COMMENTS

Two conclusions emerge from Air India’s statement: One, passengers booked on Air India flights should now know that they could be put on to other flights if the airline gets a request for a charter operation and the airline will inform the passengers concerned in advance about the change in schedule which according to the airline would mean there is no inconvenience to the passenger.

Their fate could be like that of the passengers booked on Delhi-Coimbatore flight IC 7603 on April 20 who were flown on Delhi-Mumbai-Coimbatore flight IC 657 to accommodate the IPL charter flight. The fact that they reached their destination three hours later would be considered unavoidable as the flight diversion would be in the commercial interest of the airline.

Jadhav has also said, "Air India has not violated any of the rules governing the flight operations by this service." That leads to the second conclusion: that the DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirement, Section 3, 10.2 which pertains to Air Transport (effective from March 1, 1994) and states that, "Scheduled operators (airlines) can conduct charter/nonscheduled operations for transportation by air of persons, mail or goods provided such flights do not change their normal approved operating schedule’’, does not apply to Air India.

For the full report in the TOI, click here.

This is exactly what happens when the goverment becomes a player, instead of remaining just the facilitator and regulator - there's no longer a level playing field - check this

 

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 The Reason or justification for BTS a public road transport organization monopoly is perhaps justifiable as the city roads are a public property. If private transport busses are allowed to compete with BTS busses there could be a chaos on the existing road net work of the city.

However in the case of air transport the airport can cater for the total air traffic public and private. Air India preferential chartering for state exigencies cancelling already booked flights may be justifiable. However the same favor for IPL that too on the behest of a minister’s daughter appears to be nothing but high handedness. This only shows the clout BCCI, a money spinning industry, has with the government. The AI charter rule book needs to be amended in a hurry.

This sort of misplaced development mantra (of money laundering?) may be the reason behind growing discontent in the country, in the form of the current naxalism revolt.

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The Reason or justification for BTS a public road transport organization monopoly is perhaps justifiable as the city roads are a public property.

Air is also public property

If private transport busses are allowed to compete with BTS busses there could be a chaos on the existing road net work of the city.

And, the proliferation of private players is cluttering the air-ways across the country - so why not go back to the good old days of Indian Airlines monopoly? And, more

 

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 It is elementary knowledge that democracy is as good as the people of the country. You get what you disserve. It requires a majority opinion to make laws. IPL is there because people wanted it. It may not be there after the third version, if they do not wish so. Thanks to the hue and cry the people are making. I understand private enterprise can be good or bad depending on the competition being healthy or rotten.

The point I was making was a possible reason why people like the government Bus service. I for one love the Mysore Bangalore non stop Iravats. I have travelled in pvt busses too. Some are good some are not. Privatization is not a universal mantra. Things will normally settle to the equilibrium point. Telecom sector is an example. Though BESCOM enjoys big free real estate, it has so far failed to impress. I shifted long back to Airtel headed by Mr. Sunil Mittal. All Mr. Mittal’s work in many diverse fields is par excellence. His integrity is also beyond doubt, I think, at least till proved wrong.

I would like to draw your attention to a much bigger issue of global warming. Air travel contributes 1 kg of CO2 per person for a single flight per hour, let alone cluttering of air space. One can easily be blinded by ones ambition to make money be it of any hue.

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I agree. What next?

We apply for a stage carrier license?

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