Read more at Wikipeida
Air India is concerned about the potential impact on its premium economy service.
Air India has been attempting to boost sales of its premium economy seats by pricing them slightly higher than economy class seats. However, this strategy has yielded mixed results. The recent decision by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council to increase the tax rate on business and premium cabin seats from 12% to 18% has raised concerns for the airline. The tax rate on economy class seats remains at 5%. As the only Indian carrier offering premium economy, business, and first class seats, Air India is likely to be disproportionately affected by the rate hike.
According to an Air India executive, the increased GST rate will make premium economy seats less attractive to price-sensitive Indian customers. The airline has been facing challenges in selling premium economy seats, particularly in non-metro markets, where several corporates have yet to adopt this class for staff travel. Air India’s premium economy seats are currently priced ₹1000-1200 higher than economy class on domestic routes.
To improve its product offering, Air India is retrofitting its aircraft to include three-class cabins, with 18 legacy Airbus A320 aircraft already completed and nine more expected to be finished by the end of September. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed disappointment at the GST rate increase, stating that it will dampen demand and undermine profitability for Indian carriers.
The aviation industry has been demanding the removal of GST on international flight tickets, citing that other countries do not levy such taxes on international air travel. The inclusion of aviation turbine fuel under GST is also a pending demand. Industry experts argue that international air travel should be exempt from GST, as exports of goods and services are zero-rated under the tax regime. The GST Council’s decision to rationalize rates has not addressed these concerns, leaving the aviation industry to hope for a more favorable policy in the future.
Air India’s payday sale ends today, offering domestic flights for as low as Rs 1299.
Air India Express has launched a limited-time PayDay Sale, offering discounted fares on domestic and international flights. The sale is available until September 1, 2025, and is valid for travel until March 31, 2026. For domestic flights, logged-in members can book Xpress Lite fares starting at ₹1,299 and Xpress Value fares from ₹1,349. On the international network, fares begin at ₹4,876 for Xpress Lite and ₹5,403 for Xpress Value.
In addition to discounted fares, Air India Express is offering extra savings and benefits for members. Passengers booking through the airline’s website and mobile app can enjoy exclusive deals, including waived convenience fees for Xpress Lite bookings made on the mobile app. Xpress Lite fares also provide discounted check-in baggage rates, with ₹1,000 for 15 kg on domestic flights and ₹1,300 for 20 kg on international flights.
Loyalty members booking through the website can unlock 25% off on Xpress Biz fares and 20% off on Biz upgrades for domestic travel. Xpress Biz, the airline’s premium product, offers spacious seating, complimentary Gourmair Hot Meals, enhanced baggage allowance, and priority services. These seats are available across the carrier’s 40 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
Logged-in users can also enjoy additional perks, including 20% discounts on hot meals, seat selection, and priority services. They can also get 10 kg extra check-in baggage, 3 kg additional cabin baggage, and up to 8% NeuCoins earned on every booking. Special discounts are also available for students, senior citizens, armed forces personnel, and their dependents.
The airline is making payments more convenient with flexible options such as EMI and Buy Now, Pay Later plans. With this sale, Air India Express aims to make air travel affordable and rewarding while providing flexibility and premium add-ons to enhance the flying experience. The sale is a great opportunity for travelers to book their flights at discounted prices and enjoy the airline’s premium services.
Air India has relocated its booking office from its historic location to a new space in the CR2 Mall in Nariman Point.
Here is a summary of the disclaimer in 400 words:
The disclaimer for Prop News Time’s website is a terms and conditions agreement that applies to all users of the site. By using the site, users acknowledge that they have read and agree to the terms and conditions, as well as the privacy policy, without notification. The agreement also states that Prop News Time reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions at any time, and users are responsible for regularly checking for updates.
The information on the site is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or commercial advice. The site may include concept designs, computer-generated images, and photos, but these do not necessarily represent actual designs. The content is subject to errors and omissions, and Prop News Time is not responsible for ensuring its accuracy or reliability.
The site may also include links to third-party websites, which are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Prop News Time is not responsible for the content, reliability, or accuracy of third-party websites.
By using the site, users agree that they use it at their own risk and that Prop News Time is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on the information provided. The site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, and Prop News Time does not guarantee the accuracy, legality, or reliability of the information.
The site is for guidance only, and using it does not create a professional-client relationship between the user and Prop News Time. Prop News Time cannot accept a user as a client until certain formalities and requirements are met.
Finally, the disclaimer includes a cookie notice, stating that the site uses cookies and users can find more information about this in the privacy policy.
Bengaluru is experiencing severe rainfall, causing widespread waterlogging that has disrupted road access to the airport, resulting in the diversion of 10 flights, with IndiGo and Air India issuing advisories to their passengers.
Heavy rains lashed Bengaluru, India, on Saturday evening, causing traffic congestion and water-logging in several areas. The city’s airport road was severely affected, with at least 10 flights diverted to Chennai. Air India and IndiGo airlines issued advisories, advising passengers to check their flight status and warning of air traffic congestion. The rains caused water-logging in several areas, including Hunsmaranahalli, which led to severe traffic congestion on the road to the international airport.
The city’s traffic police reported slow movement of traffic in several locations, including Ramamurthy Nagar, Taralabalu, and Rupena Agrahara. Social media users, including politicians, criticized the city’s Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for the poor infrastructure and lack of preparedness for the rains. The city’s first summer rain has exposed the crumbling state of its infrastructure, they said.
The heavy rain has caused travel disruptions and inconvenience to daily commuters. The city’s airport road, in particular, has been severely affected, with flights diverted and passengers advised to check their flight status. The rain has also caused water-logging in several areas, leading to traffic congestion and difficulties in movement.
The BBMP has been criticized for its poor maintenance of the city’s infrastructure, and the rain has only highlighted the need for urgent repairs and upgrades. The city’s residents are left to suffer with the chaos caused by the rain, and the BBMP’s inefficiencies.
A high-end traveler lodges complaint against Air India, citing a ‘grueling 16-hour experience’ on a flight from Chicago, prompting the airline to take action.
A disgruntled Air India passenger, Soumitra Chatterjee, took to social media to vent his frustration after a 16-hour business-class journey from Chicago to Delhi. He described the experience as an “ordeal” due to a malfunctioning seat, subpar food, and poor cabin conditions. He was dismayed by the airline’s response to his complaints, saying it was “condemnable” and would only lead to more passengers expressing dissatisfaction.
Chatterjee’s posts on X highlighted the issues he faced, including a broken seat, poor food, and a hospital-like cabin condition. He also claimed that the airline offered him a mere ₹5,000 compensation against his ₹2,42,000 ticket price, which he considered inadequate. He expressed his disappointment with Air India’s attitude and treatment, stating that it would only lead to more passengers saying “to hell with Air India.”
Air India responded to his post, asking him to provide more information about his concerns via direct message, but Chatterjee was not impressed, criticizing the airline’s approach as “condemnable” and highlighting that it was just a “token gesture” to silence him. He also expressed his skepticism about the airline’s ability to address real issues, stating that it was just a “show” to keep passengers quiet.
The incident highlights the importance of prompt resolution of customer complaints and the need for airlines to listen to their customers and address their concerns sincerely. While Air India’s response to the issue was initially seen as adequate, Chatterjee’s experience suggests that there is still much to be improved. The incident also underscores the need for airlines to be transparent and responsive in their dealings with customers, as even a small gesture of goodwill can go a long way in resolving disputes and maintaining customer trust.
Air India and Air New Zealand partner on codeshare agreement, direct flights expected to launch by 2028
Air India (AI) and Air New Zealand (NZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen air connectivity between India and New Zealand. The agreement establishes a new codeshare partnership covering 16 routes and explores the possibility of direct flights between Delhi and Auckland by the end of 2028.
Under the codeshare agreement, passengers can travel from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai on Air India flights, connecting at Sydney, Melbourne, or Singapore to Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown. This will significantly improve travel between the two countries, which currently lack direct connectivity and take around 17-30 hours with connecting flights.
The partnership aims to increase market visibility for both countries as tourism destinations. In 2023, New Zealand welcomed 87,000 Indian visitors, a 23% increase from 2019 levels, with 72% visiting during off-peak seasons. Tourism New Zealand data indicates that 18 million people in India are actively considering visiting New Zealand, with 57% identifying it as their top destination choice.
New Zealand currently hosts around 330,000 people of Indian origin, with India being the country’s second-largest source of international students and largest source of skilled migrants.
To support the partnership, Auckland Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India’s busiest airport. The agreement aims to strengthen ties between the two airports, which facilitate tourism, trade, and people-to-people links between the two countries.
Additionally, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered a five-year partnership with Air New Zealand to modernize the airline’s digital infrastructure and advance its AI-driven innovation capabilities. The collaboration aims to enhance Air New Zealand’s digital capabilities, improve customer experience, and drive operational efficiencies across fleet management, crew scheduling, and ground services.
From these dates, SBI reduces redemption rates on rewards points for its SimplyCLICK and Air India credit cards.
SBI Card is undergoing changes to its credit card reward structures, effective from April 1, 2025, for SimplyCLICK and Air India co-branded credit cards. These changes will impact the way cardholders earn rewards on certain transactions. Specifically, the SimplyCLICK SBI Card will earn 5X reward points on Swiggy transactions, down from the current 10X, while maintaining the same rewards rate for other partner merchants. Air India SBI Platinum and Signature Credit Cardholders will see a significant reduction in reward benefits for booking Air India tickets through the airline’s website or mobile app.
The accelerated reward rate for Air India SBI Platinum Credit Cardholders will drop from 15 points per ₹100 spent to 5 points, while the rate for Air India SBI Signature Credit Cardholders will decrease from 30 points to 10 points per ₹100 spent. This represents a 66% to 75% reduction in reward benefits for frequent flyers. With no new benefits announced to offset these changes, cardholders may need to re-evaluate their spending strategies to maximize rewards. Alternatives credit cards that offer better returns on dining and travel purchases may need to be considered.
Overall, these changes will result in a reduction in total reward points for cardholders, particularly for those who heavily use the affected cards for Air India ticket bookings. It is essential for cardholders to review their credit card options and adjust their spending habits accordingly to optimize rewards accumulation.
IndiGo Steps In to Dominate Amritsar-Hyderabad Route, Air India Express No Longer Operates on the Route
The article discusses the concept of first-mover advantage in the aviation industry, where early market entrants are expected to gain a lasting advantage through brand recognition, customer loyalty, and demand establishment. However, in the Indian aviation market, this theory is challenged. According to aviation expert Ravreet Singh, financial strength and strategic planning often outweigh the timing of market entry.
The article cites the example of the Amritsar-Hyderabad route, where Air India Express (IX) launched daily flights in November 2023, followed by IndiGo Airlines (6E) in April 2024. Despite being the first to enter the market, Air India Express was ultimately forced to abandon the route due to mounting losses, citing IndiGo’s aggressive pricing and capacity expansion. IndiGo, on the other hand, upgraded its fleet from A320neo to A321neo in April 2025, solidifying its position on the route.
The article highlights that Air India Express’s failure to sustain its position was due to its limited financial resources, whereas IndiGo’s superior cash reserves enabled it to endure short-term losses. IndiGo’s extensive network in Hyderabad also provided crucial feeder traffic connections, increasing demand sustainability. In contrast, Air India Express operated solely on point-to-point traffic, limiting its ability to withstand competitive pressure.
The article concludes that timing is not always everything in the aviation industry. Accurate market assessment and strategic planning are essential, as even well-funded carriers can face continued losses in fundamentally weak markets. Airlines that combine financial backing, network synergies, and strategic market timing outperform those that rely solely on early-mover positioning. The case study of IndiGo and Air India Express demonstrates that strategic patience and financial strength are key to success in the competitive aviation industry.
Air India takes flight into a new era with the arrival of 100 modern Airbus aircraft, boosting its fleet and travel options for business travelers.
Air India, the national carrier of India, has announced its plans to expand its fleet by acquiring 100 additional Airbus aircraft, including A320 and A321neo planes. This move is aimed at enhancing the airline’s capacity and services, particularly for its premium and business class passengers.
The new fleet will be delivered over the next few years, with the first batch of 20 aircraft expected to arrive in the first half of 2023. The remaining 80 planes will be delivered subsequently, taking the airline’s total fleet size to over 220 aircraft.
The A320 and A321neo planes will offer enhanced comfort, spacious cabins, and increased legroom, making them ideal for long-haul flights. The aircraft will also feature advanced technology, including state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems, high-speed Wi-Fi, and power sockets.
Air India’s decision to expand its fleet is expected to have a positive impact on its business class services. The additional aircraft will enable the airline to offer more flights, increased frequencies, and improved schedules, making it more competitive in the market. The airline is also expected to pay greater attention to premium services, including fine dining, premium bedding, and priority check-in and baggage handling.
The expansion is also seen as a strategic move to counter the growth of rival airlines, such as Vistara and IndiGo, which have been rapidly expanding their fleets. By increasing its capacity and modernizing its fleet, Air India aims to regain its position as a major player in the Indian aviation market.
The deal with Airbus is seen as a landmark moment for Air India, marking the airline’s first major acquisition of new aircraft in several years. The airline has been making significant efforts to modernize its fleet and improve services, having already received several new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus in recent years.
The expansion is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, not just for pilots and cabin crew but also for ground staff and maintenance personnel. The airline has already started recruiting new staff to support the expansion, and the new aircraft are expected to be staffed by over 1,000 new employees.
Overall, the acquisition of 100 new Airbus aircraft is a significant milestone for Air India, marking a major step towards its goal of becoming a leading international airline. The expansion is expected to boost the airline’s reputation, increase its capacity, and provide enhanced services to customers, particularly in the increasingly competitive Indian aviation market.
Air India’s Former Subsidiaries to Hit the Road: Government Plans Showcase Roadshows in Europe and SingaporeLet me know if you’d like me to make any further changes!
The Indian government is planning to sell its stakes in Air India’s subsidiaries, including Air India Air Transport Services (AIATS), Airline Allied Services (AAS) or Alliance Air, AI Airport Services (AIAS), Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), and Hotel Corporation of India (HCI), to meet its fiscal divestment targets for FY26. The government aims to invoke Expressions of Interest (EoIs) by August 2025 and complete the sale by the end of the year.
The subsidiaries, currently held by Air India Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL), are Air India’s non-core assets, debt, and subsidiaries earmarked for sale. The government had earlier planned to divest these entities in 2017, but the process has been delayed, and it now aims to speed up the process.
The government has already conducted roadshows for AIESL, the largest maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company, and attracted interest from international investors. The upcoming roadshows in Singapore and Europe aim to attract more investors and participate in the stake sale.
The subsidiaries up for sale hold strategic importance in India’s aviation ecosystem, providing services such as MRO, ground handling, airport operations, and hotel management. The government has announced the recruitment of a CEO for Hotel Corporation of India to strengthen its leadership and improve operational efficiency ahead of the sale.
The government’s approach to divestment has shifted from aggressive targets to a more measured approach, focusing on asset sales rather than privatization. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has facilitated IPOs and stake sales in public sector enterprises, raising Rs 13,728 crore in 2024.
Potential bidders, including global aviation firms, have expressed interest in acquiring AIESL. The government’s sale of Air India’s subsidiaries is seen as a crucial step in aviation sector reforms, and the process will be crucial in shaping the future of these key aviation assets.
Southwest is the latest airline to adopt new baggage policies, joining a growing list of carriers, including American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska, Spirit, Emirates, Qatar, Saudia, Air India, and IndiGo, in simplifying the travel process for passengers.
Here is a summary of the content in 400 words:
Many major airlines, including Southwest, American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska, Spirit, Emirates, Qatar, Saudia, Air India, and IndiGo, are adopting new baggage policies. These changes aim to simplify and standardize baggage fees and policies, making it easier for travelers to plan and budget their trips.
One significant change is the gradual elimination of free checked bags for domestic flights. Most airlines are introducing new fees for checked bags, with prices ranging from $20 to $40 per bag, depending on the airline and the travel class. Some airlines, like Spirit, are already charging as much as $100 for a single checked bag.
Another trend is the introduction of tiered baggage pricing, where fees vary based on the traveler’s status level, loyalty program, or class of service. For example, premium cabin passengers or loyalty program members may receive more free checked bags or lower fees.
Additionally, some airlines are adopting new baggage restrictions, such as size limits for carry-on bags or increased weight limits for checked bags. Travelers should check their airline’s website or consult with the airline before packing to ensure compliance with these new restrictions.
To make amends for the changes, many airlines are also introducing new optional bag services, such as priority boarding, extra luggage storage, or personalized baggage handling. These add-ons can range from $10 to $100, depending on the airline and the service.
To navigate these changes, travelers should:
1. Check the airline’s baggage policy before booking their ticket
2. Verify the number and size of bags allowed
3. Learn about additional fees and services offered
4. Plan and pack accordingly to stay within budget
5. Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses
By understanding these changes, travelers can better prepare for their journey and avoid unexpected surprises. As the airline industry continues to evolve, it is essential for travelers to stay informed to make the most of their travel experience.
Riyadh Air Aims to Forge Strategic Partnerships with Air India and IndiGo to Expand its Global Reach
Riyadh Air, a new Saudi Arabian carrier set to launch in 2025, is seeking partnerships with Indian airlines such as Air India and IndiGo to enhance its presence in the fast-growing Indian aviation market. The carrier plans to operate a fleet of 60 narrow-body A321 neos and 72 wide-body B787-9 Dreamliners, aiming to connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 global destinations by 2030.
Riyadh Air’s CEO, Tony Douglas, emphasized the importance of the Indian subcontinent, stating that it represents a “super important” market for the airline. The carrier is also in discussions to acquire additional wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 777Xs and A350-1000s.
In addition to its expansion strategy, Riyadh Air has a unique three-pillar approach to differentiate itself in the competitive global aviation landscape. The first pillar focuses on exceptional customer service, the second on environmental sustainability, and the third on leveraging Saudi Arabia’s unique demographic advantage as a “true digital native” market.
The airline has already made a significant order with Boeing, purchasing 78 aircraft with options for 43 additional planes. It has also partnered with Delta Air Lines to offer flight services between the US and Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh Air’s vision for 2030 includes becoming a global aviation hub, supported by Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy. The kingdom aims to attract 100 million annual visitors by 2030, strengthening its tourism sector and position in global air travel markets. The country is investing in multiple sectors, including tourism, entertainment, technology, and renewable energy, and developing new infrastructure projects such as Neom City, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya.