It hasn’t even been a year since the Tata Group signed the papers to take over Air India. Yet, they’ve done something that hasn’t been done in the last eight years. On their watch, Air India has now become the most punctual airline in the country. While the carrier still has many roadblocks to clear, its latest on-time performance data indicates that the new management is busy working behind the scenes to resolve its issues.
Best OTP in the country
India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA, has released its data for October. And while many things remain unchanged, one particular figure immediately leaps out – Air India’s on-time performance (OTP). The airline registered an OTP of 90.8%, sending it straight to the top of the chart. This hasn’t happened in eight years.
Since 2014, Air India hasn’t topped the OTP chart for even a single month and would regularly report disappointing figures for departures. In October 2019, its OTP was 54.3%.
Photo: Airbus
One of the first things the Tatas wanted to improve with Air India was its customer experience. Timely departures, good seats, and in-flight entertainment screens that actually work are all being looked at. And while there’s still some time before we can expect better aircraft interiors, it’s good to see the remarkable progress made in the punctuality department, all within a year of the new owners taking charge.
Tata Group carriers hold the top three spots
It isn’t just Air India that is doing Tatas proud. The next two spots on the OTP chart also feature the group’s airlines – Vistara and AirAsia India, with both reporting identical performance of 89.1%. Even last month, these three carriers hogged the top three positions, with Vistara toppling AirAsia India as India’s most punctual.
Photo: Airbus
In October, the next best airline after the Tata carriers in terms of OTP was IndiGo at 87.5%. The airline recently implemented strict operational changes to get back in the game, asking pilots to reach airports at least 75 minutes before departure and ensure they are inside the aircraft at least 35 minutes before intended take-off. The airline wants all pre-departure procedures to be completed 15 minutes before take-off.
Alliance Air had an OTP of 74.5%, SpiceJet 68.9%, and Go First was at the bottom with 60.7%.
Taking charge
Air India’s improved performance comes just months after its new CEO, Campbell Wilson, took charge. Not happy with the carrier’s substandard OTP, Wilson got hands-on with the concerned department in August to get those numbers up.
Photo: Getty Images
He communicated with the airline’s integrated operations control center (IOCC) to report directly to him and give recommendations on improving on-time performance. Wilson inherited an airline that has largely been neglected for years. Sources say he’s been busy keeping a close eye on daily losses and fixing systems bogging down the airline.
While there’s still a lot to be done to bring Air India up to speed, its latest OTP result makes one feel assured that more positive changes are on the way.
What do you make of Air India’s latest on-time performance? Please leave a comment below.
Air India
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- AI/AIC
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1946
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- CEO:
- Campbell Wilson
- Country:
- India
