OREANDA-NEWS. June 08, 2011. VAGONMASH signed a contract with the State Unitary Enterprise "St. Petersburg underground" for the delivery of 8 leading (with driving cab) and 16 intermediate cars which metrocar producers of St. Petersburg have to deliver in this year.

The Contract price is about 492 million rubles.

By the technical project coordinated with the Petersburg underground, for all cars will be designed modern interior based of shaped fiberglass panels, and also convenient ergonomic passenger seats will be installed. Protective vandal-proof film Llumar will be put on internal compartment glasses. Head cars will be equipped by automatic driving system. The front wall of cars will be made in the shape of a mask from fiberglass with internal metal frame. The uniform windshield and rear-view mirror will have increased size and will provide the best visibility for the driver. The cab will be equipped by additional noise insulation and conditioner. On all head cars the driver panel of the new design meeting modern requirements of ergonomics and design will be installed. In case of emergency car passengers can walk along the train and come out through a door in a front wall of the head car.

 Moreover, cars of this year’s delivery will correspond the contemporary scenario of implementing energy-saving technologies’ policy: for illumination of cars’ compartments will be used light lines of reflected light based on LED modules, in the cab will be installed LED lights provided smooth dimming. All cars will be equipped with electricity meters, which will control expense of energy consumed by each car and train, and provide a framework for analysis and optimization of movement’s schedule, aimed at reducing energy consumption.

VAGONMASH CJSC is the major supplier of cars for Petersburg underground.
OREANDA-NEWS. June 07, 2011. The representatives of Star Alliance and Air India would meet the Govt. of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation officials to apprise them on the progress made by Air India to join Star Alliance network. The meeting is also expected to finalize the date of Air India’s formal entry into Star Alliance.

 Disclosing this today, an Air India spokesperson said “In a meeting of the Star Alliance’s Chief Executives Board at Barcelona on June 3, 2011, the Start Alliance GmbH apprised the readiness of Air India to join Star Alliance within July 31, 2011”. The Air India CMD Mr Arvind Jadhav, who attended the meeting, said: “Air India is looking forward to join Star Alliance, as scheduled”.

 Star Alliance, formed in 1997, is a consortium of 27 member airlines including Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Swiss amongst other major airlines of the world. It has a fleet of more than 4000 aircraft at present serving 181 countries.

 Star Alliance has certain minimum joining requirements, which involve development / testing systems and procedures to harmonize the product with other members. The process of integration of Air India into Star Alliance is progressing well to meet all joining requirements and Air India is looking forward to become a member of the alliance within the targeted time frame.

 Air India operates to 63 domestic destinations and has a network of 33 international destinations with a fleet size of 127 which includes Airbus A319, 320, 321,310, 330, Boeing B-737-800 B-777, and 747 apart from ATR-42 and CRJ aircraft.