Two new customers for SITA OnAir in India

AirAsia India and Air Costa deploy aircraft communications and flight tracking technology

New Delhi, 28 July 2015 – AirAsia India and Air Costa have become the latest carriers in India to deploy SITA OnAir’s AIRCOM services. The technology will help them streamline their operations using SITA OnAir’s unique VHF network, which covers the whole of India. SITA OnAir also provides both airlines with AIRCOM® FlightTracker so they can track flights in real time throughout their entire route network; flight tracking is a mandatory requirement for all Indian-based carriers.

AirAsia India and Air Costa, with fleets of A320-200 and Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft respectively, are young airlines, both having launched within the last two years. As well as flight tracking, they have also deployed AIRCOM Server Online and AIRCOM Datalink Services, which interface with the airlines’ operations, crew management flight planning and maintenance software. With real-time weather data going directly to the pilots and live messaging between the flight crew and the airline operational control, flights are more efficient and turnaround times are reduced.

“The Indian aviation market is set to grow by 10% every year for the next ten years, according to Aviation industry reports,” said Capt. K N Babu, CEO of Air Costa. “That obviously gives us significant potential for growth. To make the very most of the opportunity, we need to be highly efficient in operations where technology will help us to achieve it. SITA OnAir provides us with ubiquitous coverage and the right tools to make sure we optimize our operations.”

FlightTracker uses existing air traffic control data, along with airlines’ flight plans, to provide real-time aircraft position monitoring. It is a low-cost solution that meets and exceeds industry demands, without requiring the installation of additional airborne equipment. FlightTracker generates automatic alerts when an aircraft goes outside pre-determined parameters, giving flight controllers full information at all times. Learn more about the benefits AIRCOM® FlightTracker is bringing to the air transport industry:

“SITA OnAir has a very strong presence in India, making it the obvious choice for our aircraft communications requirements,” said Mr Mittu Chandilya, CEO of AirAsia India. “Much of this data transfer over the SITA OnAir network is automated, including the maintenance information. Reducing human input makes the processes more streamlined and therefore more efficient. In turn, that helps us improve our performance while keeping costs down.”

In addition to its extensive VHF coverage throughout India, SITA OnAir also has a wide network of regional support teams, ready to help both airline and airport customers when necessary.

“The aviation industry in India has indeed witnessed a transformation over the last decade and SITA which is at the heart of the air transport community being industry owned and industry driven has been an active contributor in this transformation. SITA is focused on improving air navigation efficiency and safety by delivering real-time flight tracking to enable airlines to meet the industry requirements. Continuously expanding VHF coverage in India is reflective of SITA’s commitment to building unique assets/infrastructure for shared usage for its members,” Maneesh Jaikrishna, Vice President, SITA India and Subcontinent.

“Our aim is always to provide technology that helps airlines be both more efficient and safer,” said Katrina Korzenowski, SITA OnAir’s Director of Aircraft Services, APAC. “We are meeting with Indian airlines today, along with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to discuss how best our technology can continue helping them, particularly when it comes to flight tracking.”

Regional airline Air Costa started flying in October 2013 from Chennai, one of its operating and maintenance hubs. It also has a hub at Vijaywada Airport and currently flies to a total of nine airports across India. As well as the existing Embraer fleet, Air Costa also has firm orders for 50 of the Brazilian airframer’s new generation aircraft, the E-Jet E2.

AirAsia India, is a low cost carrier that is a joint venture between AirAsia, and Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace. It started operations in India in June 2014 with a maiden flight from Bengaluru to Goa and now flies to 11 destinations. AirAsia India’s focus is very much on providing safe, low fare flights.