AAI

Upgradation and modernisation of airports is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other Airport Developers. Accordingly AAI has announced on February 10, 2022 that jointly with other Airport Developers, they have targeted capital outlay of approximately 91,000 crore in the next five years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, building new terminals and strengthening of runways, among other activities.

BOEING

Boeing and its longstanding customer Ethiopian Airlines, announced the signing of a MoU on March 4, 2022 with the intent to purchase five 777-8 Freighters, the industry’s newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter. This will enable Ethiopian Airlines to meet expanding global cargo demand from its hub in Addis Ababa and position the carrier for long-term sustainable growth.

DHL Express and Boeing on March 8, 2022, announced that the world-leading express service provider has placed an order for six additional Boeing 777 Freighters. The purchase takes DHL Express’ order book total to 28 Boeing 777 Freighters since it placed its first direct order in 2018 for today’s largest and most capable twin-engine freighter. The Boeing 777 Freighter improves fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions by 17 per cent compared to legacy airplanes. Customers from around the world have ordered more than 300 Boeing 777 Freighters since the programme began in 2005 and it is Boeing’s best-selling freighter of all time.

DRDO

The Indian DRDO developed Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) have been used in radar imaging satellite modules of EOS 04, which was launched by ISRO on February 14, 2022. Many of the MMIC were designed, developed and produced by DRDOs Solid State Physics Laboratory and Gallium Arsenide Enabling Technology Centre foundry.

KRISHI UDAN

Krishi Udan Scheme is a convergence scheme which would leverage their existing schemes to strengthen the logistics for transportation of Agri-produce. There is no specific budget for Krishi Udan under the Scheme and 29 States are covered under the Krishi Udan 2.0 Scheme. All the airports in NER States including Assam are covered under the Scheme.

LOCKHEED MARTIN

Space and Earth weather forecasting across the Western Hemisphere just got a little boost due the launching of Lockheed Martin’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-T) on March 1, 2022, built for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The GOES-T will provide meteorologists in the US and Western Hemisphere with high-resolution images of wildfires, lightning, hurricanes and other weather hazards.