HIGHLIGHTS INDIA AVIATION 2008

• MSN001- the first A-380 to roll out of the assembly line on April 27, 2001 ( one of the five aircraft that was used by Airbus for testing purposes) landed at it's 78 th airport at the show
• New Airbus 319 was inducted to Air India Fleet during India Aviation 2008
• Amidst the booming Indian Aviation Chopper Market Bell Helicopter delivered their 100th Helicopter in India to BIR Infrastructure
• Visa Jet launched their operations in India during India Aviation 2008
• National Aviation Co of India (NACIL) and European Aeronautics Defence & Space Co. (EADS) announced an agreement to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre at Indira Gandhi International Airport , New Delhi , during the show. The total project cost is estimated at US$ 40 million spread over next 5 years
• New collaboration plans under the US- India Aviation Cooperation Program were showcased at the show
• On the second day of India Aviation 2008 Finmeccanica selected CADES as the supplier to support it's global sourcing program
• PIAGGIO also announced in India Aviation 2008, contracts that calls for two P.18- Avanti II aircraft to be delivered in 2008 to the first Indian Private Operator
• For the first times Iiyushin of Russian Civil Aircraft Company showcased its aircraft model; the IL114-100 at any show in India
• Bombardier announced building an India Regional Customer Support Office in 2009 during the show
• Bell unveiled its new 429 Model helicopter at India Aviation 2008
• Bell Helicopter will be delivering 5 more helicopters before the end of the year and is expected to deliver 12-15 helicopters per year
• Eurocopter is expecting to deliver 20-25 helicopters annually
• Bombardier has plans to increase their presence in India and India Aviation 2008 was considered the right platform by the company to fulfill the above objective
• ATR plans to sell 300 Turbo Props in India in the next ten years
• Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy announced that Tata Group will set up an Aerospace and Precision Engineering Unit near Hyderabad . The unit will carry out advance surveillance systems as well as MRO operations
• The financial meltdown hasn't effected the corporates like Relaince Industies, Essar, DLF etc who plan to buy helicopters from Augusta Westland
• Thomas Wede, Senior Vice President of Jeppesen a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, specializing in aeronautical charting, announced at India Aviation 2008 that they are opening an office in India .
• Mr. Bob Fitzpatrick, Senior Vice President, Bell Helicopter told to the media at the show that the latest model Bell 429 has received 15 orders from India till date.
• India Aviation 2008 marked Lockheed Martin's first foray into civilian airspace in India .
• Concordia University International Centre for Aviation is planning to set up a aviation university in Andhra Pradesh, an intent expressed by Dr. Dale Doreen, Executive Director at India Aviation 2008
• USA has shown a keen interest to work with Indian Aviation Industry
• FAA appreciated the support extended by Ministry of Civil Aviation during the show and the scope provided by the event to further strengthen the partnership between two countries
• NATS have also shown interest to engage key stakeholders in India and Aviation SEZs which can be used in generating some inward investments for Andhra Pradesh
• France has also expressed further co-operation between the two countries
• Bell Helicopter is planning MRO unit in India and are likely to finalize their plans for the unit with in this year
• Bell Helicopter has also expressed that they are keen to explore the possibility of sourcing of parts & spares from Indian Suppliers
• Hindavia Aeronautical Services a Russian Aircraft marketer are in talks with four domestic carriers for selling their aircraft. They are confident of selling 40 Russian made turbo aircraft in the next five years
• Bell Helicopter plans to set up a pilot training academy in India
• Airworks has entered in a service centre agreement with Honeywell at India Aviation 2008
• Embraer announced that they have orders of 30 Commercial Jets for India including seven for Star Aviation, 20 has been bought by Invision Projects. Aviators India has also two orders for the same jet.
• Airports Authority of India announced during India Aviation that they are working on norms for heliports as there has been an increase in demand for the same
• Ms. Marion Blakey, President & CEO, Aerospace Industries Association of America during India Aviation meet has expressed the desire of US firms to work in the development of infrastructure in Aviation Sector
• Andhra Pradesh Government in association with a Canadian University has conceptualized to set up the Lepakshi Aerospace Station & Academy (LASAA) on PPP model with initial investment of US$30-40 million. The academy will be on the lines of NASA & is envisioned to be one of the largest integrated ecosystem to enable global aerospace players to be involver in the design, manufacture & maintenance of space vehicles & satellites
• First Cargo Airport will be built in Gwalior with an estimated investment of RS1,200 crore and 1.500 crore for runway & other infrastructure