When the late Deepak Barara was running the commercial department at Air India one of the smartest guys in his team was the low-profile Aloke Singh. Behind every Barara move, there was an Aloke imprint. At that time Delhi, former Lt Governor Anil Baijal was the Managing Director of Air India. Between the three of them, they took the rest of the industry by surprise. The first was every hour by an hour shuttle service between Delhi and Mumbai. These hourly departures were introduced by Indian Airlines introduced in 1999. Simply defined they offered a shuttle between the national capital, Delhi and the commercial capital, Mumbai, Critics scoffed and that there was no market for such flights. Today, they feature in any top ten list of busiest city pairs and there are multiple flights each hour between the two cities.
It speaks volumes about his credentials that the new Air India has chosen to retain someone from the 'old' Air India and promote him. An Air India (he was in Indian Airlines to start with and later part of the unified Air India) veteran who spent two decades plus, primarily in the commercial department, Aloke is the typical no-nonsense, self-effacing nut and bolts guy who knows the airline business inside out. He is not one of those whom you need to explain what seat factor and load factor are all about. From revenue management to route management to pricing and fleet rationalisation he has seen it all. Most important, he was in key positions throughout the years that the airlines were manfully fighting the headwinds in the form of Jet Airways and Naresh Goyal who were a thorn in their flesh at every turn.
Those who have worked with him describe him variously as extremely humble, focussed, man of detail and an aviation junkie. Perhaps all these are true, but his strongest trait is to work thematically on new ideas and get them off the ground like the famous Delhi-Mumbai shuttle many years ago. Today, it is the norm.
Denne historien er fra January 2023-utgaven av Cruising Heights.
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Denne historien er fra January 2023-utgaven av Cruising Heights.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Jets, Tech, And Green Goals
The key themes at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 revolved around innovation and sustainability. Sizeable aircraft orders, advancements in eVTOL technology, and a strong commitment to environmental goals underscore an industry that is not only rebounding from past challenges but also setting the stage for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future, reports ATUL CHANDRA.
FREIGHT IN FLIGHT
In 2023, Indian airports handled over 3.15 million metric tonnes of cargo, with international freight dominating. As the sector aims to meet the government's ambitious annual target of 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030, this goal will require dedicated freighter aircraft, technological integration, infrastructure development, and regulatory improvements, among other things. By JAIDEEP MIRCHANDANI, Chairman, Sky One
ELEVATING PASSENGER EXPERIENCES
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is setting new standards in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) with the launch of its state-of-the-art software design and development facility in Pune, highlights
CAUGHT IN PAPER JAM
Despite rapid digital advancements in passenger air travel with the airline market expected to surpass $35 billion by end of this decade, the air cargo industry remains bogged down by outdated legacy systems, impeding progress in efficiency and real-time tracking. A special report by
PITCHING FOR SUPPORT
India's air cargo industry is gearing up for a major transformation, aiming to nearly triple its capacity by 2030. Current infrastructure handles about 6.5 million tonnes, but meeting future goals will require significant investments to expand capacity, streamline operations, and adopt cutting-edge technologies. Industry leaders at a recent ACFI Annual Conclave emphasised the need for strong government support to overcome challenges, urging policymakers to address operational constraints and improve connectivity, reports
BATTLE FOR THE SKIES
As India's international air traffic experiences significant growth over the past few decades, the competition between Air India and IndiGo intensifies. Vistara's merger within Air India and the significant aircraft orders position the combined entity as a formidable player, while IndiGo's ambitious expansion plans and international focus set the stage for a competitive future, analyses
"We Aim to Bridge the Training Gap in Indian Aviation"
In a candid conversation with CRUISING HEIGHTS, KHUSHBEG JATTANA, General Manager India of Simaero, discusses the strategic timing of Simaero's entry into the Indian aviation market. He addresses the challenges posed by existing pilot training programmes from major airlines like Air India and IndiGo, and elaborates on Simaero's plans to complement these efforts with state-of-the-art training solutions. Jattana also sheds light on the potential growth in the South Asian region and the company's vision for the future.
POWERING UP
Urban Air Mobility providers are accelerating their eVTOL development programmes, reports
Transforming Air Traffic Control Training: CAE's Cutting-Edge Approach
In this interview, MARIE-CHRISTINE CLOUTIER, CAE's Vice-President of Performance, Strategy, and Marketing, discusses CAE's air traffic control training program. Highlighting strategic partnerships, advanced technologies, and global initiatives, the interview reveals how CAE addresses the growing demand for skilled air traffic controllers and flight service specialists. From their dedicated Montreal facility to expanding efforts across the globe, CAE is committed to providing tailored, state-of-the-art training solutions for the aviation industry's future.
POWERING A GREEN FUTURE
FIA 2024 witnessed a growing order book for aircraft engine manufacturers and provided important insights into the development of sustainable powerplants.
