Air India CEO Campbell Wilson’s recent statement has sparked a significant debate in the aviation industry. He indicated that Air India is reviewing its existing relationship with the Turkish aircraft maintenance company, Turkish Technic. This move comes in the wake of Turkey’s support for Pakistan, which has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among the Indian public. Under these circumstances, it has become essential for Air India to explore alternative maintenance providers.
This decision will not be easy for Air India. Currently, the airline relies on Turkey for the maintenance of its Boeing 777 aircraft. However, India lacks extensive aircraft maintenance infrastructure, which forces Air India to send its aircraft to Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and other locations. Hence, terminating ties with Turkish Technic will be a challenging task.
To resolve this issue, Air India needs to focus on enhancing aircraft maintenance capabilities within India. The Indian aviation industry must develop its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities. For this, Air India will require support and investment from the government to conduct its maintenance operations domestically.
Additionally, Air India is facing financial challenges due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. The airline has requested an annual subsidy of $600 million from the government to compensate for the losses incurred due to flight rerouting. This situation presents yet another challenge for Air India, as it strives to improve its financial performance.
To enhance its financial performance, Air India will need to adopt various measures. These include entering new markets, improving revenue management, and cutting operational costs. Furthermore, the airline needs to modernize its aircraft fleet and improve service quality.
It is also crucial for Air India to offer a better connection experience to its passengers. Currently, passengers traveling within India face unsatisfactory connection experiences at Delhi and Mumbai airports. Air India should collaborate with airport operators and the government to bring improvements in this area.
Ultimately, Air India must be prepared to play a leading role in the Indian aviation industry. For this, it must expand its fleet, develop maintenance capabilities, and invest in workforce training. Together, these efforts can elevate the Indian aviation industry to new global heights.
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