Air India scrambles to occupy Jet space, announces new international and domestic flights

The dark clouds of debt and doubt that were hovering over the national carrier Air India seems to be making a pass as on Wednesday, May 22, the airline announced about a major expansion plan with the introduction of new flights in the upcoming summer holidays. By expanding its routes and operation of additional flights on major domestic and international routes, the airline hopes to meet the heavy demand of the holiday season, it said in a press release.

The carrier will offer 3500 more seats per week on Mumbai - Dubai - Mumbai route effective from 1 June 2019 and 3500 more on Delhi - Dubai - Delhi routes from 2 June 2019, the airline stated. One way Economy class promotional fare of 7777/- (all inclusive) from both Delhi and Mumbai to Dubai for sale and travel up to 31st July 2019 will be offered.

The carrier will offer 3500 more seats per week on Mumbai - Dubai - Mumbai route effective from 1 June 2019 and 3500 more on Delhi - Dubai - Delhi routes from 2 June 2019, the airline stated. "By operating two more new flights through B787 Dreamliner aircraft, Air India will offer complete Dreamliner experience with more seat pitch, more legroom, more free baggage allowance , mood lights with bigger windows to have complete view of outside world and gourmet Indian food from renowned flight kitchen," the Air India statement read. One way Economy class promotional fare of 7777/- (all inclusive) from both Delhi and Mumbai to Dubai for sale and travel up to 31st July 2019 will be offered.

New flights will be introduced on the domestic front as well on Bhopal - Pune - Bhopal route and Varanasi from and to Chennai, effective 5 June 2019. With the introduction of third frequency to the city of Tals, the number of flights on Delhi - Bhopal - Delhi will go from being 14 per week at the present to being 20 flights per week.

New flights will be introduced on the domestic front as well. With the introduction of third frequency to the city of Tals, the number of flights on Delhi - Bhopal - Delhi will go from being 14 per week at the present to being 20 flights per week.

The carrier also stated that the flights will also see an increase on Delhi - Raipur - Delhi from existing 7 flights per week to 14 flights per week, Delhi - Bangalore - Delhi from existing 34 flights per week to 39 flights per week with 6 flights, Delhi - Amritsar - Delhi from existing 20 flights per week to 27 flights per week with 5 daily flights, Chennai - Ahmedabad - Chennai from existing 2 flights per week to 8 flights per week with 2nd frequency, Chennai - Kolkata - Chennai from existing 7 flights per week to 11 flights per week with 2nd frequency, Delhi - Vadodara - Delhi from existing 7 flights per week to 14 flights per week with 2nd frequency and Mumbai - Vizag - Mumbai from existing 7 flights per week to 12 flights per week with 2nd frequency.

The condition of the national carrier was not blossoming till recent times when due to technical glitches, maintenance charges and service issues, several flights faced delay globally and as many as 19 Air India aircraft were grounded. However, giving in to the increasing demand during the peak travel season in addition to the existing industry constraint, the airline had also earmarked at least 500 crore in the beginning of this month for the grounded fleet.

Acknowledging the high ticket pricing, generally faced by the last minute traveler, the airline had lately also decided for the domestic sector that "very last moment inventory" i.e. available seats within 3 hours of departure would be sold at a hefty discount, normally exceeding forty percent of the selling prices, informed Air India's spokesperson. That decision had come during a commercial review meeting on May 10. The condition of the national carrier was not blossoming till recent times when due to technical glitches, maintenance charges and service issues, several flights faced delay globally and as many as 19 Air India aircraft were grounded. However, giving in to the increasing demand during the peak travel season in addition to the existing industry constraint, the airline had also earmarked at least 500 crore in the beginning of this month for the grounded fleet expecting them to fly by the end of July or starting of August.

This news comes as a breath of fresh air and relief in the otherwise dark and dull scenario for the national carrier and might help it to bounce back. There has been a significant vacuum created in the market after the fall of Jet Airways and Air India is probably hoping to make the best of the opportunity and turn the tables.