Airliners-India.com

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:05 am Post subject:

Air India likely to join Star Alliance by Tuesday

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-likely-to-join-star-alliance-by-tuesday/articleshow/37094157.cms

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:25 am Post subject:

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/TiZWDBareF1cx8hot4iQ9M/Air-India-to-join-Star-Alliance-on-11th-July.html

Air India to join Star Alliance on 11th July

Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju scheduled to make a formal announcement today

Jun 24 2014

The person cited above said the airline will join the alliance on 11 July and one of Air India’s Airbus A320 will be painted in Star Alliance colours for the event.

A new Air India Boeing Dreamliner will also be painted in Star Alliance colours to be showcased to the world in what will be more than a year-long campaign.

The gap between the formal announcement date of 24 June and the date of induction has been kept to ensure that all passengers benefit from Air India’s entry into the Star Alliance grouping from the first day itself.

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 4:30 pm Post subject:

Official Star Alliance Press Release.

http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/airindia-2014-prp/

STAR ALLIANCE CHIEF EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVES AIR INDIA MEMBERSHIP

Joining date for National Carrier set for July 11th, 2014

June 24, 2014

At its Chief Executive Board (CEB) Meeting held in London on June 23rd, 2014, the CEOs of the Star Alliance network unanimously approved the membership of Air India, clearing the way for the National carrier to become the first Indian airline to join a global airline alliance.

The integration teams at Air India, Star Alliance and its member carriers will now complete the last necessary work in order to ensure that Air India can offer all Star Alliance customer benefits from July 11th, 2014 onwards.

Commenting on the decision, Jeffrey Goh, Star Alliance COO said: "We restarted the re-integration with Air India in December last year and just half a year later we are ready to confirm the official joining date. We look forward to welcoming Air India passengers to our global network and offering them our Alliance benefits. At the same time we are pleased to be providing our existing customers improved access to a region which includes the world's fifth largest domestic aviation market".

Rohit Nandan, Air India Chairman and Managing Director said, "Air India worked hard to meet the exacting expectations prior to joining and today, we are elated to be inducted into the Star Alliance family. It is indeed an honour and privilege to be the first airline from India to join the alliance. We eagerly look forward to extending the benefits and privileges of Star Alliance to passengers from July 11th, 2014."

Air India will add a total of 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to the Alliance network. The biggest growth will come from its home market which is currently being served by 13 Star Alliance members flying to 10 destinations and holding a 13% market share. Bringing Air India into the equation not only adds more airports but also increases the Alliances market share in India to 30%. Globally, passengers will further benefit from a wider choice on routes connecting North America, Europe, Asia and Australia via the Indian Subcontinent. In total the Star Alliance network will grow to 27 member airlines, offering more than 18,500 daily flights serving 1,316 destinations in 192 countries.

Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits between Air India's Flying Returns programme and those of the existing member carries will also become effective on July 11th, 2014. This will provide customers with more options in earning and redeeming, upgrading and obtaining Star Alliance Gold status.

Customers holding Star Alliance Gold status have access to more than 1,000 lounges across the global network, can check-in at specially designated counters, have an increased baggage allowance and receive priority boarding and baggage delivery. All these benefits will also be provided by Air India.

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:56 pm Post subject:

And on a day that Air India gets into Star Alliance, http://www.airindia.com/ crashes.

http://www.websitenotworking.com/airindia.com

jasepl · Member Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:22 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:00 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 5:49 am Post subject:

With its Star Alliance entry on July 11, the airline will unveil new uniforms for cabin crew in October designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

http://www.asianage.com/india/air-india-likely-ask-rs-7000crore-budget-aid-443

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:09 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 4:15 pm Post subject:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/ailing-maharaja-courts-west-in-makeover-mood/article1-1233764.aspx

The airline has hired the services of the Oberoi group for meals served to its first and business class passengers on its international flights, the quality of wines served on-board has been upgraded and will be “top class” and three course meals would be served to premium class passengers.

“We will adopt a more western pattern of service. The menu will have more international options and its presentation will change,” a senior official said. AI expects a rise in the number of foreigners traveling premium class following the tie-up with Star and will also provide them priority boarding.

To improve cleanliness standards, AI will now have a three member team of senior managers and cabin crew inspecting each international flight three hours before take-off to ensure that the aircraft is clean — a job done by a foreman till now.

As first reported by HT on January 2, AI’s airhostesses will get a new uniform designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology as the national carrier plans a more contemporary look for its cabin crew.

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:05 pm Post subject:

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140626/business-companies/article/air-india-board-takes-stock-induction-ceremony-preparations

Air India Board takes stock of induction ceremony preparations

June 26, 2014

Air India Board on June 26 took stock of the preparations for the formal ceremony to become part of the Star Alliance on July 11, as its chief Rohit Nandan said the passengers would experience new standards of service from that day.

The Board, at its meeting, reviewed the tasks to be completed before July 11, which also include painting the Star Alliance livery on two Air India planes -- a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an Airbus A-320 -- signifying the national carrier's international and domestic operations.

Top officials of all the 26 Star Alliance partner airlines would attend the induction ceremony here. The entire protocol right from check-in to boarding and in-flight meal experience, particularly for the business and first class passengers, would undergo "visible change" from then as new standards in line with Star Alliance facilities would be put in place from then, Nandan said earlier.

Asked whether these changes would be across the entire Air India network, he said "Yes, we are starting with five cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad" his comments came after the Chief Executive Board of the exclusive airlines' club unanimously decided to induct Air India as the 27th member of Star Alliance. Jeffery Goh, Chief Operating Officer of Star Alliance, said at the moment, 13 Star Alliance member airlines fly to India and Air India would add 35 global destinations to the network, apart from opening up its 62 domestic destinations.

It would also take the international air traffic market share in and out of India from 13 per cent at present to 30 per cent, he said. From the day Air India joins the global airlines group, a passenger can access all destinations offered by the entire Star Alliance network of over 21,980 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. Star Alliance members jointly own 4,338 aircraft and fly over 640 million passengers a year.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju with Air India CMD Rohit Nandan and Star Alliance COO Jeffrey Goh

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:05 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:01 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:32 pm Post subject:

One of the 777-300ERs, VT-ALS "Mizoram", has a damaged engine cowl.

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/RFQ270620140.html

AIR INDIA

WORKSCOPE FOR BOEING 777,GE90-115B TRANSLATING COWL

MPN : 315W1580-2 MSN : 000908TS
TSN : NOT KNOWN TSO : NOT KNOWN
REMOVED FROM: VT-ALS POSITION: #1 RH

Main observation and Defects:

• Translating Cowl Outer Cowl Panel outer skin has a crack of length 25” approx. Surrounding area delaminated 23.5” X 27.75 Outer cowl panel inner face sheet has suspected crack.
• Translating Cowl Inner cowl panel outer skin damaged and delaminated ,area 21.25”X 37.125”
• Translating Cowl Inner cowl panel inner perforated skin delaminated, area 65.5” X 37”. Damaged/ Delaminated areas marked in the attached photographs.

Work to be carried out:

• Perform all inspections including NDT inspection as per CMM
• Carry out repairs of defects observed above and any other defect if noticed during the inspection. Ensure the translating cowl contour and fitting locations are as per the drawing.
• Unit to be released with FAA/EASA tag with TSO/CSO zero

Note: Inspection report to be forwarded to AI within one week of receipt of unit at MRO facility and MRO to advise firm delivery schedule on completion of inspection.

Pics :

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Photographs%20of%20the%20Translating%20sleeve908TS.pdf

.

Nimish · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 5:54 am Post subject:

With the extent of damage, won't it be better to get a new part instead? Anyone know how this happened - is this regular wear and tear or was this the outcome of an "incident"?
_________________
We miss you Nalini!

747-237 · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 5:55 am Post subject:

Air India is unlikely to get the government's permission to bring in all 40 leased aircraft (Airbus 320 and ATRs) it wants for the domestic market.
CAPA says Air India will take delivery of two to three Dreamliners this fiscal.

http://firstbiz.firstpost.com/corporate/indigo-only-airline-to-opt-for-aggressive-expansion-is-it-anticipating-a-gold-rush-89103.html

747-237 · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 7:23 am Post subject:

Air India's 1990-era Airbus A-320s with faulty airconditioning and non-functional auxiliary power units (APU), which are meant to run cabin ACs on ground, are causing severe heartburn to flyers in this searing heat.

A senior AI official said: "The APU of our old A-320s are problematic. But the aircraft are perfectly safe to fly."

On its part, AI is planning to replace this entire lot of problematic A-320 with brand new Airbus fleet in all-economy seating. But till that happens, both the passengers and crew of AI's old Airbus fleet have no option but to sweat it out.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/No-AC-on-jet-passengers-stage-dharna/articleshow/37359851.cms

747-237 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:58 am Post subject:

ranjanmehta · Member Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 108 Location: Dilli

747-237 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 10:52 pm Post subject:

3 Air India planes on standby for evacuation of Indians in Iraq

Official sources said three Air India planes are on standby and ready to leave for Iraq at short notice to bring back the nationals. The state-owned airline is fully geared for the evacuation drill, the sources added.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/3-air-india-planes-on-standby-for-evacuation-of-indians-in-iraq-sushma-meets-envoys/482655-3.html

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:26 pm Post subject:

Air India may hire more cabin crew to raise standards

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-may-hire-more-cabin-crew-to-raise-standards/articleshow/37495542.cms

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:29 pm Post subject:

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/AI-to-charter-aircraft-to-evacuate-Indians-in-Iraq/articleshow/37507891.cms

AI to charter aircraft to evacuate Indians in Iraq

Jun 30, 2014

Despite having as many 100 aircrafts in its own fleet, Air India has floated an open tender to charter aircraft from outside to fly back 6,500 Indian nationals stuck in conflict-struck Iraq. The reasons cited for the decision range from crew's reluctance to expenditure estimates, said sources.

The tender issued on June 27 asks, on an urgent basis, for aircraft--both narrow and wide body--on a full charter to bring back the Indians from Iraq and Kuwait. A board member told Mirror the aircrafts will be chartered on wet-lease basis or hired along with pilots and cabin crew. "They will be flown under the supervision of Air India and payment will be made as per the number of block hours of operation," a senior official said.

The All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) members, however, expressed surprise at the report as just two days before the tender was floated, the crew members had received emails explaining the evacuation plan. Though the crew and Air India management have been at loggerheads over inadequate staff strength, rest hours and perks, they had agreed, inprinciple, to operate the flights on humanitarian grounds.

A June 25 e-mail by Harpreet Singh, executive director, customer services, had stated, "As part of Air India's corporate social responsibility (CSR) and humanitarian response, it is planned to evacuate 6,500 Indian nationals from Iraq. In light of the same, all cabin crew to please ensure full availability for all extras-section flights and let us all together rise up to the situation. I am confident that I can count on your support".

Sources said if Air India opts to deploy its own aircraft for the evacuation, it will encounter several problems. It will have to address the issue of flight duty-time restrictions and special insurance for its crew, as they will be flying into a war-zone.

"While the issue of duty timing can be tackled by carrying extra crew members, who can rest in turns, insurance could be tricky due to the special premium it will entail," an official said. In 1991, during the Kuwait crisis, the Indian relief flight had to wait for hours as the crew rested, before passengers could be brought back.

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:34 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:01 pm Post subject:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/air-india-has-international-offices-in-cities-where-it-has-no-direct-ops-114063000717_1.html

Air India has international offices in cities where it has no direct ops

June 30, 2014

Despite burgeoning losses in the last financial year, Air India continues to maintain international offices - a fifth of which are located at destinations to where the airline has no direct operations. These include offices at Washington, Toronto, Los Angeles, Cairo, Tehran, Vienna, Amsterdam and Chittagong.

Despite recommendations from a section of the management to cut costs by closing offices at these offline stations, the airline has continued to run operations in these places claiming that they have been set up to cater to the travel needs of Indian diaspora located at these bases. Interestingly, at six of these locations the airline also has employed on contractual basis separate general sales representatives employed.

"What is the need of stationing employees in international offices in places where Air India does not even have direct operations? As far ticketing and marketing is concerned, that can be realized more cost-effectively online. The website can be spruced up for the same", said a source who did not wish to be identified.

Another executive added that despite having employees and offices at these nine locations, the airline has also appointed local general sales representatives at six of these places leading to duplication of functions and expenditure.

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Air India may hire more cabin crew to raise standards
News
1-Jul-2014 9:39 AM
Air India reportedly plans to renew discussions on hiring additional cabin crew as a way of "improving service standards" to meet Star Alliance standards (Economic Times/transreporter.com, 30-Jun-2014). The airline's customer-service division has reportedly raised the issue but no number has yet been proposed to the human resources department, and goes against the carrier's efforts to reduce its large wage expenses.

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:22 pm Post subject:

And one of the 787s, VT-ANM has an issue :

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/RFQ0107140.html

Main observation and Defects:

• Flaperon Wing Lower Panel (RH) has a crack of length 6” approx.

Work to be carried out: (as per 787 SRM)

• Perform all inspections including NDT inspection as per applicable document
• Carry out repairs of defects observed above and any other defect if noticed during the inspection. Ensure the flaperon panel assy contour and fitting locations are as per the drawing.
• Unit to be released with FAA/EASA tag

Pic here :

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/787%20Panel%20assy%20photo.pdf

.

747-237 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:27 pm Post subject:

indopaki · Member Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 479 Location: Pakistan

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 4:46 pm Post subject:

Air India is looking for financing for 2 spare GEnx engines for the 787s.

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/RFP-GEnx%20Engines.pdf

747-237 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/ceremony-on-air-indias-formal-induction-to-star-alliance-on-july-11/articleshow/37887287.cms

AI to be formally inducted as Star Alliance member on July 11

July 06, 2014

Top officials of several major global airlines are expected to arrive in New Delhi later this week to attend a ceremony to formally induct Air India as the 27th member of the Star Alliance.

The ceremony at the IGI Airport on July 11 would see Air India unveiling a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an Airbus A-320, signifying its international and domestic operations, painted with the Star Alliance's star-shaped logo along with the colourful Maharaja logo of its own.

iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2566

While it is exciting that AI is joining Star and many like me are looking forward to use them. I flew with them recently and am left wondering how far AI has to go to improve. On a short HYD-DEL AI flight last week, (flight continues to ORD), the IFE was not working properly, one of the toilets was out of order and stinking. Fortunately AI asked all passengers to leave the plane as they were changing aircraft.

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

What's wrong with the current AI uniform?

The sarees are attractive, distinctive and suit all Indian ethnic and body types, and ages.

Nimish · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:34 am Post subject:

ranjanmehta · Member Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 108 Location: Dilli

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 5:26 pm Post subject:

In yet another Boeing 787 snag, an Air India Dreamliner had to be grounded in Hong Kong (HK) on Monday after the aircraft (VT-ANK) sprang an oil leak. The aircraft was operating on Delhi-HK-Seoul-HK-Delhi route and now 125 Delhi-bound flyers are stuck there, with AI putting them up in expensive hotels. "The passengers will be flown back when engineering clears this aircraft," said an AI official.

This is the second snag in a Dreamliner in as many days. On Saturday, Kolkata-bound passengers had to spend hours at Delhi's IGI Airport inside yet another B-787 that had trouble with its braking assembly. After several hours of repairs yielded no result, this aircraft was grounded and harried flyers were sent to Kolkata in another aircraft.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-Dreamliner-grounded-in-Hong-Kong/articleshow/37994368.cms

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:25 pm Post subject:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/boeing-working-on-new-windshield-design-for-dreamliners-114070801120_1.html

Boeing working on new windshield design for Dreamliners

July 8, 2014

Boeing is working on a new design for windshields of Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes following a series of incidents of cracks appearing in the aircraft owned by Air India, Rajya Sabha was told today.

"The ongoing investigation by Boeing indicates that moisture ingress has resulted in an increased rate of occurence. A new window design with improved features is in progress to reduce such incidents," Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said in reply to a question.

Air India has taken up the issue with Boeing which has informed it that "old windshields shall be replaced by new ones with improved design features," he said.

The Minister also said that the "cracking of the outer glass ply does not affect the safety of the airplane due to the windshield's fail safe (multiple-layer) construction."

There have been several incidents of windshield cracks involving the latest Dreamliner aircraft, not only in the fleet of Air India but other airlines as well, like All Nippon Airways and Ethiopian Airlines in the last few months.

747-237 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 12:00 am Post subject:

Privatisation of Air India not on cards: aviation minister

http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/privatisation-of-air-india-not-on-cards-aviation-minister/article1-1238267.aspx

Nimish · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:17 am Post subject:

^^ Well - they better figure out if AI is really the best use of that 30K crores they need!
_________________
We miss you Nalini!

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Air India Express reduces service to West Asia due to lease expiry on four aircraft
News
9-Jul-2014 10:10 AM
Air India Express has reduced services to West Asia during 1Q2014, according to the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara (Express News Service, 08-Jul-2014). Mr Siddeshwara said due to expiry of the lease of four aircraft, some loss-making services on the Kochi-Mangalore and Salalah-Trivandrum sectors have been curtailed and passengers from Kochi have been provided connectivity to Kuwait via Kozhikode. Mr Siddeshwara said requests have been received regarding increasing services and frequencies, stating: “These requests have been considered keeping in view the feasibility and commercial viability of operating such flights by Air India Express".

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Tenure of Air India chairman ends on 11-Aug-2014
News
9-Jul-2014 12:13 PM
Air India will reportedly see the tenure of chairman Rohit Nandan end on 11-Aug-2014 (Live Mint, 08-Jul-2014). India's Civil Aviation Ministry is reportedly yet to start the process of appointing a new chairman for Air India or extending the tenure of Mr Nandan, who is the first chairman to complete his term since the Air India-Indian Airlines merger in 2007. Since then, the airline has seen the entry and exit of four chairmen, namely V. Thulasidas, Raghu Menon, Bharat Bhushan and Arvind Jadhav