AI's entry into Star Alliance delayed again

New Delhi: Air India’s plans of joining the global airline network Star Alliance could get delayed again as the air carrier has not been able to get its employees appropriate training. The airline had fixed March 2011 as its outer deadline to join Alliance, which will open new routes and boost traffic for the carrier.
The debt-laden airline has not been able to commence a programme, the commercial transformation project (CTP), to train and bring employees to the standards recommended by the Star Alliance. “This project (CTP) is a prelude to joining the Star Alliance but it hasn’t even started due to unnecessary delays at AI’s end,” a government official told ET.
The delay comes despite the airline setting up a three-member committee to chart a course for the training so that Air India could join the alliance on time. “That (committee) has not even met, delaying the process. There is no clarity on the matter,” said an airline official, adding that the CTP will cost lot more now. In November 2009, Air India signed an agreement with London-headquartered management consulting firm Mckinsey and Co to implement the training project at a fee of Rs 12.86 crore. “Now, that the programme has not taken off for eight months, McKinsey has hiked fee by 25%, means Rs 3.2 crore more, which could have been avoided,” the airline official said.
17/08/10 Aindya Upadhyay/Times of India

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Categories: Air India - International Aug 2010, Foreign Aug 2010, NACIL Aug 2010