Reduced VAT on ATF to spur growth of aviation industryThe Civil Aviation Ministry said that keeping aviation turbine fuel (ATF) outside the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not restrict traffic growth in the sector as 31 states and union territories have already reduced VAT (between 1 and 5 percent) on it and the five remaining ones are also likely to do so in the near future, lifting the burden of high costs on airlines. The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has been lobbying with the Finance Ministry to bring ATF into the ambit of GST.  If ATF is included as a part of GST, airlines will enjoy the benefit of input tax credit which is currently not applicable as jet fuel is taxed under VAT. To boost aviation talent in India, Airbus ties up with IIM MumbaiEuropean aerospace firm Airbus has signed a contract with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai to provide aviation education to professionals and empower them with industry-ready skills through Airbus Beyond programmes. Under this contract, IIM Mumbai will offer short-term aviation courses to aspiring and working professionals in aviation logistics, supply chain management, operations excellence, cargo handling, strategic procurement, business analytics and digitisation. Under the agreement, IIM Mumbai will organise courses, onboard students and provide infrastructure and logistical support. Airbus will provide trainers and training material from the Airbus Beyond catalogue for short-term courses in the initial phase and co-curate long-term courses and certify trainers in the later phase.Contact: AirbusWebsite: www.airbus.comThiruvananthapuram Airport: Special zone for domestic passengers at T2The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has granted in-principle approval to provide a special zone for domestic passengers at the international terminal (T2) of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for entry and exit as the domestic terminal (T1) is set to be demolished as part of the airport’s renovation. The final approval is expected within a month. The airport authorities had earlier submitted a proposal to BCAS for dedicated areas for domestic passengers within the international terminal. Two out of six departuregates in the international terminal will be allocated to domestic passengers.FLY91, India's newest airline, hits the skiesFLY91, the newest addition to India’s aviation industry, has begun commercial services. FLY91 is a regional carrier and seeks to enhance air connectivity from tier 2 and tier 3 towns across India. FLY91’s debut in the world’s third-largest civil aviation market comes at a time when India is aiming to ascend as the foremost aviation market globally by the decade’s end. However, Fly91 aims to get into a segment which the government has been trying to push, especially via its regional connectivity scheme called UDAN. The airline has introduced a special fare of Rs 1,991 (all inclusive) which applies to all FLY91 routes.Contact: Fly91Email: info@fly91.in  Website: www.fly91.inManipur CM launches helicopter services between Imphal and UkhrulManipur Chief Minister Biren Singh launched helicopter services between the state capital Imphal and Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul district for passengers under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Launching the copter service he said it would ease the troubles while transporting patients and during other emergencies. He said a remarkable milestone in helicopter connectivity has been accomplished. The service fare for Imphal-Tamenglong will be Rs 3,590; Jiribam-Tamenglong Rs 3,590; Imphal-JiribamRs 3,045 and the Imphal-Ukhrul fare will be at the subsidised rate of Rs 2,500.