Tag Archives: Air India

Air India unveils its transformation plan named Vihaan.AI

Air India today unveiled its comprehensive transformation plan, to establish itself, once again, as a world-class global airline with an Indian heart – the absolute best in class in customer service, in technology, in product, in reliability and in hospitality. The plan is fittingly titled “Vihaan.AI”, which in Sanskrit signifies the dawn of a new era, with identified objectives for Air India over the next 5 years.

As part of Vihaan.AI, Air India has put into place a detailed roadmap 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.

Over the next 5 years, Air India will strive to increase its market share to at least 30% in the domestic market while significantly growing the international routes from the present market share. The plan is aimed at putting Air India on a path to sustained growth, profitability and market leadership.

Vihaan.AI has been developed after extensive feedback from Air India employees on their aspirations and hopes for the airline’s growth. Vihaan.AI focuses on five key pillars, exceptional customer experience, robust operations, industry-best talent, industry leadership, and commercial efficiency and profitability. While the immediate focus of the airline remains on fixing the basics and readying itself for growth (Taxiing Phase), the more medium-to-long term focus will be on building for excellence and establishing scale to become a global industry leader (Take Off & Climb phases).

Commenting on Vihaan.AI, Mr. Campbell Wilson, MD, and CEO, Air India said, “This is the beginning of a historic transformation for Air India, and the dawn of a new era. We are laying the foundation for a brave new Air India, with a renewed sense of purpose and incredible momentum.  Vihaan.AI is our transformation plan to make Air India the world class airline it once was, and that it deserves to be again.  We are absolutely focussed on being recognized as a world-class airline serving global customers, with a proudly Indian heart.”

Air India aircraft photo Gallery:

Air India increases Delhi to Vancouver flights to daily from August 31, restores 777-300ER aircraft

Air India Boeing 777-337 ER VT-ALN (msn 36312) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955332.

Air India has announced the increase in frequencies between Delhi and Vancouver, Canada, from 3x weekly to daily service with effect from August 31.

This enhancement in frequency caters to growing traffic between India and Canada, and has been enabled by the return to service of the widebody Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft with three class configuration of first, business and economy.

Manufacturer Boeing has been working closely with Air India following its acquisition by Tata Group to restore aircraft that had been grounded for prolonged periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons. The progressive restoration of these aircraft has already allowed Air India to increase schedule resilience and will allow further frequency and network increases over the coming months.

Air India’s widebody fleet currently stands at 43 aircraft, of which 33 are operational. This is a significant improvement from 28 aircraft that the airline was operating until recently. The remaining aircraft will be progressively returned to service by early 2023.

DELHI – VANCOUVER SCHEDULE FROM AUGUST 31, 2022

Route

Flight No.

Days of operation Daily

Departure

Arrival

Delhi-Vancouver

AI 185

Daily

05:15hrs

07:15hrs

Vancouver-Delhi

AI 186

Daily

10:15hrs

   13:15hrs+1

Top Copyright Photo: Air India Boeing 777-337 ER VT-ALN (msn 36312) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955332.

Air India aircraft photo gallery:

 

Could Vistara be merged into Air India?

Tata Sons, the new owners of Air India, have reportedly held exploratory talks with Singapore Airlines, its joint-venture partner in full-service airline, Vistara.

The two parties are exploring a possible merger with Air India, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Vistara aircraft photo gallery:

 

Air India is handed over to the Tata Group

Air India and Air India Express are entering a new chapter today and will travel full circle in its history.

The airline is reverting back to the Tata Group ownership again today (January 27).

Air India aircraft slide show:

Air India aircraft photo gallery:

Challenges abound as Tata draws up flight plan for Air India

From the Times of India:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/challenges-abound-as-tata-draws-up-flight-plan-for-air-india/articleshow/87135089.cms

Tata Group and Air India are reunited again

Tata Group has become the winning bidder for Air India. The airline was originally founded by the group as Tata Airways until 1953 when it was renamed.

Tata and Air India are being reunited after almost 70 years.

The group bid $2.4 billion for the flag carrier along with its Air India Express subsidiary. The Indian Government will turn over the assets of both airlines once the deal is finalized.

Once completed, Air India and Air India Express will operate under an investment group, formally named Talace Pvt Ltd, which is also the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tata Sons Group.

The group currently has two Indian joint ventures with Singapore Airlines and AirAsia as Vistara Air and AirAsia India. The future of these two carriers is uncertain with this purchase.

Other articles:

https://www.forbesindia.com/blog/storyboard/storyboard-a-rebirth-for-air-india-and-its-maharajah/

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/what-the-tatas-must-do-to-make-air-india-fly-high-again-7564921.html

The story of how Tata Airlines became Air India:

https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/how-tata-airlines-became-air-india-551239.html

Will Air India be sold to the original owners, Tata Brothers?

Air India Boeing 777-337 ER VT-ALN (msn 36312) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955332.

The winning party for Air India remains murky at best.

Bloomberg earlier reported a panel of Indian Government ministers had selected the bid of the Tata Brothers for control of the Air India assets. Tata was the original owner of Air India when it started operations as Tata Airlines.

However Reuters issued this report:

“India’s finance ministry said on Friday reports suggesting the government has picked a winning bid for the debt-laden state-run airline Air India were incorrect.

Earlier on Friday, Bloomberg reported that a panel of ministers accepted a proposal from officials recommending salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Sons ahead of an offer from Ajay Singh, promoter of India’s airline operator Spicejet Ltd.

“Media reports indicating approval of financial bids by Government of India in the AI disinvestment case are incorrect,” the ministry said in a tweet. “Media will be informed of the Government decision as and when it is taken.”

Air India has not commented.

Top Copyright Photo: Air India Boeing 777-337 ER VT-ALN (msn 36312) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955332.

Air India aircraft slide show:

 

 

GlobalData: Air India opens for bids, but investment in the struggling airline could prove risky

From GlobalData:

https://www.globaldata.com/air-india-opens-bids-investment-struggling-airline-prove-risky-says-globaldata/

Air India to resume Vancouver flights on October 1

Air India has announced it will resume its nonstop flight to Vancouver (YVR) from Delhi (DEL) on every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from October 1, 2021.

Historic Photo: Air India Boeing 777-237 LR VT-ALA (msn 36300) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 954663.

Rare photo of first 2007 AI livery - never adopted, changed before delivery

Copyright Photo: Rare photo of first 2007 AI livery – never adopted, changed before delivery: Air India Boeing 777-237 LR VT-ALA (msn 36300) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 954663.