BUSINESS
Air India’s aircraft shopping doesn't turn out to be what was expected
With the purchase of the Airbus planes, Air India has signalled continuity for its full-service arm.
INDIA
Metro airports have made a comeback
Delhi saw the biggest recovery with domestic traffic at 92 percent of its 2019 numbers. Hyderabad was next with a recovery of 88 percent. Mumbai and Bengaluru were close behind.
BUSINESS
Air India gears up to integrate networks. Greater capacity, more flights, higher frequency on cards
The Air India group will have an exciting time beginning the second half of 2023. From inducting new planes to completing one merger and moving on to another, refurbishing existing planes to expanding the network, the Tatas’ aviation arm will have a lot on its plate.
BUSINESS
Vistara was the aviation winner of 2022, IndiGo the runner-up
This year and the next are going to change Indian aviation in a big way. AirAsia India will merge with Air India Express by November this year. By March next year, Vistara will merge with Air India.
BUSINESS
Profitability is back | IndiGo records highest-ever revenues
IndiGo will try to strengthen its position in both the domestic and international markets in 2023. But it will have to go toe-to-toe with a resurgent Air India in both markets.
BUSINESS
IndiGo could report the highest-ever revenue in its history, but will it be profitable?
With higher fares, record passengers and no pandemic overhang, IndiGo is certain to report its best-ever topline. But after the Q1 surprise all eyes will be on the bottomline.
BUSINESS
1 year since Tatas take over, Air India gives a glimpse of future — expanded network, timely performance
The merger and fleet expansion will decide the airline’s fate. Often, this decade gets described as the “Decade of India.” If all goes well, it could well be the decade of Air India as well.
BUSINESS
How Vistara took off to greater highs
Vistara is a story of resilience during the pandemic. The airline kept scaling up with a razor sharp focus on fleet renewal.
BUSINESS
Scheduled airlines inducted 79 of 155 aircraft registered in 2022
2022 could be the last year that the active fleet count went down in India. Going ahead, we may see steady inductions by major players, even though they may sustain losses.
BUSINESS
On Cloud Nine: Three airlines clocked their best performance ever in 2022
For now, the silver lining is the return of pre-Covid seasonality. Even as the virus remains a threat the world over, India has managed to duck it. If that holds in 2023, it can be the good old days once again.
TRENDS
Licence to spill: Urination, aviation and alcohol — time to clean up the mess
Boozing up big time before and during a flight and creating a mess in the skies is becoming a matter of national embarrassment. We need to make air travel safe again.
BUSINESS
A Go FIRST flight missed carrying 55 passengers. How did that happen?
In a case of common sense going missing in the days of Artificial Intelligence, multiple checkpoints — ground crew to cabin crew to pilot — seem to have dropped the ball and left 55 passengers on a Bengaluru-Delhi flight stranded on the tarmac.
INDIA
How Covid has changed aviation and airlines
Indian carriers have an opportunity like never before to fill the void left by airlines that haven’t staged a post-pandemic comeback. Will the airlines grab it?
BUSINESS
IndiGo at 300 - a silver lining in a country dotted with aviation failures
The induction of the airline’s 300th aircraft is just one of its achievements since starting out over 16 years ago.
BUSINESS
Indian aviation in 2023: Charting the way forward
While airlines across the world are back in the black, Indian liners continue to be beset with supply chain and financial issues. Some of that is set to change.
BUSINESS
Year 2022 saw aviation take fresh wings post COVID-19
The Tata Group’s takeover of Air India was the highlight of the year. This was followed by Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air’s launch
TRENDS
Cold food, heated debate: Should IndiGo get an oven now?
With narrow-bodied planes, no hot meals, and slimline seats the foreign skies do not look clear for IndiGo, and it may well have to course correct, if it hasn’t already.
BUSINESS
IndiGo is back with a bang
The market leader is back on top of the punctuality charts after carrying a record number of passengers, but is that enough to post a profit?
BUSINESS
Are SpiceJet and Go FIRST weak links in India’s expanding aviation market?
In a market dominated by biggies, these two airlines must prepare for a time when they come under pressure.
BUSINESS
Beat the T3 airport chaos with this handy guide on flight departures and peak hours
Of late, there has been a rise in complaints against T3 in Delhi and even against the iconic T2 in Mumbai. Though airport congestion is bound to occur as the number of travellers rise, there are a number of steps that passengers themselves can take to avoid inconvenience.
BUSINESS
T3 in Delhi is an utter mess. What is happening and what can be done?
Flying has soared in India after Covid. It is important to revisit processes and human factors as well
BUSINESS
Dressing up the Maharaja: Premium Economy takes centre stage in Air India facelift
Air India is refurbishing widebody aircraft to include the latest-generation seats and inflight entertainment but faces supply chain issues and a lack of spare parts for older seats.
BUSINESS
Flying colours: Future flights to have more orderly disembarking system
A cabin illumination system is expected to ensure rush-free departure from the plane as passengers tend to follow visual cues better than verbal ones.
BUSINESS
Vistara merger to help Air India achieve 30% domestic market share faster
The merger announcement could be followed by the much-awaited fleet renewal deal, which may have been kept on hold till now.
