Question : Operation of Flights by Air India

(a) whether the Air India has been operating only all economy class flights for Delhi-Bhubaneswar-Delhi Sector since February, 2017;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for withdrawing business class from such flights meant for the said sector;

(c) the norms/criterion being followed by the Air India for operating all economy flights/withdrawing business class from its flights for the said sector;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any study on the revenue loss on account of withdrawing business class from its flights for the said sector;

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

(f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to restore business class in the said flights?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) to (c): With effect from 01st February, 2017 the aircraft on flight AI 075/076 was changed from A-321 to A-320 type having 180 Economy seats and no business class seats.

This change of aircraft was for a short period from 01st February, 2017 to 25th March, 2017 due to constraints on availability of mixed class Aircrafts and rotational constraints. With effect from 26th March, 2017, A-321 type of aircraft with 12 business + 170 Economy class seats configuration is operating on flight AI 075/076. Such temporary changes are carried on to have minimum impact on the airline schedule and to avoid major disruption of flights due to shortage of aircraft.;

(d)&(e): Since this change of aircraft was for a short period and was done to avoid major disruption of flights due to shortage of aircraft, no study on revenue loss was done on account of withdrawing business class from Delhi-Bhubaneshwar-Delhi sector.;

(f): The flight AI 075/AI076 is operating with A-321 type of aircraft having 12 Business + 170 Economy class seats with effect from 26th March, 2017.