In a significant advancement for India‘s aerospace industry, Airbus Helicopters has forged a partnership with Tata Group to inaugurate the country’s maiden Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters. This initiative underscores a major stride towards the ‘Make in India’ initiative, aiming for self-reliance in manufacturing, as Airbus Helicopters commits to produce its best-selling H125 helicopter in India for both domestic and international markets.The establishment of the FAL marks a historic milestone as it will be the first instance of the private sector initiating a helicopter manufacturing facility in India. The collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, and Airbus Helicopters exemplifies a strategic alliance aimed at bolstering India’s aerospace capabilities.
Announced during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations, the FAL will be pivotal in the integration of major component assemblies, avionics, and mission systems. It will also facilitate testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 helicopters to customers in India and the neighboring region. The commencement of operations at the FAL is expected in 2026, with the location to be jointly determined by Airbus and the Tata Group.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, expressed confidence in the venture, emphasising its significance in enhancing India’s aerospace ecosystem. He highlighted the FAL as Airbus’ second manufacturing facility in India after the C295 military aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, lauded the collaboration, noting the facility’s potential to revolutionize the aviation sector in India and beyond.
The H125 helicopter, renowned for its versatility and performance, is poised to become a cornerstone in various sectors, including emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, and tourism. It will play a pivotal role in the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN), facilitating last-mile connectivity to remote areas and bolstering the tourism sector.
The H125, part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, has amassed over 38 million flight hours globally and has demonstrated exceptional capabilities, including landing on Mount Everest.
The collaboration between Airbus and Tata Group signifies a strategic alliance aimed at fostering India’s aerospace industry and aligns with Airbus’ broader vision of nurturing a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in the country.
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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), announced its return to Asia with Norwegian Jewel setting sail from Tokyo and commenced its extensive six-month season of voyages in the region.
As the first ship in the NCL fleet to return to Asia in over three years, Norwegian Jewel will offer 16 immersive, port-rich itineraries, visiting 11 countries and sailing from nine different departure ports, including Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) Malaysia; Singapore; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Bali (Benoa), Indonesia; Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan; and for the first time in NCL history Seoul (Incheon), South Korea.
Cruises range in length from 10 to 14 days with an average of less than two sea days per sailing, inviting guests to enjoy up to 13.5 hours in iconic destinations like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as well as extended overnight stays in places that come alive at night, such as Phuket, Thailand; Osaka, Japan; and Bali (Benoa), Indonesia.
The new draft National Tourism Policy augurs well for rapid development of cruise tourism in India as it includes cruise tourism-friendly policies and the government’s plan to open 111 waterways in the country. Indira Banerjee, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Antara River Cruises, spoke to ETTravelWorld about the company’s approach to enhancing the cruise experience and its commitment to sustainability.
The brand will also make its first calls to Manila, Boracay, Palawan and Salomague, Philippines; Bintan Island, Indonesia; and Hualien, Taiwan, NCL shared in a statement.“Today is a celebratory moment, as we return to Asia with Norwegian Jewel’s arrival to Tokyo,” said David J. Herrera, President, Norwegian Cruise Line. “We pride ourselves in delivering the best vacation experience and providing endless opportunities for our guests to explore the world, including Asia. This region delivers some of the most intriguing history, cuisine, and culture for travelers to discover, and we are thrilled to deliver a diverse selection of port-rich voyages. This market is important to us, and we are committed to servicing it in the long term,” he said.
Underlying the brand’s commitment to Asia, both as a source market and destination, NCL shared that it will have a record four ships deployed in the region during the 2024/25 season, providing travelers with unrivalled choice.
In addition to Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Sun and Sky will also visit the area’s most diverse ports, offering guests the opportunity to explore iconic and less discovered destinations including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia, the company shared.
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