Brookings sees more flight delays as economy improves; light rail, rush-hour fees suggestedOctober 7th, 2009 Brookings researchers warn of more flight delaysDALLAS — Lengthy airline delays are twice as common now as in 1990 and will get worse as the economy recovers, according to a Brookings Institution report released Thursday. The researchers said much of the problem is due to heavy concentrations of short trips between big cities, but they also cited an "ill-equipped" air traffic control system and other factors.
SAIC gets Navy contract worth up to $18 million for upgraded communication systemSeptember 15th, 2009 SAIC gets Navy deal worth up to $18MSAN DIEGO — Science Applications International Corp. said Tuesday it received a contract worth up to $18 million from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command for an upgraded communication system.
Moody's upgrades Jo-Ann Stores' rating on improved financial picture and performanceSeptember 2nd, 2009 Moody's upgrades Jo-Ann Stores' ratingNEW YORK — Moody's Investors Service on Wednesday upgraded its rating on Jo-Ann Stores Inc. as the retailer has improved its operating performance and financial picture.
Eastman Kodak completes purchase of Bowe Bell + Howell scanner business, price not disclosedSeptember 1st, 2009 Eastman Kodak completes buy of scanner businessROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eastman Kodak Co.
Anil Ambani group bags contract to develop five airportsAugust 21st, 2009 MUMBAI - The Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Airport Developers Ltd (RADL) has bagged contracts worth a total Rs.63 crore (Rs.630 million) to develop airports at Yavatmal, Nanded, Osmanabad, Latur and Baramati in Maharashtra, according to an official announcement here Friday. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has been given the green signal to sign the agreements with RADL as part of the government's move to privatise five airports in the state.
Five new airports to come up in two years: Praful PatelJuly 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Five greenfield airports would come up in Karnataka and Sikkim in the next two years, said Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Thursday. In reply to a question by Congress parliamentarian Naveen Jindal, the minister told the Lok Sabha that four new airports would come up at Shimoga, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Hassan in Karnataka, and another at Pakyong in Sikkim.
New aviation regulator to decide on development fee: PatelJuly 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The new aviation regulator, Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), will settle all contentious issues in the aviation sector, including the airport development fee issue, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Thursday. Replying to questions in parliament, Patel said: "AERA has been constituted by an act of parliament and has started functioning.
Airport Authority lost Rs.65.58 lakh in equipment purchasesJuly 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has lost Rs.65.58 lakh in equipment purchases for various international airports, the country's official auditor said Thursday. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report tabled in parliament that AAI purchased X-Ray baggage inspection systems (X-BIS) that screen the luggage of passengers at airports for Delhi and Mumbai airports despite the government's efforts to privatise these airports.
Airport employees' strike avertedApril 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A planned nationwide two-day strike by 15,000 airport employees from Thursday midnight has been called off after the government agreed to discuss their grievances, a civil aviation ministry spokesperson said. 'The strike, called by the employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), has been called off,' the official said.
Airports on high alert after terror threatApril 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian government Thursday asked airports around the country to adopt heightened security measures after an intelligence tip-off of a possible terror attack. Official sources confirmed that a red alert has been sounded at airports across the country, especially in the four metros, as well as in Hyderabad, Bangalore and at some international airports like Amritsar.
Five more airports to levy development fee on passengersMarch 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The international airports at Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa and Ahmedabad will soon get the government's nod to levy development fee on passengers to raise funds for their expansion, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said Thursday. 'We are doing this to bridge the capital funding gap.
Gleaming new departure terminal at Delhi airportFebruary 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A gleaming new domestic terminal awaits air passengers in India's capital when they fly out early April, with its developers giving a sneak preview of the upgraded infrastructure Thursday. Exclusive driveway for entry, inline baggage screening system, 72-counter check-in facility, spacious area for food and beverage outlets and attractive retail space are some of the features of the new terminal.
After 10 years, India will have 400 airports: MinisterFebruary 22nd, 2009 PANAJI - The number of airports in India will go up from the present 85 to about 400 in the next 10 years, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Saturday. It was a busy day for Patel, who visited three cities to inaugurate two new air terminals and lay the foundation stone of a third.
Kerala airports on high alert after bomb threatFebruary 22nd, 2009 KOCHI - Kerala's three international airports at Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram were Saturday put on high alert after an anonymous call to the Saudi Airlines' office in Jeddah warned of a bomb blast at an airport in India's southern state. 'Saudi Airlines got in touch with their office here, which informed us about the bomb threat.
Rs.16-bn upgrade of Kolkata airport launchedDecember 28th, 2008 KOLKATA - Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Monday set the ball rolling for a Rs.16-billion modernisation of the international airport here, which will include a new terminal, modern taxiways and extension of a runway so that it can handle the giant Airbus A-380 aircraft. The modernisation project, the foundation stone for which was laid by West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, is targeted for completion by May 2011.