Qantas, the renowned Australian airline, finds itself in the midst of a significant controversy, agreeing to pay a hefty $66 million fine in the aftermath of what has been dubbed the “ghost flights” scandal.

The scandal revolves around accusations that Qantas continued to sell seats on flights that had long been cancelled, leaving passengers in the lurch. Australia’s competition watchdog revealed that Qantas had confessed to misleading consumers by advertising seats on tens of thousands of flights, despite the fact that these flights had been cancelled.

This compensation scheme will see domestic customers receiving $225 and international customers receiving $450. Qantas emphasized that this compensation is in addition to any refunds or alternative flight arrangements that may have already been offered to impacted passengers.

Affected customers will be notified via email starting next month, outlining the process for lodging a claim. Further details can be found at www.qantasremediation.deloitte.com.au. Vanessa Hudson, Qantas’ chief executive, expressed regret over the airline’s failure to meet its own standards and acknowledged the disappointment experienced by customers.

As part of the agreement, Qantas has pledged not to engage in similar conduct in the future. Additionally, the airline has committed to promptly informing customers of cancelled flights, ensuring that notifications are issued within 48 hours of the decision to cancel. Furthermore, Qantas will cease selling tickets for such journeys within 24 hours of cancellation.

This commitment extends to Qantas subsidiary Jetstar as well. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Qantas will seek approval of the proposed penalty from the Federal Court. However, Qantas intends to initiate the remediation process before the court approval is obtained, signaling a proactive approach to addressing the fallout from the scandal.

After a prolonged absence, Air India is set to make a comeback at Zurich Airport with the launch of its non-stop service between Delhi and Zurich.

This move not only marks the airline’s reentry into Switzerland but also expands its presence in mainland Europe to seven cities, reaffirming its commitment to global connectivity. According to an official press release, Air India will deploy its two-class configured Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for the Delhi-Zurich route.

Operating four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the flights aim to cater to both business and leisure travelers. The modern Boeing 787-8, equipped with 256 seats, promises a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers.

Flight schedules have been strategically designed to accommodate diverse travel needs. Departing from Zurich at 8:50 pm, the aircraft arrives in New Delhi at 08:05 am the following day, facilitating convenient connections for travelers. Conversely, flights depart from New Delhi at 2:05 pm, landing in Zurich at 7:15 pm, offering seamless travel options for both inbound and outbound passengers.

Air India’s return to Zurich comes after a hiatus of nearly three decades since its last scheduled services to the Swiss city in 1997. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, expressed enthusiasm about the new route, highlighting its significance in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Switzerland.

Wilson emphasized the robust economic relationship between the two countries, with numerous Swiss companies operating in India, Indian companies in Switzerland, and a thriving Indian diaspora.

It’s worth noting that Air India‘s entry into Switzerland complements the existing connectivity provided by Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), the home carrier, and Star Alliance partner. SWISS already offers daily flights connecting New Delhi with Zurich, further enhancing travel options between the two nations.

Air India, the flag carrier of India, recently unveiled its much-anticipated new livery with the rollout of the first Airbus A320neo from the paint shop.

While the airline had been consistently inducting A320neos in its traditional livery, this marked a significant departure as the aircraft emerged adorned in the fresh design. Originally, the debut of the new livery was earmarked for the A350-900, which joined Air India’s fleet in December 2023.

However, enthusiasts were pleasantly surprised when the new branding was spotted gracing an A320 aircraft in France, hinting at an imminent shift. Identifiable by the distinctive tail sign beginning with VT-RT*, these aircraft now include the new livery as part of Air India’s rebranding efforts.

Notably, the latest addition to this lineup, an A320neo configured entirely in an economy layout, made its debut outside the paint shop at Airbus‘ Toulouse facility. In a nod to the esteemed Tata, the tail sign of this freshly painted A320neo will bear VT-RTN, symbolizing a tribute to his legacy. This move underlines the deep-rooted connection between Air India and the Tata Group, with the latter playing a pivotal role in the airline’s history.

The revamped livery incorporates modern elements, including the distinctive black eyemask feature reminiscent of the A350 aircraft. This infusion of contemporary design elements is aimed at aligning Air India’s visual identity with current industry standards while retaining its heritage.

Recently, Air India is set to embark on a new era of international travel with the introduction of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 jets.

The airline has chosen Dubai as the inaugural international destination for these cutting-edge aircraft, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward modernization and enhanced passenger experience. Commencing from May 1st, 2024, Air India will operate the A350-900 daily on the prestigious Delhi-Dubai route, flight numbers AI995/996.