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The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Midnight makeovers and million-dollar coats: inside Hyderabad's hub of aviation artistry
When the AirAsia aircraft emblazoned with superstar Rajinikanth's face took flight as part of the 'Kabali' movie promotion back in 2016, it wasn't crafted in a film studio but painted by hand at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The same team gave FlyBeond's aircraft its sleek metallic look, layering copper-toned paint infused with gold-dust mica — a livery that shimmered like no other. Tucked away in a hangar on the edge of the airport, GMR Aero Technic is doing more than just routine maintenance. It's redefining what aircraft transformation looks like, one flawless coat at a time. 'Aircraft painting is not like painting cars or hoardings; here there is no room for error,' says Mohammed Sadiq (name changed), a painter at the facility. 'Every coat, from the base to the clear finish, must be applied with precision because it affects the aircraft's aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. We were trained in everything, from handling paint guns and surface prep to how to safely move on top of the aircraft. It is a critical job that requires both skill and focus,' he adds. Nine aircraft, in various states of transformation, sit beneath high bay lights, some stripped to their bare metal, and others mid-way through a makeover. This is not just mechanical upkeep, this is where global airlines send their jets to be reimagined structurally, visually and functionally. It is a facility that has turned Hyderabad into a serious contender on the global aviation map. A canvas of innovation 'This highly regulated process blends aerodynamics, weight optimisation and visual branding. Every coat matters. Too thick and it adds weight; too rough and it impacts drag. Both affect fuel efficiency and emissions,' explains Ashok Gopinath, president and accountable manager of GMR Aero Technic. Each livery painting takes between seven and 11 days, with over half that time spent on surface preparation. GMR employs around 30 skilled professionals per aircraft paint job, each trained not just in technical standards but in visual artistry. Many come from commercial painting backgrounds, automobiles, hoardings and even signages, and are put through a 6-8 month customised aviation painting programme, including training from global paint manufacturers like PPG, Mankiewicz and AkzoNobel. Painting is typically done between midnight and 6 a.m., when ambient temperatures are optimal and the facility is quieter. Hyderabad's moderate weather gives it an edge over cities like Delhi, where extreme summer or winter temperatures can delay paint cycles. A full repaint typically costs around $200,000 to $250,000, depending on the complexity, materials and branding requirements. 'Each aircraft that leaves early because we save a day on painting saves the airline about $30,000. Our hangar is fully booked till mid-2026,' Mr Gpoinath adds. Unlike stickers or placards that can peel off mid-air, GMR hand-paints intricate liveries, including the now-iconic Air India Express tails, each representing a different Indian art form. 'Each tail is unique. The challenge is to maintain consistency in quality and colour across a 100-foot aircraft surface, often under tight timelines,' he explains. 'Most of our work happens at night when temperatures are stable. We wear full safety gear and make sure all tools are grounded, even static electricity can be dangerous in this job. Painting a plane is a team effort. The aircraft is divided section by section and each painter knows their part, whether it is the tail, body or wings. We take a few steps back, check every curve and joint carefully, and make sure the finish is perfect before we move on,' says Ajit Kumar (name changed), another painter on the team. Maintenance hub to MRO powerhouse Founded in 2011, GMR Aero Technic began by focusing on airframe maintenance, the largest and most infrastructure-heavy vertical within the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) ecosystem. Today, it is India's largest independent MRO and a full-service provider offering everything from end-of-lease checks and C-checks to cabin upgrades and aircraft modifications. With 9+1 operational lines, the facility can handle up to 10 aircraft simultaneously. Roughly 70% of its business comes from international clients, including Kuwait's Jazeera Airways, FlyDubai and Southeast Asian carriers. Domestic clients include IndiGo, Air India Express and SpiceJet. What gives GMR an edge is its extensive regulatory clearances, not just from India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), but also from global aviation authorities like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the US Federal Aviation Administration, and over 30 other countries. This level of accreditation places it in competition with the likes of Turkish Technic (Istanbul), ST Engineering (Singapore) and Joramco (Jordan). Ecosystem the Singapore way GMR's ambition is not just limited to airframe work or paint. It envisions Hyderabad as South Asia's one-stop MRO ecosystem, akin to Singapore's world-class aerospace hub. To this end, the company has tied up with global players like Spirit AeroSystems (for engine nacelle repairs), Safran (for DSL booths) and Liebherr (for heat exchangers). It has also launched an aviation academy offering DGCA and EASA-approved training programmes, grooming the next generation of MRO professionals. A future in wide bodies The next major leap is already on the drawing board: by 2027, GMR plans to add a wide-body aircraft paint hangar, which will allow it to handle long-haul jets like the Boeing 777 aircraft that Indian airlines like Air India currently send abroad, often to the US, for painting. 'That work will be done here in Hyderabad,' says As the aviation world grows, the demand for precision maintenance and visual branding is skyrocketing. The next time a plane takes to the skies gleaming with a new coat, chances are that the shimmer was born in a quiet hangar in Hyderabad.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- The Sun
Nine arrested after ‘good lad' stabbed to death in popular park as tributes paid to ‘very popular guy'
NINE men have been arrested following the murder of a man in West Yorkshire. The arrests were made as part of a "large scale investigation" by West Yorkshire Police after a 36-year-old man was stabbed in a park in Dewsbury. 2 2 Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.17pm on Saturday following an incident of disorder involving a group of men. Paramedics and air ambulance attended but confirmed that the man had died shortly after. Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident. A further six men were arrested today bringing the total in custody to nine, with an age range between 18 and 44. The arrests were made both in Kirklees and outside West Yorkshire. All nine men were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody. Locals described the 36-year-old as "a very popular guy". Mohammed Sadiq told the BBC: "He was a good lad, it's unfortunate what's happened. He added: "I hope his family find peace and they can find a way to get through this. It's going to be very hard for them."
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
Further arrests made after man stabbed to death in Dewsbury park
A further six men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death in a park in West 36-year-old man died after officers were called to a disturbance involving a group of men in Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury Moor, on Saturday night, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson men arrested are aged between 18 and 44, with some being arrested in Kirklees and some outside West Yorkshire. The arrests bring the total number of men in custody to said crime scenes remained in place at the park and on nearby Pilgrim Drive and Pilgrim Crescent, while detailed forensic searches took place. People who live near the park have spoken of their shock at what happened. Mohammed Sadiq, 50, knew the man who died and said he played in the park as a child. "It's sad, I used to be a taxi driver and I used to pick him up a lot, he was a very popular guy," he said."It makes you realise that life is too short."He has grown up around here, he played around here when he was a kid."I hope his family find peace and they can find a way to get through this. It's going to be very hard for them."He was a good lad, it's unfortunate what's happened."Mr Sadiq said he felt safe at the park, but it did make him wary about what had happened so close to his home. Brian and Glenys Asquith said they walked in the park several times a week. Mrs Asquith, 79, said it was a "lovely park" and they loved visiting it. But Mr Asquith, 78, said: "You used to see a policeman walking around nearly every week, but you don't see anything now."I think it's a deterioration of our law and order, it's everywhere." Mo, who lives nearby, said he had heard about the man's death on Saturday night, through a video on social media. "It shouldn't have happened, it's not good something like this happening," he said. "I've been coming here for years so to be honest I do feel safe here, it's nothing to do with the park." Susan Master, 64, said she often visited the park with her grandchildren and it was "unbelievable" what had happened. "It's absolutely terrible, I don't know what's gone on but somebody's life has been lost here," she said. "It is such a shame because it's a lovely park, it is unbelievable what's happened. I feel sorry for the family I really do. "Such a young life taken, it's really, really terrible."Flowers have been left at the entrance to the park, in tribute to the man who died. Mrs Master added: "I saw the flowers first thing this morning when I brought my grandchild to school, and I felt so sorry for them."We always come for a walk around here and we enjoy it so much, it is frightening to know what's gone on. "A young life taken like that for whatever reason, it's not good enough is it?"She added that she did feel scared, but needed to carry on as "you can't let something like this change everything".Det Ch Insp James Entwistle said: "Wide ranging and fast moving enquiries remain ongoing with a large number of arrests now made."He said the force was "working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of the fatal attack" and that there was believed to be no threat to other members of the public. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Shafaq News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Where is the justice?: Iraqi workers share struggles on International Labor Day
Shafaq News/ Iraqis marked International Workers' Day on Thursday with marches and public celebrations in various provinces, as labor advocates and officials called for stronger protections, fairer wages, and institutional reform to support the country's working class. International Workers' Day, observed globally on May 1, is a formal holiday in Iraq, meant to honor workers' contributions and renew advocacy for labor justice. In Baghdad, the Iraqi Communist Party organized a rally in the city center, drawing dozens of members and supporters. Participants held signs and chanted slogans in solidarity with workers' movements worldwide. 'This march is part of our annual celebration of International Workers' Day — a symbol of global struggle against exploitation and injustice,' said Mohammed Sadiq, one of the marchers. 'It reminds us of labor protests in the US that led to deaths but also paved the way for laws that protected workers, such as limiting working hours and ensuring fair wages.' Suhaila Al-Asam, another marcher, emphasized the need for meaningful action. 'We pay tribute to every laborer and employee in Iraq and abroad,' she said. 'This is a day of solidarity with Iraq's working class, who sacrifice so much to build this country.' She called for comprehensive wage reform and the full protection of workers' rights. Celebrations in Babil In Babil province, the city of Hillah hosted a large celebration organized by the municipality and the Directorate of Youth and Sports. Officials used the occasion to acknowledge laborers' contributions and renew pledges to improve their living conditions. 'Labor Day is a chance to spotlight the people who carry the burden of building this country,' said Hillah Mayor Ahmed Montathar. 'Despite their dedication, many still face marginalization when it comes to pay, benefits, and safety.' Babil Governor Adnan Fayhan visited a gathering of municipal workers, where he distributed cash bonuses and flowers. 'We believe that workers are the foundation of development,' he said. 'Today's visit was a symbolic gesture of respect, but we're also pushing for structural reforms, including adjustments to the national pay scale.' In a first-of-its-kind move, the Directorate of Youth and Sports joined the celebrations. 'We wanted to send a message that youth and workers are partners in building Iraq's future,' said director Nail Hussein. 'Work is the soul of life and the foundation of real progress.' Ongoing Struggles for Iraq's Workers Municipal workers attending the Hillah celebration echoed the need for change. 'We have been renting for over 13 years, and some of us have not received basic entitlements for 17 years,' said Qasim Kazem, a municipal laborer. 'We work long hours for just 350,000 dinars (about $265) per month, while others in similar roles earn millions. Where is the Justice?' Policy Action, Not Ceremonial Rhetoric Amid the celebrations, labor rights advocates warned that symbolic gestures must not overshadow Iraq's persistent labor challenges. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of Iraq's Strategic Center for Human Rights, called on the government and parliament to adopt a comprehensive national strategy to protect workers and improve working conditions. 'Workers in Iraq still face serious challenges, including low wages, lack of social protections, and unsafe conditions in the informal labor sector,' Al-Gharawi said. 'They suffer from weak enforcement of labor laws, insufficient government policies, and rising unemployment, which has eroded trust between workers and state institutions.' He urged lawmakers to revisit and update the Social Security and Pension Law for workers in line with international standards, particularly to include those employed in the private and informal sectors. He also stressed the need to empower trade unions and strengthen labor inspections. 'Iraq's labor laws—particularly Law No. 37 of 2015—are relatively advanced, but the real issue is poor implementation and oversight,' he said, calling for linking public contracts with local and foreign companies to compliance with international labor standards. 'Justice for workers will not come from ceremonial statements—it requires real legislative and institutional action,' he added, calling for national job training and integration programs to tackle unemployment among youth and graduates.
