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The airline has eight 777 LR (long range) and
twelve 777 ER (extended range) which were grounded
during the 59-day strike that crippled the carrier's
outbound operations and caused an estimated revenue
loss of Rs.620 crore.
"We were most badly hit in the East Asia
sector. Hong Kong was the worst hit. We had very
good passenger loads and revenue coming in from
this sector which mainly accounts for tourists
and business travelers; that's why reactivation
of these services had become a priority for us,"
a senior Air India official told IANS here.
"Our 20 aircraft of 777 type will be activated
on routes like Hong Kong, Seoul and Osaka in the
first phase starting Aug 21, 2012. This will be
followed by operations to New York, Frankfurt
and Paris," he said.
After East Asia, services to Europe will be restored
first to Frankfurt on Sept 1, 2012, and then New
York from Sept 4, 2012.
According to the official, the restoration of
services and low fare offer will see Air India's
bottom line improve.
The airline is offering a return fare of Rs.12,000,
exclusive of taxes, between New Delhi and Hong
Kong. It will start offering return tickets to
New York, Frankfurt and Paris from the minimum
price of Rs.30,000 onwards per ticket.
The airline would also increase the frequency
of its New Delhi-Paris and Mumbai-London flights,
making them daily services.
The airline is confident of maintaining the new
schedule as nearly 230 pilots have joined back
and efforts are on to take back the sacked 101
pilots.
(IANS)
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