<ul><li>Travel focussed cards come with welcome benefits, which in most cases is with more than the joining fees. </li><li>The reward program is such that you can redeem it for airline tickets etc. </li><li>Complimentary lounge access at airports is a key focus point for travellers. </li></ul>Spending on travel makes you richer, as the saying goes. It helps one expand perspective, learn new things, live unique experiences and get cultural exposure by meeting new people. If you are a frequent traveller, be to for work or because you are bitten by wanderlust, there are <keyword id="6387037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-cards" source="Orion">credit cards</keyword> designed exclusively for you. These come with various exciting features and rewards on every travel spend and include redeeming points for air tickets, complimentary lounge access and priority check-in. We look at five <keyword id="13294859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel-credit-cards" source="Orion">travel credit cards</keyword> for the wanderlust in you. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="subhead" text="Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card">Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card</cmsannotation> The complimentary premium economy ticket on joining makes it worthwhile. Also, the annual fees are waived off if you spend ₹60,000 in the first 90 days. The Club Vistara (CV) points that you collect when you spend on the card can be redeemed for upgrades and flights, plus you get bonus points on milestone spends. There is also complimentary lounge access thrown in. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="subhead" text="Club Vistara SBI Credit Card">Club Vistara SBI Credit Card</cmsannotation> Here too, the complimentary economy class ticket is worth more than the joining fee. The milestone benefits are quite attractive too. If you spend ₹50,000 within 90 days of card issuance, you get 1,000 bonus CV points. Also you can get one economy class ticket each on annual spends of ₹1.25 lakhs, ₹2.5 lakhs and ₹5 lakhs. Plus, there is an insurance cover that covers 4 trip cancellations a year, each worth up to ₹3,500. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="suhead" text="Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card">Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card</cmsannotation> This one is not just a travel credit card, but a premium credit card with benefits across all categories, especially travel, and has an annual fee of ₹10,000. While the complimentary domestic ticket as a welcome gift is a good idea, the eight complimentary end-to-end concierge services at domestic airports is worth it. While there is unlimited access to select lounges in India, you can also access unlimited international lounge visits with 8 additional guest visits. Further, there are also benefits under the lifestyle, entertainment, and health, and wellness category, The annual fee is waived off for a spend of ₹15 lakh in the preceding year. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="subhead" text="American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card">American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card</cmsannotation> With this credit card, one can earn one membership point for every ₹50 spent, except on fuel, utilities, and some other expenses. Their membership rewards catalogue offers a wide range of options to redeem your points on entertainment, travel, dining, and products including electronics, apparel, and home essentials. One can redeem points of higher value to get a Taj Stay voucher. The user can also get a complimentary standard priority pass membership which gives access to airport lounges all across the world, but one needs to pay a small fee every time the user accesses a lounge. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="sunhead" text="InterMiles HDFC Platinum Credit Card">InterMiles HDFC Platinum Credit Card</cmsannotation> This comes with a low joining fee of ₹1,000 which can be redeemed by spending ₹2.5 lakh in a year, but as a welcome bonus, one gets 3,000 bonus Intermiles which can be redeemed for flight tickets. One can also earn Intermiles on spends. However, they can be redeemed only on the Intermiles website. There are other benefits on dining, and a fuel surcharge waiver. One also needs to understand their own requirements before choosing a card. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Welcome benefits </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Joining/Annual fees </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Reward Program </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Lounge access </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Complimentary premium economy class ticket voucher </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4 CV points for every ₹200 spent which can be redeemed for upgrades, and flights </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, 2 complimentary lounge access per quarter </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Club Vistara SBI Credit Card </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Economy class ticket as e-gift voucher </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,499 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3 CV points for every ₹300 spent </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4 complimentary visits per year to domestic airport lounges (subject to a max of 1 per quarter) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Complimentary domestic flight ticket and a Tata CLiQ voucher worth ₹1,0000 as your annual benefit. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹10,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">25,000 EDGE REWARDS Points worth ₹5,000 on monthly spends of ₹1Lakh. 5X EDGE REWARDS on travel spends via TRAVEL EDGE. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Unlimited domestic and internaitonal lounge visits </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Welcome gift of 10,000 membership rewards points redeemable for Flipkart vouchers, or Pay with points option in Amex Travel Online worth ₹3,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,500 Annual fees: ₹5,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Earn 1 membership rewards point for every ₹50 spent </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8 complimentary visits per year (limited to two complimentary visit per quarter) to airport lounges across India. Complimentary Priority Pass membership with fees waived off </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3,000 bonus InterMiles </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Earn 4 InterMiles on every ₹150 spent on retail spends and 8 InterMiles on every ₹150 spent on every flight ticket and hotel booked on https://flights.intermiles.com </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8 complimentary visits per year (2 per quarter) when one travels </td></tr></tbody></table>

Five travel credit cards to consider if bitten by the wanderlust bug

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> will require more than 6,500 pilots to operate 470 aircraft that are to be supplied by <keyword id="6356166" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airbus" source="Orion">Airbus</keyword> and <keyword id="6357957" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="boeing" source="Orion">Boeing</keyword> in the coming years, according to industry sources. Seeking to expand its fleet as well as operations, the airline has placed orders for acquiring a total of 840 aircraft that includes an option to buy 370 planes. This is one of the largest aircraft orders by any airline. Currently, Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has around 1,600 pilots to operate its 113 aircraft fleet and in recent times, there have been instances of ultra-long-haul flights getting cancelled or delayed due to a shortage of crew. The airline's two subsidiaries -- <keyword id="6378232" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="air-india-express" source="Orion">Air India Express</keyword> and <keyword id="1583080" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airasia-india" source="Orion">AirAsia India</keyword> -- together have around 850 pilots for flying their 54 planes while the joint venture Vistara has more than 600 pilots. The latter has a fleet of 53 aircraft, one of the sources told PTI. Air India, Air India Express, Vistara and AirAsia India together have a little over 3,000 pilots to operate the combined fleet of 220 aircraft. The latest Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. "Air India is taking these 40 A350 majorly for its ultra-long-haul routes or flights which last over 16 hours. The airline will require 30 pilots -- 15 commanders and 15 first officers -- per aircraft, which means some 1,200 pilots for A350s alone," the source in the know said. According to the source, 26 pilots are required for one Boeing 777. If the airline inducts 10 such planes, it will require 260 pilots while 20 Boeing 787 will require some 400 pilots considering that each such aircraft needs 20 pilots -- 10 commanders and 10 first officers. Taken together, the induction of 30 wide-body Boeing planes will require a total of 660 pilots, the sources said. On average, each narrow-body plane, whether it is the Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737 Max, requires 12 pilots, implying that 400 such planes in the fleet will require not less than 4,800 pilots for their operations. On Thursday, Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Agarwal in a Linkedin post said "the order comprises 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade". According to Air India's former Commercial Director Pankaj Shrivastava, enough opportunities have to be created for the <keyword id="646408" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="commercial-pilots-licence" source="Orion">Commercial Pilots Licence</keyword> (CPL) holders to get them to type rating. Type ratings are a particular training that makes a pilot qualify to operate a particular type of aircraft. "Air India would definitely have some plan in place. They would not be buying these planes to put them on the ground," he said. These aircraft are not going to be inducted tomorrow but over a period of time. During that period, Shrivastava said that he was confident that Boeing and Airbus along with Air India will be able to create a large enough pool of pilots by having in place the required number of flight simulators and pilots training. Air India earlier this year announced its plans to set up a training academy, which is a new initiative for the <keyword id="6355725" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata-group" source="Orion">Tata Group</keyword>. The academy, being headed by AirAsia India's former CEO Sunil Bhaskaran, will rival the biggest and the best anywhere in the world, Air India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson had said. "Over the coming years, the ambitious new Air India and aviation industry generally will require thousands of home-grown pilots, engineers, cabin crew, airport managers and other function specialists. As India's flagship airline, we have the need and duty to develop this talent," he had said earlier. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/m-night-shyamalan-announces-next-film-signs-multi-year-deal-with-warner-bros/articleshow/98003388.cms">M. Night Shyamalan announces next film, signs multi-year deal with Warner Bros</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/bcci-chief-selector-chetan-sharma-resigns-as-per-sources/articleshow/98003169.cms">BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma resigns, as per sources</a>

Air India will require more than 6,500 pilots for 470 planes

New Delhi, Dec 12 () The civil aviation ministry on Thursday said movement of passengers at Dibrugarh airport in Assam has been disrupted due to blockage of road transportation to and from the aerodrome.
The stranded passengers have been evacuated in a phased manner, the ministry said in a series of tweets.
"In consultation with stakeholders, air operations to and from the airport shall resume as soon as the situation improves," it said.
On Thursday, airlines cancelled flights to various places in Assam, which are witnessing unrest due to protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB).
The ministry also said the temporary suspension of operations on Thursday is being closely monitored.
"The movement of passengers at Dibrugarh airport is disrupted due to the blockage of road transportation to and from the airport. The officials have extended all amenities to the stranded passengers with the help of local administration," the ministry said.
IndiGo, Air India, GoAir, SpiceJet and Vistara have cancelled their flights.
In a tweet, Vistara said it has cancelled flights "as per government advice due to current disturbances in Assam".
"Flight UK725 (IXB-DIB) and UK726 (DIB-IXB) are cancelled for today. We are offering free change/cancellation to Guwahati and Dibrugarh flights through Sunday, December 15," it said.
IXB and DIB are the codes for Bagdogra (West Bengal) and Dibrugarh airports. RAM RAM BAL
BAL

Stranded passengers at Dibrugarh airport evacuated in phased manner, says civil aviation ministry

New Delhi/ Mumbai, Mar 12 () Hundreds of cancelled flights, decline in daily ticket bookings, fall in footfalls at airport shops and spike in expenses continue to rattle the country's aviation space as airlines, with weakened financials, and airport operators grapple with coronavirus headwinds.With mounting travel restrictions across the world, including in India, the tailwind of sharp plunge in crude oil prices seems to fade in the background of excess seat and fleet capacity in the airline industry, according to experts.More than 490 flights operated by foreign carriers to and from India have been cancelled for varying periods of time while the count of weekly flights cancelled by domestic airlines is more than 90, as per official data. The number of cancelled flights on international routes is expected to rise as India has also suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15 as part of efforts to curb spreading of coronavirus infections.Data shared by aviation consultancy CAPA showed that capacity or the number of seats available weekly on various international flight routes connecting India has significantly come down for the week that started on March 9 compared to the situation in December last year. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the number of international passengers arriving at the country's airports has come down to around 62,000 per day from 70,000 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.According to him, the count might further come down to around 40,000 following the travel advisory issued on Wednesday. There are 30 international airports in the country. From being "nimble in approach" to adverse impact on quarterly earnings, domestic carriers have already flagged their concerns about coronavirus impact on their businesses. The Association of Private Airport Operators (APAO) has flagged various problems in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, including that of "less sales at the Food and Beverage, and retail outlets" at aerodromes. In a letter to the civil aviation ministry on Wednesday, the grouping also said airport operators are now required to significantly beef up manpower deployment as well as make expenditure on items like masks, sanitisers and floor cleaners, in order to ensure compliance with various government advisories. Further, APAO has sought approval for "levying of a nominal passenger facilitation charge as part of airline fares to cover increased operating expenses being incurred by the operators", as per the letter. It has also sought provisioning of an "airport operator alleviation package by AERA to facilitate the growing operational expenses". Regulator AERA fixes tariffs for certain categories of airports. Referring to the government's decision to suspend visas from March 13 till April 15, CAPA said the ban would cripple the aviation industry with very serious impact on airlines with weaker balance sheet. Overall, it would be a "serious blow" to the aviation industry, CAPA CEO (South Asia) Kapil Kaul told .Peak travel period, which generally starts from April, would be impacted. A senior airline industry official said domestic air traffic might start increasing as the people who had planned their vacations abroad could visit domestic destinations. Full service carrier Vistara, on Thursday, said business on some of its international and domestic routes has been impacted by coronavirus outbreak. "At Vistara, we are reviewing the situation everyday and remain nimble in our approach," an airline spokesperson said. On Wednesday, the country's largest airline IndiGo said it was expecting quarterly earnings to be adversely impacted as daily bookings have declined 15-20 per cent in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The airline has also suspended Staff Leisure Travel (SLT) to certain countries, including China, Singapore and Hong Kong. SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said the aviation sector is under a lot of pressure but that was "temporary". "SpiceJet is far better placed than many others to weather this turbulence. I firmly believe that this is an opportunity for SpiceJet, for the government and the aviation ecosystem to create more efficient and viable structures for the growth that lies ahead. "... the Indian aviation market and especially our domestic market has immense potential and will remain amongst the fastest growing in the world," he said on Thursday. On the positive, an airline official said excess international capacity can be redeployed on domestic routes and that fall in oil prices, which account for around 40 per cent of operational costs, is a silver lining. IAS RAM ANUANU

Coronavirus headwinds rattle airlines, airports; lower passenger numbers, restrictions take toll

Mumbai, Mar 17 () The Board of Airlines Representatives in India (BALR) has sought a 30 per cent reduction in aeronautical charges for the next six months as a temporary relief to the industry, which is facing the brunt of "recessionary situation," due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a representation to Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola last week, the foreign airlines body said that the new coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak is adversely impacting the airline industry, and it is under tremendous pressure to survive this storm. Aeronautical charges include those related to route and terminal navigation services. On Monday, Air India Pilot Unions too had urged the government to provide the national carrier financial assistance on similar grounds. "The current situation is causing a lot of concern due to flight cancellations and travel restrictions imposed by various countries, and it is becoming difficult to sustain flight operations, thereby affecting the load factors of all airlines," the body said. Moreover, the passenger numbers have declined considerably, which has badly affected the cash flow of the airlines, it said. "We would, therefore, like to appeal to your office to offer relief measures to the airlines, by means of 30 per cent reduction in aeronautical charges for a period of six months," the airlines representatives said. These charges, if reviewed onwards, will assist the airlines in continuing the existing operations at lower seat tractors, it added. "The DGCA has, in fact, appealed to the airlines to refund to passengers, without deducting cancellation charges. The airlines are in the brunt of a recessionary situation with decrease private demand," the representation added. BALR represents 36 international airlines, including Air France-KLM, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Air India as well as Vistara from India. IAS RAM ANSANS

BALR seeks 30 pc cut in aeronautical charges for next 6 months to survive Covid-19 impact

<ul><li>India is estimated to have nearly 8,000 pilots for over 650 commercial aircraft fleet. </li><li>The growth rate of the commercial aircraft fleet has also led to an increase in the demand for over 28,000 pilots over the next two decades. </li><li>There are over 400 expat pilots in India. </li><li>In the last two years, the hiring of pilots witnessed an 88% rise, as per the data by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA). </li></ul>The shortage of pilots and <keyword id="55080" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cabin-crew">cabin crew</keyword> has been affecting the <keyword id="116284" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-aviation-industry">Indian aviation industry</keyword> for long. This is in spite of having nearly 8,000 pilots over 650 commercial aircraft fleet. But at the rate at which commercial aircraft fleet is growing suggests that the country will need over 28,000 pilots over the next two decades. But there is an existing crunch too, which has attracted 400 expats for the job. While Tata Vistara hired eight expat pilots, Indigo and Go Air have as many as 239 and 64 of them, respectively. Needless to say, but pilots are the most expensive asset of airlines and are paid the highest as compared to airport staff, cabin crew and aircraft engineers. “India is a case where there are many pilots who haven’t found jobs and there are airlines that haven’t found enough pilots. The bridge could well be a finishing school like in other professions,” Ameya Joshi, the founder of NetworkThoughts <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/aviation/goairs-troubles-underscore-the-serious-pilot-shortage-in-indian-aviation-4941231.htm">told</a> CNBC. In the last two years, hiring of pilots witnessed an 88% rise, as per the data by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA). Yet, crew shortages are so bad that they are disrupting flight schedules. In February, IndiGo, India’s largest airline cancelled nearly 70 flights for a week - due to shortage of pilots. On the other hand, Go Air suspended almost 20 flights. <keyword id="8504787" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pilot-hiring">Pilot hiring</keyword> picks up As a response to the dire need, the government has automated the process of issuing<a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1597959#"> Commercial Pilot License</a> — which is expected to benefit over 700 aspiring pilots. As of December 2019, over 2,300 pilots were hired via recruitment exams conducted by the airlines this year — compared to 2,917 recruited in the last two years. IndiGo hired the most number of pilots at 1,088 followed by SpiceJet, Air Asia and Vistara, Businessline <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/pilots-cabin-crew-recruitments-up-by-over-80-as-airlines-expand-operations/article30386833.ece">reported</a>. <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> which is facing its problems like excessive debt and a possible sell-off, is not hiring as much. Adding salt to the wound, the pilots union announced mass resignations after government decided to put up the national carrier on sale. Even as 120 pilots resigned in protest, but it hired merely 21 pilots in 2019 — down from 232 in 2017. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/air-india-stops-giving-tickets-on-credit-to-govt-defaulters/articleshow/72988328.cms">Air India stalls 'tickets on credit' to government departments</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/air-india-invites-applications-to-fill-3-director-level-positions/articleshow/72959206.cms">Air India invites applications to fill 3 director-level positions</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/companies-will-move-from-hiring-to-attracting-in-2020-study/articleshow/73017852.cms">As retaining employees turns difficult, now hiring is more about attracting, says survey</a>

India has made commercial pilot licences faster and easier to beat the shortage in airlines' most-expensive asset

<ul><li>SpiceJet became the third company to wave off rescheduling charges until March 31. </li><li>Coronavirus has infected almost 43 people in India. </li></ul>SpiceJet became the third company in India to wave off rescheduling charges until March 31, amid the mounting fears of coronavirus. Travellers have restricted their holidays to a minimum after an advisory from health ministry. The airlines, in order to support the move and stay away from getting infected are now offering a free change of travel dates till March 31. “We’ve got you covered,” Spicejet said on its Twitter handle. The tweet further added that the people are having second thoughts before travelling in the view of the virus. As a result, the company will not be charging any change fees on existing or new bookings between March 12 to March 31. <div type="twitter" handle="flyspicejet" handlename="SpiceJet" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1186615596105883654/GA2U32_Y_normal.png" favoritecount="17" retweetcount="7" status="https://t.co/RhJH4Znzio" createdat="1583724963000" id="1236858259920883718"></div>

 This came after Indigo announced a similar scheme two days ago and AirAsia followed a day later. <div type="twitter" handle="IndiGo6E" handlename="IndiGo" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1044172604511215616/uUJ06nkr_normal.jpg" favoritecount="131" retweetcount="35" status="#letsindigo. https://t.co/XkpfcVKq9q https://t.co/uydtuhYzlP" createdat="1583579170000" id="1236246757798887424"></div>

 <div type="twitter" handle="AirAsiaIndian" handlename="AirAsia India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1198113290485780480/iYSQej2g_normal.jpg" favoritecount="13" retweetcount="2" status="Dear Guests, Kindly note that we have extended free rescheduling on all our domestic network flights for travel ti… https://t.co/Pq5y2VC9r6" createdat="1583689442000" id="1236709272806801408"></div>

 Coronavirus which has been rapidly spreading in India and has infected almost 43 people in India so far. This was after a lady in Jammu and Kashmir tested positive, today (March 9) morning. Many airlines in India suspended their international flights, as foreign tourists has brought the pandemic into the country. Vistara, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, made “temporary” <a href="https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/02/27/coronavirus-vistara-to-cancel-54-flights/">adjustments</a> to select services in which 20 flights between Delhi and Bangkok, 26 flights between Singapore to Mumbai, and eight flights between Delhi to Singapore will be cancelled in March 2020. Domestic carrier GoAir also temporarily suspended flights to Dammam and certain flights to Bangkok and Phuket sector. Cash-strapped national carrier Air India was also forced to shut its operations to Shanghai and Hong Kong till June 30. It also reduced the frequency of its Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo routes. Coronavirus has not only severely affected the tourism and aviation industry, but also impacted the global economy, and the equity markets across the world are crashing in the fear of a slowdown. The currency and commodity markets have also taken a hit. The ministry of health and family welfare advised Indian citizens to refrain from visiting coronavirus-hit countries like China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and Japan. It has also suspended all visas of citizens from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan.

Spice Jet follows Indigo and Air Asia, waives rescheduling charges amid coronavirus outbreak

<ul><li>Both Jet Airways and <keyword id="6354706" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IndiGo">Indigo</keyword> have said that they won't be submitting bids for the debt-laden national carrier.</li><li>The deal comprises the purchase of a 76% stake in <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> and also includes ₹334 billion of the company's debt. </li><li>If the government doesn't receive any bids by May 14th it will have no choice but to revise the terms of the <keyword id="44532" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Disinvestment">disinvestment</keyword>. </li></ul> The <keyword id="44734" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Government">Indian government</keyword>’s plans to privatise Air India have been dealt a huge setback as both Jet Airways and Indigo have said that they will not be submitting bids for the debt-laden national carrier. It’s been close to a fortnight since the government formally kicked off the disinvestment process by<a href="http://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/PRELIMINARY%20INFORMATION%20MEMORANDUM.pdf"> inviting expressions of interest</a> for a 76% stake in Air India, but there is still no sign of a guaranteed bid. Jet Airways, India’s second-largest domestic airline, was reported to be mulling a joint bid with Air-France KLM and Delta but was likely scared away by the high level of debt it would inherit from the purchase as well as additional deal terms. The company, which is dealing with debt problems of its own, would have been unable to submit an individual bid given its negative net worth. The Indian government has a number of key conditions for the disinvestment process. First, it will retain a 24% stake in Air India. Second, it will offload around ₹334 billion of the carrier’s debt burden of around ₹488 billion (as of March 2017) to the buyer. Third, in order to be eligible, a prospective buyer needs to have a net worth of ₹50 billion and must have reported a net profit thrice in a row in the last five years. If a domestic airline, doesn’t fulfill these requirements it will have to solicit partners for a joint bid and take a stake of 51% or less. Fourth, a prospective buyer has to submit a combined bid for Air India’s domestic and international businesses, its low cost carrier, Air India Express, and a 50% stake in its airport services unit, Air India SATS. Finally, the buyer will not be able to exit its stake for three years, after which it might have to take Air India public through an IPO- a requirement that hinges on a successful turnaround. “Considering the terms of offer in the information memorandum and based on our review, we are not participating in the process,” Jet Airways’ deputy CEO, Amit Agarwal, told media outlets. Similarly, Indigo, India’s largest domestic airline, was said to be preparing a bid with Qatar Airways but the former ruled out a bid last week as the government’s terms of the disinvestment would have required it to bid for Air India’s domestic arm. The airline, which operates seven international routes, was primarily interested in Air India’s international operations as well as Air India Express, but would not have been able to bid for them separately. Indigo’s president Aditya Ghosh cut straight to the point when he said that the company did not have the ability to turn Air India’s fortunes around. So how grim is Air India’s state of affairs? In addition to its mounting debt, the national airline hasn’t reported a profit since 2007, when the Congress government ordered it to merge with another state-backed carrier, Indian Airlines. It made a net loss of nearly ₹58 billion in fiscal 2017. After commanding a near monopoly in India’s aviation market, its market share has shrunk to 12% of domestic flights and 17% of international flights. Furthermore, the airline’s employees stage strikes at regular intervals over the non-payment of salaries, the ticket booking service on its website is beset with glitches and its flights are routinely delayed or cancelled. After bailing the airline out to the tune of ₹300 billion in 2012 as part of a failed turnaround effort, it is clear that the government is out of options. However, the airline isn’t a completely lost cause. It has landing rights and space at a number of major international airports such as London’s Heathrow and New York’s JFK as well as prime spots at India’s domestic airports. It flies to 43 international and 54 domestic locations and operates a fleet of 138 aircrafts, 62% of which it owns outright. Two of its subsidiaries, Air India Express and Air India SATS, are profitable and the deal includes 21.5 acres of hangar space and land at the Delhi and Mumbai airports. So are there any potential bids on the horizon? Both Swiss Aviation Consulting, an advisory firm, and Singapore Airlines, which operates Vistara with Tata Sons, are said to be interested in purchasing a stake in Air India, the former on a larger client’s behalf. However, this is just hearsay at this point. Also, foreign bidders could steer away altogether from a purchase given the prospect of government interference and a 49% cap on foreign ownership. The government has earmarked May 14th as the final date for the submission of expressions of interest. It does not plan to extend this deadline. The names of the qualified bidders will be announced on May 28th. The aviation ministry <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/still-waiting-to-see-if-indigo-bids-for-air-india-government/articleshow/63685125.cms">still has its hopes</a> pinned on a bid from Indigo, although that looks highly unlikely. If the government receives one bid, or worse, none at all, it will have no choice but to revise the terms of the disinvestment. In all probability, it will offer Air India’s businesses for sale on a piecemeal basis and trim down the level of debt that prospective buyers will inherit. The disinvestment of Air India is a major step in the Modi administration’s drive to reform and/or privatise the country’s public-sector institutions. The government will do its best to ensure a sale goes through. At this point, any deal is better than none at all.

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