Indian Aviation Thread Part 107

Nimish · Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:56 am

Restarting the Indian Aviation thread as the last one was closed.

Emirates continues A380 operations at Mumbai. What are Lufthansa’s options?
From: http://www.bangaloreaviation.com/201...umbai-lufthansa-doubt-options.html

Quote:

Dubai-based Emirates will continue operating its A380s in the prized early morning slot at Mumbai.

“Emirates can confirm that it is has received an approval from Mumbai International Airport Private Limited to continue operating its A380 service between Dubai and Mumbai for the winter 2014 timetable. The A380 service will continue to operate as flight numbers EK500 and EK501.”

This announcement once again highlights the shortage of Code-F gates at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji airport and puts in to doubt the proposed A380 service by German carrier Deutsche Lufthansa AG between Frankfurt and Mumbai.

The airport has only one Code-F gate at present. The Emirates flight, EK500, arrives in to Mumbai at 02:15 and departs at 04:15. The Lufthansa flight, LH756, is scheduled to arrive at 01:10 and depart at 03:05. Till the additional Code-F gates are built in about 15 months time, the airport can accommodate only one of the two airlines’ super-jumbos at a time....

However just a few weeks ago - we heard about LH adding the A380 to BOM during the Winter Schedule 2014. LH To DEL And BOM With A380 (by galleypower Aug 29 2014 in Civil Aviation)

From LH's website, they still offer the A380 to BOM this winter schedule.

Does anyone know what MIAL (BOM) is planning? Are they exploring a remote gate/ bus boarding for one of the 2 A380s? I wish MIAL would come out in the open and state their policy on allocating the one Code F gate - hopefully there's no arbitrary decisions involved. It would suck for LH (and it's pax) if they had to revert to the 747-400 on the FRA-BOM sectors for winter 2014.

Nimish · Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:02 am

Air Vistara Launch Likely to be Delayed

From: http://www.livemint.com/Companies/Fl...re-said-to-miss-October-start.html

Quote:
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is unlikely to grant an air operator permit to Tata SIA Airline Ltd by October as several technical approvals are still pending, according to two government officials. The airline applied for the permit in April and was slated to start in mid-October.

US aviation regulator FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which is monitoring DGCA after downgrading India’s air safety status in January, had listed airline permits being given before six months of the application being submitted as one of its several concerns about air safety in India, said one of the government officials cited above, requesting anonymity. “They feel one is taking shortcuts,” the official said. “It will anyway take six months as lot of work still remains,” the official added, referring to Tata-SIA’s Vistara.
...

Wow - holding up Air Vistara's permit on account of the FAA's concerns on lack of homework done for a new airlines approval? How about the DGCA doing better due diligence in time, 6 months is a long time to get things in order.

If Vistara is not ready with all the required paperwork in time, then that's a valid reason to push out the approval, not FAA's angst at DGCA! Buying time does not buy quality.

VTORD · Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:34 am

Quoting Nimish (Thread starter):
Are they exploring a remote gate/ bus boarding for one of the 2 A380s?

Wouldn't it have to be EK who does that given that LH leaves 20 mins after EK arrives?

The article states that LH needs permission from MoCA (or the ASA with Gernany needs to be modified??) for LH to be able to fly larger than 747-type a/c to India. So is this going on behind the scenes as we speak?

dtw2hyd · Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:16 pm

I don't think there is any immediate need for more airlines in India. Tata-SIA's first priority should be to find a new brand name and cabin crew uniform.

Both brand name synonymous with leafy-ware and masseuse (or) hugh heffner's smoking jacket robe as uniform are non-starters.

karan69 · Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:10 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 3):
Both brand name synonymous with leafy-ware and masseuse (or) hugh heffner's smoking jacket robe as uniform are non-starters.

Maybe for a westerner not one familiar with Sanskrit

Karan

Nimish · Sun Sep 14, 2014 2:45 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 3):
Tata-SIA's first priority should be to find a new brand name and cabin crew uniform.

No one gives much of a damn about the name or the uniform, and I would hope that TATA-SIA have better things to do that to re-invent their brand and uniforms even before launch.

In other news - it's EK again which gets to get the A380 to BOM this winter

. LH denied again

dtw2hyd · Sun Sep 14, 2014 3:41 pm

Quoting Nimish (Reply 5):
No one gives much of a damn about the name or the uniform, and I would hope that TATA-SIA have better things to do that to re-invent their brand and uniforms even before launch.

TATA-SIA supposed to be "The Airline" India has high hopes on.

Brand is the most important thing for any airline.

These uniforms are going to be HR nightmare. The kind of women Tata-SIA trying to attract are from families with her income is third or fourth in the family and mainly used for make-up, designer clothing and entertainment. On top if crew from other airlines are cracking jokes, employee turnover rate will be every high.

Why SpiceJet crew look happy? Not because they have solid future, because they have attractive uniforms. That is the reality. Even a tiny carrier like Air Costa has better uniforms.

For comparison
SpiceJet, Weekday and Weekend

AirAsia India

Jet Airways

Indigo (Somehow reminds me of DPRK agents from NCIS)

Nimish · Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:59 am

Indian Aviation related threads right now:

AI : A Worm For Breakfast In J (by JOYA380B747 Sep 14 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Lufthansa Cancels A380 Plans To Mumbai (by Miami Sep 14 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Air India Crew Detained In Moscow - No Visas! (by LAXintl Sep 13 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Nimish · Wed Sep 17, 2014 3:36 pm

Another fascinating analysis on AI - this time with numbers. Looks pretty grim IMO.

http://www.bangaloreaviation.com/201...but-two-international-flights.html

Quote:
Air India loses money on all international flights, but two

National carrier Air India lost money on 57 of its 59 international routes in the last fiscal year which ended March 31, 2014. The airline lost a whopping Rs 4,273.35 crores (approximately $712 million at current exchange rates) operating these international flights. This according to an internal “Route Economics” provisional report for April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 which Bangalore Aviation reviewed.

Over half of the 59 international flights, 32 or 55%, did not even earn their direct out-of-pocket cash operating costs. Tantamount to taking tax-payer bailout money and setting it on fire, the airline failed to generate enough revenue from these flights to cover even its basic cash operating expenses by Rs 575 crore ($96 million), forget the payback on the massive Rs 40,000 crore debt the airline is sitting on or the other overheads such as management expenses, ground and station staff expenses, etc.

In a direct contrast to India’s leading private airline Jet Airways, whose international division earns profit which is lost by domestic operations, Air India’s international operations contribute to over 80% of its total annual loses.

dtw2hyd · Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:20 pm

Indian state of Andhra Pradesh reduced ATF tax to 1% (from 16%).

https://twitter.com/jpcivilian/status/512627414640238592/photo/1

Nimish · Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:03 pm

^^ Interesting and very good to hear. Does this apply to HYD as well - or just the airports in the new Andhra Pradesh (VTZ etc.)?

Couple of India related threads on A.net:

Europe Review India Air Safety After US Downgrade (by mercure1 Sep 26 2014 in Civil Aviation)

VS To Send 787-9 To Delhi (by A388CC Sep 25 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Air India’s Fleet Buy Under Scrutiny (by Ammad Sep 27 2014 in Civil Aviation)

dtw2hyd · Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:13 pm

AC signed a code share agreement with AI.

http://www.business-standard.com/art...ith-air-canada-114092500477_1.html

bjorn14 · Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:58 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 6):
Even a tiny carrier like Air Costa has better uniforms.

BTW, how is LB doing these days? Any E-Jet deliveries yet?

BLRAviation · Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:56 am

Lufthansa has officially confirmed that it will operate the A380 on the FRA-DEL route today. Schedule is very similar to existing service. Story is on our site, but there is very little additional information so it is your choice to visit.

Quote:
October 1, 2014

Lufthansa flies in world’s largest commercial passenger jet A380 to Delhi
Launch of A380 services effective Oct 27, 2014; Delhi becomes first city in India to welcome Lufthansa’s flagship aircraft

Marking yet another milestone in the history of Indian aviation, Lufthansa announced the launch of services by its flagship aircraft, the A380 between Delhi and Frankfurt. Delhi becomes the first city in India to welcome Lufthansa’s flagship carrier and the world’s largest commercial passenger jet. The launch of A380 services will be effective October 27, 2014 on the Delhi- Frankfurt route.

Mr. Wolfgang Will, Director South Asia, Lufthansa, said, “We are very pleased to announce the introduction of our flagship aircraft A380 to Delhi. The A380 is the world’s largest commercial passenger jet and offers the finest in terms of flying comfort, luxury and efficiency. With the new A380, Lufthansa customers will be able to experience Lufthansa’s latest in-flight products and services including the state-of-the art First Class. Lufthansa already operates A330, A340 and B747 on its routes from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Bangalore to Europe and the launch of A380 underlines our commitment to provide Indian customers with the best Lufthansa experience worldwide.”

The A380 is the largest and heaviest passenger aircraft in the world. It is 73 meters long, 24 meters high, and has a takeoff weight of up to 560 tons. The Lufthansa A380 seats 520 passengers and its four Rolls-Royce engines each generate 70000lbs of thrust. Ecologically speaking, too, the A380 raises the bar. The megaliner is quieter than other planes, uses less fuel and can even “think” for itself and automatically apply the brakes after landing on the runway.

The new A380 is all about a completely new dimension in flying and experiencing the best in travel proficiency. Passengers on the new A380 will be able to experience maximum in-flight comfort with its state of the art technology. They will also have access to Lufthansa’s latest in-flight products such as the 5 star ranked First Class, the sophisticated new business class with seats that turn into full flat-beds and a comfort enhanced Economy Class with 5-7 cms more legroom and 52 centimetre wide seats. The new Lufthansa flagship is configured with 520 seats (8 in First Class, 92 in Business Class and 420 in Economy Class), offering passengers unprecedented levels of comfort.

A380 Flight Schedule

Delhi (DEL) – Frankfurt (FRA)
Flight schedule
(all times stated are local times)
New aircraft as of 27, October 2014
Operates daily
LH 761 Delhi 03:30 hrs Frankfurt 07:20 (7:20h duration)
LH 760 Frankfurt 13:40 hrs Delhi 01:30 (next day)
Distance
3804 miles
Aircraft type
A380
Seating capacity
520 seats (8 in First Class, 92 in Business Class and 420 in Economy Class)

JOYA380B747 · Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:31 pm

Quoting BLRAviation (Reply 13):
Lufthansa already operates A330, A340 and B747 on its routes from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Bangalore to Europe and the launch of A380 underlines our commitment to provide Indian customers with the best Lufthansa experience worldwide.

Since when did LH start using widebody on Pune flights? Even now I see it as a 737.

comorin · Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:51 pm

Quoting bjorn14 (Reply 12):

I flew 2 r/ts recently BLR-MAA on E190s. Low, fare about rs 2500 r/t ; packed flights with the Hon APJ Kalam on one of the legs!

AI story:
A friend of mine booked EWR-CCU recently and was told just before the flight that AI flights ex EWR are NG. He had to take a long hike to JFK. Same on the way back. Why not just tell the customer upfront at booking time?
And what is up with the EWR cancellations?

Thanks

JOYA380B747 · Sun Oct 05, 2014 1:27 am

While I was landing at DEL yesterday, I noticed the two new Vistara A320s VT-TTB and -TTC parked at Apron 35 behind D Pier. They are indeed as reported, in all white livery and I did not see even a dab on paint on the aircrafts anywhere. Too bad I could not grab my camera soon enough to click their pics.

Gr8Circle · Sun Oct 05, 2014 2:30 pm

Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 14):
Since when did LH start using widebody on Pune flights? Even now I see it as a 737.

I don't think PNQ can even accommodate an A330.......runway not long enough.......

Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 16):
While I was landing at DEL yesterday, I noticed the two new Vistara A320s VT-TTB and -TTC parked at Apron 35 behind D Pier. They are indeed as reported, in all white livery and I did not see even a dab on paint on the aircrafts anywhere

Why would the airline not get the planes painted out of the factory....? When are they launching services?

golfradio · Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:22 pm

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 17):

Why would the airline not get the planes painted out of the factory....? When are they launching services?

Both are leased. They probably wanted them asap for route proving and DGCA certification.

JOYA380B747 · Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:45 pm

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 17):
Why would the airline not get the planes painted out of the factory....? When are they launching services?

At the time of delivery of a/c the brand name was yet to be decided. That and the aircrafts needed to be here for certification.

JOYA380B747 · Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:48 pm

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 17):
I don't think PNQ can even accommodate an A330.......runway not long enough.......

My point exactly. The LH statement does not mention a 737 amongst the a/c served by them to India when they mentioned Pune. Maybe a typo.

BLRAviation · Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:10 pm

Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 14):
Since when did LH start using widebody on Pune flights? Even now I see it as a 737.

You are correct. Quite obviously LH India PR department has not drafted their release correctly.

Nimish · Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:01 am

Another India related thread: Defused Grenade On Indian PM's Standby Aircraft (by Mortyman Oct 4 2014 in Civil Aviation)

dtw2hyd · Tue Oct 07, 2014 11:44 am

Not sure what Indian Journalists are smoking now-a-days they are writing about future.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/...t-diverted-to-toronto_1481234.html

Keep in mind it is Tuesday morning here in US, 6:40 AM CDT in Chicago
AI 126 scheduled to leave at 1:30 PM CDT

Quote:

Last Updated: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 - 16:03

New Delhi: An Air India Chicago-Delhi flight, carrying 342 passengers, was diverted to Toronto on Tuesday morning after the pilot suspected oil leakage in one of its engines, officials said.

After flying for two and a half hours from Chicago, the AI 126 Chicago-Delhi-Hyderabad flight turned to Toronto Pearson Airport, airline officials said here.

It landed at the Toronto airport under emergency conditions after disposing of its fuel onboard.

The twin-engine aircraft landed safely around 0700 hours IST, they said.

Ground engineers were inspecting the port engine of the Boeing 777 ER (Extended Range).

A decision on bringing the passengers to Delhi and Hyderabad will be taken after the inspection is over, they said.

golfradio · Tue Oct 07, 2014 1:25 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 23):

This relates to the incident on Sep 6. Maybe they recycled the article or the reporter confused the dates.

http://avherald.com/h?article=47a056f5&opt=0

BLRAviation · Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:08 pm

I even commented on the article asking them to recheck. They have blindly reprinted a PTI article.

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 23):
Not sure what Indian Journalists are smoking now-a-days they are writing about future.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/...t-diverted-to-toronto_1481234.html

Keep in mind it is Tuesday morning here in US, 6:40 AM CDT in Chicago
AI 126 scheduled to leave at 1:30 PM CDT

Quoting golfradio (Reply 24):
This relates to the incident on Sep 6. Maybe they recycled the article or the reporter confused the dates.

http://avherald.com/h?article=47a056f5&opt=0

AirIndia · Wed Oct 08, 2014 5:39 am

Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 16):
While I was landing at DEL yesterday, I noticed the two new Vistara A320s VT-TTB and -TTC parked at Apron 35 behind D Pier

i saw them too and even took a photo. let me see if i can upload them.

Nimish · Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:14 am

Indian aviation related thread: Tigerair Lease 12 A320s To IndiGo (by LAXintl Oct 9 2014 in Civil Aviation)

JOYA380B747 · Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:50 am

AI's DEL-BKK and BOM-BKK to be upgraded from the current A321s to 788 from 26th Oct.

http://airlineroute.net/2014/10/13/ai-bkk-w14/

Quote:

Delhi – Bangkok
AI332 DEL1325 – 1920BKK 788 D
AI333 BKK0850 – 1205DEL 788 D

Mumbai – Bangkok
AI330 BOM0135 – 0720BKK 788 D
AI331 BKK2030 – 2305BOM 788 D

Interestingly the 788s are doing DEL-BKK-BOM and BOM-BKK-DEL as per the schedule, with very little turnaround times at BKK. Wonder if that was the case for the previous A321s as well.

karan69 · Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:57 am

Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 28):
AI's DEL-BKK and BOM-BKK to be upgraded from the current A321s to 788 from 26th Oct.

As per a pilot operating one of the flights it starts from Today

Karan

Nimish · Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:35 am

No Turboprops From DEL This Winter (by JOYA380B747 Oct 13 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Strange decision IMO - much better to suggest a timing restriction - say 10 am to 8 pm only.

Nimish · Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:20 am

Air India's Stripped "Dreamliner" VT-ANI (by Nimish Oct 14 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Horrible to see AI strip another new plane for parts!

golfradio · Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:04 pm

Quoting Nimish (Reply 31):

I decided not to post on any of the AI bashfest threads that are started almost daily but in this case I will it here - No responsible publication will post confidential pictures to gain popularity and eyeballs. Especially when they have not been confirmed and is mere speculation. Trying the Snowden and Wikileaks approach just because AI will not answer your questions is a bad idea.

And I really have a very poor opinion of the employee who leaked it. What an ingrate. If they want to be a whistle blower, there are channels to do it. Selling out to a private publication is not the way.

dtw2hyd · Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:18 pm

Quoting Nimish (Reply 31):
Horrible to see AI strip another new plane for parts!

Its proven Non-Disclosure Agreements protect vendors only for a while even if AI strictly adheres to NDA and takes all the beating. Facts will show up in some audit report or parliamentary committee report.

AI B788s are under 48 month Boeing warranty. GEnX engines are under OnPoint SM with FOD coverage for 12 years. So can you explain how AI's financial status impacts B788 operational status.

Only thing questionable is blogger's credibility.

Gr8Circle · Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:12 pm

Nimish, the article posted by you on the other thread is so obviously the speculation of an unnamed person who doesn't have the full information.....

Sad to see how the larger A.net community jumps right on to such AI news and starts making their own conclusions.....

Nimish · Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:23 am

Quoting golfradio (Reply 32):
No responsible publication will post confidential pictures to gain popularity and eyeballs

And no responsible airline will keep a $110 m asset idle for 6 months while hiring 767s for short term (Hajj) capacity infusion. The job of the blogger is to bring the information to the public after giving AI a chance to explain.

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 33):
AI B788s are under 48 month Boeing warranty. GEnX engines are under OnPoint SM with FOD coverage for 12 years. So can you explain how AI's financial status impacts B788 operational status.

Great - so if that's the case why is ANI down for 6 months? AI does not like the bird? Pilots refuse to fly it? MX finds it inauspicious?

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 33):
Only thing questionable is blogger's credibility.

You're welcome to question the bloggers credibility. AI's credibility is anyway gone to shreds over the years.

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 34):
Sad to see how the larger A.net community jumps right on to such AI news and starts making their own conclusions..

Sad to see AI blowing up public funds like there's no tomorrow. Keeping a $110m asset in "MX" for 6 months needs an explanation. An explanation was sought from AI, and they refused to provide it. The explanation provided later is even worse that nothing IMO.

JOYA380B747 · Wed Oct 15, 2014 6:29 am

Quoting Nimish (Reply 35):

No offense to anyone, but a great case of AI bashing and un-bashing going hand in hand, for all the right and wrong reasons they may be. I believe AI to be somehow one of the most famous airlines on A.net.

Well as they say, when a company refuses to explain an allegation against them, the latter is almost always true.

This airline closing down or getting privatized would be the next best news for citizens of India, to that of all desi black money being returned back from Swiss banks.

Nimish · Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:43 am

6E's massive A320NEO order topup announced: IndiGo Signs MoU For 250 A320neo (by bobmuc Oct 15 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Nimish · Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:49 am

Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 36):
I believe AI to be somehow one of the most famous airlines on A.net.

What can I say - they are a prima-donna par none - difficult to match

. Always enough excitement over the years, whether it's the massive Boeing order (for that time), the merger, the *A saga, the toilet paper stories etc. Definitely many AI employees are gems and work very hard for the airline, but there's enough internal and political bungling to keep them from shining through.

dtw2hyd · Wed Oct 15, 2014 11:53 am

Quoting Nimish (Reply 35):
And no responsible airline will keep a $110 m asset idle for 6 months while hiring 767s for short term (Hajj) capacity infusion. The job of the blogger is to bring the information to the public after giving AI a chance to explain.

No, job of the a responsible blogger is to find root cause, not publishing conjuncture and asking for opinions. This is just Onion Aviation with Janitor Images. Not Reuters with Getty Images.

Lets look at last three blogs on Onion Aviation.

1) AI is scrapping B77L, it should be utilizing all wide bodies.
2) All International routes are loss makers, it should cancel all international routes
3) Is AI stripping ANI, it should be using it on international route.

Makeup your mind before writing blogs.

[Edited 2014-10-15 05:09:52]

Nimish · Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:31 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 39):
Makeup your mind before writing blogs.

You are completely entitled to your opinion and free to reject/ refute the blog/ blogger. I, for one, find the information useful. It's this dialog that gets triggered which is the real benefit of the blog!

dtw2hyd · Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:32 pm

Quoting Nimish (Reply 40):
I, for one, find the information useful. It's this dialog that gets triggered which is the real benefit of the blog!

I find it to be pure gossip. If blogger has resources to take pictures, can't he find the actual reason. The strip theory is as good as Swiss cheese. There are no many facts disproving that theory. It appears this blogger clearly not getting any attention from AI, not getting invited to any of its events.

BTW, I was reading about what's going on with 9W pilots. Allegedly 131 pilots of 600 may get their licenses suspended. Already 9W training chief quit his job. 9W outsourced entire training program to some company Bangalore. Also sold its simulators.

I haven't see anything about this by any blogger. Why is parked ANI more important than 1/4 of 9W pilots allegedly not being qualified. Why is that story kept under wraps by Indian media.

Nimish · Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:57 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 41):
Why is that story kept under wraps by Indian media.

I saw multiple references to this in my Google Alerts feeds today - so clearly the Indian media is not keeping this under the wraps. Perhaps the fact is that 9W is a private entity (actually a sheikh's play toy now), and the incident is already all over the media vs. VT-ANI being public property (somewhat far fetched interpretation admittedly) and being hidden from public view for over 6 months now? Numerous attempts have to been made to ask AI for the status of that a/c in the past, just stoic silence from them.

golfradio · Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:43 pm

Quoting Nimish (Reply 35):
And no responsible airline will keep a $110 m asset idle for 6 months while hiring 767s for short term (Hajj) capacity infusion

The aircraft is AOG and you don't know why. It's as simple as that. Every one here seems to be certain that it's stripped for parts. And all you have to prove it are photos lacking any context. Can you tell when it was taken?

The leaked pictures have no date on it. How do you know it was not shot when the port engine was removed for the GEnx-1B inspection? Remember the Seoul incident? Just because you don't have answers, you cannot publicly claim they are being stripped. It tantamounts to Libel.

Frankly AI does not owe private citizens any answers. You want answers you can file for an RTI or wait for CAG report. Of course then the news is not really sensational.

For all you know it really could be that ANI is a real lemon just like ANK is. Nobody believed until I pointed out that there have been 6 incidents of windshields cracking, 3 on ANK! All in one year. Based on the MTBF for windshields, this should be a pure white lie. Yet it is true.

Quoting Nimish (Reply 35):
hiring 767s for short term (Hajj) capacity infusion

With the retirement of the 744s and sale of 77Ls, where's the lift to fulfil the Hajj obligations? Even if ANI was airworthy, they could not have done without leasing tempopary lift.

dtw2hyd · Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:47 pm

Quoting Nimish (Reply 42):
Perhaps the fact is that 9W is a private entity (actually a sheikh's play toy now), and the incident is already all over the media vs. VT-ANI being public property (somewhat far fetched interpretation admittedly) and being hidden from public view for over 6 months now?

Let me get this right, Indian aviation experts/journalists/bloggers are not worried about the safety of an airline with a quarter of pilots without proper training, but eagerly waiting to vandalize one more AI aircraft.

JOYA380B747 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:10 am

The first Vistara jet that's now sporting new livery has come back to DEL. Any spotters out there?

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...go-checks/articleshow/44827872.cms

Quote:

The first Airbus A-320 aircraft of Tata-SIA joint venture Vistara airline, painted with its logo and livery, landed at the IGI Airport here today, taking the carrier a step closer to its launch.....
....
The aircraft was delivered on September 25 and had gone to Singapore for being painted with the aubergine and gold coloured logo ..

dtw2hyd · Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:22 am

Quoting Nimish (Reply 30):
No Turboprops From DEL This Winter (by JOYA380B747 Oct 13 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Strange decision IMO - much better to suggest a timing restriction - say 10 am to 8 pm only.

Apparently this is again a bogus news made up by Indian media. Sanjeev Kapoor of SpiceJet tweeted there is NO such directive from DGCA.

golfradio · Thu Oct 16, 2014 4:12 pm

Quoting dtw2hyd (Reply 44):
Let me get this right, Indian aviation experts/journalists/bloggers are not worried about the safety of an airline with a quarter of pilots without proper training, but eagerly waiting to vandalize one more AI aircraft.

As you know dtwhyd, getting the proof and information to back up speculative claims is hard work. And without proof, they are liable for libel and have to lawyer up before the private entities come with their big hammers.

AI on the other hand is fair game. The AI management (not the exec. mgmt who are bureaucrats) is virtually powerless to do anything. So no danger there.

I really challenge the serious aviation journalists who are concerned about their tax rupees and concerned about the state of aviation to really investigate the following

1. 1994, 9W starts flying.

2. May 2004 - 2011, UPA government is in power. Praful Patel is aviation minister.

3. Dec 2004, 5 year/20 aircarft rule is passed by UPA cabinet. Who influenced this decision? It definitely was not AI. AI's lucrative Gulf routes were actually being systematically dismantled.

Quote:
It is bizarre that the government has a regulation in place, which allows (only) airlines with five years of operations and a fleet of 20 aircraft to fly international. It does not make sense. Probably Naresh (Goyal) or someone put it down,” Fernandes had said

Quote:
Tony had referred to this rule, called it bizarre and even blamed Goyal for ensuring that this rule became law so that competition for his beloved Jet Airways was lessened in the previous decade.

4. Dec 2005, UPA governmenment orders 27 787-8s, 15 777-300ERs, 8 777-200LRs. What was AI's recommendation? AIL's project report of January 2004 proposed acquisition of 18 small capacity short range aircraft (B737-800) and 10 medium capacity long range aircraft (A340-300). Who overrode that recommendation?

5. 2007, IC and AI merger is shoved down AI's throat.

6. Whoring of seats to the ME airlines. What was the motivation for that and who influenced the decision?

Quote:
As an illustrative case of the liberalisation of bilateral entitlements, the sequence of events relating to the Dubai sector, covering the period from May 2007 to March 2010, (when the seat capacity was increased from 18,400 seats/ week to 54,200 seats/ week and points of call in India were increased from 10 to 14), clearly demonstrates the one-sided nature of benefits to Emirates/ Dubai (through enhancement of entitlements and additional points of call in India). This evoked the repeated protests from Air India on the lack of reciprocity and the funnelling of 6 freedom traffic by Emirates through Dubai from interior locations in India

CAG report from 2009-2010.

It really frustrates me when posters talk about how AI is inept and it's subsidies has caused private airlines and aviation in India to suffer.

AI is a whipping boy and it's easy to kick someone on the ground.

goacom · Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:05 pm

The apologists and conspiracy theorists for AI will obviously come up with excuses for AI's existence, but the bottom line is this:
1) The GOI has no business (and definitely no ability) in running an airline.
2) AI suffers from a huge manpower to passenger ratio resulting in a high overheads.
3) The management of AI and its unionized staff is accountable to no one.
4) AI benefits immensely from the billions of dollars in govt. loan guarantees that allows it get loans at preferential rates
5) While AI's in-flight service is usually good, its overall customer service and on time performance is terrible.
6) AI's share of the domestic market is shrinking and is now less than 20% - a far cry from its 100% share prior to deregulation. AI's share of the international market is even less significant.

golfradio · Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:32 pm

Quoting goacom (Reply 48):

You often come out dissing AI and IIRC you pet peeve was how your family were treated when you lost your luggage. I understand you hate AI but can you support any of the points you mentioned with facts?

Quoting goacom (Reply 48):
2) AI suffers from a huge manpower to passenger ratio resulting in a high overheads.
3) The management of AI and its unionized staff is accountable to no one.

That's the standard boilerplate argument every one here loves to throw. Do you know what the ratios are? I suggest you reserach it a bit. After the spin off of the ground handling and MRO divisions, it will be 1:92. That's lower than LH and SQ.

Quoting goacom (Reply 48):
4) AI benefits immensely from the billions of dollars in govt. loan guarantees that allows it get loans at preferential rates

Quoting goacom (Reply 48):
6) AI's share of the domestic market is shrinking and is now less than 20% - a far cry from its 100% share prior to deregulation. AI's share of the international market is even less significant.

Again how about trying to answer the root causes of the huge WB order which AI did not want or AI-IC merger neither entities nor the CAG in hind sight recommended. Who really profited from those?

Quoting goacom (Reply 48):
on time performance is terrible.

OK, do you know which were the top three domestic airlines with the most cancellations or diversions? I will give you a hint, AI is not in top 3. Easy to have high OTP if you never dispatch when you are going to be late.

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