Latest news with #AnilRao
News18
10 hours ago
- General
- News18
Air India Employees Struggling With Morale Issues After Ahmedabad Crash: Report
Last Updated: After the crash, the airline employees are grappling with serious concerns due to the risks involved in their livelihood choice and are also losing faith in management. Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Following the deadly crash of Ahmedabad-London Air India flight AI-171, employees working at Air India and Air India Express, especially cabin crew, pilots and engineering staff have been struggling with morale issues, Moneycontrol reported. The London-bound Air India flight crashed into a hostel complex in Ahmedabad moments after it took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12 afternoon, killing 275 persons, including 241 on board. After the crash, the airline employees are grappling with serious concerns due to the risks involved in their livelihood choice and are also losing faith in management. Adding to their difficulties, they're struggling to cope with negative public opinion and a growing distrust in the Air India brand. 'While most employees do appreciate the steps taken by senior leadership to highlight the sensitivity of the June 12 crash, most colleagues are looking for leadership, accountability, change in character and a platform where their concerns can be recognised," a pilot working with the airline told the news outlet. He further said that many pilots and cabin crew at Air India are now closely watching how the airline prepares for upcoming changes to flight duty timings. These changes are expected to include longer mandatory rest periods and other measures designed to better manage stress and and fatigue among staff. Another Air India pilot recalled facing 'several incidents,' including a major in-flight engine failure. 'You just have to be prepared, focus on the tasks at hand, and keep going. Nothing really prepares you fully for what the skies may throw at you," he told the news outlet. While speaking to Moneycontrol, an official at Air India's Gurugram head office said that the employees are expecting the management to introduce new Standard Operating Procedures for flight safety. They are also anticipating the creation of a forum for open discussion on fatigue, workload, and operational risks, aiming to foster a culture where safety concerns can be freely raised. Seasoned pilot Captain Anil Rao, with 32 years and 12,000 flying hours under his belt, told the news outlet that while aviation tragedies deeply impact the community, pilots are specifically trained to handle such critical situations. 'In life-and-death scenarios, a pilot fights till the very end to protect lives onboard and on the ground. That mindset is drilled into us. When a tragedy strikes close to home, there's shock and grief, yes, but pilots and cabin crew don't have the luxury to stop. We have to get up and fly," he said. Multiple pilots and cabin crew who spoke with Moneycontrol noted a noticeable increase in compassion and concern from senior leaders regarding employee workload and mental well-being following the crash. The airline has also deployed a team of trained psychologists and doctors in Ahmedabad to provide trauma counseling and psychological support to the affected families or individuals. The airline has deployed psychologists at its base stations in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai to for cabin crew, pilots and other staff struggling with mental well-being. Air India's leadership group has also been interacting with employees to boost morale during a difficult time. 'We (Air India) are supporting those staff who have served in Ahmedabad upon their return to base with a mandatory break and counselling. The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone and I encourage you to avail of it," Air India's Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said on June 20. Ahmedabad Plane Crash India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on Thursday after a London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. 241 out of 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 (AI 171) and 34 on the ground, were killed in the crash. The deceased include 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children. So far, 256 bodies have been handed over to their families, while the DNA identification process for the remaining remains ongoing. One person survived the tragedy. The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Gujarat health department gave the official figure of casualties of the tragedy. The announcement of the death toll was delayed as authorities were verifying the DNA matches of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Many bodies were charred beyond recognition as the aircraft burst into flames or were damaged on impact. The aircraft had 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, on board. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Applegreen names US chief transformation officer
This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dublin-based c-store and travel plaza operator Applegreen named Anil Rao as U.S. chief transformation officer earlier this month, Rao announced last week on LinkedIn. Rao spent the past four years in several leadership roles with Pittsburgh-based leisure park operator Palace Entertainment, according to his LinkedIn bio. 'I'm excited to be part of the next era of growth in the United States, in a business that sits at the intersection of hospitality and travel,' Rao said in his announcement. He joins Applegreen less than two months after the departure of the retailer's U.S. president, Zack Kollias, who has since become president and chief operating officer for the exclusive franchisee of Whataburger restaurants in Georgia, Kollias recently announced on LinkedIn. It's unclear what Rao's duties will be with Applegreen in the U.S., where the retailer operates about 165 locations across 12 states. An Applegreen spokesperson declined to comment on Rao's hiring, as well as if Applegreen U.S. is still seeking a new president. As of late March, Applegreen's spokesperson told C-Store Dive that the position had not been filled since Kollias' departure. Rao joined Palace Entertainment in early 2021 as vice president of food and beverage before becoming interim chief operating officer in late 2023. His most recent position with the company was SVP of revenue and business development, in which he helped drive in-park revenue and the company's investment strategy, according to his LinkedIn bio. Earlier in his career, Rao worked for business management consultancies. He was a VP with AlixPartners and senior associate with A.T. Kearny. Recommended Reading Applegreen US president departs Sign in to access your portfolio
