Minister reviews Kukke projects
During his visit, Reddy offered special prayers and laid the foundation stone for the Ashlesha Bali Puja Mandir, being constructed with support from Bengaluru-based donor Jai Puneet. He also attended a meeting to finalise approvals for other major projects, including a large-scale community dining hall (Dasoha Bhavan), a compound wall around the temple, an 800-room lodging facility, and a redesign of the temple's traditional chariot street (Ratha Beedi).
'These projects are moving ahead as planned and should be completed in two to three years,' the minister told reporters.
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Mint
8 hours ago
- Mint
Flying smart: Why India's airline startups are betting on hybrid fleets
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'We will commence operations with two aircraft and aim to expand our fleet to seven and beyond by the end of 2026, focusing on key metro hubs while establishing Lucknow as our strategic base of operations." The airline is backed by $50 million in funding from parent company Shankh Trading Pvt. Ltd. Gurugram-based FlyBig, which temporarily suspended operations due to financial constraints, is now operational in around 20 cities. Travel platform EaseMyTrip recently acquired a 49% stake in the airline. FlyBig reported ₹128.75 crore in FY24 revenue and currently operates four DHC-6-400 aircraft—one owned and three leased. The airline is also placing a strong bet on the upcoming Noida International Airport, also known as Jewar airport, joining Shankh Air in targeting the new aviation hub. However, the new entrants will face stiff competition from established players like Akasa Air and IndiGo, both of which have already signed MoUs with Noida International Airport, securing early access. Regional focus 'While legacy low-cost carriers are attempting to retrofit regional operations into existing frameworks, FlyBig was purpose-built for this sector," said Chander Bahadur, vice president of FlyBig. 'Our very inception was aligned with the UDAN mission, and over the past four years, we've amassed deep operational expertise in navigating the nuanced demands of underserved and remote destinations." The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme is a regional connectivity initiative by the Indian government that aims to make air travel affordable and accessible by subsidising flights to underserved and unserved airports. Bahadur also sees the new Jewar airport as a critical gateway for improving connectivity across the populous states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar. Yet, India's regional aviation market remains a tough terrain. Demand is volatile and highly seasonal, complicating revenue forecasts. 'These fluctuations place immense pressure on airlines to overfill planes during peaks and absorb large losses during lean months," said Pragya Priyadarshini, VP at Primus Partners. Operational hurdles are also common at smaller airports, many of which lack basic infrastructure like night landing systems, refuelling, and maintenance support. 'Without reliable ground operations, airlines risk flight delays, diversions, or cancellations—factors that impact traveller confidence and reduce repeat demand," she said. Moreover, the UDAN scheme's financial support is time-bound. Viability Gap Funding (VGF), meant to subsidise initial losses on underserved routes, typically lasts only three years. After that, airlines are expected to generate sustainable demand on their own. That's why a hybrid leasing-ownership model is gaining traction. Globally, regional airlines favour leasing over owning aircraft to reduce capital expenditure, manage risk, and maintain fleet flexibility. According to the 2024 Duke University Insight article, leasing allows them to adapt quickly to changing demand and upgrade fleets more easily. Owned versus leased 'Owning aircraft is highly capital-intensive. Especially for low-cost carriers, locking in capital upfront may not make sense without clarity on future cash flows," said Bhavana Yerrumreddy, partner and national aviation leader at EY India. A hybrid model—owning some and leasing others—makes more strategic and financial sense. Airlines should evaluate this depending on factors like the operator's financial situation, expected aircraft utilisation, and long-term operational goals, Yerrumreddy said. Still, access to financing remains a roadblock. 'Ownership demands significant upfront investment—something many new or regional airlines may not be prepared to take on," said Anurag Gupta, partner at Deloitte. 'Leasing becomes the easier path, particularly on UDAN routes, where it often makes better commercial sense." 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FLY91 operates four ATR 72 aircraft, of which two are fully owned. Balanced fleet 'At the end of the day, it's not just about whether you lease or own an aircraft—it's about what works best at that point in time," said Chacko. Both leasing and ownership have their merits and demerits, and the decision depends on a range of variables, including the opportunity. 'If you get a leased aircraft on favourable terms, you take it. If you can finance a purchase on equally good terms, that may offer more long-term value too," he said. Chacko added that the regional airline intends to induct five to six aircraft annually and eventually scale to 40-50 cities across five regional hubs in five years. Yet, leasing remains dominant due to flexibility, added Priyadarshini. 'Owning a fleet is always far more expensive than leasing over the long run. Even large commercial airlines like Air India or IndiGo lean heavily on leasing," she said. 'Leasing helps avoid the heavy cash outflows required upfront and gives more operational flexibility." With leasing, periodic maintenance responsibilities often shift to the lessor. 'If the lease is for 10 years, airlines can simply return the aircraft at the end and lease a newer one," she added. Aircraft maintenance costs are primarily driven by flight hours, with the A340-600 incurring 25% of total costs due to its high utilisation. Major expenses stem from scheduled checks, unscheduled repairs, and issues in systems like fuel, landing gear, and air conditioning. Moreover, older aircraft require more frequent and expensive maintenance, according to research papers published by Elsevier in Procedia CIRP (2020). There are two types of aircraft leases: wet leases, where the lessor is responsible for maintenance, and dry leases, where the responsibility for maintenance lies with the lessee, typically the airline. Most commercial airlines opt for dry leases, said Priyadarshini. 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India.com
9 hours ago
- India.com
Jaw-Dropping Photos: Birds Flock To These 5 Dehradun Lakes Like A Scene From Nat Geo!
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Pangong Tso Birdwatchers travel to Pangong Tso though its distance from Leh-Ladakh exceeds that of Dehradun due to the extraordinary ecological importance and exceptional natural beauty the site offers. Stretching across the India and China border this high-altitude saltwater lake earns fame from its picturesque mountain scenery alongside clear lake waters. Several bird species of the cold desert survive at Pangong Tso along with the Bar-headed Goose and the Ruddy Shelduck. Birdwatchers find great fulfillment at this distant site because it maintains an untouched natural environment. 4. Tso Moriri There exists another noteworthy saltwater high-altitude lake which can be found within Ladakh district. Those willing to travel extensively from Dehradun can discover an extraordinary birdwatching opportunity at this place. This wildlife sanctuary houses the Black-necked Crane along with various other bird species because Tso Moriri forms part of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. Tso Moriri serves as a protected zone for birds and nature enthusiasts because it offers peaceful surroundings that remain free from extensive human contact. 5. Bhimtal Lake The birdwatching enthusiasts who live close to Dehradun can find a suitable location at Bhimtal Lake in Nainital for their hobby. Despite being classified differently from saltwater lakes, this freshwater ecosystem at the location draws diverse aquatic bird populations. The Purple Moorhen alongside Indian Spot-billed Duck and Little Grebe present themselves frequently at this site. Local birdwatchers choose the lake because it maintains scenic aesthetics and it has convenient access points. Why Saltwater Lakes Are Important for Birdwatching The distinct chemistry together with environmental systems of saltwater lakes provides essential habitat value for supporting bird species diversity. The highly concentrated salt levels have constructed special biological areas that accommodate halophytic plants and microorganisms which support birds by serving as their food source. Various saltwater lakes function as necessary resting points for birds that move across continental regions as they migrate. The untouched habitats of these locations become important resting and feeding sites for birds who also use them for breeding. Tips for Birdwatching Near Dehradun Birdwatching becomes most productive when you observe during the early parts of the day as well as the late afternoon. Bring essential pack items that include field guide books along with camera equipment to photograph observed birds. Conservation Obligation: Maintain the birds along with their natural habitats undisturbed. Support the birds with a proper distance between you while respecting all ethical rules of observation. Always check the restrictions and requirements of the particular lake destination by researching in advance before your visit. Final Thoughts Tourists who practice birdwatching can discover fantastic bird habitats by visiting the saltwater lakes which are located close to Dehradun. Each of the extensive Sambhar Lake together with the secluded Tso Moriri destination offers its own distinctive experience to observe natural wonders. The places guarantee remarkable experiences for bird watchers who seek beautiful bird displays combined with bird song sonatas alongside the excitement of catching extraordinary bird species. Protecting these ecosystems will enable future generations to witness the splendor of flying creatures which inhabit Earth.
Economic Times
11 hours ago
- Economic Times
MakeMyTrip completes share repurchase to cut China-based Trip. com's stake
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