'Energetic Orange, Turquoise': Air India Express' New Brand Identity

MUMBAI, Oct 18: Tata Group-owned Air India Express on Wednesday unveiled its new brand identity and aircraft livery that mainly features the colours of orange and turquoise.

Air India Express is in the process of merging AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with itself and the entity will be the low cost carrier of the Tata Group.

The unveiling of the new visual identity was done at Mumbai airport, little over two months after Air India unveiled its new brand identity.

"The airline's new visual identity features an energetic and premium colour palette of Express Orange and Express Turquoise with Express Tangerine and Express Ice Blue as secondary colours," Air India Express said in a release.

The dominant Express Orange symbolises the airline's brand values of enthusiasm and agility, while reflecting the positioning of quintessential Indian warmth. The Express Turquoise embodies the brand personality traits of style with a contemporary premium sensibility and a digital-first approach, it added.

According to the airline, the livery of the first new Boeing 737-8 aircraft draws inspiration from the Bandhani textile design.

The upcoming aircraft being inducted will feature designs inspired by other traditional patterns including Ajrakh, Patola, Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari, etc, showcasing India's artistic diversity.

"The airline's 'Patterns of India' theme encapsulates the spirit of the nation and shares its stories through a visual journey," the release said.

Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said the re-branding marks a new phase in its ambitious growth and transformation journey, starting with induction of the modern fuel-efficient Boeing B737-8 aircraft.

"With 50 aircraft set to be inducted into the fleet over the next 15 months, we double in size in a short span of time.

"Over the course of the next 5 years, we aim to grow to a fleet of about 170 narrow-body aircraft, with a network spanning the domestic India and short-haul international markets," he said in the release.

Air India Chairman and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said that with the merger of Air India Express and AirAsia India now in the final stages, "we are also seeing the transformation of the aviation landscape".

Besides, Air India Express unveiled its new signature sonic identity, a vibrant melody and the musical logo "evokes the Rasas of Karuna, Adbutha, and Veera, a harmonious welcome to the sounds of New India".

On August 10, Air India unveiled a new brand identity 'The Vista' inspired by the peak of the golden window frame that signifies "limitless possibilities" and a new aircraft livery.

Tata Group is in the process of consolidating its airline business. Apart from Air India Express-AIX Connect integration, Air India is merging Vistara with itself. Vistara is a joint venture between the Tatas and Singapore Airlines, in which the former holds a 51 per cent stake.

Heli service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi shrine soon

JAMMU, Oct 13: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is mulling a direct helicopter service from Jammu Airport to the Panchhi helipad near the shrine in Trikuta Hills of Katra, Reasi. The move comes as part of its continued endeavours to streamline the pilgrimage and provide better facilities.

“Everything has almost been finalised. Authorities are awaiting a nod from the civil aviation ministry. We expect to start the service in the ensuing Navratras, beginning October 15,” said officials.

The tender has been allotted to two private helicopter companies.

“Once the service starts, the pilgrims can book their tickets online and offline. Though the fare is yet to be finalised, it is expected to be below ₹5,000 per passenger for a one-way journey,” they added.

Union minister Jitendra Singh also expressed his happiness over the decision.

“This Navratras, pilgrims would get the gift of direct helicopter service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi Bhawan,” he posted on micro-blogging platform X.

From October 16, the pilgrims will have to shell out more for the helicopter service between Katra and Sanjhi-Chhat as the price for a round-trip will go up from ₹3,640 to ₹4,200.

Officials said that the shrine board will open a free langar (community kitchen) for the pilgrims at Bhairon Ghati from October 15, the first Navratra.

“It will be third such free langar by the board. Two are already operating at Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat,” said officials.

A week ago, the shrine board had introduced virtual reality headset for the pilgrims at a charge of ₹101.

Man With Special Needs Detained At Patna Airport For 'Misbehaving' On IndiGo Flight

PATNA, Sept 30: A mentally disabled passenger was detained for allegedly "misbehaving" and "locking himself" inside a bathroom onboard an Indigo Hyderabad-Patna flight following a complaint against him by the crew, officials said.

The alleged incident took place on Indigo flight 6E 126.

Officials further said the accused was detained by the police after landing at the Patna airport.

"He misbehaved on the flight and also locked himself inside the toilet onboard," the crew stated in their complaint.

Station House Officer, Airport police station, Vinod Peter, said "The passenger, Kamar Riyaz, is mentally disabled and is under treatment. He was carrying medical reports. He was travelling with one of his relatives from Hyderabad to Patna."

"On a complaint filed by indigo staff, we detained him," he said, adding that further verification is underway.

Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal Arrested In ₹ 538 Crore Alleged Bank Fraud Case

NEW DELHI, Sept 1: Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged ₹ 538 crore money laundering case linked to Canara Bank, sources said.

Goyal was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following a long session of questioning at the ED's office in Mumbai.

Goyal, 74, will be produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai on Saturday, where the ED will seek his custodial remand.

The money laundering case stems from a first information report (FIR) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former company executives in connection with an alleged ₹ 538 crore fraud case at Canara Bank.

The FIR was filed on the bank's complaint that alleged it sanctioned credit limits and loans to Jet Airways (India) Ltd (JIL) to the tune of ₹ 848.86 crore, of which ₹ 538.62 crore is outstanding.

The CBI had said the account was declared "fraud" in July 2021. The bank alleged the forensic audit of JIL showed it paid "related companies" ₹ 1,410.41 crore out of a total commission expenses, thus siphoning off funds from JIL.

The FIR said personal expenses such as salaries of staff, phone bills and vehicle expenses, among others, of the Goyal family were paid by JIL.

It surfaced during the forensic audit that funds were also siphoned off through Jet Lite (India) Ltd (JLL) by making advance and investing and subsequently writing off the same by making provisions.

JIL allegedly diverted the funds for the subsidiary JLL in the form of loans and advances and investments extended.

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