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Malaysia Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Air India targets legacy fleet reliability boost with Singapore Airlines partnership: AI CEO
By Shafali Nigam New Delhi [India], August 8 (ANI): Air India is intensifying efforts to improve the reliability of its legacy aircraft fleet, spanning the Airbus A320 family, Boeing 787s and Boeing 777s, as part of a wider operational upgrade programme, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson told its staff on Friday in a town hall meeting. According to sources, the airline has zeroed in on persistent bottlenecks such as supply chain delays and spare parts shortages. It is working directly with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to fast-track solutions. The strategy involves close collaboration with shareholder partner Singapore Airlines, exchanging best practices on engineering, maintenance planning and operational efficiency. During the meeting, CEO Campbell told airline employees that Air India is collaborating with our shareholder partner, Singapore Airlines, to exchange notes on industry best practices, sources said. Sources said that the reliability push dovetails with Air India's multi-year retrofit programme, which aims to modernise cabin interiors and systems on both narrowbody and widebody aircraft. On the operational front, Air India has begun the long-awaited retrofit of its legacy fleet. The first Boeing 787-8 widebody aircraft was sent to the US in July, with its return expected by December 2025. After that, two aircraft will undergo retrofit every month, with all 25 remaining 787-8s upgraded by June 2027. In the narrowbody segment, 14 of 27 A320neo aircraft have already been retrofitted and returned to service, with the remainder set for completion by September 2025, the CEO said. Despite recent operational challenges - including the Iran airspace closure and engineering safety pauses - Air India's performance metrics remain strong. In the last two months alone, the carrier has flown approximately 4.4 million passengers across 33,000 flights, averaging 108,000 passengers daily with a year-to-date load factor of 84%, the CEO said. On-time performance targets of 80% for domestic and 72% for international services are being met, while the airline's Net Promoter Score (NPS) rebounded sharply to 35 in July 2025, up from 23 in June and just 5 in July last year, the CEO added. Sources also said that the CEO said in the meeting that 'more than 600 people across the Tata Group - under the banner of Air India Angels & Caregivers - mobilised in Ahmedabad to assist the next of kin of those impacted by the incident. Senior leadership has remained in constant touch with the families of crew members, while the airline has already disbursed interim relief compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to 194 families. For employees, Air India has launched an array of support programmes, including Care Circles for ground and cabin crew, Reflection Sessions at its Aviation Academy, one-on-one counselling, peer support through Buddy @ AI, and online yoga sessions led by instructors from TCS Yoga Council and the Indian Yoga Association, the CEO said. (ANI)
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Gazette
DGCA asks airlines to conduct fuel switch inspections on Boeing aircraft by July 21
By Shafali Nigam New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India's civil aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday issued an urgent directive mandating Indian operators of specific Boeing aircraft models to conduct inspections of the engine fuel control switch locking mechanisms by July 21. The move comes days after report of preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad in which killed 260 people. The directive enforces compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA)'s Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) NM-18-33, issued in December 2018, which warned of the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature in operators of Model 737 airplanes Boeing aircraft, as mentioned in AI 171 preliminary report. The fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models including part number 4TL837-3D which is fitted in B787-8 aircraft VT-ANB, the preliminary report added. The fuel control switch design--including the locking feature--is shared across several Boeing aircraft families, including the 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, and 787, the report said. AAIB's findings reignited concern over why many airlines had delayed or skipped the inspections, even after the issue had been flagged internationally. The order mandates all affected operators to complete inspections in line with the FAA's SAIB NM-18-33 and submit their inspection plans and final compliance reports to both the DGCA and relevant regional offices. The DGCA noted in its directive that several international and domestic operators had voluntarily begun compliance following the FAA bulletin. The order explicitly refers to India's Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) M-M.A. 301, which obligates operators to comply with safety directives from aircraft manufacturers or regulators of the aircraft's state of design, in this case, the U.S. FAA. 'Strict adherence is essential for continued airworthiness and safety of operations,' the DGCA stated. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released the preliminary report into the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The crash killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. Flight data recovered from the aircraft's Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) revealed that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were inadvertently moved from RUN to CUTOFF, one after another within a 1-second interval, at an altitude just moments after liftoff. One pilot was heard asking the other, 'Why did you cut off?' to which the response was, 'I did not.' This uncommanded shutdown triggered the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), and the aircraft began losing altitude almost immediately, unable to sustain powered flight. According to the AAIB, the pilots re-engaged the fuel switches in an attempt to relight both engines. Engine 1 showed signs of recovering thrust, but Engine 2 failed to stabilise. The aircraft, which had briefly reached a speed of 180 knots, was already descending and failed to regain altitude. The final distress call -- a 'MAYDAY' -- was transmitted at 08:09 UTC, just seconds before the aircraft crashed into residential buildings outside the airport perimeter. (ANI)
Canada Standard
19-06-2025
- Canada Standard
Operational, regulatory, weather factors drive recent Air India disruptions: Spokesperson
By Shafali Nigam New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Amid a spate of flight disruptions, Air India has clarified that a mix of operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges--not just technical issues--are behind the recent cancellations and delays across its domestic and international network. In an official update issued on June 18, the airline detailed the status of several affected flights over the past 48 hours, citing causes ranging from inclement weather to regulatory crew duty norms and environmental hazards. According to the airline spokesperson, AI2491 from Mumbai to Lucknow, scheduled for June 17, was cancelled due to a cascading impact of flight diversions triggered by heavy rains in Delhi. The resulting delays led to the operating crew exceeding the permissible Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), forcing a cancellation on operational grounds. Similarly, AI160 from London to Ahmedabad, also on June 17, was rescheduled due to a combination of FDTL constraints and restrictions on night operations at Ahmedabad airport. Passengers were informed that a revised schedule would be communicated shortly. On June 18, AI188 from Toronto to Delhi was cancelled due to extended maintenance work, which again caused the crew to fall outside permissible duty hours. Passengers had already boarded but were safely disembarked, the airline said. AI996 from Dubai to Delhi, also scheduled for June 18, was the only flight in the update confirmed to have been cancelled due to a technical issue. Passengers on board were disembarked before departure. Meanwhile, AI2145 from Delhi to Bali was forced to return mid-flight due to reports of volcanic activity near the destination airport. 'The decision to air return was taken purely in the interest of safety,' the spokesperson noted, adding that the aircraft landed safely back in Delhi and all passengers were deboarded without incident. Air India acknowledged the inconvenience caused and assured that ground staff are actively working to make alternate travel arrangements for affected passengers. 'Full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options have been offered,' the spokesperson said. The airline also advised that due to ongoing enhanced aircraft inspections, continuing weather disturbances, and airspace restrictions, further disruptions may occur. Passengers have been urged to check real-time flight updates via the airline's website or customer care numbers. (ANI)
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- India Gazette
Operational, regulatory, weather factors drive recent Air India disruptions: Spokesperson
By Shafali Nigam New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Amid a spate of flight disruptions, Air India has clarified that a mix of operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges--not just technical issues--are behind the recent cancellations and delays across its domestic and international network. In an official update issued on June 18, the airline detailed the status of several affected flights over the past 48 hours, citing causes ranging from inclement weather to regulatory crew duty norms and environmental hazards. According to the airline spokesperson, AI2491 from Mumbai to Lucknow, scheduled for June 17, was cancelled due to a cascading impact of flight diversions triggered by heavy rains in Delhi. The resulting delays led to the operating crew exceeding the permissible Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), forcing a cancellation on operational grounds. Similarly, AI160 from London to Ahmedabad, also on June 17, was rescheduled due to a combination of FDTL constraints and restrictions on night operations at Ahmedabad airport. Passengers were informed that a revised schedule would be communicated shortly. On June 18, AI188 from Toronto to Delhi was cancelled due to extended maintenance work, which again caused the crew to fall outside permissible duty hours. Passengers had already boarded but were safely disembarked, the airline said. AI996 from Dubai to Delhi, also scheduled for June 18, was the only flight in the update confirmed to have been cancelled due to a technical issue. Passengers on board were disembarked before departure. Meanwhile, AI2145 from Delhi to Bali was forced to return mid-flight due to reports of volcanic activity near the destination airport. 'The decision to air return was taken purely in the interest of safety,' the spokesperson noted, adding that the aircraft landed safely back in Delhi and all passengers were deboarded without incident. Air India acknowledged the inconvenience caused and assured that ground staff are actively working to make alternate travel arrangements for affected passengers. 'Full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options have been offered,' the spokesperson said. The airline also advised that due to ongoing enhanced aircraft inspections, continuing weather disturbances, and airspace restrictions, further disruptions may occur. Passengers have been urged to check real-time flight updates via the airline's website or customer care numbers. (ANI)
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Indian Oil quadrupled fuel supply for armed forces during Operation Sindoor: Senior official
By Shafali Nigam Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar) [India], June 12 (ANI): Indian Oil ensured seamless fuel supply to the Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which went up at least four times, said Rakesh Kumar, Chief Terminal Manager (CTM) of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). 'During Operation Sindoor, the demand from defence has gone up at least four times, and we were there to supply the product just as I told you earlier. We positioned our vessels from Paradip and Haldia refineries and met their demands just in time,' Indian Oil Corporation CTM said. Mentioning the demand during Operation Sindoor, he said, 'In case of need, just like a few months back, at the demand of the Indian Navy, we positioned our vessels from Paradip refinery and Haldia refinery at a notice of just three days.' Indian Oil demonstrated its strategic preparedness and operational efficiency and played a pivotal role in ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply during Operation Sindoor, the official said, adding that despite a fourfold increase in fuel demand from defence establishments, the state-owned oil PSU successfully met requirements by mobilising vessels from its mainland refineries within days. 'We have a very high level of good coordination with defence, almost on a daily basis. Since they are taking products from us, they have requirements. We interact with them on a weekly basis, and we hold meetings with their supply department as well,' he said about coordination with defence and security agencies in fuel supply or infrastructure planning. During a field visit to the Indian Oil POL Terminal in Port Blair, organised by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for the press, when asked if there are any protocols in case of an emergency situation, Kumar said, 'In case of need, just like a few months back, at the demand of the Indian Navy, we positioned our vessels from Paradip refinery and Haldia refinery at a notice of just three days.' 'We are at the smart terminal of Indian Oil. Here, we have a tanking of 27,000 KL. We are dealing with four products over here, which are petrol, diesel, low-sulphur HFHSD and HSD,' he added. In response to the questions on emergency protocols in place for fuel shortages or natural disasters like cyclones or tsunamis, he said, 'We have emergency protocols. Sufficient tankage is there. On average, we have 25 days of coverage for all the products.' He said the state-run oil major is planning to expand services or upgrade existing infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 'We have plans. This terminal is a 27 TKL terminal and a POL terminal. We have requested one more station and we are in an advanced stage of getting new land in Hope Town, where our bottling plant is situated,' he added. Speaking with ANI, V. Ranganathan, Chief General Manager from West Bengal State Office and Port Blair said, 'Port Blair is one of the unique locations where a lot of challenges are there with respect to logistics, as well as product availability.' (ANI)
