The govt is actively weighing the option to sell loss making Air India in parts, as Finance minister Arun Jaitley-led panel is looking to fast track the process in a manner that could make the debt laden company more attractive, a top govt official said. Sale of debt-Laden Air India's 6 subsidiaries could help the firm reduce some of its nearly INR500b of debt. "Selling Air India in parts could help the company attract more buyers and reduce some debt of the parent company. I do not think anyone would otherwise buy the entire company that has so much debt. We are looking at the best way to maximise interest in the company," the official, who did not want to be named, said. <br/>
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Sending out a stern message against employees' lapses, Air India chief Rajiv Bansal has said the airline will "act on those who fail to act" in ensuring on-time flights. Taking over the reins of the disinvestment-bound carrier less than 2 weeks ago, Bansal has initiated steps to cut down costs at various levels along with focus on bettering on-time performance, increasing passenger yields and improving customer satisfaction. The airline, which operates nearly 400 flights every day, has been facing flak for delays. "We will affirmatively act to improve our performance and we will act on those who don't act," Bansal said. The chairman and MD of the airline stressed that whatever action is required will be taken with respect to ground handling, crew, in-flight, engineering checking and food supplies, among other aspects. <br/>
The delivery of its sixth Airbus A350 XWB aircraft will enable THAI to strengthen its competitiveness in the airline industry, a THAI VP said. The new aircraft would help improve the airline’s products, Pranee Chandracherd, THAI VP of business development and corporate strategy, said. THAI ordered 12 A350-900 aircraft with 8 of them on lease from US-based CIT. The first THAI A350 XWB arrived in August last year. The other 6 carriers will be delivered by next year. The objective of ordering those new aircraft was to modernise THAI’s fleet by decommissioning older aircraft and replacing them with new ones, Pranee said. The new planes fit the company’s strategy of increasing productivity to support the company’s growth through an increase in flights on popular routes, Pranee said. <br/>
Despite the claim by the management of Ethiopian Airlines that it is in talks with the Nigerian govt on taking over the troubled Arik Air, the receiver of the airline, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has denied the report. AMCON said Monday that it was not aware of any discussion with the East African carrier, insisting that if there were any such discussion, AMCON would be the first to know. Ethiopian Airlines last week told CNN that it had submitted a formal offer to take charge of Arik Air, which accounts for more than half of Nigeria’s air passenger traffic. “We have outlined our terms and conditions to the Nigerian govt and we are waiting to see if they agree,” Esayas Woldemariam, the airline’s managing director of international services, told CNN. <br/>
South African Airways could soon drastically reduce or stop its Eastern Cape flights to try to stay financially viable. Its turnaround strategy has pilots, airports, and local businesses concerned. In a bid to return to financial stability, SAA plans to change the frequency of flights on some of its domestic routes and share its load with other airlines in the SAA Group. Last week the airline said it would be “introducing network changes” on its regional and domestic routes. “The changes are part of the airline’s implementation of its newly developed 5-year corporate plan that seeks to return the company to financial sustainability in the shortest time possible,” it said. “The proposed move has SAA pilots worried. SAA Pilots’ Association chairman Jimmy Conroy said it was in the dark. <br/>