Facing stiff competition from private airliners, national carrier Air India (AI) will introduce a “mentorship programme” for its cabin crew staff to improve its image. While the AI is looking for “out of the box” ideas to anchor its revival, in-flight services remain the biggest challenge for it when compared to several private airlines operating domestic and internationally.
“We will bring some innovative ideas to honour our guests from ground to the skies. All other airlines and their crew members are robotic in their behaviour and attitude towards the guests but we will continue to serve traditionally with new packaging. We have out of the box ideas which will be in tune with dynamic market trends. We our branding ourselves as service to Maharajas only,” said an AI official.
The airline has over 3,800 cabin crews including 2,500 women. Under the programme, senior members would mentor their junior colleagues and the new entrants.
“There are a substantial number of cabin crew people who have been with the carrier for a decade and more. With rich experience at various levels, such individuals would be able to provide effective mentoring for their juniors," the official added.
According to the official, the mentorship programme would help staff in honing their soft skills, including those pertaining to behavioural aspects and etiquette.
The airline is staying afloat on a Rs30,000-crore bailout package, spread over 10 years, announced by the Manmohan Singh Government in 2012. Funds are being released subject to the carrier achieving certain operational parameters.
More than Rs22,000 crore has been provided to Air India under the turnaround plan. This includes financial support towards repayment of principal as well as interest on Government-guaranteed loans taken for aircraft acquisition.
The Government has allocated Rs1,713 crore to the airline as part of this bailout package for the current fiscal against the carrier's request for Rs3,901.49 crore.