demand. Travel agents are already worried about the upcoming Columbus/Indigenous People's Day weekend. This is the first holiday since the shutdown began on October 1, nine days ago. Geoff Freeman said that the shutdown coincides with the peak of corporate travel season, at a time when industry workers are already struggling to reach their full potential. Freeman, speaking of the Transportation Security Administration, said that if we create concern in the system - concern over delays, cancellations, or the TSA's efficiency - we will encourage people to remain at the office. It's another reason why people stay at home, whether they are Americans or foreigners who avoid the United States. According to US Travel and Oxford Economics, the United States will be the only market where foreign tourists are expected to spend less in 2025. Inbound visits should decrease by 6.3% on an annual basis to 67.9 millions. This year, domestic travel is predicted to grow by 1.9%. Delta Air Lines reported Thursday that recent sales had increased. Travelers who still plan to visit the U.S. are more concerned about the impact of the shutdown on their trip. There is some anxiety about 'What does it mean? Does this mean we can't fly? Can people enter the country without a visa? Peter van Berkel is the president of Travalco - an inbound tour operator. Van Berkel says that some travelers are now reluctant to book a trip abroad. Around 200 flights were cancelled and nearly 12,000 delays were caused by Federal Aviation Administration controllers' absences. This shutdown has seen a rise in air traffic control issues earlier than any other in 2019. The result is unexpected shortages across the country. Sheldon Jacobson is a University of Illinois Professor who worked on the design of TSA PreCheck. He said that if it continues, there will be "erosions of service" for travelers as TSA and air traffic control officers become tired and call off sick due to frustration. "The longest shutdown in history took place during the first term of President Trump, and lasted 35 days. Will we see 35 more days? There's still no sign that it has been resolved and concluded, but things could change quickly. Sonia Bhagwan, a travel agent in Arizona, said that two clients had asked her if they could cancel their Christmas and Thanksgiving vacations to Hawaii. Wayne Milano of Monmouth County in New Jersey said that he cancelled a trip to India for business and won't fly until this situation is resolved. Milano cited bad luck in the form of delays and cancellations as a reason for not flying at this time. "I am at the point where I don't want to risk it for the next two weeks, but let's see what happens." Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo, New York; editing by Richard Chang
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LSEG data shows that Taiwan and India were the top two destinations for Russian naphtha during August.
Data from market sources and LSEG revealed that Taiwan and India were the two main destinations of Russian seaborne naphtha in August as cheaper barrels attracted buyers. The main destination for Russian naphtha has been the Middle East and Asia since the European Union imposed a full embargo against Russian oil products in February 2023. Naphtha, a feedstock used in the petrochemical sector, is used to produce olefins (and aromatics), which are then processed into a variety of products such as plastics, resins, fibers, and other chemicals. According to LSEG, the export of naphtha from Russian ports to Taiwan has more than doubled month-on-month in August to 370,000 metric tonnes and will total 1.8 million tons by 2025's first eight months. Taiwan's Economy Minister said that private refiners would be willing to stop purchasing Russian naphtha if the EU asked them to. This was after a group non-government organisations criticized the island's continuing business with Russia. Private companies are not restricted from importing Russian oil, as the state-owned firms have been since 2023. Exports of naphtha from Russian ports to India totaled 151,000 metric tonnes in August, a decrease of 28% from the previous month after ample supplies. Shipping data revealed that Russian naphtha has arrived in the ports of Mundra and Hazira in western India. China, Singapore and Malaysia were also among the top destinations of Russian naphtha supplies in August. All shipping data are based on date of departure. (Reporting in Moscow, Editing by Vijay Kishore).
GE Aerospace’s Flight Data App expands rapidly in user numbers
FlightPulse is a flight data monitoring application developed by GE Aerospace. It has grown rapidly in the past year, from 40,000 to over 60,000 users. The company expects that number to surpass 70,000 before year's end.
The only app of its kind to be used commercially allows pilots evaluate their performance across different metrics and compare it to that of other pilots. They can also learn how to fly more safely and efficiently. The app is available for a fee that has not been disclosed. It also helps to improve the reputation of the engine manufacturer among its airline customers.
Qantas captain Mark Cameron used FlightPulse for years to become familiar with the Airbus A321, the jet he has recently begun flying after many years of flying the larger A330 twin aisle jet.
He noted that it is easier to land or take off too steeply on the A321, causing the tail of the jet to strike the runway. FlightPulse shows me my attitude on each landing.
Qantas relies on FlightPulse to improve the efficiency and safety of its flight operations. Cameron is the executive manager for group safety at the Qantas Group which includes seven airlines. FlightPulse is a key tool for improving our operational efficiency, and providing data to our flight crews.
Qantas, which helped GE Aerospace launch this app in 2017, has been using it to improve operations across the airline. For example, they have recommended that pilots use less reversing thrust to slow down when safe, resulting in fuel savings.
Andrew Coleman, the head of GE Aerospace’s Software as a Service Division, explained that each airline is only able to access its own data.
FlightPulse, used by 42 airlines ranging from 200 pilots up to 15,000, is also used by NetJets (a private business jet operator), Qantas and Delta Air Lines.
Coleman aims to exceed 100,000 registered pilots by 2026.
He said that pilots must know the data is not used to punish them, but only to improve their performance. Reporting by Dan Catchpole, Seattle Editing Rod Nickel
(source: Reuters)