Indian Civil Aviation Minister outlines new Air India operational plan

India's Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh announced (06-Jun-2012) the following details of Air India's new operational plan:

• Domestic operations: Domestic passenger levels now returned to pre-strike levels, approximately 26,000 passengers per day. Air India plans to sustain this level and make efforts to improve it;
• International operations: Restructured international schedule now stabilised at a reduced number of destinations, handling approximately 11,000 international passengers per day:
  • Plans to resume Hong Kong service from early Jul-2012, using A319 equipment. Route will be extended to Seoul and Osaka from 01-Aug-2012;
  • Plans to operate Delhi-Kuala Lumpur service from 01-Aug-2012;
  • Restoration of other international operations, including Delhi-Toronto and Mumbai-Newark, depending on pilot availability;
• Boeing 787: Delivery to commence "shortly". Aircraft to be deployed on domestic routes for six to eight weeks. International long-haul operations to commence with Mumbai-London service in Aug-2012. 787 operations to Australia to commence Aug-20120 or Sep-2012;
• Pilots: 60 trainee pilots to be available for regular operations within four to five months. Another 30 to enter training immediately:
  • Air India to recruit/hire pilots from domestic and international markets, allowing the carrier to restore its original international network of 27 destinations, as well as embark on expansion;
• Other reforms: Introduction of new automated Crew Management System (CRS) to "ensure high levels of safety of operations, meet regulatory requirements, optimum crew utilisation, bringing objectivity in crew management and achieving crew satisfaction". CRS phase I is already implemented, with phase II to be completed by early Jul-2012;
• Introduction of "new and objective" examination system for in-service pilots. [more - original PR]