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Ensure world-class service, Manmohan tells AI

Vinay Kumar

“There is increased pressure from market forces driving the process of change in the civil aviation business”

— Photos: Rajeev Bhatt/ PTI

Flying high: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being briefed by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel during the launch of the new Air India Fleet of 3 passenger and 2 cargo aircraft at the Delhi Airport on Saturday. (Right) An inside view of the A321 aircraft.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked Air India to ensure world-class service, introduce new management styles and better service quality in the years ahead.

“There was a time when Air India was regarded as one of the world’s best airlines. I am sure that it will once again regain that reputation. That should be our common ambition, that should be our common aim. In this, you have our support in full measure,” he said.

Given India’s tradition of hospitality, the country should be in the forefront of growth of service industries such as civil aviation.

“I am happy that with greater competition there is now increased pressure from market forces driving the process of change and improvement in civil aviation business as well,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking on the occasion of the arrival of new Boeing and Airbus passenger aircraft and the launch of freighter aircraft operations by Air India and Indian Airlines at the Delhi airport.

The function was attended by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Ashok Chawla and chiefs and senior officials of the two national carriers.

Acknowledging the sea change in the aviation environment in the country over the last three to four years, Dr. Singh said the opening up of the skies created new market opportunities for civil aviation business in India. The national carriers had to be prepared for meeting increased competition and the challenge of change, both globally and in the domestic market.

“However, our national carriers were unable to take full advantage of the opportunities at hand for a variety of reasons. The shortage of aircraft was one such and our Government has taken decisive steps to address this particular problem. Within a short period of about one year we were able to place orders for 43 Airbus aircraft for Indian Airlines and 68 Boeing aircraft for Air India. This has been, I am told, by far the largest procurement of aircraft by any airline in our country,” he said.

Lauding Mr. Patel for his efforts at getting new aircraft for the two national carriers, Dr. Singh said the “sense of enthusiasm, the sense of excitement and indeed an element of euphoria that these new aircraft have brought to Air India and Indian Airlines is indeed heart warming and very satisfying.”

He expressed the hope that new aircraft would rekindle the lost élan of the two national carriers.

“New aircraft and new terminals are only the new hardware of your business. New management styles, better service quality and more focussed customer care are the more valuable elements of your business,” he said.

The Civil Aviation Minister sought Dr. Singh’s support for acquiring new aircraft for the national carriers, over and above the 111 planes for which the combined Air India-Indian entity had already placed orders.

Mr. Patel said that though all the new planes ordered by the national carriers would arrive in the next three years, the requirement would increase, given the sharp growth in the aviation sector.

“If we have to look ahead for growth, we will have to revisit the entire fleet requirement. I will urge the Government and the Prime Minister to look into this aspect,” he said.

Mr. Patel said his Ministry would submit a proposal to the Planning Commission for sanction of new aircraft.

Requirement of aircraft

Air India Chairman and Managing Director V. Thulasidas said the proposal to the Planning Commission would indicate a requirement of about 60 aircraft of all sizes depending upon the demands of different segments.

Mr. Patel said the Air India-Indian merger would become operational in the near future. The new fleet launched by the Prime Minister included long haul Boeing 777-200 which would fly non-stop in the Mumbai-New York and Delhi-New York sector.

The new fleet also comprised two freighter aircraft to meet cargo needs. While the Mumbai-New York flight would take off on August 1, the Delhi-New York service would begin by the year-end, the Air India CMD said.

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