Technology

Paperless Boarding Is Finally Coming To India In 2019!

A smile is all that you’ll need to board your next domestic flight.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has notified rules for its ambitious project ‘Digi Yatra (DY)’ wherein a domestic flyer will be able to board a flight with biometric-based verification.

Travellers will be required to generate a unique DY ID number through the aviation ministry’s website. According to DGCA chief BS Bhullar, passengers can create their unique DY ID using any of the government-issued identification cards.

After a mandatory initial physical security check, passengers will be required to give the unique number while booking tickets in the future.

After this, passengers will be able to go paperless for flights to domestic sectors at airports which are equipped with biometric-based verification.

Facial recognition (voluntary biometrics) access system will be a reality soon in the next two to three months.

The system will kick off first at the Hyderabad and Bangalore airports. Varanasi, Kolkata, Pune and Vijaywada will be the next set of airports to follow suit.

However, if passengers don’t want to opt for the paperless and voluntary method, they may decide to go for the existing system of showing electronic tickets (e-tickets) to the airport staff.

Such reforms will surely enable domestic flyers to have a smooth journey in the coming months.

Read More

Pune Airport To Get Biometric Boarding System By April 2019!

A seamless check-in awaits flyers at the Pune Airport with the authorities ready to roll out biometric boarding system from April 2019.

The system will enhance passenger movement at the airport through facial recognition under the civil aviation ministry’s “DigiYatra” programme.

The document of the ministry’s “Vision 2040”, which was unveiled on Tuesday at the inauguration of the two-day Global Aviation Summit in Mumbai, states that the pilot implementation of the project will be carried out at Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports by February-end.

According to an airport official, the project will be rolled out at the Pune, Kolkata, Varanasi &  Vijayawada airports by April.

The system will be similar during the security check. There will be no need of showing and stamping boarding passes after frisking. The boarding passes and flight details of the passengers registered in the facial recognition system would also be integrated.

Here’s how you can register for this :

  • There will be a one time registration process at the airport terminal entrance
  • A centralised registration system will be created to store passenger information
  • Each passenger will have a unique “DigiYatra” ID
  • The flyers facial features will be captured in a Hight Definition Camera

Once registered, the flyer has to look into the camera instead of showing their boarding pass, ticket or identity card. The flyers identity will be ascertained and he/she will be allowed to pass through the security gate.

Read More

Mumbai Airport To Stop Stamping Of Boarding Passes!

India’s second busiest airport, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), will be the 1st airport in India to implement the concept of “DigiYatra”.

On Monday, CSMIA said that they will soon do away with physical stamping of boarding passes by security personnel for domestic passengers.

All domestic full-service carriers ,Air India, Jet Airways and Vistara ,besides international airlines operate out of T2 of the Mumbai airport, where this process will start.

(CSMIA), is now equipped with the latest technology that eliminates boarding pass stamping for all domestic airlines operating out of T2.

Here how this will work:

  • Passengers travelling within the country from Terminal 2 can authenticate their boarding pass at the pre-embarkation security check points.
  • They can do this by scanning the tickets barcode or QR code with their mobile phones at the e-gates reader, using Live Passenger Dataset.
  • It will save time, provide a “harmonious experience” to passengers, and improve the overall throughput of the security check procedure

This authentication will eliminate the responsibility of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to stamp boarding passes.

The move by the Mumbai airport is in line with the government’s Digi Yatra initiative, which aims to make ticket booking, airport entry and boarding pass security check-in digital.

Digi Yatra will also enable facial recognition technology for passengers to enter airports and promote paperless and hassle-free air travel.

This pilot feature introduced by CSMIA aims at reducing the time involved in completing the many pre-flight boarding checks.

Read More

Government Paves Way For Wi-Fi On Flights!

People will soon be able to make calls and access internet through their phones during air travel within Indian territory as the government has notified rules for providing such services.

The government has made a set of guidelines under the Indian Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules (IFMC), 2018, which says that Indian and foreign airlines operating in the country can provide in-flight voice and data services in partnership with a valid Indian telecom licence holder.

The services will be activated once the aircraft attains a minimum height of 3,000 metres in Indian airspace to avoid interference with terrestrial mobile networks, the rules state.

The IFMC licences will be granted against an annual fee of Re 1 for a period of 10 years and the permit holder will have to pay licence fees and usage charges based on revenue earned from providing services.

However, airlines and service providers will decide how much they want to charge the customer. It is also up to them whether they want to offer both internet and calling services or limit themselves to Wi-Fi services only.

Most airlines globally offer only Wi-Fi on board as allowing mobile calls could be too much of a nuisance for fellow travellers.

This development helps India, one of the fastest growing aviation markets and the second largest smartphone market, join a long list of countries like the US, UK, Canada and China that have been offering the services for a couple of years now.

Read More

Everything You Need To Know About The Newly Inaugurated Kannur Airport!

Putting an end to a wait of five decades, Kannur Airport was inaugurated on Sunday.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the fourth international airport in the state with Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi being the other three.

Located within 30 kms of the main town, the airport puts Kannur on the global aviation map. The inaugural flight, Air India ExpressBoeing 737-800 to Abu Dhabi, took off on Sunday with 185 passengers.

Below are some interesting facts about Kerala’s 4th  International Airport:

Connectivity

Budget air travel To foreign destinations & connectivity to the northern part of Kerala is now possible thanks to Kannur Airport.

International flights to the UAE, Oman and Qatar will be operated from this airport. For regional connectivity, flights to Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai will be available.

Air India Express and Go Air have already started operations. Other airlines like SpiceJet will start shortly.

Public-Private Partnership

Spread across 2,330 acres, the new international airport in Kerala is built in the public-private partnership model.

While the Kerala government owns A 32.86 per stake in the airport, another 22.54 percent stake is held by state and central public sector undertakings.

It will surely set a benchmark for the Indian aviation sector for how airport should be built and function.

Cost & Capacity

With a runway length of 3,050 metres and costing close to Rs2,300 crore, the airport will have the capacity to manage around 4.6 million passengers annually.

The airport has a 95,000 square metre integrated terminal building, which is the eighth largest in India.

It is also the second greenfield airport in India after Kochi International Airport.

Traditional Architecture

The walls of Kannur International Airport depict the rich heritage and cultural tradition of Malabar and Kannur.

Murals enrich the look of the airport. Paintings of traditional dance forms like Theyyam, Kathakali and Yakshagana can be seen on the airport’s wall.

Opportunity

Kannur airport will create around 2,000 direct jobs by different airport agencies besides boosting the tourism industry in northern Kerala.

Read More

10 Airplane Cabin Innovations That Changed The Way We Fly!

In a bid to make flying comfortable for us airplane manufacturers, designers and airlines sometimes come up with brilliant ideas that change the very nature of the way we fly.

It’s because of these paradigm-shifting innovations, airplane cabins have changed over the decades.

To give you an insight into what these ideas are and how they changed flying forever, here are 10 airplane cabin innovations.

1.The Overhead Cabin

You may today think that small overhead cabins aren’t an innovation worth mentioning, it plays a vital role in passenger convenience and safety.

Overhead bins allow passengers to bring personal items/luggage onboard and they make the skies safer, keeping those bags secure during emergencies and turbulence.

This is one of the 1st and the most basic of airplane cabin innovations and has stuck with us since the start of commercial aviation.

2.Premium Economy

In India, premium economy cabin is only available with Vistara, however, universally it’s a pretty popular choice for travellers when it comes to flying.

Introduced by Virgin Atlantic in the 1990s, this fourth cabin class has made comfortable long-haul travel affordable for many.

A true premium economy cabin is class apart with unique seats and loads of comfort and service features.

There are many airlines offering proper premium economy seats today including Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS and Singapore Airlines, but Virgin Atlantic has done its legacy proud by offering passengers a premium economy experience that is hard to beat.

3.The First-Class Shower & Spa

Emirates airline’s first-class shower and spa took a lot of clever engineering to accommodate, but the result is pretty astounding.

The shower rooms themselves are larger than the average house bathroom, offer heated floors with manual temperature control and are overseen by dedicated shower attendants.

For longer flights, it’s an excellent way to refresh and relax before landing, and a perfect complement to the extreme luxury of today’s best first-class service.

4.The Seat Pod

A British Airways innovation in the mid-1990s, the seat pod has evolved to include a wide range of versions, including super-lush and extra-roomy high-tech business-class seats.

Features such as automatic seat control that convert to angled-flat or full-lie-flat beds, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, massage functions and a host of other personal comforts, make long-haul flights a breeze for passengers.

They make sure that you reach your destination well rested and satisfied.

5.The Private Cabin

Some airlines, like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Asiana Airways aim to keep first class worth the extra fare by offering private cabins.

If you can afford it, little compares to the joy of a long-haul journey with five-star pampering in a cabin all your own.

Its as if you’re flying in your own private jet.

6.Onboard Lounges & Bars

Inspired by the lounges launched by iconic airlines like Pan Am, a number of airlines are including a social space on larger airplanes, giving passengers a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy a few beverages with old friends and new.

Virgin Atlantic revived the lounge trend in the 1990s. Other International airlines like Emirates and Etihad followed soon after giving a luxurious experience to its customers.

7.The In-Flight Boutique

This is another service that most of us ignore but Duty-free shopping is one of many entertainments on offer in the skies.

Airlines have raised the bar for in-flight retail by adding shopping menus to their entertainment screens and offering passengers the opportunity to ship the goods straight to their homes.

In fact, many international airlines such as Korean Air have introduced shopping lounges that let us stretch our legs while we do a little in-flight window shopping.

8.In-Flight Entertainment

Trans World Airways branded in-flight entertainment as a key feature of long-haul air travel, but even they didn’t foresee how entertaining the skies would become.

Today, almost all airlines around the world offer a variety of blockbusters, shows, live television, music, and sports which are all on demand.

High-resolution screens, state-of-the-art technology, and the introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi provide continued improvements in this cabin comfort.

9.Cabin Lighting & Environmental Control

Airlines like Iceland Air, Virgin and Etihad have programmable LED lighting that set a pleasant mood for their guests.

Lighting also helps passengers regulate their biorhythms or body clock, during long- flights across time zones.

Improvements in climate, humidity, and noise reduction are making next-generation aircrafts healthier, more restful places.

Airlines are also experimenting with ways to use aromas to soothe us and calling on top chefs and scientists to make in-flight meals more appetizing.

10.Improved Aircraft Windows

The larger windows on next-generation aircraft like the Boeing Dreamliner and Airbus A350 provide better views of the world below and let in ample natural light, which makes the cabin feel less confining.

In fact, companies are trying to add innovations like solar-powered airplane windows, which will eventually charge your phones and tablets.

Read More

Varanasi Airport To Have India’s 1st Facial Recognition Security System!

Air passengers from Varanasi airport will be among the first who can board flights via a facial recognition system.

Under Digi Yatra, which is a Civil Aviation Ministry initiative launched to promote paperless, hassle-free and speedy airport entry, a facial recognition system will be introduced at four government-run airports.

Varanasi airport Director Mr. AK Rai has said that the installation of the automated security system is already under process. The airport’s entry, security and boarding points, the automated walkthrough security scanners are being set up, which have been equipped with facial recognition technology.

After the installation of the system, security checks will be carried out through facial recognition as soon as travellers walk through the scanner.

However, there will be no alteration in the way the luggage of the passenger is being checked. The airport Director added that the system will be put into service over the next four months.

The four government-run airports for which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued requests for proposal (RFP) are Varanasi, Pune, Kolkata and Vijayawada. AAI is inviting companies to work out the logistics as well as implement the system.

Under the Digi Yatra initiative, a passenger will first have to get a unique ID by registering on the Digi Yatra portal using an approved ID proof document such as Aadhaar, PAN or driving license.

Once this step is completed, the passenger will have to go through a one-time facial verification at an e-gate at the airport’s departure terminal.

Following this, the details will be stored on a centralized registration system and thereafter, the passenger’s face will act as the boarding pass. Then, the passenger after dropping off baggage, if any, can directly proceed for security check.

The aim of the ministry is to reduce the waiting time of passengers by implementing this system. It is also being expected by the ministry that the move will lead to a reduction in overall costs and ultimately in airfares.

Read More

Reasons Why Flying Is Still The Best Way To Travel!

At times, Flying has been perceived very wrongly or unsafe which is not true!

There’s a whole new experience to discover while you’re sitting comfortably in your seat and travelling thousands of feet in the air.

Beautiful views, great service, decent food and accessibility are a few words you can associate with flying, but there’s much more to it.

Here are 9 reasons why flying is still the best way to travel.

1.Its The Fastest Way To Get Anywhere

Flying has always been faster than taking the bus, boat, or train!

For instance, if you travel via road from Delhi to Bombay it takes around 8 hours 11 minuets and whereas it takes on 1 hour 55 minuets by a flight on the same route.

Plus, when you’re to go back at the end of your trip, a flight is able to get you there in a matter of a few hours while a return trip by car or a train can seem painful.

2.Flights Are Surprisingly Affordable

It may seem like it due to inflation but airline ticket prices are actually near an all-time low. In fact they have been declining for the past 30 years, allowing more of us to fly than ever before.

More efficient airplanes, increased competition, and the amenity to bargain shop for flights online have all played a role in this trend.

And while we may frown when we see the ticket prices online, we are lucky enough to live in an era when the cost of flying is affordable.

3.It’s Safe

On a daily basis, there are more than 93,000 scheduled commercial aircraft flights across the world, and yet we can go weeks, months or even years without a fatal crash.

When you crunch the numbers, the chances of you being onboard an aircraft that crashes is really small. In fact, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be in an airplane crash.

But should your flight actually go down, you’re also likely to still survive. A study of all the air crashes that took place in the U.S. between 1993 and 2000 showed that more than 90% of passengers and crew survived.

Read more about “Why Flying Is The Safest Way To Travel

4.It Opens The World To You

Want to visit Paris Or have dreams of chilling on the beaches of Hawaii? Then flying is really the best option you have.

The days of taking a slow boat to anywhere else in the world are long gone.

For international travellers, flying opens up nearly an unlimited number of possibilities, allowing us to visit distant lands, experience unique destinations, and explore our planet to the fullest.

5.In-Flight Entertainment

Modern airplanes are often equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment systems that put a selection of movies, television shows, music, and games right at our fingertips.

This can help time to pass more quickly while on a flight and allow us to relax more in the process.

But even if your aircraft doesn’t have a built-in entertainment system, chances are you brought one with you. Most travellers now come equipped with smartphones and tablets, which can fill the entertainment void nicely.

6.You Can Be Productive

Carrying a laptop with you when traveling, plus having some free time aboard the aircraft while in flight, can give you the opportunity to be more productive than if you were driving to your destination.

If you have a long flight, it can be the perfect time to pull out the computer and get some work done.

7.Instagram Worthy Views

If you’re lucky enough to get a window seat, you are often treated to some great views.

There is nothing quite like soaring over the countryside while lakes, rivers, mountains, and other beautiful landscapes pass beneath.

Even at night, when darkness shrouds the sky, it is fun to look out and see the islands of light that spread across the world below.

Sure, you can get good views from other forms of transportation as well, but there is nothing that compares to the bird’s eye view you get from an airplane.

8.A Sense Of Community

Flying, particularly in economy class, can create a sense of community amongst passengers.

There is often this feeling that everyone on the aircraft is traveling together, even if just for a brief time.

This can in turn knock down barriers and create good conversations between passengers. People are generally very excited about the journey they are about to undertake and they often want to share that excitement with others.

9.Amazing Services

Beautiful airports, friendly flight attendants and the amenities they provide to ease us flyers are unparalleled as compared to other modes of transport.

Aviation industry provides its guests with the most amazing services. For instance, mostly you won’t find celebrity chef restaurants or world-class spas at train or bus stations.

Airlines and airports work hard to make our journey as comfortable as possible and in return, we have to pay a comparatively small fee for it, which is definitely worth it.

If you want to know more about these amazing services, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz app and get information about different airport amenities, airline policies along with real-time flight updates on the move and Fly Stress-Free.

Read More