AIR INDIA OFFERS RS 10,000 PRIZE TO CABIN CREW FOR TIMELY HAJ FLIGHTS

News Delhi, 13 Dzulqa’dah 1436/28 August 2015 (MINA) – Air India has offered a one-time offer of Rs 10,000 for cabin crew operating Haj flights this year as an incentive to report to airport on time and take minimum leaves during the period.

AI has been facing a crippling cabin crew shortage due to which flight delays have become common. The airline is in the process of hiring 800 cabin crew, Cii News quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“In order to improve the availability of the crew and as recognition to cabin crew who fly to the optimum it has been decided to give a one-time Haj incentive of Rs 10,000 to all those cabin crew who would be available and regular in their flying duties,” AI chairman Rohit Nandan wrote in a letter to cabin crew.

AI plans to operate 230 special Haj flights to Jeddah from seven cities — Delhi, Srinagar, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Panaji and Nagpur this year. The 230 flights, in two phases, will fly 38,000 Hajis directly to Jeddah.

The first phase of outbound flights from India to Jeddah commenced from August 16 and will see 115 special flights till September 17. The second phase or the return phase shall start from September 28 and will continue till October 28. AI will operate 115 flights to fly Haj Pilgrims back from Jeddah, an AI release said.

The airline will operate a 340-seater B777-300ER aircraft during the two phases that will fly the pilgrims to/from Jeddah. “It shall offer exclusive pre-boarding facilities and provide special meals, both on ground and in-flight to our valued pilgrims. A dedicated team from Air India will provide all assistance to the pilgrims,” the release said.(T/R05/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)