Top guns to sit on AI advisory board
Agencies
Posted: Thursday, Jul 09, 2009 at 1601 hrs IST
Updated: Thursday, Jul 09, 2009 at 1601 hrs IST
New Delhi: Air India is in the process of having a seven-member international advisory board, with former top officials of global carriers, to turn the organisation around.
The Board, which is likely to be headed by industrialist Ratan Tata, may have former heads of leading carriers like Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, sources in the know said.
Discussions are on to finalise the names of other members on this global advisory board, sources said, adding that an advertisement would soon be issued for the newly-created post of Chief Operating Officer so that a professional airline manager works under Chairman cum Managing Director Arvind Jadhav to improve AI's operations.
The names of National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda, Infosys mentor and Chairman N R Narayana Murthy and TCS CMD S Ramadorai are doing the rounds for appointment as independent directors of the airline.
Hectic activity is on at the national carrier's headquarters for preparing a comprehensive financial restructuring plan, which is to be submitted to the government in the next few weeks. AI's losses mounted to about Rs 5,000 crore in 2008-09.
The plan would be vetted by a high-level committee headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, which would be monitoring each month the steps taken by the airline to cut cost and enhance revenue generation.
Comments
» Still some food for thought
Posted by Sameer Mohan Sharma on 2009-07-18 13:20:20.511504+05:30
Inefficiency,lack of knowledge.indolent and listlessness of AI Staff, when ever you happen to visit any city office proved to be it's biggest waterloo.Phone's are ringing incessantly but no one one is bothered and thus giving Traveller a horrible time if it is something urgent for him,Passenger is asked to wait for longer hours which any way can be finished off in minutes but the sluggish pace at which they work can never ever pull it out of the present mess .Ladies staff is even worse and can be seen knitting sweaters at their workstation and endless gossips which is a bovine stupidity.Though reviving the MAHARAJA would be tantamount to an uphill task, but if you look at the Private Airline performing much better with far too less staff comparetively,then why AI New Board can not take the strictest measures to turn the Airline around.Hailing the decision of New Advisory Board at the helm of affairs with rich experince
» Top guns to sit on Air India Advisory Board
Posted by Prime Chowdry on 2009-07-10 10:20:05.871176+05:30
This intended spectacular "advisory" board is just a big eyewash which will make even the imbecile laugh. Many politicians and bureaucrats are yet to learn that advice without responsibility is as good as no no advice at all. All the bold caveats in the media and constructive comments and suggestions from some of the most experienced professional managers did not have an iota of effect on the decision makers.The political tamasha was meant to keep the unholy politico/bureaucratic hold,while trying to find justifications, and which might even backfire; thus ensuring the airlines to continue its nose dive. Let us not, for heaven's sake, bring in the international big wigs in this asinine setup in Air India without a competent high-powered 'professional manager' with a free hand as Chairman and MD; the former probably politely turn down any request in the background of the well-known 'philisophy' in our public sector organisations for obvious reasons and may be kept unspelt.
» shut the damn airlines and save tax payer!
Posted by ram van on 2009-07-10 03:27:26.382644+05:30
The government need not be in airlines business anymore. lot of private sector air lines are in business in India, now. It is time for government to exist the business by gradually diluting its holding in AirIndia/Indian airlines.The only beneficiary of Air India is current lazy employees and babus who take bribes based on air india's procurements/services
» AI - Recovery --Some ideas
Posted by S.Rajagopal on 2009-07-10 00:48:43.628022+05:30
AI is overstaffed. Moreover perks are very high. Why should married and settled children of emloyees get free or discounted fares. Even retired employees shd pay at least 50% fare, shd be available once in 3/5 years. AI airhostesses shd treat all passengers at par-- not give special courtesy to foreiners. This why i do not travel by AI
» AI PRIVATISATION
Posted by NITIN BHARADWAJ on 2009-07-09 21:15:33.045671+05:30
JUST PAUSE TO THINK THAT THE TAX THAT I PAY GOES INTO THE ENDLESS LOSSESS OF THE PSU UNDERTAKINGS. SELL AI IMMEDIATELY. ALL THE BABUS AND OFFICERS OF AI SHOULD GET HALF PAY AND NO BONUS. IN OUR COUNTRY WE PAY BONUS FOR MAKING A LOSS. CORRUPTION AND RESERVATION WILL DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.
» Time to privitise Air India
Posted by Jacob Mudanthangili on 2009-07-09 17:18:19.866102+05:30
Rs.5,000 crore loss for the year and still on the shoulders of Indian tax payer??? I can't understand the compelling need to keep Air India as a government owned operation. It helped the corrupted bureaucrats and the politicians in India, not he ordinary people. Private air lines are serving the people of India better. Having many many experience with Air India inside and abroad , it reflects the inefficiencies of our government owned corporations. Hope the new board will help. It is not going to be an easy job
» USELESS PLAN
Posted by Milon on 2009-07-09 17:17:12.959645+05:30
nothing will happen untill and unless the organisation is headed by honest (not corrupt) cabinet minister, minister of state and bureaucrats of the ministry of civil aviation and also honest board of directors. the organisation should be absolutely free of corruption. otherwise god even cannot save air india.
