Airlines

Qantas push for more customers to reunite with COVID credits

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The Qantas Group is pushing customers who have COVID-era travel credits to use them to book a vacation before the deadline of December 31, 2023. Travel is permitted until December 20, 2024.

The initiative coincides with the introduction of a new customer tool called “Find My Credit,” which can discover reservations that are up to three years old and may have undergone many revisions as a result of the pandemic’s numerous waves of border alterations.

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The majority of the $2 billion in COVID credits given by the Qantas Group came from the March 2020 border closures that resulted in a wave of widespread flight cancellations for which no airline system was prepared.

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This figure continues to drop each week as more customers claim their credits. For Qantas customers in Australia the figure now stands at just over $400 million, comprised of around $250 million in bookings made directly with Qantas and $150 million in bookings made through travel agents and other third parties. As a further incentive, Qantas customers who book a flight using a COVID credit between today and 31 July 2023 will receive double Frequent Flyer points.

HOW TO USE THE ‘FIND MY CREDIT’ TOOL

Find My Credit is a web-based tool accessed via qantas.com. It allows customers to search for COVID credits using their original booking reference that is up to three years old, even if it has been reissued or converted to a Qantas Pass.

By putting in their original booking details and surname or email address, the system will search for their credit and automatically email the detail they need to redeem their credit to the address on file.

HOW TO CLAIM DOUBLE POINTS

Qantas customers who book flights using their credits before 31 July will be eligible for double Qantas points.

To access the double points promotion, customers will need to register at www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/member-offers/double-points-travel-credits.html and book an eligible flight with a QF flight number. Double points will be awarded from eight weeks after travel.

HOW TO REQUEST A REFUND

If customers have made a booking directly through Qantas, they can call us on 13 13 13 to request a refund. it will also email customers who have made a booking directly with Qantas over the coming weeks to remind them how to access a refund if they prefer.

If a booking was made through a travel agent, customers should contact the agent directly to request a refund. Customers with COVID credits who do not have the option of a refund but whose circumstances have changed and who are no longer able to use their credit are also encouraged to contact Qantas to discuss a refund.

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.