Most travellers to Bengaluru International Airport are aware of the 80 km/h (50 mph) speed limit on the highway and the two "Police Interceptor" vehicles to catch speeders and video capture them in the act.

These anonymous photographs shows a police Jeep speeding, but being let off, while a private citizen who was also speeding was hauled up at the same time.

It appears that some speeders are more equal than others.

Police Jeep registration KA-02-G-991 travelling at over 100km/h on the highway approaching Air Force Station Yelahanka. Observe the lack of an English number plate as specified by the RTO.


The Jeep approaches the "Interceptor" at over 100km/h. In the adjacent lane a Maruti Baleno is also speeding.



The traffic constable hauls up the Maruti Baleno for speeding making the car pull over. The police Jeep brakes as the constable moves to haul it in as well.


The inspector manning the "interceptor" realises that a senior officer is in the Jeep, salutes and lets the Jeep proceed.



The police Jeep speeds away with a puff of exhaust smoke while the private citizen is hauled in.


I have tremendous respect for the traffic police, and wish the rest of Bangaloreans also do. But when the police indulge in such blatant "selective enforcement" it lowers their prestige, their respect, and most important, their moral authority.

These photographs by someone (not me) who was travelling from the airport to the city.

Qatar Airways launched its Doha Houston daily non-stop service yesterday linking the world’s energy capitals and marking the carrier’s 84th destination. The new route is Qatar Airways' third daily non-stop service to the United States adding to the existing daily services to Washington D.C. and New York City.

Qatar Airways is using its two brand new Boeing 777-200 Long Range (777-200LR) aircraft, received in February on this route. Qatar Airways is placing a lot of faith in its 777-200LRs since two aircraft are required to operate this route on a daily. It has ordered a total of six LR variants and hopefully A7-BBC will join the fleet very soon.

A7-BBA performing QR077 was welcomed after its nearly 17 hour journey at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) with the traditional water cannon salute.

A 259 seat, two-class configuration places emphasis on space. In Business Class, there are 42 fully flat seats with a pitch of up to 78 inches in a 2–2–2 seat configuration. In Economy Class, there are 217 seats with a pitch of up to 34 inches in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker receives a proclamation from City of Houston City Controller Annise Parker designating Monday 30 March 2009 as “Qatar Airways Day” during the official arrival ceremony welcoming the inaugural Houston flight.

Images courtesy of Qatar Airways

At the start of Aero India in early February, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., announced it would make delivery of the first five of the Advanced Light Helicopters sold to the Ecuadorian Air Force using the behemoth Antonov An-124-100.


On the night of March 18th the giant transporter came to the HAL airport to load up. I managed to catch her departure yesterday and hope you enjoy the picture. She is BIG!!! Even with a small Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens she filled more than 60 per cent of the photo frame.


While at the airport I managed to also capture one of the four Indian Air Force owned Embraer ERJ135 derived Legacy 600 Executive Business Jet (IAF tail number K3601, actual registration VU-AVS) coming in to land. A fifth aircraft of this type is owned by the Border Security Force. These aircraft are used to transport VIP passengers. I wonder who came to Bangalore on it?

Also got buzzed by an Ilyushin IL 76 MD of the Indian Air Force. Called Gajraj (King of Elephants) by the Indian Air Force, (IAF tail number K2879, actual registration VU-FGH). The IL 76 MD is a strategic heavy lift transporter very aptly named; she is big and noisy.

Even with its large size, the IL 76 MD Gajraj was dwarfed by the Antonov An-124-100.

Sorry about the heat haze, even at 10:15 AM, it is peak summer at Bangalore.

To get a small appreciation of the An-124's abilities see this video about the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) trains which were transported from Bombardier's Germany facility to New Delhi by the giant transporter.

A huge hat tip to Airliners-India user Aseem for the video link.

Please note, these images are covered by a CC license who terms are at the bottom of this page.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. The high resolution versions are on my Flickr site.

If you like this please share the link with your friends and networks via the links below.

Ten days ago, on March 3rd, Gulf Air received the first of the four Boeing 777-300ER (VT-JEG) aircraft leased from Jet Airways. Two more aircraft are expected to join the Gulf Air fleet later this month while the fourth one will join in May.

The 312 seat uber-luxurious Jet Airways Boeing's are well known. See a photo gallery of the interiors here.


Photographer Antony Best caught VT-JEG painted in the Gulf Air livery at London's Heathrow airport early in the morning of March 12th. Please note the image above is copyright of A.J. Best. Bangalore Aviation has taken permission for its use, my thanks to Mr. Best. Use this image only after obtaining permission of Mr. Best.

Skyliners has a similar image here. User Allan has an image, but the registration number appears to be doctored. The aircraft still retains its Indian registration VT-JEG.

I find the Gulf Air livery one of the most beautiful in the world. What is your opinion ? Share a comment.

Saturday morning, still shocked by the crash of the Saras VT-XRM, got up early morning to drive to the Bengaluru International Airport for some plane spotting along with Photoyogi.

Took photos both morning and evening. Even managed the Emirates A330-200 which comes to Bangalore only once a week.

I hope you enjoy. Taking the images, then selecting, cropping, balancing, editing, researching, and uploading, took me the whole weekend.

The original album with the high resolution images is here on Flickr.

As always, your comments are requested, and welcomed.

At a time when the global airline industry is in a tailspin and the premium passengers are moving to the back of the plane in droves, Deutsche Lufthansa has opened an uber-luxurious lounge for its First Class passengers and members of the HON Circle at the new First Class Lounge in Concourse B at Frankfurt Airport. This follows their equally luxurious mega lounge opening at New York's JFK airport in January.

Presenting the lounge as an oasis of calm and relaxation lounge has a spa with extensive bathing area, equipped with six superior-quality shower rooms, two of them with jacuzzi s. For the first time, Lufthansa has introduced two massage rooms in their lounge with a choice of cosmetic treatments and massages.



The new lounge in Concourse B, which has a total floor space of 1,220 square metres, can seat more than 100 guests. With all the business and up-scale amenities including free WLAN access. Quiet rooms, a restaurant and bistro area, bar, and airline services desk are part of the lounge.

Lufthansa has also extended its First Class terminal limousine service, where a limousine transfers passengers to and from "non-aerobridge" aircraft.

Enjoy the images of the lounge. I am drooling.

First posted February 20th, updated March 4th.

Bangalore has introduced a Hop On Hop Off (HO-HO) shuttle bus service for the central business district (CBD) called Kendra Saarige which has been mooted by ABIDe with a view to reducing some of the nightmarish traffic congestion in the CBD.

This service is the first of its kind in India, and covers all the major shopping, entertainment, office, and commercial hotspots in the Bangalore CBD.

The Ho-Ho bus service as it is more commonly called, is operated by the air-conditioned Volvo fleet of BMTC, and charges a flat fee of Rs. 10 ($0.20) valid for a period 2 hours. In my opinion, this is unbeatable value.

The buses are painted in Blue and Orange colour to indicate the loops. Some of the Volvos may still be in the traditional Red, but will say Blue or Orange on the front display boards. The Blue loop runs clockwise, the Orange loop runs counter clockwise. Each full loop will take 40 minutes, and buses run at a 10 minute frequency starting around 7:30am and stopping at 10:30pm.

The stylised map below gives a good indication of the bus stops. You can obtain larger versions of either map by clicking on it.
I have also created a interactive Map with click-able bus-stop locations. Please feel free to use the image or the map and spread the news. Thanks in advance.

Been to Bengaluru International Airport over the last fortnight, and took some photos early in the morning with planes taking-off and landing in to the sun.

Some of the planes I got; VT-JNV, VT-JGQ, VT-INE, VT-INS, VT-INF, VT-SGE, 9V-SFF, VT-DKA, G-OJIB (Ed Force One), VT-JNZ, Luftwaffe A310 10-27, VT-EPH, VT-JCD and a few others.



Hope you enjoy the shots. You are welcome to use these subject to the Creative Commons license.

As usual your comments are always welcome.

Last week Air France unveiled its new logo and livery. The current livery which was changed way back in 1975, i.e. 34 years ago. Due to the current cost pressures, the new scheme will be gradually introduced as new planes are inducted or as existing aircraft come in for maintenance.

Air France is now just one word, and the tail stripes have been subtly redesigned.

The French national colours (blue, white and red) remain present on the aircraft’s tail fin and fuselage

• navy blue, predominant since the birth of Air France, evokes the brand’s historical capital and the airline’s efficiency,
• white, the colour of excellence, suggests well-being and the French travel experience,
• the bright red accent, punctuates and energizes the brand, underlining both French chic and the attention paid to Air France customers by the airline’s staff, both on the ground and on board.

Click on the image to see an animation comparing the two tail liveries.

One aircraft that will definitely wear the new livery will be Air France's first Airbus A380 MSN033 which is expected to be registered F-HPJA, which first took to the skies, on a flight to the paint shop, on February 12th. Observe the old livery on the tail. Thanks to Christophe Ramos for the fabulous picture. Do take the time to visit his Flickr photostream.

I hope you enjoy the slide show. I will post another article with specific details. To visit the album online, just click on the slide show. The control panel will also allow you to remove the captions if you like.

Share your thoughts or visit experience via a comment.

February 6th saw Airbus A380-861 MSN033 destined for Air France taxiing around Toulouse Blagnac (LFBO) airport.

Click on the images for high resolution pictures

We can expect to see the first flight VERY VERY SOON.

Air France is expected to put the aircraft on the Paris Montreal route.

Thanks to pictaero for the images.

The One World alliance is celebrating it's tenth anniversary, and its member airlines have unveiled a special livery on their fleets. Hope you will enjoy the images. Click on the images to see the high resolution versions.

American Airlines Boeing 777

British Airways Boeing 747

Japan Airlines Boeing 777

Finnair Airbus A340

Royal Jordanian Airlines Airbus A319

Iberia Airbus A320

LAN Chile Boeing 767

Malev Boeing 737
Cathay Pacific Airbus A340
QANTAS Boeing 747

Oneworld has also announced 10% reduction in airfares, a new Circle Atlantic fare, and a free business class tickets contest.

Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A330-300 aircraft, 9V-STA, today, and also unveiled the cabin product.

Acquired under a lease agreement with Dublin-based AWAS, and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the aircraft was handed over to the airline at a ceremony in Toulouse today attended by Mak Swee Wah, Executive Vice President Operations and Services, Singapore Airlines, Frank Pray, President and Chief Executive Officer of AWAS and Tom Enders, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus.

The A330 joins an existing Airbus fleet at Singapore Airlines, that includes the double deck A380 and the ultra-long haul A340-500. The carrier has also selected the all-new A350 to meet future requirements in the mid-size wide-body category, with the delivery of 20 aircraft on firm order due to begin in 2013.

The airline is configuring its A330s in a high comfort layout seating 285 passengers in two classes, with accommodation for 30 in Business Class and 255 in Economy. See the cabin layout and seat map here.

In an industry first, the economy class features interfaces for passengers to plug in their iPods and iPhones and listen or view their own music and videos, on the large 26cm (10.2 inch) monitor in addition to the inflight entertainment system.

The economy seats are of a new ergonomic design increasing comfort, personal space, and legroom.

Regular passengers of Singapore Airlines, will recognise the A330 Business class seats as an improved version of the original "Spacebed" inclined lie-flat seats. I just love the colour.


For details of the planned deployment of the A330 by Singapore Airlines read my earlier article.

FlightBlogger is reporting, Airbus brought MSN033, the first A380 for Air France, it's European launch customer, out to the flight line in Toulouse yesterday.

Image courtesy FlightBlogger. Copyright David Barrie

F-WWSB, which will eventually be registered as F-HPJA. As the photo shows, the airframe has its four GP7200 engines installed, and we can expect it to take its maiden flight within the next two to three weeks.

Snecma Image

Air France was originally expecting to put its new A380 in to service in April 2009 between Paris and Montreal, but expect some delays.

On Friday, 20-June-2008, I took a flight out of BIAL airport. As my pictorial essay shows, the hard work, by the stake holders at BIAL, is showing results, in the form of significant improvements.

Getting to the airport
While the distance to the new airport is significant, I have always maintained that connectivity to the airport was not a major problem. I left Koramangala at 08:30am, driving my Hyundai i10. I was at the airport terminal by 09:45am.

Despite maintaining a comfortable pace, I encountered a hair raising experience with a pedestrian running across the highway. The many policeman on the road, were just bystanders, enjoying the life and death drama. I have voiced my concerns about a lack of pedestrian over-bridges in an earlier article (read article), and I am informed that there is on average 1 major accident or death everyday on the NH-7.

Arriving, check-in, and security
I was met at arrival by a very senior official of BIAL. I am deliberately keeping his name confidential, but I extend my thanks to him for all the courtesy.

While he went to the CISF security office to arrange an apron pass for me, I went ahead with check-in. Two of the departure doors were manned. The CISF guard checked my ID card (which CISF in Mumbai did not bother with, on my return leg). The check-in hall was quite empty and there was a small check-in queue. The folks at Kingfisher are very efficient. I did notice, that most airlines logged in to the CUTE terminals, and hence the stations displayed their airline, but did not staff them. I was informed that the morning peak period was over.

Met up with the BIAL official and we proceed up the escalator, and through the security check. CISF have implemented a past suggestion of mine to use 1 DFMD to service two physical check stations. We both expressed exasperation at the CISF insistence on using DFMDs, since there was a 100% physical check and frisk, which renders the DFMD check redundant. But then the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is not known at the sharpest knife in the already dull bureaucratic block.

Also, all the women's lines were on one side, and there were hardly any women. So while men were waiting, the CISF female lines and guards were sitting idle.

I have suggested to CISF in the past to have a mixed line for the women. i.e. one DFMD serving one female check station and one male station.

The Apron
After leaving my carry-on bag in the BIAL official's office, we went down to the departure baggage make-up area, and it was a hive of activity. It is still is capacity constrained, a weakness in BIAL capacity.

At the tarmac we could see all the vehicles buzzing around. The worst were the old, decrepit tractors of Jet Airways and Indigo. I was informed that these polluting tractors were not permitted inside the baggage area. So they bring the luggage trolleys till the building entrance and then the electric tugs take over. BIAL has imposed a July 31st deadline on removal of these smoke belchers. I can understand, why BIAL is upset at the airlines' insistence on doing their own handling. A lot of duplicated equipment was cluttered all around the tarmac lying mostly unused.

A major reason for week 1 chaos at BIAL
I also discovered one of the main causes of the chaos that plagued the airport during its first week of opening (which I subsequently confirmed through other sources at the airport). Apart from the un-preparedness of Globe Ground (GG) and AI-SATS, a major contributor was India's "largest airline". This airline did not sign-up with any of the ground handlers, and thought they would do it themselves. 24 hours before the airport opened they realised they would be unable to, and pressured one of the ground handling agents to do the handling. Net result, insufficient and untrained staff, major disruptions and heaps of misery on everyone.

The official had to go and welcome Kingfisher's first Airbus A330 VT-VJK (read story)which was arriving. So he escorted me to the elevator and soon I was back in the departure hall.

The Departure Hall
The departure lounge was fairly empty. With seating available. Restaurants and shops were buzzing. The restrooms are small, with acceptable cleanliness.

I chose to look around, and chat up with the airport staff, and ask them their opinions. They all felt that the airport is slowly coming around. It is still not a great place to work in, but significantly better then when it opened. Their daily commute of about 80km was the biggest source of displeasure, despite the free transport provided by their employers.

Most airlines are experiencing a steep drop in regional passenger traffic. Flights to Chennai and Hyderabad, which used to be packed, now carry only about 15~20 passengers. There was a sense of despondency.

The FIDs (Flight Information Displays) still need improvement. They are too small, forcing passengers to get really close to read.

And they are still only in English. No Kannada or Hindi.

Observe the speakers. If you recall, in my visit report before the airport opened, I commented about the microphones at each gate, that would provide localised boarding announcements. Boy, was I wrong. Every little detail of every flight is blared over the speakers. Coupled with the poor acoustics, it is not a pleasant experience. BIAL should force the use of the "local" gate announcements concept.

Many departing passengers took time to grab something to eat. The long trip from town, does make you hungry. The restaurants offers decent food, but other passengers told me that RGIA Hyderabad food was significantly superior.

The incoming flight was about 5 minutes late, and the aerobridge operators took some time to attach, but the Kingfisher staff rushed the Globe Ground staff through their aircraft turn around, and we were boarded and took off on time. A short taxi, and soon we were airborne.

The departure experience was good. Most of the issues have been addressed, corrected, and operations stabilised.

The Return
We landed without any delay. For some reason the aircraft was not exited on a rapid exit, and so we went for a long taxiway tour of the airport.

After parking at a remote bay, despite almost a month since the airport opened, the Globe Ground crew took several attempts to attach the truck mounted ladder. I thought they would have become proficient by now, but obviously they need more experience.

I was informed that airlines preferred remote bays to "contact" (aerobridge) gates, since the aerobridge operators took even longer to attach.

We were brought to the terminal in a combination of Ashok Leyland's version of the Cobus, operated by Globe Ground, and Vayu Vajra Volvos. Due to the layout and regulations of the apron, we had to take the royal tour. This also explains why the bags take about 15 minutes to come.

Baggage Claim
We arrived to see a cleaning machine busy cleaning the floors. The airport looked bright and like a shining jewel against the darkness of the night.

The baggage came within 5 minutes of our arriving at the terminal. Passengers collected their baggage and dispersed within 10 minutes of our arrival in to the terminal. Good show by Globe Ground and Kingfisher.

On the international side, things were not so good. This scene is when only the Singapore Airlines flight has landed. The main crush of European arrivals had not yet arrived. The bags were coming very slowly. Obviously the Customs X-Ray inspection of incoming bags was slowing things down.

After exiting the baggage claim hall, I walked across till the glass divider, and peeked in to the departure hall. Compared to my departure, it was quite full, with all the international passengers waiting to check in.

Exiting the terminal

On exiting the terminal, one is immediately confronted with the familiar line of drivers with the name placards waiting for their guests.

Private taxi drivers lurk like hungry wolves waiting to pounce on arriving passengers en-masse and offer "taxi" services. In the absence of any city police, the BIAL employees were powerless to prevent this predatory and unwelcome practice. I could not find a single policeman at the airport. Only CISF, and their authority stops at the terminal door.

There was a reasonable line of passengers waiting at the departure doors to enter the airport, and many passengers who apparently arrived early took the time to occupy the seating outside the terminal meant for visitors.

Others took to sitting on the concrete pillars and catch-up.

Cars were parked three deep on the drop off lanes, till the parking contractor's van came with its siren blaring forcing them to move.

Vayu Vajra and the Bus stand
I headed out to the Vayu Vajra stand, still being accosted by offers of "taxi service", and the bus stand stood out like a shining beacon. The bustle knocked the picture, my apologies.

An oasis of light in the desert of darkness from the bus stand. The BMTC bus drivers were very helpful, and there is schedule chart. I observed that there is an over abundance of service to Hebbal. Also there are only VV services to Hebbal, Electronics City and Kempegowda bus stand. No economical Suvarna service to these 3 destinations.

I just missed my VV back to Koramangala, and would have to wait another hour for the next service. So I trudged back to the terminal, and linked up with the AirLift folks. It was a slightly long walk to the P1 parking, past the bus stand, but I was soon in a comfy Toyota Innova, one of 50, and zipping back to town.

My fellow passengers were Major Kapoor (now retired and running a team building education service), and Dr. Balaji (an ENT surgeon and now a tele-medicine expert).

During the trip I sought their views. Like me, they both felt that BIAL has improved significantly, including bathrooms. They also felt that Hyderabad RGIA,was far superior to BIAL, in almost all aspects. Unlike RGIA, BIAL shows effects of cost cutting, which according to Major Kapoor makes "BIAL lack the 'feel good' factor of Hyderabad".

Conclusion
Comparisons aside, I am highly impressed by the improvements at BIAL. Without doubt, BIAL terminal is a superior product compared to the AAI terminal at HAL, and a facility Bangalore can be proud of. While there are areas, like ground handling and cargo, which require improvement, all the operations teams at BIAL and stake holders can be rightfully proud of their hard efforts, and its results at the airport.

The total crash in regional traffic is alarming, and it will behoove BIAL to consider operations at HAL, in a larger public interest. The Governments of India and Karnataka, should strongly consider letting BIAL and AAI continue their partnership, and together they can operate the terminal facilties at HAL airport, while letting the hyper-efficient HAL ATC operate the air traffic, giving Bangalore, the best of both worlds.

All images are my copyright. The web album is here.