Product Enhancement On The Cards For Air-India: Singh

Charmaine Fernz - Mumbai

P P Singh

Indian aviation is facing more of a 'good, bad, ugly' situation post the announcement of the annual Budget. Nonetheless, the current situation has not deterred Air-India's new regional director - India, PP Singh’s plans for the airline in the coming year. In an exclusive with Express Travel & Tourism, Singh said, "At present we are on an expansion mode as far as the US is concerned. Come December 2, the usual three flights to Los Angeles will increase to five. Apart from this, we are going to focus on business in a big way. We are looking at collaborating with tour operators and travel agents who promote international trade fair traffic as well as those who are working with the Indian Merchant Chamber to promote packaged groups. This is a step towards promoting MICE from India, which is a growing potential segment. To further enhance this segment, we are offering competitive fares, making capacity available and also catering to the special needs of MICE travellers. Apart from this, we are promoting our First and J class in the 747-400 that has recently undergone a refurbishment, catering to the Europe, London, Frankfurt, Paris, NY and Chicago belt. Our business class is also undergoing a revamp in the A310 aircraft."

Elaborating further Singh said, "There has been a change in our Frequent Flyer Programme, wherein any traveller who flies Air-India on an international route can enrol for membership without a service fee. We are also targeting the student traffic by offering special discounted fares, which are approximately 25-30 per cent cheaper. This would also include a 20 kg additional baggage allowance along with an additional piece of luggage to the US. e-ticketing is also on the cards for us but we have been given the mandatory period till 2007 to completely switch to e-ticketing and we are working towards that deadline."

Commenting on the much-talked about Air-India Express, Singh said, "We plan to launch this low cost carrier in April 2005 and would primarily target the Gulf and Middle-East markets. After having consolidated our position in these markets, we would then target the neighbouring countries in the Far East and South East Asia. The aircraft to be used by Air-India Express would be the B737 or its equivalent. This is still being finalised at the moment." Having said the above, it is a fact that with FDI limits increased, a number of international low cost carriers have evinced keen interest in India. In that regard, how would Air-India Express deal with global competition? Asserts Singh, "We will face competition when it arises. At the moment, the fares are also being worked out."