Category Archives: Aviation

With new code ‘AI 2’ Air India to continue offering Vistara experience post-merger

Post the merger of Air India and Vistara, the experience offered by Vistara will continue for customers. Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India and will be identified by a special four-digit Air India code beginning with the digit “2”.

For instance, UK 955 will become AI 2955, helping customer identify them while booking on www.airindia.com after November 12.
The routes and schedule operated by Vistara aircraft will continue to be the same, alongside the Vistara in-flight experience that includes the product and service such as menu and cutlery on the Vistara aircraft. It will also be serviced by the same crew.

The airline, through a multi-media campaign, also pointed out that the unified Air India opens up limitless possibilities for passengers including unparalleled connection to over 90 domestic and international destinations and over 800 more destinations through code-share and interline partners.

The existing members of Club Vistara will be seamlessly transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program. With this merger, Flying Returns will also evolve into an all-new avatar ‘Maharaja Club’.

In parallel, Air India’s narrowbody fleet continues to be upgraded with new aircraft being delivered, legacy aircraft being refitted with entirely new interiors and Vistara’s catering now also extended to Air India.

Air India’s widebody fleet has also been augmented with the entry of six A350 aircraft that have started to fly between Delhi and London and will soon operate between Delhi and New York.

Air India has started its retrofit programme with the first A320neo narrow body aircraft going for retrofit in early September. 27 narrow body legacy aircraft will be totally refurbished and retrofitted and this retrofit is likely to be completed by the middle of 2025.
The retrofitted A320neo aircraft will feature 8 luxurious seats in Business, 24 extra legroom seats in Premium Economy and 132 comfortable seats in Economy, offering wider choice to its guests.

Subtle cabin lighting, spacious legroom and wider pitch, and modern features, like portable electronic device (PED) holders and USB ports with type A and C options to charge mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets, among others, will contribute significantly to offer guests an inflight experience catering to the needs of today’s discerning flyers. Carpets, curtains, upholstery, cabin panels will be refreshed with new tones and design motifs reinforcing the brand livery.

Malaysia Airlines inks code-share pact with IndiGo

Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo have entered into a strategic partnership through a new code-share agreement.

Following a memorandum of understanding in April 2024, Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo sealed a code-share partnership. This move stands as a key development in the aviation industry, connecting two vital economic regions in Asia.

Through this agreement, Malaysia Airlines will now add its MH flight code to multiple IndiGo-operated routes. This expansion grants Malaysia Airlines passengers access to seven new destinations across India, including Kolkata, Varanasi, and Goa. The integration of services under this code-share agreement significantly enhances the travel experience, offering more seamless connections across a wider network.

IndiGo will  now have its 6E code on key Malaysia Airlines domestic flights. This includes flights to destinations like Penang, Langkawi, and Kota Kinabalu.

Travelport, Air India fast-track NDC content & servicing delivery on Travelport+

Travelport and Air India are accelerating the launch of NDC content and servicing for Travelport-connected agencies.

Travelport is the leading distributor for Air India content globally, connecting the airline to its network of travel agencies around the world via the Travelport+ platform. Agencies using Travelport+ will be able to quickly and easily view and compare the airline’s NDC offers alongside traditional content in the fourth quarter of this year.

“Globally, Travelport is the leading aggregator of Air India content for travel agencies,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “Our partnership is centered around our shared belief that agencies are an essential retailing channel to provide travelers with seamless, personalized experiences for every trip, even after booking. That is why Travelport’s end-to-end NDC solution will empower agencies to directly service Air India bookings, so they can manage changes across NDC and non-NDC content seamlessly.”

Travelport’s latest enhancement to the Travelport+ platform, Content Curation Layer (CCL), simplifies the process of accessing retail-ready content and identifying the most relevant options from airlines like Air India. Travelport’s CCL uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) to filter through aggregated multi-source content to deliver accurate search results that are standardised, making offers easier to understand and compare. This ensures that agents can then book the best options for their travellers from any source of Air India’s content, based on their unique needs and preferences.

“Travelport is one of our preferred technology providers,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Air India. “Together, we are looking to deliver a solution that makes it easy for agents to access, sell, and service Air India’s content and offers through Travelport+.”

DGCA removes SpiceJet from enhanced surveillance

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) yesterday removed SpiceJet from “enhanced surveillance” after the airline successfully raised INR 3,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) process.

The regulator will continue to conduct random spot checks of SpiceJet’s operational aircraft to ensure safety.

“Spicejet was placed under enhanced surveillance by the DGCA on September 13 in view of the financial constraints being faced by the operator which could potentially affect discharge of mandatory obligations of aircraft maintenance,” said the DGCA in a press release.

The DGCA carried out 266 spot checks at various locations as part of the enhanced surveillance mechanism. “It has been ensured that deficiencies and findings found during the spot checks have been subject to suitable rectification action by the operator. In light of the same and the financial infusion of additional funds into the company, Spicejet has been taken off the enhanced surveillance regime,” it noted.

“However, random spot checks shall continue to be carried out across the operational fleet to ensure continuing safety of operations,” it clarified.

Saudia unveils First and Business Class check-in Lounge at Jeddah Hub

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated its new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge at Terminal 1 of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the travel experience for Saudia’s premium guests, including travelers from India, as part of the airline’s commitment to luxury and exceptional service.

A New Standard in Travel Comfort

Officially inaugurated by H.E. Eng. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, the lounge is a luxurious sanctuary offering exclusive amenities tailored for elite travelers. With 10 dedicated check-in counters and comfortable seating areas, the lounge ensures a seamless and relaxed start to every journey. Guests are welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee and dates, embodying the warm hospitality that Saudia is known for.

Tailored Services for Indian Travelers

As Saudia continues to strengthen its ties with the Indian market, this new lounge represents a significant enhancement to the overall travel experience. Travelers can expect personalized services that cater to their specific needs, ensuring comfort and convenience from the moment they arrive at the airport. The lounge also features a dedicated café counter offering a variety of hot and cold beverages, perfect for travelers looking to unwind before their flight.

Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
The opening of the First and Business Class Check-In Lounge is part of Saudia’s broader strategy to establish Jeddah as a true aviation hub, optimizing connectivity and transit traffic. This initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to attract 330 million visits to the Kingdom, welcoming travelers from around the world.

Commitment to Premium Travel Experience
Riyadh M. Alhudhaif, General Manager of the Jeddah Hub, stated, “Unveiling Saudia’s new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge marks a landmark milestone in luxury travel, redefining the airport experience for our guests. This exclusive sanctuary at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport offers more than just a premium check-in experience; it’s an immersion into Saudi hospitality and culture. With personalized services, unparalleled comfort, and stunning artistic displays, we are elevating travel to new heights and cementing Saudia’s position as a global aviation leader.”

The launch of the lounge complements Saudia’s extensive investment in enhancing guest experiences, which includes an extensive seat retrofit program, the installation of advanced In-Flight Entertainment screens, the launch of the beta version of the Travel Companion powered by AI and high-speed in-flight connectivity that will be implemented across its fleet. These initiatives are designed to provide travelers with a world-class journey from start to finish.

 

Rewa will be the sixth airport in Madhya Pradesh

PM to virtually inaugurate MP’s Rewa Airport on Oct 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the new airport at Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa on October 21, an official said on Saturday.

As per a release issued by the state government, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla reviewed the preparations for the inauguration on Friday.

Union and state ministers, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, will be present at the inauguration programme in Rewa on October 21, it stated.

During the review meeting, Shukla gave instructions to officials and took stock of the stage and other arrangements at the venue.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted an operating licence to the Rewa airport in the Vindhya region last month, making it the sixth airport in the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Khajuraho.