Air India: Way beyond – Do they have any Future?

‘35 Flights from Delhi have been cancelled! 15 flights from Mumbai have been cancelled! Passengers are stranded. No idea what to do’? The zest of news flashed again, on the early morning of April 26. What’s going on? A series of activities happening around in national arena, one after other. A day back, I was happy – I am shocked now. I got a chance to fly earlier Maharaja- though I was skeptical in choosing it to carry me to air. My all past take-offs with Maharaja were delayed by some 'genuine' reasons, still I found good comfort in it. This untimely and unprecedented call for boycott by pilots, made me take a back seat and think a little bit. I tried doing some dissection on whole Air India things.

If I look back, and try to flash last one year – a lot of happening news has come via print media. From strike by Air India Pilots that got thumbs up by other aviation members! Air India announcing a loss of around 4000 billion! Govt. of India, giving a 1200 millions of bailout package! The struggling Air India got some edge and sympathy of passengers. Slowly people like me, turned to Air India for air travel. The occupancy rose from 60% to little beyond 84%, to recently Air India announcing its growth path and competitive rates to challenge rival airlines. Known low fare offering IndiGo flight’s CEO also felt uneasy with Air India’s competition in Air. Suddenly, all pilots decided to go on Honeymoon! and called for a nationwide Strike, on account of Pay revision and other demands. Air India is governed by Ministry of India through Aviation Ministry. Pilots are ranked among class A officers. Obviously they would be enjoying the best of facilities. I am told they have a package ranging from 3,00,000 to 5,00,000 per month apart from other benefits. Executive pilots do get packages higher than mentioned above! Dude, can you believe 36 lacs to 60 lacs per annum package in India, and these pilots are still starving for money. I wish I get even 30% of the package these buggers get. Leave the perk things aside for the time being. What they actually want? I wish I too had taken commercial pilot’s study and training. Why the hell I became an Engineer?

While scratching head, I came across with three stories. I shall share them with you before dissecting everything and concluding my points. Story 1: I met a very kind hearted person, who gave his life to Air India. He joined Maharaja as Trainee, and retired after 35 years, as DGM only. I enquired why? When his colleagues rose to higher positions amassing huge property, why he got separated out – and retired at DGM rank only. The answer was obvious: “Beta, I was not corrupt! I was genuinely dedicated to my work. And now, I am a completely satisfied person – living a happy life after retirement. I may have retired without much professional accomplishments; I have earned pride, love and relationship with wonderful people. I cherish that”! Story 2: It was one Wednesday morning when I woke up late. So was late for office. Adding to chaos was that I got a call from Boss to reach ‘fast’. Obviously, my bike speed was rocketing. Suddenly during a road cross, I hit a Car, while changing lane. I was fast, he put brakes – God knows why! The back bump of his Alto was hit by my bike’s leg guard, and one corner got punctured. We had some conversation, thankfully not hot. I came to know that the guy is from Air India. That too, at some ‘senior’ position! Still that guy showed me the slip he spends on the car, 2 days back on maintaining it. It was some 2000 bucks bills, and he was asking me to pay 1500 bucks for its repair. I had only 900 bucks in my wallet. I politely asked him for his address, so that I could send him the cheque. He did not give his address, but after much negotiation, he agreed to mollify things for 800 bucks. I paid him and rushed for office. Later, I pondered- That senior ranked guy asked me for MONEY. Why? Was he sacked? Was he poorly paid? Was he too kind for his position? Was he trying to teach me a lesson of not driving fast? I am still confused. Story 3: This I heard on a TV channel. An ex-Chairman of Maharaja has got settled in London, after retirement. Now, he owns a private airline, company flying in the name of his wife! So is there any bifurcation? Someone earns gold, someone has to gratify with copper and brass only.

15 years back, Maharaja was the only national as well as International career from India. Some private airlines were seeding in early 2000. Suddenly in last 10 years, a mushroom of private airlines grew. Maharaja, who owned 100 % of empire, shrunk to 30 - 40% of it. Rest 60-70% has been opened for and grabbed by private carriers. How come! Why Air India decided to cut down its flight during peak hours, to peak destinations? Why travel between important destinations during peak hours are enjoyed by flights like Jet and Kingfisher! Why NCP was demanding Agriculture and Aviation Ministry, on priority? Mr. Pawar owns many industries in Maharastra, and wanted his monopoly to continue. So, the decision of keeping Agriculture with him is justified. Why a business minded Prafull Patel was given Aviation Ministry! Why Mr. Patel was reluctant to leave Aviation during his second term, when a cabinet reshuffle was made? Is there any 2G scam like situation running parallel in Aviation too? Are private players feeding money to ‘some’ officials in Air India to ensure poor performance of Maharaja? Is Ministry corrupt and killing Maharaja’s legacy? Has government decided to phase out from aviation slowly? Why Air India has a double standard? Are bosses of National Carrier that corrupt! and have eaten Air India from every corner? Why pilots, aviation staffs and senior management are not on same platform? Success of any organization is determined by a unison approach and parallel thinking of everyone the the organization. The Maharaja’s parachute has got punctured with many holes. Big HOLES of corruption, bribe, and scams are ensuring a massive accident. When wills this national carrier, actually think of nation? Owners of Jet, Kingfisher, IndiGo etc. only pays tax on profit they earn. Why the think tanks of Maharaja, do not realize that they are losing 70 % of profit earned by private carriers? Recently two independent directors of Air India, Mr. Anand Mahindra and Mr. Amit Mitra resigned citing some reasons. Did they realize that Air India is going to be a History in the years to come? BSNL, another government run company, has similar status. Some of the BSNL officials did accepted that senior officials at higher ups are heavily paid by competitors to ensure ‘bad’ BSNL services. I smell some parallels between both public service systems.

It will be quite interesting to witness Maharaja’s fortune. Pilots win the Battle or Ministry? I am quite sure that this strike has been planted by private carriers, to slap Air India by every means– on account of Air India announcing competitive rates to ensure cheaper fly within India. Media’s grilling to aviation ministry and some ‘high profile’ officials may help doing some good to this National Carrier. I wish BJP asks for CBI probe on Aviation Ministry, to investigate the money flow.

Vyalar Ravi, you have a tough time ahead. Take it from me; this strike is going to pay you and your maharaja a lot. You need to do way beyond expectation to get back passengers confidence. Please don’t take us for granted.