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Children Flying Alone? Everything You Need To Know!

AirWhizzAug 17, 2018 No Comments

Children Flying Alone? Everything You Need To Know!

Travel Like a Pro

Today, more than ever, children are flying without their parents. It’s safe, largely hassle-free and quite exciting for them.

But the world of airport terminals and baggage claims can get a bit overwhelming, especially for a kid whose flying alone.

Children who fly alone are referred to as Unaccompanied Minors (UM’s), and every airline has different requirements and regulations for children traveling without an adult.

But before we get into these rules, let us give you some handy tips that will help your child prepare for their first memorable solo airplane ride.

1. Prepare Your Kid For Flying

Before your child goes on their first airplane ride alone,  fly with them and let them sit away from you to see how they manage.

Tell them how to find seat numbers, discuss who they can talk to if there are any issues while flying, and what to do when an airplane lands.

Also, make it a point to discuss in-flight etiquettes with your kids.

In case you don’t get the chance to travel with them before their solo journey, you can always take them to the airport a few days in advance, show them around & if possible, make them meet the airline staff.

2. Pack Efficiently

Pack your child’s luggage as smartly as possible, keeping it light but including everything that is necessary.

Make sure your child will have plenty to do on the flight. Pack their carry-on bag with a few snacks, medicine kit, their favourite toys, electronic devices like tablets, puzzles, colouring books, headphones and emergency cash.

Also, teach them how to use the cell phone, at least enough for them to be able to call the person picking them up when they land or in case of emergency.

3. Book A Direct Flight

While choosing the airline, opt for a direct flight so that your child doesn’t have to deal with the hassle of connections.

If possible, try and choose one of the first few flights in the day, as later ones have a greater chance of being delayed.

4. Prepare An Information Card

Prepare a card with all the relevant information about your child. This should include their name, age, address, flight number and destination.

Include the name, contact details and if possible, the photograph of the person who will be picking your child up at the other end, as well as any emergency contact details. Do not forget to mention any medical conditions or allergies that your child might have.

5. Arrive Early To The Airport

On the day of travel, make sure you reach 2 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure time so that you can make the necessary arrangements to accompany them to the gate.

You will have to get a Guest Pass and fill out an ‘Unaccompanied Minors’ form. Also, introduce them to the airline crew and the gate staff.

Make sure that your child can identify the uniform colour and the people they can reach out to.

Communicate with the person who is picking your child up, letting them know when the flight takes off, and if there is any delay.

Most airlines require parents to stay at the airport until the flight takes off so that if there’s a problem, the child can be returned.

Now that you know how to prepare your child and yourself for their first solo flight, let us tell you which airlines, that fly in India, allow UM’s and the rules regarding it.

Indian Airlines

In India, rules for unaccompanied minors are almost similar across all airlines except the age limit.

Here is the list of airlines that allow UM and their age limit-

  • GoAir – Ages 5 to 18
  • Jet Airways – Ages 5 to 12 (Domestic Flight) & Ages 6 to 12 (International Flight)
  • SpiceJet – Ages 5 To 12
  • IndiGo – Ages 5 to 12
  • Air India – Ages 5 To 12(Domestic Flight) & Ages 5 To 16( International Flight)
  • Vistara – Ages 5 To 12

The flight crew from the above-mentioned airlines accompany your child every step of the way, from boarding the flight to claiming baggage and making sure they reach the person picking them up.

Airlines that allow unaccompanied minor travel require parents or guardians to fill up an indemnity form with details of the minor, person seeing off at departure and person meeting on arrival.

Also, some airlines such as Jet Airways do not permit online booking for unaccompanied minors; the ticket has to be booked at reservation or ticketing offices.

International Airlines

1.Lufthansa (Age Limit – 5 to 11)

The German airline has special check-in counters and supervision rooms with movies, toys and games, at many airports across the globe.

Children are given a yellow pouch, to be worn around the neck at all times, containing their travel documents.

On board, they are seated near the crew and given toys and colouring books. There is a special in-flight entertainment system and a children’s menu.

2.Air France (Age limit – 5 to 14)

This airline gives unaccompanied minors priority boarding. Once on board, they are given games, films, cartoons, radio programs, gifts to play with and a children’s meal.

In case of a delay, a staff member will be with the child throughout, even if they have to stay at a hotel overnight.

3.Singapore Airlines (Age Limit – 5 to 12)

The airline takes its unaccompanied minor travel so seriously, that they change all aspects related to children’s travel every quarter.

These rules vary across domestic and international flights so that children travelling frequently get a variety.

They provide your child with water bottles, toys to play with and souvenirs to take home.

4.Emirates (Age Limit – 5 to 12)

They require you to inform them in advance about your child’s seating and food preferences so that they can arrange it accordingly.

If your child is travelling on their birthday, they will have a cake waiting for them on board. There is a special in-flight entertainment for children.

5.Etihad Airways (Age Limit – 5 to 12)

The luxury airline has a dedicated childcare crew member called the Flying Nanny on long-haul flights.

Identified by their orange aprons, they are trained in child psychology and well-equipped with supplies for arts and crafts, magic tricks and quizzes.

If you want to share your child’s flight information with your family or friends, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App and share the details on the click of a button. You will also get real-time flight updates and all the airline/airport information you need on the move.

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SpiceJet To Offer Free In-Flight Entertainment Services!

AirWhizzAug 14, 2018 No Comments

SpiceJet To Offer Free In-Flight Entertainment Services!

Aviation Insider

In a bid to compete with the rising competitions in the domestic aviation market, SpiceJet has announced that it will offer free ‘In-flight Entertainment’ services to its passengers.

The low-cost carrier has introduced an in-flight entertainment system called ‘SpicEngage’ which will allow flyers to watch movies, TV shows and play games onboard SpiceJet flights using their own mobile phones, tablets or laptops at no cost.

According to the Chairman & Managing Director of SpiceJet, Mr. Ajay Singh, SpicEngage will vastly improve the onboard experience of their guests. SpicEngage has been strategically designed with attractive and creative content aimed at catering to audiences across all ages.

Unlike traditional in-flight entertainment systems, flyers can easily access SpicEngage on their hand-held devices by following a few easy steps. The system is currently available on all SpiceJet’s domestic and international flights.

Here are the details about the SpicEngage system-

  • The platform will host a wide range of content under 5 main categories-Watch, Play, Explore, Read and Eat
  • In the ‘Watch’ section, flyers will be able to watch cartoons, popular web series, stand-up comedy videos and short movies
  • The ‘Explore’ section will display content for travel and lifestyle enthusiasts with articles and videos related to tips on fashion, vacation and much more
  • The ‘Read’ section offers a whole lot of content especially for well-read travellers who prefer to keep themselves abreast with the latest in the aviation industry.

With this decision, SpiceJet becomes the first Budget Airline in India to Introduce Inflight-Entertainment for free.

This will surely help the carrier to compete with its rivals such as IndiGo and GoAir, in the low-cost segment and get a better grip on the Indian aviation market.

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Airplane Innovations That Could Change The Way We Fly!

AirWhizzAug 13, 2018 No Comments

Airplane Innovations That Could Change The Way We Fly!

Aviation Insider

In a competitive global aviation market, airlines are doing their best to incorporate innovative ways to cater to the needs of a customer and save operating costs at the same time.

With the help of technology, they have been able to come up with airplane designs and amenities that will help them beat their rivals and take passenger experience (PAX) to a whole new level.

To give you a peek into the future, here are a few interesting, amazing and downright scary airplane innovations that can change the way we fly.

1.Standing Airplane Seats

In a press conference in 2012, famous American carrier, Ryanair’s CEO Mr. Michael O’Leary pointed out that seat belts are unnecessary and airplanes are actually just “a bus with wings”.

He also suggested that there should be standing areas inside an airplane, which would eventually cost just $1 to book it.

While the general public laughed off these ideas, airplane manufacturers ‘Airbus’ & Italy based company ‘Aviointeriors’ took this pretty seriously.

In the 2017 “Aircraft Interiors Expo” held in Germany, Aviointeriors introduced a prototype called the ‘Sky Rider 2.0’.

These are ‘saddle seats’ which will allow people to lean a bit and shift their weight slightly on the seat while basically standing.

The concept of standing seats have been disregarded by authorities over the years, however, the design and applicability of the Sky Rider 2.0 may force them to rethink their decision.

2.Doughnut Shaped Airplanes

These airplane designs by Airbus look like a spacecraft from Si-Fi movies!

A cross between a UFO and a glider, this design allows better utilisation of space than other aircrafts and hence allows it to carry more passengers.

The doughnut-like shape between the nose and wings of the airplane will seat various classes of passengers, with economy class in the outer ring & business class in the middle.

This design has been patented by the airplane manufacturer and if implemented, it will make the current airplane design redundant.

3.Stacked Airplane Seats

Cramped seating arrangements on economy flights could get significantly worse if Airbus’ latest design ever becomes a reality.

A patent filed by the airplane manufacturer envisions stacking passengers on top of one another.

The design, which Airbus claims will provide a high level of comfort for the passengers, involves two levels of seating arrangements in a standard aircraft cabin.

A similar tiered approach to air travel was conceived by a UK based company “Factorydesign” and claims to allow for 30 percent more passengers on a standard airplane.

4.Upright Sleep Support System

For most of us sleeping on an airplane is not very easy.

However, airplane manufacturers ‘Boeing’ have designed a device that looks like a backpack but unfolds to turn into a cuddler of sorts.

It is completely adjustable and is attached to the seat, allowing you to lean forward and sleep with your head supported by a cushion.

This is a great concept if implemented, however, issues over space inside the cabin and reusability have been raised by many.

5.Self Cleaning Seats

The microbes lurking in airplane seats could soon be a thing of the past!

Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH, whose customers include Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., says it’s developing a seat infused with a disinfectant that destroys almost every germ on contact within seconds.

These seats won’t just cleanse themselves but will also display each incoming passenger how well it has done the job.

According to the company, these seats should be available in the next 2 years.

6.Cargo Hold Relaxation Area

Airbus is currently developing a design to turn its cargo holds into flying capsule hotels.

In April 2018, Airbus announced that they plan to make airplanes with a cargo hold that can be converted into sleeping capsules and relaxation compartments for passengers.

The firm has partnered with Zodiac Aerospace, an aviation equipment supplier, to create the concept, which could give economy class fliers the chance to swap cramped seating for capsule-style beds and sofas.

The lower deck could also be turned into a gym, a fine-dining restaurant or even a kids mini playground.

According to the Head of Cabin & Cargo at Airbus, Mr. Geoff Pinner, Airlines are looking for innovative ways to use space on their aircraft. On a long-haul flight, the airline could rent out each of these spaces to a number of passengers in different time slots throughout the flight.

7.In-Flight Virtual Reality

With Lufthansa recently offering Virtual Reality(VR) in-flight entertainment to passengers on its Dubai bound flights, it looks like this technology is finally here.

Airbus has patented such a helmet attached to the airplane seat, which creates an immersive environment for watching 3D movies, playing video games or simply relaxing.

This will surely help passengers have a pleasant flying experience, especially if they are flying for the first time.

8.Smart Toilet Tap/Faucet

The “E-Tom Smart Faucet”, designed by researchers from Cranfield University in the UK, helps airplanes save on water, and therefore fuel.

The faucets atomize water, breaking it into a fine mist that still comes out fast enough to clean hands, allowing lavatory-goers to use 90 percent less water.

It also has charcoal filters to keep water pure and can clean itself.

Modern technological innovations in air travel are slowly coming to India and we at AirWhizz are continuously trying to implement it and bring it to you. From real-time flight updates to providing information about airports and airlines, we help you plan your trip on the move.

Download the AirWhizz App NOW and Fly Stress-Free!

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Cochin Airport Resumes Normal Flight Operations After Flood Scare!

AirWhizzAug 11, 2018 No Comments

Cochin Airport Resumes Normal Flight Operations After Flood Scare!

Aviation Insider

Due to heavy rains and flooding in nearby areas, Cochin Airport had stopped the operations of arrival flights on Thursday for a few hours.

The arrivals were halted as a precautionary measure following the opening of the Idamalayar and Cheruthoni reservoirs, due to rising water levels in the Periyar river.

According to a statement released by Cochin International Airport Limited(CIAL), operations are running normal at the Kochi airport since the area is not affected by the floods. There have been no cancellations in flights so far.

However, visuals from Kerala are not so reassuring. With all five dams of the Idukki reservoir being open for the first time in the history, people living on the banks of Periyar river and adjoining areas are on high alert. Nedumbassery, where the airport is situated, is adjacent to Aluva, one of the areas which has been severely affected by floods.

Airline companies, which operate services in the state, are keeping their fingers crossed. The companies will have to incur huge operational cost in case of flight diversions to neighbouring airports if the Cochin Airport is closed.

They also fear that if their airplanes are stranded at the airport due to the floods, their entire schedule would get severely affected. For an airline company, aircraft being stuck in airports is a serious issue than incurring operational expenditure due to flight diversion.

The state government has instructed the authorities at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and the Calicut International Airport to get prepared to receive airplanes in case the airport is closed.

In 2013, officials had to shut down Cochin Airport, when the adjoining Chengal Canal overflowed after opening the upper Sholayar dam and four shutters of Idamalyar dam due to heavy rainfall, leading to massive floods.

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Everything You Need To Know About Flying In The Monsoon Season!

AirWhizzAug 10, 2018 No Comments

Everything You Need To Know About Flying In The Monsoon Season!

Travel Like a Pro

The monsoon season is upon us with lashing rains, thunderstorms and striking lightening!

Statistics reveal to us that flying is safer than driving. But no one really cares about those numbers when you’re sitting on a bumpy flight surrounded by dark and thunderous clouds.

To help keep your panic attack at bay, we are going to tell you about why you shouldn’t fear flying in the monsoon season and some travel tips to go with it.

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Flying In The Monsoon

1. Airplanes Can Withstand Lightning

According to aviation experts, an aircraft is hit by lighting at least once a year.

But don’t worry! it will not burn and char your airplane. Airplanes are built to absorb over eight times the energy carried by a bolt of lightning.

Also, the tiny pin like devices you must have seen on the wings of your airplane, absorbs the electric energy and does not let it affect the passengers or the aircraft electronics.

2.Aircrafts Are Designed To Handle Bad Weather

Aircrafts manufacturers build airplanes in such a way that they don’t tear apart in rough weather. The wings and the main body of an aircraft can withstand extreme wind pressure when flying.

Also, they install advanced avionics to help pilots land in lower visibility which is often the case during heavy rains.

You’d be surprised to know that aircrafts are a lot more maneuverable than they seem. But pilots keep it straight and cruise it for the comfort of the passenger.

3. It’s Completely Safe To Take Off During Monsoons

It may seem that your flight might be at risk, looking at the amount of rain and wind while on your way to the airport, but that’s not true.

Thousands of flights around the world operate in rains and snow without any hassle.

Also, airlines have very strict rules about operating in such conditions. The Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) will not allow the airplane to take of if the conditions are dangerous.

Your flight might get delayed but if your flight is on the taxiway and ready to take off you don’t need to worry and are good to go.

4. Pilots & Flight Attendants Can Handle Such Situations

You might imagine your captain frantically trying to take control of the airplane stick while flying through a bumpy weather.

In reality its quite the opposite!

Your pilot is probably worrying about keeping the coffee in the cup and  cursing the airplane through the stormy clouds. This is because turbulence is common, and in several cases, it is handled by the aircraft’s autopilot.

Also, your flight attendants have been trained to handle all worst case scenarios.

5. Your Aircraft’s Tyre won’t Skid During Landing

Landing is the most challenging part of any flight, but your aircraft’s tyres have got you covered.

The tyres of an airplane are designed to withstand a weight of more than 35 tons. These tyres are so strong that airplanes can land at 170 Miles per hour for more than 500 times.

Additionally, airplane tyres are inflated to 200 pounds per square inch, which is about six times the pressure used in a car tyre.

Along with this, your pilot continuously adjusts the airplanes landing distance and speed so that the airplane doesn’t skid-off.

6. Statistics Speak For Themselves

Flying is indeed safer than any other mode of transport.

According to a research conducted by Statistic Brain Research Institute in 2017, the odds of actually being involved in a plane crash is 1 in 29.5 million.

The number of aircraft crashes has been steadily declining over the last 20 years, up to the point that 2017 was declared one of the safest years in aviation history.

While plane crashes are often highlighted by the media, the occurrence is extremely rare.

Now that you know why you should fear flying in the rains, here are a few simple tips you should follow while catching your flight in the monsoon season.

Travel Tips For The Monsoon Season

1. Leave Early For The Airport.

Last Month, during heavy rains, a bridge collapsed in Mumbai causing a massive traffic jam , which blocked the road for airport commuters.

Even though such incidences are rare, you should leave at least three hours before the time you have to reach the airport, during the monsoon season.

You will keep able to keep a buffer in case you meet with a huge traffic jam on your way.

If you don’t find traffic during your commute, here are “5 Ways To Kill Time At The Airport” if you arrive early.

2. Choose The Right Airplane Seat

Flying through monsoon clouds will mean bumps, thuds, sudden drops and lifts, however, this is very normal.

Pick a seat right above the airplane wing, or in the emergency exit row. It’s the closest to the aircraft’s center of gravity, and you will have a relatively comfortable ride.

Make sure you don’t get a seat at the back of the airplane, otherwise you’re bound to have a bumpy ride.

3.Carry Medicines and Repellents

As a precautionary measure, make sure that you always carry the first-aid kit and insect repellents.

Monsoon is the season that attracts insects and mosquitoes. Apart from them, diseases are also rampant and travel through the air and water.

So it’s best to carry repellents to keep the disease carriers away and medicines in case you fall sick.

4.Pack Some Form Of Entertainment

Flight delays will happen during monsoon season, which can force you to be stuck at the airport for a really long time.

Pack some board games, books or carry games with you on your tablet or laptop so that you can wait out the bad weather with some form of entertainment.

5. Obey Your Flight Attendant’s Instructions

This is the most important tip!

The most common reason for people getting hurt during turbulent flights is not being buckled in by the seat belt.

Please make sure that you follow all the instructions given by your airline’s flight attendant and follow each step accordingly, especially during a turbulent flight.

If you want to plan a stress free flight during the monsoon season, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz app to get real-time weather and flight updates, along with airline and airport information to plan your trip on the move.

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Jet Airways Cancels Pay Cut Proposal After Internal Protests!

AirWhizzAug 07, 2018 No Comments

Jet Airways Cancels Pay Cut Proposal After Internal Protests!

Aviation Insider

Last week Jet Airways had announced that they might reduce the salaries of their employees by almost 25 % owing to a financial crunch.

The Airline has decided to not go ahead with this plan after a lot of backlash from their staff, including pilots.

The management had delayed their staff’s salary thinking that they would be convinced that a pay cut would be in the overall interest of the airline. However, the management went back on its proposal after the chairman’s assurance to employees. The airline has credited the full salary of its staff for the month of July.

The top-level management has taken a pay cut to help the airline cut on wage costs and survive this financial storm, which has been created by the unfavorable aviation market.

Jet Airways brand name has taken a beating after news of financial turbulence. In fact, the airline saw many ticket cancellations across the country due to this.

The airline’s Chairman, Mr. Naresh Goyal, held a meeting with the staff saying that these circumstances are temporary and Jet Airways is ready to benefit from the growth in the Indian aviation sector.

Following the meeting, pilots association National Aviators Guild (NAG), issued a statement calling for unity in these tough times. They said that NAG is confident of Jet Airways’ short and long-term sustainability.

Jet Airways finances have been hit due to rising crude oil prices and weakening of the rupee, which has inflated their operating cost. In addition to these factors, the airline has lost a chunk of its market share to its main competition, IndiGo.

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Ever Wondered What Pilots Do On Long Haul Flights?

AirWhizzAug 06, 2018 No Comments

Ever Wondered What Pilots Do On Long Haul Flights?

Aviation Insider

On a typical long-haul flight, most of us watch movies, read books, sleep or drink some wine to pass our time. But have you ever wondered what pilots do?

While we are trying to relax and hoping for the flight to end as soon as possible, pilots are doing just the opposite.

Even though most airline pilots switch to autopilot seconds after take-off, they still have plenty of work to do.

To give you a glimpse of life inside an airplane cockpit, here are a few ways in which pilots keep themselves occupied on long flights.

1.Monitor Weather Changes

Weather is a huge hurdle for pilots on a long flight!

On an average, the temperature outside the airplane in mid-air is about -76 degree Fahrenheit and on a single flight, the pilot has to fly through 3 to 4 weather changes varying in type, intensity and level of difficulty.

Most of the airplanes today have advanced ‘Weather Mapping’ technology that can help the pilots in this case. They are trained to monitor and anticipate the weather changes which may happen on their flight route.

2. Constant Communication

There are multiple radio systems for pilots inside an airplane.

They have to constantly communicate for reports of weather turbulence or other unexpected problems, which cannot be picked up by a radar.

One pilot is responsible for talking to the Air Traffic Control, in case there needs to be a change in the course to avoid a thunderstorm, while the other pilots maintain ‘Air -To-Air’ communication between airplanes on their same flight path.

For Instance, in remote areas of the airspace, pilots tune in to a common frequency to check on weather severity and time taken to reach a particular destination.

3.Act As The Primary Authority

Once you’re onboard and the airplane’s door is shut, the pilot or ‘Captain’ is responsible for everyone inside the cabin.

They have to solve all the major issues that may happen during a flight and are legally the primary authority. Even though the laws governing a pilot’s jurisdiction is complicated, the pilot’s word is accepted as the final judgement, globally.

They have to decide whether the flight needs to be diverted in case a passenger situation arises and are responsible for it.

4.Planning & Analysis

Most of the work pilots do is strategically thought of!

This is mainly due to the fact that airplanes are complicated machines and at 30000 feet , they cant leave anything to chance.

Airplanes have numerous gauges and other systems, such as engine oil pressure, hydraulic fluid contents and cabin temperature, which they have to analyse at regular intervals.

For Instance, airplanes don’t carry an abundance of extra fuel to save on costs and it is the pilots job to do the calculation throughout the flight to make sure they have enough fuel to reach their destination.

5. Keep Flight Record

While one pilot monitors all the systems, the other pilot has to do all the paperwork.

Pilots are given a ‘Flight Plan’ before their departure, and they are responsible to keep a record of any changes to that plan throughout the duration of the flight.

These notes have to be so detailed, that the inspector is able to recreate the aircraft’s exact flight path based on it.

6.Monitor Auto Pilot

Auto Pilot is not a device you set and forget about. It won’t fly the airplane according to what the pilot is thinking. It has to be programmed correctly to fly on a certain path.

If it’s not done right, there can be a huge problem for the pilot and the airline as well. On an average, monitoring an auto pilot system takes 20 % of a pilot’s flight time.

7. Eat Their Meal

We know it sounds a bit obvious, but there is an interesting fact attached to this.

Pilots have a choice to have food from the business or first class but they are not allowed to eat the same meal, to avoid food poisoning.

Also, pilots usually eat after the passengers have had their meal service. If they feel like snacking at unusual hours, they have access to a tray of snacks, salads, and sandwiches

The pilots can eat in the cockpit, but they tend to not eat at the same time so that one of them is always at the controls.

8.Relax

If all airplane gauges look good, it is flying smoothly and there is peace inside the cabin, pilots often take a break and relax.

They take breaks at different intervals of the flight and the length of it varies. This is because the break time of a pilot is governed by a complex set of rules and regulations based on the pilot’s individual work day.

To counter fatigue, airlines usually have extra pilots on a 12 hour or more flight. This gives the captain time to slide into the bunk space just behind the cockpit to sleep, read, or just relax.

Pilots take care of you in the sky, but if you want someone to help you on the ground, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get all your information you need about airlines and airports along with Real-Time Flight updates to plan your trip on the move.

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Jet Airways Faces Major Financial Turbulence!

AirWhizzAug 03, 2018 No Comments

Jet Airways Faces Major Financial Turbulence!

Aviation Insider

In a bid to revive their financial condition, Jet airways is looking to sell a part of its stake and has approached investment bankers to help them out.

India’s second largest airline, by market share, has been going through a rough patch as they have been left cashed strapped due to high fuel prices, rising competition and lack of expansion in the past 6 months.

The airline is looking to raise immediate cash and the stake sale may include Jet Airways founder, Mr. Naresh Goyal, offloading a part of the promoters share in the company. Mr. Goyal owns a majority stake of 51 percent in the airline while Etihad owns 24 percent stake.

Jet Airways has reported a loss of Rs 636.45 Crores in FY 2017, while its competitors SpiceJet and IndiGo Airlines registered a profit of Rs 566.66 Crores & Rs 242.37 Crores respectively.

The senior management team of the airline informed its employees in several face-to-face meetings that the carrier’s financials are in a bad shape and drastic measures need to be taken to cut costs. They have said the airline will not operate more than 60 days if these measures are not taken.

Apart from selling shares in the airline, Jet’s top management has pitched for a 25 percent cut in their staff’s (Including pilots) salary and a reduction in the number of leaves to reduce employee cost.

The airline held a meeting with their pilots in Delhi and Mumbai on 1st & 2nd of August for negotiating these terms. Jet Airways CEO Mr.Vinay Dube, EVP Flight Operations & Engineering, Mr. Nikhil Vaid and Chief People Officer Mr. Rahul Taneja, addressed the pilots.

This was followed by an open house discussion, for the proposed salary cut, with the representatives of the airline’s pilot union, National Aviation Guild (NAG).Currently, Jet Airways has 2,000 pilots and a workforce of 16,000 people.

Jet Airways is not the only carrier to be affected by intense cut-throat competition and rising fuel costs. Many domestic airlines have reported a drop in profits for the first quarter of this fiscal year.

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