Air India's loss is private airlines' gain

Bhubaneswar: Air India is reported to be incurring heavy losses after it abruptly withdrew services from the city to Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi (via Ranchi) last month.
Sources have admitted that the losses had been quite high since it is peak season. The Chennai flight, which originated from Kolkata, used to sell more than 70 seats on an average per day from here.
Similarly, the Delhi flight, which operated for four days a week via Ranchi, used to sell as many number of tickets. The winter rush could have yielded more returns.
Though sources maintained that services would kick-off in the last week of January, insiders stated that it will take no less than another two months to resume operations.
The fact remains that most of the flights have been diverted to Gulf for the Haj.
Interestingly, private airlines seem to be making the most of Air India's losses. Indigo, for example, has decided to start operations on the Bhubaneswar- Kolkata-Ahmedabad route from the last week of the month. Kingfisher too is thinking big of the city and plans to connect the city with the pilgrim circuit of Varanasi and Gaya.
17/01/08 Newindpress

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India Domestic Jan 2008, NACIL Jan 2008