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 !!!