Airliners-India.com

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

AI Drops No Frill Service, to Focus on Express

Mumbai: National carrier Air India today said it has shelved its plan to launch a separate brand for all- economy, no-frills service-- a la Jet Konnect-- taking into account the changed market-scenario over the last few months.
In the all-economy, no-frills service concept, fares are lower than what full service airlines offer but higher than low cost carriers'.
Last year, Jet Airways had launched its all-economy no-frills service Jet Konnect. Kingfisher Airlines too soon followed. This happened after a steep fall in passenger volume, mainly in business class.
"We would have come out with a separate brand. But since we have the Air India Express (low-cost), we will expand under that brand rather than coming out with a Konnect-kind of concept," Jadhav told reporters at a press conference here.
The airline would rather expand its services offered through low-cost carrier Air India Express on domestic routes, Air India Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav said.
At present, Air India Express flies on international routes.
Noting that the market conditions have changed drastically over the last few months, Jadhav said that the low-cost carriers' market share has gone up to 60-65 per cent presently from 50 per cent some time back.
Jadhav said that although the concept of a no-frill service offering may work in the initial phase, it might not be successful in the long run.

me111993
_________________
Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

- Greg House

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

Air India reportedly announced a 10% year-on-year increase in passenger load factor in 2009, due to aircraft and route rationalisation (IANS, 02-Jan-2010). Chairman and Managing Director, Arvind Jadhav, reports a further 13 aircraft will be returned to lessors or retired by Mar-2010. Air India reportedly plans to phase out a total of 34 aircraft by Mar-2011, while taking delivery of nine aircraft, including six A321s and three B777s in the same period (DNA, 04-Jan-2010)

Air India: “By March 2010, three more Boeing B777-200s, two Airbus A310s and eight Airbus A320s shall be returned or retired from the fleet as part of this exercise,” Arvind Jadhav, Chairman and Managing Director. Source: IANS, 02-Jan-2010.

Sri_Bom

Any idea which A310 are going to be retired?

con spirito · Member Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 577 Location: Inflight

Air India looking at Rs 2000-cr revenue from engineering unit

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/01/03/stories/2010010352160300.htm
This is rather too much too digest!
_________________
India is one of the richest countries in the world.
The only problem is........all the wealth is distributed in the wrong hands.

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

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

Well, at least AI's EWR flight shows no sign of decreasing loads. Last night, the flight was packed in Y and J, and is apparently going full for much of January. Yes, we all know its peak season, but given all the competition out there from QR and EK and what have you, this flight continues to do well. Saw a few dragon lady flight attendants marching down the concourse to the gates, at least one of whom looked like she'd fallen into a tub of assorted Max Factor products and had to thrash her way out. In stark contrast, Jet's perfectly coiffed FAs soon followed.

It was chaos at EWR last night due to high winds, temperatures of about 20 degrees F, but the AI and 9W aircraft got out just minutes before EWR was shut down due to a security breach at the CO terminal.

On another note, it now appears that Jet has the lowest J Class fares on the New York area - India market, beating out even AI.

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/Air-India-to-make-Delhi-new-network-hub/articleshow/5414548.cms

This moronic airline has realized what we stated months ago - that FRA is too expensive and congested, and that its better off making DEL a hub for its long haul operations. I guess it takes AI a year to realize that 2+2=4 and not 3.

So apparently they're considering making DEL a hub. This makes sense because the 77Ws can easily operate to destinations like JFK and ORD from DEL, and I guess that leaves the 77Ls to operate flights like BOM-JFK and BOM/AMD-EWR. Perhaps, the CDG flight can be combined with a FRA operation. With DEL's new terminal opening, I suppose all transfers can be done under one roof.

My folks just transited through FRA on AI from EWR to BOM and while they said that the service and food on both legs in J was excellent, the transit through FRA was a nightmare. AI's aircraft are not situated close to each other with some being remotely parked, and this makes for a chaotic transfer. FRA is bad enough when one is transferring between LH flights. It must be sheer bedlam with AI involved.

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

New Delhi: Despite having saved around Rs 500-600 crore in the last six months and increased revenue realisation, the loss-stricken Air India is likely to post losses of the same order as 2008-09 this fiscal, finding it difficult to bite the bullet on some key issues like wage cuts.
Air India posted losses of around Rs 5,000 crore in 2008-09. The state-owned airline was told to pull up its socks and increase its aircraft utilisation from 8.5 hours at present to around 12 hours, which is an industry standard. In a review meeting chaired by the civil aviation minister Praful Patel, in the presence of other senior ministry and airline officials, the carrier said that it plans to utilise the recently sanctioned Rs 800 crore by government for repayment of loans and clearance of outstanding dues to various vendors.
“The decision on a wage cut is on hold for now as the carrier is yet to finish consultations with all the stakeholders like unions and arrive at a consensus,” said an official present at the meeting.

me111993
_________________
Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

- Greg House

con spirito · Member Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 577 Location: Inflight

Aerostar alliance begins to generate revenues for Air India.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Aerostar-alliance-begins-to-generate-revenues-for-Air-India/564205/

Mumbai: National carrier Air India (AI), which is in the process of hiving off its engineering division into a separate subsidiary, on Wednesday said it has earned nearly $3,00,000 (Rs 1.46 crore) in December through its alliance with Dubai-based Aerostar Asset management company which provides engine repair management solutions mainly to the West Asia market. Although, this is a modest beginning, the carrier is pinning high hopes of generating as much as Rs 3,000 crore annually from its engineering facility which is four times more than it does currently. Currently, the public sector airline services approximately 100 planes annually.
Recently, AI's engine overhaul facility, and Aerostar Asset Management, Sharjah, UAE, created an engine MRO brand called 'The A Team.' Targeted at the Middle East market, this initiative will provide engine repair and management solutions to all airline operators of the region. Gradually, the venture aims to spread its wings to the Asia-Pacific, Europe and other key regions.
For AI, this venture is a smart business preposition since the passenger fleet in the Middle East region is expected to treble to 1,681 from the 586 passenger aircraft recorded at the beginning of 2009. The region is set to take delivery of 730 aircraft by 2018, with a further 689 on order up until 2028, as per the study done by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
07/01/10 Financial Express
_________________
India is one of the richest countries in the world.
The only problem is........all the wealth is distributed in the wrong hands.

scheduler · Member Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 89 Location: HKG

Jimyvr reported that AI332 is currently flying DEL-PVG service in place of the A310, anybody knows if AI will introduce it to the BOM-DEL-HKG and BOM-DEL-HKG-KIX service soon?

Where is the other A330-200 operating to? When would these A332s be returned back to the lessor?

Thanks for answering!

rutvij · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject:

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

Mumbai/New Delhi: The Air India (AI) board today began deliberations on crucial financial issues like bridge loans for aircraft deliveries, its plans for commercial transformation and reinventing the brand.
At the start of the two-day meet, functional directors of the National Aviation Company of India (NACIL) made presentations on their plans and strategies to reduce costs and on operations to the board, sources said.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of the government approving the grant of the first tranche of equity infusion of Rs 800 crore and asking the company to take urgent cost-reduction and revenue enhancement measures to turnaround the loss-making national carrier.
The board is understood to have taken up as many as five proposals for approval, including financial sanctions for the commercial transformation of AI, they told PTI.
The board would take up "a proposal to seek financial sanction of Rs 12.86 crore for its commercial transformation project to be undertaken as per the advise of Mckinsey (consultancy firm) and for reinventing the brand," they said.
In addition, the management would also seek the board's approval for bridge loans for aircraft deliveries this year and extension to Accenture, which is working on the merger process of erstwhile Indian Airlines and AI, for another six months, they said.

me111993
_________________
Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

- Greg House

iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2567

behramjee

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

If they created a viable hub at DEL, they could fly anywhere in the US and Europe from DEL using 77Ls or 77Ws.

DEL-JFK Daily 2 77Ws
DEL-IAD 3 weekly
DEL-ATQ-YYZ 4 weekly 2 77Ls
DEL-LHR Daily 1 77W
DEL-FRA-CDG daily 1 77W

BOM-JFK Daily 2 77Ls
BOM-EWR Daily (via AMD 4 weekly) 2 77Ls
BOM-ORD Daily 2 77Ls
BOM-LHR Daily 1 77W

BOM-DEL-NRT 4 weekly 1 77W
BOM-DEL-PVG 3 weekly 1 77W

So that's 8 77Ls and 7 77Ws right there.

Add 1 77W on the daily MAA-SIN, 1 77W doing a BOM-DXB-DEL-DXB-BOM operation, and use another 77W/77L on a BOM-RUH run, and you use the entire fleet.

Karan69 · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 1334

If DEL is to be made viable, they should do away with BOM-JFK nonstop and make BOM-EWR non stop [Jay Behramjee and Ojas will give me a better idea about the premium demand on that route] not to forget future Star Alliance partner CO connections

Also if at all a mini scissors hub should be made at LHR rather than FRA, they do have a few slots and with lot of flights from other airlines either being cancelled there are some new slots available

Hence reutilization should be [this is before the 787s become common feature and

DEL-JFK 2 77W [connecting well to BLR CCU HYD AMD BOM MAA]
DEL-LHR 1 77W [Connecting well to CCU HYD IXC]
DEL-ATQ-LHR-YYZ 2 77L
DEL-FRA 1 77W
DEL-NRT--1 77W connecting to MAA BLR BOM HYD 4 weekly
DEL-ORD--2 77L connecting well to BLR CCU HYD AMD BOM MAA
DEL-LHR-YVR--2 77W [connecting to the ATQ non stop]

I am not sure how IAD is doing accoringly they can start another 3 weekly DEL-IAD nonstop

From BOM the following should be done

BOM-EWR 2 77L [Connect to MAA BLR AMD DEL HYD and with CO network]
BOM-LHR 1 77W
BOM-LHR-SFO 2 77W [connect to DEL ATQ flights at LHR]

2 77W to do the assortment of Saudi Runs from BOM DEL COK

So that utilises 12 77W and 6 77L with margin for 787s to replace routes like ATQ-LHR and LHR-YVR/YYZ

Karan

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

I think that Ojas suggested the idea of making DXB as a hub. It makes so much more sense than DEL or FRA. It strikes a perfect balance between O&D and connecting traffic to US and European destinations. Plus traffic from destinations like BLR, HYD, ATQ, CCU, LKO, JAI, PNQ, COK, CCJ, etc will fill up transcontinental flights to EWR, JFK, YYZ, YVR, ORD, IAD, CDG, etc..
_________________
Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

- Greg House

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject:

The Dubai/UAE aviation ministry didn't even allow Jazeera to maintain their DXB hub. Why would they permit AI to start one?

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject:

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

There is enough traffic from BOM to support both a EWR and JFK flight. The only issue is that with the economic downturn, the JFK flight which depends on good loads in F and J hasn't been doign that well. The 77L is a more costly aircraft to operate on a per pax basis than the 77W. The EWR run which does very well in J and Y packs them in and is precisely the right aircraft for that route.

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

nadarji · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 305

Two banks: One @ midnight, and one in mid morning. The mid-morning one would be well connected to most stations in the IC network. The midnight one should be also - Most metros have flights reaching DEL near 10:00 pm, and others can be added.

With a integrated domestic-international terminal, the connecting flights need not be dedicated - The only change would be customs + immigration to be done in DEL. If baggage can be checked in immediately after customs check, this should be fine.

Just for the DEL hub,

DEL-JFK 3 77W 2x daily
DEL-LHR 2 77W 2 x daily
DEL-YYZ 2 77L
DEL-FRA 1 77W
DEL-NRT--1 77W
DEL-ORD--2 77L
DEL-LHR-YVR--2 77W [connecting to the ATQ non stop]
DEL-EWR 2 77L [Connect to MAA BLR AMD DEL HYD and with CO network]
DEL-SFO

DEL-SIN/BKK/KUL/DAC should connect well to the westbound flights.
DEL-CMB and DEL-MLE could be tried to connect well, maybe with a stop in TRV or COK or BLR?

iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2567

Why give CO any more connecting traffic ? Will CO offer any special assistance to AI at EWR, even if AI become a full member of Star Alliance. If people want to connect to CO at BOM or DEL, they can still do so, but AI should be looking at enhancing its EWR sector, which is obviously the crown jewel of its European/US network. Perhaps another flight from DEL to EWR.

One of the few things which is going for AI is through baggage connections and immigration/customs clearance at the destination to BLR, HYD, AMD, MAA, CCU (to DEL) and COK, plus the flights fly from/to AI international terminal, eliminating the cumbersome international to domestic transfer.

AI should jealously guard this privilege until it is breaking even on profitability.

AirIndia0001 · Member Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 391

Nimish · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 2:27 am Post subject: Re: AI to Reconsider it's FRA Hub

circleglobe · Member Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 709

As avbuff has reminded us many times, actual flight paths may differ from great circle routes. Comparisons of a route proposal to actual routes being operated can be deceptive for this reason. Maybe some of the AI people might know the operated distances and timings of AI's test flights from DEL to SFO.

Also, on the one hand people characterise AI as inept, or at least as incapable, but on the other hand there are a lot of ambitious route planners for AI among them. AI were threatening to reduce its nonstops, not add yet more of them which could amplify its problems. It could even be true that it is less costly for their 77Ls to bake on the tarmac rather than embark on yet more loss-making routes.

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

I don't think that AI will be adding more non-stops, considering they are barely able to sustain 2 of them. Here's what I think should be done:-

> DEL-LHR D 1-B77W
> BOM-LHR D 1-B77W
> DEL-JFK-IAH D 2-B77L
> DEL-FRA-ORD D 2-B77W
> BOM-CDG-EWR D 2-B77W
> AMD-LHR-EWR 3W 1-B77L
> DEL-ATQ-BHX-YYZ 3W 1-B77L
> DEL-HKG D 1-B77L
> BOM-HKG D 1-B77L
> DEL-BOM-PVG D 1-B77L
> DEL-NRT-SFO 3W 1-B77W

1 B77L spare, 1 B77W spare...

Me111993
_________________
Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

- Greg House

behramjee · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:54 am Post subject:

behramjee · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:58 am Post subject:

Nimish · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:42 am Post subject:

AirIndia0001 · Member Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 391

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

All this talk about nonstops from DEL is only in response to the airline contemplating gutting its FRA "hub" on grounds of expense.

Given that the airline has a fleet of 77Ls purchased purely for their ability to fly India-US nonstops, and 77Ws that are capable of flying nonstop to the Northeastern US and Toronto from Delhi, contemplating how these aircraft would fit into hub operations at Delhi is but natural.

That having been said, I doubt very much if the airline will begin launching flights to IAH, DFW, SFO, LAX, etc.

At best, I see the following:

DEL-JFK Daily 77W
DEL-ORD Daily 77W
DEL-ATQ-YYZ 3-4 Weekly 77Ls
DEL-IAD 3 weekly 77Ls (big maybe - the airline may just keep its moronic extension from JFK to IAD)
DEL-LHR Daily 77W

BOM-JFK Daily 77L
BOM-EWR 5 weekly 77Ls
BOM-AMD-EWR 4 Weekly 77Ls (A total of 9 flights to compensate for the shift in capacity from Ws to Ls).
BOM-LHR Daily 77W

All that this would do is remove the expense and inconvenience of FRA while consolidating the airline's existing operations. Assuming they launch a direct 3 weekly IAD flight from DEL, that would mean a weekly utilization of 6 77Ws and 7 77Ls on westbound flights to the UK and North America. That would leave a few 777s to operate flights like DEL-NRT (4W), and DEL-FRA-CDG (Daily or 5 weekly).

One would like to think that the airline "may" wade into the India-SFO market with a single aircraft direct flight like BLR-DEL-SFO operating 3-4 weekly services, but they're unlikely to do so in 2010, or at least until we have a very visible improvement in the global economy.

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

Air India reportedly announced plans to convert subsidiary, Alliance Air, into a cargo airline by the end of Feb-2010, to be named Air Alliance Services (Business Standard, 14-Jan-2010). Alliance Air’s fleet of 15 aircraft comprises ATR-32s and Bombardier CRJ-700s, which will reportedly be converted into freighters. The carrier previously converted a fleet of B737-200 aircraft into freighters, which were transferred to Air India for cargo operations.

con spirito · Member Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 577 Location: Inflight

con spirito · Member Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 577 Location: Inflight

con spirito · Member Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 577 Location: Inflight

Air India likely to get just Rs800 cr this fiscal

http://www.livemint.com/2010/01/12211440/Air-India-likely-to-get-just-R.html

PAL@YWG · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:08 am Post subject:

Some interesting update on FRA hub operation but not clear where the problem though...

Air India Goes Ahead With Delivery Plans
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

AviationWeek.com

Air India is to get the first of its Boeing 787s in the first quarter of next year, replacing its leased Airbus A310s

Air India will receive the first of 27 Boeing 787s on order in the first quarter of 2011 (April). The first 787 will be delivered to ANA in the last quarter this year, confirmed Dinesh Keskar, Boeing India President.

Air India (AI) will receive about 15 787s by the end of 2012, according to an airline official who did not want to be identified. This figure was not confirmed by Boeing.

The Indian carrier plans to replace its eight leased A310-300s with the 787s, said an Air India spokesman.

Even as the carrier goes through major losses, Air India seems to be increasing its inventory of new aircraft steadily. According to Chairman Arvind Jadhav, the airline took deliveries of 29 aircraft in 2009 that enhanced fleet utilization and helped phase out 11 old aircraft.

By March 2010, three 777-200s, two Airbus A310s and eight A320s will be returned or retired from the fleet, said Jadhav. Earlier efforts to lease out its 777s proved fruitless when Royal Brunei Airlines leased three 777-300ERs from Jet Airways instead.

Of the 23 777s on order, AI has already taken delivery of all eight 200-LRs and five of the 15 777ERs; three will be delivered this year.

Meanwhile, Air India’s parent company, National Aviation Company of India Ltd. (NACIL), has a tender out for three 777-200LRs and three 777-300ERs — both of 2007 manufacture — on dry lease, either for short- or long-term duration.

The airline launched its scissors operations in March last year to and from North America with a new fleet of Boeing aircraft from its first international hub operation at Frankfurt.

The scissors operation has been under severe criticism by AI pilots, who say the company is being pennywise and pound foolish and not using its fleet adequately. For instance, at Frankfurt, a passenger flying from Delhi to Newark is transferred to the Mumbai-Newark flight and a person traveling to Chicago from Mumbai changes planes to get on the Delhi-Chicago airplane.
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