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Post Info TOPIC: Where AI Express is off to next


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Where AI Express is off to next
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TIMES OF INDIA, MAY 31, 2006
 
CHANDIGARH: The Amritsar-Dubai flight of Air India Express, the low cost airliner, which was scheduled to start by May 1 this year was delayed due to non-availability of trained cabin and operation crew and the focus shifting to Chennai-Kuala Lumpur and Chennai-Singapore routes.

An Air India spokesman from Mumbai, confirming this to TOI, said, "Yes, the flight has got slightly delayed and is likely to start mid July."

He said the Amritsar-Dubai flight got pushed back as the focus of AI shifted to Chennai-Kuala Lumpur and Chennai-Singapore routes, where traffic density is more. These two will be started by June 8.

"We did not initially plan flights six days a week on Chennai-Kuala Lumpur and Chennai-Singapore routes, but are doing so now. Next in line are the Mumbai-Dubai and Pune-Dubai flights," said a senior official of Air India.

Other reasons for the delay of Amritsar-Dubai flight was the time being taken in training and deploying cabin and operations crew.

The Air India has in the past two months added four new 737-800 airplanes to its fleet, which have a seating capacity of 181 in economy configuration, to be deployed on the new low-cost airliner routes. Making additional trained crew available and introducing them to the new craft is taking time.

"Training them and introducing them to the new planes normally takes three to four months," said an official. Air India CMD, V Thulasidas had announced in March this year that their low-cost airliner would start Amritsar-Dubai flight by May 1.

He was here to announce AI's three extra flights per week on the Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto route.

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Quote


He was here to announce AI's three extra flights per week on the Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto route.


these routes were to b flown by IC but due to lack of a/c AI got them


Quote


He said the Amritsar-Dubai flight got pushed back as the focus of AI shifted to Chennai-Kuala Lumpur and Chennai-Singapore routes, where traffic density is more. These two will be started by June 8.


accordin to me AI shuld begin flights to DXB from south india or mumbai or delhi, amritsar wont get them good load cos max people to DXB and SHJ are from south india. for IX the best is they fly routes from south india. cos a dense load of workin class people are the majority to places like DXB SHJ KUW SIN KLM etc



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Air India plans to grow low-cost unit Air India plans to grow low-cost unit

Airline Business


June 6, 2006


Air India is standing behind its growth plans for low-cost unit Air India Express after the subsidiary recorded a profit in its first year of operation.
Chairman and managing director of Air India, V Thulasidas, said at IATA’s annual general meeting in Paris on June 6, 2006 that the no-frills international carrier has been a success to date and it will continue growing.
“We have had loads over 90% in Air India Express and in the very first year it has given us a small profit,” says Thulasidas.
Air India Express launched services in April last year between points in India and destinations in the Middle East. Its fleet comprises five leased Boeing 737-800s and it has 18 purchased examples on direct order with the manufacturer in addition to more lease commitments.
The carrier plans to continue focusing primarily on serving the Middle East market but there are also plans for it to serve destinations in Southeast Asia.



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RE: Where AI Express is off to next
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Air India Express delayed
Tuesday June 6 2006 14:37 IST


Indian Express


TIRUCHY: The commencement of operations of Air India’s subsidiary “Air India Express” from Tiruchy to various destinations in the Middle East among others from May 7 has been delayed.

Though several factors are being attributed to the delay, it is widely believed that the non-completion of the extended runway is the main cause. Tiruchy Airport, which has been handling domestic and international flights, is one of the busiest airports in Tamil Nadu, next to Chennai.

Apart from the national carrier Indian Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines has also been operating from here. Recently, the private player Air Deccan has started offering daily flights between Chennai and Tiruchy. According to informed sources, the annual turnover of the major airline operators, including Air India, Air Lanka and Indian Airlines, is estimated to be around Rs 100 crore.

With a high demand from passengers to fly to different destinations, the aviation sector had been poised for better growth in the coming years, the operators said.

To meet the needs of the airlines, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) authorities have taken up the extension of the runway from 6,000 to 7,500 feet, which would facilitate the smooth landing and take-of bigger aircraft.

Though the work, which commenced in April 2004, was supposed to have been completed by March 2005, it did not happen.

When contacted, Tiruchy Airport Director Sreekumar said the extended runway, measuring 1,500 feet, had been completed. Once the calibration works were over, it would be in a position to handle bigger aircraft, he added.

On Air India’s plans to operate its flights from last month, he said originally the Indian Airlines had planned to take care of the ground- handling activities, but now, the Air India itself would deploy its own personnel.

Though the runway work had been completed and ready for use, airline operators said they had not received any communication in this regard so far from the AAI authorities. “Only when we are informed, we can communicate to our authorities, who, in turn, shall prepare the schedule for flying more planes”, an airline executive said, adding that such delay would severely affect the prospects since June-September was considered to be the peak season.

The airline operators pointed out the need for infrastructure since the airport lacked facilities. For instance, in the event of any delay of flights, there is no refreshment cafe inside the airport.

Similarly, as there is no wayside ticketing counters for Indian Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines in the airport complex, passengers intending to fly at the last moment or those who have wait-listed tickets, find it extremely difficult. “Last week I had to get into the airport with a visitor’s pass and subsequently purchase the tickets from the airlines office,” a passenger said.

Airline operators said if the extended runway had been opened as per schedule, Silk Air (a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines), Deccan Lanka and Malaysian Airlines would have opened their shops there, which would have upgraded the entire delta region in many ways.

They said all the 13 Union Ministers and the MPs from Tamil Nadu should collectively work out modalities and ensure that such delays were avoided as any neglect would result in neighbouring States grabbing the opportunities.



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http://businessline.english.indiapress.info/


AI Express to connect Amritsar, Mangalore to Dubai soon: CMD


Ashwini Phadnis




New Delhi , June 15

AIR India Express, the new low-cost airline being promoted by Air India, is to begin services from Mangalore and Amritsar to Dubai shortly, its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr V. Thulasidas, said.

"The Government has given us permission to operate more flights to Dubai. We plan to start operating soon from both Mangalore and Amritsar. Initially, the flight will not be a daily service. In the case of Mangalore, we are waiting for customs and other facilities to be available before starting the flight," Mr Thulasidas told Business Line.

The Government recently concluded an air services bilateral with Dubai that allows the designated airlines of the two countries to offer an additional 8,000 seats per week. Earlier, the airlines of the two countries were entitled to offer 10,400 seats per week in each direction.

Meanwhile, AI Express is awaiting permission from the Malaysian Government to start operating its own flights to Kuala Lumpur from Chennai. At present, the AI Express aircraft have been taken on wet lease by Air India to operate the service. "AI Express should get the permission within the next few weeks and then will be in a position to operate on the route with its own aircraft," said Mr Thulasidas.

AI Express, however, recently started operating a six-times-a-week service on the Chennai-Singapore sector. (When did this happen?)

AI Express took to the skies in April last year and operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In an effort to provide budget travel to the passenger, the aircraft offers seating in economy class only.



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AI Express website gives a negative for a schedule between Chennai and Singapore.



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AI Express now has seven aircraft.

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Are all of these owned by AIX or some are leased?


karatecatman wrote:


AI Express now has seven aircraft.



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i guess they are all owned

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All 7 are leased.


AI's 737-800s (all with winglets) which it has bought (18) will start arriving from November.


There was a picture of two of them on the assembly line with their winglets painted.


But there might be a slight delay as Air India has suddenly deciede that that some of them should be in two-class.  Changes will now have to be made in the IFE arrangements. 



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AI Express has not yet started flights to Singapore.


When it does, it will be the second airline to operate from the new low cost terminal.


Let's hope it starts soon.



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One thing to note is that AIX offers meals on-board as opposed to other LCCs like Air Arabia where you have to buy stuff.

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It's a snack box type arrangement with a decent offering of food. The rest of the stock of food is good.

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Any idea on what do they have on the menu?


karatecatman wrote:


The rest of the stock of food is good.



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What's happening with Dubai-Mangalore? They were supposed to commence ops May end. No sign of any flights as yet.


Anybody knows why?


Olly



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Sri Lankan Airlines I think now operates an A330 to Tiruchy.

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VictorTango wrote:


What's happening with Dubai-Mangalore? They were supposed to commence ops May end. No sign of any flights as yet. Anybody knows why? Olly


Mangalore is stuck because of arrangements on the ground. Customs and immigration. But AI's chief said recently that they will be operating soon. Same problem with Amritsar to Dubai.


About Chennai to Singapore, clerance has still to be granted by the Singapore authorities.    



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vivekman wrote:



Any idea on what do they have on the menu? karatecatman wrote: The rest of the stock of food is good.




This is the menu per passenger (Non-payment)
Vegetable puff/Patty (80 gms) in aluminium foil 1 
Cheese sandwich (50 gms) wrapped 1        Vegetable cutlet (80 gms) 1


Mixed Fruit Muffin or Sliced fruit cake (70 gms) 1 
Banana or potato chips  (60 gms)
Ketchup sachet   
Mineral water bottle 1 300 ml
Paper napkin  1 
Sugar sachet  1 
Dairy Creamer 1 
Plastic stirrer   1 
Tea/coffee cup  1 
Biscuits 4   
   


Cabin items (Non-payment) are: 
Pillows 
Blankets 
Toilet Rolls 
Tissues
Air sickness bags 
Liquid soap
Headsets for IFE
Paper towels 
Safety cards 
Plastic glasses 


Payment:
Kingfisher  (Cans); Whisky -- Black  Label; Whisky -- Red;


Pepsi cans (all 330 ml); Diet pepsi; Coca Cola; Diet coke; Soda water cans; 7 Up regular; 7 Up diet 
      


Duty free:       
Whisky Black Label;
Whisky Red Label; Benson and Hedges cigarettes; State Express 555; Eternity for Men EDT Spray; Harley Davidson; Orlane Be 21; Eternity Moment; Aircraft model 737-800; Pierre Cardin Watch and Jewellery Set; Titan watches
      
   
Complete doctor's kit.       


(IFE is sourced from Air India). 


(Most items are stock from AIR INDIA. Stock items to be upgraded when some 737-800s arrive in J and Y configuration.      
   



-- Edited by karatecatman at 21:44, 2006-06-20

-- Edited by karatecatman at 00:05, 2006-06-21

-- Edited by karatecatman at 00:21, 2006-06-21

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Only problem is that the loo rooms (!!) on board AI Express are used as smoking rooms.


Cabin crew have no control over this! Passengers from Trivandrum, Cochin and Calicut seem to be having their way as far as smoking goes. Cabin cleanliness also goes for a sixer. One of the new 737-800s with winglets has started to look like a municipal garbage van on the inside. 


Let's see what happens once when AIX starts operating from Trichy, Chennai, Amritsar and Mangalore. 



-- Edited by karatecatman at 21:39, 2006-06-20

-- Edited by karatecatman at 21:39, 2006-06-20

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what so many things for free then why not fly AIX


and u expect the worker class to dubai to buy Duty free:       
Whisky Black Label; Whisky Red Label; Benson and Hedges cigarettes; State Express 555; Eternity for Men EDT Spray; Harley Davidson; Orlane Be 21; Eternity Moment; Aircraft model 737-800; Pierre Cardin Watch and Jewellery Set; Titan watches


AIX is very generous!!!



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