Aviation

Air India Rolls Out New Travel Guidelines for Retired Workers

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On Wednesday, Air India revealed a revised policy about discounted travel benefits for its retired staff, signaling a substantial change in the long-standing benefits received by its former employees.

The revised policy reduces the allowances previously provided to retired employees to a fixed allocation of four “passages” per year. Despite this modification, the policy document’s release caused the airline’s retirees to sigh jointly in relief, casting doubt on the future of this specific retirement benefit for months.

The main portion of the travel benefit is still in place, as retired workers and their designees are eligible for free tickets with only taxes to pay. However, there is a degree of unpredictability to the process as it depends on seat availability at the time of flight closure, particularly during the busiest travel seasons.

With the introduction of a structured booking framework, the updated policy assigns different classes according to the job positions held at the time of retirement. Furthermore, respecting a code of conduct is highly valued, and recipients are expected to positively represent Air India and refrain from exploiting the benefits for their own gain. As a requirement for eligibility, they must maintain a spotless record during their entire service term, highlighting the airline’s dedication to developing an ethical and responsible culture.

Significantly, employees are only permitted to travel if there are still open seats at the time of flight closure, which happens after the check-in counter opens. This means that the travel privilege is “subject-to-load” based. Furthermore, it is made clear that a return journey—whether it be direct or involves transportation—constitutes a single passage, guaranteeing consistency in usage regulations.

Aviation

Airbus and French Aerospace Firms Growing Exports from India

In a significant move to bolster its supply chain, European aerospace giant Airbus has announced plans to ramp up component sourcing from India, tapping into the country’s vast opportunities.

During a press briefing in New Delhi on October 7, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the strategic importance of India within the Airbus supply chain, highlighting the company’s robust network of over 100 suppliers in the region.

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Faury, who also serves as Chairman of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), noted that there are abundant prospects for collaboration between Indian and French aerospace companies. Leading a high-level delegation from GIFAS, comprising more than 60 companies and over 100 representatives, Faury aims to foster deeper partnerships and enhance business opportunities between India and France.

“We will continue to grow our sourcing of components,” Faury stated, forecasting a doubling of component sourcing approximately every five years over the next decade. This stable growth trajectory underscores Airbus’s commitment to deepening its ties with India.

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Currently, Airbus holds an impressive order book of around 8,600 aircraft and anticipates producing about 770 planes this year. This ambitious production plan aligns with the expected surge in India’s domestic air passenger traffic, projected to reach 300 million by 2030, according to Union Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

During the briefing, Naidu also highlighted the substantial investments being made to develop India’s airport infrastructure, with $11 billion allocated for this purpose. The government plans to develop 200 additional airports over the next 20 to 25 years, significantly expanding the current count of 157 airports, heliports, and waterdromes. By the end of 2025, the number of operational airports is expected to reach 200.

“The potential for partnership between India and France is immense,” Naidu remarked, further reinforcing the collaborative spirit that Airbus and French aerospace firms seek to cultivate in India.