Luftfahrtexperten befürworten eine Fusion von AI und IA

[Jubilee]

Experts call for merger of AI, IA to beat growing competition

 

MUMBAI: Various aviation experts called for merger of government-owned Air India (AI) and Indian airlines (IA) to face competition from private carriers -- especially the low-cost ones.

 

AI chairman and managing director Vasudevan Thulasidas said the move would create a state-owned aviation behemoth that can take on the growing competition in the skies.

 

''It is finally for the owner to decide. But my personal view is that the two should be merged to create a strong airline that's good for both the airlines and also the industry. This will make us stronger to compete with rivals both in India and abroad,'' he said.

 

Meanwhile, executive chairman of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Peter Harbison said AI and IA must merge and restructure quickly.

 

''Or else, they won't be able to compete effectively. Gone are the days when national carries used to operate under protective regulatory structure with a probation on private and foreign investment.''

 

Due to these prohibitions, said Harbison, AI has become one of the less efficient airlines in the world and unable to operate on lucrative routes.

 

Its market share fell from 24 per cent to below 20 per cent over the last 10 years.

 

The revival solution lies in permitting foreign direct investment in National airlines to stimulate market opportunities said Harbison.

 

Privatisation of airlines and airports should be actively allowed.

 

''Government funds are not available to capitalise restructuring. Private funding permits faster expansion, but clear and predictable regulation is essential.''

 

Meanwhile, CPM leader Nilotpal Basu said both AI and IA should be granted more functional autonomy than what they've had over the years. Both national carriers have not expand their fleet in several years and have hence lost market share steadily.

 

Basu, who is also chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, said he's not opposed to initial public offering (IPO) of stock sales of AI and IA. ''There's no problem with IPOs if the purpose is to fund fleet expansion. But the process should not be used to bridge their budget deficits.''

 

Whether the IPOs should be timed before or after the AI and IA merger needs to be debated, he said.

 

The government is looking to sell 10 to 20 per cent of its holding in the National carriers. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel says the IPOs will come out in early 2006.

 

Despite their size, AI has an equity base of just Rs 150 crore while for IA it is Rs 105 crore. Both need about 10 billion dollars (about Rs 44,000 crore) to buy about 110 planes of various sizes and flying capabilities.

Quelle

 

Ich denke, dass IA durch die ganzen neuen Locos mehr unter Druck gerät als AI. Da langt schon ein Blick auf das Streckennetz von IA. Ein Teil der Konkurrenz ist doch sehr stark im Inland tätig, so dass diese in direkter Konkurrenz zu IA in den Markt eingreifen. Im Vergleich dazu sieht das Streckennetz bei AI noch sehr überschaubar aus, vor allem da die sich mehr auf die Fernstrecken konzentriert haben, da aber ebenfalls mit reichlich wenn nicht sogar noch stärkerer Konkurrenz zu kämpfen hat. Beide zusammen hätten dann natürlich schon ein ganz ordentliches Streckennetz in Indien, noch zusätzlich die Fernstrecken von AI, aber ob dass alleine langt??

Zumal andere Airlines wie z.B. Jet Airways im Inland doch deutlich besser aufgestellt sind. Und es stossen noch weitere hinzu....

Gute N8

[viasa]

Das Problem der Indian Airlines (inkl. Alliance Air) ist wohl, dass die bestimmte Destinationen anfliegen, die keinen Gewinn abwerfen. Glaube, dass die Regierung hier auflagen macht.

 

Die privaten Unternehmen haben da total freie Hand.

 

Interssant ist auch, dass die Air-India sich eine Tochterairline (Air-India Express) aufgebaut hat, die eigentlich nun auch ein direkter Konkurrent zur AI geworden ist.

[Jubilee]

Damit wird wohl bald die Fusion aus aller Munde sien.

IA macht nun nämlich genau das gleiche wie AI, bringt nun ebenfalls einen Loco auf den Markt. Name steht noch nicht endgültig fest, aber 'India Shuttle' werden die größten Chancen eingeräumt...

 

Deccan, Spice will have new rival soon: IA's low cost carrier

 

NEW DELHI: Gearing for stiff competition from emerging carriers, Indian Airlines has decided to launch a new low cost service with five Airbus A319s, which were originally being leased to replace Alliance Air planes.

 

An in-principle decision has been taken to launch a low cost carrier, which will be part of Indian Airlines. This means that the first batch of A319s will not go to Alliance Air though the ageing Boeing 737s will be put out of use as scheduled in March 2006 and converted to freighters.

 

While the airline has still to settle on a brand name for its proposed low cost option, sources said, `India Shuttle' is one suggestion that is being preferred. This, however, is yet to receive final approval as IA officials work double time to give shape to the new business plan.

 

The model is being worked on the logic that low cost options have better survival chance if operated under the umbrella of a larger airline. Just like Delta Connection, Silk Air and other such models, IA is toying with the idea to give a basket of options in the domestic sector while the principal airline looks at servicing trunk routes and reaching out to more international destinations.

 

The first of the five A319s are expected in November and by March, the entire delivery will be complete. It is clear that the Boeings will not operate after that and will be converted for freight operations. In fact, the Civil Aviation Ministry is keen that IA should begin the conversion work right away.

 

Currently, Alliance Air has 11 Boeing 737s of which five are operational. The earlier idea was to get Alliance to start low cost operations. But its 30-odd pilots are not endorsed on Airbus aircraft and the airline will have to cough up extra to train them while IA pilots already have the requisite endorsement as they are already flying Airbus 320s.

 

Alliance pilots, said sources, will not be left in the cold but will be trained over a period of time to operate A319s. To begin with, the new carrier will be an integral part of IA while Alliance Air will be restricted to ATR operations. There is also a possibility of Alliance Air being developed into a regional airline with multiple hubs.

 

The leased A319s will have full economy class configuration, which means that their capacity will be almost 145, equal to that of an Airbus 320, which IA currently operates. The airline is yet to decide whether the 19 A319s it plans to purchase under its fleet renewal plan will also have the same configuration.

 

Sources said the idea is to test the market by launching the service with the few A319s before the year-end and then explore the possibility of enlarging the scope.

Quelle