Airlines

Air India introduces an AI-driven platform for employee upskilling

India’s top airline and a Star Alliance member, Air India, has introduced Gurukul, a cutting-edge learning hub, to improve the educational opportunities for its staff members, AI.
Gurukul.AI was developed concurrently with Vihaan.AI will change Air India into an organization that grows via continuous learning as part of the airline’s five-year transformation strategy.

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Gurukul is in step with the changing demands of today’s technologically advanced and quick-paced work environment. Through an analysis of each employee’s job tasks, present competences, and proficiencies, AI is intended to build personalized upskilling paths for each individual. The platform incorporates competency frameworks that are matched to various organizational positions and makes sure that the necessary modules are accessible.

World-class capabilities: The primary focus of Gurukul.AI is to cultivate state-of-the-art, world-class capabilities within Air India, enhancing employee productivity and skill sets to exemplify global standards.

Bringing learning to the fingertips: With this learning hub, Air India has made a wealth of knowledge readily accessible to its employees. The platform is created to motivate employees to continuously enhance their skills, cultivating a culture of “Own your Growth’ through self-paced upskilling options.

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Cutting-edge technologies for tailored needs: By leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, Gurukul.AI offers a holistic system that evaluates skills and provides hyper-personalized recommendations based on an individual’s unique learning trajectory. Further, emerging technologies within the portal allow employees to view their progress via automated analytics and assist them in performance management.

Diverse tools: The hub offers a comprehensive suite of over 70,000 most advanced learning tools including just-in-time learning modules, micro-learnings, accessible mobile learning resources, and engaging video-based modules, among others, ensuring employees have an array of options to suit their preferences.

Interactive elements to engage learners: The inclusion of features such as a leader board integrated on the platform encourages active engagement platform vis-a-vis team learning. In addition, a learning wallet along with opportunities to earn rewards provides a compelling incentive for employees to strengthen their knowledge and skills.

Gamification: Through engaging game-like elements, and hyper-personalization with the system talking to the individuals, employees are motivated to progress, complete milestones, and unlock achievements, creating a sense of accomplishment.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.