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Tag Archives: Air India
How Air India’s million little steps are taking it on a journey to find lost glory
AerCap delivers four new Airbus A321neo aircraft to Air India, Air India will launch flights between Delhi and Amsterdam
AerCap Holdings N.V. has announced it has completed a mandate for the lease of four new Airbus A321neo aircraft with Air India, the flag carrier of India, following the delivery of the fourth aircraft.
The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, are the first A321neo aircraft to be inducted into the Air India fleet.
In other news, the company will launch nonstop flights from Amsterdam to Delhi.
The flight will operate with a two-class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) starting on June 11, 2023.
Amsterdam will be the 8th continental European city served by Air India, and the fourth European destination that the airline has connected from Delhi in the last four months. It takes Air India’s frequency of nonstop flights between India and Europe to 77 per week, offering passengers greater flexibility and convenience.
Schedule:
Air India concludes first phase of transformation program – Vihaan.AI
Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, has reached the conclusion of the first phase of Vihaan.AI, its comprehensive 5-year transformation plan. This first phase called Taxi, was focussed on addressing legacy issues of the airline at scale and laying the foundation for future growth. The conclusion of the first phase also marks the beginning of Take Off, the second phase of transformation which is focused on developing the platforms, processes and systems needed to build toward excellence.
Commenting on the conclusion of the Taxi phase, Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India said, “The first six months of our transformation journey has engaged and united Air Indians behind a common cause, and made great strides in tackling many issues that had built up over the years. During this Taxi phase, we have also come a long way in establishing foundations for growth. Our record- setting aircraft order, the commitment of $400 million to completely refurbish existing aircraft, the investment of $200 million in new IT, and the recruitment of literally thousands of staff are but a few of the significant investments being made to restore Air India to the upper echelons of global aviation. As we move into our Take Off phase, we will start seeing these investments bear fruit. All Air Indians are very grateful to partners and supporters as we continue this journey.”
Some of the significant achievements during the Taxi phase include:
Customer:
- ● Committed over USD 400 million for aircraft refurbishments
- ● Revamped menus on international and domestic routes
- ● Launched Premium Economy seats for the first time ever on select long-haul flights
- ● Insourced some of the critical customer service functions and initiated revamp of customernotification system for all touchpoints.
- ● More than 1 million legacy refund cases settled between February – December 2022
- ● Implemented multiple customer compensation policies to aid service recovery
- ● Launched RFP for new customer contact centre
- ● Recruited, with AISATS, hundreds of additional airport staff to improve customer experience
- People:
- ● Rolled out new organization structure and revamped roles across levels with a conscious effort to address the disparities between permanent and full-term contract employees
- ● Rolled out over 29 new policies across employees to improve welfare
- ● Designed new remuneration programs for legacy staff
- ● Introduced 2 new training programs, Saksham and ACE, to upskill staff and improve service
- ● Onboarded more than 3800+ employees across crew and other functions to support capabilityand growthGrowth & Commercial Excellence:
● Signed the industry’s largest-ever order for 470 aircraft
- ● Expedited fleet expansion with 36 leased aircraft, including 11 widebodies, being delivered in 2022-23
- ● Restored to service, or decommissioned pending sale, all long grounded aircraft
- ● Added 6 new international routes while increasing the frequency on another 24
- ● Attained highest ever single-day passenger revenue, highest ever cargo revenue, highest everancillary revenue, and highest ever load factor
- ● RASK (revenue per available seat kilometre) improved by 17% over a period of a year
- Digital:
- ● US $200 million being invested in upgrading IT systems including implementing Salesforce for CRM integration and upgradation of SAP ERP system from obsolete mainframe to the cloud, upgradation of the website, employee self-service systems, learning management systems, safety management system, world-class rostering, and day-of-ops systems as also introducing iPads across the fleet to better empower crew and improve processes.
- Operations:
- ● Most improved domestic On-Time Performance (OTP) across the sector in the last one year with a consistent top 3 ranking
- ● Comprehensive spares and support agreements reached to improve worldwide reliability
- ● Performance Improvement Programme underway with Boeing to improve 787 reliability
- ● In-flight Entertainment (IFE) systems have been restored to working order on nearly all firstand business-class seats, with economy seats being up to nearly 90%.
- ● Engineering function completely rebuilt, with new people and systems.
- ● World-class flight safety expertise and systems on boarded
- ● First airline in the world to successfully undertake the risk-based IATA Operational SafetyAudit.
- Influence & Responsibility:
- ● Signed MoU with CSIR – Indian Institute of Petroleum for adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
- ● Re-engaged with the global aviation industry relationships including joining industry associations like AAPA and FIA
- ● Reactivated more than 10 codeshare agreements and in active alliance discussions with other airlines
- ● Actively engaged with Star Alliance, IATA, Flight Safety Foundation
- ● Adopted ‘Go Green, Go Paperless’ initiative including adoption of e-signatureThe conclusion of the Taxi phase also marks the beginning of Vihaan.AI’s Take Off chapter. Take Off is focussed on building the right platforms and progress faster based on the momentum that has been established. This phase will also witness the consolidation of the group airlines AirAsia India and Air India Express. The LCC entity has successfully merged their core reservations platform, websites, and customer-facing systems. Vistara will also be merged with Air India following the grant of regulatory approval. The development of a world-class training academy will also take shape as also the future direction and configuration of the airline’s line and base maintenance.
Vihaan.AI, which in Sanskrit signifies the dawn of a new era, has a detailed roadmap for Air India with clear milestones focussing on dramatically growing both its network and fleet, developing a completely revamped customer proposition, improving reliability and on-time performance, and taking a leadership position in technology, sustainability, and innovation, while aggressively investing behind the best industry talent. The plan is aimed at putting Air India on a path to sustained growth, profitability, and market leadership.
Air India launches Premium Economy Class on select flights
Air India has introduced an all-new Premium Economy experience for travellers, offering a superior cabin product, world-class inflight services, and added on-ground convenience. The airline has opened sale for the new cabin, for travel starting May 15, 2023, becoming the first and only Indian carrier to offer the choice of four cabin classes – First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
Air India’s Premium Economy class will be initially available to customers travelling on select routes operated by its fleet of Boeing 777-200LR aircraft: Bengaluru-San Francisco, Mumbai-San Francisco, and Mumbai-New York.
Air India’s Premium Economy offers an exclusive travel experience designed for customers who do not mind paying a reasonable premium over Economy Class fares to fly in style and enjoy a lot more space, comfort, and convenience.
Fast-track airport experience: Premium Economy customers will be able to check-in at dedicated counters and have priority tags affixed to their check-in baggage, and also be amongst the first to be invited to board the aircraft.
Separate, spacious cabin with wider seats: Premium Economy class on Air India’s Boeing 777-200LR aircraft features 48 leather-upholstered, memory foam seats that have 19 inches of width, 38 inches of pitch, and 5 inches of recline with adjustable leg rest and footrest, and winged headrests. The seats provide extra legroom for customers to stretch out during flight, enabling customers to rest or work in comfort.
Amenities: Premium Economy customers receive a complimentary, elegant TUMI amenity kit (specially designed for Air India) consisting of a pair of flight socks, an eye mask, MALIN+GOETZ lip moisturizer, and a pen, in addition to carpet slippers. Customers also receive noise-cancelling headphones for use during flight to complement the experience of Air India’s In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system.
Onboard dining: Customers will be welcomed on board Air India’s Premium Economy class with a welcome drink served on an elegant silver tray and a menu card reflecting a glimpse of a delectable culinary experience during the flight. On board, customers will be able to choose from a delicious selection of three meal choices for the main course, served on fine chinaware casserole, accompanied by an appetizer and dessert. The drinks menu includes a fine selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Top Copyright Photo: Air India Boeing 777-237 LR VT-ALH (msn 36307) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 905949.
Air India aircraft photo gallery:
Air India expands in the UK with new services from London Gatwick
Air India is expanding its UK presence in a move which reinforces the strong links between the UK and India, as it undergoes a massive modernization program to transform into a world-class, premium airline.
The Indian flag carrier is launching four new services from London Gatwick to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kochi and Goa, switching them from London Heathrow, and flying on each route three times a week.
Each of the four new services will be operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Flights to Ahmedabad and Amritsar started on Sunday, March 26, with services to Kochi starting today (Monday, March 27), and to Goa on Tuesday, March 28.
From London Heathrow, Air India is adding five additional weekly frequencies, with flights to Delhi increasing from 14 to 17 times a week, and to Mumbai from 12 to 14 times a week, effective as of yesterday (Sunday, March 26).
Air India also plans to upgauge the equipment on its London Heathrow to Delhi and Mumbai routes with Boeing 777 aircraft, expected to be added from May 2023, initially on the Delhi route. This will enable First Class service to be reinstated for passengers.
Air India also flies from Birmingham to Amritsar and Delhi three times a week on each route. In total, there are 49 Air India flights a week between the UK and India.
The flag carrier, which has 126 aircraft currently, has embarked upon a major transformation, having recently placed the largest-ever firm orders for a total of 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing, with deliveries starting later in 2023.
The orders for new aircraft are in addition to 36 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft that the airline had leased in late 2022, which are already being inducted into its fleet. The airline has also committed over USD $400 million in a project to fully refurbish its entire legacy wide-body fleet, comprising 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 13 Boeing 777 aircraft, which will see a complete overhaul of existing cabin interiors.
This will include the addition of latest generation seats and best in-class inflight entertainment across all classes. In addition, the refurbishment will see the introduction of a Premium Economy cabin on both fleets.
As part of the firm orders for 470 new aircraft, Air India has selected 250 new Airbus aircraft, consisting of 40 A350s and 210 A320/A321neos, as well as 220 Boeing aircraft, consisting of 190 Boeing 737 MAX, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and 10 Boeing 777X.
The first six Airbus A350s are due to arrive by the end of 2023. The fleet order, and expansion at Gatwick, will see an expected 500 new jobs created in the UK due to Air India’s ambitious transformation.
The fleet order, and expansion of its network, signals the swift return of one of the most iconic carriers worldwide. Air India became part of the Tata Group in 2022. The transformation will include major changes to its brand, world-class customer service offerings on the ground and in the air, and more dynamic digital products.
Top Copyright Photo: Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANT (msn 36291) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 957139.
Air India aircraft photo gallery:
Air India orders 190 Boeing 737 MAX, 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X airplanes
Boeing and Air India today announced the carrier has selected Boeing’s family of fuel-efficient airplanes to expand its future fleet with plans to invest in 190 737 MAX, 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X airplanes. Along with a comprehensive set of aviation services, Air India is advancing its fleet strategy to sustainably address South Asia’s rapidly growing market for domestic and international air travel.
The agreement between Boeing and Air India includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s. When finalized, this will be the largest Boeing order in South Asia and a historic milestone in the aerospace company’s nearly 90-year partnership with the carrier. The order will post to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website when final.
Air India has also contracted with Boeing Global Services for lifecycle support services, including digital solutions, spare parts and landing gear exchange programs, pilot and maintenance technician training, aircraft modifications and other services.
The 737 MAX will provide flexibility across Air India’s domestic and international network while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces.
- The 737-8, seating 162 to 210 passengers, depending on configuration, and with a range of 3,500 nautical miles, is the market’s most versatile single-aisle airplane, capable of operating profitably on short- and medium-haul routes.
- The 737-10, the largest airplane in the 737 MAX family, offers the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle commercial jet, seating 188 to 230 passengers, depending on configuration with a range of 3,100 nautical miles.
Air India has benefited from the efficiency and flexibility of the 787 Dreamliner family with an existing fleet of 27 787-8s. The larger 787-9 will provide increased capacity, greater range and 25% better fuel efficiency compared to earlier generation jets.
Air India to make a major fleet announcement on January 27
Air India is on the verge on making a major fleet overhaul announcement on January 27 under the Tata Group.
According to Reuters, the combined deral with Airbus and Boeing includes a total of 425 single-aisle jets including 235 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft as well as 190 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The deal is also expected to include up to 70 widebody long-haul aircraft including up to 40 Airbus A350s as well as 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777Xs.