Airlines
Why Air India offers staff a 2nd time voluntary retirement option

Why does Air India issue VRS to those over 40?
In an effort to cut costs and boost operational effectiveness, Air India has made voluntary retirement programs (VRS) available to its workers. By granting employees the option to retire voluntarily, Air India is enabling the airline to cut its personnel and associated costs without having to resort to layoffs or other more extreme measures.
The current offer, according to a notification, is only available to permanent general cadre officers who are 40 years of age or older and have at least five years of continuous service under their belts. Furthermore eligible are workers in the administrative and unskilled categories who have worked continuously for at least five years.
Employees who choose to retire early or voluntarily are frequently given financial incentives to do so through VRS schemes, which can include severance payments, expanded medical coverage, and pension plans. By providing these incentives, Air India can persuade workers to retire of their own will, lowering the company’s payroll costs and strengthening its financial position.
“If staff opt for voluntary retirement between March 17 and April 30, 2023, they will also be given an ex-gratia payment as a one-time bonus. According to the notification, eligible personnel who submit their applications by March 31, 2023, will receive an additional Rs 1 lakh on top of the ex-gratia payment.”
It’s worth noting that offering VRS is a common practice among many companies, especially those facing financial difficulties or restructuring efforts. It’s important to note that any VRS scheme must comply with labor laws and regulations, and affected employees should carefully evaluate the terms of the scheme before deciding to accept the offer.
Advancements in technology and training
Older workers might be paid more and receive better benefits than more recent hires, and they might also have different skill sets and working habits that are no longer in line with the demands of the business. In order to save payroll costs and create room for younger, more affordable personnel with more modernized skills and expertise, the corporation may opt to retire some of its older employees.
It’s crucial to remember that any decisions made regarding the retirement or termination of employees must adhere to labor rules and regulations, and those impacted may be entitled to severance payments or other benefits.
Airlines
Etihad Airways enhances interline and codeshare with six airlines

Etihad Airways has launched reciprocal interline partnerships with three new airline partners – Philippine Airlines (PAL), Austrian Airlines (OS) and Airlink South Africa (4Z), while re-launching interline links with Biman Bangladesh and codeshares with Air Seychelles (HM) and ITA Airways (AZ).
The deal means customers of all airlines involved will enjoy enhanced connectivity to destinations across each other’s networks, can book on a single ticket and only have to check in once at the start of their flight, with their baggage checked through to their end destination.
Etihad Airways adds flights to Shanghai to its route network(Opens in a new browser tab)
Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue Officer, said: “Broadening our network reach, and allowing more guests to come visit Abu Dhabi has always guided our purpose. These six interline/code agreements make life easier for guests of all the airlines involved. With Austrian Airlines, this tie-in gives our guests access up to 58 European destinations via Vienna, operated by Etihad daily during the summer, and joins the other four members of the Lufthansa Group with whom we already have interline or codeshare agreements.
A deal with Airlink South Africa gives connecting guests via our Johannesburg flight seamless access to 16 domestic destinations in South Africa, and 25 regional African destinations, and it complements existing options with South African Airways.
Emirates and Philippine Airlines announce interline partnership(Opens in a new browser tab)
“And teaming up with Philippine Airlines provides easy access to 19 domestic Filipino destinations including Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Kalibo, to and from Etihad’s double daily Manila service, for the large Filipino diaspora living in the UAE.
“Etihad’s successful partnership with ITA Airways over Rome Fiumicino to Italy, Europe and beyond has also been restored following ITA’s own Amadeus Altea migration in February.” The expanded interline and codeshare offerings will be progressively rolled out across Etihad sales channels, including Etihad.com and travel agents, over the coming weeks.
Airlines
United Airlines Fired A Color Blind Pilot Who Could Not Fly

A pilot is suing United Airlines from being fired shortly after being grounded due to his inability to distinguish distinct colours when flying at night.
On April 12, 2022, United recruited Damon Meyer of Portland, but he lost his job less than two months later when he submitted a long-term disability claim through an insurance plan he had just signed up for. He was unable to fly at night because he “couldn’t determine the colours of signals on taxiways”. Although he says there is “no proof” that he had this disease when he was hired, he might have gotten it in the weeks that followed.
Meyer submitted a long-term disability claim through United’s programme the day after being grounded and only six days after signing up for the insurance plan. The next month, United Airlines fired Meyer, citing a “ludicrous theory” that he “would not have met the standards for a legitimate medical licence at the time of his hiring.”
After working for 6 years Chinese cabin crew fired for being too old(Opens in a new browser tab)
If Meyer had a medical examination immediately before being employed by United, the lawsuit claims it is “purely hypothetical” that he would have failed. Meyer’s claims were first accepted by the long-term disability plan’s administrators, but the reimbursement was later withdrawn because of his work termination.
Meyer sued United and the long-term disability plan administrators in a district court in Maine, seeking compensation for his colour blindness. Meyer is still “completely disabled,” according to the lawsuit.
Airlines
Qantas launches new inflight menus for its customers

Qantas Customers travelling across its regional, domestic and international network are in for a bigger and better inflight and clounge dining experience as the airline rolls out a significant menu enhancement program this month.
The additional multi-million dollar investment introduces new dishes and larger portions across all cabins, using high-quality ingredients from premium Australian producers.
10 most expensive flight tickets in world ..!!(Opens in a new browser tab)
It is the single biggest investment in Qantas inflight and lounge dining in a decade and comes as the airline returns to profit and accelerates its customer investment programs. These include a $100 million expansion of domestic and international lounges, progressive renewal of its aircraft and new routes.
Key dining enhancements include:
International
First
- Additional investment in premium produce with new dishes including Calvisius Caviar on Buckwheat Blinis with Pepe Saya Crème Fraiche, Queensland Spanner Crab and Sweet Pork Salad with Green Mango, Cashews and Nam Jim Dressing, Crumbed Margra Lamb Cutlets with Lemon Myrtle Celeriac Puree, Seared Glacier 51 Toothfish with Saffron Sauce, Steamed Potatoes and Braised Fennel, and Riverine Beef fillet with Green Beans and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes.
Business
- Additional investment in premium produce with new dishes including Seared Grasslands Beef Fillet with Café de Paris Butter, Bannockburn Free-range chicken Kyiv and Seared Snapper with Black Bean Sauce, Seasonal Greens and Salted Chilli.
- More substantial second meal on long flights between Australia and Asia in Business and Economy. Business dishes include a Crumbed Snapper Roll with Pickled Cabbage and Tartare sauce, and Stir-fried Noodles with Wombok, Cucumber, Sesame and Chilli Oil.
Premium Economy
- New dishes include Salmon with Tomato Fennel Sauce, Red Quinoa and Brown Rice, and Braised Lamb Shank with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce and Potato Puree.
- Introduction of a starter salad, as well as an ice-cream service on all flights.
Economy
- New dishes in Economy with premium quality ingredients including Cajun Prawns with Spiced Rice, Korean Chilli and Garlic Chicken with Kimchi and Black Pepper Beef with Oyster Mushrooms.
- New second meal dishes on long flights between Australia and Asia include Chicken Fried Rice, and Sage and Lemon ravioli with Kale and Napolitana sauce.
Domestic
- A continuation of the new domestic Economy menu that launched in October 2022, offering more choice across the network including vegetarian options.
- An increased range of lighter options in Business including Ploughman’s and Cheese plates featuring a selection of cheese, Free-range Chicken and Pistachio Terrine, Charcuterie and accompaniments along with Chicken and Corn soup with Dill and Green Pea soup with Mint.
- The addition of starter salads in Business on long flights, which include Grilled Prawns with Asian slaw and Edamame and Tasmanian Smoked Salmon with Kale and Sweet Potato salad.
- Premium snacks in Business from Koko Black, Brookfarm and Carman’s.
- Return of pre-take off water and juice in Business on long domestic flights.
Airlines
These US airlines has the most on-time carrier in 2022, according to DOT data

On Thursday, the Department of Transportation issued performance statistics for the major U.S. airlines for the full year. According to the DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report, Delta achieved an overall on-time rate of 82.1% percent.
The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. DOT remains committed to ensuring airline passengers are treated fairly and is concerned about recent flight cancellations and flight disruptions and difficulties families are experiencing in sitting together with no fees. The Department is currently investigating four domestic airlines to ensure that they are not engaging in unrealistic scheduling of flights. Last week, DOT rolled out a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those that do not, making it easier for parents to avoid paying junk fees to sit with their children when they fly.
Major airline on-time performance for 2022, according to ATCR
- Delta Air Lines – 82.1% of flights on time
- Alaska Airlines – 79.1% of flights on time
- United Airlines – 78.7% of flights on time
- American Airlines – 77.1% of flights on time
- Hawaiian Airlines – 75.8% of flights on time
- Southwest Airlines – 73.2% of flights on time
- Spirit Airlines – 73.0% of flights on time
- Frontier Airlines – 66.1% of flights on time
- JetBlue Airways – 64.6% of flights on time
- Allegiant Air – 63.4% of flights on time
December 2022 Flight Cancellations
In December 2022, reporting marketing carriers canceled 5.4% of their scheduled domestic flights, higher than the rate 1.1% in both November 2022 and in pre-pandemic December 2019. Of the industry-wide 5.4% cancellation rate in December 2022, 54.51% of the cancellations were attributed to Southwest. Southwest canceled 14,042 flights from December 24 to December 31, which was 72.3% of the total flights that reporting carriers canceled during that time.
- Southwest Airlines – 14.6%
- Alaska Airlines Network – 7.6%
- Allegiant Air – 5.3%
- Delta Air Lines Network – 2.9%
- JetBlue Airways – 1.9%
- American Airlines Network – 1.8%
Mishandled Baggage
In December 2022, reporting marketing carriers handled 40.4 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 1.09%, higher than the rate of 0.51% in November 2022 and higher than the rate of 0.66% in pre-pandemic December 2019. Of the industry-wide 1.09% mishandling rate in December 2022, 26.68% of the mishandling were attributed to Southwest.
Aerospace
Thief Trying to steal $7.5 million helicopter and crashed it during an attempted robbery at an airport.

Four thieves tried to steal a helicopter at Sacramento Executive Airport in the early hours of the morning between 4 am and 6 am in the morning, but only one was able to start. During an attempted theft at an airport in the US state of California, a criminal stole a $7.5 million chopper and crashed it. No one was hurt at the scene.
The gathered evidence, information from witnesses, and security footage, according to Sean Ragan, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, point to a suspect in the case.
The motive for the suspect’s desire to steal the helicopter is being investigated by federal officials. It’s possible that someone wants to purchase the plane for a trip. Terrorism might be a possibility if they intended to purchase it for a different illegal purpose or to harm other people’s property.
The blade of a Bell 429 helicopter plummeted to the ground, scattering debris over the immediate region. Other helicopters that were parked nearby also sustained minor damages.
The incident is being looked into by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Airlines
India’s SpiceJet airline flying soon to Greece

The most popular low-cost carrier in India, SpiceJet, has appointed BBT Air – Aviation Services as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Greece. BBT Air will be in charge of the airline’s sales, growth, and general representation in the Greek market, offering top-notch services to passenger and travel agencies.
BBT Air’s Commercial Director, Mr. Konstantinos Melas, said: “We are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to our portfolio and market. We’re confident that additional sales opportunities will materialize once SpiceJet becomes available in Greece. Our top aim will be to contact marine travel agencies and offer them another choice for flights within and outside of India because Greece has impressive results in marine/offshore traffic. Starting from there, we’ll seek to advance SpiceJet in our nation and consider the possibility of establishing a direct connection between Athens and Delhi in the future. . A much-desired route that is currently missing from Greece”.
The airline’s website, spicejet.com, as well as travel agencies with access to its B2B portal already have the flights displayed and available for purchase. By calling +30 210 9793500, the offices of BBT Air Aviation Services, which also accepts and manages all group requests and supports local travel agencies, passengers can also purchase their tickets there.
SpiceSaver, SpiceFlex, and SpiceMAX are the three pricing alternatives offered on all flights, providing greater service options, comfort, and flexibility for all passenger demands, both at the airport and during the flight.
The selection of BBT Air as GSA in the Greek market is a part of SpiceJet’s goal to expand internationally and providing its customers with seamless end-to-end connectivity between the two nations. The airline, which is India’s largest regional carrier and has a fleet of Boeing 737s, Q-400s, and freighters, operates numerous daily flights under UDAN or the Regional Connectivity Scheme.
Airlines
Indigo will begin to offer flights to Singapore and Dhaka in March.

IndiGo, India’s most preferred carrier has announced new direct flight between Mumbai-Dhaka from March 26, 2023. This new route has been introduced to cater to the rising demand for travel from Mumbai. The airline has also announced the resumption of operations between Mumbai and Singapore effective March 26, 2023.
The resumption of flights between Mumbai and Singapore will help promote tourism as both cities have many tourist attractions. According to Singapore Tourism Board, India accounted for over 686,000 of the overall 6.3 million global visitor arrivals in 2022, emerging as Singapore’s second-largest source market after Indonesia (1.1 million visitors). Singapore has famous attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by The Bay, S.E.A. Aquarium, Sentosa Island, Sentosa Merlion Tower, Trick Eye Museum. These flights will not only promote tourism but also make travel hassle-free to these destinations through direct connections and additional capacity.
These flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travelers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options to access destinations which help in building businesses and are known for their tourist attractions. Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website www.goIndiGo.in. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.
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