Weekend Platter ( 29 JUNE 2013 )

Vow !...Joie de vivre….!!!

Aviation on a roll again….The trends…..

Lower fares, more destinations, more connectivity, more jobs & more choice…

1.    Jobs….5,000 jobs on offer……Jet Airways and IndiGo step up hiring activities…… SpiceJet and IndiGo conducting weekly recruitment drives….Air Asia on overdrive, walk in interviews in 3 cities….Malindo Air scouting for Indian C.E.O…..

2.    Jobs….even.Aapro Air India is in the ring…seeking executives to head its maintenance, repair  and overhaul (MRO) unit…..!! MoCA is all set to consult senior Airbus and Boeing executives for (selection ) of the right guy…

3.    More Choice.….now two more, new home grown airlines – Air Costa and Kairali Airlines, all set to take off in July and November respectively……

4.    More Connectivity…..Air India proposes…. to lease 11 turboprop planes for 5 to 7 years to enhance connectivity to non-metro cities across the country……,

5.    More Destinations…..Air India’s International expansion- Birmingham IS ON w.e.f. 01 AUG, 4 flights per week…! Under active consideration….Bali, Istanbul, Nairobi, Sydney, Melbourne, Rome, Milan, Moscow, …….

6.    & More Destinations….Etihad with Jet Airways tie will open-up exciting 67 destinations in 45 countries….! If planning a US trip, then no more long and tardy cues at US airports if travelling on Etihad. Vow !! exciting times ahead.....

7.    Forecasts….. are positive…emerging regions like South Asia will "continue to be the primary source of growth in international premium travel. ( IATA )

8.    Performance….In May domestic air travel surged around 5 percent  year-on-year, reversing the 15-month long trend of declining traffic ( DGCA )…Hurray !!!

9.    Better Price….With the impending unbundling….now you pay only for what you want…..

10.  Hybrid Airlines…..Full Service & Low fares- the mantra of hybrid Airline. Malindo Air all set for August debut….Now Get !!...Set…!! and GO !! You will be spoilt for choice..

So What They Said about…..Our Air India ……

11.  Shri Ajit Singh – Hon’ Minister of Civil Aviation …..on operations to Africa..

……There is a huge potential … between India and some of the African countries on account of trade and business developments as well as education and medical tourism,” ……

12.  Senior Official, Ministry of Civil Aviation- on AI’s M.R.O……..

……Currently, a separate company has been set up. But it is yet to take up any outside business……we need a dynamic individual to be in charge of marketing and securing business for the MRO. Air India's captive business will not be sufficient,” …..

13.  Senior Executive, Air India- On proposal to discontinue meal service……..

……Overall the attempt is to evolve a functional ‘hybrid’ model by incorporating the best practices of low-cost carriers while retaining the core features of a full-service airline”,(BUSINESS STANDARD )

14.  Mr. Martyn Lloyd, Commercial Director of Birmingham Airport….,

……This is fantastic news for our region and we're delighted that Air India has recognised the strong demand that lies in our catchment and will be operating the new Dreamliner aircraft on the route……

15.  Martin Schwab- CEO, Star Alliance….

…. Air India’s  membership was still in “suspension awaiting the start of the integration process…We talk to them frequently,  but their status is the same…we consider India is very important for the Star Alliance network….

16.  Senior Air India Official  ….

…..A year ago, we were not meeting cash costs for 69 per cent of our network. This has now fallen to 25 per cent. ….we are looking at meeting cash costs on 85 per cent of our network by the end of this financial year."….. Great News Indeed !!

17.  Shri Rohit Nandan, CMD, Air India……in a letter to employees …

My confidence in our performance emerges from the proven track record …total revenue increased by almost 10 % this year,….AI carried 14.05 million passengers against 13.40 million in previous year….Passenger Load Factor (PLF) stood (at) 72.7% compared to 68% during 2011-12….. The network OTP has been almost 80%...increase in the Business Class and First Class passengers has contributed to increases in yields on both domestic and international networks… …

18.  US aviation  regulator to audit flight ops in India…..

ICAO had named India among 13 countries with the most dismal air safety monitoring records. Air safety experts said that…."It could mean.. US government could introduce restrictions on Indian airlines operating in the US,"…..

What About..…..Our Country Cousins……

19.  Mr. K N Babu, CEO, Air Costa, Vijayawada based startup…..

…. Our plan is to link underserved markets in India with more direct flights… additions to our fleet and launching new routes over the medium term…..as well as key secondary and tertiary business centres.”….

20.  Mr. Sudheer Raghavan, C.C.O,, Jet Airways on Code Share with AF & KLM…….

….We are delighted with this enhancement in our relationship with both Air France and KLM, ….as it will allow our guests the convenience of enhanced connectivity …via their European gateways in Paris and Amsterdam to key destinations…

21.  Dominique Patry, Air France’s Vice-President, International Affairs and Alliances,……: 

…This new partnership illustrates our Group’s strategic positioning that strengthens our offer between Europe and the rest of the world by developing our network with first class partners as Jet Airways….

22.  Pieter Elbers, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer KLM,

…KLM is very pleased with this important step in expanding the cooperation between Jet Airways and KLM…. an expanded network in India…is considered of key strategic value to our company……

23.  Mr. Aditya Ghosh, President, Indigo – on winning Global Award….

…We are humbled by this recognition as it is a testimony of the trust and faith of the flyers who have supported us since the time we started flying in 2006….( IndiGo wins Skytrax World Airline Award for Best Low Cost Airline in Central Asia & India )

24.  Shri Tony Fernandes, CEO, Air Asia Group…..on winning a Global Award…..

…..It is an honour to be ranked as Asia and World's Best Low Cost Airline for the fifth time in a row, and we would like to thank all of our guests for their support…..

25.  Dr. Subramaniam Swamy- on the Air Asia Operations……

….This week I will write to PM (Prime Minister) that Air Asia deal clearance by PC on FIPB proceedings is illegal,"…"a gross and blatant fraud", he urged the Prime Minister to "revoke this impugned fraudulent AirAsia deal,…………….

26.  Shri Tony Fernandes, CEO, Air Asia Group …on appointment of Chairman….

Subramanian Ramadorai ….”He is an exceptionally experienced executive with a proven track record of building and grooming dynamic, young and energetic teams,”

27.  Shri Subramaniam Ramadorai, Chairman Air Asia India…..

….I look forward to working with the executive team led by Mittu Chandilya, (CEO),  and supporting the company’s growth & advancement into the market in the future.”

28.  Shri G.S.Khera, Head Govt & Int’l Affairs, Malaysian Airlines-…..

….We would like to have double daily flights from the metro cities of India..(our) airline is open to investing in Indian carriers,..“We have used up all our bilateral seats. In fact, we have been asking to increase air capacity to India from the past one year,…..( Singapore, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar already in cue….)

29.  Giovanni Bisignani, Former Director General,  IATA,….(Stunning info…)

…. says Jet Airways chief Naresh Goyal developed his airline's business class mock-ups in utter secrecy inside the garage of his London home…..!(Great Mr Goyal !!! )

…Ooh La..di..dah…!!!! Ladies…Wassup ???

 

30.  You are The New Hi-tech Input in Airline Cost Economics Algorithm….

..Not Bad at All…!!Go Air will save Rs. 2.5 to Rs.3 crores annually, by operating flights with female Cabin Attendants only…Ladies weigh 15-20 kgs less than their male counterpart & every kg less saves Rs3 per flight hour…. Gr8 indeed !!!  Our

SOS ! Boeing & Airbus…Please do something for the Male Gender!!

…and - The Award goes to.……!!!!

(SKYTRAX WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS…The Skytrax Survey is operated during a 10-month period, with customers representing more than 100 nationalities from over 160 countries around the world participating. The 2013 Awards are based on 18.2 million completed customer surveys, and include over 200 airlines worldwide.)

31.  Emirates- Best Airline…..“Being honoured with these awards is testament to our unrelenting effort to be the world’s best airline,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates….

32.  Etihad- Best First Class Category …. "It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honours in every First Class category again”,said  Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer

33.  Qatar Airways - Best Business Class Category...."These awards are highly rewarding as they are judiciously voted by passengers a true account of the overall experience felt by customers who have travelled with the airline," said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker

34.  Turkish Airlines -Best Airlines in Europe + Best Business Class Catering…. "This is a major accomplishment for our airline and one that we are very proud of," said Turkish Airlines' CEO Temel Kotil, Ph.D.

35.  Thomson Airways - Best Leisure Airlines.. "We are so proud to receive this fantastic accolade,.. but most of all because it is voted for by passengers.”, Chris Browne, MD for Thomson Airways.

36.  Cathay Pacific - Best Cabin Staff

37.  Air Asia - Best Low Cost Airline

38.  Garuda Indonesia - Best Economy Class

39.  ANA Japan - Best Cabin Cleanliness  

40.  Air Canada - Best Airline in North America

41.  Indigo- Best Low Cost Airline in Central Asia & India – ( Great Indeed- Indigo You have done us all proud…! Keep it up )

42.  Qantas- soars back into top 10…. For Qantas to be recognised as the best reflects our investment in creating great travel experiences,”said Alan Joyce, CEO, Qantas…

43.  Garuda Airlines- surprise result : Garuda continued to rise from number 11 to number 8.The airline, which was banned by the European Union from flying to Europe due to safety concerns until mid-2009, has made great efforts to improve its safety and service

44.  As always, it was Middle-Eastern and Asian carriers that dominated the top spots, with no airlines from the US or Europe cracking the top 10.

…& What is the Industry & Market Buzz .….

45.  74% FDI in Sked Airlines….Mr Arvind Mayaram Committee’s Suggestion …..

..if accepted, then foreign airlines may get to control domestic airlines, both scheduled and non-scheduled ones,… Scheduled domestic airlines, should be made eligible for 74 per cent foreign investment from the existing 49 per cent….!! (This is a major policy shift…Why ? & For Whom ?? when only a few months back 49% was introduced after a lot of flip-flop…!! Certain Indian carriers require BIG funds….!! There are far reaching consequences….)

46.  Fabrice Brégier, C.E.O., Airbus Industrie……

I discovered air shows are like weddings – when it’s raining we are getting lucky,” ….. (comment on the poor weather at the Paris Air show, which included several spectacular thunderstorms )

47.  James McNerney, C.E.O., Boeing……

insisted…. Boeing would not let Airbus secure a commanding lead in the narrow-body airplane market…

48.  Airbus and Boeing…

…..Airbus outperformed Boeing with orders worth 68.7 billion dollars, compared to Boeing with orders of 66 billion dollars…

….European plane maker seen turning up the heat on rival Boeing with its alternative to the DreamlinerAIRBUS' new A350 XWB aircraft, which has 613 firm orders

49.  Shri Ajit Singh – Hon’ Minister of Civil Aviation …..

........Government should quit the Civil Aviation sector……

50.  Martin Schwab, CEO,Star Alliance….

.. is adamant that it does not need to recruit a Middle East airline for its global network ….as Middle East airlines have no added value for our 28 members…the Middle East is covered in our Alliance…

51.  Is First Class on its Way Out…..???

…. the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has been ordered by more than 50 airlines has yet to see a single first class seat installed…. many airlines are starting to reduce their full-blown first class offering, mainly because business class is beyond what first class used to be,…..”

52.  King Fisher Airlines …….

….It is interesting….that KFA employees have been knocking the doors of the courts seeking salary dues while Mallya has been donating gold to temples across the country….We want justice….

53.  Emirates Enhances Inflight Services on Indian Routes…..

Focussing on three crucial elements – inflight food and beverage; inflight product; and cabin crew management – the programme seeks to ensure the airline exceeds the expectations of its Indian passengers through regionalisation of the product on Indian routes……( This is called a focused business strategy )

…& Now - a little Laughter…..

From the pilot during his welcome message: "We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately none of them are on this flight."…..

Here is Wishing you All a Great Weekend !!!

 

Should Air India cut International fares to counter Jet Etihad competition…???

Apropos news item in Business Standard of 26 June, “…..AI to cut international travel fares to counter competition from Jet-Etihad……”. The question is should Air India cut International fares to counter Jet Etihad competition ?

While apprehensions of Air India on the Jet Etihad deal are understandable, but cutting International fares to combat competition, is not the answer. On the India- USA, India-UK, India- Middle East & Gulf routes the nationality profile of passengers on Air India, and presumably also on Jet Airways is predominantly Indian ethnic. This traffic again comprises largely of VFR’s ( visiting friends and relatives ), students, and Indian tourists and holiday travellers. All these traffic segments of Indian passengers are highly price sensitive, and often seek value additions to their travel program.

Prior to embarking upon any price cutting strategy to combat competition, it would be prudent to understand the dynamics of carrier selection by the passengers on these routes. Off course price is an important determinant. Indian passengers often travel as a family. Hence, even a $20/- fare differential in the ticket price, translates to $80/- for a family of 4, and this can swing the choice of carrier.

But, besides price, there are other equally vital variables that need to be focussed upon in a constructive manner to succeed in this fiercely competitive market. It is a calibrated blend of various variables that will eventually determine winner. In other words what is needed is, a well-conceived plan and a strategy to tackle this challenge, rather than resort to predatory fares. There is no end to this game of cutting fares, and it is a foregone conclusion, that the winners in this game are airlines with deep pockets. If not, then the game is ‘self-destructive’ ! Does Air India have a deep pocket ?

Let us look at Air India, in the context of the Jet Etihad deal. Let us take the India-USA route as an example. Firstly, Air India should remember, and confidently so, that it has a large secure base of brand loyalists who will not desert it or shift to other airlines. This component of loyalist will continue to patronise Air India, until and unless, there are substantial price differentials. It is this loyalist camp, that Air India, now needs to identify, assiduously nurture, protect and cultivate, in a  focussed and planned manner, come what may.

Secondly, Air India enjoys an edge over other airlines. Travel on Air India does not entail change of airlines en-route, where the culture, the overall ambience, the comfort level and continuity of experience changes. And change is never welcome, it is always resisted. This change is vastly different from change of airplanes. On Air India, from origin to destination, it is one and one airline only- the same culture, the same care, the same warmth, the same faces, the same assurance enhances the basic comfort and acceptance level several notches, compared to  what a joint venture or a code share carriers will offer. It is this major variable that passengers look at when making choice of a carrier, particularly on a long haul travel. Even at the destination airport overseas, or the origin station overseas it is the same Air India personnel and Air India culture to welcome and greet Indian passengers. There is no substitute to this bonding, nothing like seeing your own people in a foreign land. This is a great USP of Air India, and it needs to be fully harnessed.

Thirdly, Air India operates to three gateways in the US, namely New-York, Newark and Chicago. Traffic destined, or originating from these points in the US will continue to patronise and travel on Air India. Making a dent on this segment by the competitors will be challenging. It is the transit component of the traffic, travelling beyond New-York, Newark and Chicago that is and will be vulnerable to competition, but only if the competitor has a direct flight into that destination. If not, then Air India will continue to be the carrier of choice. It is this component that Air India needs to identify, and tailor a product and service that offers convenience, comfort and value for money. This is where Air India strategists have to put their heads together, think out of the box, and secure this traffic.

Fourthly, Air India, should seriously rethink its strategy of Delhi as the hub of all overseas operations. India is a continent. Passengers from Southern Region are not very receptive to travelling all the way to Delhi, before stepping out of Indian shores. Moreover our competitors have direct flights overseas from various Indian gateways. Besides this it is pertinent to mention, that the Southern states today not only have maximum International airports, but are also most robust in terms of the total travel potential. Having said this, Air India should immediately explore feasibility of creating a hub in Southern India and in Kerala. A corollary to the above will be the option of operating direct flights overseas from these gateways. This is a must, in view of the increasing competition all around. Passengers from Southern India are not interested in Bharat darshan or Delhi darshan. They want to leave Indian shores immediately after boarding the flight. This desire becomes more acute, particularly on the return leg of a long haul journey.  They want to reach ‘ home’, but reaching Delhi, is not akin to reaching home. This waiting in the aircraft on India soil, for another three to three and a half hours to reach home is torturous. This last mile is the longest and unending. Air India will need to understand this, and develop a customer and market friendly product, otherwise it might as well write off the Southern Region traffic.

Another, fiasco of this Delhi hub for the Southern Region passengers is- that of a single class configuration on domestic flights being proposed by Air India. An Executive Class passenger from Chicago to Delhi, will find it unacceptable to travel on the Delhi-Chennai leg in the economy class of a domestic flight, particularly when he has a choice of Executive Class travel end to end on Lufthansa or Emirates or Singapore Airlines or Etihad. While IGI International Airport per-se is an excellent airport, at par with any modern International airport, but in terms of service deliveries for transit and connecting passengers, it leaves a lot to be desired.  Passenger comments have been far from encouraging. This is yet another reason for Air India to look afresh at its Delhi hub policy.

Fifthly, Air India should very closely look at offering value additions to its passengers. Frequent Flyer Program should be tweaked up with multiple purchase options of product and services, free gifting of tickets and mileages to friends and relatives, tie-up with health services and hospitals for complimentary health check-ups for the weak and elderly in the family of the frequent flyer. Air India should offer liberal bonus miles to first time travellers diverted from other airlines on to its services. Co-branding and tie up with major global tour operators, for exchanging accumulated miles for tour and sight-seeing packages to friends and relatives. A fare discount offer sans mileage to be offered to frequent flyers on a calibrated scale of travel anywhere from 10% to 15% or an upgrade facility on seat availability basis. These are value additions that will go a long way in retaining and nurturing Air India loyalists and patrons.

Sixthly, a customer focussed and a customer committed attitude amongst all the staff and officials needs to be deeply and assiduously ingrained. This image change is imperative, and needs to be advertised and aggressively promoted across all media, to change the perception about Air India in the public mind- from a ‘could-not-care-less’ attitude to one of ‘tender-loving-care-and-concern’.

Seventhly, Air India as a brand still enjoys a strong recall value, not only in India but all across the globe. Air India should build on this and enhance its brand image or rather reinforce its impeccable credentials in the public mind as a brand from the pioneers of Civil Aviation in India- the Tatas. A sustained media blitz is an urgent imperative, to clear the accumulated baggage of an adverse image over the years. Image change is not by change of livery or colour or logo, image change has to be in the mind of the public.

Lastly, the think tank in Air India should take a cue from the prestigious Skytrax Airline Awards, to identify award categories, as these are the segments, which are increasingly reckoned by an average passenger in selecting an airline. Air India should focus on each and every such component, develop it and then excel in it, to emerge as the airline of first choice. These are some of the variables which Air India should concentrate upon on a priority basis to combat competition.  

Pot-Pourri of The Week

Pot–Pourri of The Week 

Congrats !!! ….Team Air India …..……

1.       Shri Ajit Singh – Hon’ Minister of Civil Aviation :…..

…..Air India will achieve a Turn Around earlier than planned…..

…..Air India estimates that its EBITDA  would increase from Rs 19.45 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 1,040 crore in the current fiscal……

…..Air India total revenue would go up 20% by the end of the current financial year….. from Rs 16,130 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 19,393 crore in 2013-14……

 KEEP IT UP AIR INDIANS……….YOU DID IT… !!! YOU PROVED SKEPTICS WRONG….!!!

OUR SALUTE TO THE MANAGEMENT…WITHOUT ANY LAY-OFF or PINK SLIP…..!!!

What They Said about…..Our Air India ……

 2         Shri Rohit Nandan- C.M.D., Air India……..

…..when you fly with Air India you get a complete service, as we are dedicated to maintaining excellent  customer service, competitive fares and providing a first-class experience for all Air India travellers……

3         Shri Ajit Singh – Hon’ Minister of Civil Aviation..…..

….. see, we are hybrid ( airline )…….

(Oops !!! Till now this was only a conjecture….but now ???? )

4         Ms Angela Gittens- Director General, Airports Council International ( A.C.I.)…….

….. Air India does not have the strength to be a hub carrier. You might be better off by letting fate take the draw and let some of the other Indian carriers become the hub carriers,……..

5         Shri Ajit Singh – Hon’ Minister of Civil Aviation ..…..on Privatising Air India……

…..taking Air India public was premature ..“The government will take a call once Air India is able to compete with its peers

……. a few Air India insiders feel that the challenge of making the firm worthy to go public would complete the turnaround……

6         Shri Deepak Brara- Director Commercial, Air India…..on Loyalty Program…….

…. we are launching a campaign regarding our frequent-flyer programme….. we will partner with an international hotel chain and launch a co-branded credit card.These features have been missing from our programme,.. Also on the cards is upgrade of Air India holidays…..

(Is this a fallout of Jet Etihad deal…. Etihad is now handling Jets FFP !! Why didn’t we think of this earlier.)

7         Shri S.Venkat – Director Finance, Air India…..on overstaffing in AI’s MRO-AIES…..

…… Apart from servicing Air India’s fleet of 106 planes, we expect 20-30% business to come from outside India,…which may grow to 50%.....

Existing domestic MROs like AirWorks and MAS GMR Aeronautical Engineering (MGAE) operate with a much leaner staff of 170 and nearly 300, respectively, against AI’s 7,400, transferred to AIES earlier this year…..

 The Game Changers…Hot & Happening…!!!

8         B-787’s for Air India-  AI dubs these planes- its ‘Game Changer’ for its global expansion plans….to skim the travel market with its this USP….

9         Instalment / EMI Scheme - Jet Airways and Indigo have launched Instalment Scheme – in a tie up with a credit card companies to spur demand on their flights…..

10     US Customs and Immigration facility in Abu Dhabi by December-  May see major shifts in travel pattern of US destined traffic…which is the second largest destination ex India…

11     Etihad launches Agents Incentive Reward Scheme-  At a time when Agents Commission is under the scanner this scheme ‘ Live free for a Year”at US $30,000/- throws a spanner….

12     Air Asia and the Bundling of Fares…Yes they have already changed the game. ‘Unbundling’ of fares is a fall out of their pricing mechanism, sending ripples in the Indian Market…. including in the National Carrier Air India and Air India Express.

13     A Hybrid Profile…. Malindo Air with its hybrid profile- “Low Fares & Full Service”, may redefine Pricing & Service attributes in both the LCC’s & FSC’s…. Malindo Air plans to commence operations in India from August 2013, Indian carriers get set for a new war…..

What Happened in the Week That Was…….

14     Be Ready to pay a New Tax for Domestic Travel : Ministry of Civil Aviation proposes to levy a cess of R 50 on all domestic passengers to encourage Air Connectivity to small towns….

15     Kairali Airlines Ltd, ….an aviation company based in Kerala, is all set to launch its operations on domestic routes on November 1, the anniversary of Kerala's statehood.

16     Government defers decision on Jet – Etihad deal : Wassup ! Is the government …..between the devil and the deep sea now……

17     Air India’s Boeing 787 on display at the Paris Air Show…..Boeing displays B-787 in Air India colours at the Paris Air Show ( VT-ANN). Great publicity for Brand Air India…..

18     New Boeing 787-9 :  Boeing has announced that it has started building its 787-9, a longer version of its 787 Dreamliner, that can carry 250 to 290 passengers – 40 more than the 787-8, across an additional 555 kilometres while using 20 per cent less fuel than airplanes of the same size. It should be making a first flight within months, and an initial delivery in early 2014 to Air New Zealand.

19     Gary Toomey, New CEO of Jet Airways : whom The Age from Australia describes as…’ The man synonymous with Australia's failed airline Ansett, Gary Toomey, has been selected as chief executive of India's second-largest airline Jet Airways……Mr Toomey and Etihad chief executive James Hogan, who is also an Australian, have links to Ansett…..

20     Oops….Airline Rankings : A new website which rates safety of airlines around the world, has said…. you take your life into your hands when you fly with Indonesia's Lion Air, Air India Express and Nepal's oddly-named Yeti Airlines.  

21     Air India Pilots Q up for job in Air Asia….Around 100 pilots from Air India Q up for Air Asia job. A pilot from AI said…. "They are looking for pilots capable of handling Airbus 320. My reason for applying is the Tata brand name."

22     Air India Celebrates 65 years of its operations to the UK : on the 9th of June 2013 at a special gala reception at the prestigious The Montcalm Hotel in Central London. The event  coincided with the official launch of Air India’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft into the UK travel market.

Whispers……..in the Week That Was…….

23     Larger PF kitty for employees in Air India : While the new Dharmadhikari grades in Air India will translate to a bigger PF on super annuation, but a more lucrative option under government’s consideration is taking the total gross salary for PF computation. Great News! Don’t forget elections are round the corner…..

24     Will Staff Travel become ‘ Dearer ‘ ???? : Possibly Yes ! with ‘ Unbundling’ of fares, where staff will have to pay for all the extras….Will this permeate into the Zed segment also..????.

25     Will Good and Performing Staff be retained after Superannuation at 58..??? ….Maybe…. with the likely reduction in staff incident upon transfer to AIES and GSD subsidiary….

& Now Laughter……thy name is Medicine…

26     After a smooth and safe landing of the Flight, the inflight announcement, said…………………….., Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you or your money more than (BLANK) Airlines…..

Have a Great Weekend !

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