I hear ICICI has been made the offer, I am sure HDFC also has been. I was at BLR today, and I saw HDFC go big on advertising their cards. So, I won't be surprised if you had a credit card wrap, and credit card sized meals to go with the theme
It is fascinating the lengths (and depths) this "airline" will go to earn/save a few rupees. It seems they're willing to do anything, except to try and get more people to fly their planes for more money.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Bean
Good for Jet. At least they are exploring some use for all their empty planes.
Hehe!
Supposedly they've found some more uses for their planes : flying the Hajj flights for Air India.
God only knows why, because AI have enough planes of their own sitting and gathering dust.
(cue a fan-created suitcase conspiracy theory)
__________________ Die, Air India, die, die ! Kill, kill !
Programs: Air India Silver Edge, Jet Airways Silver
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasepl
God only knows why, because AI have enough planes of their own sitting and gathering dust.
(cue a fan-created suitcase conspiracy theory)
since the A310's have left the fleet, there is no comparable aircraft that can take off from stations like TRZ and IXE and fly to the Jeddah. There is a reluctance to take out A32x aircraft from the domestic schedule for these flights, so there is a shortage, especially with the 20% boost in domestic capacity planned from Nov.
Jet on the other hand has some spare capacity: they just have to move some flights from ETOPS 737's to non-ETOPS 737 to free up planes for Haj.
from what i heard, air india has not been planning haj charters for a couple of years. they give the contract to third parties. one of the parties the contract was given out to is black listed by the saudi govt. hence air india was forced last minute to do the haj flights.
both the 330's are doing those flights along with the 747's. 320 is not in range for a direct flight all the way to jeddah from even bom which would be the closest. actually they are with a little load penalty but there is no point for doing flights with that. also 320's are already in short supply with most of the older lot having been junked and only a few from that lot flying still.
one of the 787's also has been grounded for a while, and 777 has been doing those flights. hence, i believe is why jet airways has been roped in.
Quote:
especially with the 20% boost in domestic capacity planned from Nov.
Programs: Air India Silver Edge, Jet Airways Silver
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeedFreak
really? any details?
unfortunately no. I saw this mentioned in 2 press releases: one from AI while announcing their APEX fares, and the other from a competing LCC airline PR release which says that AI introdcution of APEX fares and "dumping" 20% additional capacity is unfair trade practice that will destroy the profitability chances.
My understanding was that the 787 coming in will allow for redeployment of some A321/A319 from Gulf/SEA routes and this freed up capacity will be redeployed domestically. There are huge domestic markets where AI doesnt compete at all today because they have withdrawn. BLR-PNQ - 9th biggestroute in country and AI doesnt fly that route at all! Other similar routes exist AMD-BLR, AMD-MAA, CCU-MAA, CCU-BLR: all routes where AI had same day returns are now either down to 1 A319 flight a day or completely missing!
It could be because of the whole Prafull thing or because (more likely) of genuine shortage of 320 aircraft. BEcause 787 was delayed, AI was sending out 321 or 319 to many routes that were first operated with A310. I guess that can be corrected now. THis could explain the 20% bump-up in capacity in Nov and another similar bump up in March.
Unrelated to this (perhaps): are some A320 and 321 coming in on lease in January?
