NewsIP has always maintained monopolies whether of Public Sector or Private, severely hamper the interests of consumers. When the powers to be, went in for Privatization of Air India, it was with much fanfare and chest thumping. Somewhere down the line, the commotion of arrogant outbursts and glitz seem to have lost much of their sheen. Most Industry insiders today feel that Air India management has not spared embarrassing the Government, Indian Civil Aviation Industry, DGCA, Advocates of Selling it off and even its own Consumers. The irony is that it continues in its brazen way, caring two hoots about even those who had so cherishingly handed over a National Pride and Airline. It still prompts many diehard fans of Indian Airlines – Air India to quote a Sufi Couplet- Jee ve sohneya jee, paahwe kisi da hokey ji; manya ki tu aab sadda nayi kadi te sadda see.
This was once the cherished possession of the people and Government of India. Of course, the minions and advocates of large scale privatization are themselves conveniently silent now. When divestment of Air India was on the planning board, many economists and industry insiders were of the opinion that there could be other alternate routes than Privatization to rejuvenate Air India. Today, many experts state that the collateral damage which Air India in thrusting upon the nation needs to be monetized to essentially find out the loss or gain in the entire process of privatization of Air India.
Readers of NewIP will recall that it had pointed out in several of its writings, issues relating to Air India Privatization and subsequent Operation in National & International Skies. It had predicted the vagaries associated with the monopoly of Indian Aviation by Indigo & Air India. (Kindly see earlier Articles whose links are given below). The passengers of Indian Aviation are a hapless lot today! They can’t even complain, since the aviation companies are totally immune and authorities ineffective. From dubious safety standards to non-replacement of aging fleet, inhuman treatment of passengers, offering food on tarmac under freezing temperatures, denial of water and washrooms, profiteering on tickets during rush season, obstinate & manner less staff, all this and more has been experienced by most passengers. By now, the entire nation has come to realize that fairness and equity similar to a PSE regime cannot be expected from the private sector. To cite the parochial ways of the Private Sector a recent example has come to fore. The Private Sector was immediately up in arms, when the government, a few days earlier, mandated an annual dividend payout of minimum 30% of profit after tax (PAT) or 4% of net whichever is higher for PSUs. Such a move would immensely benefit the minority shareholder in a market bloodbath similar to what happened after Trumph announced his devastating Tariffs. Pray would this have been possible if the PSUs were all sold off as advised by the decimators of Public Sector Undertaking? The Private Sector by its sectarian protestations clearly showed that they are not at all interested in minority shareholders. All they are concerned is maximizing of profits at all costs. These intentions, we are sure, were well known to those who propagated rampant privatization. Government should not be in the business of business was then the refrain. Alas, what Trumph is doing is pure business and making good. Indian Government has yet to respond effectively. The great private empire owners, billionaires themselves, have made their intentions very clear time and again that they are in for the lucre, not nation building. Although, now they are all looking up to the Government to be Businesslike, strange indeed! If they had any pride and gumption the private sector should take it on its chin and fight back. What is the difference of a PSU and Private Sector if all have to be ultimately chaperoned by the Government? Still, there are apologists who speak of ineffectual PSU Managements but never of real level playing field clinging on to their archaic notions. ITDC, STC, BALCO, IPCL, MUL, Air India et al have, in retrospect, proved that they fetched some short change for Central Budget balancing only. In fact, what was lost is Value in exchange of mere coinage.
Coming back to the recent scandals of Air India; Peegate has once again hit it. During a Delhi – Bangkok, Flight AI2336, a passenger urinated on a Japanese national. The incident was similar to one of year 2022 when during a Air India New York-Delhi flight an ex Wells Fargo employee urinated on a 72-year-old woman. To cap it all, not having leant from the past, Air India let the culprit go free this time too. Air India, in a statement said, “The crew followed all laid down procedures, and the matter has been reported to the authorities. In addition to warning the unruly passenger, our crew offered assistance to the aggrieved passenger to file a grievance, which was declined.” An independent committee will now review the matter to determine any further action; Air India continues to follow the SOPs as laid out by DGCA in such matters,” a spokesperson added. Air India continued in its brazen style to brush aside a serious transgression of a person’s liberty, human decency and a criminal offence. This is only to be expected from a Private Company which is answerable to no one but its owner. Many are sure DGCA is also quite helpless as it has been in the past. Yesterday, tragically a young, 28-Year-Old Air India Pilot, died of a Cardiac Arrest after operating a Srinagar – Delhi Flight. It’s certainly surprising for a young pilot to have died in such tragic circumstances; after all pilots are supposed to undergo thorough medical checkups. Are these required checkups being by passed or are the Pilots being put under tremendous strain and not given adequate rest. Why such questions are being asked? It is because after a six-year battle mounted by pilots for relaxed duty hours and enhanced rest, the Delhi High Court in an order on 24.04.2025, ordered that the weekly rest for pilots will be raised from 36 hours to 48 hours from July 1 as part of phase-wise implementation of DGCA’s revised norms for pilots. The Court had disposed of the matter after DGCA undertaking on July 1 timeline. Promptly Air India and Indigo have requested the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to postpone the implementation of planned pilot duty and rest requirements, due to severe operational issues. If this is not playing with human lives what is? At least, the recent tragic death of the Air India Pilot should be an opener and Airlines in India should refrain from compromising on safety of Passengers and Crews.
Well Indian citizens are so used to getting inferior service from a monopolistic sellers’ market that they are by now a much woebegone lot. They have no alternatives but to risk their own and loved one’s life & limbs for essential Air Travel. The much glamorous Air Travel is a thing of past. Now even frequent travelers dread at the thought of Air Travel. Apart from the exorbitant costs of Air Travel, it has become riskier and a very unpleasant experience with scant improvement in sight.
For Air India, experts have only one quote of Marcus Aurelius: Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
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