Air India scrambles for aircraft amidst passenger surge

Air India, now steered by Tata Group’s helm, is set to soar with 506 aircraft orders and a delivery every six days.

CEO Campbell Wilson anticipates slight delays in their transformation journey, admitting they’re playing catch-up in the market.

IndiGo, dominating India’s skies, plans a colossal expansion, eyeing a fleet surge from 300 to 1,000 aircraft by the decade’s end, reveals CEO Pieter Elbers.

Meanwhile, Riyadh Air, Saudi’s fresh face, aims for the stars with 72 aircraft on order and dreams of 150 destinations, banking on a social media blitz to woo fans and thrill-seekers alike.

But the road to expansion isn’t all smooth flying. Really Cool Airlines and Cebu Pacific grapple with aircraft shortages and supply chain snags, highlighting the industry’s turbulence, reported TTG Asia.

Amidst the frenzy, carbon emissions loom large. While sustainable fuel gains traction, airlines like Thai Airways call for clearer guidelines, echoing concerns over rising ticket prices in the race towards carbon neutrality.

In related news, in the wake of the permanent visa-free arrangement between Thailand and China, Thai AirAsia saw a wave of soaring bookings, catapulting towards a threefold increase in flights from Thailand to mainland China.

Tansita Akrarittipirom, the director of commercial operations at Thai AirAsia, revealed that the company is witnessing a seismic shift in passenger demographics.

In just a month, outbound passengers have surged threefold, reaching a staggering 18,000 travellers. Tansita attributes this surge to the unwavering allure of Thai tourism for the Chinese populace.

In other news, Air India sacked a pilot caught flying under the influence of alcohol following a positive alcohol test conducted after operating a flight from Phuket to India.

The captain, who flew a Phuket-Delhi route last week, underwent a breathalyser (BA) test upon arrival in Delhi. In a bold move, Air India is set to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against the errant pilot, firmly establishing their stance on the matter.