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747-237 · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:40 am Post subject:

Air India closes Mumbai – Hong Kong bookings in S20

Air India in last week’s inventory update once again filed changes for Mumbai – Hong Kong route during summer season, effective from 29MAR20. Reservation is now closed for entire summer season until 24OCT20. The airline previously planned to launch this route with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

AI316 BOM0820 – 1650HKG 788 D
AI311 HKG1805 – 2150BOM 788 D

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:41 am Post subject:

Air India adds Mumbai – London Stansted service from late-Feb 2020

Air India from February 2020 is expanding service to London, as the carrier opened reservation for Mumbai – London Stansted route last week.
From 20FEB20, Boeing 787-8 aircraft will operate this route 3 times weekly.

AI133 BOM0955 – 1400STN 788 146
AI132 STN1530 – 0550+1BOM 788 146

This service is currently filed until 28MAR20 inclusive.

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 8:34 am Post subject:

Air India S20 Nairobi frequency changes

Air India in last week’s schedule update filed frequency changes for Mumbai – Nairobi in summer 2020 season, on/after 29MAR20.
Planned service reduction from 4 to 3 weekly starting from 08JAN20, is being maintained on/after 29MAR20.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operates this route.

AI961 BOM0625 – 1000NBO 788 357
AI962 NBO1130 – 2000BOM 788 357

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 8:35 am Post subject:

Air India S20 Mumbai – Jeddah aircraft changes

Air India in summer 2020 season is adjusting operational aircraft on Mumbai – Jeddah route, currently served by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
From 29MAR20, this route will be operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, while operational frequency remains unchanged at 4 weekly.

AI931 BOM1650 – 1945JED 788 x246
AI932 JED2115 – 0420+1BOM 788 x246

Source: Airlineroute.net
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nadarji · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 305

AI's reservation systems seem to have serious issues.

I have been trying to book a summer trip. I am trying to fly from Rome to Trv, and then out from Trv to one of MAD, JFK or EWR.

For Rome to TRV, it works fine.
For the next leg, for TRV to MAD, it doesnt offer any selections on the booking page.

For TRV to EWR or JFK, it shows the flights, but then is never able to compute the fares once I make the selections.

Is this a limitation of the software that they use, or due to the rules that they have programmed?

It also seems that thier international connector flights, and domestic flights are considered "different" when used for international connections.

747-237 · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:42 am Post subject:

Air India adds Kozhikode – Jeddah service in Feb 2020

Air India from February 2020 is adding Kozhikode – Jeddah service, as the Star Alliance carrier schedules 2 weekly flights.
From 16FEB20, this route will be operated by Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

AI963 CCJ1730 – 2115JED 744 16
AI964 JED2315 – 0705+1CCJ 744 57

Source: Airlineroute.net
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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

nadarji · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 305

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

nadarji · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 305

The thing with this is that - I have 3 young kids, we love to travel. The main gain for the airline is no baggage, so maybe just have a fare for only cabin baggage. If the diaspora is known for something even more than carrying stuff around, it is frugality.

Also, with climate change being a real concern, hauling useless baubles to give as gifts just because hauling it is free seems not to be such a good thing. Unless a person is relocating, I dont any longer see the need to lug 2 checkin bags along.

It used to be that the twins diapers would fill a couple, but that was almost a decade back.

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

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:40 am Post subject:

Air India increases Mumbai – London Heathrow flights in 1Q20

Air India in February and March 2020 plans further service increase to London, as Mumbai – London Heathrow service increases from 7 to 10 weekly.
Planned frequency increase is scheduled from 14FEB20 to 13MAR20, on board Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

AI131 BOM0700 – 1130LHR 77W D
AI129 BOM1030 – 1500LHR 788 3
AI129 BOM1030 – 1505LHR 788 25

AI130 LHR1330 – 0400+1BOM 77W D
AI128 LHR1625 – 0650+1BOM 788 35
AI128 LHR1630 – 0650+1BOM 788 2

Previously reported, the airline is introducing 3 weekly Mumbai – London Stansted service from 20FEB20.

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2020 9:50 am Post subject:

Air India S20 Delhi – Jeddah aircraft changes

Air India in summer 2020 season is adjusting operational aircraft for Delhi – Jeddah route.
From 31MAR20, the Star Alliance carrier will operate Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on this route, instead of 777-300ER.
This route is served 3 times weekly.

AI991 DEL1630 – 1945JED 788 246
AI992 JED2115 – 0500+1DEL 788 246

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2020 7:53 pm Post subject:

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/85241-air-india-express-wins-approval-for-three-more-aircraft

Air India Express wins approval for three more aircraft

15.01.2020

Air India Express has received approval for the acquisition of three additional aircraft, which are expected to fuel a major expansion in the Gulf region for the airline. It is believed that the carrier will look to add frequencies on its routes to destinations like Abu Dhabi Int'l, Sharjah, Muscat, Ras al Khaimah Int'l, and Kuwait.

Speaking to Arabian Business, an unnamed executive from the carrier said: “Air India Express was given permission recently to acquire three new aircraft. We will soon be floating tenders for their acquisition. The fleet expansion will be used to expand our operations in the Gulf sector.”

Air India Express had plans last year to increase its Middle East capacity, but these were thwarted by the Indian government's decision to pursue the now-imminent privatisation of its parent Air India.

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indopaki · Member Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 479 Location: Pakistan

What happened to Najaf service?

747-237 · Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 10:16 am Post subject:

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/85440-air-india-to-transfer-b747s-to-alliance-air-report

Air India to transfer B747s to Alliance Air - report

21.01.2020

Air India will likely transfer the ownership of four B747-400s, used for VIP transport, to its wholly-owned subsidiary Alliance Air as a part of the state-owned carrier's ongoing privatisation process, CNBC TV18 has reported citing unnamed sources.

While the aircraft will be formally transferred to Alliance Air, Air India will continue to operate them until they are replaced by newer B777-300(ER)s, procured by the government, which are expected to deliver by the end of this year.

The transaction is part of a broader cleanup of Air India's assets as the government readies the carrier for its latest disposal drive. Unlike in 2018 where there were no takers for a 74% stake in the heavily-indebted carrier, this latest round will see 100% of Air India being offered up for sale.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Alliance Air currently operates one ATR42-300 and eighteen ATR72-600s on domestic routes in India.

The four B747-400s operated by Air India, which are between 23.2 and 26.2 years old, are used by the carrier on scheduled routes to Jeddah from Mumbai Int'l (via Hyderabad Int'l) and Kochi Int'l, the ch-aviation schedules module shows. They are available for the government when needed, although they are not equipped with a VIP seat configuration - each of them has 12 first class, 26 business class, and 385 economy class seats.

Flightradar24 ADS-B data indicates that VT-ESP (msn 27214) and VT-EVB (msn 28095) are currently used to run scheduled operations, while VT-ESO (msn 27165) and VT-EVA (msn 28094) are in storage. In 2019, only the latter two units were used for VIP transport.

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747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 5:49 am Post subject:

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/85459-air-india-airbus-grounded-at-vadodara-over-tax-dues

Air India Airbus grounded at Vadodara over tax dues

21.01.2020

An Air India jet has been grounded at Vadodara airport since late last year as a Goods and Services Tax (GST) overhang has prevented the debt-ridden carrier from importing a spare engine from Delhi Int'l, The Times of India has reported.

According to Indian law, shipments exceeding INR50,000 (USD700) in value require an e-way bill, which can only be issued to firms without tax debts. Air India's GST backlog is said to stand at around INR1 billion rupees (USD14 million).

Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows A320-200 VT-EDF (msn 4237) was grounded at Vadodara airport after a scheduled flight from Delhi on December 31, 2019. It remained at the Gujarati airport until January 19, 2020, when it was ferried back to Delhi. However, the day before, on January 18, 2020, Air India had ferried A319-100 VT-SCH (msn 3288) to Vadodara under a non-scheduled flight number. The A319 has remained grounded at the airport ever since.

The airline said it hoped to clear its GST dues, as well as pay overdue salaries for December, shortly.

Meanwhile, the government, which has pledged to keep Air India funded until it is privatised, has moved to alleviate staff concerns about the state's planned divestment. First Post said that during a meeting on January 20, Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola told the airline to set up an internal committee where board members and staff representatives would be able to discuss matters related to the privatisation.

The ministry reportedly plans to include the obligation to pay all salary arrears in the forthcoming call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from prospective investors.

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747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 5:58 am Post subject:

Air India adds Mumbai – Doha service from late-Feb 2020

Air India from late-February 2020 is adding new Middle East service from Mumbai, as the airline plans Mumbai – Doha route.
From 21FEB20, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to operate this route 3 times weekly.

AI969 BOM1020 – 1115DOH 788 257
AI970 DOH1245 – 1845BOM 788 257

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:42 am Post subject:

LOT Polish Airlines / Air India expands codeshare network in Jan 2020

LOT Polish Airlines earlier this month expanded codeshare partnership with Air India, including the latter’s service to Australia, as well as flights within India.
Following codeshare routes went into effect from 13JAN20 (approximate; or earlier).

LOT Polish Airlines operated by Air India
Bangalore – London Heathrow
Delhi – Ahmedabad
Delhi – Bangalore
Delhi – Chennai
Delhi – Colombo
Delhi – Goa
Delhi – Hyderabad
Delhi – Kochi
Delhi – Kolkata
Delhi – Melbourne
Delhi – Mumbai
Delhi – Pune
Delhi – Sydney
Mumbai – Frankfurt
Mumbai – London Heathrow

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 5:18 am Post subject:

Air India 1Q20 China service adjustment as of 29JAN20

Indian carriers in the last 24 hours filed service changes for China. As of 29JAN20, planned changes as follows.

Air India
Delhi – Shanghai Pu Dong
31JAN20 – 14FEB20 5 weekly service cancelled

Source: Airlineroute.net
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luvleen · Member Joined: 02 Jul 2012 Posts: 179 Location: Bombay

Tatas, Singapore Airlines close to making a joint bid for Air India

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/tatas-close-to-flying-the-plane-they-made-87-years-ago/articleshow/73927591.cms

flyindia · Member Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Austria

Air India's Vienna flight from 4/7 to 3/7 cutting Wednesday and leavea Monday, Friday and Sunday.
Only flights at around weekend Shocked

747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 7:04 am Post subject:

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/85949-alliance-air-okayed-to-serve-sri-lanka-despite-sub-20-fleet

Alliance Air okayed to serve Sri Lanka despite sub-20 fleet

07.02.2020

The Indian government has retroactively granted Alliance Air approval to start international flights despite not meeting certain benchmark criteria. Normally, airlines in India are required to operate at least 20 aircraft to qualify for international service rights. However, Alliance Air currently operates nineteen Avions de Transport Régional turboprops, including one ATR42-300 and eighteen ATR72-600s, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows.

"The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has granted ex-post facto dispensation to Alliance Air, a 100% subsidiary of Air India, to fly on international sectors between India and Sri Lanka. A special dispensation is allowed for the interim period till Alliance Air deploys a minimum of 20 aircraft or 20% of total capacity, whichever is higher for domestic operations," a Ministry of Civil Aviation statement said.

The decision is retroactive as Alliance Air launched its first international route, from Chennai to Jaffna in Sri Lanka, in November last year. It remains the sole carrier serving the city in northern Sri Lanka and currently flies 3x weekly to Jaffna using an ATR72-600.

"India has close bilateral ties with Sri Lanka and our interest is to increase connectivity and to expand people to people contacts between the two countries. Prior to this approval, there was no commercial operation scheduled from Palaly [Jaffna] and Batticaloa airports," the Cabinet of India said.

Alliance Air has yet to start flying to Batticaloa although it has confirmed plans to do so. The Sri Lankan government recently opened Jaffna and then Hambantota and Colombo Ratmalana to international traffic. Batticaloa is scheduled to be the next airport to open to foreign carriers.
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 7:12 am Post subject:

Air India S20 Seoul frequency changes

Air India in summer 2020 season is adjusting Delhi – Seoul Incheon frequencies, which sees overall service reduced from 4 to 3 weekly. Service reduction is in effect from 30MAR20 to 31AUG20. This route is operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

AI312 DEL0005 – 1030ICN 788 246
AI313 ICN1205 – 1635DEL 788 246

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:12 am Post subject:

Air India S20 International Frequency adjustment as of 10FEB20

Air India in summer 2020 season is adjusting operational frequencies on various International routes from Delhi, reflected in recent schedule update.

Delhi – Hong Kong 29MAR20 – 03SEP20 Reduce from 7 to 6 weekly
Delhi – Milan Malpensa 31MAR20 – 06SEP20 Reduce from 4 to 3 weekly
Delhi – Seoul Incheon 29MAR20 – 05SEP20 Reduce from 4 to 3 weekly
Delhi – Shanghai Pu Dong 29MAR20 – 04SEP20 Reduce from 5 to 4 weekly
Delhi – Sydney 04APR20 – 31AUG20 Reduce from 5 to 3 weekly
Delhi – Vienna 29MAR20 – 31AUG20 Reduce from 4 to 3 weekly

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 9:03 am Post subject:

The_Goat · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:14 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:22 am Post subject:

Air India extends Hong Kong / Shanghai cancellations until late-June 2020

Air India this week has extended service cancellation to Hong Kong and Shanghai, as the Star Alliance carrier closed reservation for travel until 30JUN20 inclusive.
Following changes is as of 20FEB20.

Delhi – Hong Kong
08FEB20 – 30JUN20 1 daily cancelled (Previously cancelled until 28MAR20)

Delhi – Shanghai Pu Dong
31JAN20 – 30JUN20 5 weekly cancelled (Extended cancellation beyond 14FEB20)

Source: Airlineroute.net
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iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2565

I can understand AI's extension of cancellation of Shanghai, but Hong Kong ? Do they expect the traffic to be down until June. As The Goat said must be a problem with aircraft availability and/or loads.

jbalonso777 · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:07 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 6:10 am Post subject:

Air India restores Sydney frequencies in April - August 2020

Air India in last week’s schedule update once again adjusted Delhi – Sydney frequencies for Northern summer 2020 season. The Star Alliance carrier will continue to operate 5 weekly flights for entire season, instead of 3 weekly during 04APR20 – 31AUG20 period. From Delhi, service on Tuesdays and Thursdays re-opened for bookings last week.

Following schedule effective 04APR20 – 02OCT20.

AI302 DEL1355 – 0710+1SYD 788 x37
AI301 SYD0945 – 1835DEL 788 x14

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:32 am Post subject:

Air India Express expands Tiruchirapalli network in S20

Air India Express in summer 2020 season is expanding service at Tiruchirapalli, including the addition of 3 routes.
Planned operation as follows.

Tiruchirapalli – Abu Dhabi eff 30MAR20 4 weekly
IX615 TRZ0030 – 0335AUH 738 x246
IX616 AUH0435 – 1005TRZ 738 x246

Tiruchirapalli – Doha eff 31MAR20 3 weekly
IX673 TRZ0130 – 0340DOH 738 246
IX674 DOH0440 – 1155TRZ 738 246

Tiruchirapalli – Madurai – Delhi eff 29MAR20 1 daily (Madurai departure from 28MAR20)
IX011 TRZ1245 – 1325IXM1355 – 1710DEL 738 D
IX012 DEL1900 – 2215IXM2300 – 2340TRZ 738 D

The airline’s Madurai – Delhi sector to increase from 4 to 7 weekly.

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:46 am Post subject:

Air India March 2020 Seoul frequency changes

Air India has moved forward frequency reduction on Delhi – Seoul Incheon service, currently served 4 times weekly.
The Star Alliance carrier previously planned to reduce to 3 weekly from 30MAR20 to 05SEP20, this is now scheduled to commence from 02MAR20.

Following schedule effective 02MAR20 – 28MAR20.

AI312 DEL0005 – 0955ICN 788 246
AI313 ICN1125 – 1615DEL 788 4
AI313 ICN1150 – 1615DEL 788 26

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:05 am Post subject:

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/86740-dgca-to-audit-air-indias-a319s

DGCA to audit Air India's A319s

27.02.2020

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an audit of all A319-100s operated by Air India after a passenger complained that a broken panel had obstructed an emergency exit on one of the aircraft, The Economic Times has reported.

"As an immediate corrective action, an engineering order to inspect and rectify the defect has been issued for compliance. As a preventive action, all Airbus 319 aircraft will be inspected to ensure the secured and correct installation of the panel during major checks," the flag carrier told the regulator.

The DGCA spotted the irregularity after a passenger tweeted an image of a panel blocking the emergency exit, potentially obstructing it in need of an evacuation.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Air India currently operates twenty-two A319-100s, which are 11.7 years old on average.

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747-237 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 6:54 am Post subject:

Air India S20 Mumbai – London service changes

Air India in summer 2020 season is continuing Mumbai – London service increase, as the Star Alliance carrier continues to operate 10 weekly flights.
However, the additional 3 weekly flights will be operating as Mumbai – London Heathrow, instead of Mumbai – London Stansted.

Schedules from 29MAR20 as follows.

AI131 BOM0630 – 1130LHR 77W D
AI129 BOM1355 – 1900LHR 788 6
AI129 BOM1455 – 2000LHR 788 24

AI130 LHR1315 – 0245+1BOM 77W D
AI128 LHR2045 – 1005+1BOM 788 6
AI128 LHR2145 – 1105+1BOM 788 24

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:26 am Post subject:

Air India further reduces Seoul service March - May 2020

Air India this week further reduces Delhi – Seoul Incheon service, operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. From 02MAR20 to 31MAY20, overall service will be 2 weekly, instead of 3 weekly.
Planned schedule as follows.

AI312 DEL0005 – 0955ICN 788 26
AI313 ICN1150 – 1615DEL 788 26

Source: Airlineroute.net
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The_Goat · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 9:43 pm Post subject:

So, any word about the much vaunted privatisation? Have any bids been received?

Some rumours floating around that the Tatas and Vistara may bid, but jester-in-chief Subramaniam Swamy is hell bent on thwarting them?

Anyone in the know?
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747-237 · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2020 6:02 am Post subject:

Air India March - May 2020 East Asia / Europe service changes as of 12MAR20

Air India starting this month is adjusting service on selected International service to East Asia and Europe.
As of 12MAR20, planned service adjustment as follows.

Delhi – Bangkok
02MAR20 – 08MAR20 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly
09MAR20- 31MAY20 Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly

Delhi – Hong Kong 08FEB20 – 30JUN20 1 daily service cancelled
Delhi – Milan Malpensa
14MAR20 – 28MAR20 4 weekly cancelled
29MAR20 – 01MAY20 Reservation not available for 3 weekly flights

Delhi – Rome 15MAR20 – 02MAY20 3 weekly cancelled
Delhi – Seoul Incheon
14MAR20 – 30APR20 3 weekly cancelled
01MAY20 – 31MAY20 Reduce from 3 to 2 weekly

Delhi – Shanghai Pu Dong 31JAN20 – 30JUN20 5 weekly service cancelled
Delhi – Singapore
12MAR20 – 31MAY20 Reduce 14 to 4 weekly
01JUN20 – 24OCT20 1 of 2 daily not available for reservation

Delhi – Tokyo Narita 15MAR20 – 31MAY20 Reduce from 4 to 2 weekly
Mumbai – Bangkok 29MAR20 – 01JUN20 Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly
Mumbai – Singapore
02MAR20 – 28MAR20 Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly
29MAR20 – 31MAY20 Reduce from 7 to 6 weekly

Source: Airlineroute.net
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:58 am Post subject:

Good time to move on to "Air India News -- Part 33"

http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=155251
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