Question : RESCHEDULING OF AI FLIGHTS

(a) whether the instances of rescheduling of Air India flights have come to the notice of the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor during each of the last three years and the current year,flight-wise;

(c) whether the Government will consider reintroduction of the said flights at their original timings;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor;and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to reverse the frequency of flights in view of the huge rush of passengers?;

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL)

(a) : Yes, Madam.

(b), (c) , (d) and (e) : As per industry practice, Air India announces its schedule of operations twice in a year (summer schedule and winter schedule) effective last Saturday of March and October every year. This schedule is planned on the basis of historic schedule and the current resources available in terms of aircraft, crew and other constraints. Air India is constrained to make changes to its planned schedule due to change in availability of number and type of aircraft, weather conditions at the origin or destination and consequence thereof, prevailing load factor etc. Air India currently operates around 393 departures per day and there are around 30 to 40 rescheduling per day, which is mainly done within 24 hours of departure.

Air India monitors its flights performance on daily basis and adjusts its operations in accordance with the available resources and market demands. The restoration of flights depends upon availability of resources and commercial viability.