Air India, Pawan Hans assisting in Uttarakhand relief efforts

NEW DELHI, June 21: The government Friday directed state-run passenger carriers Air India and Pawan Hans Helicopters (PHHL) to render all assistance to the Uttarakhand government in the search and rescue operations going on in the flood-affected areas of the hill state.

According to the civil aviation ministry, Air India has been directed to operate additional flights from Dehradun to bring stranded pilgrims and to offer concessional fares to the affected people.

Pawan Hans has been directed to deploy additional choppers in the rescue operations in coordination with the state government.

The chopper operator has already deployed three helicopters in the rescue operations. The company can deploy more choppers from its other sectors in assisting search and rescue operations.

PHHL used to operate charter services to Kedarnath by a five-seater Bell chopper from several links, including Dehradun heliport.

Apart from civilian efforts, the Indian Air Force has deployed 43 choppers in the relief and rescue efforts. It has also deployed its Mi-26 choppers, the largest and most powerful helicopter in the world, to augment the operations.

The Indian Air Force is currently the largest and principal provider of air services for the rescue efforts. Other privately-owned choppers have also been pressed into service.

According to officials, more than 1,000 people have been killed in the hill state that was hit by torrential rains, flash floods and cloud bursts over last weekend.

Air India to reduce free baggage allowance from 20 to 15 kgs

NEW DELHI, May 8: Air India would lower the free baggage allowance from 20 to 15 kgs on the domestic sector and start charging a flat rate of about Rs 200-250 per kilo on excess baggage from next week.

This follows a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) circular last week allowing the airlines to charge fees for 'unbundled services' like check-in baggage, preferential seats, meals, snacks or drink (barring drinking water) and sports and musical instruments on their domestic flights.

Air India passengers would from next week be allowed to carry only 15 kgs of free check-in baggage and pay a flat rate of about Rs 200-250 per kg on excess weight, the sources said. The excess baggage charges currently vary between Rs 150-400 per kg depending upon the sector.

There would be no charge for hand baggage up to seven kgs, they said, adding that registered frequent flyers would be allowed to carry up to 20 kgs of checked in baggage as is prevalent now.

The national carrier is also contemplating levying charges for preferred seats but no decision has been arrived at as yet, they said, adding, there would be no charge on this count for business class passengers.

The business class passenger is in any case allowed to carry 30 kgs of baggage free.

Air India would also shortly take a decision on whether and how much to charge for meals on board, which is offered free currently as part of the full-service carrier's services.

There would no change in the rules for international flights, the sources said.

While no-frill carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet charge for preferential seating and food on board, Jet AirwaysBSE 0.76 % was also considering going in for the same. But no formal decision has been announced so far.

Air India is making changes in its ticket booking software to make the passenger know their free baggage allowance as also the excess baggage charges and other such fees which are yet to be decided, the sources said.

Air Passengers' Association of India and travel agents' bodies have opposed the government's decision to unbundle these services and levy extra charges for them.