BUSINESS
Octogenarian Air Passenger’s Death: Why the policy on wheelchairs needs a review
It isn’t uncommon to have as many as 75-80 passengers on one flight seeking wheelchairs – quite a challenging task for airlines to address without delays. Imagine when a number of long-haul flights are bunched within a short span of time. It has been observed that many senior citizens purportedly not requiring a wheelchair also make requests, clogging the pipeline for those who really need it
TRENDS
For Aatmanirbhar Bharat, more Indian carriers must fly to USA
Air India remains the only Indian carrier currently operating flights to destinations in the US. There is no reason why promoters of Indian carriers currently in operation can’t fly long haul to meet national aspirations. How long should India be dependent on foreign airlines?
BUSINESS
How justified is air travellers’ ire when fog disrupts flights?
Lack of communication is at the core of the problem. Informed flyers will be more understanding of the difficulties faced by airlines when inclement weather disrupts flight schedules
BUSINESS
How technology has changed the way one applies for IPOs
If one example is to be cited of technology revolutionising a particular business and keeping pace with investor requirements, it is the stock market. In earlier decades, the IPO process was not only cumbersome and time consuming, but also full of tension for the investor, because the onus of monitoring progress from application to receipt of physical shares was with him
BUSINESS
Delay in Go First’s revival plan calls for a change in strategy
It will be in the fitness of things that the CoC and the DGCA adopt a proactive approach; consider wresting the initiative from the RP as lenders have more at stake than other stakeholders with the risk of losing Rs 6,521 crore lent to the beleaguered airline
BUSINESS
Maharajah is an integral and indispensable part of Air India's identity
The new identity is to be unveiled on August 10. Will the creative team assigned the task of creating a new corporate identity tinker around by giving the Maharajah a contemporary look or go for a complete overhaul?
TRENDS
Go First Revival Plan: DGCA’s nod welcome but stipulated riders tough to follow
If an adequate number of aircraft aren’t available for flying, how can Go First fly; if it somehow manages to fly, how would it comply with the DGCA’s stipulated condition of ensuring at all times “continuing airworthiness of the aircraft engaged in operation”
BUSINESS
Indigo’s near two-thirds market share is worrying, but can’t fault the airline
The airline has not only ensured capacity augmentation by placing huge orders for aircraft so that it has the required capacity for deployment as the Indian market grows but has also ensured profitable operations in an environment where most airlines have failed miserably
BUSINESS
Aircraft lessors' cooperation imperative for Go First’s revival
In a friendly environment, aircraft lessors would have possibly offered some concessions and been on the same page as the airline on its revival plan since it is in their interest too to see Go First airborne again. Go First’s handling of aircraft lessors and other stakeholders hasn’t simply been professional
INDIA
Time stricter laws were enacted to check unruly behaviour on flights
Instances of unruly behaviour are rising at an alarming pace, affecting the image of the country and its airlines. Existing laws governing such behaviour have proved to be woefully inadequate as a deterrent. It is clear that tougher rules are needed to control the menace.
BUSINESS
Interim funding for Go First is fine but a Satyam-like management change needed
Put in place a new team of professionals, make the airline operations sustainable and then look for a new promoter who can infuse more cash and ensure a better and sustained future for the airline
BUSINESS
Was Go First’s plea for voluntary insolvency a masterstroke or a mega disaster?
If viewed from the limited perspective of Go First’s inability to meet its financial commitments, the voluntary insolvency action can be described by some as a masterstroke because the airline gained moratorium on all payments. If judged from the perspective of airline business, the plea can be described as a disastrous decision since the airline remains grounded, with no solution on the horizon
BUSINESS
As upswing in air travel continues, plan for winter now
Advance and meticulous planning by the civil aviation ministry will go a long way in ensuring that the winter schedule doesn’t become a winter of discontent for air travellers through inadequate flights in a growth-oriented market, unlikely disruptions and consequent high fares
BUSINESS
Exorbitant Air Fares: A case of flawed diagnosis blinding us to the solution
Some airlines are operating far fewer flights than what DGCA approved and this is impacting air fares. There is monetary incentive for airlines to operate fewer flights for attaining higher load factors (and at extraordinarily high fares). DGCA must monitor actual flight operations vis-a-vis flight approvals that it has granted.
TRENDS
A retrospective of Air India’s historic, first international flight on its 75th anniversary
On June 8, 1948, the inaugural Air India International flight from Mumbai (then Bombay) to London via Cairo and Geneva, took off amidst great fanfare with 35 passengers on board.
INDIA
The traumatic impact of a train accident stays on, even after 42 years
Every time I travelled by train to the coalfields in Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha in Maharashtra from Nagpur, the train travel disturbed me
BUSINESS
Fewer flights, higher fares: Should DGCA make airlines fly more?
While the DGCA cannot ask the airlines to review fares, it can ensure that the capacity deployment conforms to the schedules submitted and approved by the regulator
INDIA
Go First’s aircraft lessors caught in a legal tangle, sent back to NCLT
How justified is a legal process, which, while proceeding towards resolution of an issue of one corporate entity, creates complications for others?
TRENDS
The future of Go First pilots can’t be risked. They deserve a fair deal
If Go First management is confident and sanguine about its revival, it needs to affirm the same with some financial guarantees. Pilots certainly can’t be expected to link their future with the airline’s uncertain fate because there are numerous imponderables involved in the path to revival
BUSINESS
Stricter monitoring & better data analysis by DGCA can avert surprises in airline business
The information sought monthly from airlines needs a drastic change so that deteriorating operational and financial trends can be promptly observed and no stakeholder is caught unawares when an airline eventually ceases operations
BUSINESS
Go First insolvency filing: Operational inefficiencies & regulatory inadequacies can’t be overlooked
As a regulatory agency, the DGCA ought to have realised that Go First had problems on hand. Not only had the airline’s market share seen a gradual fall in recent months but the airline had also asked for fewer flights operation while seeking approval for its summer schedule
TRENDS
Foreign airlines have dominated Indian skies, time now for Indian carriers
Indian aviation can grow and prosper if Indian carriers seize the opportunity to expand their network, which should include long-haul sectors
BUSINESS
Should airlines be wary of the emerging threat from Vande Bharat trains?
While the Vande Bharat trains may not have created waves to rapidly change the perception of train travel, the airlines do need to take note of the expanding network of Vande Bharat trains
BUSINESS
Can Air India be a ‘poster boy’ for PSUs awaiting disinvestment?
As the government has ambitious plans of exiting from several non-strategic PSUs, Air India has become a fine example for both dispelling motivated and misplaced propaganda as also for convincing stakeholders that disinvestment can ensure a brighter future for them
