Even as the cash-starved Air India grapples with a 10-day strike that has cost it over Rs.150 crore and undermined its recovery plans, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has invited journalists to join him and an entourage of officials to travel to the United States to take delivery of the first of the airline's new long-range Boeing 787 jets.
In an e-mail sent to media organisations on Thursday, the Civil Aviation Ministry invited journalists to accompany Mr. Singh on his “visit to Seattle and Charlston, USA, from May 28-31 to get delivery of [Air India's first] B787 Dreamliner.” “[T]ravel, accommodation, etc., will be taken care of by us,” the e-mail states.
The invitation came hours after the release of official figures which showed that Air India's market share had declined sharply to 17.6 per cent, making it only India's fourth largest airline measured by passengers carried, ahead only of Go Air with 7.3 per cent and Kingfisher 5.4 per cent.
The figures showed that 5.4 per cent of Air India flights were cancelled in April — the highest among all Indian airlines — in a month when it did not face industrial action.
On Wednesday, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee signalled growing concern at the prospects of the economy — key to the airline's hopes of better times — by announcing he was “going to issue some sort of austerity measures.”
Ironically, the aircraft Mr. Singh is planning to receive has sparked the ongoing strike in Air India. Pilots who worked for the airline prior to its merger with Indian Airlines say they alone should be retrained to fly the jet, as allowing pilots from the erstwhile sister-carrier would jeopardise their career prospects.
In April, Mr. Singh announced approval for a turnaround plan for the airline, saying it was the national carrier's “last chance.” The government gave a Rs.30,000-crore bailout to Air India, in return for its committing itself to meeting specified performance parameters. The bailout was won after the airline registered annual losses of over Rs.7,000 crore, leading to a situation where it could no longer afford to pay staff salaries.
Like other corporate entities, Air India sometimes invites journalists for expenses-paid visits, meant to gather positive publicity for its services.
Earlier, several journalists were flown to the U.S. when Air India's low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, purchased several Boeing 787-800 aircraft for use on its Gulf routes.
However, the scale and timing of Mr. Singh's trip, coming as it does at a time the airline is cash-strapped, have raised eyebrows even within his Ministry. “The Dreamliner is going to come to India from the U.S. anyway,” a senior official at the Ministry said, “so I cannot understand what need there is for anyone to go there to welcome it into the fleet, especially at a time Air India is surviving hand to mouth.”
The Ministry did not respond to queries from The Hindu why Mr. Singh needed to travel to New York and whether it was appropriate to spend public money on the jamboree.
Keywords: Air India, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, Air India pilots' strike, Boeing 787 jets, bailout package, Dreamliner
In our country all our ministers except two or three enjoy spending public money for luxury and show. How can a minister think of going to U S A with journalists and a retinue of officials just to take over the Boeing when the Air India incurs a loss of Rs 7000 crores ? Can we call such ministers patriots ?
I amazed at the way Govt of India keeps spending public money. Air India strike is now14 days old and there is no sight of solution. Our Govt is not bothered what happens to the passengers. Probably we see so many INAGURATIONS only in India. A new train has to be flagged off by a minister,(as if the train can not run if not flagged off by him) a road bridge has to be declared open,a new flight has to be inagurated, Inter or any other exam results have to be declared by the minister by releasing the CD. I really do not understand the need for all these. God help India
Merging the two airlines never made sense in the first place. Mergers
and demergers of have gained nothing for either airline and only
contributed to their decline. No one in Government had the good sense
to listen to the Tatas when they were keen to modernise Air-India
(which incidentally the Tata group had run in its heyday). Instead,
according to recent revelations by Ratan Tata, former Chairman Tata
group chairman, was asked by unknown highly placed persons to furnish a
bribe of 15 crores to clear TATA participation in running an airline!
How can any business survive lackluster management, demoralized
employees, greedy politicians? Only in India, because poor taxpayers
have ZERO voice in how their taxes are spent!!
I was under the impression that all foreign trips by ministers will have to be approved by Prime Minister. I am surprised to find that PM has approved such futile trips wasting tax payers money particularly when the airline is going thro' a tough time.
Kris
all the comments speak for themselves. Hindu always does a superb job
and am sure at least their journalists will not be a party even though
all the media persons should point out to the stupidity of the Govt. At
least some MPs (even from the opposition) should rise and raise to show
that they are alive and sane (to the problem).
Media personnel are in race for securing their seat in this fam trip,
organised with our hard earned money. Sources says that all aviation correspondents of all top media houses are running around ministry and
air india officials to secure their seat in this fam trip.
Don't blame the minister.we donot know how long he is going to be there.Let him enjoy when he can. If the media is so conscientious of the free trip and other goodies, let them keep out of the trip and let only the minister and his babus enjoy in peace.
All right thinking people would not only laugh at it but would also be pained because it is the tax payers money that is lavishly spend on such jaunts. I am surprised that the Minister for Civil Aviation has been unmindful of prevailing conditions. I am happy that at least The Hindu has questioned his wisdom. But it is also a fact that there would be a mad race for getting one's name included. It is high time that the Media friends should openly criticise and should not be a party to it. I am sorry to say that the people do not hold Media above board.
Air India is supposed to be a national airline. Now with the minister and the boys taking a trip abroad when AI is losing money every day, Air India has turned into a national shame! Better wind up the airline.
Firstly, before jumping to the argument that tax payer's money is wasted, we do not know yet who is footing the bill. It is possible that Boeing may sponspor the expenses as a goodwill gesture. Many major corporations do this regularly.
Secondly, this does not have anything to do with the reckless strike that pilots are currently hoisting. The event may have been planned months before and there is nothing wrong in sticking to a schedule. The ministry doesn't have to bend because few pilots think they can protest and get the exclusive rights. Careers are always made by merits and not protests. Thirdly, quoting a senior official in the ministry without a name (and we may never know if he/she has an agenda) is at best selective.
As few readers pointed out earlier, "The Hindu" should seperate News from Opinion. In this case, the writing appears to be thoroughly biased and doesn't even attempt to provide any form of contrasting viewpoints as any good opinion piece should have.
One side AI is cancelling most of the flights from London to India as
the pilots are off sick . One of my friend who booked ticket in AI has
been cancelled which they have not even informed him.He has to travel
back in 2 days as his VISA is expiring and no seats available in other
airlines as all of them are booked already.He is literally in trouble
and the other side,minister is doing show off to foreign countries.Fate
of our country
i hope Mr Ajit Singh reads the comments on the proposed extravaganza that
he plans to organize. It is one thing to talk about austerity ( as the FM
recently said) and quite another to practise it When will the mandarins in
the Ministry concerned really show their commitment to bring AI back to
the glory days of yore? today they appear to be determined to make the
future as gory as possible.
O my media friends. It has become customary to abuse Air India, come what may! They have been puppet in the hands of the 'babus'. They have been merged to make way for others, they have been stripped and looted whenever someone required anything - be it changing type of aircraft to accommodate their family or keeping their aircraft standby for VVIP movements by cancelling scheduled flights. You cant do anything to that class, why always make this airline a scapegoat!
Try to return something by praising the new aircraft!! Then the Indians might get enthused.
It is said Pakistanis for PIA, Bangladeshis for Biman, Thai nationals for Thai Airways, Germans for Lufthansa ...we believe in 'foreign' stuffs come what may. They are always better. O the Lord Britishers come back...nothing has changed. We are still at your service. The nation was never ours, never will be.
This is a great example of a legal money laundering case. The Civil Aviation Ministry clearly reveals the shameless and carefree attitude through this celebration programme. An entire waste of Public money!!!
Rather than wasting 30000 crores on a sinking airline, the govt should spend this money on infrstructure projects, opening more schools and colleges and improving the lot of the downtroden. Air India should be privatised before it becomes any worse and the government should get out of the services industry altogether.
By his tough handling of the foolish & suicidal strike by the arrogant,selfish pilots Ajit Singh had won the respect & admiration from the public.But with this equally foolish & idiotic act he has lost it.I am sure most of the journalists will also accompany him as theyare also equally shameless.I dont know with what moralauthority they can critiocise the acts of the politicians.Good that at least Hindu has maintained its jouralistic ethics.I hope none of your JOURNALTSTS accompany the minister in this pleasure jaunt atthe cost of the tax payers money
And the Finance Minister threatens about "austerity" measures to the people from another podium! What a great idea Mantriji when the paying AI passenges have been left in the lurch due to your pilots' strike.
And the Finance Minister threatens "austerity" to the people measures from another podium! What a great idea Mantriji when the paying AI passenges have been left in the lurch due to your pilots' strike.
Dog biting dog is no more news . Frankly, nothing new in this story. Taking media people by the PM or president or pressmen going for jaunts organised by corporate or airlines taking journalists for a ride are all part of the profession now. I can give the names of journalists and editors and past-editors who have availed of this
Ideally, the newspaper managements should pay for these free trips. How many newspaper managements will do that? Anyway, in this case Ajit Singh is going to travel by a special aircraft and what difference it makes how many people are accompanying. The real people who looted Air India are very much in the govt in different ministries and they should be made answerable. If you can expose them, that will be the real story.
Union civil aviation minister is acting absurd by arranging a glorified procession to bring Dreamliner for first time to India at a time When AI is troubled with crisis. His deeds look fatuous and it seems that he has lost his mental equilibrium.
Air India crisis has become a farce for union civil aviation Minister. Mocking the financial state of the national carrier Ajit Singh planned a grand trip to bring the first Dreamliner to India. Hope someone will question him about the sanity of this act.
Will this sort of extravagance be avoided under austerity measures as
have been proposed my Pranabda?
Amidst the headlines like Air India domestic slips to No.4, AI gets a bailout from govt. Union Civil Aviation minister plans a Maharaja-style trip to US. How can this act be justified for Ajit Singh when the national carrier is in deep trouble?
This is the problem of media and some people. I do not see anything wrong as 787 is a watershed event for Air India so nothing wrong in having a bit of a show. But what needs to be done is not to worry about pennies but seek avenues to make pounds so that can take care of pennies. AI last month had 70% seat factor which needs to improve. Most top airlines have seat factors in high 70s or even 80s. In short 30% seats perished with no revenue to the airline.
In short Air India need to re-look at their market research, strategies, planning and tactics to increase revenue base. After all SQ,MH,EK,QR live on Indian traffic both ways.
To change the way you do business change the way you adopt strategies
Instead of floating a carrier that is not only loss making but has poor management and frequent government interference, the public money should be used for other developments like improvements in agricultural sector, better roads and railways as well as city transport in some of the megacities. Government has no right to spend public money lavishly. These are the double standards played by aviation ministry. On one hand they say that they are striving for a turnaround and on another hand, they are throwing a grand reception for Dreamliner. There is nothing big in having a dreamliner. Its a child's play as compared to A380. The Maharaja can never dream of owning an A380, let alone standing on its own feet considering current scenario.
I urge the media houses not to fall prey to this bait and instead do some serious research to point out flaws in this mis-management. God knows another scam of the order of 2G or Commonwealth is awaiting to break.
Of all the newspapers in India I only read the min Topics as presented by the Hindu For fairness and truthfulness.Besides the junket I really would like to know as to whether our most honourable parliamentarians take a cut of say 50% in their pay packets and perks besides traveling like ordinary citizens? I consider them as wasters of national wealth while people are suffering from high inflation unable to meet both ends. Ganesh.
Our Air India Pilots think they are the "Duulhas" or "The Maharajas"
of Indian Skies. The Common Man is concerned about our money going in
bailing out Air India which he rarely uses! How inconvenient it is for
people booked on Air India, does anyone care? Our so called Management
Experts & Babus are "Failures" hampering the airlines reputation. Why should the taxpayers money be used to bail out this sinking airline? To massage the Pilots ego? Sack them, hire a new team! Use our money to bail out Indian Railways, the real pulse of India. It matters to us if the Railways shut shop. Our Govt. is more concerned about Cartoons made over 50 years ago than worried about the sinking Rupee! We see 22-26 carriages in a long distance train, why is there no Doctor or Mobile Clinic on board in Indian Railways? Is this not a National News? I think there should be a "Passenger Union" and everyone should recommend to the Govt. to take strictest action against these so-called-sick Pilots. How sick!!!
In a word, It's a slap on Indian Govt's face, which speaks and always
speaks about subsidy and public spending. Good Story.. applause for The
Hindu
It is great to see a paper like "The Hindu" coming out with the kind of loot of the public exchequer by the Nethas & Babus in various kinds of Tamashas. The latest one is to lure the Media to silence them from criticizing. Will the Media take the bait? Hope "The Hindu" does not fall a prey but report who went along and sing the praise of these looters.
Terms like Deficit, growth etc have been suitably modified by mANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS TO SUIT THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER
A very fine looting of tax payer's money by the Honble Civil aviation minister. In countries like Greece, Spain or Italy who are all in crisis due to the wrong policies of their Govt, the common has to adopt all possible austerity measures like cutting down even a square meal whereas ministers and bureaucrats will be a perpetual royal life at the expense of tax payer's money. If good sense prevails the minister concerned should start austerity measures by not making this trip.
Many of the scandals are reported after the events, and there is no way
to recuperate the loss. Thanks to the proactive journalism by The Hindu,
I am sure the proposed event is going to be cancelled. Of course, many
in the media will surely curse The Hindu for aborting a nice free
foreign trip.
Who cares when your own money is not involved in to it? This situation will not change till we Indians come forward to take an answer of every penny spend ourselves and not through the elected representatives who are just fighting with each other to have a bigger piece of the billions coming in the form of public money. I believe this nation will also arise when we will realize that our children will not be able to survive in this country and by then it will be too late...
We should feel ashamed for this bustle.Journalists who have to lighten the darker side to the world joined them too is really disappointing.
The Minister makes a statement outside the parliament that he wants to
privatize National carrier in the third house of Indian parliament television studios. Today he calls for a government sponsored tour to U.S.A. that could be making insult to the injury for the cash ridden Air India. The mandate of the Minister to consult cabinet before making announcement on policy decisions.I think he neither accountable to parliament nor to the cabinet.
How about inviting some of the stranded passengers instead? I mean, those who were stranded because of the strike and other official nonsense from Air India? If any political party puts it on their mandate to shut down enterprises like Air India, my vote is for that party.
I don't think anyone should be surprised by the Civil Aviation Minister's invitation. Look at the situation from his point of view. He is having to handle all the hassles he inherited in the ministry since the very first day. He needs a break. But he also does not want to be castigated for this pleasure trip in such an inappropriate time and that's why he has invited a battery of media outlets to portray this travel in a positive light. As far as individual sense of correctness is concerned, don't expect that from today's politicians. All they are there to do is feather their own nest. The Hindu appears to be seriously concerned about the waste of money this trip will entail so it must not join the group if invited and launch protest to dissuade others. Accompanying entourage of journalists will certainly lend credibility to this useless visit that the minister desperately needs.
It is an great example of how effectively our PSUs are being managed and Air India find its place on top. Actually no one is interested in revival of Air India neither Politicians neither Bureaucrats neither Air India officials . Politicians are happy just giving the bail out packages and getting away from taking responsibility. And why they need to worry if the come again they will again announce other package or if they wont come they will make noise in opposition. Bureaucrats are happy that it wouldn't be matter how they are managing at least they are getting their free foreign trips. whose money will be paid by bailout packages & the pilots understand that they can do whatever they want they aren't going to loose their high paying job. I wish its future would not to be similar with Kingfishar .
Journalists- with no exception- should not be a party to this stupid multimillion rupeees extravaganza. All leading newspapers like The Hindu should immediately appeal to their fraternity, who have been, inspired by a sense of national concern, writing about Air India's terminally sick condition, to not only boycot the proposed trip and save their professional honour but also hit hard through a widly published protest note, to bring back their senses to the modern day Neros, who are the brains behind this nonsensical tour programme. Knowing the PM's helplessness with the ever ready alibi of 'coalition compulsions', one cannot hope that he will say a firm 'NO' to this proposal.
Such an apathy can only be expected from our Ministers. Public money is wasted like their own property. Hope we all understand the basic finance, if we are not able to meet our basic needs, then how can we spend good amount of money on extravagance...Sad but we have to live with our current ministers with no shame and sacrifice.....
Journalists- with no exception- should not be a party to this stupid multimillion rupeees extravaganza. All leading newspapers like The Hindu should immediately appeal to their fraternity, who have been, inspired by a sense of national concern, writing about Air India's terminally sick condition, to not only boycot the proposed trip and save their professional honour but also hit hard through a widly published protest note, to bring back their senses to the modern day Neros, who are the brains behind this nonsensical tour programme. Knowing the PM's helplessness with the ever ready alibi of 'coalition compulsions', one cannot hope that he will say a firm 'NO' this proposal.
We Indians have no shame and can be likened to beggars. Whether one is a
politician or a journalist, anything free is welcomed with open arms. I
felt that the Press should for once have boycotted this junket. Now we
will read in the few months to come, how Air India has turned the
corner..
So far Mr.Ajit singh has handled the strike well and has got respect
from the public. Hope he does not lose this by his proposed jumburee
to get the big bird!!
Ajit will have to do some pooja there to make the dreamliner fly safe; infact these experts going to Seattle would inspect the production facility and to suggest some changes in the system to improve product standard which will also enhance the fuel efficiency of the plane. By doing this, the Boeing is going to offer some free planes to India. Great savings! Austerity begins here!
The junket has to be planned after the pilots return from strike, otherwise we may not have any pilot available to take the minister, his family and journalists to Seattle. Enjoy Ajit, the airline belongs to you and your family.
This Government is frozen in ice. It cannot take any bold steps because
of coalition politics. If the Center can explain to TMC how selling Air
India helps ma, maati and manush, she may allow it to be sold.
Free foreign trips, luxurious stay and expensive presents on tax payer's money. What else could be the reason for patels and singhs to become civil avaition minister. It is high time govt get out of running air line, bus service, hotel business. It is a shame and market spoiler when govt servie standards are so low. How will the overall standard inprove? It is not the duty of govt to get into business like paan, beedi and cucumber sales on road side. Leave it to the private sector. Formulating and directing the overall guidelines of service standard and planning infrastructure is hand full for a civil aviation minister. Air India is begging 30000 crores for paying salary but can waste money for this.... Thank you Hindu for bringing out this news of extravagance.
The Civil Aviation Minister has a lot of explaining to do. Firstly, where was the need to organise this pleasure trip to Seattle? Why is he going to take delivery of this new aircraft? Is he technically qualified?
Secondly, where's the need to go in for this Boeing 787 Dreamliner when the very survival of Air India is a bad dream? Finally, who's to foot the bill for this pleasure trip for the journos, Mr Ajit Singh?
Given the situation the airlines is in now, it sounds rather stupid for
a high ranking person to make such a decision. This shows the attitude
of people at the top who do not actually care for the work they do.
Nice article! Why is the minister have to be present in Seattle to receive the plane(s)? Why not the head of AI or someone else? In India, nothing gets inaugurated without the presence of a minister? Why is that? The babugiri is still dominating India after 60 years of independence!
Nice public alerting article. But will this stop? a BIG NO.All the politicians were pulling from tax payers money and will do it if there is no money and become like zimbabwe!!!
Sad no amount of wise counselling can help Govt to operate AirIndia with profits; Minister has own agenda and plan; tries to appease media to gain "support" -pity; why not close it down if you cannot run it properly and show profits; several crores of tax payer money locked up in its budget which is draining more & more!
Who will help us in crisis like this; None;it is own making eh !
The civil aviation minister, I think, wants to give the message to the agitating pilots that the Govt is ready to bail out Air India on honorable terms to project the image of india and the Ball is now in the court of the agitating pilots to withdraw from their illegal action and hold Consultations with the authorities concerned. In that perspective, there is nothing wrong in Going to Seattle to take delivery of the first vehicle. If the agitators are not ready for a change in their mindset, than there is no meaning in the exercise. We do not know whether The Prime minister will give clearance for the proposed trip, if the pilots are not ready for A climb down, which is an absolute must under the present circumstances. This is not the Time for bargaining under pressure , or begging for a short term smooth sail. The agenda Before the minister should be very clear. If he slips, the nation may not forgive him. Let us Watch the outcome.
The first thing any minister looks at it is how to make trip abroad. Then how to make more money in any deal for them selves and how to enjoy at the cost of public exchequer. There is no sensitivity on the issue that the company is already loosing heavily and the expanses which can be avoided should be done away with. No, our ministers are very insensitive and it is not their responsibility what happens to the department under their control because they are not sure how long they remain there. Any way the airline is bleeding, some more may not make any difference.
Ajit singh dont want to lose a chance to travel to US which he can not
get in future for sure .So best time is this to enjoy on taxpayers
money.
As long as they are flying in Air India, I don't mind - They are going to occupy the seats, which will go unfilled otherwise.
Everything looks like stage managed. I am not sure how the journalist can question without alter motive when they take a free trip & free goodies from the same minister,ministry and the Government. We citizens and the consumers of the media believed in journalist to keep us informed are ill-served.
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