T he issue of paring losses is prime. But the troubles continue with a net loss of about Rs 800 million, even as the accumulated losses remain at a daunting Rs 13 billion. On the question of distortion in revenue management on account of unscrupulous agents, the carrier is likely to introduce an 'automated space revenue management system' which will enable the company to enhance revenue and minimise offloadings. The airline is in the process of hiring a Delhi-based company to implement software solutions that would aid this process, sources said. Block bookings and last minute cancellations affect genuine sales and encourage unwarranted upgrading.
Unscrupulous agents resort to block bookings that are cancelled at the eleventh hour.
The vacant seats that result from such fraud are then utilised to upgrade favoured passengers with the connivance of corrupt elements. This results in revenue loss to the company. Another area which is being looked into immediately is 'route rationalisation'. As for increasing the fleet size, Air-India is finally about to take leasing seriously. The airline is planning to dry-lease at least eight aircraft which are likely to be inducted from the forthcoming winter season.