Latest news with #CampbellWilson
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Air India CEO says Pakistan airspace ban adding to flying costs
FILE PHOTO: A general view of the new livery of the Air India Airbus A350 aeroplane, displayed at Wings India 2024 aviation event at Begumpet airport, Hyderabad, India, January 18, 2024. - Reuters NEW DELHI: The continuing ban for Indian airlines in using Pakistani airspace is adding flying hours for non-stop flights and will weigh down Air India Ltd.'s path to profitability, its top executive said in an interview. "The impact is significant but we have been able to sustain non-stop operations' to most destinations in North America and Europe, Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said in a Bloomberg TV interview Monday (June 2). "It'll certainly hit our bottomline.' The airspace curbs have increased flying time for west-bound flights from India by an hour or so, according to Wilson, who declined to give details on the discussions the Tata Group-owned carrier was having with stakeholders on this front. The armed conflict between India and Pakistan that erupted May 7 was the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbours in decades, with both sides trading drone and missile strikes besides artillery and small arms fire along their shared border. It was triggered by a gruesome attack on civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22. While a ceasefire was announced on May 10, Pakistan has extended the airspace ban for Indian airlines until June 24. Geopolitical strife has been complicating flying routes and business models for airlines globally in the past few years as they skirt conflict zones. Tariffs are also now a closely watched development for the sector. "We want certainty. Uncertainty is difficult when you are making investment decisions,' Wilson said, adding that this was a common theme at the ongoing aviation industry event in New Delhi. So far, Air India sees no impact of tariffs on travel flows for its geography and markets. The recent showdown between the US President Donald Trump and Harvard University has added another layer of complication for international fliers especially those looking to study in American institutions. Pointing to anecdotal stories, Wilson said that there seems to be some shift in the large student population from India that usually vies to be on US campuses. "You hear people thinking of alternatives,' he said. "Obviously, it's a relatively new development, so people are still digesting it but it does seem that people are more willing to look at alternative locations than perhaps they were before.' Wilson, who steered the massive merger of Tata-owned carriers Air India and Vistara last year, declined to comment on media stories on the airline's discussions with plane makers to buy more narrowbody jets. Air India, the unprofitable carrier which the Tata conglomerate acquired from the Indian government in 2021, will start receiving new planes it had ordered toward the end of this year, according to Wilson. The deliveries are "later than we hoped, slower than we hoped,' he said. "It is constraining our ambitions a little bit in the short term but the long term opportunity for this market is massive, so we are very, very confident.' - Bloomberg
Mint
2 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson says Pakistan airspace ban adding to flying costs
The continuing ban for Indian airlines in using Pakistani airspace is adding flying hours for non-stop flights and will weigh down Air India Ltd.'s path to profitability, its top executive said in an interview. 'The impact is significant but we have been able to sustain non-stop operations' to most destinations in North America and Europe, Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said in a Bloomberg TV interview Monday. 'It'll certainly hit our bottomline.' The airspace curbs have increased flying time for west-bound flights from India by an hour or so, according to Wilson, who declined to give details on the discussions the Tata Group-owned carrier was having with stakeholders on this front. The armed conflict between India and Pakistan that erupted May 7 was the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades, with both sides trading drone and missile strikes besides artillery and small arms fire along their shared border. It was triggered by a gruesome attack on civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22. While a ceasefire was announced on May 10, Pakistan has extended the airspace ban for Indian airlines until June 24. Geopolitical strife has been complicating flying routes and business models for airlines globally in the past few years as they skirt conflict zones. Tariffs are also now a closely watched development for the sector. 'We want certainty. Uncertainty is difficult when you are making investment decisions,' Wilson said, adding that this was a common theme at the ongoing aviation industry event in New Delhi. So far, Air India sees no impact of tariffs on travel flows for its geography and markets. The recent showdown between the US President Donald Trump and Harvard University has added another layer of complication for international fliers especially those looking to study in American institutions. Pointing to anecdotal stories, Wilson said that there seems to be some shift in the large student population from India that usually vies to be on US campuses. 'You hear people thinking of alternatives,' he said. 'Obviously, it's a relatively new development, so people are still digesting it but it does seem that people are more willing to look at alternative locations than perhaps they were before.' Wilson, who steered the massive merger of Tata-owned carriers Air India and Vistara last year, declined to comment on media stories on the airline's discussions with plane makers to buy more narrowbody jets. Air India, the unprofitable carrier which the Tata conglomerate acquired from the Indian government in 2021, will start receiving new planes it had ordered toward the end of this year, according to Wilson. The deliveries are 'later than we hoped, slower than we hoped,' he said. 'It is constraining our ambitions a little bit in the short term but the long term opportunity for this market is massive, so we are very, very confident.' More stories like this are available on Disclaimer: This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan airspace ban adding to flying costs, says Air India CEO Campbell Wilson
The continuing ban for Indian airlines in using Pakistani airspace is adding flying hours for non-stop flights and will weigh down Air India 's path to profitability, the company's Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said in a Bloomberg TV interview Monday. 'The impact is significant but we have been able to sustain non-stop operations' to most destinations in North America and Europe, Wilson said. 'It'll certainly hit our bottom line.' The airspace curbs have increased flying time for west-bound flights from India by an hour or so, according to Wilson, who declined to give details on the discussions the Tata Group-owned carrier was having with stakeholders on this front. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Exclusive MBA Scholarships [Start Now] Google Search Search Now Undo India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan. The operation was in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The Indian Air Force conducted precise strikes on key Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan and Bholari, exposing weaknesses in Chinese-supplied defence systems. In response, Pakistan attempted to strike Indian military sites on May 8, 9, and 10. India retaliated by hitting several key Pakistani military assets such as radar sites, air defence systems, and command centres. Live Events On the evening of May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both countries agreed to an immediate halt to all military actions across land, air, and sea. Geopolitical strife has been complicating flying routes and business models for airlines globally in the past few years as they skirt conflict zones. Tariffs are also now a closely watched development for the sector. 'We want certainty. Uncertainty is difficult when you are making investment decisions,' Wilson said, adding that this was a common theme at the ongoing aviation industry event in New Delhi. So far, Air India sees no impact of tariffs on travel flows for its geography and markets. The recent showdown between the US President Donald Trump and Harvard University has added another layer of complication for international fliers especially those looking to study in American institutions. Pointing to anecdotal stories, Wilson said that there seems to be some shift in the large student population from India that usually vies to be on US campuses. 'You hear people thinking of alternatives,' he said. 'Obviously, it's a relatively new development, so people are still digesting it but it does seem that people are more willing to look at alternative locations than perhaps they were before.' Air India, the unprofitable carrier which the Tata conglomerate acquired from the Indian government in 2021, will start receiving new planes it had ordered toward the end of this year, according to Wilson. The deliveries are 'later than we hoped, slower than we hoped,' he said. 'It is constraining our ambitions a little bit in the short term but the long term opportunity for this market is massive, so we are very, very confident.' (With Bloomberg inputs)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India Codeshare Agreement: Air India and Air Mauritius expand codeshare agreement to boost regional connectivity, ET Infra
New routes and access for passengers Advt Advt By , ETInfra Air India and Air Mauritius have expanded their existing codeshare agreement to improve air connectivity between the Indian Subcontinent and the African region. The agreement was signed during the 81st International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in New the revised agreement, the two carriers will place their designator codes on 17 routes connecting India, Mauritius, Réunion, South Africa, and India will now place its 'AI' code on Air Mauritius-operated flights to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Antananarivo in Madagascar. This arrangement will allow passengers to travel from India to these destinations via Mauritius on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to the final destination.'India is one of the largest tourism source markets for destinations in Southern Africa, including Mauritius and South Africa, as well as a trade partner to the region. This expanded codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius is another step toward widening our extended global network, which enables our customers to easily access these destinations," said Campbell Wilson, CEO and managing director of Air Air India already codeshares on Air Mauritius flights between Mauritius and Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Réunion. In return, Air Mauritius places its 'MK' code on Air India flights within India covering cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Goa. As part of the new arrangement, the 'MK' code will also be added to Air India flights operating between Mauritius and arrangement ensures that all flights between India and Mauritius operated by either airline will carry the codes of both carriers, offering travellers expanded Beegoo of Air Mauritius added, 'Air Mauritius is pleased to expand its collaboration with Air India, offering our passengers connections to destinations across India via Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Travellers from India to Mauritius will also have the option to connect to Réunion, South Africa, and Madagascar with Air Mauritius.'The additional codeshare flights will be available for booking from July 1, 2025, through both airlines' official channels and authorised travel agents.
Bloomberg
4 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Air India CEO Says Pakistan Airspace Ban Adding to Flying Costs
By and Mihir Mishra Save The continuing ban for Indian airlines in using Pakistani airspace is adding flying hours for non-stop flights and will weigh down Air India Ltd. 's path to profitability, its top executive said in an interview. 'The impact is significant but we have been able to sustain non-stop operations' to most destinations in North America and Europe, Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said in a Bloomberg TV interview Monday. 'It'll certainly hit our bottomline.'
