INFOGRAPHIC: Airline-wise share of international passenger traffic, to and from India, 2011 to 2012

Based on a report in The Economic Times we have prepared this infographic showing the airlines' market share of international passenger traffic to and from India during fiscal 2011~2012.

The chart throws up some surprises. SriLankan Airlines and Oman Air feature on this list, but Singapore Airlines does not. Hard to accept? and where is AirAsia? Share your thoughts via a comment.

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Spotting images: Jetting in the rain--Emirates A330, Air India A319, Oman Air Boeing 737

A few days ago, while I was at the Bengaluru International Airport to receive Rotary International President Elect Ray Klinginsmith, I took these photos in the midst of a typical afternoon monsoon thunderstorm.

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Images: IndiGo flight crew at landing, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Oman Air

This weekend was not very conducive to spotting. The winds came out of the west making the active runway at Bengaluru International Airport 27. With an east west alignment, the only time to take pictures is in the late afternoon when the sun has moved to the west.

In the process of exploration, I discovered that Google maps is outdated and the road from Singahalli to Devanahalli has been replaced by the airport. With a couple of die-hard friends the never say die trio did some exploration and found a spot at the edge of runway 27, but the light was fading fast, thanks to the late hour and the rain clouds in the vicinity.

Some fruits of our labour for your enjoyment. Please do post a comment with your thoughts.

IndiGo Airbus A320 VT-INQ on short finals to runway 27. Caught the flight crew leaned forward and peering over the nose to land the aircraft. Click on the picture for a high resolution view. Don't over look the passengers peeking out of the window.


Also pictured (L-R) : Boeing 737-800s of Jet Airways VT-JGN and Oman Air A4O-BC, both equipped with the Aviation Partners winglets on take-off from runway 27. Golden rays of sunshine peeking through the rain clouds.


At dusk after the sun set, one of Jet Airways newer Boeing 737-800 VT-JBC and one of Kingfisher's oldest Airbus A320 VT-ADW of the erstwhile Air Deccan.


I recommend visiting Planespotters for mine and other great aviation pictures.

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Jet Airways to lease 4 Boeing 777-300ERs to Gulf Air

Bahrain based Gulf Air has confirmed an agreement to lease four new Boeing 777-300ERs (B77W in industry parlance) from Jet Airways of India. The agreement which was signed on February 22nd, calls for three aircraft to join its fleet in March, and the fourth in May.

This deal was expected since January. Gulf Air is already wet-leasing two Airbus A330-200s from Jet on a temporary basis. Gulf Air was looking to replace its A340-300s with larger capacity B77Ws. Jet Airways has been actively leasing out most of its 11 award winning, uber-luxurious Boeing 777-300ERs in a desperate bid to stem the losses bleeding the airline.

Jet Airways has already leased out four B77Ws to Turkish THY Airlines, and with these four to Gulf Air, it will be left with just three aircraft in its fleet. Since Jet Airways sources confirmed to me they will operate four aircraft, two on the Mumbai London Heathrow route and one on the Delhi London Heathrow route, and one aircraft to be kept in the rotation, I can surmise that one more aircraft is expected to join the Jet fleet.

Jet Airways recently firmed up a deal to lease two A330-200s to Oman Air.

With an award winning cabin product like First Class suites, and herring-bone lie flat business class, these B77Ws will give Gulf Air an immediate product which can compete head-on with neighbours Emirates and Etihad in the luxury category. Gulf Air has indicated these aircraft will be used for services to several destinations such as London Heathrow, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur as well as within the Middle East.

Jet officials claim the four 777-300ERs will be leased to Gulf Air for 42 months. The reports say the aircraft will be on wet-lease for the first six months, after which they will revert to dry leases. I only hope that Gulf Air looks after the aircraft well, a reputation which Turkish THY Airlines sadly lacks.

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Images: Business and First class Jet Airways, Turkish THY, Gulf Air Boeing 777-300ER

The ultra luxurious Boeing 777-300ER of Jet Airways, which have also been leased to Turkish Airlines THY and Gulf Air. I hope you enjoy the images of the luxury on offer in these aircraft, for those lucky to travel in the Business class or First class suites.



Talks are on with Oman Air, but it is unknown whether Jet is offering its 777s or its Airbus A330-200s.

Click on the images for a larger view.

Seat Map
Business Class

First Class suites

As usual your comments are requested and welcome.

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Oman Air to shift from London Gatwick to Heathrow

Oman Air will switch its Airbus A310 Muscat London flights from Gatwick to Heathrow from January 15, 2009.

The flight schedule will also change from January 15 once the flights switch to Heathrow.

Muscat departure at 12:55 arrival London Heathrow 17:40, London Heathrow departure 21:30 arrival Muscat 09:00+1 (the next day)

For more information visit www.omanair.aero.

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