MUMBAI: Cash-strapped Air India is now finding it hard to continue operations in the absence of any equity infusion from the government so far this fiscal. The divestment-bound airline's CMD Ashwani Lohani said in a late Saturday night Facebook post: "Air India needs to survive till it is sold. I wonder why is it so difficult for this appreciation to sink in..." Air India management had on Monday sent an urgent SOS to the government, seeking immediate sovereign guarantee for raising Rs 2,400 crore as fresh loan to somehow keep flying till outcome of the second divestment process is known. Given the government's tight fiscal position that makes equity infusion difficult, AI was asked to raise fresh loans. However there has been no response to that so far and AI is finding it difficult to continue operations like this. Lohani's plain-speaking Facebook post added: "...in this environment of disinvestment, expecting a radical improvement bordering on a turnaround is an impractical … [Read more...] about Air India needs to survive till it is sold, says Lohani as airline runs almost out of funds
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Death of another Indian airline?
While DGCA said Jet was flying 28 planes, civil aviation secretary P S Kharola said it was flying less than 15 aircraft. Less than 15 aircraft of Jet Airways are currently operational, civil aviation secretary P S Kharola said on Wednesday. An SBI-led consortium of lenders had taken over the management of the cash-hit Jet Airways last month. Asked about the active fleet of the beleaguered airline, the civil aviation secretary said here that "yesterday, it was 28".On the airline informing stock exchanges on Tuesday evening that 15 more aircraft have been grounded, Kharola said the current fleet "would be less than about 15". However, later in the day, Indian aviation watchdog DGCA said in a statement, "JA (Jet Airways) continues to fly 28 aircraft as on date." The watchdog added, "The 15 aircraft reported are already accounted for and was only informed to the stock exchange by JA yesterday." The airline has around 119 aircraft in its fleet. In the last few weeks, the airline has been … [Read more...] about Death of another Indian airline?
Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ full cast and crew revealed
Legendary director Mani Ratnam’s dream project 'Ponniyin Selvan' went on floors a few days ago in Thailand. And the makers have now announced the entire cast and crew associated with the film. 'Ponniyin Selvan' is based on the story of a novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy and it features stars Chiyaan Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Trisha, Vikram Prabhu, Prabhu and Sarath Kumar in important roles. Also, few more stars are expected to join the cast in the coming months. The music of the film will be composed by AR Rahman and will mark his 15 th collaboration with Mani Ratnam in 27 years. Although Vairamuthu’s name was not included in the list, sources say that the team has roped in the veteran lyricist for the movie. Cinematography will be handled by Mani Ratnam's favourite Ravi Varman and the editing will be done by Sreekar Prasad. Ace writer Jayamohan has penned the dialogues while the artwork for 'Ponniyin Selvan' will be handled by … [Read more...] about Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ full cast and crew revealed
Virgin Atlantic hostie reveals heartwarming story behind ‘favourite passengers ever’
Travellers Jack and Violet touched the heart of flight crew member Leah Amy, who wrote about their touching story on Facebook. Leah, who is from Manchester and now lives in Sydney, said the pair were standouts among the thousands of passengers she’d encountered, The Sun reported. “Of the hundreds of flights I’ve operated, I’ve had the pleasure of looking after footballers, supermodels and some Hollywood movie stars but let me tell you about my two favourite passengers EVER! Jack and Violet (I wish she was called Vera or Rose),” Leah wrote. “Jack and his family purchased seats in our upper class cabin for a flight home from New York, but when he got on-board, Jack went and found Violet in economy and swapped seats with her.” She explained they didn’t know each other, and Jack simply gave Violet his seat because she was elderly. “He then sat on the row of seats directly next to the economy toilets and never made a peep or asked for … [Read more...] about Virgin Atlantic hostie reveals heartwarming story behind ‘favourite passengers ever’
Diversion of flight leads to arrest of woman with 10kg gold in Mumbai
The diversion of a Beijing-New Delhi Air China Airlines flight to Mumbai due to bad weather in the Capital resulted in the arrest of a woman who was allegedly found to be smuggling gold on Friday. According to Customs officials, the arrest was made by the Air Intelligence Unit, while conducting a general check on Friday. “AIU officers were deployed at strategic locations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Friday to keep a discreet watch. During this period, they intercepted a passenger, identified as Cong Ling, who had alighted from a Beijing-New Delhi flight after it was diverted to Mumbai because of the bad weather conditions in the national Capital,” according to a customs officer.Personal searchMs. Ling, during a personal search, was found to be carrying ten pieces of 24 carat gold, each weighing one kilogram, worth over ₹3.38 crore at the current market rates. On being questioned, Ms. Ling reportedly confessed that she was smuggling the … [Read more...] about Diversion of flight leads to arrest of woman with 10kg gold in Mumbai