BUSINESS
Is it time for Air India to place an order for wide-body aircraft?
Air India needs to look at potential replacements for its Boeing B777 planes, a fleet that’s a generation older. The 787 Dreamliner, while not that old, will also come up for replacement a decade down the line.
BUSINESS
Off to Thailand: Bangkok-Phuket is again bustling for Indian airlines
Thailand was once dominated by tourists from China but a ferry disaster in 2018 led to a reduction in those numbers, which were happily filled up by Indians on the back of steal deals and more flying options, until the pandemic struck.
BUSINESS
Empty announcements need to stop, schedule compliance is key
Airlines are bracing for their summer schedule at a challenging time – a war is raging between Russia and Ukraine, having already prompted fears of supply disruptions that forced up oil prices. How they manage to adhere to their schedule for the Summer of 2022 will be under close scrutiny.
BUSINESS
High oil prices mean higher airfares. What should air passengers do?
While there may not be a perfect time to buy a flight ticket, all parameters indicate that the time to buy them could be now.
BUSINESS
And, the winner is Vistara!
The airline added 59 percent more flights in 2021 over 2020 and deployed 64 percent more capacity by ASKs in the same period. It also came very close to its pre-pandemic performance with departures being just 5.17 percent shy of 2019 and ASKs being just over a percent lower than during 2019. However, sister airline AirAsia India, which is smaller, hasn't taken off during the pandemic.
BUSINESS
Resumption of international flights: What's in store for Indian airlines
Tourists have been flocking to every possible place which is open for business. This could well be replicated across the country as more international tourists are attracted.
TRENDS
India's soaring love affair with aircraft restaurants
From restaurants inside old Boeing B737s to an office within an Airbus A320, repurposed aircraft are getting a second lease - thanks in part to a dedicated team led by Mohd Asim.
BUSINESS
Advantage Air India? Airspace bans on Russian flights could give the Indian carrier an edge
Air India, which was privatised with its ownership transferred to Tata Sons in January, continues to overfly Russia for flights to the United States as well as Canada. That puts the airline in a unique position it can capitalise on.
BUSINESS
Tatas may look within for flying Air India after IIker Ayci declines offer
With IIker Ayci backing out, the Tatas will now have to run the process once again to select a CEO for the airlines. The group had found itself in a similar situation with Tata Motors earlier. A management expert from within, who knows the working and ethos of the group better than an external leader, won’t be a bad idea.
BUSINESS
Will the Russia-Ukraine evacuation push impact airline schedules?
With airlines’ assets being deployed for these operations, the question in everybody’s mind is whether their domestic or other international flight will be affected. The answer is most likely no.
BUSINESS
Russia-Ukraine conflict: What you need to know if you plan to fly
Air India called back its second of the three flights to Kyiv. A few airlines, like El-Al, changed course immediately. Those flying to Europe, and Russia, in particular, should follow social media handles of concerned airlines and countries.
BUSINESS
Goa tourism could catapult to a higher level when second airport opens
Mopa will provide the capacity the existing airport in Dabolim, a naval air field, is missing. More importantly it will allow 24x7 operations and will allow airlines to better schedule flights in line with check-in and check-out timings of hotels
BUSINESS
Who gains if TruJet doesn't restart?
If TruJet does not restart operations, this will be the first casualty in Indian aviation that can primarily be attributed to the pandemic.
BUSINESS
In Ilker Ayci, Tatas find a surprise pilot to fly Air India
Ilker Ayci had a stable seven years at the helm of Turkish Airlines and saw the growth in both destinations and fleet. But the jury is out on whether he was the right candidate to lead Air India as CEO.
BUSINESS
Delhi Airport Q3 profit gets a lift from non-aero revenue
Airports the world over have increased focus on non-aero revenue and the trend at Delhi shows the airport is joining its global peers.
BUSINESS
How IndiGo weathered the pandemic and joined a select global league of profit-making airlines
The airline benefitted from factors such as higher utilisation, the opening up of tourism, festival and holiday travel, and a favourable change in policies.
BUSINESS
IndiGo earnings announcement: What can one expect?
All eyes would be on the investor and analyst call following the results declared on a Friday afternoon! Traditionally, when results are announced post-market hours on a Friday, financial analysts don’t have high hopes, but will IndiGo throw up a surprise?
TRENDS
Changing dynamics of traffic at Indian airports in the post-pandemic era
Delhi continues to lead the airport charts in the country. Mumbai is still second. The third spot was bagged by Bengaluru. Local rules restricting flights have seen some airports like Kolkata losing traffic.
BUSINESS
Tatas get Air India: High-profile sale, low profile takeover!
The handover was a professional, board-level affair. The civil aviation minister wasn’t present and no radical announcements were made.
TRENDS
Revenge tourism is for real!
Air travel data for December suggests that when Covid-19 cases subside, people board flights in droves to holiday destinations and temple towns
BUSINESS
Fresh food is going off the menu for airlines as ready-to-eat becomes the new norm
Ready-to-eat meals like upma, noodles, poha and biryani become the norm on in-flight menus because they have a longer shelf life, enabling airlines to avoid wasting food and cut costs
BUSINESS
Airline traffic data: Better than 2020 but far from pre-COVID levels
According to the data released by DGCA, the year 2021 saw a jump of 33.1% in air traffic over 2020, but it still pales in front of 2019.
BUSINESS
Here's how Vande Bharat and air bubbles are keeping Indian aviation connected to the world
The strongest of connections has been with the United States. Even when the US clocked a record number of cases, India did not classify that country as 'high risk'.
BUSINESS
Is it time for a mega airplane deal from India?
To meet fleet needs beyond 2027 for IndiGo and over the next few years for the Tata group, which is preparing to take control of Air India and Air India Express, an order for a large number of planes looks imminent from India. Moneycontrol examines which plane-maker will win and what their competitive advantages are.
