Airliners-India.com Forum Index Airliners-India.com
Flickr Group & Facebook
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Air India News -- Part 33
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Airliners-India.com Forum Index -> Civil Aviation
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
The_Goat
Member


Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 3260
Location: South of France

PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-to-buy-ipads-as-many-in-flight-entertainment-screens-not-working/articleshow/66876185.cms

Air India to buy iPads as many in-flight entertainment screens not working

.


This is a bloody crying shame.

*Every* airline manages to keep its IFE systems functional.

Wonder what else is broken in AI aircraft?

And yes, you can be sure that all those Ipads will be pinched by the thieves among the workforce, leaving the passengers staring at blank screens and cursing the airline again.
_________________
I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is indeed crying shame. More so, when the airline is in an upswing, with the long haul US routes sending their cash registers ringing with good timings, good frequencies, good connections, decent baggage allowances, legroom and food, but completely broken IFE. The ticket costs and availability of the SFO flights for instance, gives us a peek at how well AI is doing on the route. Team Kharola is sending mixed signals, unlike Team Lohani (and to a large extent, Team Nandan before). I really hope they fix the IFE soon...this is the right moment, they simply cannot let the momentum go away.
Cheers, Sumantra.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 8:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

“Crying Shame” - now playing only on Air India’s new iPad based IFE ! Wink
_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jaysit
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 4346

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
“Crying Shame” - now playing only on Air India’s new iPad based IFE ! Wink


LOL. Now and forever.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

amidst all the ranting, here are some good review of Stockholm - Delhi flight

https://youtu.be/OQNwtI_0qJ0

VT-ASJ
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Caliguy
Member


Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 723
Location: Los Angeles

PostPosted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mom flew FRA-BOM on AI J and loved it. Now she doesn't use IFE so no feedback there. But she loved how big the seats were. She said why don't we fly AI more (literally my jaw dropped). She said the plane was very clean and service was very nice. Really liked the food (shrimp curry) and thought the wine was same as other airlines. Now my mom is the ideal AI demo but still. She normally flies DL, VS, AF, 9W in J but sometimes Swiss and EY. AI uses C14 in FRA which has a LH lounge attached to the gate (I think it is a A380/748 gate). She didn't like the lounge. She said she preferred walking to the larger one.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-plans-flight-services-to-iraqs-najaf-from-lucknow/articleshow/67004901.cms

Air India plans flight services to Iraq's Najaf from Lucknow

DEC 08, 2018

Air India is looking to start a flight service to Iraqi city of Najaf from Lucknow in UP via New Delhi, starting early next year.

Najaf is considered sacred by Shia Muslims. Notably, Lucknow has a sizable Shia population.

The airline is discussing modalities of the proposed flight and a final decision is expected to be taken on Monday, an airline source said.

"Air India plans to start services to Najaf from Lucknow, connecting New Delhi. But there are are several issues which need to be sorted out before announcing the new flight. A meeting has been called on Monday to discuss all the issues around the flight. A final decision about the launch will be taken at this meeting," the source said.

When contacted, an Air India spokesperson also said that "it (launch of Najaf flight) is a work in progress".

According to the source, the stay arrangements for the flight crew is one of the key issues as it can't stay in Najaf due to certain reasons. "Therefore, one proposal is to connect the flight to Medina from Najaf so that the crew can stay in Medina in Saudi Arabia. Also, since the new route is likely to be operated by an Airbus A320 neo, which currently does not have extended diversion time operations (EDTO), which will have to be granted by the aviation regulator DGCA," the source said.

EDTO allows a multi-engine aircraft to divert to a nearby airport in case of an emergency situation.

"It (Lucknow-Najaf flight) is a work in progress and no final decision has been taken. We have applied to the DGCA for granting us permission to operate on the proposed route, which we are expecting next week," the spokesperson said.

The proposed air services to Najaf will be operated by an Airbus A320 neo plane, he said, adding the frequency and date for commencement of operations will be finalised once the plan is firmed up.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
The_Goat
Member


Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 3260
Location: South of France

PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-plans-flight-services-to-iraqs-najaf-from-lucknow/articleshow/67004901.cms

Air India plans flight services to Iraq's Najaf from Lucknow

DEC 08, 2018

Air India is looking to start a flight service to Iraqi city of Najaf from Lucknow in UP via New Delhi, starting early next year.

Najaf is considered sacred by Shia Muslims. Notably, Lucknow has a sizable Shia population.



Mumbai and Hyderabad have much larger Shia populations than Lucknow does.

When will AI ever cease to be clueless?
_________________
I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

they are clueless indeed! no religious tourism is sustainable except to Jeddah. People go more for Rome than for Vatican alone. I won't throw up if someone says this move is political.

VT-ASJ
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 6:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And again ......


https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/debt-ridden-air-india-puts-its-iconic-mumbai-building-on-sale/story-Ed7vrj0pFbctP6HuTmiuaK.html

Debt-ridden Air India puts its iconic Mumbai building on sale

Dec 11, 2018

In a fresh bid to generate funds, loss-making national carrier Air India has put on sale its iconic eponymous 23-storey building in Mumbai’s posh Nariman Point, hoping to mop up nearly Rs 2000 crore, an Air India official, familiar with the matter, said.

The latest move is part of the airline’s plans to monetise its real estate assets and come less than a month after it invited bids for over 70 residential and commercial properties spread across the country.

The national carrier has issued tender inviting bids for the building, which also happens to be the airline’s erstwhile headquarters. However, only government entities are eligible to participate in the bidding process.

“Air India will retain approximately 5000 square feet of carpet area on 22nd floor for its office use. It will also retain the logo on the top of the building and will maintain it. Also, the buyer can’t change the name of the building and it will continue to be called ‘Air India building’,” said another airline official.

“We are not very happy that the iconic building is being put on sale. What’s heartening is that the government has recognized the value of this landmark and therefore decided to ensure that the new owner retains the name and logo of this iconic building as Air India employees are emotionally attached to it,” said Jitender Bhargava, former executive director, Air India.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/alliance-air-to-induct-two-atrs-on-dry-lease-by-q3-fy20/articleshow/67063007.cms

Alliance Air to induct two ATRs on dry lease by Q3 FY20

DEC 12, 2018

Alliance Air, is planning to induct two ATR planes in its fleet on long-term lease by the third quarter of the next fiscal year, a source said Wednesday.

The carrier currently has 18 ATRs in its fleet, of which two will be going back to the lessors after completion of the lease period in March next year.

However, at the same time, it will be inducting another two such planes by the first quarter of FY20.

"Alliance Air is interested in dry leasing of two new ATR 42-600 aircraft. These planes are to be inducted in a phased manner between July-December period next year," the source said.

The source also indicated that the airline may be open to early deliveries of these planes as well.

The carrier intends to dry lease these planes for eight years, as per the source.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
iah87
Member


Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 2566

PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:38 am    Post subject: AI to MAA and HYD to LHR Reply with quote

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/uk-air-india-regional-manager-discusses-new-direct-flight-from-london-to-bengaluru-1384305-2018-11-08

At the inaugural LHR-BLR flight, AI UK regional manager discussing MAA-LHR and HYD-LHR flights may be in an year. The manager seems confident that slots can be obtained. But no CCU, may be AI should consider CCU also since it will have no competition.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
sabya99
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2011
Posts: 1399
Location: New Jersey/CCU

PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 4:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don’t count on AI flight from Kolkata to LHR in near future.ME3 airlines are doing a good job. This is a price sensitive sector and GOI has little interest in the EAST. India’s regional politics bound to influence this decision.
_________________
Sabya99
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 5:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alliance Air has added a new ATR72-600 to the fleet today, as VT-RKL.
_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India has added a new A320NEO to the fleet today, as VT-EXP.
_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India has added a new A320NEO to the fleet today, as VT-EXN.
_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
The_Goat
Member


Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 3260
Location: South of France

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:54 pm    Post subject: Re: AI to MAA and HYD to LHR Reply with quote

iah87 wrote:
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/uk-air-india-regional-manager-discusses-new-direct-flight-from-london-to-bengaluru-1384305-2018-11-08

At the inaugural LHR-BLR flight, AI UK regional manager discussing MAA-LHR and HYD-LHR flights may be in an year. The manager seems confident that slots can be obtained. But no CCU, may be AI should consider CCU also since it will have no competition.


It will have no traffic either.
_________________
I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/now-air-india-flyers-can-bid-for-business-class-by-paying-up-to-75-less/articleshow/67450331.cms

Now, Air India flyers can bid for business class by paying up to 75% less

Jan 9, 2019

It is now possible to fly business class on your next long haul non-stop to the US, Australia and Europe at a fraction of the actual ticket cost of this premium segment. Air India now lets passengers bid for business class while booking their economy class seat. These flyers will be asked to pay extra, meaning over and above the economy fare, for the upgrade bid — with the extra payment being up to 75% less than the regular business class fare.

Once check-in of the flight is complete and business class seats are available on that flight, the passenger will be given the premium category boarding card at boarding gate. And if the upgrade does not happen, the bid amount will be refunded to the passenger. Bidding will be offered in different levels, with higher bid amounts having a higher chance of upgrade.

However, economy flyers who get business seats on the upgrade will not get lounge access (as upgrade will happen at boarding point) and their baggage allowance will also be as per their economy class ticket. The seat and meal will be of business class.

The India-US nonstop return ticket starts at Rs 2.5 lakh while economy starts at about Rs 70,000. “For US, the bidding amount starts at about $450. If a passenger bids and gets the seat, then he would have paid just $450 (about Rs 32,000 at current exchange rate) over and above the economy fare for one sector,” said a senior AI official. Similarly, the bidding amount (payment over and above the economy fare already paid at time of booking) for one-way upgrade on Delhi-London at present is between Rs 13,609 and Rs 41,193. AI is the only Indian carrier with direct flights to the US and Australia.

The bidding will be for domestic sectors also. Delhi-Mumbai business return fares start at Rs 25,000, while the economy fare can be Rs 7-9,000. Bidding for business on this sector currently is in the range of Rs 2,218 to Rs 6,720, said the official.

AI chairman Pradeep Singh Kharola said: “While our overall seat occupancy is about 80%, the business class occupancy is 50-60%. A business class seat going vacant once the gates are closed is revenue lost for ever. So we thought of this bidding scheme to offer business class seats at a discount to economy passengers which is a win-win for both the airline and the flyer.” AI offers 72,000 seats daily of which 4,500 are business class seats across its network.


“As of now we have started bidding for flights to US, Australia, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and on domestic sector to flights between the six metros. We will expand the scheme that was started in last week of December,” Kharola said.

Given the fare difference, AI says it is getting good response to the new bid policy. “On Tuesday ( Jan 8 ) we got 300 bids, of which over half were able to get business class upgrades. The day we hit 1,000 upgrades via bids a day, AI will generate Rs 1 crore extra,” Kharola said.

Since bidders will know if they have got a business seat at boarding gate, they will be beyond the point of availing the lounge facility and would have taken baggage as per economy allowance. So, AI will not need to spend on these two fronts on them.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/cost-cutting-air-india-to-take-meals-for-some-international-flights-from-india-for-return-sector-as-well/articleshow/67449362.cms

Cost-cutting: Air India to take meals for some international flights from India for return sector as well

Jan 9, 2019

In a bid to cut catering costs, Air India will take meals from India on some of its international flights for the return sector as well. The airline has started this on flights between Delhi and Stockholm, Birmingham, Madrid and Copenhagen. Which means that at Delhi IGI Airport itself, the Boeing 787s flying on these routes get meals for, say, Delhi-Birmingham and then the return Birmingham-Delhi sectors.

Unlike the other two full-service Indian carriers — Jet and Vistara — AI as of now does not have any plans to introduce a lower category of economy fares where meals will need to be bought separately. The airline also currently has no plans to restart non-veg meals for economy flyers of its domestic flights.

“Our annual catering cost is Rs 600-800 crore, a significant amount. Catering costs in the west are much higher than India and also the taste for Indian palate that the inflight caterers here give is unmatched. Aircraft have chillers where food trays for return sector are kept which ensure that the taste and quality remains impeccable when served on the return sector, which are almost all quick turnaround flights,” said a senior AI official.

The airline is planning to start this practice from flights between India and the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe. However, US nonstops will get catering from there only on the return flight due to the flying time involved.

“As of now we cannot estimate how much we will save with this move as we have just started it. But if it goes well, the cost should drop drastically. We have no plans as of now to sell meals on board and will continue our famed inflight catering at no extra cost for passengers,” said the official.

The cash-strapped airline has been looking at all possible means for cost-cutting and catering is also being examined closely. A few months back, it had halved the quantity of cheese board carried for premium passengers on its international flights cut its catering cost by Rs 2.5 crore per annum with this one move.

“Inflight caterers load cheese boards on flights. The cabin crew later sets them in a plate and serves them to premium flyers. There was a lot of wastage of cheese as a flyer may not want certain types of cheese being served. Instead of taking this item off the menu, we have halved the quantity being uploaded and the annual saving is expected to be Rs 2.5 crore,” a source had said last October when the move was implemented.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-mulls-onboard-wifi-for-long-international-routes/articleshow/67457872.cms

Air India mulls onboard WiFi for long international routes

Jan 9, 2019

Air India is considering to provide onboard WiFi on wide-body aircraft that fly medium to long haul international routes like those to US, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia. AI chairman Pradeep Singh Kharola on Wednesday said the airline is in talks with service providers for this and a final call will be taken after the financial implications of the same have been determined.

AI is focussing on revamping its wide-body aircraft, especially the Boeing 777 that fly to the US. This is one sector where AI can capitalise as it is the only Indian carrier that flies nonstop to American destinations like San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Washington. Among US carriers, United has a daily direct from Newark to Delhi and Mumbai each. While travellers favour the AI nonstop, their biggest grouse is the significant number of nonfunctional behind-the-seat in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens — a necessity to survive long flights. The airline is planning to enhance the frequency of its popular US non-stops.

“We have drawn up a list of IFEs that need to be replaced and repaired as part of our plan to revamp the aircraft interior in general and business class in particular,” said Kharola. As a back-up, AI will acquire over 100 iPads for being given to business class passengers on ultra long haul flights whose IFE screens are not working. Blank screens on Boeing 777s deployed for direct flights to the US, ranging from 17 hours for Delhi-San Francisco to 14 hours for Delhi-New York, are one of the biggest sore points for flyers.

The airline is also weighing the option of refurbishing aircraft interiors, seat upholstery and carpets at a medium cost. Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu had recently said a special fund could be sought from the finance ministry for the purpose.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jaysit
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 4346

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 2:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My God, this airline is a joke. It's as if someone gave a Bhojpuri BEST bus operator the license to fly the Concorde to Paris.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
iah87
Member


Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 2566

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Inspite of the lack of consistent IFE, their DEL-SFO route is doing well and commanding a premium. The food must be good then or something else is making the passengers take AI.

Their first order of business is to ensure consistent IFE on all flights longer than 4 hours, especially critical on long haul.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Caliguy
Member


Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 723
Location: Los Angeles

PostPosted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

iah87 wrote:
Inspite of the lack of consistent IFE, their DEL-SFO route is doing well and commanding a premium. The food must be good then or something else is making the passengers take AI.

Their first order of business is to ensure consistent IFE on all flights longer than 4 hours, especially critical on long haul.


It's SFO, a major Star hub. Fortunately for AI, United is pretty generous with their FF earnings on AI. My guess is UA FF are a main reason US is launching SFO-DEL. They have that data because people use their UA FF number. Also flying form the West Coast to India (either via the Pacific or EU is just a horrible experience and the VFR and Business crowd in SFO is far far from poor).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
The_Goat
Member


Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 3260
Location: South of France

PostPosted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Caliguy wrote:
. Also flying form the West Coast to India (either via the Pacific or EU is just a horrible experience and the VFR and Business crowd in SFO is far far from poor).


Yes, and the IT crowd from Bangalore who give AI a heave-ho and prefer packing LH's 748s to SFO must all enjoy BDSM, right?
_________________
I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Caliguy
Member


Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 723
Location: Los Angeles

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The_Goat wrote:
Caliguy wrote:
. Also flying form the West Coast to India (either via the Pacific or EU is just a horrible experience and the VFR and Business crowd in SFO is far far from poor).


Yes, and the IT crowd from Bangalore who give AI a heave-ho and prefer packing LH's 748s to SFO must all enjoy BDSM, right?


I don’t know what you are trying to say. Clearly all are not flying AI. That said, many are flying AI - their flights are full. So what if some hate AI. What this shows to me is that people in SFO value the nonstop so much they are willing to fly a crap airline like AI (even when flying J). I think that is why UA is starting DEL-SFO and why DL is looking at a nonstop to BOM.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/jan/14/ai-express-to-opt-for-all-desi-pilots-1924759.html

Air India Express to opt for all-desi pilots

14th January 2019

Air India Express, the low-cost arm of the national carrier, will be flying with full bench of desi pilots in a few months after phasing out the entire foreign crew. The national carrier Air India has not hired any expats/foreign pilots during the past three years. However, the Air India Express has hired as many as 63 foreign captains/pilots during the past three years, with 29 in 2016, 23 in 2017 and 11 in 2018.

According to the data available with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, the AIE has a strength of 334 Indian pilots till 2018. However, around 16 Indian pilots were upgraded as pilots-in-command from January to September 2018. The same period saw 11 foreign pilots being phased out. Speaking to Express, a senior officer with the AIE confirmed the carrier would be holding its flight service with cent per cent desi pilots from this year itself.

“We have an in-house mechanism to upgrade the Indian pilots to pilots-in-command. At present, there are only less than 10 foreign pilots who will be phased out this year itself. Recruiting and managing foreign crew is a cumbersome process. Further, the local crew are more economical and reliable in terms of emoluments,” he said, adding the AIE has been recruiting foreign pilots mainly from the East European countries on a two-year contract basis.

“According to a source, the rich pool of talent in the foreign crew will always scout for big brand companies and relatively low-profile foreign crew opt for low-cost airlines in the third-world countries. While we have enough talent and more youths enrolling into the aviation field - backed by many flying schools, there is no need to rely on foreign crew,” he said.

Further, all the scheduled and non-scheduled airlines have been advised to develop their own in-house strength to reduce the dependency on the foreign pilots. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has requested all airlines to submit their phase out plan of foreign pilots periodically, although the government has recently extended the use of foreign pilots by Indian carriers up to December 31, 2020, in view of the shortage of the type rated pilot-in-command/instructor/examiner in the country.

Though the phasing out of the foreign crew has been an ongoing process for the past few years, the year 2018 saw a significant increase in the recruitment of foreign crew by the airlines in the country. If there were 269 pilots employed by Indian operators in 2014, it went up to 280 in 2015, 378 in 2016. However, the industry recruited only 249 foreign crew in 2017, but, it again shot up to 324 in 2018 (up to Dec 15) owing to the high growth of the sector.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India Express adds Surat – Sharjah service from Feb 2019

Air India Express from February 2019 plans to introduce international service from Surat, as the airline plans to operate Surat – Sharjah route.

From 16FEB19, Boeing 737-800 aircraft to operate this route twice a week.

IX613 STV0030 – 0215SHJ 738 27
IX614 SHJ1935 – 2345STV 738 16


Source: Airlineroute.net
_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/ai-to-link-andal-with-hyderabad/articleshow/67632889.cms

Air India to link Andal with Hyderabad

Jan 22, 2019

The Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport at Andal near Durgapur is set to get its second service. Air India, which currently operates three flights a week to Delhi, has decided to start another thrice-a-week operation beginning February 16-17, connecting Hyderabad to the industrial belt in Burdwan.

Unlike the Delhi flight, the one to Hyderabad will be a red-eye one, arriving past midnight and taking off in the early hours of the day. The flight, to be operated with an Airbus A319 aircraft with 144 seats, will leave Hyderabad at 11.05pm and touch down at Andal at 1.15am. The return flight will take off at 2.10pm and reach Hyderabad at 4.30am.

While the hours are odd, airline sources said the pricing would be extremely attractive to woo passengers. The flight from Andal will be on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Sources said that with the flight to Delhi clocking over 90% load, officials of Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd (BAPL), the greenfield airport promoters, had urged the carrier to introduce flights to south India, with Chennai being the first choice, followed by Bengaluru and Hyderabad. It was the last one that worked out first.

BAPL was actually negotiating with SpiceJet for flights to Bengaluru and Hyderabad before the Air India proposal fructified. Sources said talks with SpiceJet suffered a setback with the state rejecting its proposal that in case of revenue shortfall from flights to Andal, the state allow it to offset through lower excise duty of fuel uploaded by the airline from Kolkata airport.

AI had resumed operations on the Durgapur-Delhi-Durgapur sector last April. Unlike the earlier stint, when AI operated flights with viability gap funding (the state or airport operator’s commitment to fund a certain number of seats if these were not sold), it returned with a commercial flight that had no such constraint.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 5:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-india-gets-dgca-nod-for-secret-caribbean-flight/articleshow/67705811.cms

Air India gets DGCA nod for ‘secret’ Caribbean flight

Jan 27, 2019

Amid persisting speculation that India was preparing to get hold of a high-value fugitive, Air India is learnt to have got the DGCA nod to operate a Boeing 787-8 for the special non-stop flight from Delhi to Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.

The aviation regulator’s nod comes amid strong buzz that India’s efforts to get hold of one high-profile economic offender holed up abroad may have resulted in a breakthrough, though there was no official confirmation.

Therefore, AI required clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for using the medium-range Dreamliner on the ultra-long range (ULR) non-stop flight to the Caribbean. The special flight is learnt to have been allowed with 13 cabin crew members and three sets of pilots — three captains and as many co-pilots — who will take turns to operate after resting during the flight. The same drill is followed on AI’s Delhi-San Francisco and Mumbai-New York ULR routes.

While the actual flying time will be determined by winds on the day of the flight, it is estimated that the flight from Delhi to Port of Spain will take 16.5 to 17 hours. After landing, the crew will have to be given 12 hours of rest — which is counted from the time they enter their hotel room and till they check out. So the total stopover as per crew requirement in Port of Spain will be 14.5 hours, with 2.5 hours being considered as time for the two-way commute between the airport and hotel.

AI is learnt have zeroed in on its senior pilots for the flight. Since the 256-seater (18 in business and 238 economy) aircraft will have in all less than 45 people on board (including six pilots and 13 cabin crew members) and very little cargo-hold baggage, the aircraft will be tanked up for operating the almost 14,000-km Delhi-Port of Spain non-stop flight.

Sources say AI’s request was cleared by the regulator without any doubt as it is the only Indian airline that has been operating ULR flights for decades. The Delhi-San Francisco flight it started almost four years ago is one of the longest non-stop flights in the world in terms of the distance as it takes the Pacific route on its way back to Delhi to get tailwinds and cut down on fuel burn.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-inducts-aircraft-with-gandhijis-logo/articleshow/67704029.cms

Air India inducts aircraft with Gandhiji's logo

Jan 26, 2019

Air India has started flying with the logo of Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary later this year.

Right now only two aircraft have been painted with the logo of the Father of the Nation on the left side of the fuselage and the rest of its fleet of 163 aircraft would also sport his image in due course.

"The logo to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 150 year birth anniversary was embossed on Air India's Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft last week. The two aircraft have since been operating on both domestic as well as international routes.

"The plan is to have all 163 aircraft belonging to Air India, Alliance Air and Air India Express to be embossed with the logo within the next 3-months. It takes about 5-hours to get the logo embossed on an aircraft. After that it is thrust back into service," the official said." a senior Air India official told IANS here.

"We will also unveil the logo on one of the Airbus aircraft during the upcoming Aero India Show to be held in February in Bengaluru," he said.

Currently, Air India has 125 aircraft under its main brand which will be embossed with the logo. Besides, the Air India Group has 23 aircraft with its subsidiary Air India Express and 15 planes with Alliance Air.



_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
iah87
Member


Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 2566

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

747-237 wrote:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-india-gets-dgca-nod-for-secret-caribbean-flight/articleshow/67705811.cms

Air India gets DGCA nod for ‘secret’ Caribbean flight

Jan 27, 2019

Amid persisting speculation that India was preparing to get hold of a high-value fugitive, Air India is learnt to have got the DGCA nod to operate a Boeing 787-8 for the special non-stop flight from Delhi to Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.

The aviation regulator’s nod comes amid strong buzz that India’s efforts to get hold of one high-profile economic offender holed up abroad may have resulted in a breakthrough, though there was no official confirmation.

Therefore, AI required clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for using the medium-range Dreamliner on the ultra-long range (ULR) non-stop flight to the Caribbean. The special flight is learnt to have been allowed with 13 cabin crew members and three sets of pilots — three captains and as many co-pilots — who will take turns to operate after resting during the flight. The same drill is followed on AI’s Delhi-San Francisco and Mumbai-New York ULR routes.

While the actual flying time will be determined by winds on the day of the flight, it is estimated that the flight from Delhi to Port of Spain will take 16.5 to 17 hours. After landing, the crew will have to be given 12 hours of rest — which is counted from the time they enter their hotel room and till they check out. So the total stopover as per crew requirement in Port of Spain will be 14.5 hours, with 2.5 hours being considered as time for the two-way commute between the airport and hotel.

AI is learnt have zeroed in on its senior pilots for the flight. Since the 256-seater (18 in business and 238 economy) aircraft will have in all less than 45 people on board (including six pilots and 13 cabin crew members) and very little cargo-hold baggage, the aircraft will be tanked up for operating the almost 14,000-km Delhi-Port of Spain non-stop flight.

Sources say AI’s request was cleared by the regulator without any doubt as it is the only Indian airline that has been operating ULR flights for decades. The Delhi-San Francisco flight it started almost four years ago is one of the longest non-stop flights in the world in terms of the distance as it takes the Pacific route on its way back to Delhi to get tailwinds and cut down on fuel burn.


It is no longer a secret and that high value fugitive may have fled Trinidad.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/11-return-flights-serving-food-stocked-from-india-will-save-rs-49-crore-annually-air-india-official/articleshow/67727620.cms

11 return flights serving food stocked from India; will save Rs 49 crore annually: Air India official

JAN 28, 2019

Air India has started serving food stocked from India on 11 return flights from eight foreign cities, and it plans to save around Rs 49 crore annually through this measure, a senior official said Monday.

The 11 return flights are Copenhagen-Delhi, Stockholm-Delhi, Birmingham-Amritsar, Birmingham-Delhi, Vienna-Delhi, Madrid-Delhi, Singapore-Delhi, Singapore-Mumbai, Bangkok-Delhi, Bangkok-Mumbai and Shanghai-Delhi, the Air India official told PTI.

"When the aircraft departs from here (India), the food is stocked in chillers to keep it fresh. So, when the aircraft is returning from a foreign city to an Indian city, this food is served to customers," the official said, assuring that it remains "fresh and tasty".

"According to our estimates, we will be able to save Rs 48.97 crore annually on catering costs on these 11 return flights," the official said, adding that the national carrier is planning to replicate the measure on "all flights where it is feasible to do 'return catering'".

Air India spends around Rs 600 crore to Rs 800 crore annually on catering costs and it plans to cut down on this expenditure.

The official told PTI that according to the airline's estimates, it would be able to save Rs 17 crore per year through "return catering" on Stockholm-Delhi and Copenhagen-Delhi routes.

"Through 'return catering', we will be able to save Rs 19 crore on Singapore-Bombay and Singapore-Delhi flights. On Shanghai-Delhi flight, we will save Rs 1.94 crore per year. On Vienna to Delhi flight, we will save Rs 4.38 crore per year," the official said.

"On Birmingham-Delhi and Birmingham-Mumbai flights, we plan to save Rs 4.17 crore. On Bangkok-Delhi and Bangkok-Mumbai flights, around Rs 1.87 crore will be saved," he said.

However, on Madrid-Delhi flight, the airline is estimated to save only Rs 61 lakh annually through "return catering".

Air India did not respond to the queries sent by PTI.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 6:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.firstpost.com/business/alliance-air-to-connect-ahmedabad-with-hyderabad-via-nashik-from-1-february-70-seater-atr-72-to-operate-on-new-route-5975741.html

Alliance Air to connect Ahmedabad with Hyderabad via Nashik from 1 February; 70-seater ATR-72 to operate on new route

Jan 28, 2019

Alliance Air on Monday announced operations to Ahmedabad from Hyderabad via Nashik from 1 February.

The new service is part of the government's regional connectivity scheme Udan, under which the air fares are capped at Rs 2, 500 for an under one-hour flight, Alliance Air said in a statement.

Alliance Air will deploy the 70-seater ATR-72 to operate services on the new route, it added.

While services on the Hyderabad-Nashik route will be operated daily, the flights on the Nashik-Ahmedabad route will run on all days except Sundays.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ryder1650
Member


Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 554

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How long until a plane full of passengers gets food poisoning from that return catering?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Air India adds Najaf service from mid-Feb 2019

29 January 2019

Air India starting next month is adding service to Iraq, as the airline schedules Delhi – Najaf service.

From 14FEB19, Airbus A321 aircraft will operate this route twice a week.

AI901 DEL1400 – 1700NJF 32B 14
AI902 NJF1800 – 0045+1DEL 32B 14


Source: Airlineroute.net
_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://avherald.com/h?article=4c36a42c&opt=0

Alliance AT72 at Diu on Jan 26th 2019, tail strike on landing

Jan 27th 2019

An Alliance Air Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A on behalf of Air India, registration VT-AIX performing flight 9I-623 from Mumbai to Diu (India), landed on Diu's runway 05/23 (length 1825 meters/5900 feet) but struck its tail onto the runway surface. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage however.

The return flight was cancelled. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Diu about 35 hours after landing.





_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/tirupati-runway-in-poor-condition-airport-closed-after-air-india-aircraft-suffers-damage/articleshow/67742957.cms

Tirupati runway in poor condition, airport closed after Air India aircraft suffers damage

Jan 29, 2019

The fuselage and flight control surfaces of an Air India aircraft that took off from Tirupati airport on Tuesday afternoon suffered extensive damage, presumably because of foreign objects and particles on the runway. Following the incident, the airport runway was shut down, leaving air passengers on atleast a dozen arrival and departure flights stranded.
Air India flight AI 541 took off from Trichy airport for Hyderabad around 3 pm. ``Heavy damage to the A321 (VT-PPN) aircraft's stablizers and elevators and holes in the fuselage possibly because of foreign object damage (FOD) has been observed,'' said a source. An FOD is any object, debris that could cause damage to the aircraft, especially during the take off run.

The Air India aircraft was withdrawn from service and moved to a hangar for damage assessment.








_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
747-237
Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11336
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-planning-to-increase-daily-utilisation-of-its-aircraft-official/articleshow/67959587.cms

Air India planning to increase daily utilisation of its aircraft: Official

FEB 12, 2019

Air India is planning to increase the daily utilisation of its aircraft both on domestic as well as international routes, a senior company official said Tuesday.

According to Air India Director of Finance Vinod Hejmadi the company is planning to use its aircraft for at least half hour more per day.

"Our daily utilisation of airplanes is not very good. It's around 10 and a half hours on Airbus route (domestic routes). We can increase it by half an hour...Even in the international routes, our 787s fly around 12 and a half hours per day. We can increase it to 13 and half hours," he said at CAPA India Aviation Summit 2019.

Hejmadi further said that the national carrier would now focus again on United States market by increasing its frequencies, indicating a shift of focus from Europe.

"On the international front, we concentrated on Europe a year ago. In fact, we started destinations to Scandinavia, Milan, Vienna, Madrid...We are redirecting our vision on the North America route," Hejmadi said.

He added that the company is planning to add three frequencies (flights) to one of the destination in United States. These three extra flights would be either to San Francisco, Chicago or New York, he said.

"In US, existing frequencies would be enhanced. Najaf is the one we have started now.... We plan to consolidate, not expand further. We want to curtail the costs of opening up new offices and the return of investment is very late," he added.

_________________
11000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
luvleen
Member


Joined: 02 Jul 2012
Posts: 179
Location: Bombay

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Indian carriers to spread wings abroad, AI to add US, Oz nonstops

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-carriers-to-spread-wings-abroad-ai-to-add-us-oz-nonstops/articleshow/67965168.cms
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
theflyingsikh
Member


Joined: 08 May 2010
Posts: 551
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Fri Feb 15, 2019 6:50 am    Post subject: Flying Returns email address change fee Reply with quote

Just received an email from Air India Flying Returns.
They now wants to charge miles for changing email address and mobile number in your Flying Returns profile.

Starts from 420 miles for the first change and then it increases massively with every subsequent change

I really can't put my head head around this new policy.
_________________
Aerosexual...!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Airliners-India.com Forum Index -> Civil Aviation All times are GMT + 5.5 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10  Next
Page 5 of 10

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group. Hosted by phpBB.BizHat.com