Despite the debt of INR 55000-Crore, Air India is still going on strong. It comes up with newer challenges and attains higher milestones. The latest in the list is its maiden flight over the North Pole.
Quite a few international Airlines have taken over this route earlier, including the Emirates Airlines.
The Emirates has set a record of being the world’s longest flight. It has taken the shortest duration to cover a distance of 15300-km. That is, between New Delhi and San Francisco in just 14.5 hours. The favorable direction of the wind makes it possible.
On 15 August 2019, Independence Day, the country’s national carrier will take its first flight over the polar region. Therefore, showing its interest in the circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India.
Air India is all set to take its first flight from New Delhi to North America. This comes even before the nation celebrates Independence Day.
This initiative by Air India to fly from New Delhi to San Francisco will benefit the authorities. Moreover, the individuals benefit from availing of the services.
It will reduce the travel time for travelers and save fuel, thereby reducing carbon emission.
Earlier, the route went over Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, and Japan. Before reaching the USA, the distance covered was 12000 km in 17 hours.
The newer and the proposed route would include flying over Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, the Arctic Ocean, Canada, and then entering the US.
This will bring down the travel time to 15.5 hours and reduce the distance by 4000 km.
Estimates say that the flight will reduce the jet fuel consumption from about 2000 kg to 7000 kg and carbon emission by 6000 kg to 21000 kg on one trip.
Challenges and Precautions
While taking flights from one hemisphere to another, the airlines might face particular challenges.
These include the magnetic unreliability, fuel freezing, limited number of emergency airports, and lesser scope of passenger retrieval and the like.
All these have been under careful consideration. Quick steps are ongoing to reduce the risks to the minimum.
Fuel Freezing phenomenon lets the travelers enjoy the breathtaking views of the ice when they book flights from New Delhi to San Francisco.
To prevent the freezing of the jet fuel in temperatures less than -50 degrees the aircraft descends to lower altitudes of 10,000 feet. For a better view of the Arctic and the divine beauty of the North Pole for the passengers.
Air India has successfully taken all the necessary precautions to make the flight a success. Specialized training for the crew, high-tech communication equipment, better and reliable recovery plans, cold weather suits are provided for protection in its flight between SFO and Delhi.
Also, as per the instructions issued by Indian aviation regulator DGCA and FAA the flight will have a professional diversion support agency to help the passengers in case of emergency.
Consider that though it is Air India’s first commercial flight over the North Pole, India ventured into this North Polar airspace 12 years ago.
It was Caption Amitabh Singh, presently the operations director of Air India, who took the Brand New B777 aircraft over the polar region from Seattle to New Delhi in 2007.