The government does not want Air India to become defunct like the Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and wants it to serve the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Thursday.

The government does not want anyone working in Air India to lose job, Raju said in the Lok Sabha, adding that the disinvestment process of the national carrier has been initiated.

&quot;Nobody wants anyone to become unemployed. We don&#39;t want Air India to go the Kingfisher (Airlines) way. We want the Air India to serve the nation, to serve the people and fly high,&quot; he said during the Question Hour.

The minister said a ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is looking into the matter of disinvestment of Air India and anyone, including MPs, are welcome to give their suggestions to this panel.

On June 28, the Union Cabinet had cleared disinvestment of debt-laden Air India but the final modalities, including the quantum of stake sale, would be decided by a group of ministers headed by the finance minister.

Surviving on taxpayers&#39; money, Air India has been in the red for long and various proposals, including government think-tank Niti Aayog&#39;s recommendation for complete privatisation, have been made.

The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012.

The Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003 by Mallya. The air carrier was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after it failed to address the regulator&#39;s concerns about its operations.

Kingfisher Airlines also defaulted on loans from various Indian banks amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. Mallya left the country for the UK after failing to repay the debt.&nbsp;

The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012.

The government does not want Air India to become defunct like the Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and wants it to serve the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Thursday. The government does not want anyone working in Air India to lose job, Raju said in the Lok Sabha, adding that the disinvestment process of the national carrier has been initiated. "Nobody wants anyone to become unemployed. We don't want Air India to go the Kingfisher (Airlines) way. We want the Air India to serve the nation, to serve the people and fly high," he said during the Question Hour. The minister said a ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is looking into the matter of disinvestment of Air India and anyone, including MPs, are welcome to give their suggestions to this panel. On June 28, the Union Cabinet had cleared disinvestment of debt-laden Air India but the final modalities, including the quantum of stake sale, would be decided by a group of ministers headed by the finance minister. Surviving on taxpayers' money, Air India has been in the red for long and various proposals, including government think-tank Niti Aayog's recommendation for complete privatisation, have been made. The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012. The Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003 by Mallya. The air carrier was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after it failed to address the regulator's concerns about its operations. Kingfisher Airlines also defaulted on loans from various Indian banks amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. Mallya left the country for the UK after failing to repay the debt.

Government doesn't want Air India to go Kingfisher Airlines way: Civil aviation minister

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&#39;&#39;When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can&#39;t we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,&#39;&#39; Prasad said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-doesnt-want-air-india-to-go-kingfisher-airlines-way-raju-27960">Government doesn&#39;t want Air India to go Kingfisher Airlines way: Civil aviation minister</a>

The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-successfully-test-fires-supersonic-interceptor-missile-in-odisha-27954">India successfully test-fires supersonic interceptor missile in Odisha</a>

&#39;It was a direct hit and grand success,&#39; Defence sources said after the test launch.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/osama-bin-laden-moved-to-afganistan-to-supervise-plot-to-assassinate-benazir-bhutto-say-reports-27963">Osama Bin Laden moved to Afganistan to supervise plot to assassinate Benazir Bhutto, say reports</a>

Bhutto was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/selectors-would-have-dropped-me-over-poor-form-says-alastair-cook-27965">Selectors would have dropped me over poor form, says Alastair Cook</a>

The former captain managed to score only 83 runs in six innings before making 244 not out.&nbsp;

About 100 cases of Triple Talaq have come to light after SC verdict: Ravi Shankar Prasad ''When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can't we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,'' Prasad said. Government doesn't want Air India to go Kingfisher Airlines way: Civil aviation minister The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012. India successfully test-fires supersonic interceptor missile in Odisha 'It was a direct hit and grand success,' Defence sources said after the test launch. Osama Bin Laden moved to Afganistan to supervise plot to assassinate Benazir Bhutto, say reports Bhutto was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007. Selectors would have dropped me over poor form, says Alastair Cook The former captain managed to score only 83 runs in six innings before making 244 not out.

WION evening news brief, December 28, 2017

Air India refused to allow a wheelchair-bound passenger to board a flight reportedly because he did not remove the wires from the battery of his wheelchair.&nbsp;

Kaushik Majumdar, an Associate Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute in Bengaluru was travelling from the city to Kolkata on December 17.&nbsp;

Majumdar told PTI that each time he travels by air, his disconnects the battery from his wheelchair.&nbsp;

&quot;Some weird staff, however, insisted on removing all the wires from the battery, which would have completely ruined the equipment, on which I depend,&quot; PTI reported him as saying.&nbsp;

Majumdar added that he refused to do so.&nbsp;

PTI reported Majumdar as saying that in all airlines, including Air India, disconnecting the battery from the wheelchair joystick controller is enough.

&quot;Why then an exception was made in AI 776 on December 17? Who are responsible? I want an answer,&quot; he said.

Majumdar added that even the CISF had smoothly cleared the chair but right before boarding, some Air India staff had raised security issues with the battery.

PTI reported Air India General Manager for Corporate Communications GP Rao as saying no passenger can violate Directorate General of Civil Aviation norms.&nbsp;

PTI reported Rao as saying that Majumdar had promised to remove the battery at the boarding gate, but refused to do it when he got there.

Subsequently, Rao added, the pilot was informed and he took a call not to allow the passenger on the aircraft.&nbsp;

Kaushik Majumdar, an Associate Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute in Bengaluru was travelling from the city to Kolkata

Air India refused to allow a wheelchair-bound passenger to board a flight reportedly because he did not remove the wires from the battery of his wheelchair. Kaushik Majumdar, an Associate Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute in Bengaluru was travelling from the city to Kolkata on December 17. Majumdar told PTI that each time he travels by air, his disconnects the battery from his wheelchair. "Some weird staff, however, insisted on removing all the wires from the battery, which would have completely ruined the equipment, on which I depend," PTI reported him as saying. Majumdar added that he refused to do so. PTI reported Majumdar as saying that in all airlines, including Air India, disconnecting the battery from the wheelchair joystick controller is enough. "Why then an exception was made in AI 776 on December 17? Who are responsible? I want an answer," he said. Majumdar added that even the CISF had smoothly cleared the chair but right before boarding, some Air India staff had raised security issues with the battery. PTI reported Air India General Manager for Corporate Communications GP Rao as saying no passenger can violate Directorate General of Civil Aviation norms. PTI reported Rao as saying that Majumdar had promised to remove the battery at the boarding gate, but refused to do it when he got there. Subsequently, Rao added, the pilot was informed and he took a call not to allow the passenger on the aircraft.

Air India does not allow wheelchair-bound professor to board flight

Air India suspended three staffers and issued a warning letter to a captain for the delay in reaching the airport late yesterday.&nbsp;

An Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijaywada flight was delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard, said Air India Spokesperson GP Rao.

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Yesterday Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijaywada flight was delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard: Air India Spokesperson GP Rao
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/941122894045765633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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After onboard passengers protested and questioned Minister Raju over the delay, the minister immediately called the Air India CMD Pradeep Kharola and asked him about the reason for the flight delay.&nbsp;

The flight finally took off for Vijaywada after 1.30 hours.&nbsp;

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Flight finally took off for Vijaywada after 1.30 hours. Meanwhile Air India took action against three staffers,who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late: Air India Spokesperson GP Rao
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/941122897715724288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Air India took action against three staffers, who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late, said Rao.

The flight finally took off for Vijaywada after 1.30 hours

Air India suspended three staffers and issued a warning letter to a captain for the delay in reaching the airport late yesterday. An Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijaywada flight was delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard, said Air India Spokesperson GP Rao. Yesterday Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijaywada flight was delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard: Air India Spokesperson GP Rao — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 × After onboard passengers protested and questioned Minister Raju over the delay, the minister immediately called the Air India CMD Pradeep Kharola and asked him about the reason for the flight delay. The flight finally took off for Vijaywada after 1.30 hours. Flight finally took off for Vijaywada after 1.30 hours. Meanwhile Air India took action against three staffers,who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late: Air India Spokesperson GP Rao — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 × Air India took action against three staffers, who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late, said Rao.

Air India suspends 3 staffers, issues warning letter to captain over flight delay

Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India. Kharola takes over from Rajiv Bansal.

Kharola has the huge responsibility of steering the national carrier at a time when the government has started the process for its strategic disinvestment.&nbsp;

A 1985-batch Karnataka cadre officer, Kharola was the managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd since February 2015.

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Pradeep Singh Kharola took charge as CMD Air India from Rajiv Bansal <a href="https://t.co/OxTSQqKvTI">pic.twitter.com/OxTSQqKvTI</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940105091993837574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Among others, Kharola has worked in various posts in Karnataka, including as the chairman of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd. He has also served as principal secretary to the Karnataka chief minister.

As part of efforts to revive the fortunes of Air India -- which is staying afloat on taxpayers&#39; money --, the government has decided on selling stake in the airline.

The carrier, which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore, managed to eke out operational profit for the first time in a decade in 2015-16.&nbsp;

A 1985-batch Karnataka cadre officer, Kharola was the managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd since February 2015.

Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India. Kharola takes over from Rajiv Bansal. Kharola has the huge responsibility of steering the national carrier at a time when the government has started the process for its strategic disinvestment. A 1985-batch Karnataka cadre officer, Kharola was the managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd since February 2015. Pradeep Singh Kharola took charge as CMD Air India from Rajiv Bansal pic.twitter.com/OxTSQqKvTI — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × Among others, Kharola has worked in various posts in Karnataka, including as the chairman of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd. He has also served as principal secretary to the Karnataka chief minister. As part of efforts to revive the fortunes of Air India -- which is staying afloat on taxpayers' money --, the government has decided on selling stake in the airline. The carrier, which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore, managed to eke out operational profit for the first time in a decade in 2015-16.

Pradeep Singh Kharola takes charge as Air India's CMD

Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new Air India Chairman and Managing Director (CMD).

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Pradeep Singh Kharola to be the new Chairman and Managing Director of Air India. <a href="https://t.co/D7MsYVEOsB">pic.twitter.com/D7MsYVEOsB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935456523601395712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Presently Kharola heads the Bangalore Metro Rail Ltd as the Managing Director.&nbsp;

He had been an officer in the Karnataka cadre.

Kharola will replace Rajiv Bansal. Bansal had been serving as the interim CMD for the past three months.

He took over as the chief of Airline after Ashwani Lohani was transferred to the Railway Board.&nbsp;

The new appointment has come amidst the&nbsp;government&#39;s plan of&nbsp;privatising Air India.&nbsp;

Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new Air India Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)

Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new Air India Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). Pradeep Singh Kharola to be the new Chairman and Managing Director of Air India. pic.twitter.com/D7MsYVEOsB — ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 × Presently Kharola heads the Bangalore Metro Rail Ltd as the Managing Director. He had been an officer in the Karnataka cadre. Kharola will replace Rajiv Bansal. Bansal had been serving as the interim CMD for the past three months. He took over as the chief of Airline after Ashwani Lohani was transferred to the Railway Board. The new appointment has come amidst the government's plan of privatising Air India.

Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola to head Air India

Scouting for funds, Air India is in advanced discussions with public sector lender SBI for sale of at least two residential properties that could net nearly Rs 50 crore, airline and banking sources said.

While the government moves ahead with the process for strategic stake sale, the loss-making airline continues to work on the strategy to divest non-core assets.

Saddled with more than Rs 50,000 crore debt, Air India recently sought loans worth over Rs 1,500 crore to meet working capital requirements.

Against the backdrop of the severe financial crunch, the airlines talks with the State Bank of India (SBI) assumes significance in terms of raising additional monetary resources.

The discussions between Air India and SBI are at an advanced stage with respect to sale of two residential properties in South Mumbai, sources told PTI.

While the final contours of the deal are being worked out, an airline source said the sale is expected to fetch around Rs 46 crore.

Despite trying to dispose of such assets, so far Air India has managed to sell only four of its flats in Mumbai to SBI for Rs 90 crore.

These properties are located at upmarket Peddar Road in South Mumbai.

The carrier has been in possession of some properties which are lying vacant and unused for a long time. These include parcels of land as well as residential and commercial estate in India and abroad.

Among others, the carrier has leased out almost the entire space at its previous headquarters at Nariman Point to various government agencies.

As per the turnaround/financial restructuring plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) back in 2012, Air India is required to monetise its assets and generate Rs 5,000 crore by way of sale, leasing or developing an asset as a joint venture.

Under the plan, the carrier is to get financial assistance to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore over a 10-year period.

Air India is in advanced discussions with public sector lender SBI for sale of at least two residential properties that could net nearly Rs 50 crore.

Scouting for funds, Air India is in advanced discussions with public sector lender SBI for sale of at least two residential properties that could net nearly Rs 50 crore, airline and banking sources said. While the government moves ahead with the process for strategic stake sale, the loss-making airline continues to work on the strategy to divest non-core assets. Saddled with more than Rs 50,000 crore debt, Air India recently sought loans worth over Rs 1,500 crore to meet working capital requirements. Against the backdrop of the severe financial crunch, the airlines talks with the State Bank of India (SBI) assumes significance in terms of raising additional monetary resources. The discussions between Air India and SBI are at an advanced stage with respect to sale of two residential properties in South Mumbai, sources told PTI. While the final contours of the deal are being worked out, an airline source said the sale is expected to fetch around Rs 46 crore. Despite trying to dispose of such assets, so far Air India has managed to sell only four of its flats in Mumbai to SBI for Rs 90 crore. These properties are located at upmarket Peddar Road in South Mumbai. The carrier has been in possession of some properties which are lying vacant and unused for a long time. These include parcels of land as well as residential and commercial estate in India and abroad. Among others, the carrier has leased out almost the entire space at its previous headquarters at Nariman Point to various government agencies. As per the turnaround/financial restructuring plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) back in 2012, Air India is required to monetise its assets and generate Rs 5,000 crore by way of sale, leasing or developing an asset as a joint venture. Under the plan, the carrier is to get financial assistance to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore over a 10-year period.

Air India to sell 2 properties to SBI, may fetch Rs 50 crore

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-government-approves-disinvestment-of-air-india-17379" target="_blank">Disinvestment-bound Air India has sought proposals for short-term loans</a> worth Rs 1,500 crore to meet &quot;urgent&quot; working capital needs, according to a document.

This is the second time in little over a month that the flagship carrier has floated tenders for short tenure loans even as the government is working on the modalities for the stake sale.

The debt-laden carrier, which is surviving on taxpayers&#39; money, is battling multiple headwinds, including financial woes and stiff competition.

In a document issued on October 18, Air India said it is looking for &quot;government guarantee backed Indian Rupee short-term loans totalling up to Rs 1,500 crore to meet its urgent working capital requirements&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tata-chairman-says-interested-in-bidding-for-air-india-report-21203" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Tata interested in bidding for Air India: Tata Sons chairman</a>

The loan would have a tenure up to June 27, 2018, from the date of being availed and the deadline could be extended.

&quot;The amount of Rs 1,500 crore will be drawn in one -three tranches...The Government of India guarantee is valid up to June 27, 2018, or till the date of disinvestment,&quot; the document said.

With regard to the loan, the carrier has requested banks to submit their financial bids along with the amount they are willing to provide by October 26.

&quot;Air India would like to draw the short-term loan within three working days after awarding the acceptance letter to the successful bank/s,&quot; the document said.

Last month also, the airline had sought proposals for short-term loans of up to Rs 3,250 crore to meet urgent working capital requirements.

It could not be immediately ascertained whether the airline received an adequate response for the document floated last month.

As part of a turnaround plan approved by the previous UPA regime, Air India is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The 10-year bailout package began from 2012.

The embattled carrier has received around Rs 26,000 crore under the package so far.

In June this year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle nod to the strategic disinvestment of the airline -- which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore.

A ministerial group is now working on the disinvestment modalities, including treatment of Air India&#39;s unsustainable debt, hiving off of certain assets to a shell company, demerger and strategic disinvestment of three profit-making subsidiaries.&nbsp;

In a document issued on October 18, Air India said it is looking for 'government guarantee backed Indian Rupee short-term loans totalling up to Rs 1,500 crore to meet its urgent working capital requirements'

Disinvestment-bound Air India has sought proposals for short-term loans worth Rs 1,500 crore to meet "urgent" working capital needs, according to a document. This is the second time in little over a month that the flagship carrier has floated tenders for short tenure loans even as the government is working on the modalities for the stake sale. The debt-laden carrier, which is surviving on taxpayers' money, is battling multiple headwinds, including financial woes and stiff competition. In a document issued on October 18, Air India said it is looking for "government guarantee backed Indian Rupee short-term loans totalling up to Rs 1,500 crore to meet its urgent working capital requirements". Also Read: Tata interested in bidding for Air India: Tata Sons chairman The loan would have a tenure up to June 27, 2018, from the date of being availed and the deadline could be extended. "The amount of Rs 1,500 crore will be drawn in one -three tranches...The Government of India guarantee is valid up to June 27, 2018, or till the date of disinvestment," the document said. With regard to the loan, the carrier has requested banks to submit their financial bids along with the amount they are willing to provide by October 26. "Air India would like to draw the short-term loan within three working days after awarding the acceptance letter to the successful bank/s," the document said. Last month also, the airline had sought proposals for short-term loans of up to Rs 3,250 crore to meet urgent working capital requirements. It could not be immediately ascertained whether the airline received an adequate response for the document floated last month. As part of a turnaround plan approved by the previous UPA regime, Air India is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The 10-year bailout package began from 2012. The embattled carrier has received around Rs 26,000 crore under the package so far. In June this year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle nod to the strategic disinvestment of the airline -- which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore. A ministerial group is now working on the disinvestment modalities, including treatment of Air India's unsustainable debt, hiving off of certain assets to a shell company, demerger and strategic disinvestment of three profit-making subsidiaries.

Air India seeks Rs 1,500 crore short term loans

India&#39;s Tata conglomerate is interested in bidding for state-owned Air India as the group needs to increase the sizes of its aviation business, its boss told television channel CNBC TV18 in an interview on Monday.

Tata would &quot;definitely look&quot; at Air India once the government finalised the privatisation process, N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata group&rsquo;s holding company Tata Sons, told the channel.

He said Tata, which already has two small airline joint ventures in India, one with Singapore Airlines and the other with Malaysia&#39;s AirAsia Bhd, was still not clear about what a sale would look like.

The government has not said whether it will sell all or parts of Air India and what it might do about the loss-making airline&#39;s debt burden of $8.5 billion.

&quot;We still don&#39;t have all the details,&quot; Chandrasekaran said. &quot;We have two airlines, both are subscale. I feel scale is important.&quot;

When asked whether Tata had spoken to Singapore Airlines about its interest in bidding for Air India, Chandrasekaran said: &quot;Do you think I would have not?&quot;

Tata&#39;s interest in Air India has been reported but Chandrasekaran had not spoken publicly about a possible bid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s cabinet in June gave the go-ahead to sell Air India, which has received $3.6 billion since 2012 in state aid.

Last month the government invited bids to appoint financial and legal advisors for the sale process.

Some companies including low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, ground handling company Bird Group and Turkey&#39;s Celebi Aviation Holdings have expressed an interest in buying some of Air India&#39;s various businesses.

Air India, founded in 1930s by the Tata Group, is saddled with debts and a bloated cost structure.

Once the nation&#39;s largest carrier, its market share in the booming domestic market has slumped to 13 percent as private carriers expanded.

In Monday&#39;s interview, Chandrasekaran also said &quot;all options are on the table&quot; when asked about the future of its struggling telecoms unit Tata Teleservices.

The Economic Times said earlier this month that Tata had told the government it intended to shut down Tata Teleservices.

&quot;I will have to take a tough call and I will,&quot; Chandrasekaran said, adding that a solution would be found this financial year because Tata could not continue to pump in cash to fund the company.

Chandrasekaran also said the group was focusing on improving returns at Tata Motors and ending production of its loss-making Nano car would make little difference to the firm&#39;s profitability.

British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has long been the main source of revenues and profits at Tata Motors.

The company has said it will invest more than 40 billion rupees ($612 million) to boost sales of its passenger and commercial vehicles and return to profit in its domestic business.

 
&nbsp;

Tata would 'definitely look' at Air India once the government has finalised the privatisation process, N Chandrasekaran said

India's Tata conglomerate is interested in bidding for state-owned Air India as the group needs to increase the sizes of its aviation business, its boss told television channel CNBC TV18 in an interview on Monday. Tata would "definitely look" at Air India once the government finalised the privatisation process, N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata group’s holding company Tata Sons, told the channel. He said Tata, which already has two small airline joint ventures in India, one with Singapore Airlines and the other with Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd, was still not clear about what a sale would look like. The government has not said whether it will sell all or parts of Air India and what it might do about the loss-making airline's debt burden of $8.5 billion. "We still don't have all the details," Chandrasekaran said. "We have two airlines, both are subscale. I feel scale is important." When asked whether Tata had spoken to Singapore Airlines about its interest in bidding for Air India, Chandrasekaran said: "Do you think I would have not?" Tata's interest in Air India has been reported but Chandrasekaran had not spoken publicly about a possible bid. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet in June gave the go-ahead to sell Air India, which has received $3.6 billion since 2012 in state aid. Last month the government invited bids to appoint financial and legal advisors for the sale process. Some companies including low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, ground handling company Bird Group and Turkey's Celebi Aviation Holdings have expressed an interest in buying some of Air India's various businesses. Air India, founded in 1930s by the Tata Group, is saddled with debts and a bloated cost structure. Once the nation's largest carrier, its market share in the booming domestic market has slumped to 13 percent as private carriers expanded. In Monday's interview, Chandrasekaran also said "all options are on the table" when asked about the future of its struggling telecoms unit Tata Teleservices. The Economic Times said earlier this month that Tata had told the government it intended to shut down Tata Teleservices. "I will have to take a tough call and I will," Chandrasekaran said, adding that a solution would be found this financial year because Tata could not continue to pump in cash to fund the company. Chandrasekaran also said the group was focusing on improving returns at Tata Motors and ending production of its loss-making Nano car would make little difference to the firm's profitability. British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has long been the main source of revenues and profits at Tata Motors. The company has said it will invest more than 40 billion rupees ($612 million) to boost sales of its passenger and commercial vehicles and return to profit in its domestic business.

Tata interested in bidding for Air India: Tata Sons chairman

The Centre today unveiled the first-ever guidelines for a no-fly list under which air travellers can now be banned from flying for a period ranging from three months to lifetime for unruly behaviour on planes.

Aviation regulator DGCA will maintain the record of all such blacklisted passengers. The quantum of punishment is based on the severity of offence, which has been divided into three categories.

Several airlines have been demanding a no-fly list of disruptive passengers following an incident in which Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad allegedly hit an Air India staffer with his slipper &quot;25 times&quot; over not being given a business class seat in an all-economy plane.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-shiv-sena-mp-beats-60-year-old-air-india-staffer-13753" target="_blank">WATCH: Shiv Sena MP beats 60-year-old Air India staffer</a>

The amended Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) or rules on &quot;handling of unruly passengers&quot; announced today by the government come into effect immediately but will not apply retrospectively.

The no-fly list will be compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) based on inputs from various airlines.

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The country is the first in the world to have a no-fly list that is based on safety and not just security, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said at a press conference.

He clarified that the no-fly list will apply only if the incident is inside an aircraft which could adversely affect the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Otherwise, the matter will be probed by security agencies.

The pilot-in-command of an aeroplane can report an incident involving an unruly passenger and the matter will be investigated by an internal committee of the airline concerned within 30 days.

If the probe is not concluded within the time-frame, the passenger will be &quot;free to fly&quot;, say the revised rules.

However, the airline &quot;may&quot; impose a ban while it is probing the matter for a period not exceeding 30 days, it adds.

The committee will decide the quantum of punishment based on the nature of misbehaviour, which has been divided into three categories on the basis of their severity.

The first category of disruptive behaviour includes verbal assault and carries a ban of 3 months, the second includes physical attack with a ban of six months and the third and most serious category comprises life-threatening behaviour as well as sexual harassment with a ban ranging from two years or more without upper limit.

In case a passenger is a repeat offender, the duration of the flying ban will be twice that of his previous ban.

Other domestic carriers &quot;will not be bound by the no-fly list of an airline&quot;, the ministry of civil aviation said in a press statement, implying that they are free to decide whether or not to bar a passenger already banned by one of the airlines for his/her misconduct.

An airline is also required to inform a traveller about the flying restrictions imposed by it.

The list will also comprise passengers identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs as a threat to national security.

Unruly passengers will also be investigated by the local police in addition to the airline&#39;s internal committee and can face criminal charges as a carrier is required to file an FIR.

&quot;The Directorate General of Civil Avaiation (DGCA) is a safety regulator and the goal of this exercise is safety, which starts once you board the aircraft. If you are not on the aircraft, it is not within the legal scope or purview of DGCA,&quot; Sinha said.

On how will the airlines track an unruly passenger banned by them, Sinha said that the government&#39;s &quot;digi yatra&quot; initiative to be implemented soon will allow &quot;unique identification to be associated with a PNR number&quot;.

On earlier occasions he has said that this could be done by making an Aadhar card or a passport mandatory for booking a ticket.

The rules apply for domestic and international scheduled and non-scheduled (chartered) air transport services, all Indian airports as well as passengers flying into and over India.

International airlines will have to conform to these rules as per the Tokyo Convention, 1963, said Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

The Convention allows a contracting country to impose its criminal jurisdiction on an aircraft in flight if there is a breach of flight related rules, in case the offence has

been committed by or against a national of that country and if it harms its security.

A passenger barred from flying can approach an appellate committee constituted by the ministry within a period of 60 days. The decision of this committee will be final but if the appellant is dissatisfied he or she can approach the high court.&nbsp;

The government released a list of guidelines for a no-fly list on Friday

The Centre today unveiled the first-ever guidelines for a no-fly list under which air travellers can now be banned from flying for a period ranging from three months to lifetime for unruly behaviour on planes. Aviation regulator DGCA will maintain the record of all such blacklisted passengers. The quantum of punishment is based on the severity of offence, which has been divided into three categories. Several airlines have been demanding a no-fly list of disruptive passengers following an incident in which Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad allegedly hit an Air India staffer with his slipper "25 times" over not being given a business class seat in an all-economy plane. WATCH: Shiv Sena MP beats 60-year-old Air India staffer The amended Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) or rules on "handling of unruly passengers" announced today by the government come into effect immediately but will not apply retrospectively. The no-fly list will be compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) based on inputs from various airlines. The first category of disruptive behaviour includes verbal assault and carries a ban of 3 months, the second includes physical attack with a ban of six months and the third and most serious category comprises life-threatening behaviour as well as sexual harassment with a ban ranging from two years or more without upper limit × The country is the first in the world to have a no-fly list that is based on safety and not just security, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said at a press conference. He clarified that the no-fly list will apply only if the incident is inside an aircraft which could adversely affect the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Otherwise, the matter will be probed by security agencies. The pilot-in-command of an aeroplane can report an incident involving an unruly passenger and the matter will be investigated by an internal committee of the airline concerned within 30 days. If the probe is not concluded within the time-frame, the passenger will be "free to fly", say the revised rules. However, the airline "may" impose a ban while it is probing the matter for a period not exceeding 30 days, it adds. The committee will decide the quantum of punishment based on the nature of misbehaviour, which has been divided into three categories on the basis of their severity. The first category of disruptive behaviour includes verbal assault and carries a ban of 3 months, the second includes physical attack with a ban of six months and the third and most serious category comprises life-threatening behaviour as well as sexual harassment with a ban ranging from two years or more without upper limit. In case a passenger is a repeat offender, the duration of the flying ban will be twice that of his previous ban. Other domestic carriers "will not be bound by the no-fly list of an airline", the ministry of civil aviation said in a press statement, implying that they are free to decide whether or not to bar a passenger already banned by one of the airlines for his/her misconduct. An airline is also required to inform a traveller about the flying restrictions imposed by it. The list will also comprise passengers identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs as a threat to national security. Unruly passengers will also be investigated by the local police in addition to the airline's internal committee and can face criminal charges as a carrier is required to file an FIR. "The Directorate General of Civil Avaiation (DGCA) is a safety regulator and the goal of this exercise is safety, which starts once you board the aircraft. If you are not on the aircraft, it is not within the legal scope or purview of DGCA," Sinha said. On how will the airlines track an unruly passenger banned by them, Sinha said that the government's "digi yatra" initiative to be implemented soon will allow "unique identification to be associated with a PNR number". On earlier occasions he has said that this could be done by making an Aadhar card or a passport mandatory for booking a ticket. The rules apply for domestic and international scheduled and non-scheduled (chartered) air transport services, all Indian airports as well as passengers flying into and over India. International airlines will have to conform to these rules as per the Tokyo Convention, 1963, said Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju. The Convention allows a contracting country to impose its criminal jurisdiction on an aircraft in flight if there is a breach of flight related rules, in case the offence has been committed by or against a national of that country and if it harms its security. A passenger barred from flying can approach an appellate committee constituted by the ministry within a period of 60 days. The decision of this committee will be final but if the appellant is dissatisfied he or she can approach the high court.

Unruly air passengers to be banned for 3 months to life

Air India is drawing up a proposal to offer voluntary buyouts to just over a third of its 40,000 employees, two government officials said, in what would be one of the largest such offers in India&#39;s state sector, as the airline slashes costs ahead of a 2018 sale.

The state-owned airline has also put fleet expansion on hold, scrapping a proposal to lease eight Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft, said one of the officials, a senior Air India employee who requested anonymity as the plans are not public. Air India&#39;s board approved that proposal in April but nothing further had been done.

&quot;Nothing has been finalised but our aim is to make the strategic sale as simple as we can,&quot; the company official said, adding that any fresh investment would also be put on hold.

Air India spokesman Dhananjay Kumar said the company had not offered employees voluntary buyouts.

India&#39;s flag carrier is on the block after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s cabinet last month approved plans to privatise the loss-making airline by selling part or all of the company and ending decades of state support.

Founded in the 1930s and known to generations of Indians for its Maharajah mascot, Air India has a complex fleet, too many staff relative to rivals and $8.5 billion in debt. Since 2012, New Delhi has injected $3.6 billion to keep it afloat.

An official in Modi&#39;s office said the prime minister, under pressure to cut spending and boost basic infrastructure such as ports and roads, was in &quot;no mood&quot; to provide fresh monetary assistance to any loss-making public sector company.

The two government sources, who are familiar with Air India&#39;s plans, said top officials in the civil aviation ministry and at Air India had been asked to present a report on how a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) could be offered to some 15,000 of Air India&#39;s 40,000 staff, including contractors.

Many of the contractors, including office staff and ground handlers, have worked for the airline for years, and would need to be given buyout offers to prevent protests from them, said the senior company official, who is involved in the airline&#39;s daily operations. Previous attempts to offload the airline have failed mainly because of the scale and complexity of Air India&#39;s problems, as well as its influential unions.

If Modi can pull the privatisation off it will buttress his credentials as a reformer brave enough to wade into some of the country&#39;s most intractable problems.

Separately, Air India Chairman Ashwani Lohani sent a letter to employees assuring them the government and the airline management &quot;would like to safeguard your genuine and valid interests&quot;, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters. Kumar, the company spokesman, confirmed the letter.

United Front

In its heyday, Air India boasted a talent pool that newly founded airlines dipped into. The government will need to convince seven trade unions to accept the plan to make the airline attractive to potential buyers, including buyouts and other efforts to slash costs. Their initial response was not positive. &quot;The government will propose a VRS scheme and we will throw their proposal in the dustbin,&quot; said J.B. Kadian, leader of a union that represents 8,000 non-technical Air India staff. Kadian said a joint forum of unions representing Air India employees would launch an &quot;agitation&quot; in August if the government pursues its privatisation plans.

On Tuesday, dozens of members of the Air Corporations Employees&#39; Union gathered near Delhi airport holding placards and shouting slogans opposing the privatisation and demanding the airline&#39;s debt be written off, marking the first protest against the government&#39;s plan.

A committee of five senior federal ministers, led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, is expected to meet this month and begin ironing out the finer details of the privatisation plan.

In the meantime, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said he wanted Air India to begin cutting at all levels.

Earlier this month, the airline decided to stop serving non-vegetarian meals in economy class on domestic flights in a bid to save up to 100 million rupees ($1.6 million) over 10 months.

The action provoked uproar on social media and was belittled by aviation experts, who argue that Air India&#39;s management needs a massive structural overhaul, tackling thornier issues such as its fleet and staff, rather than meals.

The airline is also working to reduce the time its planes spend on the ground and launching direct flights to new international destinations.

In July, Air India started a direct flight to Washington and will start flying to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Los Angeles later this year. &quot;Keeping planes in the hangar makes no sense when Air India is trying to find new sources of income. We should optimize the use of all possible resources,&quot; Raju said. &quot;The idea is to present a robust company to potential buyers.&quot;

India's flag carrier is on the block after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet last month approved plans to privatise the loss-making airline by selling part or all of the company and ending decades of state support

Air India is drawing up a proposal to offer voluntary buyouts to just over a third of its 40,000 employees, two government officials said, in what would be one of the largest such offers in India's state sector, as the airline slashes costs ahead of a 2018 sale. The state-owned airline has also put fleet expansion on hold, scrapping a proposal to lease eight Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft, said one of the officials, a senior Air India employee who requested anonymity as the plans are not public. Air India's board approved that proposal in April but nothing further had been done. "Nothing has been finalised but our aim is to make the strategic sale as simple as we can," the company official said, adding that any fresh investment would also be put on hold. Air India spokesman Dhananjay Kumar said the company had not offered employees voluntary buyouts. India's flag carrier is on the block after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet last month approved plans to privatise the loss-making airline by selling part or all of the company and ending decades of state support. Founded in the 1930s and known to generations of Indians for its Maharajah mascot, Air India has a complex fleet, too many staff relative to rivals and $8.5 billion in debt. Since 2012, New Delhi has injected $3.6 billion to keep it afloat. An official in Modi's office said the prime minister, under pressure to cut spending and boost basic infrastructure such as ports and roads, was in "no mood" to provide fresh monetary assistance to any loss-making public sector company. The two government sources, who are familiar with Air India's plans, said top officials in the civil aviation ministry and at Air India had been asked to present a report on how a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) could be offered to some 15,000 of Air India's 40,000 staff, including contractors. Many of the contractors, including office staff and ground handlers, have worked for the airline for years, and would need to be given buyout offers to prevent protests from them, said the senior company official, who is involved in the airline's daily operations. Previous attempts to offload the airline have failed mainly because of the scale and complexity of Air India's problems, as well as its influential unions. If Modi can pull the privatisation off it will buttress his credentials as a reformer brave enough to wade into some of the country's most intractable problems. Separately, Air India Chairman Ashwani Lohani sent a letter to employees assuring them the government and the airline management "would like to safeguard your genuine and valid interests", according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters. Kumar, the company spokesman, confirmed the letter. United Front In its heyday, Air India boasted a talent pool that newly founded airlines dipped into. The government will need to convince seven trade unions to accept the plan to make the airline attractive to potential buyers, including buyouts and other efforts to slash costs. Their initial response was not positive. "The government will propose a VRS scheme and we will throw their proposal in the dustbin," said J.B. Kadian, leader of a union that represents 8,000 non-technical Air India staff. Kadian said a joint forum of unions representing Air India employees would launch an "agitation" in August if the government pursues its privatisation plans. On Tuesday, dozens of members of the Air Corporations Employees' Union gathered near Delhi airport holding placards and shouting slogans opposing the privatisation and demanding the airline's debt be written off, marking the first protest against the government's plan. A committee of five senior federal ministers, led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, is expected to meet this month and begin ironing out the finer details of the privatisation plan. In the meantime, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said he wanted Air India to begin cutting at all levels. Earlier this month, the airline decided to stop serving non-vegetarian meals in economy class on domestic flights in a bid to save up to 100 million rupees ($1.6 million) over 10 months. The action provoked uproar on social media and was belittled by aviation experts, who argue that Air India's management needs a massive structural overhaul, tackling thornier issues such as its fleet and staff, rather than meals. The airline is also working to reduce the time its planes spend on the ground and launching direct flights to new international destinations. In July, Air India started a direct flight to Washington and will start flying to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Los Angeles later this year. "Keeping planes in the hangar makes no sense when Air India is trying to find new sources of income. We should optimize the use of all possible resources," Raju said. "The idea is to present a robust company to potential buyers."

Ahead of privatisation, Air India eyes bumper staff buyout: Reuters reports

Air India has stopped serving non-vegetarian food on all domestic economy flights.

News reports said the change took place sometime in June this year.&nbsp;

Air India says the decision will lead to greater savings, and will also put a stop to unintentional mix-ups.&nbsp;

Non-vegetarian meals however will continue to be served in business class on domestic flights, and on all international flights. &nbsp;

A ruckus occurred last year on a Shanghi-Delhi-Mumbai flight after vegetarian passengers complained that they had been served non-vegetarian food.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We have decided to serve vegetarian meals in our economy-class seats on domestic flights,&rdquo; The Hindu reported Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani as saying.&nbsp;

&ldquo;It also eliminates the possibility of mix-up: a non-veg meal getting served to a vegetarian passenger, as it had happened a few times in the past,&rdquo; he added. &nbsp;

The Hindu reported a senior Air India official as saying the decision should lead to Rs 8 crore in annual savings.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The national carrier said the move would lead to greater savings

Air India has stopped serving non-vegetarian food on all domestic economy flights. News reports said the change took place sometime in June this year. Air India says the decision will lead to greater savings, and will also put a stop to unintentional mix-ups. Non-vegetarian meals however will continue to be served in business class on domestic flights, and on all international flights. A ruckus occurred last year on a Shanghi-Delhi-Mumbai flight after vegetarian passengers complained that they had been served non-vegetarian food. “We have decided to serve vegetarian meals in our economy-class seats on domestic flights,” The Hindu reported Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani as saying. “It also eliminates the possibility of mix-up: a non-veg meal getting served to a vegetarian passenger, as it had happened a few times in the past,” he added. The Hindu reported a senior Air India official as saying the decision should lead to Rs 8 crore in annual savings.

Air India stops serving non-veg food on domestic economy flights

The government may go with the option of offloading&nbsp;its stake in the national carrier Air India in parts, according to a report in Reuters.

The idea behind selling stake in parts is to attract buyers. The government had approved the stake sale in the flagship carrier last month.&nbsp;

Successive governments have pumped billions of dollars into the fledgling airline which has a massive debt burden of $8.5 billion on its books.

Over the years, Air India has lost ground to&nbsp;private carriers like Indigo and Jet and its market share has shrunk to 13 per cent, the report said.&nbsp;

The PMO has set early next year as the deadline to get the process underway.

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The flagship carrier has lost considerable ground to private carriers like Indigo and its market share has shrunk to 13%

The government may go with the option of offloading its stake in the national carrier Air India in parts, according to a report in Reuters. The idea behind selling stake in parts is to attract buyers. The government had approved the stake sale in the flagship carrier last month. Successive governments have pumped billions of dollars into the fledgling airline which has a massive debt burden of $8.5 billion on its books. Over the years, Air India has lost ground to private carriers like Indigo and Jet and its market share has shrunk to 13 per cent, the report said. The PMO has set early next year as the deadline to get the process underway.

Government may opt for stake sale in Air India in parts

India&#39;s national carrier Air India has lifted the &#39;flight ban&#39; imposed on&nbsp;Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad after&nbsp;Civil Aviation ministry wrote a letter to Air India to withdraw the ban, news agencies reported

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad had&nbsp;again tried to book tickets on Air India flights earlier today, but the airline had rejected the booking.

It was the&nbsp;seventh attempt on the part of the Sena MP to book a flight on Air India, which barred him from flying after he assaulted the airline&#39;s staffer.

&quot;There was an attempt to book a ticket at 5 AM today through our web portal. The reservations were being made for March 17 for travel from Delhi to Mumbai and for 24 March from Mumbai to Delhi,&quot; said an airline source.

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Copy of Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad&#39;s Air India ticket which was cancelled by the Airlines. <a href="https://t.co/qdluTZsOHk">pic.twitter.com/qdluTZsOHk</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/850229451094806529">April 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The ticket was being booked under the name &#39;Ravindra Gaikwad&#39; and we were alerted through our tracker, the source said.

The MP has also made an attempt each to book an IndiGo flight as well as a SpiceJet flight since the flying ban on him by all domestic carriers was put in place.

(WION with agency inputs)

The move comes after?Civil Aviation ministry wrote a letter to Air India to withdraw the ban

India's national carrier Air India has lifted the 'flight ban' imposed on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad after Civil Aviation ministry wrote a letter to Air India to withdraw the ban, news agencies reported Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad had again tried to book tickets on Air India flights earlier today, but the airline had rejected the booking. It was the seventh attempt on the part of the Sena MP to book a flight on Air India, which barred him from flying after he assaulted the airline's staffer. "There was an attempt to book a ticket at 5 AM today through our web portal. The reservations were being made for March 17 for travel from Delhi to Mumbai and for 24 March from Mumbai to Delhi," said an airline source. Copy of Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad's Air India ticket which was cancelled by the Airlines. pic.twitter.com/qdluTZsOHk — ANI (@ANI_news) April 7, 2017 × The ticket was being booked under the name 'Ravindra Gaikwad' and we were alerted through our tracker, the source said. The MP has also made an attempt each to book an IndiGo flight as well as a SpiceJet flight since the flying ban on him by all domestic carriers was put in place. (WION with agency inputs)

Air India lifts 'flight ban' on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad: Report

The Centre on Friday will announce a draft rule for a &#39;no-fly list&#39; for unruly passengers in the aftermath of the debacle surrounding Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who assaulted an Air India staffer onboard a plane.

The Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) are being amended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to facilitate such a list, the ministry of civil aviation said in a letter to Air India CMD, making an appeal to him to lift the ban on Gaikwad.

The no-fly list has been amended by Air India from the day Gaikwad hit 62-year-old R Sukumar with his slipper.

The following day, the Federation of Indian Airlines, which has Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir as its members, made the announcement.

The draft will be made public by aviation minister Ashok G Raju and his deputy Jayant Sinha. For effective implementation, the Centre is likely to make some identification mandatory - either Aadhaar or passport number - while booking even domestic tickets.

The draft will give about a month for the public to comment. The aviation ministry will then take some time to study them and come out with the final CAR.

As per the IATA, in 2015, there were 10,854 reported cases of unruly behaviour by the passengers across airlines worldwide, which translate into one incident for every 1,205 flights.

(ANI)

The Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) are being amended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to facilitate such a list

The Centre on Friday will announce a draft rule for a 'no-fly list' for unruly passengers in the aftermath of the debacle surrounding Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who assaulted an Air India staffer onboard a plane. The Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) are being amended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to facilitate such a list, the ministry of civil aviation said in a letter to Air India CMD, making an appeal to him to lift the ban on Gaikwad. The no-fly list has been amended by Air India from the day Gaikwad hit 62-year-old R Sukumar with his slipper. The following day, the Federation of Indian Airlines, which has Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir as its members, made the announcement. The draft will be made public by aviation minister Ashok G Raju and his deputy Jayant Sinha. For effective implementation, the Centre is likely to make some identification mandatory - either Aadhaar or passport number - while booking even domestic tickets. The draft will give about a month for the public to comment. The aviation ministry will then take some time to study them and come out with the final CAR. As per the IATA, in 2015, there were 10,854 reported cases of unruly behaviour by the passengers across airlines worldwide, which translate into one incident for every 1,205 flights. (ANI)

No-fly list: Centre to announce new rules today

Trinamool Congress legislator Dola Sen is in the centre of a row for allegedly fighting with Air India crew after her wheelchair-bound mother was asked to shift from her seat near the emergency-exit.

Dola Sen, MP (Member of Parliament) from the Rajya Sabha, allegedly &quot;screamed and shouted&quot; at crew members, causing a &nbsp;nearly 40-minute delay in the flight.&nbsp;

Air India said that when Dola Sen boarded the plane, she was told by the cabin crew that rules do not permit wheelchair-bound passengers to sit on emergency exit seats.

The airline said the MP didn&#39;t mention that she was being accompanied by a wheelchair-bound passenger at the time of 
booking tickets, PTI reported.

The plane, which was to take off at 2.25 pm, could only depart at 3.04 pm -- a delay of nearly 40 minutes.

It landed in Kolkata at 4.35 pm.

Air India also alleged that on landing in Kolkata, the MP asked officials of the local airport to get a written statement from all passengers saying she did not delay the flight.

The MP had booked three front row seats for herself, her mother and one more person through online travel portal 
makemytrip.Com and had paid extra for those seats, Air India said.

The DGCA rules allow airlines to charge additional fee for a seat of a passenger&#39;s choice, which include front row seats with extra leg room as well as aisle and window seats.

&quot;But due to non-availability of the seats of her choice she was booked on emergency exit seats, which also have similar leg room,&quot; said the official.

Following this, the TMC MP &quot;shouted and screamed&quot; at the cabin crew, the airline claimed.

This forced the pilot to come out of the cockpit, who offered business class seats to the MP&#39;s mother but Sen declined, 
according to the airline.

Sen did not respond to calls or SMSes.

The airline said that it has initiated a probe into the incident. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Dola Sen allegedly screamed at the crew after her wheelchair-bound mother was asked to shift from her emergency-exit seat

Trinamool Congress legislator Dola Sen is in the centre of a row for allegedly fighting with Air India crew after her wheelchair-bound mother was asked to shift from her seat near the emergency-exit. Dola Sen, MP (Member of Parliament) from the Rajya Sabha, allegedly "screamed and shouted" at crew members, causing a nearly 40-minute delay in the flight. Air India said that when Dola Sen boarded the plane, she was told by the cabin crew that rules do not permit wheelchair-bound passengers to sit on emergency exit seats. The airline said the MP didn't mention that she was being accompanied by a wheelchair-bound passenger at the time of booking tickets, PTI reported. The plane, which was to take off at 2.25 pm, could only depart at 3.04 pm -- a delay of nearly 40 minutes. It landed in Kolkata at 4.35 pm. Air India also alleged that on landing in Kolkata, the MP asked officials of the local airport to get a written statement from all passengers saying she did not delay the flight. The MP had booked three front row seats for herself, her mother and one more person through online travel portal makemytrip.Com and had paid extra for those seats, Air India said. The DGCA rules allow airlines to charge additional fee for a seat of a passenger's choice, which include front row seats with extra leg room as well as aisle and window seats. "But due to non-availability of the seats of her choice she was booked on emergency exit seats, which also have similar leg room," said the official. Following this, the TMC MP "shouted and screamed" at the cabin crew, the airline claimed. This forced the pilot to come out of the cockpit, who offered business class seats to the MP's mother but Sen declined, according to the airline. Sen did not respond to calls or SMSes. The airline said that it has initiated a probe into the incident. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Trinamool legislator creates ruckus on Air India flight after mother asked to switch seats

An Indian lawmaker, who last week assaulted an airline staffer with a slipper &quot;25 times&quot; and was banned by six carriers subsequently, received backing from his party men&nbsp;and a few other parliamentarians on Monday.

Ravindra Gaikwad, an MP belonging to a&nbsp;far-right political group named Shiv Sena, had beaten a 60-year-old Air India employee for being refused a business class berth on aircraft flying from Pune to New Delhi.

The lawmaker from western India was later unrepentant about the incident and sounded brazen about the incident later when he said: &quot;I am not a BJP (Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party) MP. I am a Shiv Sena MP and will not tolerate any insult. Let the employee complain. I will complain to the Speaker and other authorities.&quot;

He had also refused to apologise for his misdemeanour later, urging the airline and the employee to say sorry first.

Gaikwad, a first-time MP from Maharashtra&#39;s Osmanabad, was then blacklisted by Air India and five other airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, Jet Airways and Vistara.

&nbsp;

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Naresh Agrawal of the SP in Rajya Sabha: Airlines banning Ravindra Gaikwad (Shiv Sena), just goes to show their (airlines) &#39;dadagiri&#39; <a href="https://t.co/PC9Zc7SI0x">pic.twitter.com/PC9Zc7SI0x</a>
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But the lawmaker&#39;s ostracisation by the airlines has been condemned by Indian politicians.

Although some politicians voiced their disapproval hours after the incident, Shiv Sena members criticised Air India and other airlines for their decision to block Gaikwad from using their facility.

Gaikwad&#39;s party colleague Anandrao Adsul said the airlines&#39; decision was &quot;not right&quot; and will raise the subject in both the Houses (Upper and Lower Houses of India&#39;s Parliament).

Adsul also pointed out the recent skirmish on a plane involving Kapil Sharma -- a popular Indian comedian -- and asked why he was not banned by the airline.

&quot;Even Kapil Sharma misbehaved on flight after getting drunk but no ban was imposed on him,&quot; Adsul said to accuse the airlines of being biased.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena spokesperson, Manisha Kayande, dubbed the move as &quot;illogical&quot; as Gaikwad is &quot;not a criminal&quot;.

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6 Shiv Sena MPs meeting speaker Sumitra Mahajan on issue of Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad barred from travelling by air (File Pic) <a href="https://t.co/iGayG6vOXr">pic.twitter.com/iGayG6vOXr</a>
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Lawmakers from other parties also came down heavily on Indian airlines.

Naresh Agrawal&nbsp;of Samajwadi Party said in India&#39;s Upper House, also called the Rajya Sabha, that the airlines&#39; move to bar Gaikwad from flying is &quot;dadagiri&nbsp;(bullying)&quot;.

Indian news agency ANI quoted unnamed sources&nbsp;as saying that Shiv Sena was planning to &quot;bring privilege motion over the issue&quot;.

A privilege motion gains precedence in the Parliament if it is a matter of great urgency.

The party has also demanded a shutdown in Maharashtra&#39;s Osmanabad, the constituency represented by Gaikwad, to protest against the airlines&#39; diktat.

Last week, senior party leader Sanjay Raut had questioned Air India&#39;s handling of the incident. Raut asked Air India to &quot;ponder&quot; about what transpired and how it would feel if the public started to blacklist them.&nbsp;

But India&#39;s federal government has condemned Gaikwad&#39;s loutish behaviour on the aircraft on March 23.

India&#39;s civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said: &quot;Violence of any kind can be a disaster for airlines.&nbsp;We have good safety regulations but never in my dreams expected an MP to be caught (doing this).&quot;

The minister was reiterating his views on the incident. On March 24, he had been similarly disapproving of Gaikwad&#39;s action on the Air India plane: &quot;No political party will endorse such an act. Any citizen hitting an airline staffer doesn&#39;t make any sense.&quot;

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Shiv Sena supporters hold bike rally in Maharashtra&#39;s Omerga in support of party MP Ravindra Gaikwad <a href="https://t.co/rrmC62fLVo">pic.twitter.com/rrmC62fLVo</a>
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(WION)

&nbsp;

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Ravindra Gaikwad was blacklisted by six airlines after assaulting an Air India employee with a slipper last week

An Indian lawmaker, who last week assaulted an airline staffer with a slipper "25 times" and was banned by six carriers subsequently, received backing from his party men and a few other parliamentarians on Monday. Ravindra Gaikwad, an MP belonging to a far-right political group named Shiv Sena, had beaten a 60-year-old Air India employee for being refused a business class berth on aircraft flying from Pune to New Delhi. The lawmaker from western India was later unrepentant about the incident and sounded brazen about the incident later when he said: "I am not a BJP (Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party) MP. I am a Shiv Sena MP and will not tolerate any insult. Let the employee complain. I will complain to the Speaker and other authorities." He had also refused to apologise for his misdemeanour later, urging the airline and the employee to say sorry first. Gaikwad, a first-time MP from Maharashtra's Osmanabad, was then blacklisted by Air India and five other airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, Jet Airways and Vistara. Naresh Agrawal of the SP in Rajya Sabha: Airlines banning Ravindra Gaikwad (Shiv Sena), just goes to show their (airlines) 'dadagiri' pic.twitter.com/PC9Zc7SI0x — ANI (@ANI_news) March 27, 2017 × But the lawmaker's ostracisation by the airlines has been condemned by Indian politicians. Although some politicians voiced their disapproval hours after the incident, Shiv Sena members criticised Air India and other airlines for their decision to block Gaikwad from using their facility. Gaikwad's party colleague Anandrao Adsul said the airlines' decision was "not right" and will raise the subject in both the Houses (Upper and Lower Houses of India's Parliament). Adsul also pointed out the recent skirmish on a plane involving Kapil Sharma -- a popular Indian comedian -- and asked why he was not banned by the airline. "Even Kapil Sharma misbehaved on flight after getting drunk but no ban was imposed on him," Adsul said to accuse the airlines of being biased. Shiv Sena spokesperson, Manisha Kayande, dubbed the move as "illogical" as Gaikwad is "not a criminal". 6 Shiv Sena MPs meeting speaker Sumitra Mahajan on issue of Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad barred from travelling by air (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/iGayG6vOXr — ANI (@ANI_news) March 27, 2017 × Lawmakers from other parties also came down heavily on Indian airlines. Naresh Agrawal of Samajwadi Party said in India's Upper House, also called the Rajya Sabha, that the airlines' move to bar Gaikwad from flying is "dadagiri (bullying)". Indian news agency ANI quoted unnamed sources as saying that Shiv Sena was planning to "bring privilege motion over the issue". A privilege motion gains precedence in the Parliament if it is a matter of great urgency. The party has also demanded a shutdown in Maharashtra's Osmanabad, the constituency represented by Gaikwad, to protest against the airlines' diktat. Last week, senior party leader Sanjay Raut had questioned Air India's handling of the incident. Raut asked Air India to "ponder" about what transpired and how it would feel if the public started to blacklist them. But India's federal government has condemned Gaikwad's loutish behaviour on the aircraft on March 23. India's civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said: "Violence of any kind can be a disaster for airlines. We have good safety regulations but never in my dreams expected an MP to be caught (doing this)." The minister was reiterating his views on the incident. On March 24, he had been similarly disapproving of Gaikwad's action on the Air India plane: "No political party will endorse such an act. Any citizen hitting an airline staffer doesn't make any sense." Shiv Sena supporters hold bike rally in Maharashtra's Omerga in support of party MP Ravindra Gaikwad pic.twitter.com/rrmC62fLVo — ANI (@ANI_news) March 27, 2017 × (WION)

Shiv Sena, lawmakers slam Air India, other airlines for banning MP Gaikwad

The Shiv Sena has given a shutdown call in Maharashtra&#39;s Osmanabad in support of MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who had assaulted an Air India employee on flight.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena is likely to bring privilege motion in the Parliament today over the issue of Gaikwad being put in &#39;no fly list&#39; of all airlines.

Air India and six private airlines banned the 56-year-old MP from flying as he refused to apologise for the incident that triggered nationwide outrage.

The MP from Osmanabad in Maharashtra had earlier downplayed reports suggesting that Air India is considering banning him from boarding its flights.

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Maharashtra: Shiv Sena gives a shutdown call in Osmanabad in support of Ravindra Gaikwad. He had assaulted an Air India employee on flight. <a href="https://t.co/nwQau7vRHn">pic.twitter.com/nwQau7vRHn</a>
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All airlines banning him (Ravindra Gaikwad) is not right, will raise it in both houses and in zero hour too: Anandrao Adsul, Shiv Sena <a href="https://t.co/Kk6CA1wOUS">pic.twitter.com/Kk6CA1wOUS</a>
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&quot;I have the tickets, they can&#39;t blacklist me. I will board the Delhi-Pune Air India flight this evening. How can they not allow me?&quot; he said.

&quot;I will not apologise. It was not my fault, it was his fault. He should apologise. First ask him to apologise then we will see,&quot; Gaikwad told the media.

Sukumar, who was assaulted by Gaikwad, asserted that the elected representatives need to behave in a decent manner.

&quot;I am not scared at all, either with Gaikwad or with the Shiv Sena. I have been serving public and have also faced many who get irritated on such issues. It&#39;s a common thing for me,&quot; he added.

Earlier, the Centre also took cognizance of the incident and assured a thorough probe into the matter. &nbsp;

(ANI)

Osmanabad is Ravindra Gaikwad's constituency

The Shiv Sena has given a shutdown call in Maharashtra's Osmanabad in support of MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who had assaulted an Air India employee on flight. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena is likely to bring privilege motion in the Parliament today over the issue of Gaikwad being put in 'no fly list' of all airlines. Air India and six private airlines banned the 56-year-old MP from flying as he refused to apologise for the incident that triggered nationwide outrage. The MP from Osmanabad in Maharashtra had earlier downplayed reports suggesting that Air India is considering banning him from boarding its flights. Maharashtra: Shiv Sena gives a shutdown call in Osmanabad in support of Ravindra Gaikwad. He had assaulted an Air India employee on flight. pic.twitter.com/nwQau7vRHn — ANI (@ANI_news) March 27, 2017 × All airlines banning him (Ravindra Gaikwad) is not right, will raise it in both houses and in zero hour too: Anandrao Adsul, Shiv Sena pic.twitter.com/Kk6CA1wOUS — ANI (@ANI_news) March 27, 2017 × "I have the tickets, they can't blacklist me. I will board the Delhi-Pune Air India flight this evening. How can they not allow me?" he said. "I will not apologise. It was not my fault, it was his fault. He should apologise. First ask him to apologise then we will see," Gaikwad told the media. Sukumar, who was assaulted by Gaikwad, asserted that the elected representatives need to behave in a decent manner. "I am not scared at all, either with Gaikwad or with the Shiv Sena. I have been serving public and have also faced many who get irritated on such issues. It's a common thing for me," he added. Earlier, the Centre also took cognizance of the incident and assured a thorough probe into the matter. (ANI)

In support of MP who beat AI staffer, Shiv Sena shuts down Osmanabad

India&#39;s national airline claimed Monday to have set a new record with the first round-the-world flight staffed entirely by women.

Air&nbsp;India said its Boeing 777 travelled from Delhi to San Francisco and back again with an all-female crew last week, the first time such a flight has circumnavigated the globe.

The airline, which has faced criticism in the past for grounding dozens of female cabin crew over their weight, said it had applied to Guinness World Records to validate the claim.

&quot;Everyone involved in the flight operation -- from pilots to check-in staff to cabin crew -- were from our female staff,&quot; spokesman GP Rao told AFP.

Rao said even the air traffic controllers at the Delhi end of the flight, which returned on March 3, were women.

The airline will operate more all-female flights this week to celebrate International Women&#39;s Day on Wednesday, Rao said.

Last year the state-owned carrier said it had flown a non-stop flight for 17 hours to set a record for the longest all-female crew trip.

In recent years Air India has taken several initiatives to improve its record on gender equality.&nbsp;

In January it announced designated female-only seats on its domestic flights after a spate of sexual harassment complaints by passengers.

(AFP)

Air?India said its Boeing 777 travelled from Delhi to San Francisco and back again with an all-female crew last week

India's national airline claimed Monday to have set a new record with the first round-the-world flight staffed entirely by women. Air India said its Boeing 777 travelled from Delhi to San Francisco and back again with an all-female crew last week, the first time such a flight has circumnavigated the globe. The airline, which has faced criticism in the past for grounding dozens of female cabin crew over their weight, said it had applied to Guinness World Records to validate the claim. "Everyone involved in the flight operation -- from pilots to check-in staff to cabin crew -- were from our female staff," spokesman GP Rao told AFP. Rao said even the air traffic controllers at the Delhi end of the flight, which returned on March 3, were women. The airline will operate more all-female flights this week to celebrate International Women's Day on Wednesday, Rao said. Last year the state-owned carrier said it had flown a non-stop flight for 17 hours to set a record for the longest all-female crew trip. In recent years Air India has taken several initiatives to improve its record on gender equality. In January it announced designated female-only seats on its domestic flights after a spate of sexual harassment complaints by passengers. (AFP)

Air India claims first journey around the world with all-female crew

Air India, a government-owned carrier, recorded profits for the first time in nine years, according to India&#39;s Economic Survey announced Tuesday (January 31).

This is the first time since Air India merged with Indian Airlines has the stricken carrier found itself in the green.

This year&#39;s 319-page Economic Survey mentioned that the national airline registered a Rs 105 crore (roughly $15.5 million) operating profit in 2015-16.

Air India had suffered Rs 2,636 crore net loss the previous year. But this year, the total income has risen to Rs 20,526 (over $3 billion).

The profit will be a shot in the arm for the Indian government as it pumps in Rs 3,000 crore every year to lift the sagging fortunes of the airline.

It has also thumbed its nose at critics who want government-owned institutions to be divested.

Buoyed by the showing, the report said: &quot;Consider the civil aviation sector. Defying history, there is still the commitment to make the perennially unprofitable public sector airline &lsquo;world class&rsquo;.&quot;

It also said that privatisation was not the sole panacea to ailing firms owned by the government, saying that maximisation of profits cannot elcipse broader social good.

(WION)

This year's Economic Survey said the national carrier registered an operating profit of Rs 105 crore (roughly $15.5 million) in 2015-16

Air India, a government-owned carrier, recorded profits for the first time in nine years, according to India's Economic Survey announced Tuesday (January 31). This is the first time since Air India merged with Indian Airlines has the stricken carrier found itself in the green. This year's 319-page Economic Survey mentioned that the national airline registered a Rs 105 crore (roughly $15.5 million) operating profit in 2015-16. Air India had suffered Rs 2,636 crore net loss the previous year. But this year, the total income has risen to Rs 20,526 (over $3 billion). The profit will be a shot in the arm for the Indian government as it pumps in Rs 3,000 crore every year to lift the sagging fortunes of the airline. It has also thumbed its nose at critics who want government-owned institutions to be divested. Buoyed by the showing, the report said: "Consider the civil aviation sector. Defying history, there is still the commitment to make the perennially unprofitable public sector airline ‘world class’." It also said that privatisation was not the sole panacea to ailing firms owned by the government, saying that maximisation of profits cannot elcipse broader social good. (WION)

Air India records profit for first time in almost a decade

Indian airline Air India has introduced women-only seats to give them more choice and comfort, a senior AI official said.&nbsp;

There were reports&nbsp;that the move was made after incidents of in-flight sexual harassment of female passengers and crew members.&nbsp;

Air India&#39;s general manager for corporate communications,&nbsp;G. Prasada Rao&nbsp;&quot;We are doing this as we get lots of requests by female passengers at the check-in counter who want to sit next to another woman, rather than a male passenger.&quot;

&quot;It is not connected to the reports of sexual assaults. It&#39;s more to do with the fact that economy class doesn&#39;t have much space to move around easily and comfortably for women, so this option will give them more choice.&quot;

The Indian flag carrier will&nbsp;allocate six seats in the third row of its economy class cabin for solo women travellers.&nbsp;

No extra cost will be charged for the seats and will be available for up to an hour before check-in closed.&nbsp;

The airline may introduce the seats in its International flight&nbsp;after measuring its effectiveness in domestic flights, Rao said.&nbsp;

On December 21, an AI flight bound to New York from Mumbai, a 40-year-old female passenger alleged that the man sitting beside her groped her as she slept.&nbsp;

A few weeks later, an AI crew member said she was molested and subjected to lewd comments during a flight from Delhi to Muscat.&nbsp;

Less than two weeks later, a female flight attendant complained of being molested and subjected to lewd language by a male passenger during a flight from Delhi to Muscat.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

Air India will?allocate six seats in the third row of its economy class cabin for solo women passengers

Indian airline Air India has introduced women-only seats to give them more choice and comfort, a senior AI official said. There were reports that the move was made after incidents of in-flight sexual harassment of female passengers and crew members. Air India's general manager for corporate communications, G. Prasada Rao "We are doing this as we get lots of requests by female passengers at the check-in counter who want to sit next to another woman, rather than a male passenger." "It is not connected to the reports of sexual assaults. It's more to do with the fact that economy class doesn't have much space to move around easily and comfortably for women, so this option will give them more choice." The Indian flag carrier will allocate six seats in the third row of its economy class cabin for solo women travellers. No extra cost will be charged for the seats and will be available for up to an hour before check-in closed. The airline may introduce the seats in its International flight after measuring its effectiveness in domestic flights, Rao said. On December 21, an AI flight bound to New York from Mumbai, a 40-year-old female passenger alleged that the man sitting beside her groped her as she slept. A few weeks later, an AI crew member said she was molested and subjected to lewd comments during a flight from Delhi to Muscat. Less than two weeks later, a female flight attendant complained of being molested and subjected to lewd language by a male passenger during a flight from Delhi to Muscat. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Indian flag carrier Air India introduces women-only seats

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