Aerospace
Tata’s 5-year plan to make Air India great again
Air India today unveiled its comprehensive transformation plan, to establish itself, once again, as a world-class global airline
New Delhi, Sep 15, 2022 – Air India today unveiled its comprehensive transformation plan,
to establish itself, once again, as a world-class global airline with an Indian heart – the absolute
best in class in customer service, technology, product, reliability, and in hospitality.
The plan is fittingly titled “Vihaan.AI”, which in Sanskrit signifies the dawn of a new era, with
identified objectives for Air India over the next 5 years.
Air India will strive to increase its market share to at least 30% in the domestic market
As part of Vihaan.AI, Air India has put into place a detailed roadmap with clear milestones
focussing on dramatically growing both its network and fleet, developing a completely
revamped customer proposition, improving reliability and on-time performance, and taking a
leadership position in technology, sustainability, and innovation, while aggressively investing
behind the best industry talent. Over the next 5 years, Air India will strive to increase its market
share to at least 30% in the domestic market while significantly growing the international routes from
the present market share. The plan is aimed at putting Air India on a path to sustained growth,
profitability and market leadership.
The Airline’s CEO, Mr. Campbell Wilson along with senior management members who are
together driving this transformation, unveiled the Vihaan.AI plan with the entire organization
through Workplace, its virtual communication and engagement platform. Over the coming
days and weeks, the management team will engage employees across regions, departments,
and locations through a series of physical and hybrid sessions.
Vihaan.AI has been developed after extensive feedback from Air India employees
Employees on their aspirations and hopes for the airline’s growth. Vihaan.AI focuses on five key pillars,
exceptional customer experience, robust operations, industry-best talent, industry
leadership, and commercial efficiency and profitability. While the immediate focus of the
airline remains on fixing the basics and readying itself for growth (Taxiing Phase), the more
medium-to-long term focus will be on building for excellence and establishing scale to
become a global industry leader (Take Off & Climb phases).
90 years ago, exactly a month from today, a young JRD Tata piloted the first flight of the
airline that would become Air India. Since then, Air India and its employees have persevered
through many challenges before its homecoming back to the Tata group. Vihaan.AI is the
roadmap to restoring Air India on the global map, making it the world-class, digital, Indian
airline it is meant to be.
Top 5 best leadership traits that set Emirates besides other airlines.(Opens in a new browser tab)
Air India is the world-class airline
Commenting on Vihaan.AI, Mr. Campbell Wilson, MD, and CEO, Air India said, “This is the
beginning of a historic transformation for Air India and the dawn of a new era. We are laying
the foundation for a brave new Air India, with a renewed sense of purpose and incredible
momentum. Vihaan.AI is our transformation plan to make Air India the world-class airline it
once was, and it deserves to be again. We are absolutely focussed on being recognized
as a world-class airline serving global customers, with a proudly Indian heart.”
How Embraer E195 will be the best fit for Air India
Aerospace
India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN
India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.
Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.
For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.
Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.
FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.
Aerospace
Does AirAsia show interest in Comac aircraft in the future?
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, operating as AirAsia Group, recently paid a visit to the facilities of COMAC on April 2, 2024, and was thoroughly impressed by what he witnessed.
C919 already securing nearly 1000 orders
COMAC, known for its homegrown aircraft, has launched two promising jets: the ARJ21 and the C919 aircraft. Both aircraft are gaining popularity in the Chinese market, with the C919 already securing nearly 1000 orders from various airlines.
Fernandes expressed his admiration for COMAC’s achievements in aircraft manufacturing, acknowledging the immense challenge it entails. His visit underscored the realization that AirAsia now has a viable third option when it comes to selecting aircraft for its fleet.
During his tour, Fernandes was delighted by the innovation and technology evident in COMAC’s aircraft production and the company’s commitment to long-term partnerships.
He noted that many Western companies have shifted away from prioritizing loyalty and customer service, opting instead for short-term gains and a narrow definition of success.
Last month, COMAC embarked on an international tour, showcasing demonstration flights to neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. Fernandes believes that the positive impression left by COMAC during his visit opens up new opportunities for collaboration.
Fernandes emphasized COMAC’s remarkable achievements
The shared values of loyalty, customer service, and long-term vision align closely with AirAsia’s ethos, making collaboration with COMAC appealing. With a focus on innovation and excellence, both companies stand to benefit from a partnership grounded in trust and a shared commitment to success.
Indonesia and China have already collaborated in validating and maintaining the airworthiness of the ARJ21 aircraft, indicating a solid foundation for future partnerships.
In his statement, Fernandes emphasized COMAC’s remarkable achievements and genuine desire for long-term partnership, highlighting the absence of ego and a genuine willingness to succeed together. He marveled at COMAC’s fully automated, AI-driven factory, a testament to their dedication to innovation and efficiency.
Fernandes criticized Western firms for prioritizing short-term gains over loyalty, customer service, and long-term strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding customers’ needs and collaborating to achieve success.
Aerospace
Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India
InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.
Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.
This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.
At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.
Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.
Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).