BUSINESS
Time to refresh airline on-time performance metric for level playing field
An airline’s punctuality is based primarily on how many flights it operates at the country’s top four airports.
BUSINESS
How Air India under the Tatas soared to the top of the punctuality charts
Rejigging the schedule and getting off to on-time departures at the start of the day helped improve Air India’s on-time performance.
BUSINESS
What the latest DGCA data reveals about Air India, its allied airlines and competitors
The three Tata group airlines — Air India, Vistara and AirAsia India — had an aggregate market share of 25.9% in October. But there’s much more to be read in the numbers for the month.
BUSINESS
Old planes and wet leases drive new beginnings for India’s airlines
Air India, Vistara and Indigo are looking at a mix of wet and dry aircraft leases as they seek to expand operations
BUSINESS
What will the restructured Tata airlines look like?
The impact will be the most on IndiGo, which is already starting to face intense competition on some key routes like never before.
TRAVEL-TRENDS
With one stop to Europe from Amritsar, SpiceJet upstages rivals
SpiceJet has started operating flights to Rome and Milan from Amritsar and is the only Indian airline flying direct to Italy. If the route succeeds, it could pave the way for more such flights.
BUSINESS
The NorthEast is connected by air like never before
With 16 airports in the northeast, regional connectivity starts yielding results.
BUSINESS
As Akasa Air product strategy takes a hit, its network blueprint looks clearer
The airline has based the bulk of its operations in Bengaluru where it is set to edge out Vistara from the second position in departure count. However, owing to supply chain issues, Akasa is inducting aircraft with different seating which may hit its ability to freely swap planes.
BUSINESS
Vistara's transfer of Boeing 737s to Air India Express is a win-win for both
For Vistara, it would mean one step closer to being an airline with all new-age aircraft while Air India Express will get the much-needed strength for expansion.
BUSINESS
Tata Group may make AirAsia India’s dreams come true
The airline’s goals of profitability and flying overseas may be achieved, although in a different avatar
BUSINESS
IndiGo earnings hinge on fare cap removal, forex fluctuations, and oil prices
IndiGo’s supply-side challenges with aircraft manufacturers and delays in engine deliveries may have moderated domestic capacity addition for the airline
BUSINESS
The longest and shortest routes in Indian skies this winter
At 58 km, Alliance Air operates the shortest route in the country between Guwahati and Silchar. As for the longest, it is Air India’s non-stop flight between Delhi and Port Blair, a distance of 2,482 km
BUSINESS
Leaner winter schedule could mean profitability for airlines
There will be 13 percent fewer fights this winter compared to the summer schedule. While that may be bad news for passengers if fares go up, the lower cash burn will mean higher yields for airlines
BUSINESS
As Air India advertises flights to London Heathrow and Vistara gets a foot in the door, a fight is looming for the remaining slots
All eyes are on what IndiGo and SpiceJet do. Both airlines have in the past filed for slots at London Heathrow, and SpiceJet had come very close to launching flights, having started the sale of seats as well, before it pulled out.
BUSINESS
SpiceJet’s operations unlikely to be disrupted by scrutiny of Q400 aircraft
The regulator asked the airline to take enhanced safety measures after smoke entered the cabin of a Q400 aircraft, but hasn’t grounded any planes or curtailed its schedule further.
BUSINESS
The Tatas are planning a mother of mergers — the bane of Indian aviation
The Tatas’ aviation business is sitting on a chunk of assets that may be a challenge to streamline. At many airports across the country, the combined Tata group offering is bigger than IndiGo
BUSINESS
IndiGo may take a bet on widebody aircraft as it eyes overseas destinations
The possibility of a recession in the west, tighter interest rates, and a depreciating rupee are factors that could affect the airline’s plans.
BUSINESS
IndiGo takes another stab at Istanbul. Will it work?
Splitting the Istanbul flights to two destinations will be helpful in tapping additional traffic, but the approach doesn’t come without challenges.
BUSINESS
What is delaying Indian aviation’s return to pre-Covid levels?
The number of registered fleets of Indian carriers has dropped to 669 aircraft in September as compared to 691 in January 2022 as airlines face supply chain issues due to the pandemic
TRENDS
One year on, Tata group company Talace is juggling multiple variables to take Air India sky high
Today is a year since Talace Pvt. Ltd, especially created to bid for Air India, won the bid. The Tata group has stated that it is targeting 30 percent domestic market share in five years.
BUSINESS
Interline with Air India and Vistara but codeshare with IndiGo: Understanding Virgin's India plan
The codeshare allows Virgin Atlantic customers to connect to and from seven additional cities in India, which will expand to cover a total of 16 destinations later
BUSINESS
DGCA schedule restriction is no big deal for SpiceJet
The troubled airline has anyway been operating way below approved schedule. Only problem us SpiceJet will miss out on the peak Diwali rush while competitors will make a killing.
INDIA
What Tata-owned Air India’s new fleet plan means for its growth ambitions
The airline has signed lease agreements and Letter of Intent for 25 Airbus and 5 Boeing aircraft. The market was, in fact, expecting orders for new planes, including the much-talked-about A350s. The airline’s measured induction looks more of an immediate and intermediate step.
BUSINESS
Akasa's first month of operations has been full of surprises
Apart from a gut punch in the untimely demise of key investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, the airline got a taste of changing regulations, cut-throat competition and much more over the last 30 days
