News for 'Air India and Indian Airlines'

Tatas are committed to make Air India a world-class airline: Chandra

Tatas are committed to make Air India a world-class airline: Chandra

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

"The strategic divestment transaction of Air India successfully concluded today with transfer of 100 per cent shares of Air India to M/s Talace Pvt Ltd along with management control," DIPAM secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said in a tweet. A new board, led by the strategic partner, takes charge of Air India, he added.

Air India banks on artificial intelligence to cut call centre costs

Air India banks on artificial intelligence to cut call centre costs

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

Air India's use of artificial intelligence (AI) has had a huge impact on the airline major's call centre volumes and the technology integration has reduced costs by 100 times, a senior company executive said on Wednesday. The airline launched its own chatbot AI.g, earlier known as Maharaja, in May 2023. The chatbot has answered approximately two million queries since its launch, handling 93 per cent of customer inquiries without needing to pass them on to call centre agents, said Sathya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Air India.

Air India changes aircraft order with Airbus, cites 'business requirements'

Air India changes aircraft order with Airbus, cites 'business requirements'

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

Air India significantly altered the composition of the aircraft order it placed earlier this year with Airbus, the European plane manufacturer has said. In February, Air India had placed the world's second-largest single-tranche aircraft order for 470 planes: 250 with Airbus and 220 with Boeing. In July, Airbus disclosed an order comprising 70 A321neo, 140 A320neo, 34 A350-1000, and six A350-900 aircraft for Air India.

Cyclone Ditwah: India steps up relief ops in Sri Lanka; toll rises to 212

Cyclone Ditwah: India steps up relief ops in Sri Lanka; toll rises to 212

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka continues relief and rescue efforts with India's assistance after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation, killing over 190 people and affecting nearly a million.

Air India unions seek CBI probe into airline's losses

Air India unions seek CBI probe into airline's losses

Rediff.com24 Aug 2014

The unions claimed that wrong policy decisions of the previous government, poor practices, lack of accountability and general mismanagement by top administration and allowing private carriers to flourish at the cost of Air India were some of the factors for the current state-of-affairs

India's selective with flying rights: IndiGo CEO rebuts Emirates

India's selective with flying rights: IndiGo CEO rebuts Emirates

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

'India is giving selective traffic rights wherever it makes sense to allocate those traffic rights.'

India's Last 3 Air Crashes: Key Safety Lessons

India's Last 3 Air Crashes: Key Safety Lessons

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

India's last three major commercial aviation accidents --Patna (2000), Mangaluru (2010), and Kozhikode (2020) -- could offer critical safety lessons for the ongoing investigation.

Do you like Air India's new uniforms for cabin, cockpit crew?

Do you like Air India's new uniforms for cabin, cockpit crew?

Rediff.com12 Dec 2023

Private carrier Air India on Tuesday unveiled its new collection of uniforms, designed by Manish Malhotra, for its cabin and cockpit crew. The new uniforms will be introduced in a phased manner over the next few months, starting with the entry of service of Air India's first Airbus A350 aircraft, the company said in a statement. "Air India's crew uniforms are amongst the world's most storied in aviation history, and we firmly believe that Manish Malhotra's innovative ensemble will script an exciting new chapter for Air India's future narrative," said Campbell Wilson, chief executive officer and managing director at Air India.

Two Air India unions seek CBI probe into airline's losses

Two Air India unions seek CBI probe into airline's losses

Rediff.com24 Aug 2014

Air India is running into losses

IndiGo gets DGCA extension for Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 lease

IndiGo gets DGCA extension for Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 lease

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Aviation watchdog DGCA has granted IndiGo a six-month extension to operate two leased Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines, subject to certain conditions. This decision comes after a previous extension and amidst geopolitical considerations.

Air India, Sabre ink fare, seat access deal

Air India, Sabre ink fare, seat access deal

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

Full service carrier Air India on Thursday announced a new multi-year global distribution services partnership with US-based Sabre Corporation. The collaboration enables travel agents and corporations around the world to access Air India fares and seats through Sabre's extensive global travel marketplace, Air India said in a statement. In addition to the distribution services, Air India said it is utilising Sabre's consultancy expertise to help determine optimal routes for its existing and new fleet.

Why Indian airlines are reluctant to fly foreign routes

Why Indian airlines are reluctant to fly foreign routes

Rediff.com26 Jul 2016

According to sector estimates, it takes at least six months to develop a route.

Air India seeks help for selling securities of its PF trusts

Air India seeks help for selling securities of its PF trusts

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

Divestment-bound Air India is looking to sell securities of its two provident trusts AIEPF and IAEPF, and has sought applications for transaction advisors to help with the proposed sale of the securities. The Air India Employees Provident Fund (AIEPF) trust and Indian Airlines Employees Provident Fund (IAEPF) trust are governed by the Provident Fund Trust Act, 1925. The two trusts' investments together amounted to Rs 4,500 crore as of August 31, 2021, according to the tender document, seeking RFPs for the appointment of the transaction advisors.

Why India does not need Air India

Why India does not need Air India

Rediff.com29 Apr 2011

The airline has been bleeding continuously for a long time and pilots are anyway paid a lot of money.

Air India will have single AI code

Air India will have single AI code

Rediff.com24 Feb 2011

Airline has also advised passengers to contact its toll free number 18001801407 to check their revised flight number.

India-Russia to co-produce country's first passenger aircraft

India-Russia to co-produce country's first passenger aircraft

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

India and Russia have agreed to jointly produce a twin-engine narrow-body passenger aircraft for short-haul flights, marking a significant step in their strategic ties. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russia's Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) have signed an agreement for the production of SJ-100 aircraft in India.

Air India win Shastri hockey

Air India win Shastri hockey

Rediff.com3 Dec 2002

The Mumbai side shocked star-studded Indian Airlines in the final of the tournament.\n\n

Air India places order for 840 aircraft; includes option to buy 370 planes: Official

Air India places order for 840 aircraft; includes option to buy 370 planes: Official

Rediff.com16 Feb 2023

Tata Group-owned Air India has placed an order for 840 planes with Airbus and Boeing, including the option to acquire 370 aircraft, with a senior airline official on Thursday saying the order is a "landmark moment" in the Indian aviation history. The announcement by Air India's Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer Nipun Aggarwal comes a day after the airline said it has placed a firm order for 470 aircraft -- 250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing. In a LinkedIn post, Aggarwal said the airline is humbled by the excitement generated across the world by the airline's aircraft order.

Pak Airspace Shut: Indian Carriers Redraw Flight Paths

Pak Airspace Shut: Indian Carriers Redraw Flight Paths

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Executives from India's leading airlines are conducting internal meetings to devise alternative routes for their international flights that currently pass through Pakistani airspace.

IndiGo Crisis: 'Truth Has Not Been Told'

IndiGo Crisis: 'Truth Has Not Been Told'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

'They are saying that there is a pilot shortage which is not correct, but if it was true, did they suddenly come to know this on December 5?' 'If they didn't have crew, why did they seek approval for a winter schedule? To get the approval, the operator has to show crew strength and also a buffer of crew available.' 'If they had a crew crunch, why did they ask for extra flights? Or was it something else that made them so sure that they would get away with this exemption and bans?'

Indian legal system a hurdle for aircraft lessors: Air India to govt

Indian legal system a hurdle for aircraft lessors: Air India to govt

Rediff.com12 Dec 2022

Tata Group-owned Air India has informed the Centre that aircraft lessors wish to set up their special purpose vehicles (SPVs) outside India since they aren't enthused about the Indian 'legal structure' and are loath to take risks. Indian airlines have a combined fleet of about 700 planes; over 85 per cent are on lease. A majority of lessors are based in Ireland due to its attractive tax policy, light-touch regulations, and swift legal system.

Air India crisis: Supreme Court raps government

Air India crisis: Supreme Court raps government

Rediff.com12 Oct 2014

The bench, which wanted the Civil Aviation Ministry to think over the various issues plaguing the national carrier, also said other area of concern was the priority given to private airlines with Air India aircraft being asked to hover around during the peak landing hours causing huge loss of money on fuel.

Indian airlines revamp their in-flight menus amid intense competition

Indian airlines revamp their in-flight menus amid intense competition

Rediff.com11 Oct 2022

From croissants to Galouti kebabs and Medu vada, Indian carriers, both low-cost and full-service, are revising their in-flight menus to offer passengers a differentiated fare as competition is heating up amid the boom in air travel with the waning of Covid-19. On Monday, Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group on January 27, unveiled its new domestic in-flight menu comprising gourmet meals, new appetizers, desserts, and local dishes. Air India's economy class passengers would now be served dishes such as Mushroom cheese omelette, Dry jeera aloo wedges, and Garlic tossed spinach and corn for breakfast, and Vegetable biryani, Malabar chicken curry, and mixed vegetable poriyal for lunch.

Ahmedabad AI crash marks 1st fatal Boeing 787 accident

Ahmedabad AI crash marks 1st fatal Boeing 787 accident

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft -- VT-ANB -- was 11.5 years old and had flown for more than 41,000 hours, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Sunny skies await Indian aviation?

Sunny skies await Indian aviation?

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

The trails of mega-mergers, tailwinds of expanding fleets, flights and airports will dot the fast-growing Indian aviation firmament in 2025, though the dark clouds of supply chain woes will persist longer. Also, new airline takeoffs, the future trajectory of revised norms to tackle pilot fatigue and efforts to reduce carbon emissions will be on the radar.

Indian airlines: The big winners and losers in 2013

Indian airlines: The big winners and losers in 2013

Rediff.com7 Jul 2014

High airport charges and steep operating cost hurt profitability of Indian airlines in 2013.

IndiGo Board Unsure If CEO Must Go

IndiGo Board Unsure If CEO Must Go

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'I don't think it is right to remove him over one lapse. The focus should be on restoring operations, not on removing a key management personnel.'

Air India: Will JRD Tata's Legend Return?

Air India: Will JRD Tata's Legend Return?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

J R D Tata and Air India... Mrigank Warrier explores one of India's eternal love stories.

Air India exits lobby group

Air India exits lobby group

Rediff.com4 Nov 2014

However, Federation of Indian Airlines will continue to function and its other members are not pulling the plug yet, industry sources said.

4 foreign airlines show interest in Air India stake sale

4 foreign airlines show interest in Air India stake sale

Rediff.com13 Apr 2018

British Airways, Lufthansa, Etihad and Singapore Airlines are scouting for an Indian partner that meets the net worth criterion

Air India plans MROs in Delhi, Nagpur

Air India plans MROs in Delhi, Nagpur

Rediff.com27 Aug 2007

National carrier Air India will have two maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for its aircraft, one in Nagpur and the other in Delhi.

Ilker Ayci is first foreign-national to head Air India

Ilker Ayci is first foreign-national to head Air India

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

The Air India board met on Monday afternoon to consider the candidature of Ilker Ayci and after due deliberations approved the appointment of Ayci as the CEO & MD of Air India, Tata Sons said in a statement.

Ilker Ayci is first foreign-national to head Air India

Ilker Ayci is first foreign-national to head Air India

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

The Air India board met on Monday afternoon to consider the candidature of Ilker Ayci and after due deliberations approved the appointment of Ayci as the CEO & MD of Air India, Tata Sons said in a statement.

Why Air India CCTO Deleted LinkedIn Post

Why Air India CCTO Deleted LinkedIn Post

Rediff.com27 Feb 2023

In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, February 15, night, Nipun Aggarwal had said Air India, in addition to the order of 470 planes, had the option to purchase 370 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.

Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv till Oct 18

Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv till Oct 18

Rediff.com14 Oct 2023

Normally, Air India operates five weekly flights to Tel Aviv from the national capital. The service is on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

India advises citizens to defer travel to Nepal amid unrest

India advises citizens to defer travel to Nepal amid unrest

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

India has advised its citizens to defer travel to Nepal due to ongoing unrest and anti-government protests. The Ministry of External Affairs has also urged Indian citizens currently in Nepal to exercise caution and avoid public areas.

'Ministry Slept, DGCA Slept, IndiGo...'

'Ministry Slept, DGCA Slept, IndiGo...'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

'IndiGo will receive a sharp rap on the knuckles -- a punishment, a huge penalty. 'I look towards them creating a compensation fund.' 'I would like to think they would do that for all the passengers who are affected on every single day since cancellations began.'

Air India opposes changes to ownership norms

Air India opposes changes to ownership norms

Rediff.com17 Mar 2017

Existing norms mandate 2/3rd of members of an airline's board must comprise Indian nationals

Indian Airlines, Punjab Sind Bank in semis

Indian Airlines, Punjab Sind Bank in semis

Rediff.com4 Mar 2006

The former beat South Central Railway while the bankmen accounted for Pakistan International Airlines.