Air India has dismissed Indian Commercial Pilots Association’s (ICPA) claim that the airline pays its junior pilots on an ad hoc basis, doesn’t pay them for domestic night stops, forces them to fly overtime and does not grant them leave, causing illness. ICPA had written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on the issue, marking a copy to Air India, last month.

ICPA had highlighted that 40-45 junior pilots at Air India were under stress because being ad hoc, they got a third of the salary. Besides, one fine day, the airline management had “unilaterally” changed the terms of employment for co-pilots. The letter was sent to DGCA just a few days after a German pilot (suffering depression) crashed a Lufthansa plane in the French Alps, killing 150.

New Delhi: Air India Ltd, the state-owned carrier, is in talks with Airbus Group NV to order single-aisle jets valued at $1.5 billion (around Rs.9,600 crore) in list prices, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions.

The carrier wants to purchase at least 14 A320neo aircraft, according to the person, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private. An A320neo costs $106.2 million at list prices. Buyers usually get a discount when they order planes in bulk.

The troubles for government-owned Air India (AI) could deepen in 2015-16 if it doesn’t get the expected infusion of additional capital.

The Union civil aviation ministry told a parliamentary panel recently that AI could default on repayment of loans taken for aircraft purchase if it did not get the entire expected equity infusion. And, that this could mean a series of delayed payments to oil companies, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and on repayment of interest on the government-guaranteed debentures. The ministry said so to the standing committee on transport, tourism and culture.

Mumbai: Loss-making Air India Ltd has decided to sell several real estate assets in India and abroad to raise Rs.1,200 crore in the next 24 months, two Air India executives said. To begin with, Air India in April sought the necessary permissions from the ministry of civil aviation to sell its real estate assets in Chennai, Coimbatore and Mumbai.

However, this move to reduce debt and cut interest costs may not be easy, caution experts.

The civil aviation ministry has sought an amendment to the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 to end the protection granted to pilots and aircraft engineers under the prevailing labour laws.

The proposal has been mooted at the behest of Air India, which continues to be in precarious financial health despite Rs 17,000 crore equity infusion under the turnaround plan.

State-owned carrier Air India's operating losses may climb slightly in 2014-15, and it is likely to see a steep decline in its earnings, sources said.

The airline has been struggling to turn profitable for years and has posted continuous operating losses. However, the losses have been reducing, from Rs 5,140 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 3,807 crore in 2012-13 and Rs 2,123 crore in 2013-14.

State-run Air India will add as many as 50 aircraft to its existing fleet in the next five-six years as it looks to expand its operations, both domestic and international, in its quest to turn profitable by flying to more destinations and carrying more passengers.

The airline, which currently has 102 aircraft in its fleet, excluding that of its subsidiary Alliance Air, plans to increase its fleet size to 152 by 2021.

Air India (AI) is considering acquiring five Boeing 787-9 aircraft for flights to the US and Canada.

At present, it uses both narrow-body Airbus A320 and wide-body Boeing planes (747-400s, 777s and 787-8) on international routes. The 787-9 variant has a higher range and 40 more seats over the 787-8.

National carrier Air India on Wednesday said it was seeking offers for financing of six Boeing 787 (Dreamliner) aircraft under a sale and lease back (SLB) arrangement for $720 million (Rs 5,000 crore).

Under the arrangement, Air India would sell the six planes to the lessor and immediately lease them back under an operating lease for 12 years with an option to extend, the carrier said in a tender statement. “Air India has fixed a reserve purchase price of $120 million (Rs 750 crore) for each aircraft,” the tender said.

Air India has taken delivery of its 20th Dreamliner from US manufacturer Boeing, a milestone which it said highlights their "successful partnership".

Boeing's delivery of the 20th 787 Dreamliner was made from its final assembly facility in North Charleston in the state of South Carolina.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.