The Maharaja has gracefully retired. A new ambitious ‘window’ is opened inviting Air India travelers to the fete of great Indian culture and hospitality. A new Logo, a gold window frame, symbolizing a ‘Window of Possibilities’ has recently been launched.
The new Logo launch was a historic event for the new Air India. Campbell Wilson, Air India CEO & MD, said: “Our transformative new brand reflects an ambition to make Air India a world-class airline serving guests from around the globe, and that represents a new India proudly on the global stage. The new Air India is bold, confident, and vibrant, but also warm and deeply rooted to its rich history and traditions that make Indian hospitality a global benchmark for standards in service.”
And it is a full throttle for the new ‘reimagined’ drive. Air India Sales top brass, Sumeet Gosain, Head of International Sales from New Delhi visited major consolidators in Chicago and suburbs along with Sunil M Daware, Regional Manager -Americas, and Sampath Jayasekar, Senior Sales Executive AI Chicago.
In a luncheon meeting with India Post, Sunil Daware and Sumeet Gosain dwelt on their experience while visiting consolidators in all major cities of North America. Prior to coming to Chicago, the duo visited New York, Dallas, and San Francisco travel agents. As expected, travel agents have shared hopes and expectations of American travelers for the new Air India.
India Post also shared a common concern developed in the travel trade since the Tata management took over the ailing government undertaking, that a change is bound to happen in Air India. The Air India travelers who hitherto bore the brunt of broken cabin chairs, nonfunctioning entertainment monitors, limited entertainment choices, and lack of proper cabin facilities are looking forward to a great ‘change’ coming over the airline which was once branded to have a ‘Palace in the Sky’.
India Post further elaborated that while travelers expect a sudden change, a change is in fact occurring slowly. A lot of improvement is noted in cabin crew hospitality and onboard food menu. The delicious food menu now offered on board Air India long hauled flights from the US is unmatched by other airlines operating to Indian destinations.
Sumeet Gosain shared the upcoming projects that will soon build a new image for Air India. Air India has already confirmed historic purchase agreements to acquire new 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing at a whopping cost of $70 billion. And first delivery is expected by November this year, upholding the tradition of Diwali for new purchases. Air India is on a mission to revamp its fleet.
The airline will buy or lease 20 wide-body aircraft this year. By mid-2024 Air India’s new management will have 43wide-body legacy, aircraftrefurbished, which will lead to the installation of brand-new seats in every cabin, new inflight entertainment systems, and inflight Wi-Fi internet connectivity. By March 2024, 33% of the airline’s wide-body fleet will be upgraded, and over the next two-and-a-half years, its entire long-haul fleet will be reborn.
Sunil Daware spoke about new routes planned from US gateway cities, flight frequency additions, and upgrading airport facilities for Air India travelers. Sunil thanked travel agents for providing useful feedback and their continued support for promoting Air India.
A.Q. Siddiqui
India Post News Service
