Air India 76913 226176887 2008-07-17T04:36:56Z 58.179.7.222 /* Fleet */ {{Infobox Airline |airline = Air India |logo = AI logo.gif |logo_size = 280 |Image = Airbus A380 blue sky.jpg |IATA = AI |ICAO = AIC |callsign = AIRINDIA |parent = [[National Aviation Company of India Limited]] |company_slogan = "Your Palace in the Sky" |founded = 1932 (as Tata Airlines) |key_people = Raghu Menon, Chairman & Managing Director <br /> Amod Sharma, Director |headquarters = [[Mumbai]], [[India]] |hubs = <div> *[[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] (''primary hub'') *[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] (''secondary hub'') </div> |focus_cities = <div> *[[Ahmedabad]] *[[Amritsar]] *[[London]] *[[New York]] </div> |Transit_Hubs = <div> *[[Frankfurt am Main Airport]] *[[London Heathrow Airport]] *[[Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport]] </div> |frequent_flyer = Flying Returns |lounge = Maharajah Lounge |fleet_size = 38 Passenger + 6 Cargo = 44 (+ 40 on order) |subsidiaries = <div> *[[Air India Express]] *[[Air India Cargo]] *[[Air India Regional]] </div> |destinations = 130 |Mascot = [[Maharaja]] |website = http://home.airindia.in }} '''Air India Limited'''<REF>http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=8032555</ref> ({{lang-hi|'''एअर इंडिया'''}}) is the [[national airline|national]] [[airline]] of [[India]] with a worldwide network of passenger and cargo services. It is part of the [[National Aviation Company of India Limited]] and the only [[Government of India|state]]-owned airline in the country. The company was created with the merger of Air India and [[Indian Airlines]], as well as each carrier's subsidiaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/2007-AI-and-I-merger-attains-official-status.aspx|title=Air India and Indian merger attains official status|publisher=Air India|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-10-27}}</ref> The main base of operations of the airline are [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] in Mumbai and Delhi's [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]. Together with its subsidiaries and related carriers, Air India connects 130 international and domestic destinations around the world and includes 12 gateways in India with [[Air India Express]], a fully-owned subsidiary of Air India. Air India is expected to formally join [[Star Alliance]] in March 2009.<ref>http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14714477</ref> == History == Air India was founded by [[J. R. D. Tata]] in 1932 as '''Tata Airlines''', a division of Tata Sons Ltd. (now [[Tata Group]]). On [[October 15]], [[1932]], J. R. D. Tata himself flew a single-engined [[De Havilland Puss Moth]] carrying air mail (postal mail of [[Imperial Airways]]) from [[Karachi]]'s Drigh Road Aerodrome to [[Bombay]]'s [[Juhu aerodrome|Juhu Airstrip]] via [[Ahmedabad]]. The aircraft continued to [[Madras]] via [[Bellary]] piloted by former [[Royal Air Force]] pilot [[Nevill Vintcent]]. Following the end of [[World War II]], regular commercial service was restored in India and Tata Airlines became a public limited company on [[29 July]] [[1946]] under the name Air India. In 1948, after the [[Independence of India]], 49% of the airline was acquired by the [[Government of India]], with an option to purchase an additional 2%. In return, the airline was granted status to operate international services from India as the designated [[flag carrier]] under the name ''Air India International''. On [[June 8]], [[1948]] a [[Lockheed Constellation]] L-749A named ''Malabar Princess'' and registered VT-CQP took off from [[Mumbai|Bombay]] bound for [[London]] via [[Cairo]] and [[Geneva]]. This marked the airline's first long-haul international flight, soon followed by service in 1950 to [[Nairobi]] via [[Aden]]. On [[1 August]] [[1953]], the [[Government of India]] exercised its option to purchase a majority stake in the carrier and Air India International Limited was born as one of the fruits of the Air Corporations Act that nationalised the air transportation industry. At the same time all domestic services were transferred to [[Indian Airlines]]. In 1954, the airline took delivery of its first L-1049 [[Lockheed Constellation|Super Constellations]] and inaugurated services to [[Singapore]], [[Bangkok]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Tokyo]]. [[Image:Air India 1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 747-400]] in 1970-2007 livery]] Air India International entered the [[jet age]] in 1960 when its first [[Boeing 707]], named ''Nandadevi'' and registered VT-DJJ, was delivered. Jet services to [[New York]] via [[London]] were inaugurated that same year in May 1960. On [[8 June]] [[1962]], the airline's name was officially truncated to Air India. On [[11 June]] [[1962]] Air India became the world's first all-jet airline. ===Expansion=== In 1970, Air India moved its offices to downtown [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. The next year, the airline took delivery of its first [[Boeing 747]] named ''Emperor Ashoka'' and registered VT-EBD. This coincided with the introduction of the 'Palace In The Sky' livery and branding. A distinctive feature of this livery is the paintwork around each aircraft window, in the cusped arch style of windows in Indian palaces. In 1986 Air India took delivery of the [[Airbus A310]]; the airline is the largest operator of this type in passenger service. In 1988, Air India also took delivery of two [[Boeing 747#747-300|Boeing 747-300s]] in mixed passenger-cargo configuration. In 1989, to supplement its "Flying Palace" livery, Air India introduced a new "sun" [http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0154959&size=L&width=1024&height=696&sok=&photo_nr=] livery that was mostly white but had a golden sun on a red tail. Only applied to around a half of Air India's fleet, the new livery did not succeed, as the Indian flying public complained about the phasing out of the classic colours. The new livery was dropped after two years and the old scheme was returned. Since then, Air India has been hesitant to radically change the paint scheme, instead opting for minor updates and face lifts. [[Image:Mumbai skyline.jpg|thumb| Air India Building (leftmost) in [[Mumbai]]]] In 1993, Air India took delivery of the flagship of its fleet when the first [[Boeing 747-400]] named ''Konark'' and registered VT-ESM made history by operating the first non-stop flight between [[New York]] and [[Delhi]]. In 1994 the airline was registered as Air India Ltd. In 1996, the airline inaugurated service to its second US gateway at [[Chicago]]’s [[O'Hare International Airport]]. In 1999, the airline opened its dedicated Terminal 2-C at the newly renamed [[Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] in [[Mumbai]]. In 2000, Air India introduced new services to [[Shanghai]], as well as to [[Los Angeles]] and [[Newark]]. On May 2004, Air India launched a wholly-owned [[low cost airline]] called [[Air India Express]]. Air India Express has been operating exclusively on [[Persian Gulf]] region routes, as well as to [[Singapore]]. Air India expanded its international routes to include non-stop flights from [[Ahmedabad]]'s [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport]] and also expanded its international operations from Bangalore and Hyderabad. [[Image:Air India Destinations.png|thumb|[[Air India destinations]] with [[Star Alliance]]]] On 8 March 2004, [[International Women's Day]], the airline operated an "All Women Flight" from Mumbai to Singapore.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/03/09/stories/2004030901670400.htm All-women crew on AI]</ref> Captain Rashmi Miranda, who became Air-India's first female Commander in November 2003 and Captain Kshmata Bajpai piloted the flight, an Airbus A310 aircraft. The flight dispatch activities relating to this flight were also coordinated by a female Flight Dispatcher, Vasanti Kolnad. The Safety Audit on board was also conducted by another woman, Harpreet D. Singh. The airline has seventeen female pilots on including five trainee pilots. Air India merged with [[Indian Airlines]] in 2007. The new airline's headquarters remained in [[Mumbai]], and the merger created a combined fleet of 130+ [[Airbus]] and [[Boeing]] aircraft. It also widely expected that [[Alliance Air]] and [[Air India Express]] will also to merge to create the new airline's low-cost arm.<ref>[http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=23657 Air India Express, Alliance Air to merge]</ref> The combined entity has also confirmed that it has gained membership within [[Star Alliance]] and will expand its own network to be one of Asia's largest carriers. The formal announcement was made at the annual Star Alliance meeting on [[13 December]] [[2007]].<ref>http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121656481300.htm Air India joins Star Alliance{{ndash}} The Hindu</ref><ref>http://www.dailyindia.com/show/199544.php/Air-India-to-join-Star-Alliance Air India to join Star Alliance</ref> Air India is set to become a full member of Star Alliance by 2009. == Subsidiaries == [[Image:Air India Express.jpg|thumb|Air India Express (at KLIA, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia)]] Air India has the following subsidiaries: * [[Air India Cargo]], a separate division provides air cargo services with a dedicated fleet. * [[Air India Express]] which operates using IATA code IX * [[Air India Regional]] (formerly known as [[Alliance Air]]) which operates using IATA codes CD == Destinations == {{main|Air India destinations}} Air India by itself serves 49 destinations across [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Europe]] and [[North America]]. For an overview of all destinations covered by the four carriers, see: *{{main|Air India Group destinations}} For a list of destinations served by the other three carriers, see: *{{main|Air India Express}} *{{main|Air India Regional}} *{{main|Indian Airlines destinations}} For freighter destinations, see: {{main|Air India Cargo}} ==Fleet== Although new aircraft are delivered in the new livery, and some route rationalisation and interchange has started, as of June 2008, each of the four subsidiaries maintain separate fleets: *{{main|Air India Cargo}} *{{main|Air India Express}} *{{main|Air India Regional}} *{{main|Indian Airlines}} Air India itself operates a fleet of 5 aircraft families, the [[Airbus A310]], [[Airbus A320 family]], [[Airbus A330]], [[Boeing 747]] and [[Boeing 777]] consisting of the following aircraft as of July 2008: [[Image:Air India 777-200LR VT-ALD.jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 777]]-200LR]] [[Image:Air India 777-300ER VT-ALL.jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 777]]-300ER]] [[Image:Ai319.jpg|thumb|[[Airbus A319]]]] <center> {| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse:collapse" |+ '''Air India Fleet''' |- bgcolor=lightgrey !Type !Total !Passengers<br>(First/Business/Economy) !Routes !Notes |- |[[Airbus A310-300]] |12 |201<br>(0/20/181) |Asia, Domestic |7 On lease,5 Owned will be converted to Freighters,to be replaced by [[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-8]] |- |[[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-200]] |2 | |London, Singapore |On lease, from [[Indian Airlines]] |- |- |[[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300M]] |2 |283<br>(16/40/227) |Hong Kong, Osaka |Being replaced by Boeing 777-300ER<br> To be converted to Cargo aircraft |- |[[Boeing 747-400]] |7 |431<br>(12/34/385) |Chicago, London, New York, Newark, Paris |1 on lease<br>To be retired by 2015<br>AVOD on some aircraft |- |[[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400M]] |1 |296<br>(0/43/253) |Frankfurt, Los Angeles |On lease,Will be Replaced by Boeing 777-300ER |- |[[Boeing 777-200]] |1 |258 (12/49/197) |Dubai, Europe, Japan, North America |On lease |- |[[Boeing 777-200ER]] |3 |292 (12/49/231) |Europe, North America |On lease<br>PTV with AVOD |- |[[Boeing 777-200LR]] |5 <br> (3 orders) |238 (8/35/195) |New York |PTV with AVOD |- |[[Boeing 777-300ER]] |5<br>(10 orders) |342<br>(4/35/303) |Europe, North America |PTV with AVOD |- |[[Boeing 787-8]] |0<br>(27 orders) | |Asia, Europe |Replacing Airbus A310 and Airbus A330-200<br>Delivery TBA |- |Total |38 (+ 40 Orders) | | | |} </center> The average age of the fleet is 9.1 years as of April 2008 (excluding Freighter aircraft). ===Fleet orders and changes=== [[Image:Times Square NYC 2007.jpg|thumb|right|An advertisement in [[Times Square]] for travel on the [[Boeing 777#777-200LR|Boeing 777-200LR]] from [[New York City]] to [[Mumbai]]]] ====Orders==== [[Image:Air India Plane.jpg|thumb|left|Air India [[Boeing 777-200LR]] during a test flight in [[Seattle]]]] The first [[Boeing 777#777-200LR|Boeing 777-200LR]] aircraft was delivered by [[Boeing]] to Air India on 26 July 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q3/070726a_pr.html |date = [[2007-07-26]] |title = Boeing, Air India Celebrate First 777-200LR Delivery |accessdate = 2007-07-27 |publisher = Boeing }}</ref> The [[777-200LR]] will operate on non-stop routes to [[North America]]. These new aircraft will also allow Air India to open up new routes to [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[East Asia]], [[Africa]] and the [[United States]] (Air India plans to add flights to additional cities in the [[United States]], which include [[San Francisco]] and [[Washington D.C.]]<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/17448.asp |date = [[2007-07-07]] |title = Air India links the two silicon valleys of India and US. Now you can fly straight from San Francisco to Bangalore |accessdate = 2007-08-31 |publisher = India Daily }}</ref>). Air India has also ordered 18 [[Boeing 737-800]] for its low cost subsidiary [[Air India Express]], of which 8 have been delivered.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/AI_Express_receives_eighth_Boeing_737-800/articleshow/2218441.cms |date = [[2007-07-19]] |title = AI Express receives eighth Boeing 737-800 |accessdate = 2007-07-30 |publisher = The Economic Times }}</ref> On 28 July 2007 Civil Aviation Minister [[Praful Patel]] proposed a further fleet expansion of 60 aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=ayuBfBmAAyqU |date = [[2007-07-28]] |title = Air India May Buy 60 More Planes to Tap Travel Demand |accessdate = 2007-07-30 |publisher = Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Air India is working with both [[Airbus]] and [[Boeing]], and since this order will be only for extra widebody aircraft, it may include the [[Boeing 747-8]], additional [[Boeing 777]], [[Boeing 787]] or the [[Airbus A380-800]], [[Airbus A350-1000]], [[Airbus A340-600]], [[Airbus A330-300]]. Air India will replace 7 of their [[Boeing 747-400]] by 2010 and is evaluating the [[Boeing 747-8]] or the Airbus [[A380]] as the replacements. The remaining 3 Will operate Medium-Haul flights until 2015, when they will be retired. ====Fleet changes==== Meanwhile, Air India is refurbishing the interiors of its 6 owned [[Boeing 747-400]]s. This refurbishment includes [[in-flight entertainment]] systems in all classes. The first has already arrived and has been deployed. Air India plans to use their [[Boeing 777#777-300ER|Boeing 777-300ER]] aircraft to replace their older [[Boeing 747#747-300|Boeing 747-300]] aircraft and the leased [[Boeing 767-300]]s and operate on routes to their European and North American Destinations. Air India also plans to use the [[Boeing 787-8]] to replace their aging Airbus widebody fleet on routes to the [[Middle East]] and Asia. === Retired === *{{main|Air India's retired fleet}} ===Livery=== [[Image:Airindia logo.png|thumb|The old Air India logo]] Air India's [[Aircraft livery|livery]] is mostly in red and white. The bottom of the aircraft remains unpainted metal but the upper portion is given a white background with the airline's name in red. The name is in Devnagari script on one side and in English on the other. The red palace surround to the windows refer to the slogan "your palace in the sky" which is written on the back of the aircraft. Aircraft are named after Indian kings or landmarks. The tail is mostly red with the carrier's name written in Devnagari script on one side and English on the other. [[Image:Airindia.mascot.maharaja.gif|thumb|left|Air India Mascot "The Maharaja"]] In January 2007, Air India refreshed its livery, making the Rajasthani arches along the windows slightly smaller, extending a stylised [[cheatline]] from the vertical tail of the aircraft to the nose, and painting a small portion of the underbelly red. Additionally, engine nacelles are now deep red, and a gold-colored version of the airline's stylised centaur trademark now adorns both the vertical tail and engine nacelles. This livery can be seen on Air India's first 777-200LR aircraft, registered VT-ALA. [[Image:Air India Livery.jpg|thumb|Tail of the Air India Boeing 777 aircraft with new livery]] On 15 May 2007. the Government released<ref>[http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=28142 PIB Press Release<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the new livery. The design is a cross between the Air India and Indian Airlines livery. The new livery has been showcased to the world on 17 July 2007 on its new Boeing 777-200 and, when Air India and Indian Airlines formally became one airline, and Indian Airlines came to be known as Air India. The old fleet of both airlines will also slowly be painted in the new livery. On 22 May 2007, the Government and Air India and Indian Airlines unveiled their new livery. The logo of the new airline is a Flying Swan with the Konark Chakra placed inside it. The Flying Swan has been adapted from Air India’s characteristic logo, ‘The Centaur’ whereas the ‘Konark Chakra’ is reminiscent of Indian’s logo. The new logo will feature on the tail of the aircraft. The Konark Chakra will feature on all the engines of the aircraft. The choices of colours are red for “Flying Swan” and orange for “Konark Chakra". While the aircraft will be ivory in colour, the base will retain the red streak of Air India. Running parallel to each other will be the orange and red speed lines from front door to the rear door, subtly signifying the individual identities merged into one. The brand name ‘Air India’ will run across the tail of the aircraft. A view of an Indian Airline's A321 which will now be running as Air India [http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=3895 here]. ==Passenger operations== [[Image:Air India .jpg|thumb|First Class seats on the new [[Boeing]] [[Boeing 777#777-200LR|777-200LR]]]] The airline carried 3.39 million passengers during the financial year ending March 2003 and achieved a load factor of 71.6 per cent, substantially higher than the 66 per cent load factor recorded in the preceding year. Air India offers three classes of service{{ndash}}First Class, Executive Class and Economy Class. Flat bed seats are offered for first class and executive passengers. Air India’s [[frequent flyer programme]] is called ''Flying Returns'' and is shared with Indian Airlines and other subsidiaries. Aside from flight mileage, members receive seat discounts, class upgrades, free hotel stays, and other benefits. The airline also offers luxury lounges in its ground terminals for its First and Executive class travelers in select destinations within India. Air India has [[duty free]] sales on board its flights, named "Sky Bazaar". ===On Board=== Air India has started a makeover of its aircraft including updated interiors.<ref>http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Company/Companies_A-Z/A_Companies/Maharaja_meets_the_makeup_man/rssarticleshow/1917366.cms</ref> Air India has been accepted as a [[Star Alliance]] member and after the merger with Indian Airlines which took place in September 2007 is improving service standards, in-flight entertainment and is also recruiting 400 new air crew.<ref>http://www.tajanews.com/noqnews/nnqview.php?ArtID=3001</ref> The business class seats are in a shell, which allows the seat to turn into a bed. These seats include an 18" Personal Television (PTV) with [[Video on demand|Audio Video on Demand]] (AVOD). These features are available only on the Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-300ER and some Boeing 747-400, and will be introduced on the upcoming Boeing 787-8. The A310, some 747, 767 and A320 family aircraft have standard business class seats with no advanced features common in the newer aircraft. Economy class seats are red in color and feature 32" seat pitch. All seats on Airbus A321, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-300ER, some Boeing 747-400 and all Airbus A319 aircraft feature PTVs with an AVOD in-flight entertainment system with a wide-screen LCD touch screen. Other aircraft such as the Airbus A310, Airbus A320 and Boeing 747-400 aircraft do not have individual seat-back entertainment, they only have a central projection screen. In 1994 and 2003, the airline was given the Mercury Award for its flight cuisine. Meals include Indian vegetarian meal, a Halal meal, a low fat meal, among others. ===Maharajah Lounge=== [[Image:Air India Lounge.jpg|thumb|An Air India Lounge]] ''Maharajah Lounge'' means "Emperor's Lounge", and is offered to First and Executive class passengers. Air India shares lounges with other airlines at airports that do not have a Maharajah Lounge available. There are 5 Maharajah Lounges, each at one of the five major destinations of Air India, which are as following: * [[Chennai]], [[India]] * [[Delhi]], [[India]] * [[London]], [[United Kingdom]] * [[Mumbai]], [[India]] * [[New York]], [[USA]] Air India is in talks with the operators of the [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Hyderabad International Airport|Hyderabad]] airports to setup lounges in the new terminals being constructed there. ==Codeshares== As of July 2008, Air India has codesharing agreements with the following airlines<ref>[http://flyingreturns.co.in/html/ap_cs.php]</ref>: <div style="width: 35%; float: left;"> *[[Aeroflot]] ** *[[Air France]] ** *[[Air Mauritius]] *[[Austrian Airlines]] (SA) *[[Emirates Airline]] *[[Kuwait Airways]] *[[Lufthansa]] (SA) </div> <div style="width: 35%; float: left;"> *[[Malaysia Airlines]] *[[Royal Jordanian Airlines]] * *[[Singapore Airlines]] (SA) *[[Swiss International Airlines]] (SA) *[[Thai Airways International]] (SA) *[[Turkish Airlines]] (SA) </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> ''With Air India's own entry into [[Star Alliance]] (SA) next year, code share and all other agreements through these [[Oneworld]]* and [[Sky Team]]** partners will be terminated by December 2009'' [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Air_India_to_end_ties_with_KLM_BA_Cathay/articleshow/2729344.cms]. == Future challenges == India has the world's fastest growing aviation industry.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/08/business/worldbusiness/08air.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/A/Airlines%20and%20Airplanes</ref> However, increasing fuel prices resulted in a decline of 4% in air traffic in June 2008.<ref>http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14714385</ref> Increasing competition of other major Indian carriers like [[Jet Airways]] and [[Kingfisher Airlines]] has also caused problems for Air India. Jet Airways is now the largest domestic carrier in India and Kingfisher Airlines has narrowed its gap with Air India in domestic market share.<ref>http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=42009</ref> In July 2008, it was reported that Air India was seeking [[US$]]534 million in aid from Indian government to cover its losses.<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aJMgXkIinzUI&refer=india</ref> In the wake of rising fuel prices, the airline decided to hike its air fare in June 2008.<ref>http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14698471</ref> == Awards and Recognitions == *The airline entered the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] for the largest evacuation by a civil airliner. Over 111,000 people were evacuated from [[Amman]] to [[Mumbai]]{{ndash}} a distance of 4,117 km, by operating 488 flights in association with [[Indian Airlines]], during [[August 13]]{{ndash}} [[October 11]], [[1990]], lasting 59 days. The operation was carried out during [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] in 1990 to evacuate [[Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin|Indian expatriates]] from [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]]. *The airline received [[The Mercury Award]] for the years 1994 and 2003, from the International Flight Catering Association, for finest in-flight catering services. *The [[United Nations]] presented Air India the Montreal Protocol Public Awareness Award for environmental protection, especially in the ozone layer.<ref>[http://indiaaviation.aero/news/airline/4922/59/UN-Environment-Award-for-Air-India UN Environment Award for Air India{{ndash}} India Airline News, Airport developments, Aviation, A380, B787, Kingfisher, Deccan, Jet Airways, Air India, Indian Airlines, Spicejet<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Air India won the ''preferred international airline'' award for travel and hospitality by Awaz Consumer Awards 2006 <ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072102901809.htm The Hindu : Business / Briefly : Air India bags Awaz consumer awards 2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> * Air India's security department became the first aviation security organisation in the world to acquire [[ISO 9002]] certification ([[January 31]], [[2001]]). * Air India's Department of Engineering has obtained the [[ISO 9002]] for its Engineering facilities for meeting international standards. ==Accidents and Incidents== Since in commenced operations, four Air India flights have crashed including one due to a terrorist attack. Air India has a record of 6.82 fatalities per million flights on average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airdisaster.com/statistics/|title=Accident Rates By Airline|publisher=AirDisaster.com}}</ref> [[Image:Air India Memorial.jpg|thumb|right|The Air India Memorial in Toronto, Canada dedicated to the victims of [[Air India Flight 182]].]] *[[Air India Flight 101]] crashed on Mont Blanc, on the border between France and Italy, killing 117 on January 24, 1966. Among the dead was the noted Indian scientist, [[Homi J. Bhabha]]. *[[Air India Flight 855]] ''Ashoka'' crashed into the [[Arabian Sea]] after [[takeoff]] from Sahar International Airport (now [[Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport]]) in Bombay (now [[Mumbai]]) on [[1 January]] [[1978]], killing all on board (213 persons{{ndash}} 190 passengers, 23 crew). *On [[21 June]] [[1982]] a [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-437]] ''Gouri Shankar'' coming in from Kuala Lumpur via Madras (now [[Chennai]]) crashed at Mumbai airport after a heavy [[landing]] during a rainstorm. The fuselage exploded after initiating a late go-around. 90 occupants were on the aircraft. 2 of 12 crew members and 15 of 99 passengers were killed in the crash.<ref>[http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 06221982<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm Fatal Events Since 1970 for Air India<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *At 07:13 on Sunday [[June 23]], [[1985]] an explosion in the New Tokyo International Airport (now [[Narita International Airport]]) baggage terminal killed two baggage handlers, and injured four. The Sikh terrorists intended the bomb in that bag for [[Air India Flight 301]] with 177 passengers and crew on board, bound for [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]]. *[[Air India Flight 182]] ''Kanishka'' was blown up in mid-air, mid-flight on [[23 June]] [[1985]] by a suitcase-bomb as planted by [[Sikh]] terrorists allegedly as revenge for the Indian Government's attack on the sacred [[Golden Temple]]. The flight was on the first leg on its [[Montreal]]-[[London]]-[[Delhi]]-[[Bombay]] ([[Mumbai]]) flight when it exploded off the coast of [[Ireland]]. The plane crashed into the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. All 307 passengers and 22 crew on board died. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/airindia/|title=Indepth: Air India|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=2007-05-08}}</ref> After this incident Air-India suspended all services to [[Canada]], which resumed after 20 years in 2005. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060920.AIRPORT20/TPStory/TPNational/Ontario/|title=Package grounds Air-India flight|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=2006-09-20|accessdate=2007-05-08}}</ref> ==Financials== The profitability of Air India as [http://civilaviation.nic.in/reports/an_rep0405eng.pdf published] in the 2004 annual report by ''Ministry of Civil Aviation'' with figures in millions of Indian Rupees. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year || Revenues || Profit/(Loss) |- | 1997 || 41,741 || (1,810) |- | 2003 || 63,220 || 923 |} == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{commonscat}} *[http://www.airindia.com/ Official website] *[http://videos.oneindia.in/watch/1439/air-india-bags-un-award.html United Nations Award] {{Template group |list = {{Star Alliance}} {{Airlines of India}} {{IATA members|asia}} }} [[Category:Airlines of India]] [[Category:IATA members]] [[Category:Air India| ]] [[Category:Government-owned airlines]] [[Category:Airlines established in 1932]] [[ar:طيران الهند]] [[ca:Air India]] [[da:Air India]] [[de:Air India]] [[es:Air India]] [[fr:Air India]] [[hi:एअर इंडिया]] [[id:Air India]] [[it:Air India]] [[hu:Air India]] [[mr:एर इंडिया]] [[nl:Air India]] [[ja:エア・インディア]] [[pl:Air India]] [[pt:Air India]] [[ro:Air India]] [[sr:Ер Индија]] [[fi:Air India]] [[sv:Air India]] [[ta:ஏர் இந்தியா]] [[te:ఎయిర్ ఇండియా]] [[vi:Air India]] [[zh:印度航空]]