As a government enterprise, Air India has endured frequent lampooning as
a clumsy, unwieldy bureaucracy and in 1997 the airline ceased flights
to Australia during a particularly turbulent period when a great deal of
restructuring took place.
This uncertainty also delayed Air India’s entrance into the global Star Alliance network, an integration that looks to be finally complete in July this year. When complete, passengers will not only be able to earn more points, but utilise partner lounges.
When the airline announced a resumption of direct services to Australia in July last year, the news caught the attention of media at both ends of the route.
With Australia and India enjoying a healthy resurgence in mutual visitation, it seemed a natural choice to employ one of Air India’s 14 smart, new and efficient 787 Dreamliners on the Delhi-Sydney-Melbourne triangular route.
Despite what seemed like an obvious decision, the route is reportedly losing $125,000 a day and failing to meet projected passenger loads of 80 per cent. This was certainly the case when I travelled on Air India flight 301 recently.
While I enjoy the extra space and lack of queues on a lightly loaded flight, I lament for the airline who must endure the loss of revenue. Check-in at Sydney is performed by contractors, Toll Airport Services, and was effortless and relaxed.
Read news in full 17/06/14 Herald Sun
This uncertainty also delayed Air India’s entrance into the global Star Alliance network, an integration that looks to be finally complete in July this year. When complete, passengers will not only be able to earn more points, but utilise partner lounges.
When the airline announced a resumption of direct services to Australia in July last year, the news caught the attention of media at both ends of the route.
With Australia and India enjoying a healthy resurgence in mutual visitation, it seemed a natural choice to employ one of Air India’s 14 smart, new and efficient 787 Dreamliners on the Delhi-Sydney-Melbourne triangular route.
Despite what seemed like an obvious decision, the route is reportedly losing $125,000 a day and failing to meet projected passenger loads of 80 per cent. This was certainly the case when I travelled on Air India flight 301 recently.
While I enjoy the extra space and lack of queues on a lightly loaded flight, I lament for the airline who must endure the loss of revenue. Check-in at Sydney is performed by contractors, Toll Airport Services, and was effortless and relaxed.
Read news in full 17/06/14 Herald Sun
No comments:
Post a Comment