Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL)
(a): During the period June-November, 2012, out of 5984 flights operated, 91 flights
were cancelled and 1131 flights were delayed beyond 15 minutes.
(b) and (c): Yes, Madam. References have been received from Prime Minister`s
Office/MPs/Non-Resident Keralites regarding frequent cancellation of flights/restoration
of flights from Kerala to Gulf which were affected/ withdrawn due to the agitation of
a section of its pilots from 7th May to 3rd July, 2012. Pilot`s strike had also impacted
Air India Express flights.
On Kerala-Gulf route, Air India operated 42 flights out of 45 scheduled flights for
summer schedule. 3 weekly services on Calicut- Riyadh route operated with B747 aircraft
were withdrawn. However, passengers were accommodated on services operated out Cochin.
The two weekly services with B747 aircraft on Riyadh-Trivandrum- Cochin-Riyadh route
were restructured to operate Riyadh- Cochin-Riyadh and passengers were accommodated
on services operated out of Cochin. The agitation was called off on 3rd July, 2012.
However, pilots were available for operational duties in phases. The services on
Calicut-Riyadh vv route were restored from 9th August, 2012.
AI was again constrained to withdraw flights on Cochin-Riyadh and vv from 19.9.2012 to
26.10.2012 due to the requirement of the aircraft for Haj operations. Passengers were
accommodated on services operated out of other cities. Air India Express(AIE) was
also forced to curtail some of its services on Kerala-Gulf sector due to pilots
agitation. AIE had 77 flights per week on Kerala-Gulf route which were reduced by
20 per cent due to strike. However, in peak season from 1.8.2012 to 16,9.2012,
AIE operated 81 additional flights. AIE had restored the complete summer schedule
subsequently. Due to the exigency of Haj operations, AIE was required to release
2 aircraft which necessitated cancellation of 15 flights from Kerala to Gulf
between 17.9.2012 and 28.9.2012. AIE restored its entire schedule from Kerala
to Gulf from 29.9.2012. In all cases of flights cancellation, the passengers
of cancelled flights were accommodated on other AI/AIE flights or given full
refund as per their choice.
Air Management took various steps to maintain connectivity to the destinations
served with the help of its executive pilots and narrow body aircraft so as to
reduce the difficulties faced by the passenger.
In the current Winter Schedule, Air India Express has increased Kerala-Gulf
operations to 88 flights per week. Kerala-Gulf is a strategic market for Air
India and Air India Express. Consequently the flight schedules are finalized
keeping in mind the responsibility towards travelling public by virtue of
being a national carrier.
The loss suffered by Air India on account of pilot`s strike was Rs.600 crores.
(d): No, Madam.
(e): Does not arise.
(f): No, Madam. There is no shortage of seats in the Gulf market.
(g): Does not arise.
