Asia

What will happen to Air India employees after privatization?

Air India to induct Coruson for end-to-end safety management across operations

Timeline:

Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is owned by Air India Limited. A government owned enterprise. Air India shares nearly 18% market share. The airline was founded by J. R. D Tata and Tata Sons as Tata Air Service later renamed as Tata Airlines in 1932. Later it was again renamed as Air India in 1960. In 2007 it merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. Air India become 27th member of Star Alliance in 2014.

Privatization:

On 28 June 2017, Air India announced it is in debt and no sign of recovery, the Government of India approved the privatization of Air India. In 2018 Government announced to sell 76% stake of Air India including Air India Express and 50% stake of ground handling joint venture of Singapore. It was state that the new owner would have to take on debt a debt of US$4.7 billion, but no private firm showed interest in buying a debt-laden airline. In 2019 Government decided to sell 100% share of the airline. In January 2020, the government announced of selling the airline and invite bidders, this time it was decided to sell 100% shares of both Air India and Air India Express and 50% shares of ground handling joint venture of Singapore.

On 27 March 2021, Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the privatization of Air India is likely to be completed by the end of May. The airline still in debt of U$8.26 billion and it is liable to be sold.

Employees:

“Several employees depend on this benefit to lead a decent retired life. We fear this benefit may be discontinued in case of privatization of Air India and employees will suffer huge financial losses. Therefore, AIEU would like to propose that the employees should be paid leave encashment allowance till March 31, 2021,” the letter said, according to a report by IANS news agency.

The Private venture possibly lay off management staff but retain with Technical staff in Air India and also depends upon the terms and conditions of unions and buyer. But the Union may dissolved after merging or takeover by new venture.

Fleet:

Air India started with a de Havilland Puss Moth. It inducted first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft in its fleet. Air India own 26 numbers of wide body, 15 are B777 and 44 numbers of narrow body and 62 various aircraft are leased.

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Asia

Singapore Airlines emergency landing after severe turbulence

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 Aircraft lands at Singapore Changi Airport (Incident aircraft not pictured)

One passenger passed on, while dozens of passengers were injured when a Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-300ER aircraft experienced severe turbulence while en route to Singapore from London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok, and landed at 3:45pm Local time on 21 May 2024

The flight landed with 211 Passengers and 11 Crew members at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. According to the Airport Director Kittipong Kittikachorn at a news conference, there were 7 passengers who suffered serious injuries, while a number of other passengers suffered injuries of varying seriousness.

It was also confirmed that the passenger who passed on was a 73 year old British Man. In a statement from Singapore Airlines ‘ As of 0505 hours Singapore Time on 22 May 2024, 79 passengers and 6 crew members from SQ321 remain in Bangkok’. In another statement, it was reported that a relief flight with 143 passengers and crew members arrived in Singapore at 0505 hours Singapore time on 22 May 2024.

According to aircraft tracking site FlightRadar24, the 16 Year Old Boeing B777-300ER aircraft descended sharply from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet in a short time. It was also further reported by FlightRadar24 that the descent was commanded by Autopilot, instead of being caused by turbulence.

Shortly afterwards, the pilot declared an emergency by squeaking 7700 on the transponder, indicating an emergency situation onboard the aircraft. The Boeing 777 aircraft then diverted to Bangkok, instead of continuing on its planned journey to Singapore.

In view of this incident, Singapore Airlines mentioned in a statement that they are working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board, a US Government investigative agency for civil aviation incidents, is sending an accredited representative and 4 technical advisors to support the investigation by Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB). TSIB mentioned in a statement that it ‘is in touch with its Thai counterparts and will be deploying investigators to Bangkok’.

Boeing, the manufacturer of the Boeing B777 aircraft mentioned in a statement that they are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding the ill-fated flight, and ‘stand ready to support them’.

This situation is developing, more details will be added when they become available.