In a bid to streamline air travel and tighten security measures, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has now brought into effect a new regulation that governs the carrying of hand luggage in flights. From next month onwards, in both domestic and international journeys, passengers will be restricted to carrying one cabin bag or handbag in the plane. This is part of the government’s efforts in managing the ever-increasing number of passengers at the airports and increasing operational efficiency.

The new regulation will significantly facilitate passenger travel and airport operations by reducing traffic at security checkpoints. The BCAS and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have decided to implement stricter luggage regulations in order to facilitate passenger flow through airport terminals, given the steadily rising number of air travellers.

Key Details of the New Baggage Restrictions:

1. One Handbag Limit: According to the new rule, each passenger is allowed to carry only one handbag or cabin bag weighing not more than 7 kg. All other luggage should be checked in.

2. Cabin Bag Size Limitations: The cabin bag size cannot be more than 55 cm in height, 40 cm in length, and 20 cm in width. This is to ensure uniformity in all airlines and to make security screening easier.

3. Surcharge for Excess Baggage: In case the passenger exceeds the weight or size limits of the cabin bag, then there will be an excess baggage charge.

4. Exemption for Pre-purchased Tickets: For tickets issued prior to 2 May 2024, the maximum weight will be as per the prior cabin baggage policy (Economy: 8 kg, Premium Economy: 10 kg, First/Business: 12 kg). However, for any such tickets subsequently reissued/rescheduled, the revised maximum weights will apply.

Impact on Airlines and Passengers:

Airlines, including major carriers like IndiGo and Air India, have updated their baggage policies to align with these new guidelines. Passengers are advised to check the updated baggage requirements before their flights to avoid any last-minute hassles or extra charges.

This change is expected to improve the overall efficiency of airport operations, reduce delays at security checkpoints, and contribute to a more organized travel experience for all passengers. However, travelers are encouraged to pack carefully and ensure that their cabin bag complies with the new restrictions to avoid inconvenience.

A revolutionary hypersonic jet, capable of flying from London to New York in just one hour, is set to take to the skies for its inaugural test flight in 2025. Developed by startup engineering company Venus Aerospace, this futuristic plane will reach astonishing speeds of up to Mach 6 (3,600mph/5,795km/h), which is six times the speed of sound. According to a report by Metro, the Venus Detonation Ramjet 2000 lb Thrust Engine, or VDR2, is the powerhouse behind this breakthrough, enabling hypersonic flight. 

In partnership with aerospace company Velontra, Venus Aerospace plans to conduct the test flight next year, paving the way for the “high-speed flight economy.” Unlike traditional aircraft, this hypersonic jet will fly higher than traditional aircraft, utilising conventional jet engines for takeoff before transitioning to rocket propulsion at altitude. Although not technically reaching the edge of space, passengers will witness breathtaking views of the Earth’s curvature and the darkness of space above.

Unveiling the new engine at the Up. Summit, Venus Aerospace co-founder Andrew Duggleby said, ”This engine makes the hypersonic economy a reality. We are excited to partner with Velontra to achieve this revolution in high-speed flight, given their expertise in high-speed air combustion.”

Eric Briggs, Velontra’s Chief Operating Officer, said, ”We can’t wait to dig in, make the first one fly, and ultimately perfect an engine concept that has lived mostly in textbooks but never as a production unit in the air. We couldn’t think of a better partner than Venus. Rocketry pioneers in their own right, and ready to tackle the hard problems, we are eager to fly the same path with them.”

The hypersonic aviation landscape is heating up, with multiple players racing to develop revolutionary aircraft. Sierra Space and Hermeus are also joining Venus Aerospace in the pursuit of Mach 6-capable planes. Meanwhile, China’s Space Transportation is working on a “rocket with wings” for space tourism and intercity travel.

These innovative aircraft will transform the flying experience, offering unprecedented speed and efficiency. However, challenges remain, such as managing sonic boom noise and ensuring safety.

Some carriers are trimming their schedules to cope with the lack of available planes.  File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The global airline industry is facing a summer squeeze, with travel demand expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels while aircraft deliveries have dropped due to production problems at Boeing and Airbus.

Air carriers are spending billions on repairs to keep flying older, less fuel-efficient jets, and paying a premium to secure aircraft from lessors. However, some carriers are trimming their schedules to cope with the lack of available planes. At the same time, the number of travellers globally is set to hit historic levels, with 4.7 billion people expected to travel in 2024 compared with 4.5 billion in 2019.

Passenger carriers to receive fewer aircraft

“We can expect a strong performance from airlines throughout the summer with some particularly high airfare,” said John Grant, senior analyst at travel data firm OAG.

Last December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted a 9% annual growth in global airline capacity this year. That estimate looks optimistic following Boeing’s safety crisis.

Passenger carriers will receive 19% fewer aircraft this year than expected because of production issues at Boeing and Airbus, said Martha Neubauer, senior associate at AeroDynamic Advisory.

U.S. carriers will receive 32% fewer aircraft than planned a year ago because several airlines depend on Boeing’s 737 MAX planes, Ms. Neubauer said. Boeing’s production has been curbed after a January mid-air panel blowout.

The company is reeling from a sprawling crisis that erupted after the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines blowout. Regulators have put a cap on the production of the 737 MAX, but the company is not hitting even that level.

As many as 650 Airbus A320neo jets could be grounded in the first half of 2024 for inspections to deal with a flaw with RTX Corp’s Pratt & Whitney engines, RTX said last year.

In Europe, low-cost airline Ryanair has cut some routes. In the United States, United and Southwest have cut back flying and adjusted hiring and staffing plans.

Aircraft leasing market is booms

Analysts expect capacity at most U.S. carriers in the second quarter to grow at a slower pace than a year ago. Airlines will update their growth plans and explain how they will offset capacity constraints when they report quarterly results, starting on Wednesday with Delta Air Lines.

Due to the shortage of new planes, the aircraft leasing market is booming. Data from Cirium Ascend Consultancy shows that lease rates for new Airbus A320-200neo and Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft have hit $400,000 per month, the highest since mid-2008.

Airlines are spending 30% more on aircraft leases than before the pandemic, said John Heimlich, chief economist at Airlines for America (A4A) that represents major U.S. carriers.

They are also holding on to jets that are past their useful economic lives and require heavy maintenance that now takes several months, Mr. Heimlich said. Repair costs at United, Delta and American were up 40% last year from 2019.

Increased leasing, repair and labour costs will bite into profit despite the high demand, Mr. Heimlich said. U.S. passenger airlines posted a pretax margin of 4.5% last year, with the bulk of contribution coming from Delta and United.

Fewer Americans are planning to travel on a plane this summer compared with a year ago due to high inflation, a survey by travel website the Vacationer showed. Airline fares are down year-on-year, but have been rising month-on-month.

Paris:

Last year was the safest ever for commercial air travel, despite a massive rebound in passenger flights, an airline industry group said Wednesday.

The only fatal accident of a passenger plane was the crash of an ATR turboprop operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines during a domestic flight, killing 72 people, according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual report.

The IATA said it counted another 29 accidents in 2023 that did not involve fatalities or loss of the plane. 

In 2022, there was a total of 42 accidents, of which five were fatal and took 158 lives. 

The IATA counts a non-fatal accident as an event that causes damage of at least $1 million or equal to 10 per cent of the plane’s value.

IATA statistics do not cover business, military, private, maintenance or training flights.

The IATA said, “2023 saw the lowest fatality risk and ‘all accident’ rate on record.”

“On average a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.”

The low crash rate came despite the number of flights last year rising 17 per cent to 37.7 million, the IATA said.

The IATA represents some 320 airlines comprising 83 per cent of global air traffic.

“Even if flying is among the safest activities a person can do, there is always room to improve,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh, citing “two high-profile accidents in the first month of 2024.”

In January, a Japan Airlines A350 Airbus was safely evacuated after bursting into flames at a Tokyo airport.

In the United States, a panel blew off the fuselage of a Boeing 737 MAX during an Alaska Airlines flight, again without any serious injuries. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)