Tag Archives: Kochi

MoCA seeks report on 80 AI Express flights being cancelled due to ‘mass sick leave’

Over 80 international and domestic flights of Air India Express were cancelled after the senior crew members of the airline went on mass ‘sick leave’.

The development came after several cabin crew members started reporting sick since Monday evening and as there are not enough cabin crew members, “scores of flights” have been cancelled at various airports, including Kochi, Calicut and Bengaluru, reports News18.

According to sources, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is looking into the issue to understand the cause of the sudden incident.

Releasing a statement, the Air India Express said, “A section of our cabin crew has reported sick last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused.”

“We sincerely apologise to our guests…those impacted will be offered a full refund or rescheduling. Guests flying us today are requested to check if the flight is affected, before heading to the airport,” the statement added.

A union representing a section of the airlines’ cabin crew, Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), also wrote to the Chairman of Air India Natarajan Chandrashekharan, talking about the grievances of employees and raised concerns regarding the current situation at Air India Express Limited, particularly following its acquisition by TATA.

The union alleged that the airline is being mismanaged and there is a lack of equality in the treatment of the staff and alleged that mismanagement of the affairs has affected the morale of the employees.

“It is with great disappointment that we address the growing unrest and dissatisfaction among the employees since the takeover by TATA. However, it appears that the reality on the ground does not align with these principles. Despite assurances of job security, salary maintenance, and respect for seniority and experience, there has been a stark departure from these commitments,” the letter read.

Hours after the news of Air India Express flights getting cancelled grabbed headlines, the MoCA sought a report on the cancellations and asked the airlines to ensure facilities for passengers as per the norms laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

In addition to this, the Ministry asked the carrier, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, to resolve the issue “promptly”. (Source: News18)

Air India Express to start non-stop flights from Kolkata to Imphal & Kochi next month

Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, is all set to begin non-stop flights to Imphal and Kochi from Kolkata this April, an airline official said.

“The flights to Imphal will operate daily, while those to Kochi will fly six days a week,” he said.

The flight from Kolkata to Imphal will depart at 7 am and will reach in Manipur capital at 8.05 am. The return flight will depart at 8.35 am and arrive in Kolkata at 10.20 am, he said.

The Kolkata-Kochi flight will take off at 11.25am and reach the destination at 2.35pm, while the return flight will leave at 3.05pm and land here at 6.10pm.

The airline through route integration will be operating more flights on various domestic routes, sources said.

Meanwhile, the airline has recently announced introduction of four fare products – Xpress Lite (cabin baggage only fares), Xpress Value (15 kg check-in bag fares), Xpress Flex (unlimited changes with no change fees), and Xpress Biz (business class seating with complimentary Gourmair meals and priority services).

With the launch of this service, travellers now have the option to personalise their trip aligning with ‘Fly As You Are’ – “our promise to make travel more convenient for our guests”, the airline said.

The statement said its Xpress Biz fares are available on all the new Air India Express Boeing 737-8 aircraft, as a business class equivalent that disrupts the traditional Low Cost carrier (LCC) model with a hybrid offering.

Guests can enjoy increased baggage allowances of 25kg for domestic flights and 40kg for international flights when booking Xpress Biz fares.

Air India Express is already operating aircraft with ‘Biz’ seats across 70 routes in India, connecting metro cities with other key destinations. From Kolkata, the destinations are Ayodhya, Chennai, Jaipur, Guwahati and Imphal.

Air India Express, is a subsidiary of Air India and a part of the Tata group, operating over 360 daily flights, connecting 31 domestic and 14 international airports, with a fleet of 67 aircraft, comprising 39 Boeing 737s and 28 Airbus A320s. (Source: PTI)

 

Malaysia Airlines keen to increase frequency on India routes by 25%

Malaysia Airlines is gearing up for a substantial boost in its flight frequencies to India, anticipating a surge in international travel from the country.

With plans to increase capacity by over 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, the airline’s Group MD, Captain Iham Ismail, revealed that load factors on India routes have consistently surpassed 80%.

In a recent interview, Captain Ismail disclosed that Malaysia Airlines aims to cater to around 2 million passengers from India in FY24. The airline strengthened its ties with the Indian market in Q4 2023 by introducing three new routes – Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad.

Presently operating 69 weekly flights from nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad, Malaysia Airlines is set to further expand its offerings. The frequency from Trivandrum will see a notable increase from two to four times weekly starting April 2024, bringing the total weekly flights to 71.

Captain Ismail outlined the airline’s future plans, indicating a gradual addition of new routes to meet rising travel demands. Prospective destinations include the northeast region with a focus on Guwahati and Kolkata, as well as potential routes to southern locations such as Trichy, Vizag, and Goa.

The airline has set ambitious targets for market share growth, aiming to double its 2023 performance by achieving a 40% improvement by 2025. Notably, Malaysia Airlines is actively working on establishing a deep codeshare with an Indian carrier, building on its existing interline agreement with Vistara. These strategic partnerships aim to enhance connectivity and provide travellers with more options.

 

Manta Air to launch Dhaalu Airport-Bengaluru flights on March 1; to induct two A321

Maldives’ Manta Air is gearing up to launch its commercial operations into to Bengaluru starting March 1. The airline recently conducted a non-commercial flight from Bengaluru to Dhaalu Airport in the Maldives, signaling its foray into the international market. Despite diplomatic tensions between the Maldives and India, Manta Air’s executives remain optimistic about the upcoming venture.

The airline’s 3.5-hour flight aims to establish direct connectivity to Dhaalu Atoll, a region in the Maldives that has faced logistical challenges for tourists. Limited seaplane frequency and a lack of awareness about the area have hindered travel. With the ongoing expansion of Dhaalu Airport, Manta Air aims to draw more tourists to this previously inaccessible destination.

Bookings for the airline’s first commercial flight on March 1 are already open, and the initial response has been positive. Manta Air plans to utilise its 64-seater ATR 72-600 aircraft with dual configuration, offering both premium and economy class seats. Furthermore, the airline has ambitious plans to expand its operations to other Indian cities, including Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, and Delhi in the near future.

To support this expansion, Manta Air will be adding two Airbus A321s to its existing fleet and investing USD 20 million in the expansion of Dhaalu Airport. The airport’s enhancements include a 30% increase in both arrival and departure sides, along with an extended runway to accommodate larger aircraft by December 2025.

Despite diplomatic challenges, Manta Air remains positive about the potential for travel demand, especially from India to the Maldives, particularly in the honeymoon and family market segments. The post-pandemic surge in travel demand in the Maldives is a driving force behind the airline’s strategic expansion. Manta Air anticipates the involvement of other international carriers, with discussions underway with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) and a potential partnership with Indigo to meet broader demand from various parts of India. The executives believe that the diplomatic tensions will not have a long-term impact on travel and view the Maldives and Lakshadweep as complementary destinations rather than competitors.

Malaysia Airlines eyes code-share with Indian carrier; to expand network in North East & South India

In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the lucrative Indian aviation market, Malaysia Airlines is set to enter into a code-share partnership with an Indian carrier. Captain Izham Ismail, the Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for participating in India’s success story.

Currently operating 69 weekly flights to nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, Malaysia Airlines is eyeing further expansion in both the North East and South India. The airline recently increased its weekly flights on the Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur route and is actively engaged in negotiations for a comprehensive codeshare agreement with an undisclosed Indian airline.

The forthcoming collaboration aims to enhance connectivity and provide seamless travel experiences for passengers. The airline, having successfully undergone financial restructuring, is now on a path to revival and growth.

Captain Ismail shared insights into the airline’s future plans, indicating a keen interest in North East destinations like Guwahati and Kolkata, along with potential flights to Trichy, Visakhapatnam, and Goa in South India. The expansion will be facilitated by the introduction of new Boeing 737-8s and Airbus 330 neos to the airline’s existing fleet of 100 planes, with projections to reach 170 by 2030.

Acknowledging the rapid growth of India’s aviation market, Captain Ismail emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in the face of competition from domestic carriers like IndiGo and Air India. Malaysia Airlines has a history of successful partnerships with airlines such as Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways.

The overarching goal for Malaysia Airlines is to be among the top 10 global airlines and the top 5 in the Asia Pacific region. Captain Ismail emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing an enhanced Customer Value Proposition (CVP), focusing on upgrading services, cabin comfort, and in-flight dining to cater to India’s diverse population.

With India’s annual domestic air passenger traffic projected to double to around 300 million by 2030, Malaysia Airlines is positioning itself to tap into the immense potential of this dynamic market. The strategic moves underscore the airline’s ambition to play a significant role in shaping the future of air travel in the region.

 

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau unveils the 7th Edition of the Penang Roadshow to India 2024

The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) has unveiled the 7th edition of its Penang Roadshow to India 2024. Spanning across four diverse cities from January 15 to 22 – Mumbai (15th), New Delhi (17th), Chennai (19th), and Kochi (22nd) – this expansive roadshow offers a unique opportunity for Indian travel enthusiasts and industry professionals to immerse themselves in the rich offerings of Penang. This destination is celebrated for its unique blend of cultural richness and contemporary allure.

Known as the ‘Penang Odyssey’ campaign, this strategic initiative by PCEB aims to position Penang as the preferred destination for both business meetings and leisure escapades in the Indian market. With a dual focus on business and leisure, the campaign strives to build mutually beneficial relationships with India’s travel agents. The Penang Odyssey campaign is set to explore new avenues to captivate the Indian market, recognizing its significance as a key market for Penang.

Expect a gathering of approximately 200 buyers from each city, creating a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and business expansion. The Penang Odyssey aims to showcase Penang’s diverse offerings, forging connections that transcend borders and unveiling the immense potential for collaboration between Penang and the Indian travel industry.

In 2023, Penang hosted around 600 events with 160,000 delegates, signaling a robust event calendar with an estimated economic impact (EEI) of RM1 billion. This achievement sends a resounding message of confidence, highlighting Penang’s readiness and capability to host large-scale, world-class events, reinforcing its position as a premier destination for business and leisure.

Malaysia’s commitment to facilitating seamless travel experiences is emphasized by the recent nationwide introduction of a visa-free regime. This regime allows stays of up to 30 days, starting from December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. This strategic move enhances accessibility for Indian visitors and presents a significant opportunity to further strengthen direct airline connectivity with India. Recognizing the growing demand and interest from the Indian market, Penang is actively working to establish additional direct flights, providing more convenient options for those looking to explore the vibrant charm of Penang.