Upgraded terminal at Bangalore airport inaugurated, airport renamed, exclusive pictures

by Devesh Agarwal

Bangalore's Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) was renamed to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB) at a glittering ceremony on Saturday by Karnataka state chief minister Siddaramaiah and Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, along with a battery of ministers, legislators, the Mayor of Bangalore, politicians, bureaucrats, the chairmen of the airport operating company Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), amongst others.

Upgraded terminal 1A at Kempegowda International Airport. The original portion is visible in the middle.

Along with the renaming, the upgraded passenger terminal, 1A, was inaugurated. The new terminal will be progressively introduced for passenger use starting from January 2014.

T1A, will almost double the floor space of the terminal, and is expected to cater to 20 million passengers. Mr. G.V. Krishna Reddy, the chairman of GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd., the majority shareholder of BIAL, also indicated that the airport will now commence on planning for a new mega terminal 2, and a second runway that should see the airport build a capacity of up to 40 million passengers.

Upgraded terminal capabilities

The graphic below compares T1 with T1A. Comparisons aside, the new areas have a distinctly superior air. Almost like a five star hotel lobby.

The domestic portion on the west side of the terminal (right side of the picture) will commence operations first. The east side of the existing terminal which serves international traffic at present will remain for international traffic use which the area behind the existing immigration, customs and security will be built for international use.

Luxurious bathrooms await passengers in terminal 1A.

At a future date, not yet disclosed, but expected near March 2014, the new customs, immigration, and baggage reclaim hall will be completed, at which time the east portion of the existing terminal will be converted to domestic use, and the international operations will move to the new east hall (left side of the picture, under the new roof-canopy) and the extended pier will also be used.

In an environment first, the terminal building is LEED Gold certified for green energy use. 

Floor plans of Terminal 1A, Kempegowda international airport, Bangalore

Level 0, terminal 1A, Kempegowda international airport, Bangalore. Bus gates domestic, international baggage claim

Level 1, terminal 1A, domestic international contact stands, departures. Level 2 domestic close-up day hotel, lounges

Level 2, terminal 1A. Domestic lounges, international arrivals, immigration, extreme right Code F departures and lounge.

Lounges, day hotel, and food options

Now, there are reasons to get to the airport early. The domestic portion of the terminal will see a dramatic improvement in the lounges, with two of them opening up. Of significance to Citibank PremierMiles Mastercard holders, and other credit cards, one of the two lounges opening is by Plaza Premium. Overlooking the departure gates, the lounge is very much in the style of Cathay Pacific's The Wing lounge at Hong Kong airport.

Restaurants are upscale, and focussed towards local cuisine.

There is also a day hotel, located on the third level above domestic departures in the far west of the expanded terminal, offering bed-capsules for travellers wanting a quick rest and shower between flights or for passengers from slightly distant cities like Mysore, Tumkur, Salem, etc. The airport authorities are going to have to work out the modalities with the security agencies for international passengers to use the hotel, or early arrivals from close by cities like Mysore, Salem, etc.

Coming back to the lounge front, international premium passengers are doomed to suffer. The new wing while providing for new lounges, will expand lounge capacity by a small fraction over the existing Oberoi group operated lounge, was is forced to continue well past its contract period, supposed to end in October 2013. Oberoi did not get a contract to operate either of the two lounges, and naturally, their interest in operating the existing lounge is low. Despite the best efforts of BIAL staff, the Oberoi lounge provides a very sorry departing experience to the premium passengers.

Security check area shows a distinct five star look and feel of the new terminal.

Lounges are crucial to the passenger experience at hub airports. While the new international lounges are expected to be more luxurious than the existing, it remains to be seen whether these lounges will match up to the likes at Singapore Changi, Dubai, or even New Delhi IGI airports.

One of the two new lounges will be Plaza. Given its relatively small size, it is not clear whether credit card holders will be permitted entry. There is one lounge area being considered at level 2 of the east most gate (right side of floor plan photo) which is a Code F and can be used by an Airbus A380. Will Lufthansa use this area for creating a dedicated lounge? Let's see.

Photography at the terminal

Airplane photo buffs will be able to enjoy great views at the west end of the airport which should allow for a panoramic view of the apron. Head out near the new gate 1 any time before noon and click some photos. The best time of the year to take photos will be from September to April after which the sun will be north of the airport and many photos will be back-lit.

Photography from the terminal is permitted by the DGCA. You can read this article for more details and the relevant notifications which we suggest you keep a print out of.

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Plane spotting picture: Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 in Disney channel special livery

Taken by our photographer at Bangalore airport on Sunday, VT-JGV a Boeing 737-800 of Jet Airways sporting the new Disney channel livery with our childhood cartoon favourites Donald Duck, Pluto, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy.

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Plane spotting at Houston: United's 787s back in flight

Through the month of May, on two separate occasions I had the pleasure to do plane spotting at Houston's two airports, Hobby and Intercontinental.

The Houston airport system authorities support their local spotters well, making both airports amongst the most friendliest to spot at in the United States.

A special thanks to the friendly folks at the Houston Spotters who took me around and showed me the best places to spot from. Without a doubt, Rankin Road is the place to be in the afternoon and evening. Their website has excellent spotter guides in the "Spotting Resources" section and please do call and inform the authorities as suggested in the guides.

From my last trip, here is one of the two United 787 Dreamliners that are in service, post the battery fix, flying domestic routes from Houston to Newark and Chicago, performing a "smokin touchdown" on to Runway 08R. Observe the wing flex which will come to level once the plane slows down.

Just one small request to the Tower controllers at KIAH. Please put the heavies on 08R and the small regional jets on 08L. Please, pretty please, with a cherry on the top??

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Photos: New Delhi airport - aerial views of the ramp, Jet's A330 fleet, Blue Dart and Kenya Airways freighters

by Devesh Agarwal

Once again the kind friends at Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL), the company which operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), supported the Aviation Photographers India Foundation by giving access to the airside, after they had received permission from the DGCA.

Yours truly, got on to a Rosenbauer turn-table ladder (TTL) of the airport fire-fighting team, and took some aerial shots of the airport in the dawn's early light.

Readers compliment us on the quality of photographs. It is possible due to supporters like DIAL, their management, their air-side chief Ashutosh Kulshreshtha, their fire chief Mr. Kadam, and all their respective team members. Some dare-devilry on my part after being up for 36 hours straight shooting through the night, was the spice added to this mix.

Enjoy the three aerial views and then continue scrolling down to see a photo of me in the TTL bucket way up in the sky, thanks to Praveen Sundaram.

This photo is of the old Terminal 2, which is now used exclusively for Haj flights. The ramp is being used as a large parking lot for the Jet Airways Airbus A330 fleet, and some aircraft from the Kingfisher fleet. Five A330-200s and one new A330-300 are parked. The seventh A330 is parked on the remote ramp, visible in the second picture. Six A330-200s are almost half the Jet Airways fleet. One has to question why are they parked up in Delhi and not being used. There are rumours that Jet is going to lease them to Etihad. More Jetihad.



The remote ramp of the mega Terminal 3. This photo has two rare events in one. First is the Kenya Airways Cargo Boeing 737-300, not seen before this date. Second, is a rare daylight confluence of four Blue Dart freighters of their fleet of six aircraft. Two 757s parked, one 757 taxiing out, and the sole 737-200 near the top right of the photo, waiting to line-up and take-off.



Normally performed by an Airbus A340-300, this day Finnair flight AY021 non-stop from Helsinki, was performed by a Boeing 757-200 with winglets. Unfortunately this aircraft OH-LBT went technical and could not perform the return flight.



And here I am ....... way up there. Let me say, despite the supports on the trucks, the bucket wobbles and sways. It was scary and one has to be very gentle in their movements. Hats off to these fire-fighters.

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Photographer's guide and check-list to Aero India and other air-shows

by Vedant - Bangalore Aviation staff photographer

With AeroIndia 2013 coming up soon, I have produced a small guide and check-list for photographers at the air-show. This guide can also be used as a template for other air-shows.

Tickets

• Get your tickets as soon as possible. 
• It is a lot better to pay and get Business passes for either Thursday or Friday (7th or 8th February). You will have a lot more maneuvering room to get some good pictures. 
• Avoid the weekends. Saturday and Sunday are a zoo. It is jam-packed and next to impossible to shoot any decent camera. 
• Also by weekend, many of the static displays (parked aircraft) are gone.

Courtesy Paul Furmanski. All rights reserved.

Your photographic equipment

• Decide on what equipment you are going to carry, do not carry less than you need, but also do not carry extra. Keep in mind there is a LOT of walking at the show, and you will be spending the whole day carting around everything you take to the show. Every kilo you add to your bag will feel like ten by the end of the day. 
• You will need a telephoto, up to 300mm will do fine. 200mm will be on the shorter side, but then, both the Canon and Nikon 70~200mm f/2.8 lenses are probably the best lenses made by each company. 
• You will also need a wide-angle zoom (like the Nikon 18~70mm). An all-in-one zoom like the 18~200mm or the 24~300mm is also a very good choice.
• Canon has probably the best lens for air-shows. 100~400mm.
• Check your equipment, camera bodies and lenses, etc. and get them ready now. Check for dust spots on your sensor and lenses and get it professionally cleaned if necessary. Both Canon and Nikon have good service centres in most major Indian cities and reasonable charges. Closer to the show they get overloaded and may not be able to accommodate you.
• Carry extra batteries, there is no place, at the show, to plug in a charger.
• If you have two bodies, carry both, it will save on changing lenses in the middle of the show, and reduce risk of dust entering your camera. More more than two bodies, I feel are not needed, but it is your choice.
• Memory, Memory, Memory. You cannot have enough memory cards. For good results try to shoot in RAW and these are large files. You could easily shoot 1,000 to 1,500 shots in a day at the show, and with RAW, you may not get more than 400 shots on a 16GB memory card.
• If you are carrying big lenses 200~400mm f/4, 300mm or 400mm f/2.8, then definitely carry a monopod. It will help take the heavy load off your neck and hands between shots. Since this is a day show, a tripod will be cumbersome to use, and becomes a hindrance rather than an aid.
• Check your camera bag. If need be, buy a bigger bag. LowePro is the choice for most prosumers and professionals. Remember, you need quick and easy access to your equipment. A tighly packed, well stacked bag, may look compact at home, but it may not provide you the access needed at the show.

Other items to carry

The best support is always from a dear friend like Aziz.
Courtesy Paul Furmanski. All rights reserved.

• During winters the sky over Bangalore is clear. While this is good for photography, the sun is extremely bright and burns the skin. A good hat or cap and sun block cream are non-negotiable items. The hat or cap should have a strap to prevent it blowing off your head in a wind. The best hats are the floppy brim hats worn by cricketers. So look at a sports goods store or Bangalore Hat Works on Commercial Street. The North Face also has a good hat called the HORIZON BREEZE BRIMMER HAT, but I have not seen this available in India.
• Remember, as the day progresses it gets insanely hot, especially outdoors at the show.
• Carry at least two water bottles, preferably disposable bottles that can be thrown away after you are done with them or if security does not let you carry water in you can dispose of the bottles easily.
• Make sure that you carry your your required ID with you. It might be better to keep your passes and ID's inside your camera bag itself.
• Carry extra cash. Food and drinks, virtually everything at the show is quite pricey.
• Hand sanitizer, wet-wipes, towels. Keep your hands clean and germ-free before eating, and grease free after the meal, which you will then not transfer on to your camera. Remember the portable toilets at the show, are not exactly world-class restroom facilities.
• If you have one of those old fashioned portable luggage trolleys, which were in vogue before roll-a-board strolleys became fashionable, you can attach your camera bag to rolls around the show. At the end of the day, your back will thank me.
• Wear full sleeved, loose, comfortable, cotton shirts or blouses. Khaki's or similar business casual trousers or slacks will be good. You will look professional and still be comfortable. Comfortable shoes. Sneakers will do, but if you plan to tour the stalls, and be taken seriously, complete the business look with a pair of Florshiem or Hush Puppies type moccasins. 
• Carry business cards. You never know who you will meet, or which opportunity will knock.
• Carry a small writing pad and pen, the size that can fit in the shirt pocket.

Getting to the show

• Leave early. Leave early. Leave early to the show, and from the show. The construction on NH-7 has turned that highway into a mess. With the added crush of the show, it is most likely going to be chaos.
• If you don’t have a parking pass, strongly consider taking one of the Volvo buses that will go to the show, or in the worst case, the excellent BIAS Volvo bus service that runs to/from the airport.
• Even if you have a parking permit, the regular parking is quite a walk to the show venue.

At the show

• Don’t try to glue yourself to the fence during the aerial shows. People will crowd you and keep pushing you from behind, leaving you with no space to shift around to take your shots. You will be better off standing a little behind the crowd, and shooting the planes in the sky.
• Between the morning and afternoon aerial displays, head into the show pavilions or any covered area where you can rest out of the sun.In the pavilions your business casual attire with separate you from the crowd and get you better interactions with the exhibitors.
• Respect the security. Be polite. You will normally get your way. Belligerence will not.
• Keep a look out for your equipment and wallet. This is a target right opportunity for pick-pockets and thieves. 

Have fun shooting and please post comments to add any items that you feel I have missed out on this list.

We will be posting an article on camera settings for the AeroIndia show, so stay tuned.

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Video: Plane spotting at New Delhi Airport - Songs of Runway 28

Hope you had a good holiday. Turn the volume up for this one. Another of our videos from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, thanks to the team at Delhi International Airport Ltd.

This one focusses on the sounds heard at the runway from various aircraft and their many engines. Hope you enjoy.



As usual comments, praises, or brick-bats are always welcome.

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Video: Plane photography at New Delhi Indira Gandhi airport

by Devesh Agarwal

Recently, with permission of the DGCA, the Aviation Photographers India Foundation visited the air-side at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) as guests of the airport operators, Delhi International Airport Ltd., for which each member of the foundation, including me, express our grateful thanks.

The famous "mudra" wall at Terminal 3. Mudras are hand gestures used in classical Indian dance forms.

The first of a series of videos, produced by Abhishek Singh in cooperation with Bangalore Aviation, entitled "The Departures" is below the fold.

It was thrilling. We shot near the runway amongst tall dry grass, classic of the Delhi flora, and we could hear snakes slithering near by. But the roar of jet engines and the love of those magnificent flying machines, supported by all the people involved in running an airport, kept us put.

Hope you enjoy this labour of love. Do change the quality to HD (720p or 1080p) to really enjoy the video. If you are reading this story in our e-mail digest, you will have to visit our website, or see the video here.

Also please visit our Youtube page for more videos. As usual comments are always welcome.

You can also embed this video on your website. Just click on the Youtube logo on the bottom right, once the video commences. On Youtube, click on the share tab and use the embed code.



We also acknowledge with thanks for the assistance provided by Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. with the equipment.

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Would you like to read posts on how to improve your plane spotting photography?

by Devesh Agarwal

A quick query to our readers. Bangalore Aviation has access to some good photographers who are also avid plane spotters and take great photographs of airplanes across the world.

Would you like us to feature articles which can help you improve your plane spotting photography? Please post a comment. Do include specific points on what aspects would you like covered in the articles.

In the mean time, last week, three photos of mine made it to the "Top of the Day" list at JetPhotos. Feel free to click on the images and see the original high resolution pictures. Comments are always welcome.

Air India Boeing 777-300ER VT-ALM.
'Himachal Pradesh' taxies out to runway 28 at New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport bathed in the reddish-gold hue of the evening setting sun.

Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner JA825J.
One of the last flights by the JAL Dreamliner from Tokyo Narita to Delhi. Two days later the airline changed the equipment to a Boeing 777-200. This photo shows the power of flexibility by shooting in RAW mode on your SLR camera. The original picture was taken well after sunset and very dark. The post-processed finished image is for you to see. The red glow of the beacon on the right engine is the only clue of the darkness, in the original image which increased the effect of the red beacon.

Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANI economy class cabin.
At the end of flight AI505 from Bangalore to Delhi. The ultra-narrow nine-abreast seating is visible. For the full cabin walk-through video and photographs please read our earlier story.

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Night photos from Delhi Indira Gandhi international airport - the Airbus collection

Continuing our photo essay (see part two) on the night photography at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), thanks to the support of the kind friends at Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL) and the DGCA, today is the Airbus collection.

Unlike Bangalore where the mid-sized Airbus (since the A380 is not permitted) is the dominant aircraft type, Delhi with its higher traffic volumes, commands the larger aircraft of Boeing, the 777 and 747.

Yet, one does get to see the Airbus of mostly Indian and European airlines.

IndiGo Airbus A320-232 VT-IES. Used for international flights at night and domestic during the day.

Jet Airways Airbus A330-200 VT-JWM.

Aeroflot Airbus A330-200 VP-BLY

SWISS Airbus A330-300 (the longer brother of the -200) HB-JHI

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Airbus A330-200 PH-AOK

We request you to please encourage these photographers via a comment on the photo site.

Photos are used with permission of the photographers who retain full copyright. Pictures may not be used without their specific permission.

Hope you enjoyed this photo-essay series.

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Night photos from Delhi Indira Gandhi international airport - the Boeing 777 collection

Continuing our photo essay (see part one) on the night photography at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), thanks to the support of the kind friends at Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL) and the DGCA, today is the Boeing 777 collection.

The 777 is largest twin-engine airliner in the world, along with being one of the most popular, and the most profitable for its manufacturer, Boeing.

The newer 777-300ER, 777-200LR (both of which form bulk of Air India's long distance fleet), and Freighter variants feature the largest engines in aviation history, the General Electric GE90-115B or -110B1 engines. The GE90-115B, has a fan diameter of 3.25 metres or 10ft 8in. This photo offers a size comparison between the GE90 and the earlier engines used to power the venerable Boeing 747.

The GE90 has a distinct "moaning" sound when it starts. It is music to us plane spotters. Play the video to hear it. Anywhere in the world, if you are within earshot of an airport, or on-board a 777-300ER or 777-200LR flight, keep an ear out for the sound.

Air India Boeing 777-200LR (also called 77L in airline parlance) VT-ALE (equipped with the GE90-110B)

Emirates airline Boeing 777-300ER (77W) A6-ECK (equipped with GE90-115B)

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300 (773) 9V-SYF (not an ER. Equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 800 RB212 engine)

Thai Airways Boeing 777-300 HS-TKB (equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 800)

We request you to please encourage these photographers via a comment on the photo site.

Photos are used with permission of the photographers who retain full copyright. Pictures may not be used without their specific permission.

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Night photos from Delhi Indira Gandhi international airport - the Boeing collection

Thanks to the support of the kind friends at Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL) who operate the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), and the DGCA, some members of the Aviation Photographers India, went airside for some photography. Click here to see photographs from the entire group.

Below are some night photographs from the event taken by the Bangalore Aviation team of Devesh and Vedant. Photographing airliners at night is very challenging, very tiring, but at the end of it, most exhilarating. It is when the big boys from across the world come, the airport is relatively quiet so we can get up close to the planes, and the creativity we can exercise with the light. For example the star bursts are not generated using any filters. They are created by stopping down the aperture and increasing the time the shutter is open.

We hope you enjoy. Do take the time to leave a comment, either here, or on the photograph page itself. Considering we are hobbyists, praise always helps.

Today is the Boeing collection from the 757 to the new 747-8i. Click on the images to see the original photos in high resolution. We are excluding the 777s which will be posted in a separate collection tomorrow.

Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i D-ABYA

China Southern Airlines Boeing 757-200 B-2823

China Southern Airlines Boeing 757-200 B-2812 (another night, another plane). Compare the star bursts between the two photos. This one is created used a prime 50mm f/1.8 Nikon lens, and at around Rs. 8,000 it is a steal, compared to the 24~70mm f/2.8, used for the shot above, which costs six figures.

Kenya Airways Boeing 767-300ER 5Y-KYX

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Air India commences second daily Delhi Bangalore flight with the 787 Dreamliner

With the arrival of its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Air India has commenced morning services to Bangalore and afternoon services to Kolkata.

AI803 Delhi 06:35 ~ Bangalore 09:10
AI505 Bangalore 10:10 ~ Delhi 12:25

AI020 Delhi 14:00 ~ Kolkata 15:55
AI701 Kolkata 17:00 ~ Delhi 19:10

The first Dreamliner continues on its daily circuit to Chennai and Bangalore

AI439 Delhi 07:00 ~ Chennai 09:40
AI430 Chennai 10:45 ~ Delhi 13:25

AI403 Delhi 16:30 ~ Bangalore 19:10
AI404 Bangalore 20:10 ~ Delhi 22:45

Do keep in mind the 787 operations are only temporary. From end October or November expect the airline to move these aircraft for long haul international destinations, which is what they are meant for any way.

If you would like to take a photograph of the Dreamliner, please go to this map, and see the two spotting locations I have marked. Remember to get to the locations at least 20~30 minutes before the scheduled arrival time.

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Greetings from India (Vinay)

For the first time since I joined Bangalore Aviation, I am posting from India; Bangalore to be exact. I am definitely excited to be back in India for only the second time since I lived here for a year back in 2003, and being on the ground here is an immensely enjoyable experience.

I will be in Bangalore today and tomorrow, followed by 3 days in Mumbai. From Bangalore to Mumbai I will be flying Air India (which will be very interesting), followed by my return on Lufthansa.

Devesh and I will be doing a couple of interviews with airlines/airports while I am here, and I will be going planespotting, hopefully in both locations.

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Bangalore Aviation photographer wins 3rd SpiceJet plane spotting contest

For the third year in succession low fare carrier SpiceJet has sponsored a plane spotting contest via its Facebook page. In fact SpiceJet still remains the only Indian airline promoting such a contest.

This year, Bangalore Aviation editor and photographer, Devesh Agarwal's photograph of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SPJ taking off from Mumbai's runway 09 at sunset, was adjudged to have submitted the best photograph in the contest.

The judge was Shashank Nigam of the Simpliflying blog. To see other submissions visit this link.

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Plane spotting photos: Two 'Top shots' in two days. Night photography at Mumbai airport

Earlier this year, the Aviation Photographers India Foundation, had a chance to go airside at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and take photos, thanks to the support by the DGCA and MIAL.

Two night pictures in the spirit of Christmas both of which made 'Top Shot' at JetPhotos.

British Airways Boeing 777-300ER G-STBB. Observe the "Sky Interior" with the soft blue mood lighting showing through the windows in the premium classes while economy gets a full dose of regular simulated daylight. The pilots conduct final checks in the cockpit before lights out and taxi, and who can overlook the massive and beautiful GE90-115B engines.

The Star alliance ramp at the international terminal at Mumbai. Left to right: Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, Austrian Airlines Boeing 767 with winglets, Thai Airways A330-300, Continental (United) Airlines Boeing 777-200ER.

To see more photos, please click on the photo images in the boxes on the top right.

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Plane spotting photos and Video: AeroLogic Boeing 777F and Lion Air Boeing 747-400 at Bangalore

Last week Bangalore Aviation contributor Vedant Agarwal caught the new started AeroLogic Boeing 777F five times a week service from Bangalore to Leipzig, Germany, and a one off appearance by Indonesia's Lion Air Boeing 747-400 (not an ER), which has been sub-contracted by NAS Air to ferry passengers performing the Haj.

AeroLogic Boeing 777F D-AALD

Lion Air Boeing 747-400 PK-LHG

The 777F freighter is heavily based on the 777-200LR platform and features the huge GE90-115B engines. Boeing delivered the first 777F to launch customer Air France Cargo back in February 2009 (see video here). Boeing has also produced a videos on the 777F in service which is embedded below.

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Photo quiz: What is so special about this Air India tail parade?

Earlier this year, I took this photo at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. It shows tails of four Air India group aircraft. Can you identify what is special about this photo. Post a comment, and be specific please.

Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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Photos: Cockpit and cabin interior of SpiceJet Q400

Indian low fare carrier SpiceJet commenced the first Indian commercial operations of a Bombardier DH4 Q400 turbo-prop yesterday.

Here are two pictures on the 78 seat interior of the aircraft and its state of the art "glass cockpit". You will observe, that unlike other turbo-props, the Q400 features large overhead baggage compartments.

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How plane spotters are helping airport security in their battle against terror

Last week saw yet another dastardly attack against the citizens of India in general and Mumbai in particular. As per the Government of India, there was no prior intelligence warning of the Mumbai blasts.

Across the world, governments have realised the importance of involving and engaging the local community to ensure a flow of information, especially on strangers or unknown person entering that community. Almost any security agency including the police have a network of confidential informants.

Post the 1993 riots, the Mumbai Police had a policy of actively engaging "Mohalla Committees". Across North America in both the United States and Canada, voluntary "neighborhood watch" programs are an active deterent against crime. Surely there are similar programs across most countries.

Following the blasts, airports, like other sensitive installations across India, instantly went on high alert and security was beefed up. Just a couple of days before the blasts, we also saw a case where the Mumbai Police harassed a press photographer for taking a photograph of an airplane without first obtaining permission.

As an aviation enthusiast and plane spotter, it got me thinking ........

Instead of shunning and persecuting, would it not be better for the police and airport security forces across India to co-opt the voluntary services of aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters? Can this work for airports in India? How can this be achieved?

Enthusiasts and spotters are in many ways a local community to their airport. We understand, respect, and support, the need for airports to be safe and secure from malicious elements. Almost all of us have knowledge of airport operations, some of us, vast, and some of us, not so vast. In our quest to get good photographs or to see the planes or airports better we explore all around the airport, sometimes in areas not regularly patrolled by security.

Across the world, spotters have a universal credo. Observe, record, and report. As regular visitors to our local airport we are familiar with the daily routine and can quickly observe if something is out of the ordinary.

All these traits make enthusiasts and spotters valuable sets of additional eyes for a nation's security agencies entrusted with securing airports and their perimeters.

In many countries, airport authorities and security agencies have enrolled, enthusiasts and spotters in active volunteer groups who Observe, Record, and Report any suspicious activity to authorities while they participate in their favorite hobby of watching airplanes. The groups also keep a look out for activities like littering which attracts birds which are dangerous for airplanes, traffic blockages on access points to the airports, fires outside but in the vicinity of the airport, etc.

Volunteers are security screened and issued appropriate identification which helps security agencies distinguish them quickly.

In Canada, in cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), volunteers operate as Airport Watch Canada at the airports in the nation's capital Ottawa and the commercial capital Toronto.

In the United Kingdom volunteers of The Aviation Enthusiast Security Scheme (TAESS), of which I too am a member, operate in cooperation with the BAA Airport Security and the Metropolitan Police.

Similar efforts are underway in the United States at the local level.

In India, the authorities at Bengaluru International Airport took initiative and supported aviation enthusiasts who eventually formed the Aviation Photographers India Foundation.

Surely the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in cooperation with the Director General of Civil Aviation can take the success of these programs across the world and create a model for India which will only serve to strengthen security.

What are your thoughts? Is there anyone reading this post who can help take this idea up to the appropriate authorities?

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Mumbai Police terrorise press photographer. A warning to plane spotting in Mumbai.

The Mid-Day is quite a famous newspaper in the financial capital of India, Mumbai. On July 8th, the Mumbai Police quite literally terrorised one of the papers accredited photographers Sayed Sameer Abedi who recounts the horrors he faced in this article. His alleged crime? Taking photographs of an airplane without the permission of the Mumbai Police.

Bangalore Aviation readers can keep in mind the freedoms enjoyed by the press in India which is a powerful force and that the Mid-Day is a large and recognised newspaper and despite his accreditations, and his employer, the Mumbai police has threatened Mr. Abedi for taking a photograph in which an aircraft is also pictured.

As per the report Mr. Abedi recounts his initial experience with Senior Inspector Samadhan Dhanedhar

He asked me to show him the photographs I had clicked and then asked me how I had dared to take photos of an aircraft without taking permission from him. When I protested and told him that I was just doing my job and was doing nothing that was against the law, he shouted me down and asked me not to raise my voice.

May be the Commissioner of Police of Mumbai should instruct his Senior Inspector that photography in India, is controlled ONLY at airports, and that too by the Director General of Civil Aviation.

If the officer needs to read the law, he should read Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. For Inspector Dhanedhar's quick reference here is a related story with links to all the relevant rules and Gazzette of India notifications.

Senior most officers of the Mumbai police have told Bangalore Aviation that as per the law photography at Jari Mari is permitted. However, police sources also indicate the area is extremely sensitive from both a communal as well as security perspectives.

The fact that the Mumbai Police outright terrorised Mr. Abedia disregarding his proper press accreditations and the power and clout of the Mid-Day newspaper should serve as a fair warning to plane spotters who risk a far worse treatment when taking photographs.

Spotters have reported incidents of the Mumbai Police wielding their sticks mercilessly and targeting equipment. One can only thank god that the Mumbai Police are not given guns across the board.

What are your thoughts on this callous and high handed behaviour by the Mumbai Police? Post a comment.

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