(a) whether the functioning of Airports Authority of India, Air India and Indian Airlines was reviewed by the Government recently;
(b) if so, the findings of the review alongwith the response of the Government;
(c) the decision taken and the directions issued thereon; and
(d) the other decisions taken by the Government to streamline the functioning of AAI, IA and AI?
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI SHARAD YADAV)
(a),(b),(c) & (d):- Monitoring/review of the functioning of
all organisations under Ministry of Civil Aviation including
Air India, Indian Airlines and Airports Authority of India
is a continuous process. With a view to improve the
performance/functioning of Air India, Indian Airlines and
Airports Authority of India and to give a better
service/product to the passengers/public, a number of
decisions/measures have been taken which are at Annexure-I.
ANNEXURE-I
MAJOR DECISIONS/MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE
AND PRODUCT OF AIR INDIA, INDIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS
AUTHORITY OF INDIA.
AIR INDIA:
(i) Disinvestment of 60% of the Government held equity
in Air India, out of which 40% to a strategic
partner, upto 10% to employees and the balance to
financial institutions and/or on the share market.
(ii) Induction of additional Aircraft on dry lease basis
for growth and rationalisation of fleet.
(iii) Initiation of various measures to bring about a
turn-around in the company`s performance such as -
Route Rationalisation; Joint Ventures and Code Share
arrangements with various international airlines;
Product Upgradation and enhancement; Sale of
non-performing assets; Reduction in Staff and other
Costs; Marketing Initiatives; and Synergy with
Indian Airlines etc.
INDIAN AIRLINES
(i) Disinvestment of 51% of the government held equity
of which 26% to the strategic partner and the
balance 25% to the employees, financial institutions
and from public.
(ii) Acquisition of five B-737-200 and two A-320 aircraft
on dry lease basis.
(iii) Initiation of various measures to further improve
the performance of the Airline such as-
Increased utilization of aircraft; Deployment of
capacity on the criteria of economics and traffic
demand; Product upgrades and marketing initiatives;
Cost cutting measures to reduce expenditure; Roll
back of retirement age; and proposal to introduce
Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA
(i) Development of four major international airports at
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Calcutta through long term
leasing.
(ii) Construction of three new international airports at
Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa with major private
sector participation.
(iii) Declaration of seven domestic airports viz.
Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Goa,
Amritsar & Guwahati as International airports.
(iv) Automation of Air Traffic Control facilities through
introduction of Satellite based Communication,
Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) and Modern Air
Traffic Management Systems.