Airlines

Air India To Add 4 International Routes and Induct 30 New Planes

Air India Unveils 'Fare Lock' Feature for Hassle-Free Flight Bookings

Over the next six months, Air India plans to increase over 400 weekly services, bring in over 30 new aircraft, and start flying to four new foreign locations.

The airline, owned by the Tata Group, disclosed information on its current network and fleet augmentation initiatives, stating that it intends to expand internationally into North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

It is also expanding its network of domestic and international routes by more than 400 flights per week until March 2024. This is part of the winter timetable, which runs from October 29 to March 30 of the next year.

Air India is set to increase its flight frequency on several key routes, with Delhi to Newark going from 3X to 4X weekly starting from November 27, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Delhi to Milan will see a boost from 4X to 5X weekly flights beginning December 12, with service available on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The Delhi to San Francisco route will expand from 10X to 11X weekly flights starting on November 24, offering 2X daily flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 1 daily flight on the remaining days.

Lastly, the Delhi to Washington Dulles route will increase from 3X to 4X weekly flights, commencing on November 28, with flights available on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Additionally, Delhi to Copenhagen will see a frequency boost from 3X to 4X weekly flights, starting on December 16, offering service on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Air India plans to add more than 200 weekly flights on multiple domestic routes and over 200 weekly flights on the international network, of which more than 80 weekly flights have already been added. These plans are based on the anticipated delivery of new aircraft over the next six months.

“Between now and March 2024, Air India expects to induct over 30 wide body and narrow body aircraft to its fleet, including six A350s, four B777s and 20 A320 neos,” according to Air India.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.