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747-237 · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 8:32 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/4-days-into-2016-Air-India-grounds-two-Dreamliners/articleshow/50445565.cms

4 days into 2016, Air India grounds two Dreamliners

Jan 5, 2016

The New Year has not started on a particularly good note for the Air India Dreamliners. In the first four days of this year, two aircraft had to be grounded due to snags. The troubles have erupted after a while as Boeing had sent a big technical team to resolve the issues with AI's Dreamliners and carried out reliability modifications on them.

According to sources, a Boeing 787 was grounded in Chennai on Monday when it was to fly to Chennai after a snag in the aircraft's spoiler — speed retardation devices on the wings that move up and down to alter drag and during landing to increase rate of descent. Without this important device perfectly functional, an airplane can't be allowed to get airborne. .
.
"Earlier spoiler problems were very common with our Dreamliners. Now this problem has resurfaced after a long time. We hope it is not a trend and just a one-off issue," said the official.

On Sunday night, AI's Mumbai-London flight had taxied out to fly to its destination but the B-787 soon developed a snag and then had to be called back to the parking bay. "Rectifying the problem took some time. By the time this issue was resolved, the flying duty of the crew was not sufficient to operate to London. A spare crew was available in Delhi. The aircraft flew to Delhi where the new set of crew took over and then flew the aircraft to London," said an official.

A senior AI official said Boeing has tried to resolve the issues with the Maharaja's Dreamliners. "Things are much better than earlier. But it is a new technology that suffers from teething troubles. Boeing had sent a big team of technicians to carry out modifications and improve dispatch reliability of these planes. That team has just returned and Boeing will continue to analyse the data from the planes."

Some issues, especially computer glitches, still keep surfacing. AI chairman Ashwani Lohani, himself an engineer, has specifically asked Boeing to improve the reliability of these planes. "Boeing and AI have together worked a lot on these planes and things are better now. But some issues remain and we hope they too get resolved very fast. AI's turnaround relies very heavily on these fuel-efficient Dreamliners," said the official.
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 2:23 pm Post subject:

Air India Adds Kochi – Dubai Flights from Jan 2016

Star Alliance member Air India starting later this month will commence new service to the United Arab Emirates, where it plans to offer Kochi – Dubai service.
This route will begin on 11JAN16, with Airbus A320 Sharklet aircraft on daily basis.

AI933 COK0935 – 1235DXB 32A D
AI934 DXB1335 – 1910COK 32A D

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:14 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Blacklisted-US-varsity-fumes-to-sue-Air-India/articleshow/50460500.cms

‘Blacklisted’ US varsity fumes, to sue Air India

Jan 6, 2016

Taking the legal battle to India's official carrier Air India, the California-based Northwestern Polytechnic University (NPU) has now decided to file a defamation claim against the airline for spreading "false information" about the institution. In an e-mail interaction with TOI on January 4, president of the varsity Peter Hsieh said: "We are absolutely looking into taking legal action, which would include a defamation claim due to Air India's outrageous conduct and the permanent and irreparable damage to NPU's reputation". He, however, did not specify where the "claim" will be filed -in the US or in India.

NPU is one the two universities (the other being Silicon Valley University) currently caught in a controversy with several Indian students admitted by them being "discouraged" from flying to the US or being deported from their port of entry - which include Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

While SVU too is contemplating similar action, the management is yet to take a final decision on the same. In an email to TOI dated January 5 Simon Au, associate academic dean of SVU, said, "The Indian newspapers and news channels have also pointed at Air India for spreading rumours of universities "blacklisted" by the US government. SVU has not decided yet on whether it will file a defamation suit. We are in consultation with our attorneys." The university maintained that it was "expecting new students (from India) this week for orientation and registration of classes before the Spring Trimester starts onJanuary 11" and that it would "accommodate late arrivals and help them register for classes". Previously, the NPU management had dashed off a strongly-worded 'cease-and-desist' letter to Air India accusing it of "tortious conduct" and unjustifiably "barring NPU students from travelling" to the US. It also sought an immediate apology and retraction of its statement about the university being blacklisted. The charges were vehemently denied by the airline operator.

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747-237 · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:20 pm Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-India-to-begin-Delhi-Gorakhpur-flight-from-Jan-15/articleshow/50470234.cms

Air India to begin Delhi-Gorakhpur flight from Jan 15

Jan 6, 2016

Air India will start flight operations from New Delhi to Gorakhpur, six days a week, from January 15, 2016, onward.

According to the press statement issued by the airline, the flight will operate six days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

The Air India will operate a 70 seater ATR 72-600 aircraft between Delhi and Gorakhpur. The flight AI 9809 will depart from Delhi at 1215 hrs and arrive Gorakhpur at 1415 hrs. On the return leg, flight AI 9810 will depart from Gorakhpur at 1445 hrs and reach Delhi at 1645 hrs.

The flight will offer connection to flyers travelling to various domestic and international destinations from Gorakhpur. Similarly, passengers arriving from the Gulf and other international destinations will get a convenient connection to Gorakhpur from Delhi by this flight.

This is the latest destination to be added to its network under Connecting India programme launched by the Air India. It recently launched operations between Mumbai and Gwalior with ATR-72 aircraft and also connected Durgapur to Delhi and Kolkata with an A319 flight.
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747-237 · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:15 pm Post subject:

http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/air-india-winds-up-sharjah-kochi-daily-flights-from-tomorrow-2016-01-10-1.616686

Air India winds up Sharjah-Kochi daily flights from tomorrow

Air India starts Dubai-Kochi-Dubai non-stop flights with Dh330 one way introductory fare from Jan. 11

January 10, 2016

Air India will stop its daily Sharjah-Kochi service with effect from tomorrow January 11, 2016, leaving Sharjah’s Indian community to depend on Air India Express and other budget carriers.

However, while closing down the Sharjah–Kochi--Sharjah route, Air India is starting Dubai–Kochi-Dubai non-stop flights on the same day, but without business class.

All passengers who have booked on Air India’s Sharjah-Kochi-Sharjah route have to go to their travel agents to change their tickets free of cost.

Melvin D’Silva, regional manager, Air India, said in a statement that the daily Dubai-Kochi flight will be available at an introductory fare of Dh330 one way and Dh785 return fare with 30kg baggage allowance.

The service will be using a new A320 aircraft with capacity of 180 passengers. Flight AI 934 will depart from Dubai at 1330 hours and reach Kochi at 1910 hours local time. On the returning journey, AI 933 will depart from Kochi at 0935 hours and arrive at Dubai at 1235 hours local time.

Reactions from Indian residents to the shifting of the Kochi service from Sharjah to Dubai by Air India have been mixed.

“Demand for flights from Sharjah is relatively lower than from Dubai Airport because of accessibility, connectivity and duty free shopping. However, flying daily from Dubai to Kochi without business class may not be good because there are many local and international business passengers flying to Kochi for business and medical treatment. The airline has many Dreamliners but such high-end aircraft are not used on this route,” said an official of a travel agency selling Air India tickets.

“Unlike Kozhikode Airport which can handle only smaller aircraft, Kochi can handle any big aircraft but the airline is not utilising its full potential,” he added.

Air India is also offering passengers on this route online check-in facility and selection of their preferred seats 24 hours before flight time by visiting the carrier’s website www.airindia.in and selecting the Internet check-in option.

Air India operates 74 flights per week from Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Air India and Air India Express together operate 300 flights per week from the Gulf to India.

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justbala · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1898 Location: Bangalore

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 9:29 am Post subject:

INVITATION FOR DRY LEASE OF USED FIFTEEN (15) AIRBUS A320-214

AI intends to dry lease upto 15 (FIFTEEN) used A320 aircraft –- with or without sharklets powered by CFM56-5B4/3 engines, with an all economy seating of 180 seats. The aircraft should be zero to six years of age and the lease term would be for a period till the aircraft attains the age of 12 years.

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Tender%20for%20Leasing-in%20of%2015%20USED%20A320%20AIRCRAFT%20final.pdf

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INVITATION OF BIDS FOR DRY- LEASING OF NEW UPTO 15 AIRBUS A320 CEO/NEO AIRCRAFT

AI intends to induct on dry lease upto 15 (Fifteen) new A320 aircraft with sharklets for a period of maximum upto Twelve (12) years as below:
• A320 ceo Aircraft or
• A320 neo Aircraft
THE A320 CEO AIRCRAFT WILL BE POWERED BY CFM56-5B4/3 PIP ENGINES, AND THE A320 NEO AIRCRAFT WILL BE POWERED BY CFM LEAP -1A26 ENGINES.

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Tender%20for%20Leasing-in%20of%2015%20NEW%20neo-ceo%20A320%20AIRCRAFT%20final.pdf

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megatop747

Air India to Hire Over 500 Type-Rated Pilots on Contract Basis

New Delhi: In one of the largest-ever pilot recruitment drives, state-run Air India will hire over 500 type-rated pilots on a contract basis for the carrier's narrow-body fleet, which is expected to grow to about 80 aircraft by March 2018.

The current strength of the narrow-body fleet is 66.

The fresh hiring of 534 Airbus A320 pilots is in line with Air India's aircraft induction plans and aimed at overcoming the shortage which has many times led to cancellation of its flights at the last minute, according to a source.

At present, Air India has 1,441 pilots, with 670 of them flying 66 A320 family aircraft. Besides, another 70 pilots are under training.

Air India's pilots strength will cross 2,000 by May this year when the recruitment exercise gets completed, the source said.

"We will be inducting 29 more A320s including 14 A320neos between April this year and March 2018. In line with this induction programme, we are recruiting 534 type-rated pilots as well on a contract basis," an Air India source told PTI.

Type-rating is a regulating agencies certification given to a pilot to fly a certain aircraft type that requires additional training, which involves huge cost, beyond the scope of the initial licence and aircraft class training.

The national carrier has added 66 A320 family aircraft in its fleet besides Boeing planes. It has already tied up with a Kuwaiti aircraft lessor to lease 14 A320neo aircraft, which are to be delivered by March 2017.

In addition to this, Air India would soon float tenders for leasing of 15 A320 aircraft to augment capacity.

"At the same time, we will also be phasing out some old classic A320s from the fleet. We expect our overall narrow body (A320 family) fleet to stand at around 75-80 aircraft by the end of March 2018," the source said.

Air India has tweaked hiring norms after a number of pilots quit the carrier and moved to private airlines after acquiring high high-cost type-rated training at its expenses, the source said.

"The new pilots joining Air India will have to sign a bond and submit bank guarantee totalling Rs one crore, which will be encashed if a pilot decides to quit the airline before the expiry of his contract," the source said.

As many as 173 Air India pilots have resigned from the national carrier since 2012, with the maximum being those operating the narrow body Airbus A320 family aircraft, the government had said in Parliament recently.

Of these, 72 pilots operating the narrow-body Airbus A320 family fleet have resigned, while 38 pilots each of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777, eight of Boeing 747 and 17 of Boeing 737 fleet have quit between 2012 and October last year,

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju had said during the winter session of Parliament.

At present, the cost of training a pilot for an Airbus family of planes stands at Rs 4.01 lakh per pilot while the type-rating cost per pilot comes to nearly Rs 23 lakh.

http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-air-india-to-hire-over-500-type-rated-pilots-on-contract-basis-report-1264180?pfrom=home-business

Caliguy · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 7:11 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 9:33 pm Post subject:

http://www.thehindu.com/business/air-india-asks-passengers-to-report-3-hours-before-flight/article8093107.ece

Air India asks passengers to report 3 hours before flight

11 Jan 2016

In view of recent security alert in the country following the terrorist attack at the Air Force base in Pathankot and upcoming Republic Day celebrations, Air India has advised its passengers to report at the airport counter three hours prior to the departure of their flights to avoid delayed departure of flights owing to these procedures. The security measures would include stringent checking of passengers and their baggage at airports.

“Though the minimum reporting time for domestic flights is 75 minutes and for international flights it is 150 minutes before the scheduled departure of flights, it is advised that to avoid inconvenience, passengers may report three hours before the scheduled departure of flight,” Air India said in a statement.

However, there will be no change in the closing time of check-in-counters and boarding gates.

Currently, check-in counters for domestic flights close 45 minutes before scheduled time of departure and counters for international flights close 60 minutes prior to departure.

Counters for both domestic and international flights operating from International Terminals close 60 minutes before scheduled departure of flight. Boarding gates in both cases close 25 minutes prior to departure, Air India said.

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747-237 · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 9:14 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/AI-to-serve-meals-in-thalis-for-business-class-flyers/articleshow/50609532.cms

AI to serve meals in thalis for business class flyers

Jan 17, 2016

This is the most traditional Indian thing to make a debut on an airline after the sari worn by airhostesses of some carriers. Air India is going to start serving meals in thalis to passengers in business class of its domestic and international flights very soon, airline chairman Ashwani Lohani told TOI. .

However in one departure from the tradition of thalis, AI will use "high quality" plastic thalis and not steel ones. "The food will be both veg and non veg," said Lohani, in relief to meat lovers who were recently told that AI will serve only veg meals on flights of up to 90 minutes from this year.

"We are upgrading the on board experience for passengers. While the focus is on all round excellence, the quality of meals is being especially upgraded. That is why we shifted from serving cold veg snacks on flights of up to 90 minutes to hot meals," Lohani said.

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747-237 · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 7:30 pm Post subject:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/air-india-decides-not-to-oppose-scrapping-of-5-20-rule-anymore-116011700370_1.html

Air India decides not to oppose scrapping of 5/20 rule anymore

January 17, 2016

In a significant change of its stand, national carrier Air India has decided not to oppose the scrapping of 5/20 rule making it easier for the government to abolish the law.

In a recent meeting with the ministry which was attended by senior officials of Air India, Ashwani Lohani, CMD of Air India has conveyed that the airline will not oppose the scrapping the rule if the government wants to do it. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State Mahesh Sharma have said they personally feel the rule should be scrapped.

Previously Air India strongly expressed its reservation about doing away with the rule and sent a detailed note to the ministry saying that it will be detrimental for the fortunes of the national carrier. “I fear that the sudden withdrawal of the protection of 5/20 Rule might be the proverbial last nail in the national carrier’s coffin without bringing any significant benefit to the nation,” Rohit Nandan, past chairman of Air India wrote in a letter to the government. Air India reported a loss of Rs 5,547.47 crore in FY 14-15. Nandan retired on 31 August after which Lohani took charge.

Government sources say that with the state-owned airline now siding with the government line, it will be easier to abolish the rule. “Obviously it is easier for the government to do away with the rule with the Air India now supporting it,” said a ministry official.
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Nimish · Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 5:21 pm Post subject:

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

Tighter norms for Air India pilots in new wage agreement
News
18-Jan-2016 12:54 PM
India Government has reportedly approved a plan to penalise Air India pilots for reporting late for services, while providing incentive for pilots who operate above the minimum working hours (The Hindu/Business Standard/Hindustan Times, 16-Jan-2016). According to the new pay structure, Air India pilots will have to fly minimum 40 hours in order to claim their salaries. The pilots will also have to make themselves available for at least 150 days over six months. At present, irrespective of a minimum threshold, pilots obtain a fixed allowance for up to 70 hours of flying. The new pay structure was reportedly approved by the Civil Aviation Ministry in Jan-2016 and will be effective from Feb-2016. Meanwhile, pilots reporting late for flights will be penalised in the form of deduction from their flying hours. According to the rule, 2.33 hours of flying will be deducted from the pilot’s total monthly flying hours if they report an hour late for the service.

justbala · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1898 Location: Bangalore

Nimish · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:54 pm Post subject:

abhijith16 · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 8:15 pm Post subject:

Air India Express has begun updating changes for S16.

*DOH-IXE to increase to 3w
*DOH-CCJ to decrease to 7w (standalone nonstop DOH-CCJ axed)
*RKT to be introduced via AAN (schedules and bookings not uploaded yet)
*DEL to be introduced (currently showing DXB & SHJ as destinations ex-DEL)
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Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

The_Goat · Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:13 pm Post subject:

megatop747

NEW DELHI: Nearly 40 minutes after take-off for Milan, an Air India plane returned to Delhi this evening after reports of smoke filling the passenger cabin.

Delhi Police Chief BN Bassi tweeted an alert.

Air India flt 137 Delhi to Milan which departd at 1500 hours has reportd smoke inside the cabin.Full emergency landing back at IGI.

; CP Delhi (@CPDelhi) January 26, 2016

The plane, a Boeing Dreamliner, landed in Delhi with ambulances and fire engines on stand-by.

"Delhi-Milan flight AI 137 made a safe precautionary landing at Delhi Airport today due to minor smoke detected in the cabin," said the airline.

There were 167 passengers on board; all were evacuated and transferred to another aircraft.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-india-flight-to-milan-returns-to-delhi-after-smoke-reported-in-cabin-reports-1270263?utm_source=ndtv&utm_medium=top-stories-widget&utm_campaign=story-1-http%3a%2f%2fwww.ndtv.com%2findia-news%2fair-india-flight-to-milan-returns-to-delhi-after-smoke-reported-in-cabin-reports-1270263

megatop747 · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:20 pm Post subject:

An interesting comment on AVHerald for this occurrence.

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

As usual, blame Boeing, blame the contract, blame everyone else.

747-237 · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 10:03 pm Post subject:

Alliance Air also plans to phase out three CRJs from the next fiscal.

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/alliance-air-to-lease-10-atrs-seeks-to-boost-regional-connectivity/article8168554.ece
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 10:03 pm Post subject:

Alliance Air is interested in leasing of Ten (10) new units of ATR 72-600 aircraft on Dry Lease for a period of 12 years along with “Five commanders (ATR 72-600 rated pilots) (including 2 TRI and 1 TRE) per aircraft for a period of 24 months at lessor’s cost (mandatory requirement)”.

The tentative schedule for induction of the aircraft :
Aircraft No. 1- Aircraft No. 4 : Apr’ 2016 to Sep’ 2016
Aircraft No. 5- Aircraft No. 10 : Oct’ 2016 to Mar’ 2017

http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Tender.pdf
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lavence7

747-237 · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 8:32 pm Post subject:

http://www.ptinews.com/news/7040859_AI-Express-announces-summer-schedule--nbsp-ups-flights-.html

AI Express announces summer schedule, ups flights

Jan 31

Frequency between Kerala and Middle East would increase to 119 flights from the present 96 as per the summer schedule announced by Air India Express, country's first international budget airline.

Some new sectors are also being opened up for the benefit of Keralites working in the Gulf countries with the introduction of the schedule from March 28, the airlines in a statement said here.

The frequency between Kozhikode and Dubai has been doubled to two flights per day. Now a morning departure flight would also be in service apart from the night departure flights, it said.

Air India Express will also introduce daily two separate non-stop services between Kozhikode and Bahrain and Doha in the new schedule, it said adding, Ras Al-Khaimah is being introduced as a new destination with four flights per week from Kozhikode.

Acknowledging Kozhikode as the largest revenue centre, the airline has also increased offered capacity to an all time high of 11,718 seats per week to 8,184 seats.

Non-stop flights from Kochi to Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Thiruvananthapuram and Dubai, and increasing the seats from 930 seats to 1,116 on the route are also in the new schedule, it said.
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 5:04 pm Post subject:

Air India Express will also expand its fleet of 17 Boeing 737 aircraft by adding six more by November 2016.

“Gradually, Air India Express will shed its image as the airline is launching several flights from other Indian states. Shortly, the flight ratio will come to 50:50 for Kerala flights and services from other cities,” Sundar said.

It also plans to launch flights from Delhi to Sharjah and Dubai from mid May and flights from Mumbai, Madurai and Chandigarh to West Asia.

Sundar said Air India Express is planning to offer paid meals of a customer’s choice by early next financial year. Currently, it offers free vegetarian meals on board.

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/eKaB7jiJsZDFhZuJiocmuO/Air-India-Express-to-clock-net-profit-of-Rs200-crore-for-FY2.html
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sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Air India Express expects to report USD30m profit in 2015/2016
News
4-Feb-2016 12:14 PM
Air India Express CEO K Shyam Sundar said the carrier expects to report a INR2 billion (USD29.5 million) profit in 2015/2016 (Live Mint, 04-Feb-2016). The airline posted a net loss of INR600 million (USD8.8 million) in 2014-15. To further improve its profitability by saving interest cost, the airline is planning to convert its rupee loans into dollar loans. “To complement the profitability efforts, we are planning to convert our rupee loans of INR1500 crore into dollar loans via external commercial borrowings (ECB),” Mr Sundar said. The airline will be able to get dollar loans at 2%-3% as against 12%-13% interest on rupee loans if the airline manages to raise funds via ECB, he said, adding that the airline is in talks with merchant bankers and banks, including State Bank of India

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

Air India said it became the first carrier to serve lunch and dinner thalis and tea in kulhads on board services during the first week of Feb-2016 (TNN, 03-Feb-2016). "Initially, it will be served on Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi flights and subsequently, extended to other metro sector flights," Air India said it a circular issued on 28-Jan-2016. The circular provided the cabin crew instructions on plating the thali and preparing the pre-mix masala chai.

justbala · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1898 Location: Bangalore

The_Goat · Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:19 pm Post subject:

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

Caliguy · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 3:20 am Post subject:

I like it. Its better than the normal AI presentation. Also for a domestic flight its great. And its better suited for indian food

The_Goat · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 12:10 pm Post subject:

Nice thali, Indeed.

The only problem is that a large number of this type of thali can be a nightmare to wash. Such multiple compartment thalis don't wash very well in dishwashers.

So they are either disposable (I hope not), or it is only a matter of time before we see a headline like 'AI passengers served food in dirty thali'.
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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

Jeh · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:05 pm Post subject:

sabya99 · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:35 pm Post subject:

These are Styrofoam cafeteria trays and are single use disposable item. No need to wash them. Why desi folks don’t get used to disposable utensils, it is more hygienic.
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Sabya99

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

747-237 · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 6:59 am Post subject:

http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/air-india-s-rs-5-crore-software-flop-057

Air India’s Rs 5 crore software a flop

Feb 07, 2016

A software installed to feed the data regarding the attendance, leaves and weekly offs of the national carrier Air India’s cabin crew, has became a source of trouble for the employees. Apparently, the software has some faults and it does not show the weekly off days of employees on their due dates, leading to
chaos among the crew members.

According to the sources from Air India, the cabin crew has on several occasions complained about not getting the list of their weekly offs on the roster.

The airline has issued an internal circular amongst their cabin crew stating that there have been problems in feeding the list of the employees’ weekly off days into the software. As a result, the officials have to insert the details of the off-days into the system manually. This, claimed the sources, has defeated the entire purpose of installing the software and having the system automated.

A month ago, the cabin crew union of the airline pointed the problem out to the management. The crew said that saying that there were not getting their prescribed days off that gets counted as the mandatory rest. The mandatory rest is provided to the crew members between two flights. The civil aviation requirements for cabin crew mandates 24 hours rest in seven days and 36 hours rest with two local nights in a period of 15 days for international operations.

The crew members’ union had also demanded that they be given a hard or soft copy of the list of weekly offs. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation was also informed about the matter.

According to sources, the airline had bought the software ARMS 2 years ago after spending Rs 5 crore to automate the roster system but with these glitches, offiials end up feeding the system manually.

“This is a violation of the DGCA civil aviation requirements and hence the DGCA needs to address it immediately,” said K.V.J Rao, a union leader and former Air India cabin crew member.

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747-237 · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 5:18 am Post subject:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Old-Air-India-planes-a-disaster-in-waiting-Pilots/articleshow/50894547.cms

Old Air India planes a disaster in waiting: Pilots

Feb 8, 2016

Air India pilots have sounded a warning over the almost 25-year-old Airbus 320s the airline is still using and warned of a 'disaster'.

The airline, on its part, maintains that these 'classics' are perfectly safe to fly and plans to use them for two to three more years.

In the past too ICPA has several times written to the airline and the DGCA on the issue of using the A320 classics that IA started inducting in late 1980 to early 1990s as they are prone to snags. However, the regulator has refused to act so far.

A senior AI official dismissed safety fears over using these old planes and says that they will be used for up to three more years. "We were having problems with weather radars and have ordered them. The Boeing 747s used to fly VVIPs (read president, vice-president and prime minister) are even older. But there is no issue with their safety," the official said.
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Caliguy · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:04 pm Post subject: