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747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:52 am Post subject: Air India News -- Part 27

http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/dreamliner-delay-ai-compensated-for-just-180-days-114020601346_1.html

Dreamliner delay: AI compensated for just 180 days

This despite a three-year delay in delivery of 787 Dreamliner planes by US plane maker Boeing

February 7, 2014

Air India received compensation for only 180 days despite a three year delay in delivery of 787 Dreamliner planes by US plane maker Boeing. This is revealed in the Parliament Public Accounts Committee report which was tabled today.

The Committee has recommend that immediate steps be initiated for claiming liquidated damages as per the contract and action should be taken to safeguard the interest of the Airline in terms of the contract and to avoid such a dereliction of duty in future.

Air India was to receive deliveries of 50 planes by October 2011 but till last September it received only 28 planes from Boeing. Delivery of three Boeing 777s was deferred. Boeing was to deliver 27 Boeing 787s from 2008-2011 and these will now be delivered by 2016.

The committee observed that the purchase contract was loaded against Air India and despite the delay of more than three years in the delivery of these aircraft the purchase agreement provides for compensation only upto a maximum of 180 days. The amount of liquidated damages was to be calculated according to an approved formula on the basis of the recent market price data. This amount was not to exceed an aggregate sum of 180 days per aircraft.

When asked about the liquidated damages, the Committee was informed apprised that for an average daily lease rate of USD 30,000 per day, the maximum compensation payable will be $30,000 multiplied by 180 days and will work out to $5.4 million per aircraft.
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747-237 · Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:16 am Post subject:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-mulls-taking-its-global-operations-to-cis-destinations/articleshow/30092020.cms

Air India mulls taking its global operations to CIS destinations

9 Feb, 2014

Air India, which is set to fly to Moscow from early next month, is exploring CIS destinations among the new places that it wants to expand its global operations to, an airline official said today.

The state-run airline is also in the process of connecting capital New Delhi with Milan and Rome by the first quarter of the next fiscal.

"Our Moscow service will commence operations from March 1. We are also examining other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) routes as part of our international network expansion plan," the highly-placed official told PTI here.

The airline has identified countries like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as the potential destinations, the official said, adding, "we are currently assessing the traffic potential on these routes."

The type of aircraft that would service these routes was also being studied, the official said.
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747-237 · Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 4:21 pm Post subject:

abhijith16 · Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject:

http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=27757&SECTION=0

When the passengers of the Air India flight AI982 were boarding the aircraft for the midnight departure on the 31st December’13, they did not anticipate that a pleasant surprise was in store for them. There was a general exchange of best wishes between the passengers and the crew for the New Year which was moments away.

However, as soon as they settled down on their seats, they were surprised to hear an announcement by AI country manager Ajay Sinha, wishing them a Happy New Year and that each one of them was going to get a New Year gift from Air India, Kuwait. There was applause all around.

Then came the gifts in colorful packages, separate gifts for gents and ladies, and toys for children. And the one infant on board got a nice strolly walker as New Year gift from Air India. While the AI officers and crew members went around distributing the gifts, the passengers’ happy faces and look of surprise said it all. Everyone including the children enjoyed the new year celebration on board their flight. Finally Air India Country Manager , along with the Airport Manager R Kannan and rest of the team wished the passengers for a great year ahead. And then the flight took off.

A happy beginning of the New Year.
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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:49 pm Post subject:

Good story. Smile

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Yeah.

747-237 · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:25 pm Post subject:

Air India Begins Boeing 787 Mumbai – London Heathrow Service from Feb 2014

Air India today debuts Boeing 787 aircraft on Mumbai – London Heathrow route, 6 weeks earlier than planned. The Dreamliner operates this route on daily basis, replacing 777-300ER.

AI131 BOM0700 – 1130LHR 788 D
AI130 LHR1330 – 0400+1BOM 788 D

Service operates with 777-300ER on 15FEB14 and 16FEB14.

Source: Airlineroute.net
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stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

747-237 · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 9:19 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Air-India-to-seek-compensation-from-Boeing/articleshow/30188025.cms

Air India to seek compensation from Boeing

Feb 11, 2014

With the snag-prone Boeing 787 Dreamliners not proving as fuel efficient as Boeing had claimed they would be at the time of selling them to Air India, the airline is now going to seek compensation from Boeing on this count. Sources say if Boeing fails to pay adequate compensation on the failure of the "deal-clinching" promise of fuel consumption, AI could even consider not inducting more Dreamliners into its fleet.

"The Dreamliner's actual fuel consumption pattern over 18 months of usage (discounting the four months they were grounded globally last year) and the difference in what Boeing claimed would be this aircraft's fuel efficiency will be the basis of estimating the compensation to be sought from the aircraft manufacturer," said a senior official.

The aircraft's way below claimed fuel consumption comes from the fact that the final product was much heavier than what Boeing had assumed it would be at the time the Dreamliner was on the drawing board. "It was supposed to be 17% more fuel efficient than the Airbus A-330 but has so far been only 13%-14%. The B-787 was supposed to be 37% thriftier than the B-777 but has been consuming 28-30% less than the fuel guzzlers. AI's fuel uplift has not gone down as the Dreamliner has not been as fuel efficient as it should have been," said a senior official.

AI has so far taken delivery of 12 of the 27 Dreamliners ordered. Sources indicated that future induction could depend on Boeing either living up to its "deal-clinching" offer of this aircraft's fuel efficiency or giving AI adequate compensation for failing to do so. "We will review the performance standards of this aircraft as was originally agreed," said aviation minister Ajit Singh.

Senior airline officials say the matter of B-787's below par performance came up at the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs where the matter of compensation offered by Boeing for the over three-year delay in the aircraft's delivery to AI was discussed. "The failure to live up to the performance guaranteed for the Dreamliner has become an issue now. The FM P Chidambaram-headed CCEA wants this issue to be settled with Boeing," said an official.

AI is 'disappointed' with the Dreamliner as the aircraft was supposed to be the "game-changer" for it in terms of improving on time performance and revenue generation. But with unending snags, the aircraft's despatch reliability has become suspect. "None of the snags faced on this plane so far have a bearing on safety. But the delays, cancellations and diversions (as the plane is not yet certified to land in fog in India) have led to huge expenses in terms of putting up passengers in hotels and have earned us passenger ire," said an official.
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 10:07 am Post subject:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-skim-first-class-seats-in-international-flights/articleshow/30179793.cms

Air India to skim first class seats in international flights

11 Feb, 2014

Air India is planning to remove first-class seats from its international flights to cut losses

Air India currently offers first class in its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which it mainly operate on its American routes to Newark, Chicago and routes like Singapore, Jeddah, etc. The airline has 12 of these planes with four first-class seats each.

The move to scrap first class is linked to the airline's plans for more cost-effective operations. It has already shifted most of its international flight operations to the Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Additional flights planned to Rome, Milan, and other points in Europe as well markets such as Indonesia and Philippines shall also be served by the Dreamliners. Air India will, however, continue to operate the 777s on its US routes.

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iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2566

AI could not get any paid F so it is better to scrap it. Only Babus were probably occupying it. Now they have to be content with business class, which the government pays for it anyway most of the time.

747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 6:37 am Post subject:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-indias-premium-economy-offer-driven-by-state-government-officials/articleshow/30239636.cms?google_editors_picks=true

Air India’s ‘premium economy’ offer driven by state government officials

12 Feb, 2014

Air India's decision to launch 'premium economy' services on some domestic routes has been driven by the demand from state government officials for premium offering, even as the airline tried to move to an all economy offering on domestic routes.

"However, we haven't spent money on reconfiguration. What we will do is offer the first two rows as premium economy with the middle seat being left unsold," the official said. "Along with this, we will offer lounge access, priority boarding, premium food and priority check-in for premium economy passengers."

The official added that in case there is no one flying premium economy, the airline will sell all the seats including the middle seat in the front two rows as economy seats. The 'premium economy' class has become popular with international airlines as it offers the flyers greater comfort at prices only slightly higher than a standard economy seat.

On being asked whether Air India plans to launch premium economy on its international route with reconfigured seats for greater leg space, the Air India official said that no such plans were in place since the demand for it was mainly driven by state government officials.
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 6:43 am Post subject:

http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/boeing-offers-air-india-23-million-for-dreamliner-glitches/

Boeing offers Air India $23 million for Dreamliner glitches

February 12, 2014

Boeing has offered pay national carrier Air India $23 million as compensation for the 787 Dreamliners not being as fuel efficient as promised, and for the losses on accounting of grounding the aircraft owing to technical problems.

Boeing’s offer is half of the $46 million that Air India has sought. Negotiations between the two companies are currently underway.

Air India officials said that Boeing’s offer is not adequate. “They have offered us but the negotiations are still on,” said a senior official with the airline. In an email response, Boeing refused comment, saying, “We do not comment on negotiations with our customers.”

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The_Goat · Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 1:00 pm Post subject:

I have a question for someone in the know.

How many 77Ws does AI have right now, and what routes are they operating?

I do know that they operate the HYD-DEL-ORD and BOM-DEL-JFK sectors. What others?
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I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

2 DEL - ORD
2 DEL - JFK
2 BOM - EWR
1 DEL - LHR
1 BOM/DEL - JED
1 BOM/TRV/CCJ - RUH
1 DEL - RUH (3pw) operation

10 planes in use and the remaining unused.

The B777-200LRs as of now dressing up for EY.

The_Goat · Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:27 pm Post subject:

Thank you, avbuff.

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

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

India's Health Ministry wants Air India to stop selling e-cigarettes
News
13-Feb-2014 12:17 PM
India's Health Ministry has reportedly written to India's Civil Aviation Ministry stating Air India's decision to sell electronic cigarettes onboard violates the law against smoking and defeats the government’s purpose in implementing the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (DNA, 08-Feb-2014). The Civil Aviation Ministry reportedly said Air India has been requested to stop the sale of the e-cigarettes.

747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 11:46 am Post subject:

Air India Express has officially suspended its direct flight service between Mangalore - Kuwait from Thursday, February 13. Indications were given by the Air India Express officials in Mumbai that operation had to be suspended due to the fact that AI Express was withdrawing its four leased aircrafts due to contract expiry, and also because the Mangalore - Kuwait sector was not profitable.

"Though suspension of Kuwait - Mangalore flights was in the pipeline, we did not confirm officially until recently, because efforts were always on to continue the flights, at least two per week instead of existing three per week, but shortage of aircraft put us in the backseat," said AI official in Mumbai, speaking exclusively to daijiworld.

"If we get a new aircraft, flight service could be restored from next season," he assured.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=217733
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 11:47 am Post subject:

Suspension of the lone flight to Kullu-Manali airport at Bhuntar between February 20 and April 15 by Air India has left the tourism industry stunned as the decision came after hoteliers spent crores of rupees in promotion of winter and coming summer season activities in Kullu-Manali, at tourism trade fairs in many states.

Air India is the only airline providing one sortie every day six days a week, except for Tuesday. The airline is not allowing booking between February 20 and April 15, which may cause huge losses to the tourism industry, sources said.

The 48-seater plane was bringing about 30 passengers to Kullu from Delhi and flying out 20 passengers every day, due to the short runway at the airport, sources said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Suspension-of-flights-to-Kullu-airport-upsets-tourism-entrepreneurs/articleshow/30365429.cms
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747-237 · Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:15 pm Post subject:

Air India starts Rome tentatively w.e.f. 1st June 2014.
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abhijith16 · Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:46 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:15 pm Post subject:

abhijith16 · Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:16 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 12:03 pm Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Wing-snag-grounds-yet-another-Air-India-Dreamliner/articleshow/30498980.cms

Wing snag grounds yet another Air India Dreamliner

Feb 16, 2014

In yet another case of Dreamliner trouble, Air India's Delhi-Frankfurt flight on Saturday was cancelled as the Boeing-787 earmarked for the journey developed a snag leaving over 150 passengers stranded here. Several of the brand new aircraft VT-ANM's spoilers — speed retardation devices on the wings that move up and down — became unservicable and the aircraft had to be grounded.

"We are arranging for a replacement Dreamliner and the Frankfurt flight (AI 121 which was to depart at 1pm on Saturday) is now expected to take off on Sunday morning," said a senior official, while wondering how such problems could be affecting a brand new plane. The Delhi airport witnessed stormy scenes on Saturday with passengers protesting the long delay.

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Karan69 · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 1334

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Last night, at around 11:10pm, I saw an Air India A332 parked at an international gate at IGIA, DEL. I was too far to see its registration. It is nice to see an A332 in DEL after a long time, that too on an international route. Any idea if this is a regular route, or a one-off?
Cheers, Sumantra.

747-237 · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:49 pm Post subject:

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

The_Goat · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:51 pm Post subject:

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

From kerala it is non existent. From BOM/DEL there is a need of a premium cabin.

747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:02 pm Post subject:

abhigopal · Member Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 172

My company which has people traveling to Saudi a lot sometimes uses AI's premium cabin. they love the flat beds on the 77W. This is mostly from BOM.

abhijith16 · Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:24 pm Post subject:

After more than 20+7 years on the DOH-BOM route (IX from 2007, and AI from 1983, hence 20+7), IX has officially suspended DOH-BOM route effective from 27th March.

IX has also clubbed both IXE-DOH and BAH direct flights together, 3 times a week. (one weekly IXE-DOH-BAH-IXE, and two weekly IXE-BAH-DOH-IXE). The additional 1 weekly CCJ-DOH flight has also been cancelled.
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747-237 · Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:58 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Engine-snag-grounds-AI-Dreamliner-in-Tokyo/articleshow/30917844.cms

Engine snag grounds AI Dreamliner in Tokyo

Feb 24, 2014

In yet another Dreamliner snag, an Air India Boeing-787 was grounded in Tokyo on Sunday just when it was supposed to take off for Delhi. The flight (AI 307) pushed back from Narita airport out with over 160 passengers on board but the aircraft had to be towed back after its right engine simply did not start!

"There is some problem with the engine and some of its blades have broken. So it did not start. It is an internal issue and not one caused by bird hit," said an airline official. AI is talking to Japan Airlines and ANA as both these airlines use Dreamliners and have the same engine. The airline is trying to get parts from these local carriers so that the aircraft (VT-ANI) is not grounded for long in Tokyo.
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Caliguy · Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 7:47 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:00 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:00 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Air-India-Dreamliner-takes-off-for-Frankfurt-returns-to-Delhi-after-7-hours/articleshow/30965157.cms

On Monday afternoon, Air India's Boeing 787 (VT-ANE) took off from Delhi to Frankfurt with 202 people on board. Three hours into the flight when flight AI 121 was over Afghanistan, the aircraft's transponders failed.

Among other functions, this equipment gives information about the aircraft to enroute air traffic controllers. An aircraft cannot enter Europe without a working transponder as it will be ring alarm bells reserved for unidentified aircraft and lead to scrambling of fighter jets. So AI had to fly it back to Delhi!

Incidentally, this is the second time in just over a month that the same Dreamliner (VT-ANE) had to return to origin due to transponder failure. On January 19, it had taken off from London and two hours later when it was over Germany, the transponders failed. The aircraft then barely made it in time back to Heathrow before night curfew there kicked in.
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:24 pm Post subject: