Air India has launched its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Delhi-London Heathrow route, marking a significant step in its transformation program. The aircraft boasts a three-class configuration with full-flat beds in Business, a new Premium Economy class, and updated Economy seats. Passengers will enjoy a state-of-the-art entertainment system, designer amenity kits, and a new soft product, all complemented by Manish Malhotra-designed uniforms for the crew.
India’s economic growth slowed to a 15-month low in the April-June quarter, while the stock market hit record highs. The merger of Vistara and Air India is set to take effect on November 12th, and Prime Minister Modi urged regulators to address cyber fraud. In other news, India’s fiscal deficit reached 17.2% of the full-year target, and Adani Ports is acquiring a majority stake in Astro Offshore.
Vistara, the joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will cease operations on November 12, 2024, merging with Air India. This marks the end of a successful but unprofitable journey for Vistara, which brought innovation and luxury to Indian skies.
The long-awaited merger between Air India and Vistara has taken a major step forward with the Indian government’s approval of foreign direct investment (FDI). This paves the way for the creation of one of the world’s largest airline groups, with the merger expected to be finalized in the coming months.
Air India is enhancing its customer service by adding seven new Indian languages to its support options, aiming to provide a more inclusive and culturally sensitive travel experience for its passengers.
An Air India flight from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram was forced to land under emergency protocols after receiving a bomb threat. The flight landed safely, passengers were evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Airport operations are currently uninterrupted.
A bomb threat on an Air India flight approaching Thiruvananthapuram Airport on August 22nd, 2024, has raised concerns about the impact on tourism, both in India and globally. While the threat was successfully managed with no casualties or disruptions, the incident highlights the potential for such events to erode traveler confidence and affect the tourism industry.
Air India has discontinued its Pune-Mumbai flight service due to consistently low passenger occupancy. Despite the high demand for air travel between the two cities, the inconvenient mid-day schedule of the flight resulted in poor passenger interest. The airline’s decision highlights the importance of aligning flight schedules with passenger preferences for profitability.
An Air India crew member was assaulted in her hotel room in London while staying at the Radisson Red Hotel near Heathrow Airport. The intruder, who was caught and handed over to authorities, attacked the crew member with a clothes hanger. Air India is providing support to the crew member and working with local police to investigate the incident.
Air India has announced the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing the current situation in parts of the Middle East. The airline is offering full refunds to passengers with confirmed bookings and is continuously monitoring the situation.
