Airlines, especially unlisted ones, can now heave a sigh of relief. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has clarified that it has no intention of seeking airlines’ balance sheets as part of a civil aviation requirement (CAR) issued recently seeking detailed financial information from all airlines. According to this CAR, extensive financial details are to be submitted by all airlines to DGCA.

With the new integrated terminal building of Mangalore Airport (NITB) becoming operational from Aug 2, 2010 the long awaited dream of Mangaloreans has finally been fulfilled, albeit after much delay. Though the NITB was inaugurated on May 15, 2010 the terminal was not open for operations until today. With the shifting of the services completely to the new terminal the distance to the airport has been reduced by nearly 6 kms, which has come as a big relief to travelers from the coastal districts of Karnataka and the border districts of neighboring Kerala.

Civil aviation minister Praful Patel’s recent statement to curb private aircraft movements at Mumbai airport has elicited mixed reaction from the general aviation (non-scheduled operators) industry. They are amused and they wonder if it is economics that has made the minister talk of such measures.

GoAir’s future was tense just a year back, but the budget carrier is now talking scale and has preponed deliveries of 10 more aircraft.

Plans to integrate the Ministry of Tourism into the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) have been confirmed.

In an effort to develop whale shark tourism on the coast of Gujarat, the state forest department is planning to implement the Australian system of locating them by using plane and expert spotters in the sea.

Representatives of Indian healthcare sector will be in Britain next week to market India as an efficient and cost-effective medical tourism destination.

After bringing to India the double decker Airbus A-380, the world's largest passenger aircraft, Emirates Airlines is looking at expanding its operations in the booming country which is considered by the firm as its second biggest hub after Dubai.

Premier global carrier Cathay Pacific has seen an upsurge in premium class travel to and fro India this year on the back of an improved international business environment, a senior airline executive has said.

German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer called for a proposed air passenger tax to be extended to other European countries, according to a German newspaper.