The eVTOL vehicles and AAM are pushing the drive with various companies and disruptive technologies coming up. One such company, Joby Aviation is aiming to launch commercial service in 2025. What is more interesting is that it is also marking it’s presence in the defence sector, becoming the first electric air taxis to be stationed at a US military base. A report on Joby Aviation’s aircraft programme and updates by Ayushee Chaudhary is in this issue of the magazine.

eVTOL aircraft and other such major developments in Aviation will be on display at the EBACE2023 show that is ready to take off. Co-hosted by EBAA and NBAA, the annual meeting place for the European business aviation industry will have the upcoming as well as the most established aircraft with a key focus on innovation and sustainability. A preview report of the show is also included in this edition. At a global level on the business aviation side, fluctuating trends have been observed keeping the stakeholders on the edge. Europe has specifically been an interesting market. We take a look at how April turned out for business aviation in Europe.

Indian Aviation industry is almost at the crossroads of the accelerator being pressed by the industry as well as the government. In a recent push to the nation’s aviation market, the Civil Aviation Ministry initiated the fifth round of UDAN to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country. A story including the key features of the scheme is part of this edition. On the industrial side, a major development has been the Air India-Vistara merger process being initiated. The stakeholders have approached the CCI to seek its approval for the merger.

On the defence side too, India is witnessing significant activities on a global level. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed SCO Defence Ministers in New Delhi, calling upon the member states to collectively work towards eliminating terrorism in all its forms and fix accountability on those who aid or fund such activities. A report highlighting points from the address is included in the edition.

There is a report on the visit of US Air Secretary Frank Kendall to India, who has proposed a landmark Air Information Sharing Agreement with India. The agreement will encompass a wide range of air information like weather data, flight plans and other relevant information that could assist in air traffic management and situational awareness of the sky and also facilitate the transfer of other advanced and sensitive technologies to India.

The Indian Air Force has emerged as a reliable first responder for undertaking aid and rescue during any calamity under HADR operations. Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd) draws on IAF’s strengths especially through Operation ’Kaveri’ launched by India to evacuate stranded Indian nationals from crisis ridden Sudan that has been witnessing fierce fighting.

In noteworthy developments, President Murmu took to the sky for a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI sortie, becoming the third President, and second woman President, to participate in such a flight. Also, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari flew a sortie in the Pilatus PC-7 MkII to mark the completion of the aircraft’s over two lakh flying hours.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. Welcome aboard and we wish you many happy landings!