Air India to temporarily reduce flights on some US routes: CEO

Air India will temporarily reduce the frequency of flights on certain US routes because of crew shortage issues.

This information was given by the airline’s CEO and MD, Campbell Wilson while speaking at the CAPA India Summit in New Delhi on Monday (March 20).

He also added the airline will have 100 pilots for Boeing 777 planes in three months as they are being “activated”. Moreover, around 1,400 cabin crew are in training. In recent months, there have been instances of some long haul flights getting impacted due to crew shortage issues, he said.

Further, Wilson said frequencies will be reduced on some US routes due to these crew shortage issues. The airline has a staff strength of around 11,000 people, including flying and non-flying employees.

Also read: Air India’s mega aircraft order could change India’s aviation dynamics

“There is a lot happening,” he said, adding that the airline is shrinking and growing now. The Tata Group took control of loss-making Air India along with Air India Express and 50 per cent stake in AIATSL in January 2022.

Air India has put in place a road map under Vihaan.AI for transformation over a five-year period and has taken various measures, including committing US$400 million to refurbish the interiors of its entire wide-body fleet.

Also read: Air India will need more than 6,500 pilots for 470 planes in coming years

Last month, the airline announced that it had placed orders for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, including 70 wide-body planes. Out of the total, 250 will be from Airbus and 220 from Boeing. There is also an option to purchase additional 370 aircraft from the two plane makers.

Besides, the merger of AirAsia India, rebranded as AIX Connect, with Air India Express as well as the merger of Vistara with the airline have been initiated.