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Air India News -- Part 32
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deaphen
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India took delivery of another 787-8 (VT-ANY) yesterday.

Two more deliveries next month (August) with one more in September.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/oman-air-has-no-plans-to-bid-for-air-india-ceo/article9765297.ece

Oman Air has no plans to bid for Air India: CEO

July 13

Oman Air, has no plans of putting in a bid for Air India, Paul Gregorowitsch, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer said on Thursday.

“Today we have no interest to make a bid for Air India or part of Air India. Today we have different priorities. The economies in the Gulf are having some cross winds… rather than following examples of other Gulf carriers which have not been so successful at financially participating in airlines in either India, Asia or Europe,” Gregorowitsch said in response to a question on whether his airline will bid for Air India.

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.firstpost.com/india/peta-urges-all-indian-airlines-to-serve-only-vegan-meals-to-flyers-3809677.html

PETA urges all Indian airlines to serve only vegan meals to flyers

Jul, 13 2017

Animal rights body PETA on Thursday appealed to all Indian airlines to serve only vegan meals to passengers across all flying classes, days after Air India announced that it would not serve non-vegetarian meals in its economy class to cut down on cost.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA-India) has written to all airlines to encourage them serve vegan meals to passengers, noting that meat, egg and dairy production is one of the leading causes of climate change

In a statement, it said that climate change was causing people throughout India to endure severe drought and heatwave.

In addition to producing an estimated 51 percent of worldwide greenhouse-gas emissions, animal farming also uses a massive amount of water, land and food resources, it said.

"Balancing an airline's carbon footprint can start with putting meat and dairy products on the no-fly list. PETA is encouraging all Indian airlines to follow Air India's lead and serve exclusively healthy, humane and eco- friendly vegan meals on all flights," said PETA CEO Manilal Valliyate.

The animal rights body said that while more than 194 million people in India were undernourished, at least 50 percent of the world's grain supply was being used to feed farmed animals. The consumption of meat, eggs and dairy products has also been conclusively linked to an increased risk of suffering from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and cancer, it said.

Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani had earlier said that the move by the airline was an attempt to rationalise cost. "We have also realised that this will reduce wastage to a great extent because we carry extra vegetarian and non- vegetarian meals. Serving one type of meal to passengers in economy class will also make the job of crew members simpler," Lohani had said.

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yashkhullar
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtUiT5ZXZDE

According to the above link, DEL - IAD flight would be 6 weekly from October 26 of this year. The news clip also adds that the flight would move to the Dreamliner soon. I would be doubtful of their claim since its highly unlikely that the 788 makes it that far.
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.globalatlanta.com/atlanta-pitch-air-india-direct-route/

Atlanta to Pitch Air India on a Direct Route

JULY 18, 2017

Atlanta leaders are looking to persuade Air India that the Southeast’s economic hub should be its next U.S. destination.

Driven by the Consulate General of India in Atlanta, the Indian community is gathering support for a petition that will make a business case to the country’s flag carrier as it expands U.S. service.

Air India has five U.S. gateways and should begin new service to Los Angeles and Dallas later this year. It launched nonstop service between Delhi and Washington on July 7, linking the two nations’ capitals just after President Donald Trump hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in late June.

The Washington flight started out as an extension of Air india’s New York-Delhi route, but eventually blossomed into a three-days-a-week nonstop as the benefits of the link became clear.

Nonstop would be preferred, but an Atlanta flight could follow a similar model as leaders work to make their case to the carrier, said Nagesh Singh, the country’s consul general in Atlanta, who has long been pushing for greater connectivity.

The effort comes as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ramps up its own efforts to woo the carrier.

“We have trips planned probably within the next few months to India,” Roosevelt Council, the airport’s general manager, told Global Atlanta, fittingly, on the sidelines of an economic development conference where Atlanta airport leaders were training developing-world airport officials in route development.

An India trip this year would be the second for Hartsfield-Jackson in as many years. A 2016 trip included meetings with Air India and was conducted in conjunction with economic development and tourism leaders from Atlanta and Georgia.

Mr. Council said that the airport would welcome a Delta Air Lines flight to India but isn’t waiting on its hometown partner.

“It doesn’t matter who the carrier is,” he said, referring to the economic development impact of a new route. “If we can get Air India to come here it’s the same thing.”

He added that the airport stands as a ready part of the city’s coalition to make a strong case for a new link.

“It’s always a business decision for the airline. No matter how much we want somebody, it needs to be something they feel like can be profitable for them. But I think we actually present a pretty attractive package.”

Air India’s regional manager in the New York office couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

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The_Goat
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why can not 9W operate direct India-USA flights with their 77Ws? What's preventing them?
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Jaysit
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why would AI do ATL when ATL isn't a Star Alliance hub?

Right now, AI does well to serve EWR, ORD, SFO, and IAD - all UA major UA hubs. JFK's catchment area is large enough to handle O&D traffic as is LAX should it ever get started.
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Caliguy
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The_Goat wrote:
Why can not 9W operate direct India-USA flights with their 77Ws? What's preventing them?


My guess is they need a metal neutral JV with Delta to pull off a nonstop to either JFK or ATL. Also would need strong connections on both ends. Until a real JV goes into place, it looks like DL/AF/KL & 9W have some sort of deal in place where each provides the other some cheap seats for connecting traffic to make their respective flights work
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jaysit wrote:
Why would AI do ATL when ATL isn't a Star Alliance hub?
UA has been rather snooty in code-sharing with AI (more so this year, when the code-shares would have benefitted both airlines, and AI wanted an extensive list of code-shares in place by summer). AI haven't announced ATL, in spite of this extensive wooing, and Lohani is not known to be a big talker: he talks only when plans are firmly in place. His only period of continued silence was when the gag-order had come in, post the AI privatisation talk. I do not think AI will add ATL in the near future.

Jaysit wrote:
Right now, AI does well to serve EWR, ORD, SFO, and IAD - all UA major UA hubs. JFK's catchment area is large enough to handle O&D traffic as is LAX should it ever get started.
The JFK strategy was very swift, and effective. Look at the number of B6 inline connections AI is selling, something that benefits both airlines. UA was snooty about AI code-shares even before they pulled out of JFK. AI had a decent plan B in place, and moved in swiftly for the B6 connections. B6 honours the AI baggage policy. Though B6 is a non-IATA carrier, this did not stop AI from drawing up a decent cooperation plan out of and into JFK on B6.

Cheers, Sumantra.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/air-india-wins-major-arbitration-case-against-us-based-airline-117031800655_1.html

Air India wins major arbitration case against US-based airline

March 18, 2017

In a major victory for government-owned Air India, the airline won an arbitration case against US-based air charter company Dynamic International Airways, putting an end to an over three-year legal tussle between the two parties. The order given by arbitrato, former Comptroller and Auditor General P Sesh Kumar, will require the US-based charter operator pay an amount of around Rs 65.71 crore to the national airline.

The arbitrator has also rejected Dynamic Airways’ counter claims of Rs 108.45 crore from Air India.

Air India now plans to move the US judiciary so that the order can be enforced under US laws. Dynamic being a US-based company, it is necessary that the hearing is done in US courts under the United States Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 21 U.S.T 2517.

Air India will also file a caveat petition in Delhi High Court, so that in case the award is challenged by Dynamic, Air India gets an advance notice of hearing.

An Air India spokesperson said it was a major victory for the company following a prolonged legal battle. “It will help to recoup the airline’s expenses and we will take all steps to enforce the award in foreign jurisdiction against the party,” the spokesperson said. Business Standard could not immediately contact the spokesperson of Dynamic Airways.

Under an agreement signed in 2014, US-based Dynamic was supposed to provide aircraft to Air India to carry passengers during Haj. Air India is the nodal carrier from India for undertaking Haj operations.

Problems started once operation started. Dynamic Airways arbitrarily reduced the number of planes it originally agreed to provide. Dynamic agreed to carry only two-thirds of the 36,000 passengers who were supposed to fly from India to Saudi Arabia and back. This resulted in massive mismanagement of the Haj operations in 2014, leading to several flights being cancelled or delayed by several hours, and numerous cases of lost baggage. The situation was so serious that the Saudi envoy to India criticised Air India for operations, following which Air India stopped outsourcing Haj services to external parties.

Dynamic had earlier filed a notice before the US courts that the dispute should be heard in US, not in India. A US federal court rejected the claims allowing the arbitration case to be settled in India.

Dynamic also said that P Sesh Kumar was not an eligible arbitrator in this case as he was a former Government of India employee and under Indian Arbitration Law, anyone who has past or present business relationship with a party is disqualified to oversee such a dispute.




https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/57967-dynamic-intl-airways-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy

Dynamic Int'l Airways files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Dynamic International Airways (2D, Greensboro) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States as it attempts to recuperate from litigation with Air India (AI, Mumbai Int'l) which saw it hit with damages of USD10 million. The US ACMI/charter specialist said in a statement that it will continue to offer normal services while working through a reorganization process.

In March this year, an Indian arbitration court found in favour of Air India over a dispute regarding Hajj services contracted in 2013 and 2014. Under the contract, Dynamic was to provide India-Saudi Arabia charter capacity, but supplied only four of the five agreed aircraft, resulting in delays and cancellations for Air India's passengers. A countersuit filed by Dynamic alleging breach of contract was rejected. The US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina then moved to affirm an arbitration award against Dynamic Intl. issued by the Canadian Arbitration Association in April. The award determined that Dynamic Intl. was in breach of contract by failing to pay commissions to BKP Enterprises, one of two Indian firms that acted on its behalf during the Hajj contract.

As such, Dynamic says that while it has filed a notice of appeal and intends to challenge the judgment and award, it has no immediate recourse to stay the judgment. It has therefore determined that a voluntary filing for Chapter 11 protection is necessary.

"Operating under the protection of the US Bankruptcy Court will enable us to continue to serve our customers, keep our team employed and work with our vendors while we navigate through the challenges presented," CEO Paul Kraus said in a statement. "Once we have completed the reorganization process, we expect Dynamic Intl. to emerge as a stronger company with a sound financial structure that is appropriate not only for today's level of business activity but also for the future."

The North Carolina-based carrier currently offers passenger flights from New York JFK to Georgetown Cheddi Jagan, Guyana and Guayaquil, Ecuador. Its fleet entails two active B767-300(ER)s with two B767-200s and one B767-200(ER) currently parked

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.kashmirvision.in/news/boeing-747-makes-maiden-landing-at-srinagar-airport

Boeing 747 makes maiden landing at Srinagar Airport

20, July 2017

The Aircraft which made its maiden landing at the Srinagar Airport is the largest aircraft operating in India. The aircraft will be used in ferrying the Hajj passengers directly to Jeddah from Srinagar airport.

The Air India Boeing 747 flights are supposed to depart daily from the Srinagar Airport to Jeddah from 25th of this month.

Air India officials said the scheduled timing for departure of flights would be 9 am and 11.35 am.

Notably, the Boeing 747s which will be carrying around 900 passengers daily to the Jeddah from the Srinagar Airport runs on selected eight routes across India and aboard.

“It was a huge aircraft. It was to test the preparedness for the Hajj flights and it was a success,” said Sharad Kumar, Director of Airport Authority of India, Srinagar.

“There was a little delay due to the wing span of the aircraft. It took some time to move the aircraft backwards,” said Manjeet Singh, Manager operations at Srinagar Airport.

Singh said that the Airport Authority of India will use fifty more workers during the Hajj flights.

The Boeing 747 on its maiden flight to Srinagar carried 260 passengers from New Delhi, while as 407 passengers travelled to New Delhi via same flight.



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sumantra
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
http://www.kashmirvision.in/news/boeing-747-makes-maiden-landing-at-srinagar-airport
[i]Boeing 747 makes maiden landing at Srinagar Airport

I saw this parked at a domestic gate, and had a WhatsApp discussion with Ameya on this. VT-ESO `Khajuraho', scheduled for AI 811. I was flying out of Delhi to Nagpur, and Ameya was coming in to Delhi.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/aqGPjSTwog4DSoeCHi2ooM/KKR-Warburg-Pincus-show-interest-in-Air-India-privatisation.html

KKR, Warburg Pincus show interest in Air India privatisation

Jul 23 2017

Private equity funds KKR and Co. and Warbug Pincus are the latest to express interest in acquiring Air India’s businesses, according to two people directly aware of the development.

The two buyout firms have separately sought details of the proposed privatisation process of the national carrier that was cleared by the cabinet in end June, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

“Air India’s businesses make attractive investment opportunity for the PE funds,” said one of the two people. “However, the discussions are currently at a very early stage and will expectedly gain momentum once there is further clarity on the divestment process.”

While both KKR and Warburg declined to comment, the people cited earlier said the funds were told to wait till an independent adviser is appointed to manage the sale through a bidding process.

“A proposal inviting investment banks to manage divestment is expected soon and quite a few domestic and foreign investment banks have been sounded out,” said the first person.

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PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/no-non-veg-for-domestic-economy-class-fliers-on-air-india/article19246446.ece
No non-veg for domestic economy class fliers on Air India
As discussed on the WhatsApp AI.net forum, I got to experience two flavours of this. 02 Jul AI 013 DEL-AMD and 03 Jul AI 011 AMD-DEL were international connectors, and veg-only flights. However, 18 Jul AI 102 DEL-BOM and 19 Jul AI 101 BOM-DEL were domestic legs of international flights, and had a non-veg option.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.avgeekery.com/air-india-a320neo-crew-forgets-to-raise-the-gear-lands-safely-short-of-destination/

Air India A320neo Crew Forgets To Raise The Gear, Lands Safely Short Of Destination

24 July 2017

Two Air India Airlines pilots have been grounded for forgetting to retract the landing gear on their spanking-new Airbus A320neo and flying 693 miles (1,115 kilometers) from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata in eastern India to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport / Sonegaon Air Force Base (NAG) at Nagpur with the gear extended on Saturday July 22nd 2017. The pilots didn’t put it together that the gear was in the wind when they were unable to climb higher than 24,000 feet (7,315 meters), which is about 12,000 feet (3,657 meters) lower than their usual assigned altitude of 36,000 feet (10,972 meters). They didn’t figure it out when their jet wouldn’t fly faster than 230 knots (264 miles per hour or 426 kilometers per hour) either.

The Air India A320neo, as flight 676, was supposed to fly from CCU all the way to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai on the western coast of India- essentially a cross-India trip. But the higher than normal fuel consumption due to the added drag of the extended landing gear used up fuel a lot faster than normal. They made it roughly 2/3 of the way before they were forced to divert and land at NAG. It was only when preparing to land at NAG about an hour and a half into their flight that the flight crew realized their faux pas. There were 99 passengers aboard the flight.

The pilots, both of whom were women according to the original report, expressed incredulity when they became aware of their error. One pilot was surprised that the cabin crew and passengers didn’t express concern about the added noise and vibration cause by flight with the landing gear extended. Speculation is that the pilots may have chalked the noise and vibration up to monsoon-caused turbulence aloft over India that day. But there is a post-takeoff checklist which was obviously poorly executed.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=463298

AI plans to reinvent its menu for international business class passengers

Jul 26 2017

In a bid to lure more passengers, national passenger carrier Air India on Tuesday said that it will introduce a new menu for its international first and business class segments.

According to the airline's spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar, the airline will reinvent its existing menu by introducing regional dishes, more varieties of wine and mocktails.

Apart from new dishes, the airline intends to give a "refresher training" in Indian cuisine to its chefs, who are stationed at various international cities.

"We will showcase new menu with regional dishes, new wines and several other changes during an exhibition which will be held in September," Kumar said.

"The final menu will be decided and pressed into service from the winter schedule from October end."

The move assumes significance as the airline earns 65 per cent of its total revenue from international operations.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 5:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://bureaucracytoday.com/psumarket.aspx?id=140597

Air India procures 86, sells 5 aircrafts

26/07/2017

Air India has procured 86 aircrafts and sold five planes in the last ten years.

Except the 5 B-777 LR aircrafts which have been sold, all other aircrafts are in service or operations. The 5 B-777 LR aircrafts were sold in order to rationalize the fleet and reduce operational losses.

Out of the 23 B-787 aircrafts, 21 B-787 Dreamliner aircrafts have been acquired under the Sale and Lease Back Arrangement (SLB) and the remaining two aircrafts have been procured under Bridge Loans till their SLB financing is finalized. As per the Turnaround Plan approved by the Govt for Air India, these aircraft were to be procured by AI under SLB arrangement.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=463298

AI plans to reinvent its menu for international business class passengers

Jul 26 2017

In a bid to lure more passengers, national passenger carrier Air India on Tuesday said that it will introduce a new menu for its international first and business class segments.

According to the airline's spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar, the airline will reinvent its existing menu by introducing regional dishes, more varieties of wine and mocktails.

Apart from new dishes, the airline intends to give a "refresher training" in Indian cuisine to its chefs, who are stationed at various international cities.

"We will showcase new menu with regional dishes, new wines and several other changes during an exhibition which will be held in September," Kumar said.

"The final menu will be decided and pressed into service from the winter schedule from October end."

The move assumes significance as the airline earns 65 per cent of its total revenue from international operations.


They need to clean their filthy cabins, fix the broken fixtures, and while they're at it get rid of their First Class and replace it and its dodgy J Class with a more modern and competitive product. A decent chicken curry doesn't compensate for a lousy product, especially now since they're no longer competitive on price.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/as-divestment-looms-air-indias-boeing-order-to-end-by-mar-2017-as-6-planes-join-fleet-2337435.html

As divestment looms, Air India’s Boeing order to end by Mar 2018 as 6 planes join fleet

Jul 27, 2017

Air India will take delivery of six more planes from Boeing by March, 2018 marking the completion of the orders the state-owned carrier had placed with the world’s largest aerospace company as far back as December 2005, according to a company official.

The company is going ahead with the purchase of the planes even as the government explores options to sell its stake in the loss-making airline.

There will be three Boeing 777-300 ER and as many 787-8 planes delivered to the national airline by the end of the current financial year.

“The airline may be making losses but it will be sold on a going concern basis. The purchase of the planes is a contract that needs to be honoured,” the official said.

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jaysit wrote:


they're no longer competitive on price.


Exactly, I wonder what's up with the ridiculously high fares???

I've been looking for flights to India and AI are the most expensive.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The_Goat wrote:
Jaysit wrote:


they're no longer competitive on price.


Exactly, I wonder what's up with the ridiculously high fares???

I've been looking for flights to India and AI are the most expensive.


Nonstops from India without having to go through long lines of transit security in Doha, Dubai, AUH, FRA, etc.

Also, the laptop ban on the Gulf/ME carriers which has now come to an end, I believe.
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 6:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/government-may-prefer-another-airline-as-air-india-buyer/articleshow/59798968.cms

Government may prefer another airline as Air India buyer

Jul 28, 2017

The government may prefer that an airline acquires Air India even if it means selling the domestic and international operations separately, senior officials said. “We also want continuity for the existing staff which could only happen if it is being taken over by another airline,” said one of them.

While IndiGo has said it may be interested in Air India’s international business, there have been reports that some private equity investors had been eyeing a possible stake-sale process. The Tata Group, which has stakes in Vistara and AirAsia India, has also been mentioned as a possible suitor.

“Such a move will ensure that the debt portion may be reduced but also give the selected bidder time to turn around the firm,” said the official cited above.

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PostPosted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 6:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/cqoP7NKFTIPewRZnhHzMLI/Air-India-direct-flights-to-US-to-see-special-checks-for-exp.html

Air India direct flights to US to see special checks for explosive devices

Jul 27 2017

Explosive trace device (ETD) checks will be in place at airports in Delhi and Mumbai for Air India’s direct flights to the US, according to the government.

Such checks will be for portable gadgets that are larger than a smartphone in order to comply with directions issued by the US authorities for foreign air carriers.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued directions to commission explosive trace device at “secondary screening check points” to comply with the requirement of the US transportation security administration (TSA).

The TSA has made it mandatory for foreign airlines to perform explosive trace device checks at secondary ladder point checks for all portable electronic and gadgets which are larger than a cellphone or smartphone in certain cases, he said.

“As such, instructions are applicable to airports in India as last port of departure stations for US-bound flights. Air India is operating flights to the US with New Delhi and Mumbai as last port of departure stations,” the minister said.

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PostPosted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 6:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/after-gaikwad-air-india-row-no-more-single-class-planes-ai-to-reconfigure-14-aircraft-4770473/

No more single-class planes, AI to reconfigure 14 aircraft

July 28, 2017

The absence of a business class section on an all-economy aircraft was at the heart of the Air India’s high-decibel altercation with Shiv Sena’s Member of Parliament Ravindra Gaikwad in March this year. Air India, which at the time went on to ban Gaikwad from flying as proof of its resolve to penalise unruly behaviour by air passengers, has now decided to reconfigure all of its single-class narrow-body aircraft in order to introduce the business class option in each of them, a senior company official said.

To do this, the flag-carrier would convert the first three rows of the all-economy class aircraft to business class by having 12 seats in a configuration of two-by-two, compared with three-by-two in the current configuration that add up to 18 economy seats. The official said that of the 14 aircraft, Air India has already reconfigured the seat layout of five. Of the remaining nine, three are leased planes, for which permission has been sought from lessors to go ahead with the exercise. “We expect the approval from the lessors to come soon, and the whole exercise of converting all the 14 aircraft will be completed by the end of this month,” he added.

When contacted, Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar confirmed the development. “We have 14 aircraft, which are with all-economy seats. Our business class passenger group is increasing rapidly, so we decided to convert first three rows to business class,” he said.

The official quoted earlier said that to remove and install new seats, Air India would have had to get a nod from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which would have taken time. To complete the process sooner, instead of removing the economy class seats and installing business class seats, the airline is simply putting armrests on the middle seat and putting a seat and cloth over the remaining part of the middle seat and aisle, or window seats.

While the passengers of this class will enjoy more seat width and the services offered will be different that those for economy class, the legroom for both will end up being the same. Air India had initially proposed the idea to do away with its single-class configuration around two years back, but this proposal was put in cold-storage. It was then revived in the aftermath of the March incident. The official said that the economics of the new layout would remain the same even after the reconfiguration. The fare for every three seats in each row will be divided by two to set the fare for the two business class seats.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/spooked-by-haunted-chicago-hotel-air-india-crew-asks-for-change-in-accommodation/1/1015616.html

Spooked by 'haunted' hotel, Air India crew asks airline to change accommodation

July 31, 2017

The high-flying lifestyle of working for an airline always seems glamorous. However, the experiences of an Air India crew assigned to fly to Chicago in the US will probably make those considering a career in the airline industry think twice.

The crew, which was put up at a hotel in Chicago, has had to deal with "negative energies" while in their rooms, according to a report by news agency ANI. So spooked has the crew been after facing "paranormal activities" at the hotel that they have written to Air India management, asking the national carrier to take immediate action.

The crew's deputy chief of cabin has written a letter, accessed by news agency ANI, complaining that the nerve-wracking experience at the Chicago hotel has left most of the crew members "scared (of) sleeping alone". The letter, however, does not specify the exact nature of the paranormal activities.

The spooky goings-on at the Chicago hotel keep "playing in our mind (sic)", the deputy chief writes in the letter and as a result of this, the crew is unable to get proper rest after operating ultra-long haul flights.

The letter goes on to question the Air India management's decision to sign a contract with the hotel despite there being several online accounts of the paranormal activities at the hotel.

The crew member asks Air India officials to look into the matter and "change this hotel on (an) urgent basis" while saying that such incidents have been happening since November last year. The deputy chief of cabin also expresses his/her unwillingness to fly on the Chicago route until the hotel is changed.

IndiaToday.in could not independently verify the veracity of the letter. ANI, however, reported that it had asked Air India for a comment, and that airline spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar responded saying, "Matter is under investigation and we are in contact with our Chicago station."

Full text of the Air India crew letter as reported by ANI:

"Majority of the crew are facing negative energies through paranormal activities in the hotel, most of us share rooms and sleep as we feel scared sleeping alone which is very unpleasant, after operating an ULH we are not able to get proper rest as these things keep playing in our mind.

Even online there is a complete description about incidents of paranormal activities about this hotel still the contract with this hotel was signed.

I have been coming to this hotel since November'16 and every time something unpleasant has been happening. I would request you to look into the matter and change this hotel on urgent basis as most of us don't feel comfortable staying here.

I would also request you to please 'Do Not' assign me any Chicago flights till the hotel is changed as it's very uncomfortable in the hotel.

Let's not wait for any miss happening to happen. Waiting for the necessary action."

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/spooked-by-haunted-chicago-hotel-air-india-crew-asks-for-change-in-accommodation/1/1015616.html

Spooked by 'haunted' hotel, Air India crew asks airline to change accommodation

July 31, 2017

The high-flying lifestyle of working for an airline always seems glamorous. However, the experiences of an Air India crew assigned to fly to Chicago in the US will probably make those considering a career in the airline industry think twice.

The crew, which was put up at a hotel in Chicago, has had to deal with "negative energies" while in their rooms, according to a report by news agency ANI. So spooked has the crew been after facing "paranormal activities" at the hotel that they have written to Air India management, asking the national carrier to take immediate action.

The crew's deputy chief of cabin has written a letter, accessed by news agency ANI, complaining that the nerve-wracking experience at the Chicago hotel has left most of the crew members "scared (of) sleeping alone". The letter, however, does not specify the exact nature of the paranormal activities.

The spooky goings-on at the Chicago hotel keep "playing in our mind (sic)", the deputy chief writes in the letter and as a result of this, the crew is unable to get proper rest after operating ultra-long haul flights.

The letter goes on to question the Air India management's decision to sign a contract with the hotel despite there being several online accounts of the paranormal activities at the hotel.

The crew member asks Air India officials to look into the matter and "change this hotel on (an) urgent basis" while saying that such incidents have been happening since November last year. The deputy chief of cabin also expresses his/her unwillingness to fly on the Chicago route until the hotel is changed.

IndiaToday.in could not independently verify the veracity of the letter. ANI, however, reported that it had asked Air India for a comment, and that airline spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar responded saying, "Matter is under investigation and we are in contact with our Chicago station."

Full text of the Air India crew letter as reported by ANI:

"Majority of the crew are facing negative energies through paranormal activities in the hotel, most of us share rooms and sleep as we feel scared sleeping alone which is very unpleasant, after operating an ULH we are not able to get proper rest as these things keep playing in our mind.

Even online there is a complete description about incidents of paranormal activities about this hotel still the contract with this hotel was signed.

I have been coming to this hotel since November'16 and every time something unpleasant has been happening. I would request you to look into the matter and change this hotel on urgent basis as most of us don't feel comfortable staying here.

I would also request you to please 'Do Not' assign me any Chicago flights till the hotel is changed as it's very uncomfortable in the hotel.

Let's not wait for any miss happening to happen. Waiting for the necessary action."


How do these articles even make it to the press. AI PR? Doesn't AI or it's employees understand this makes AI look like a crazy airline with crazy employees. It is so crazy.
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Jaysit
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India is a crazy airline with crazy employees. The End.
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The_Goat
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Caliguy wrote:
747-237 wrote:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/spooked-by-haunted-chicago-hotel-air-india-crew-asks-for-change-in-accommodation/1/1015616.html

[i]Spooked by 'haunted' hotel, Air India crew asks airline to change accommodation



How do these articles even make it to the press. AI PR? Doesn't AI or it's employees understand this makes AI look like a crazy airline with crazy employees. It is so crazy.


It looks like the hotel in question forgot to give the usual 10% cut to the AI babu in charge of crew accomodations in ORD.
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 6:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The article was on India Today - to me it makes India Today look like the National Enquirer - a two bit rag (which I know it is not). What ever. Privatize AI and Drain The Swamp.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Caliguy wrote:
The article was on India Today - to me it makes India Today look like the National Enquirer - a two bit rag (which I know it is not). What ever. Privatize AI and Drain The Swamp.


Why are you blaming the messenger? It's a newsworthy story - the Indian taxpayer needs to know the nuttiness it bankrolls.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India Express to start 4x weekly non-stop Delhi - Madurai and Madurai - Singapore w.e.f 15 Sep

IX684 DEL 1900 - 2215 IXM 2315 - 0615 SIN

IX683 SIN 1040 - 1225 IXM 1325 - 1640 DEL
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jaysit wrote:
Caliguy wrote:
The article was on India Today - to me it makes India Today look like the National Enquirer - a two bit rag (which I know it is not). What ever. Privatize AI and Drain The Swamp.


Why are you blaming the messenger? It's a newsworthy story - the Indian taxpayer needs to know the nuttiness it bankrolls.


I guess because it gives power to these fools who feel they can extract what they want from AI or else (meaning we will shame you in the press). In most countries, the press would turn it around and say looks like the staff want something or dismiss it. Remember it said the hotel was "HAUNTED" - what a JOKE (on both sides)
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ai-flight-in-us-denied-take-off-over-seat-belt-tags/articleshow/59936622.cms

AI flight in US denied take-off over seat belt tags

Aug 6, 2017

The American air safety regulator on Friday stopped an Air India aircraft to take off as scheduled from Chicago for India due to missing tag numbers from several seat belts.

The surprise check by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found a large number of belts on seats of the Delhi-bound Boeing-777 (VT-ALK) without the mandatory tags bearing their technical standard order (TSO) number. Though not a safety issue, FAA did not allow the plane — which was booked to capacity — to take off.

Air India had another B-777 parked in nearby New York's John F Kennedy Airport. The airline took out some seat belts from this plane (VT-ALJ) and flew them to Chicago on a Delta flight. Once there, these belts were installed on the seats of the AI plane at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. This 342-seater plane then took off for Delhi after a delay of more than eight hours on Friday after its schedule take-off time of 1.30 pm.

As many as 44 passenger seats and 12 flight attendant seats had to be declared unserviceable for this journey due to their missing TSO tags. Clearly, AI is not happy.

An airline spokesman said: "The seat belts were perfectly fine. Only some had tags worn out. This is an instance of impractical or irrelevant stipulations being imposed on Air India by FAA. However, we would take necessary action to ensure such things don't recur. A lot of new seat belts have been ordered."

A senior AI official said that FAA is subjecting the Maharaja's aircraft to stringent checks at all the stations it flies to — New York JFK and Newark, Chicago, Washington and San Francisco. "The checks have intensified in the recent past. While technically FAA was correct in pointing out the missing TSO tags, we told them that new seat belts have been ordered and the old ones will be replaced very soon. Still the aircraft was not allowed to take off till we got some belts from another of our aircraft in New York," said the official.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shoddy airline.

I used to defend AI's detractors when they argued that if the cabins were so tatty and badly kept, the flight systems probably weren't in tip top shape either, only because others in the know had always praised AI's technical/engineering department.

Now I'm not so sure. It's the little things that matter because little things can have a snowball effect on safety.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jaysit wrote:
I used to defend AI's detractors when they argued that if the cabins were so tatty and badly kept, the flight systems probably weren't in tip top shape either, only because others in the know had always praised AI's technical/engineering department.
Sanjay: not this one, possibly. From what I hear, this was sheer unnecessary harassment. That AI's cabins are tatty is no secret, and things will possibly not change very soon on the wide-bodies, at least. The narrow-bodies seem to be getting a quick fix-up job done, as some recent experiences show. I've seen this on some DEL and BOM-based planes.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sumantra wrote:
Jaysit wrote:
I used to defend AI's detractors when they argued that if the cabins were so tatty and badly kept, the flight systems probably weren't in tip top shape either, only because others in the know had always praised AI's technical/engineering department.
Sanjay: not this one, possibly. From what I hear, this was sheer unnecessary harassment. That AI's cabins are tatty is no secret, and things will possibly not change very soon on the wide-bodies, at least. The narrow-bodies seem to be getting a quick fix-up job done, as some recent experiences show. I've seen this on some DEL and BOM-based planes.
Cheers, Sumantra.


Harassment, but why? I think AI employees need to understand that all those crazy stories they leak to the press make them look like they are not professionals. Remember we already started hearing things that AI staff will oppose the sale of AI and let's see what they do. In the end this is a legitimate rule, as many on Anet have pointed out. So now AI knows the FAA is in their business, so let's see them raise their game.
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Caliguy wrote:
In the end this is a legitimate rule, as many on Anet have pointed out. So now AI knows the FAA is in their business, so let's see them raise their game.
The `legitimate rule' part is a one-sided one, and from what I hear, there is possibly more to this story. The FAA part is fine in principle, though one-sided.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.ndtv.com/business/air-india-seeks-740-million-loan-to-finance-purchase-of-6-boeing-planes-1734633

Air India Seeks $740 Million Loan To Finance Purchase Of 6 Boeing Planes

August 07, 2017

Air India is looking for bridge loans worth up to $740 million to finance purchase of six Boeing 787-8 planes, according to a tender document. While the government is working on final contours for a strategic disinvestment of its stake in loss-making Air India, the airline is ready with plans to fly to more overseas destinations.

The airline has sought offers from banks and financial institutions to arrange bridge financing of up to $740 million for the six aircraft. The amount translates into around $123.3 million per plane.

At the current exchange rate, $740 million is around Rs. 4,720 crore. "In addition to the Government of India guarantee, Air India will offer the aircraft as a security. The facility should be a direct loan without the requirement for formation of a special purpose vehicle structure which requires title transfer," the tender document, floated last Friday, said.

Air India has an agreement with Boeing Company for purchase of 27 B787-8 planes. Out of them, the airline has completed the sale and lease back for 21 aircraft. For three B787-8 planes -- each of which was delivered in November 2016, January and July -- Air India had arranged bridge financing without Indian government's guarantee.

Among the remaining three aircraft, two are scheduled to be delivered this month and one in October. Air India is looking for bridge loans worth up to $740 million to finance purchase of six Boeing 787-8 planes, according to a tender document. While the government is working on final contours for a strategic disinvestment of its stake in loss-making Air India, the airline is ready with plans to fly to more overseas destinations.

The airline has sought offers from banks and financial institutions to arrange bridge financing of up to $740 million for the six aircraft. The amount translates into around $123.3 million per plane.

At the current exchange rate, $740 million is around Rs. 4,720 crore. "In addition to the Government of India guarantee, Air India will offer the aircraft as a security. The facility should be a direct loan without the requirement for formation of a special purpose vehicle structure which requires title transfer," the tender document, floated last Friday, said.

Air India has an agreement with Boeing Company for purchase of 27 B787-8 planes. Out of them, the airline has completed the sale and lease back for 21 aircraft. For three B787-8 planes -- each of which was delivered in November 2016, January and July -- Air India had arranged bridge financing without Indian government's guarantee.

Among the remaining three aircraft, two are scheduled to be delivered this month and one in October. According to the document, the government has indicated that it would issue guarantee for the six B787-8 aircraft, which includes three that have already been delivered.

"Therefore, Air India would like to refinance the bridge loan for 22nd to 24th B787-8 aircraft and needs interim bridge financing for the remaining three B787-8 aircraft (25th to 27th) for 15 months at the time of delivery," the document said.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sumantra wrote:
Caliguy wrote:
In the end this is a legitimate rule, as many on Anet have pointed out. So now AI knows the FAA is in their business, so let's see them raise their game.
The `legitimate rule' part is a one-sided one, and from what I hear, there is possibly more to this story. The FAA part is fine in principle, though one-sided.
Cheers, Sumantra.


I agree that FAA can be one-sided. I don't see FAA subjecting all airlines to such stringent standards. I have seen many airlines with missing tags, I recently flew on Air China from Beijing to IAH and this is one airline which is definitely needs improvement and had missing tags in many seats.

I think they could have given them a written warning this time.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sumantra wrote:
Jaysit wrote:
I used to defend AI's detractors when they argued that if the cabins were so tatty and badly kept, the flight systems probably weren't in tip top shape either, only because others in the know had always praised AI's technical/engineering department.
Sanjay: not this one, possibly. From what I hear, this was sheer unnecessary harassment. That AI's cabins are tatty is no secret, and things will possibly not change very soon on the wide-bodies, at least. The narrow-bodies seem to be getting a quick fix-up job done, as some recent experiences show. I've seen this on some DEL and BOM-based planes.
Cheers, Sumantra.


Excuses, shmexcuses. The FAA has no reason to single AI out for harassment. The airline needs to shape up instead of pointing excuses and whining like a certain Orange President we all know.
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