Air India Adjusts 30 Flights

Air India, the national carrier of India recently announced the adjustment of about 30 flights on its domestic and international sectors.

"Air India has rescheduled/combined/curtailed some of its flights in view of the low demand/lean season from June to September... The schedule is finalised while keeping in view commercial/business decisions as well as demand and convenience of passengers," the carrier said in a statement.

Despite the curtailment or clubbing of flights "we have ensured that our connectivity to all destinations is maintained," the statement said.

Air India operates over 400 flights a day on domestic and international routes, while its subsidiary Air India Express, which flies mostly to Gulf countries, operates 189 flights per week.

The statement, however, said, "Air India has not grounded any of its flights."

The carrier said the required amount of fuel (ATF) was being made available as mutually agreed upon.

The Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited have restricted ATF supply to Air India up to the amount which it would pay on a daily basis.

According to latest figures, Air India owes Rs 2,250 crore to the three oil PSUs. The airline's daily fuel bill was Rs 13.5 lakh in December when the oil firms stopped the credit line and now the bill has risen to Rs 16.5 lakh.

Wednesday, 29th June 2011 at 12:06pm