Civil Aviation Development & Discussion

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 03 Nov 2011 04:13

US Airways moves call centers back to the US

The new call centers will be located in Winston-Salem, N.C., Phoenix, and Reno, Nev.

The airline said the project is part of its agreement with the Airline Customer Service Employee Association, which represents more than 6,000 reservations and airport customer service employees employed by US Airways. The new positions meet a contractual requirement to handle all general reservations sales calls originating in the United States in U.S. call centers by Nov. 1, 2011.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 03 Nov 2011 18:31

Air India needs a private management to sort out many of their issues. At present Air India is not doing any business at all. They are flying often empty except seasons. Their prices are artificially kept high that they do not want people to buy them at all. They should increase the staff salary into an attractive package and make the new jobs contract based. Also make it competitive enough with good facilities. Without a private management Air India or Indian Airlines are not going survive rather eat people's tax money with a loss. It will also be good to divide these flights into four or five regions and give different names and run as competitive systems though they will be under central government but they need more attractive bits in terms of their services and in terms of their attitude towards customers.

IT is better to make Air India to work under a private management not privatising rather bringing it under a management that can run well similar to SPIC and other govt companies which are making good profit to the govt with their service and productions.

m_nair · Post by **m_nair** » 04 Nov 2011 20:14

joshvajohn wrote:Air India needs a private management to sort out many of their issues. At present Air India is not doing any business at all. They are flying often empty except seasons. Their prices are artificially kept high that they do not want people to buy them at all. They should increase the staff salary into an attractive package and make the new jobs contract based. Also make it competitive enough with good facilities. Without a private management Air India or Indian Airlines are not going survive rather eat people's tax money with a loss. It will also be good to divide these flights into four or five regions and give different names and run as competitive systems though they will be under central government but they need more attractive bits in terms of their services and in terms of their attitude towards customers.

IT is better to make Air India to work under a private management not privatising rather bringing it under a management that can run well similar to SPIC and other govt companies which are making good profit to the govt with their service and productions.

That's going to be too hard for the commie backed unions at Air Parasite to swallow. Don't expect any miracles from the Kangress government. Plus they do not have b@ll$ to take on the unions and privatize Air Parasite.

BTW, the Gulf based airlines are making a killing flying Indians out of US and Europe. Emirates is starting to fly from Dallas Ft.Worth to India via Dubai from february 2012.

Not sure why GOI is not allowing other airlines to take advantage of this huge market.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 04 Nov 2011 20:24

m_nair wrote:
joshvajohn wrote:Air India needs a private management to sort out many of their issues. At present Air India is not doing any business at all. They are flying often empty except seasons. Their prices are artificially kept high that they do not want people to buy them at all. They should increase the staff salary into an attractive package and make the new jobs contract based. Also make it competitive enough with good facilities. Without a private management Air India or Indian Airlines are not going survive rather eat people's tax money with a loss. It will also be good to divide these flights into four or five regions and give different names and run as competitive systems though they will be under central government but they need more attractive bits in terms of their services and in terms of their attitude towards customers.

IT is better to make Air India to work under a private management not privatising rather bringing it under a management that can run well similar to SPIC and other govt companies which are making good profit to the govt with their service and productions.

That's going to be too hard for the commie backed unions at Air Parasite to swallow. Don't expect any miracles from the Kangress government. Plus they do not have b@ll$ to take on the unions and privatize Air Parasite.

BTW, the Gulf based airlines are making a killing flying Indians out of US and Europe. Emirates is starting to fly from Dallas Ft.Worth to India via Dubai from february 2012.

Not sure why GOI is not allowing other airlines to take advantage of this huge market.

Private management, public management, temple management no effing management can manage the PARASITIC pilots of Air India.

Those morons are the real killers of the airline.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 05 Nov 2011 02:18

chetak wrote:
Private management, public management, temple management no effing management can manage the PARASITIC pilots of Air India.

Those morons are the real killers of the airline.

Chetak saar, then how do the private airlines manage their pilots? None of the airlines are in the pink of financial health, although air parasite is the only one which gobbles up public money.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 05 Nov 2011 09:01

nachiket wrote:
chetak wrote:
Private management, public management, temple management no effing management can manage the PARASITIC pilots of Air India.

Those morons are the real killers of the airline.
Chetak saar, then how do the private airlines manage their pilots? None of the airlines are in the pink of financial health, although air parasite is the only one which gobbles up public money.

No unions and pilots are terminated for unruly behavior. This threat keeps a lot of these jokers in check.

Private airlines are vary of hiring trouble makers and a unofficial rogue list is maintained and made known to all.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 06 Nov 2011 09:59

Know your RIGHTS as an airline passenger

Know your RIGHTS as an airline passenger
November 3, 2011

This article provides details of the new policy made by Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2010 regarding compensation for cancelled flights.

As the winter season approaches, those who fly frequently dread all the cancelled flights, chaos, rudeness and crappiness of flying at such times. This article covers what are your rights as a passenger -- to put it in one line, they are pretty limited. However, it is important to know them so that you can exercise them whenever that specific situation arises.

Can you get compensated for delayed flights?

Cancellation of flights or denial of boarding

Effective from August 15, 2010, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has brought out certain policy changes to ensure appropriate protection for the air travelers in case of flight cancellations. It is now the responsibility of airlines to inform the passenger of cancellations of flights as far in advance as possible of the scheduled time of departure.

In case the passenger has:

Been denied boarding on a flight despite having a confirmed ticket, or
Not been informed of a cancellation at least three hours in advance of the flight on which s/he was scheduled to travel, then the airline has to provide him compensation which includes:
Cash compensation and
A refund of the ticket price or alternative travel arrangements along with certain facilities at the airport
However, the airline will not be required to compensate you where the reason for delay/cancellation is beyond its control.

These are described in more detail below:

1. Refund or alternative travel arrangements:

In addition to the financial compensation described above, airlines will also offer passengers one out of the following choices:
An alternate or subsequent flight of the same airline or on another airline's flight. In case passenger takes this option, s/he is also entitled to free meals and refreshments as well the hotel accommodation, including transfers when necessary, if the waiting time till the next flight is over 24 hours; or
Refund the ticket prices in the event passenger does not wish to travel on these alternative arrangements; or
Provide them alternate travel opportunities at no additional cost (this could be in the form of vouchers, flying miles, coupons etc. that could be used to purchase tickets at a later date).

Example

Suppose you are booked on a flight from Delhi to Bangalore, which cost you Rs 6,000. In case this flight is cancelled AND you are not informed three hours in advance of the departure time AND the cancellation is not because of extraneous reasons like bad weather, terror alerts etc., you are entitled to compensation.

You will get Rs 4,000 as compensation (since the flight time is over two hours). In addition, you have the option to either get a refund of the money you paid for your ticket (Rs 6,000) or to take any subsequent flight or receive vouchers/flying miles/incentives etc. to travel on some another day.

In case you take a subsequent flight, you will be entitled to free use of facilities.

2. Cash compensation

The cash compensation element is as follows:

Important points for passengers to remember:

Provide your contact details at the time of making your booking

In order to get compensation, it is required that at the time of booking ticket, passengers provide their valid contact information e.g. telephone number (landline or mobile), and/or fax number and/or e-mail id.

Choose your option in case of cancellation (i.e. refund or alternative travel) carefully

Once passenger has selected an option, s/he will not have the choice to switch to another form of compensation.

The airline will not be required to compensate you if you do not accept alternative travel arrangements proposed by the airline

Where the airline makes a reasonable proposal for alternate arrangements (for example putting the passenger on the next flight leaving in one hour),than he should not unreasonably demand a refund etc.

The airline will not be required to compensate you where the reason for cancellation is beyond its control

For instance, due to political instability, natural disaster, civil war, insurrection or riot, flood, explosion, government regulation or order affecting the aircraft, strikes and labour disputes causing cessation, slowdown or interruption of work or any other factors that are beyond the control of the airline.

The airline is not required to compensate you if the reason for cancellation is clearly due to the fault of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC)

Airlines would also not be liable to pay any compensation in respect of cancellations clearly attributable to (ATC), meteorological conditions, security risks, or any other causes that are beyond the control of the airline but which affect their ability to operate flights on schedule.

Airline has to prove it contacted you

The burden of proving whether and when the passenger had been informed of the cancellation of the flight shall rest with the operating airline.

Mode of compensation

The compensation can be paid in any mode -- cash, bank transfer or even in form of a signed agreements like travel vouchers.

Measures for passenger redressal

It is the responsibility of the airline counter at the airport to first inform the passenger about the reasons for delay or cancellation of flight and provide them adequate compensation. If aggrieved passenger is not compensated, than s/he may complain to the internal grievances settling mechanism of the airlines.

A nodal officer and the Appellate Authority are generally appointed for settling such passenger grievances. The complaint that is registered is also given a unique reference number.

Airline has to display information about their policies

It is the airlines duty to display the information and inform the passengers about their policies regarding compensation, refunds and the facilities that they will provide in the event of denied boardings, cancellations and delays. Such information should be included in ticketing documents as well the websites (under passenger Charter of Rights) of each airline.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 08 Nov 2011 05:27

Trade war looms over Europe's aircraft carbon tax.

A World Bank report entitled "Mobilizing Climate Finance", prepared for this week's G20 meeting of world leaders in Cannes, France, argues that global carbon taxes on aviation would be a largely painless way of raising revenue and cutting CO2 emissions.

A draft of the paper says that a charge of $25 per tonne on aviation emissions of CO2 "might raise air ticket prices by around 2-4 per cent", while reducing CO2 and other emissions on routes covered by the charges by 5 to 10 per cent. This would happen partly through fewer people flying, but mostly by encouraging the retirement of older, more polluting aircraft, as well as a switch to routes and speeds that economise on fuel, it says. The precise charge for carbon credits to fly into and out of Europe will depend on prices within the ETS, which have recently been around $15 per tonne.

Airlines say the EU's move will damage their profits and reduce investment in clean technology. But the World Bank says that, far from it being an unfair burden, it would "reflect a scaling back of unusually favourable fuel tax treatment". Aviation fuel is currently untaxed worldwide.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 08 Nov 2011 05:30

United and Alaska Airlines compete for leadership in biofuel powered service.

Alaska Air Group estimates the 20 percent certified biofuel blend it is using for the 75 flights will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 10 percent, or 134 metric tons, the equivalent of taking 26 cars off the road for a year. If the company powered all of its flights with a 20 percent biofuel blend for one year, the annual emissions savings would represent the equivalent of taking nearly 64,000 cars off the road or providing electricity to 28,000 homes.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 08 Nov 2011 10:28

Sad state of Mysore Airport - one flight to and fro every day

The Hindu - News Report
Looks like Mysore Airport is becoming a big time white elephant, with no much patronge. A vernacular daily states that only one flight from Kingfisher used to have a trip from Mysore Airport. Kingfisher is in a big mess, and they are planning to wind up this single flight as well. It seems the flight does not even get 50% of its available capacity.

I see even in Kerala politicians and people with no clue demanding airports here,there every where. Hope they also would now rethink on whether such airports at every Panchayath level is required.

anishns · Post by **anishns** » 08 Nov 2011 16:56

Gents! here we go...what do u think is going to be the outcome

Why only a Satyam-like restructuring can save Air India from losses and mounting debt

Yet, the GoM wants to infuse Rs 23,000 crore - of taxpayer money - into Air India by 2020, starting with Rs 6,500 crore this year. It also wants to restructure Rs 22,000 crore of its loans and give the airline a breather on repayment, for which it has sought a view of the banking regulator. In other words, the GoM, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, hopes that more cash will revive the airline.

For example, Air India has 38,000 employees - about three times the industry norm - and they reside in two camps that don't get along. Or, despite accumulated losses of Rs 13,000 crore, it has committed to spending about Rs 20,000 crore to buy 27 Dreamliners from Boeing in the next few years

Truly Air Parasite indeed....

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 09 Nov 2011 11:01

It seems that the King of good times is also going to die.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 09 Nov 2011 11:26

After Kingfisher, it’s Jet. Can anything save the airline industry?

It seems that Industry needs a massive structural adjustment before it can turn profitable.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 09 Nov 2011 11:33

KF is operating on a day to day cash n carry basis. a 15cr check to vendor bounced this week.

the king of good times has ofcourse compartmentalized his wealth so that KF going down keeps the fire away from most of his other holdings (all good businessmen do this), and many a PSU bank incl the vaunted SBI are likely holding 1000s of crores of NPA in airline and realty now.

Netas do not care - they have spiffy BBJ 737, AI planes to comandeer for jaunts and BSF IAI legacy jets for 'short outings'

anishns · Post by **anishns** » 09 Nov 2011 20:19

Airlines don't make money despite privatisation.....neither do the railways and cars are luxury taxed plus high fuel prices.
What does the mango abdul do? buy a pair of bata's i guess...

neerajb · Post by **neerajb** » 10 Nov 2011 18:02

^^^^ You forgot the good old bicycles sir

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 10 Nov 2011 22:46

Mallya is now talking to a Mumbai based industrial house for offloading equity (H&D saving speak, its really selling).
He went to the civil aviation officials complaining that while Air Parasite has the Govt to back it for underwriting the loans
the Pvt sector airlines have no such option

He also wanted further concessions and wanted Air Parasite to take the lead in announcing price hikes on all the routes.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 11 Nov 2011 10:35

It time to say bye bye to the King of good times.

Kingfisher Airlines: is it time to bid adieu?

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 11 Nov 2011 11:12

Singha wrote:KF is operating on a day to day cash n carry basis. a 15cr check to vendor bounced this week.

the king of good times has ofcourse compartmentalized his wealth so that KF going down keeps the fire away from most of his other holdings (all good businessmen do this), and many a PSU bank incl the vaunted SBI are likely holding 1000s of crores of NPA in airline and realty now.

Netas do not care - they have spiffy BBJ 737, AI planes to comandeer for jaunts and BSF IAI legacy jets for 'short outings'

To me this KF airlines business for Mallya to siphon off Black money from his liquor business, now that the deed has been done, he wants to shut it down.

As I explained in earlier posts 70% of the money earned in the Liquor business is black money and the money needs to be laundered out through legitimate businesses.

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Nov 2011 11:18

^^ My dad had got a to-and-fro from BLR-DEL next week Wednesday on KF for just 7K and was really happy about it.

Now he is shivering in his dhoti if the trip will even happen!!

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 11 Nov 2011 12:23

I doubt the bugger is losing much, probably he has some big plans in mind and doesn't mind sacrificing KFA. I doubt being a businessman that he is , he will be running KFA on losses for such a long time

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 11 Nov 2011 14:01

Klaus wrote:Trade war looms over Europe's aircraft carbon tax.

A World Bank report entitled "Mobilizing Climate Finance", prepared for this week's G20 meeting of world leaders in Cannes, France, argues that global carbon taxes on aviation would be a largely painless way of raising revenue and cutting CO2 emissions.

A draft of the paper says that a charge of $25 per tonne on aviation emissions of CO2 "might raise air ticket prices by around 2-4 per cent", while reducing CO2 and other emissions on routes covered by the charges by 5 to 10 per cent. This would happen partly through fewer people flying, but mostly by encouraging the retirement of older, more polluting aircraft, as well as a switch to routes and speeds that economise on fuel, it says. The precise charge for carbon credits to fly into and out of Europe will depend on prices within the ETS, which have recently been around $15 per tonne.

Airlines say the EU's move will damage their profits and reduce investment in clean technology. But the World Bank says that, far from it being an unfair burden, it would "reflect a scaling back of unusually favourable fuel tax treatment". Aviation fuel is currently untaxed worldwide.

Excuse me, it should state untaxed worldwide except in India, since Aviation is a luxury, aviation fuel is taxed hevily in India

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 11 Nov 2011 14:21

Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya has spoken to the aviation ministry about bailing out the cash-strapped airline. Sources also suggest that finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will talk to banks on the airline's finanancial crisis, even as the ground handling staff threaten to go on strike over unpaid dues.

The aviation ministry has, in turn, spoken to the finance ministry on the issue, reports said. Sources at the aviation ministry said while an Air India-type recast is not possible for Kingfisher Airlines, oil companies might be asked to extend credit on fuel purchases to the airline.

Abhijeet · Post by **Abhijeet** » 11 Nov 2011 20:01

I hope Kingfisher doesn't shut down. There are really only 3 private airlines of any size in India -- Jet, Indigo and Kingfisher, maybe Spicejet. With such limited competition, it would be bad for consumers if that number came down further. I hope they find a buyer who can run it better. Even a bailout would be better than shutting it down.

Rishirishi · Post by **Rishirishi** » 11 Nov 2011 21:18

It would set a very bad president if KF is bailed out. Let it go bust. Other airlines will fill the demand.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 11 Nov 2011 21:20

They are not being bailed out, govt is just asking companies to loan out fuel for now

saip · Post by **saip** » 11 Nov 2011 21:25

Rishirishi wrote:It would set a very bad president if KF is bailed out. Let it go bust. Other airlines will fill the demand.

Oops! I am flying Kingfisher on 1/1/12. Hope it is still there when I reach Chennai from SFO!

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 11 Nov 2011 21:30

i doubt , but better keep yourself updated.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 11 Nov 2011 22:06

krishnan wrote: They are not being bailed out, govt is just asking companies to loan out fuel for now

Kingfisher with its present cost structure will not be in a position to pay the final tab of fuel worth hundreds of crores.Further lending of any extra public money through banks or other PSU services (IOC/HP/BP and AAI) is a bad idea.
The Banks saddled with the loans (soon to be turned NPA) should take the lead in identifying a potential buyer.

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 11 Nov 2011 23:46

India's Kingfisher flies into debt turbulence

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 12 Nov 2011 09:41

Aditya_V wrote:
Excuse me, it should state untaxed worldwide except in India, since Aviation is a luxury, aviation fuel is taxed hevily in India

Thanks for the pointer. I've contacted them through their user support link. Need to wait and see if they post-edit.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 12 Nov 2011 09:43

Chinese airlines aim to take the EU to court over ETS and Aviation emissions.

The EU plan, part of a larger carbon-capping program, will be challenged in a lawsuit to be filed in Germany by airlines and the China Air Transport Association, Chai Haibo, the Beijing-based vice president of the association, said today.

“We are in the preparation for the lawsuit and hope to file as early as possible, hopefully by the end of this year,” Chai said. Members of the association include the nation’s biggest four airlines such as Air China Ltd., China Southern Airlines Co Ltd. and China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 12 Nov 2011 11:12

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Bailout-f ... 388755.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Bailout-f ... 388756.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Bailout-f ... 388757.cms

A debate about Kingfisher... Suhel Seth is quite a name dropping, hollow mercenary and gets justifiably ripped by the other panelists.

If Kingfisher can drum up financial support in the global financial market - good for them. Otherwise, the Indian government has no business in bailing out this speculative venture and should see to it that it folds, as have many other airlines.

As the debate above showcases, if the Indian airline IndiGo is profitable with an effective business model, why should the Indian taxpayer foot the bill for Kingfishers' profligacy in aircraft acquisition and flawed business model?? A selective bailout for Kingfisher would be totally unfair to those who know how to run businesses efficiently and profitably.

It is sickening to see central ministers acting as touts for individual businessmen, hoping instead that they would have some clarity of vision for the whole airline sector.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 697870.cms

A public pitch by civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi on Friday for a financial bailout for Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines appears to have failed to move lenders or the finance ministry. They seem unwilling to provide fresh support, arguing that the promoters first need to infuse capital.

Although lenders led by the State Bank of India are meeting on Saturday, bankers are of the view that they may not be in a position to take a further hit and claim the loss-making airline has not fulfilled all the commitments it had undertaken when a debt restructuring was undertaken last December.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 12 Nov 2011 11:36

So why bail out AI? Let it die too

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 12 Nov 2011 18:24

There is no comparison.In AI's case atleast the govt retains control whereas for KF, if it becomes profitable Mallya gets to make money while if its a loss, it is taxpayers money. AI will continue flying on loss making routes out of social reponsibility(sic) whereas Mallya is now openly questioning it and wants an option to fly only on lucrative routes.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 12 Nov 2011 21:32

Good times for Air India as Kingfisher flies into turbulence

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The loss of crisis-ridden Kingfisher Airlines seems to be turning into gains for the cash-strapped national carrier Air India.

Air India's passenger load factor has improved during the past week with the cancellation of flights of Kingfisher Airlines.

The load factor, which generally hover around 70-72 per cent, has gone up to 75 per cent, according to a top airline official.

Saw many KF cattle class rooting for AI and cursing Mallaya.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 12 Nov 2011 21:51

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/busi ... 706788.cms

Very sad to see the PM "pinch hitting" for Kingfisher... Seems like he is totally beholden to corporate entities, not the national exchequer.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday reacted to the Kingfisher crisis saying "we have to find ways to get Kingfisher out of trouble", according to Times Now.

Speaking to reporters on board Air India One, Manmohan Singh said that he will talk to civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi once he is back in the country from Maldives after attending the Saarc summit.

According to reports, Kingfisher owner Vijay Mallya has requested finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi to help his carrier in infusion of funds through banks at low interest rates, besides other concessions in line with what Air India was getting.

saip · Post by **saip** » 13 Nov 2011 04:13

Good Times for Air India

I just cancelled KF ticket and rebooked it by AI.

Abhijeet · Post by **Abhijeet** » 13 Nov 2011 09:51

While Mallya may deserve the scorn he is getting, the business environment for airlines in India is pretty hostile: high fuel taxes; needing to keep unprofitable routes alive due to "social responsibility" requirements; inability to fly on international routes till 5 years; and even then, limited routes on lucrative sectors like the Middle East.

My fear is that KF will vanish and nobody else will dare to get into the game for several years knowing all this; and just like that, we'll have much less competition in this important sector.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 13 Nov 2011 11:38

Abhijeet wrote:While Mallya may deserve the scorn he is getting, the business environment for airlines in India is pretty hostile: high fuel taxes; needing to keep unprofitable routes alive due to "social responsibility" requirements; inability to fly on international routes till 5 years; and even then, limited routes on lucrative sectors like the Middle East.

My fear is that KF will vanish and nobody else will dare to get into the game for several years knowing all this; and just like that, we'll have much less competition in this important sector.

Air Deccan, to which goes the credit of affordable air travel and first low cost airline on Pan Indian scale, was gobbled up by KF and none noticed. If any, it was Air Deccan which deserved to be saved. Nobody shed tears then.

If KF goes no tears need be shed. Mallaya has done his bit and his main interest is Liquor business not KF. He tried himself to model on Sir Richard Branson of Virgin but could not quite succeed.

The demand to save KF and to allow it to fly only lucrative routes while demanding Air India to serve all unprofitable routes is like having the cake and eating it too. Private Airlines knew the environment in which they have to operate. All conditions are known upfront and equally applicable to private players. JET is not complaining , IndiGo is not so why KF . Something fishy here.