Air India: Can my 20th-century airline of choice lure me back?
1 year, 11 months ago

Air India: Can my 20th-century airline of choice lure me back?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “If we’re providing reliability, good value, good service, good brand, good prices, nonstop service, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t choose us.” Air India began life in 1932 as Tata Air Services, but spent decades as a bloated, loss-making nationalised carrier – protected against foreign competion by restrictions that suppressed international capacity. “Because they knew, right now, it’s going to be done properly.” Right now Air India is in an expansive mood, with 470 new planes on order from Airbus and Boeing almost quadrupling its fleet – thanks to what Mr Wilson calls “patient and visionary capital” invested by Tata Group. “Sit back and look at the India story: 1.3 billion people, 6.5 per cent economic growth, air travel growing 1.5 per cent faster than GDP. Mr Moulton offers some free advice for a carrier based in a nation with some notorious red tape for visitors: “Air India needs to focus growing in major cities which have high yield and point-to-point potential.

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History of this topic

Dominance of foreign airlines on international routes to benefit Indian carriers: ICRA
5 days, 21 hours ago

Dominance of foreign airlines on international routes to benefit Indian carriers: ICRA

Live Mint  

New Delhi, March 20 : The dominance of foreign airlines on international routes presents a significant growth opportunity for Indian carriers, according to a report by rating agency ICRA. International air passenger traffic for Indian carriers is projected to grow by 15-20 per cent in FY2025 and FY2026, against domestic air traffic growth of 7-10 per cent per year. Indian …

In charts: How Indian airlines are going international
2 weeks, 3 days ago

In charts: How Indian airlines are going international

Live Mint  

Ahead of the summer season, India's two leading airlines are ramping up their international presence. In February, Air India announced more flights on 10 international routes from end-March, as well as new or expanded tie-ups with five foreign carriers covering 48 foreign destinations. Indeed, though Indian airlines still trail foreign carriers, they have come out on the other side of …

Air India ‘bullish’ on long-haul international routes
2 months, 1 week ago

Air India ‘bullish’ on long-haul international routes

The Hindu  

Air India Group, which completes three years of privatisation this month, has recorded the fastest growth in passengers on its far-flung international destinations such as the U.S., Europe and Australia. Air India’s focus on long-haul markets is complemented by its efforts to grow traffic on metro to metro routes domestically, where the Group is the second biggest with a 30% …

Air India ‘bullish’ on long-haul travel
2 months, 1 week ago

Air India ‘bullish’ on long-haul travel

The Hindu  

Air India Group, which completes three years of privatisation this month, has recorded the fastest growth in market share on far-flung international destinations such as the U.S., Europe and Australia. In comparison, the passenger share of the Group, including the low-cost carrier Air India Express, has grown by 4% to 30% on domestic routes, while short-haul international routes have seen …

Air India to see major expansion, increase global coverage: Airline chief
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Air India to see major expansion, increase global coverage: Airline chief

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Air India, which added 100 new aircraft to its order book towards the end of 2024, is set to see major expansions and increase its global coverage in 2025, the airline’s chief executive officer Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday. In his New Year greetings, Wilson said that the airline’s mergers and new aircraft deliveries have taken the Air …

Air India enhances fleet with 300 aircraft, aiming for global expansion by 2025
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Air India enhances fleet with 300 aircraft, aiming for global expansion by 2025

Hindustan Times  

Air India has covered a lot of ground since privatisation and its global coverage will further increase in the years ahead, the airline's chief Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday. In his New Year message, Wilson said these mergers and new aircraft deliveries have taken Air India Group's fleet to 300 aircraft, allowing it to expand to over 100 domestic and …

One route at a time, Air India is passing Tier-II routes to Air India Express
3 months ago

One route at a time, Air India is passing Tier-II routes to Air India Express

Live Mint  

Over the last few months, Air India Express saw its fleet go up by five planes. While Boeing has not restarted deliveries, Air India Express is getting planes from parent Air India, which is sending out its all-economy planes — both old and new — to Air India Express. The initial focus of Air India Express seemed to be on …

Indian airlines have expanded, but empty spots remain due to geopolitics
3 months, 1 week ago

Indian airlines have expanded, but empty spots remain due to geopolitics

Live Mint  

In the last two years, Indian carriers led by IndiGo and Air India have added international flights to a plethora of destinations. As the airlines aim to make India a transit hub and expand their wings, Air India and IndiGo have helped bridge the gap between connectivity by foreign and Indian carriers. The real expansion for Indian carriers started in …

International Civil Aviation Day: A glimpse into India's aviation industry
3 months, 2 weeks ago

International Civil Aviation Day: A glimpse into India's aviation industry

India Today  

International Civil Aviation Day, celebrated every year on December 7, is an important occasion to recognise the role of aviation in global connectivity, economic development, and fostering cultural exchange. This day also draws attention to the challenges faced by the aviation industry and the progress made in ensuring the safety, sustainability, and accessibility of air travel. In 2023, India’s aviation …

Indian Airlines Unable To Hike Fares Despite Surging Travel Demand, Says Report
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Indian Airlines Unable To Hike Fares Despite Surging Travel Demand, Says Report

ABP News  

The aviation industry in India has been booming recently with demand for travel surging, however, the airlines are still struggling to increase their fares. Official data from the International Air Transport Association revealed that domestic flight prices majorly remained stagnant, often reaching close to or even below 2025 levels. The data showed that airfares have not been able to keep …

Flying’s new high: Raise a toast to it?
4 months, 1 week ago

Flying’s new high: Raise a toast to it?

Live Mint  

It’s ironic that airlines in India aren’t in the best of shape, but demand for air travel in the country is touching new peaks. Surprisingly, though, a new record has been scaled weeks after Diwali, which suggests durable strength in this market, with its pandemic slump now a fading memory. While capacity has expanded a bit, a long expected wait …

Why Indian carriers struggle to survive despite airport boom and record footfall
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Why Indian carriers struggle to survive despite airport boom and record footfall

Firstpost  

The Indian aviation industry may seem to be soaring, but it has a history of airline shutdowns due to money troubles, intense competition and management issues. While Air India merged with Indian Airlines in 2007 to become the largest full-service airline, other major players like Kingfisher, Jet Airways and Air Sahara all eventually collapsed. Boeing’s 2023 outlook estimates that over …

One market, two models: How a Vistara-enhanced Air India will take on budget airlines like IndiGo
4 months, 2 weeks ago

One market, two models: How a Vistara-enhanced Air India will take on budget airlines like IndiGo

Firstpost  

The merger of Vistara with Air India sets the stage for a fierce battle between full-service luxury and budget-friendly options as IndiGo continues to dominate the low-cost market On November 12, 2024, the Indian aviation industry will see a major shift with Vistara, a full-service airline jointly owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, merging with Air India, which is …

The forgotten 5%, India's well-heeled flier, set to be back on airline radar soon
8 months ago

The forgotten 5%, India's well-heeled flier, set to be back on airline radar soon

Hindustan Times  

I don’t know how many readers will recall but there was a time in the 1970s and 1980s when air travel in India was the preserve of a very few. Predictably, certain aspects of air travel took quite a knock once India’s low-fare airline revolution hit in the early 2000s. On June 19, Air India announced that it has refitted …

Need to strengthen Indian airlines for international air travel: Economic Survey 2024
8 months ago

Need to strengthen Indian airlines for international air travel: Economic Survey 2024

The Hindu  

Indian airlines need to be strengthened in order to ensure long-haul international air connectivity, the Economic Survey 2024 said. The emphasis on supporting Indian carriers, it said, was required to plug the leak caused by a large proportion of Indian long-haul international traffic travelling through connectivity hubs in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. At the same time, Air India …

Air India Delhi-Vancouver flight takes off after 22 hours delay in third incident in a week
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Air India Delhi-Vancouver flight takes off after 22 hours delay in third incident in a week

The Hindu  

Air India's Vancouver flight from Delhi of June 1 finally departed at 3.15 a.m. on June 2 after a delay of nearly 22 hours, a source said. "The Delhi-Vancouver flight of Air India, which was to depart on Saturday morning, finally left at around 3.15 a.m. on Sunday," the source said. "AI 185.was delayed because of technical issues and subsequently …

After decades of decline, Air India is betting billions on a comeback
10 months, 2 weeks ago

After decades of decline, Air India is betting billions on a comeback

Al Jazeera  

CEO Campbell Wilson says journey to restoring Air India’s reputation is ‘well under way’. Tasked with leading this mission is Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, who was recruited from Singapore’s low-cost airline Scoot in 2022 to turn around the carrier, founded in 1932 by French-Indian aviator entrepreneur JRD Tata. After the “capital-intensive” five-year plan is completed, Air India hopes to …

Air India’s ‘queen of the sky’ takes off from Mumbai for the last time
11 months ago

Air India’s ‘queen of the sky’ takes off from Mumbai for the last time

Hindustan Times  

Mumbai: Mumbaiites living in the vicinity of the airport might have witnessed something highly unusual — and somewhat scary to the untrained eye — on Monday morning. Air India posted a video of Agra’s wing wave on X, along with the message: “Today, we wave goodbye to the first of our last ‘Queen of the Skies’, the B747, departing Mumbai. …

Airfares are soaring amid turbulence in civil aviation
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Airfares are soaring amid turbulence in civil aviation

Live Mint  

With India’s civil aviation sector going through turbulence, fliers are being forced to tighten their budgetary belts, as airfares have soared at a dizzying angle. For a quick explanation, Exhibit ‘A’ is Tata-run Vistara’s recent declaration of scaling back operations by about 25-30 flights per day, or roughly 10% of its capacity, amid a shortage of pilots. After Air India’s …

From the India Today archives (2006) | When Naresh Goyal ruled Indian aviation
1 year, 2 months ago

From the India Today archives (2006) | When Naresh Goyal ruled Indian aviation

India Today  

“Naresh, if you cannot make Jet Airways better than the best, then send these two aircraft back today.” That was father of Indian aviation, J.R.D. In the 12 years since those prophetic words were spoken, Goyal, chairman and 80 per cent owner of the Rs 11,000 crore Jet Airways, has lived up to the exceptionally high standards set by JRD. …

British Airways looks to expand in India, says CEO
1 year, 8 months ago

British Airways looks to expand in India, says CEO

Live Mint  

British Airways Sean Doyle's chief on Friday talked about the growth in air travel demand in India and the airline is mulling over an expansion. While talking at PTI media roundtable Sean Doyle said that the airline is witnessing a balanced growth in India and a jump is Currently, British Airways has 56 weekly frequencies connecting five Indian cities like …

British Airways sees demand growth in India; keen to increase flights to Delhi, Mumbai
1 year, 8 months ago

British Airways sees demand growth in India; keen to increase flights to Delhi, Mumbai

India TV News  

British Airways sees demand growth in India; keen to increase flights to Delhi, Mumbai British Airways, is keen on boosting the number of flights from the UK to New Delhi and Mumbai, due to the increase in air travel demand in India. British Airways, which has been operational in India for nearly a century, is keen on increasing the flights …

India is now the most populous country in the world. And it’s ready to become a tourism force
55 years, 2 months ago

India is now the most populous country in the world. And it’s ready to become a tourism force

CNN  

CNN — Having recently become the world’s most populous nation, India has sparked much speculation about whether it will continue to surpass China in other arenas. India is experiencing what Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of travel and bookings website Agoda, calls a tourism “boom,” and is currently “the biggest growing outbound destination.” While the total number of travelers coming from some …

India deserves to have non-stop flights to more overseas destinations: Air India CEO
1 year, 9 months ago

India deserves to have non-stop flights to more overseas destinations: Air India CEO

The Hindu  

Asserting that India deserves to have international non-stop connectivity to more destinations, Air India chief Campbell Wilson has said the country has in some respect not been able to control its own destiny as a consequence of not having a healthy domestic airline industry. Mr. Wilson, who is piloting Air India's massive expansion plans in terms of fleet as well …

India deserves to have non-stop flights to more overseas destinations: Air India CEO
1 year, 9 months ago

India deserves to have non-stop flights to more overseas destinations: Air India CEO

India TV News  

Asserting that India deserves to have international non-stop connectivity to more destinations, Air India chief Campbell Wilson has said the country has in some respect not been able to control its own destiny as a consequence of not having a healthy domestic airline industry. This is not the first time that an airline has failed in the country and "it …

‘A passenger boarding Air India must be pleasantly surprised’: CEO Campbell Wilson
1 year, 9 months ago

‘A passenger boarding Air India must be pleasantly surprised’: CEO Campbell Wilson

The Hindu  

Air India has moved from its “taxi” phase and is now in “take-off” mode, the second phase of its comprehensive five-year transformation programme, said Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson. The consolidated Air India will be one full service airline called Air India, and one low cost airline called Air India Express which will fly narrowbody aircraft domestically …

Why airlines keep folding in India’s booming aviation market
1 year, 10 months ago

Why airlines keep folding in India’s booming aviation market

Live Mint  

Go Airlines India Ltd. this week became the latest victim in the battle of the skies over India. Go, run by cookie-to-clothing magnate Nusli Wadia’s group, is the third high-profile carrier majority owned by a billionaire that has ceased to fly in the past 11 years. Modi has committed to steer the state away from business, proving his credentials by …

Inside the Centre’s plan to boost Indian airlines overseas
1 year, 11 months ago

Inside the Centre’s plan to boost Indian airlines overseas

Live Mint  

MUMBAI : In 2017, the aviation ministry was headed by Ashok Gajapathi Raju, a leader of the Telugu Desam Party, which was an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party until 2019. Boosting Indian carriers Several international airlines have been working hard to sway India’s firm stand and negotiate an increase in bilateral flying rights. But, he added that the government, …

Air India CEO Opposes Demands of Gulf Carriers for More Flights into India; Focuses on Non-stop Routes
1 year, 11 months ago

Air India CEO Opposes Demands of Gulf Carriers for More Flights into India; Focuses on Non-stop Routes

The Hindu  

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson came out all guns blazing against demands from Gulf carriers such as Emirates to allow them more flights into the country, adding that India must not “open the floodgates” as it was in the “national interest” for his firm to develop non-stop routes and for Indian travellers to enjoy direct flights to destinations in the …

India resists calls for more air access in drive to be global aviation force
2 years ago

India resists calls for more air access in drive to be global aviation force

Live Mint  

India dampened foreign airline hopes for more access to its airports on Tuesday, with its aviation minister urging domestic carriers to fly long-haul and help establish new hubs as it seeks to recapture control of Indian travel from foreign rivals. "We are going to see an explosion of air traffic in India in the years to come," he said, adding …

Emirates airlines president Tim Clark: Curbs on Gulf flights will retard India’s growth, cost carriers dear
2 years ago

Emirates airlines president Tim Clark: Curbs on Gulf flights will retard India’s growth, cost carriers dear

The Hindu  

He is a global aviation leader today, but Emirates airlines president Tim Clark’s childhood memories are filled with experiences of flying with Air India, be its Constellation aircraft, his first Jet flight on the erstwhile national carrier’s Boeing 707, “to-die” for interiors, and “friendly” saree-clad cabin crew. And, while Air India in its heydays put the country on a global …

Air India Changing Global Geopolitics Through Aviation - News18
2 years, 1 month ago

Air India Changing Global Geopolitics Through Aviation - News18

News 18  

A country can take bold decisions only when it can stand on its own feet, and when India makes such a call, it does so because it has made itself that strong to be able to do it. Air India has also placed orders with Boeing and Airbus for 470 new aircraft, the largest by a single entity. Air India’s …

India’s military, civil ambitions to dominate Aero India show
2 years, 1 month ago

India’s military, civil ambitions to dominate Aero India show

Live Mint  

India is scouting for billions of dollars worth of military planes, completing jetliner deals to meet civilian demand and pressing global aircraft manufacturers to produce more locally at a major air show this week. As the country prepares to host the Aero India show in Bengaluru from Monday, its airlines are expanding, with Air India expected to announce a potentially …

Air India inches closer to seal half of jumbo plane order
2 years, 1 month ago

Air India inches closer to seal half of jumbo plane order

Live Mint  

Air India will on Friday seal half of an order for some 495 jets with Boeing and engine suppliers General Electric and CFM International, industry sources said, as its new owner seeks to revive the airline and compete with larger rivals. After months of closely guarded, tough negotiations, Air India is set to place an order for 190 Boeing 737 …

Tata’s Air India to seal half of jumbo plane order today
2 years, 1 month ago

Tata’s Air India to seal half of jumbo plane order today

Live Mint  

Air India will on Friday seal half of an order worth billions of dollars for some 495 jets with Boeing and engine suppliers General Electric and CFM International, two industry sources said, as its new owner seeks to revive the airline and compete with much larger rivals. After months of closely-guarded, tough negotiations, Air India is set to place an …

DC Edit | Good news in India’s skies
2 years, 3 months ago

DC Edit | Good news in India’s skies

Deccan Chronicle  

The merger of Vistara and Air India is good news for Air India. It may take a while for it to turn out to be good for the average Indian flier as the merger, by 2024, promises to make Air India a bigger entity as the country’s second biggest domestic carrier behind IndiGo. The synergy will bring an infusion of …

Air India to introduce premium economy class in long haul flights from December | DETAILS
2 years, 4 months ago

Air India to introduce premium economy class in long haul flights from December | DETAILS

India TV News  

Air India news : Air India will be introducing premium economy class in some of its long haul international flights next month, its chief Campbell Wilson said today as the Tata group-owned airline works on ways to expand its market share as well as the global network. Addressing an event organised by JRD Tata Memorial Trust, Wilson also said opportunities …

Why it's all aligned for Indian airlines to grab more of global skies
2 years, 5 months ago

Why it's all aligned for Indian airlines to grab more of global skies

Live Mint  

Mint recently reported that the government had held discussions with Indian airlines on exploring wide-body aircraft operations to build India as a global aviation hub. This means that foreign carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, British Airways, United and Lufthansa, which operate wide-body aircraft are able to make full use of these mega airports that India has constructed. Why …

Air India adds 24 flights for more connectivity between metros; details here
2 years, 7 months ago

Air India adds 24 flights for more connectivity between metros; details here

Firstpost  

Currently, Air India’s fleet consists of 70 aircrafts, out of which 54 are in service, whereas, 16 will return to the service clan by early 2023. In efforts to increase connectivity between key metropolitan cities in the country, Tata-owned Air India announced an increase of 24 flights in their domestic fleet. Air India, in a statement, mentioned that the 24 …

Government’s Air India move shows Narendra Modi is both a staunch welfarist and an outstanding reformer
3 years, 1 month ago

Government’s Air India move shows Narendra Modi is both a staunch welfarist and an outstanding reformer

Firstpost  

The state has no business to be in business and that has been best amplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for good reasons and more The Modi government has allocated Rs 9,259 crore to Air India Assets Holding Limited, a government-owned special purpose vehicle set up to handle Air India’s debt and non-core assets, for the next financial year starting …

Tracing Air India's eight-decade-long journey
3 years, 1 month ago

Tracing Air India's eight-decade-long journey

Hindustan Times  

Air India is expected to return to the Tata Group after eight decades, which saw the airline witnessing several ups and downs. The process started two decades ago, when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee invited bids to sell the government's 40 per cent stake in the national carrier. The foundation Air India was founded by industrialist Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy …

Air India: Sold for a song
3 years, 4 months ago

Air India: Sold for a song

The Hindu  

Legend has it that when J.R.D. The return comes 68 years after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nationalised nine airlines through the Air Corporations Act, 1953, including Air India, in which the Tatas held a 25 per cent stake. Of the Rs.18,000 crore, Rs.15,300 crore, or 85 per cent, will go towards servicing Air India’s accumulated debt, which as of August …

A homecoming: The Hindu Editorial on Air India and the Tatas
3 years, 5 months ago

A homecoming: The Hindu Editorial on Air India and the Tatas

The Hindu  

Air India, the airline started by J.R.D. For the Tatas, who have retained an abiding interest in the country’s airline industry and currently majority own both a budget carrier, AirAsia India, and a full-service airline, Vistara, the Air India acquisition brings opportunities to gain scale and synergies at a significant level. With Air India and its low-cost unit, Air India …

Air India: India agrees deal to sell national airline back to business giant Tata
3 years, 5 months ago

Air India: India agrees deal to sell national airline back to business giant Tata

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India’s debt-ridden national carrier Air …

Air India returns home to Tata Group: Chronology of Air India privatisation
3 years, 5 months ago

Air India returns home to Tata Group: Chronology of Air India privatisation

Firstpost  

Tata Sons makes the winning bid of Rs 18,000 cr for Air India privatisation as the airline returns to its founder after 68 years New Delhi: After more than two decades and three attempts, the government has finally sold its flagship national carrier Air India, and it is deja vu for Maharaja as it returned home to its founding father …

Air India finds a new address: Chronology of Air India privatisation
3 years, 5 months ago

Air India finds a new address: Chronology of Air India privatisation

The Hindu  

After more than two decades and three attempts, the government has finally sold its flagship national carrier Air India, and it is deja vu for Maharaja as it returned home to its founding father the Tata group. Here is a chronology of Air India privatisation plan: June 2017: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave in-principle approval to the consideration …

In a First, Air India to Operate Non-stop Hyderabad-London Flight
3 years, 6 months ago

In a First, Air India to Operate Non-stop Hyderabad-London Flight

News 18  

Air India is set to commence its first ever non-stop service between Hyderabad and London, with the first flight arriving here from the UK capital on Thursday. The flight will operate twice a week with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 256 seats, including 18 in Business Class and 238 in Economy Class configuration. At present, Air …

Air India cancels UK flights from April 24 to 30 after Britain's travel restrictions decision
3 years, 11 months ago

Air India cancels UK flights from April 24 to 30 after Britain's travel restrictions decision

India TV News  

National carrier Air India has decided to cancel flights between India and the UK from April 24 to 30. "Passengers who were to travel between India and UK, may kindly note that in view of recent restrictions announced by UK, flts from and to UK stand cancelled from 24th to 30th April '21. Recently, the UK said it will impose …

India bans UK flights till 31 Dec
4 years, 3 months ago

India bans UK flights till 31 Dec

Live Mint  

India has suspended flights to and from the UK till 31 December to prevent the spread of a new strain of the coronavirus that is considered to be 70% more infectious. Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan had also written to civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, seeking suspension of flights to and from the UK during 22-31 December. Vistara and Air …

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