Aviation

Air India Alters Elderly Couple’s US Flights Without Notice

Air India Alters Mumbai-San Francisco Flight Schedule Without Prior Notice

An elderly couple’s travel plans were unexpectedly disrupted when Air India allegedly changed their tickets and destinations without prior notification, as reported by a user recounting the ordeal.

According to Dushyant Arora, the couple discovered the changes only when they attempted to check in for their flight to Newark, New Jersey, scheduled for June 19.

My partner’s old parents- cardiac patients were to fly to Newark today via @airindia @RNTata2000

When they tried to check in last night, they found out- Air India unilaterally changed their tickets

1. put mother in one flight, father in another.

2. One flight to depart on…— Dushyant Arora (@atti_cus) June 19, 2024

They were shocked to find that Air India had booked them on separate flights. The husband was re-routed to New York instead of Newark, departing on a different day than originally planned, while the wife’s itinerary remained unchanged.

The couple, unfamiliar with the changes and concerned about flying separately, decided to cancel their tickets. This decision was particularly difficult for the mother, as it would have been her first time flying abroad, and she expressed reluctance to travel alone.

The couple was not contacted by anyone from the airline to inform them of the changes. The tickets had to be cancelled by the couple. In response to the X user, Air India stated that the customer’s request for a complete refund has been fulfilled.

“Dear Sir, we apologise that this happened and assure you that we never plan to interfere with our clients’ travel arrangements. “We have conducted a complete refund in accordance with the primary customer’s request, who was booked in the PNR,” stated Air India.

Aviation

Air India to Implement Fatigue Report Verification for Flight Crew

Air India is set to implement a new internal policy starting October 1, aimed at verifying the authenticity of fatigue reports submitted by its flight crew. Reports deemed “unsubstantiated” will be reclassified as “sick leave.”

This initiative is part of a broader set of measures designed to boost operational efficiencies in preparation for Air India‘s merger with Vistara. While officials promote the policy as a step towards improved operational integrity, it has sparked significant concern among pilots.

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Many feel that this approach could deter them from reporting genuine fatigue, which is crucial for maintaining flight safety. One pilot expressed, “This policy needs to be reconsidered. Rather than questioning whether a pilot is experiencing ‘fatigue’ or is ‘sick,’ the airline should extend trust to its pilots in all areas.”

Another echoed these sentiments, stating, “We may hesitate to report ‘fatigue’ if it risks being classified as ‘sick leave.’” The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) defines fatigue reports as formal documents filed by flight crew members to indicate excessive tiredness that could impair their performance.

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In response to concerns, air india refurbishment clarified that the new Fatigue Protocol is in line with global best practices and is intended as a non-punitive measure. To safeguard crew well-being, the airline plans to utilize scientific tools such as Jeppesen and the Boeing Alertness Model (BAM).

Under the new policy, if a crew member reports fatigue within 12 hours of their scheduled duty, the report will be recorded as “Fatigue,” triggering immediate escalation to scheduling management and flight safety departments. This move aims to prioritize crew welfare while addressing operational demands.

Additionally, recent regulations have increased weekly rest periods for flight crews from 36 to 48 hours, a change pilots have welcomed, though airlines have expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting these new standards. The DGCA had initially set deadlines for compliance but reversed its decision after airlines raised apprehensions about potential reductions in flight capacity.