CHICAGO: Talks are gaining ground that Air India is set to change at the highest level from being a semi-government entity to a privately held company and many wonder if this would have a big impact on the functional set up of the airline.
Air India Chicago in the meantime, has shifted its headquarters from Downtown area to a distant suburb of Rosemont recently and many ask if this would impact on its accessibility or the operations.
Air India Chicago chief Ms. Malini Vaidhyanathan stands unperturbed exuding huge confidence that Air India at the national level or at the Midwest level will continue flying high as over a period of time it has established its credibility in all areas of operations – customer friendly approach, its efficiency, marketing and offering
competitive fares.
In a talk to this paper at its new smaller but cozy office in Rosemont, she said that privatization of operations or a change in the management at the top should be deemed a normal phase for the company or for the nation and it may turn out be a good development for the company or country. Basics for Air India are good and things would turn out good, she observed.
The shift in the Air India Chicago headquarters was on cost considerations and it would not affect at all the way it operates or functions. One has also to understand that things are changing fast and the trend is towards online. Air India however has a contingent of agents and they are happy with it and the airline does take care of their interests and needs. This policy would not change wherever the headquarter shifts. The talks with the staff also reflected the same attitude, she revealed.
Ms Malini said that the occupancy rate for Chicago India flights is really good and that it would continue to be so since Air India frames its fare policy giving huge consideration of fares offered by other airlines. “We are fairly competitive and we have good ,reliable and considerate agents across the area that we cover,” she added.
Besides fares, Air India has an edge over its rivals in that it has direct flights to Delhi from where it has easy connections to major cities and now even relatively small towns too, thanks to its alliance Airline Allied Services Ltd (AASL) which happens to be its subsidiary.“We are probably the only international airline which can claim easy connectivity and direct flights,” she beamed
Among AASL objectives are to meet regional aspirations for swift connection to metros and beyond; provide connections to cities so far not air connected. This follows the national government policy of UDAN RCS. The UDA means Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagik and RCA stands for Regional Connectivity Scheme. Under this program, it is aimed to make air transport infrastructure development of all regions and States and to make air travel affordable plus widespread for common citizens. Under RCS, fares for one-hour flight will be capped at Rs.2500 per hour of flying time to and from RCS airports.
Alliance Air is the leasing RCS initiative of the Indian government. It operates aircraft to 48 destinations and provides connectivity to cities like Shimla, Kullu, Gwalior, Diu, and Hubli via hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Vijayawada. It has carried close to 1.2 million passengers this year so far.
With these credentials and positive managerial approach, Air India is confident of doing one better year in and year out, said Ms Malini with confidence and optimism.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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