(a) whether any circular has been issued to all the managers warning them of fixing responsibility for the non-utilisation of seats in the planes of Air India;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Air India has been suffering losses because of its planes going with less number of passengers; and
(d) if so, the details of steps taken/to be taken by the Government to improve the working of the Air India to make the airlines viable ?
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI SHARAD YADAV)
(a) and (b):- Yes, Sir. Circulars and telexes have been
sent to Regional Directors/Managers to monitor and ensure
better utilization of seats. Managers have also been
instructed to carry strict pre-flight checks, check advance
booked Loads, monitor agents bookings with ticket numbers to
ensure roll back of inventory with final view to maximise
uplifts from their stations. The India Region has also
instituted a no show charge and a cancellation charge if
bookings are cancelled within 24 hours.
(c) :-The demand for seats varies with seasons and the
competitors capacities/products/fare levels in the market.
Airlines do not operate to full capacity throughout the year
and it is therefore incorrect to say that Air India is
suffering loss due to less number of passengers.
(d): Air India has taken following steps to make it
viable:-
(i) Several posts of India based officers abroad have been
abolished.
(ii) Two voluntary schemes have been notified
viz shorter working week scheme and leave without pay and
allowances scheme for a period of two years extendable upto
five years.
(iii) Rolling back of retirement age from 60 to
58 years.
(iv) Redeployment of employees from non-
operational to operational areas.
(v) freeze on external
recruitment in non-operational categories.