There is undoubtedly good reason for it as going by the mega deals concluded at the Dubai Airshow held this year, there should be no doubt that there is a definite upswing in the civil aviation industry and notwithstanding the occasional setbacks and impediments, the overall outlook for the civil aviation industry is positive.

As the current year is fast approaching its end, spirits in the civil aviation industry are finally beginning to rise. Globally, the industry is anxiously looking forward to a more cheerful and rewarding year ahead. There is undoubtedly good reason for it as going by the mega deals concluded at the Dubai Airshow held from 17 to 19 November this year, there should be no doubt that there is a definite upswing in the civil aviation industry and notwithstanding the occasional setbacks and impediments, the overall outlook for the civil aviation industry is positive. In this issue is a detailed report by R. Chandrakanth of SP Guide Publications on the Dubai Airshow clearly highlighting how the aviation scenario in the world is changing rapidly with the Middle East region heading the race to become a global aviation hotspot.

The Middle East is at a clear advantage being in the centre of a region with the world’s fastest-growing aviation infrastructure, lowest fuel costs and the fastest-growing airlines. Chandrakanth also has an in depth analysis of the outlook for the civil aviation industry for the year 2014 and beyond. Most observes and analysts are optimistic about the prospects of the industry not only for the airline industry but also for business aviation as evident from the interview with Gilles Gautier, Vice President International Sales Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, included in this issue.

Writing from Bengaluru, A.K. Sachdev analyses the prospects for Regional Aviation in India and observes that the government has been tardy in taking steps to promote regional aviation. Tragically, there appears to be no visible sense of urgency in the establishment to exploit this segment of civil aviation. In the final analysis, regional aviation in India is yet to take off. However, despite the situation being not entirely favourable for the airline industry and especially for regional aviation in India, a new player, low-cost carrier Air Costa, has emerged on the scene. Launched by a Vijaywada-based LEPL Projects, Air Costa seeks to exploit regional routes where the intensity of competition would be lower. Air Costa is optimistic about the changes in the operating environment and the several steps that the government is taking to promote regional aviation. The low-cost carrier is hopeful that these will eventually facilitate matters for the industry.

On the military aviation front, there appears to some forward movement with the contract for the 126 medium multirole combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The contract negotiations that have been going on for the past nearly two years seem to be finally moving forward as evident from reports that Dassault Aviation and Reliance Industries Limited have approval from the government to set up a major facility to manufacture the wings for the Rafale. This must be music to the ears of the IAF. Speaking of the IAF, the newly acquired Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules that have been in service in India for just about two years, have already made a mark for themselves in the disasters that have struck both within and outside the country. A report on IAF’s humanitarian missions by Air Marshal Raghu Rajan has been included in this issue.

All these and more in this issue apart from the regular features. Welcome aboard and happy landings!