Poll bonanza awaits Air India

New Delhi: In less than four weeks Air India (domestic), previously known as Indian, could earn the equivalent of flying 52,000 passengers, or the equivalent of operating 300 Airbus A-320 flights.
This is because the airline will be transporting more than 1.37 million electronic voting machines (EVMs). Besides, indelible ink phials, symbol blocks, paper for printing ballot papers and other election materials too will be airlifted by the airline through the length and breadth of the country.
Each EVM weighs 4 kg. The airline charges varying cargo rates between different destinations. For example, cargo rates between Delhi and Bangalore vary between Rs 40.65 and Rs 21.35 a kg, while those between Delhi and Mumbai vary between Rs 29.75 and Rs 15.90 a kg. The airline charges a higher rate for flights operated in the morning and a lower rate for the evening operations. The transportation of EVMs and other election-related materials will mean that the airline will be able to earn a few crores of rupees during the general elections. Some analysts estimate that the airline’s earnings could be in the region of Rs 10-13 crore.
Besides, the airline has also been asked to provide reservation of seats on a priority basis on different flights to officers appointed as observers of the Election Commission in various States and union territories. Officers of Bharat Electronic Ltd and Electronics Corporation of India too will be given seats on a priority basis on different flights.
07/04/09 Ashwini Phadnis/Business Line

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

Categories: Air India Domestic Apr 2009, NACIL Apr 2009