Jet and the Star Alliance. Will they / Won't they?
#61
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While *A may have played hardball, the fact that it took AI 4 years to try to join and the fact that the alliance was forced to set a deadline for joining threw up all kinds of red flags about AI. AI and the GoI dug their own grave as far as this goes. They just got mad when someone threw dirt on top of them.
#62
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At least these FF's don't have a conflict of interest when deciding something related to India's aviation.
#63
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#64
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This hype about GoI officials treating AI is their personal fleet is given more importance than it deserves. All airlines give special deals to Govt employees in the U.S. There is not change penalty on tickets issued to Federal Govt employees. People like to blame the Govt for everything. People make the Govt. It doesn't come from Mars.
#65
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That blows the theory that politics played no part in the process.
QED
#66
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Conflict of interest. Now that's a novel concept, For India that is. Has conflict of interest ever detracted anyone in India? . The problem is entitlement. You are no more entitled to a business class seat if you bough an economy class ticket than any one else who did not pay.
This hype about GoI officials treating AI is their personal fleet is given more importance than it deserves. All airlines give special deals to Govt employees in the U.S. There is not change penalty on tickets issued to Federal Govt employees. People like to blame the Govt for everything. People make the Govt. It doesn't come from Mars.
This hype about GoI officials treating AI is their personal fleet is given more importance than it deserves. All airlines give special deals to Govt employees in the U.S. There is not change penalty on tickets issued to Federal Govt employees. People like to blame the Govt for everything. People make the Govt. It doesn't come from Mars.
#67
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EDIT: Going back to the topic of the thread. I think that the GoI should let 9W into *A and demand payment from the alliance for AI membership fees and perhaps interest. What I think will actually happen is the GoI will hold a grudge. Just wondering what form it's going to come in.
#68
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You did not. Many others acted as if politics played no part.
That's certainly an option. I also think that LH has gotten too much. far more than anyone airline should be granted. That has to be set right.
EDIT: Going back to the topic of the thread. I think that the GoI should let 9W into *A and demand payment from the alliance for AI membership fees and perhaps interest. What I think will actually happen is the GoI will hold a grudge. Just wondering what form it's going to come in.
#69
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The only way I see LH keeping much of what it has is if AI gets into *A. Given the chances of that, they should probably start hammering out new schedules to India.
#70
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I wouldn't be to sure about India's government. That aside, the point is is that while some FF may feel entitled, what they receive is business between the individual and the airline. The government portion must be responsible about what they control in the aviation sector. As you've pointed out, they can't continue being AI-centric forever, especially given AI's status.
According extra privileges to by an airline, even on that's not owned by the Govt, is normal even in the largest capitalist economy. So let's not make that a big issue. Govt employees act as most Indians do, take advantage of their position or personal connection, whether kosher or not. Govt employees are but a microcosm of Indian society.
Last edited by Yaatri; Aug 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm
#71
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If LH is made to give up the privileges it secured under the pretense of mentoring and guiding AI into the alliance, *A loyalists will get all bent out of shape. Ability to do one stops to NA out of airports served by LH is not something they would like to give up.
If the German Govt comes to bat for LH, stripping LH of those extra slots will not be easy.
It would be impossible for LH to give any assurances to the GoI regarding AI's membership to *A. The Govt might take the stand that until *A takes a final action, not a mere suspension, on AI's application, and dispense it in accordance with any contractual (rather financial) obligations, the Govt cannot act on the 9W request as it would/could potentially mean two Indian carriers in one alliance.
#72
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It would also probably not be politically prudent.
However, *A will now have to make an important decision: 1)take AI, the less appealing option, or 2) reject AI and take 9W, and face the consequences.
#73
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The Govt might take the stand that until *A takes a final action, not a mere suspension, on AI's application, and dispense it in accordance with any contractual (rather financial) obligations, the Govt cannot act on the 9W request as it would/could potentially mean two Indian carriers in one alliance.
#74
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Because then *A would presumably have to repay the 60+ crores AI spent in joining fees (with possibly interest), along with the compensation agreement they and AI agree to (and we've all seen how AI is with compensation agreements during this 787 debacle )It would also probably not be politically prudent.
Last edited by Yaatri; Aug 3, 2012 at 2:30 pm