Pre-flight BMI measurements of cabin crew ordered by Air India

Radhika Bansal

25 Jan 2022

As Air India prepares to be transferred to its new owner —Tata Group—the Maharaja-besotted airline has started a process to streamline itself, beginning with its cabin crew. The airline, which will be transferred to Tata Group on January 27, will check the body-mass index and overall grooming of its cabin crew before flights.

On January 20, the airline informed its crew that grooming associates have been assigned the task of recording observations on BMI management, grooming and uniform, according to a Times of India report.

One common complaint against Air India from passengers is comfort on long-haul flights. The cash-strapped airline hopes to address these concerns with new investments and promoters.

Air India will check the body-mass index and overall grooming of its cabin crew before flights.

But some areas do not require a major spend like inflight meals and a more pleasant passenger interface with frontline staff. To be fair, AI has always been among the better airlines in these areas. A further improvement here will make passengers immediately feel the difference following the handover to Tatas as the big-ticket items — new planes and/or improved interiors definitely with working inflight entertainment systems and possibly internet on wide-body aircraft — will take time.

The January 22 order issued by Executive Director (inflight services) Vasudha Chandna has met with some resistance from cabin crew staff. All India Cabin Crew Association has opposed the order citing violation of agreements.

All India Cabin Crew Association has opposed the order citing violation of agreements.

All cabin supervisors must lead by example and ensure compliance by cabin crew at all times, she stated. Any non-compliance by a crew member must be noted in the report of the cabin supervisor, she noted. In a letter to the CMD, the aforementioned two unions said that as per DGCA's rules, the BMI checks can be done only by medical practitioners. The unions said that such BMI checks at airports by non-medical "grooming associates" violates not only DGCA rules but also "settled service conditions and court orders".

“Cabin crew who are well dressed and well groomed according to uniform standards and regulations present a positive and professional image of the airline. It is therefore emphasised that all cabin crew adhere to uniform regulations… Cabin crew supervisor of the flight (responsible) to ensure that his/her set of crew are well turned out and follow complete uniform regulations… (and) ensure compliance at all times. Any non-compliance by a crew member must be reported in the inflight/cabin supervisors report.”Vasudha Chandna, Executive Director (In-Flight Services), Air India

Members of Air India's cabin crew union say that they have been undergoing BMI and weight checks from 2008 and 1998, respectively, as per the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). However, these checks are conducted only by medical professionals or doctors.

“The time for reporting (for flights) is meant for documentation and flight safety revision briefing and review. This stressful BMI check during a reporting is bound to disturb crew mental preparation, giving rise to flight safety issues, pre-departure when cabin crew are required to conduct rapid review & briefings. Cabin crew first and foremost (are) flight safety professionals trained in first aid and also conducting hospitality and inflight service functions.”All India Cabin Crew Association

The AICCA has also threatened to seek legal recourse if the said requirement on BMI/weight checks by grooming associates is not withdrawn.

Air India will become a Tata Group company starting January 27. Air India director Vinod Hejmadi in an email to employees said the disinvestment process shall be done on January 27. The closing balance sheet as of January 20 has to be provided on January 24 so that it can be reviewed by Tatas and changes, if any, will be implemented on Wednesday.

“The next three days will be hectic for our department and I request all of you to give your best in these last three-four days before we get divested. We may have to work late in the night to complete the task given to us. I seek the cooperation of one and all,” he added.

Tata Group’s holding company Talace won a bid to buy a 100% stake in Air India and Air India Express along with a 50% stake in ground handling company AISATS.

Read next

Over INR 278 crore pending payments from government departments and sections to Air India

Radhika Bansal

25 Jan 2022

Various government departments and ministries had pending payments amounting to INR 278.49 crore to Air India, according to RTI information from the loss-laden national carrier which is being sold off to the Tata group.

According to Air India’s reply to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Commodore Lokesh K Batra (Retd) on January 20, 2022, the dues are under multiple heads and estimated to have been pending up to October 2021.  The government has already stopped booking through credit facilities by its departments on Air India ahead of the disinvestment.

Prime Minister’s flights of INR 7.20 crore. (Image Courtesy - Newslaundry)

This pending amount includes INR 244.78 crore from over 700 government departments and sections as of September 2021 and INR 33.71 crore towards various VVIP flights as of July 27, 2021, as per the data. This also includes dues from the Prime Minister’s flights of INR 7.20 crore and the President’s flight dues of INR 6.14 crore. The last audit was done on October 7, 2021, Air India said.

The Ministry of External Affairs owes INR 20.37 crore, the Ministry of Home Affairs owes INR 7.20 crore and the Defence Ministry owes INR 6.14 crore.

When asked to provide financial year-wise data from FY16 onwards on the amount not recovered but book adjustments are done from each such public authority, Air India said in the RTI reply, “as the disinvestment procedure is going on, the requested information will be provided later on.”

Over INR 278 crore pending payments from government departments and sections to Air India

Among other dues, Lok Sabha, New Delhi, owes INR 2.38 crore; Airport Authority of India around INR 53 lakh; Under Secretary, Lok Sabha sect INR 2.40 crore; Controller of Defence Accounts INR 2.45 crore; Senior Executive Officer, Rajya Sabha sect INR 4.91 crore; Ministry of External Affairs around INR 5.2 crore; Lok Sabha sect, INR 4.29 crore; Executive Officer, Lok Sabha sect INR 18.15 crore; Dept of Post INR 9.52 crore; Commissioner of Customs INR 64.37 crore; Controller of Defence Accounts (Navy) INR 16.84 crore; Indian Embassy Paris INR 1.21 crore; and Indian Embassy Kathmandu INR 1.19 crore.

Various sections in the Civil Aviation Department itself owe nearly INR 5 crore to Air India, which is saddled with huge losses. According to the carrier, around 790 government departments and ministries owe money to it.

The outstanding from the Vice President’s flights was INR 10.219 crore, evacuation flight dues were INR 7.214 crore and foreign dignitaries INR 2.94 crore. As per C&AG report 40 of 2016, as of March 31, 2016, the government had owed Air India INR 513.27 crore towards VVIP and other chartered flights, including evacuation fights and maintenance of aircraft.

Air India has stopped all credit facilities to government departments.

With the process of disinvestment of Air India and Air India Express going on, Air India has stopped all credit facilities to government departments. “Therefore, all ministries/ departments are directed to clear Air India’s due immediately. Air tickers from Air India may be purchased in cash till further instructions,” the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, said in an office memorandum on October 27, 2021.

However, modifying the October order, the Expenditure Department issued another order on December 31, 2021, saying, “in all cases of air travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials concerned are to travel by Air India only and air tickets are to be purchased directly from Air India or by utilizing the services of the three Authorized Travel Agents viz. Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd, Ashok Travels & Tours and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation.”

“To ensure timely payment of air ticket to the travel agents, to confirm the performance of journey, the employee has to submit a certificate/ undertaking in prescribed proforma within 7 days of completion of the journey. TA bill may be submitted later as per the existing rules,” it said.

In October 2021, the government issued a letter of intent (LoI) confirming the sale of its 100% stake in the loss-making Air India to Tata group for INR 18,000 crore. The government had accepted an offer by Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of the group, to pay INR 2,700 crore in cash and takeover INR 15,300 crore of the airline’s debt. Air India’s accumulated losses of INR 70,875 crore have led to the erosion of the net worth of the company.

Employees of Air India and Indian Airlines have come under the ambit of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) from January 1, 2022, with the Labour Ministry repealing the related legislation that allowed them to be part of the exempted trust so far.

(With Inputs from The Indian Express)

Read next

Civil Aviation Tableau to focus on RCS-UDAN to robust infrastructure

Ridz

25 Jan 2022

The Ministry of Civil Aviation will showcase their tableau during the Republic Day parade and it will provide a sneak-peek into India's remarkable growth in the aviation industry. The key focus will be Regional Connectivity Scheme i.e. UDAN or Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik

A total of 21 tableaux, 12 of various states and Union Territories, nine ministries will be showcased at the Republic Day parade 2022 at Rajpath in New Delhi. Showcasing the Buddhist circuit under Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) and the rich dividends it has been yielding, the tableau of the Ministry of Civil Aviation will be participating for the first time in the Republic Day Celebration Parade, 2022.

Team to represent Civil Aviation in Republic Day Parade

Civil Aviation Tableau

In the aircraft-shaped tableau, the front part showcases women pilots depicting women's power in the Indian aviation industry, as India tops in women commercial pilots, globally. The rear portion of the tableau shows the symbol of Buddhism and the motto of UDAN — Sab Uden, Sab Juden.

The middle portion showcases the Buddha circuit, featuring, Buddha Statue at Gaya where He attained enlightenment Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath, where He delivered his first sermon (Dharmachakra Parivartan), and the Mahaparinirvana Stupa, Kushinagar where He attained Mahaparinirvana.

Both sides of the middle portion of the tableau depict heritage sites — Humayun tomb from North, Konark sun temple in East, Hampi temple chariot in South, and Ajanta caves in West, connected with air services.

Humayun tomb is accessible through Indira Gandhi International airport, Delhi, Konark sun temple through Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneshwar, Hampi temple through Vidyanagar airport and Ajanta caves can be reached via Aurangabad airport.

The tableau also depicts the Palm Yoga Mudra of Buddha in the centre and world heritage sites of India situated in different regions of the country, two each on either side of the Palm Yoga Mudra.

"For the first time, Civil Aviation Ministry will have its tableau at Republic Day parade. I'm sure that our tableau will display country's spiritual & tourism strength alongside a focus on women pilots to mark women empowerment."Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

"We are focusing on Buddhist circuit and Dekho Apna Desh, where we are displaying Heritage and world heritage monuments in the country, which are connected through airports where people can go and see, wonderful monuments. Everything is around the people. What is the inspiration for the people? People have to be connected. Our interest is to ensure that people are connected and their aspirations are fulfilled."Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation

UDAN Scheme

The UDAN scheme was launched in 2016 with its aim to enhance aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in Tier-II and Tier-III cities at affordable airfare fulfilling the aspirations of the common man.

The first UDAN flight was flagged off in 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As of date, 403 UDAN routes connecting 65 underserved/unserved airports including heliports and water aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN Scheme and more than 85 lakh people have benefited from this scheme.

UDAN has transformed the way people travel in remote areas. Whether it is Rupsi, Pithoragarh, Pasighat, Jorhat, Jharsuguda, Kishangarh, Kurnool, Hubballi, Belgavi, Darbhanga, Adampur, etc., people have adopted air transportation due to the benefits it has provided. UDAN has helped Dekho Apna Desh's campaign of the Ministry of Tourism and many hitherto not served sectors are connected.

Bharat Dekho, Incredible India, and Buddhist Circuit have got tremendous support from increased connectivity under UDAN.

Ex Aviation Minister Harshdeep Singh Puri along with CM of UP Yogiadityanath at the launch of RCS Udaan

Indian Navy’s tableau

The Navy’s tableau on Republic Day 2022 will depict the 1946 uprising by Indian sailors who went on a slow-down strike protesting against their living conditions and food and a model of the indigenously built INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

The rear section of the tableau will illustrate the "Make in India" initiatives of the Indian Navy, particularly for the period 1983 to 2021. The model of the indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant, with light combat aircraft in the air takes centre stage.

These will be flanked by models of the indigenous missile corvette Kora, destroyer Visakhapatnam, frigate Shivalik on left and P-75 submarine Kalvari, frigate Godavari and destroyer Delhi on the right.

In February 1946, around 1,100 Indian sailors went on a strike in what came to be known as the Naval uprising, though it was called a mutiny then. The slow-down strike, in which the sailors slowed the pace of their work, began at HMIS Talwar, a shore establishment in Bombay, and the Royal Indian Navy Signal School, also in the same city. But the uprising quickly spread to the other parts of the country.

The Navy’s famous 72-men brass band will play nine tunes during the parade, including one named after the INS Vikrant. Vincent Johnson MCPO will lead the band for the 18th time as it marches down the Rajpath for a Republic Day parade. Johnson has led the Navy band at many events across the world, including in Sydney, Mauritius, St Petersburg, and Edinburgh.

Read next

Charter flight operators face constraints as EC bans physical rallies

Ridz

24 Jan 2022

Announcing the dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur on January 8, the poll panel had also announced a ban on physical rallies, roadshows and bike rallies, and similar campaign events till January 31. This is the second time the commission has extended the ban after the first one was announced on January 15 and the second on 22.

The Election Commission's ban on physical rallies in five poll-bound states since January 8 due to the ongoing COVID-19 wave has hit the business of charter flight operators. Just 10-15 % of the 350-400 flight hours per month are election-related travel.

"Election travel has not really picked up. It had started to pick up initially, around mid-December 2021, but then the EC announced the ban on rallies so that completely stopped most of the (election-related) travel. Election travel is very limited.There has been a regularity of travel in private jets. So, before COVID-19, if we would on average see around 150-200 flying hours per month, that has gone to up to 350-400 flight hours per month."Rajan Mehra, CEO, Club One Air

"As there is a ban on rallies due to COVID-19, the company has seen only 70% of inquiries for election-related travel this year as compared to last year. However, no inquiry has been actually converted in actual flights as of yet and their conversion is in process. Since the ban on physical rallies has been extended, we don't see many flights happening for elections this time for rallies.We have received a positive response from our customers towards our 'Fly Safe' commitment to maintaining the COVID-19 protocol standards and experiencing a sharp increase in leisure travel bookings which is continuing now also. Our business travel requests have started showing positive redemptions which are slowly getting back to usual."Kanika Tekriwal, CEO and Founder, JetSetGo Aviation

Right after the first COVID-19 wave, safety has become an issue of paramount importance beyond luxury or anything else. There has been a regularity of travel in private jets. Before COVID-19, if we have on average seen around 150-200 flying hours per month, that has gone to up to 350-400 flight hours per month.

JetSetGo Aviation and Club One Air have a fleet of 18 and 10 aircraft, respectively, to operate charter flights.

JetSetGo Aviation used to achieve its “major numbers” from business travel before the pandemic. However, leisure travel brings the major share of business amid COVID-19.

Read next

Stowaway discovered in a Cargolux plane wheel at Amsterdam Airport

Radhika Bansal

24 Jan 2022

A stowaway was discovered in the wheel section under the front of a Cargolux freight plane that arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport from Africa on Sunday, January 23, Dutch military police said.

It is very unusual for stowaways on long flights to survive, due to the cold and low oxygen at high altitudes.

"The man is doing well considering the circumstances and has been taken to a hospital," the police, who are in charge of Dutch border control, said in a statement.

Marechausse spokeswoman Joanna Helmonds said the man's age and nationality had not yet been determined.

"Our first concern of course was for his health," she said. "This is definitely very unusual that someone was able to survive the cold at such a height - very, very unusual."

A spokesperson for freight carrier Cargolux confirmed in an email that the stowaway had been on a flight operated by Cargolux Italia.

"We are not in a position to make any further comment until the authorities and the airline have completed their investigation," they said.

This image is for representative purposes only.

The only Cargolux freight flight arriving at Schiphol on Sunday, January 23 was a Boeing 747 freighter that travelled from Johannesburg and made a stop in Nairobi, Kenya, according to Schiphol's website and flight tracking data.

It is not known if the man boarded the plane in South Africa or Kenya. A spokesperson for the airport declined to answer questions about the incident.

Luxembourg City-based Cargolux is one of the world's leading cargo airlines. The airline operates scheduled and charter services to destinations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australasia, as well as providing surface transport solutions. Cargolux operates a fleet of Boeing 747-400 and 747-8 freighter aircraft.

Stowaway

A stowaway or clandestine traveller is a person who secretly boards a vehicle, such as a ship, an aircraft, a train, cargo truck or bus.

Sometimes, the purpose is to get from one place to another without paying for transportation. In other cases, the goal is to enter another country without first obtaining a travel visa or other permission. Stowaways differ from people smuggling in that the stowaway needs to avoid detection by the truck driver, ship crew, and others responsible for the safe and secure operation of the transportation service.

Thousands of stowaways have travelled by sea or land over the last several centuries. A much smaller number of people have attempted to stowaway on aircraft. Many stowaways have died during the attempt, especially in cases of train surfing and wheel-well stowaway flights.

Read next

Crashed World War II aircraft discovered in the Himalayas

Ridz

24 Jan 2022

A missing World War II aircraft, C-46 transport aircraft has been identified in India's remote Himalayas nearly 80 years after it crashed with no survivors, following a treacherous search that led to the deaths of three guides.

The C-46 transport aircraft was carrying 13 people from Kunming in southern China when it disappeared in stormy weather over a mountainous stretch of Arunachal Pradesh state in the first week of 1945.

Remains of C-46

The expedition took months and saw Kuhles and a team of guides from the local Lisu ethnic group ford chest-deep rivers and camp in freezing temperatures at high altitudes. Three guides died of hypothermia at an initial stage of the project while camped out during a September snowstorm.

But the team finally stumbled upon the plane on a snow-clad mountain top in December 2021, where they were able to identify the wreckage by the tail number. There were no human remains in what was left of the craft. Kuhles was tasked with conducting the search by Bill Scherer, whose officer father was aboard the plane when it crashed.

Parts of 'C-46' found (Picture Credit: Aljazeera)

"All I can say is that I am overjoyed, just knowing where he is. It is sad but joyous. I grew up without a father. All I can think of is my poor Mother, getting a telegram and finding out her husband is missing and she is left with me, a 13 month old baby boy."Bill Scherer

Over 400 American soldiers are believed to have gone missing in aircraft crashes while crossing ‘The Hump’ from India to China, according to reports. The Hump, over the Himalayas, was the main supply route between India and China during World War II, after Myanmar was captured by Japanese troops. The route is believed to have been dangerous due to the mountain peaks and bad weather.

'The Hump'

The Indian Army has recovered the wreckage of a World War II vintage US Air Force aircraft 'The Hump' in Arunachal Pradesh’s Roing district, in 2019. A 12 member strong army patrol with a police representative on March 30 located the aircraft debris, which was covered by thick undergrowth and buried under five feet of snow.

The Hump

The army had received information about the wreckage from local trekkers of Lower Dibang district through the police. A special patrol of the army was sent to locate the wreckage in a remote location, about 30 km from Roing. The US government’s Defence Prisoners of Wars/Missing in Action Accounting Agency has been conducting searches in India to look for remains of American soldiers, who have been missing since the war.

In April 2016, India had handed over the remains of a US Air Force B-24 ‘Hot as Hell’ bomber. The aircraft was flying from Kunming, China to Chabua, Assam in January 1944, when it had crashed in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2006, the crash site was identified. There are believed to be several more such crash sites in the North-East, especially Arunachal Pradesh.

Comment