Patel asks Air India to reduce costs, debtsSeptember 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - After its pilots called off their strike Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel asked the cash-strapped national carrier to take steps to reduce its expenses and debts. "The government's support for Air India doesn't come without a rider.
Revival plan for Air India on track: Praful PatelSeptember 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here on Wednesday that a revival plan for national carrier Air India is on track and his ministry will soon approach the Union Cabinet for approving infusion of equity. Speaking to newsmen, on the sidelines of the symposium on cooperation between India and Asia in the aviation sector, Patel said the revival plan is in the process of being finalised.
Centre to constitute a GoM for aviation sector :PatelAugust 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel informed on Thursday that the Centre has decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into the issue of jet fuel pricing and demands of the airline industry. The Union Cabinet took the decision to form a GoM after Patel made a detail presentation on the problems faced by the aviation industry.
No voluntary retirement for civil aviation sector employees in IndiaAugust 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel on Tuesday said that there was no plan of retrenchment and early retirement scheme for the civil aviation sector employees. "There are approximately 52,042 employees working in the civil aviation sector in the attached/autonomous/public sector organisations under this ministry.
Praful Patel says Continental Airlines should have followed Indian laws on friskingJuly 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Wednesday airlines operating from India should follow the law of the land while frisking passengers in airports. Referring to the recent controversy over the frisking of Former President A.P.J.
Praful Patel to meet PM on Air India crisisJuly 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Tuesday that he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this week to discuss the appointment of independent directors to the board of Air India in a bid to revive the ailing national carrier. "I will be discussing names of eminent people who can give time and make a turnaround of Air India with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this week," Patel told reporters.
Praful Patel to discuss Air India board probables with PM this weekJuly 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this week to discuss all the probable names for the post of independent directors on the struggling Air India board. "We are going to form the board of Independent Directors very soon.
Kalam frisking will be probed: Praful PatelJuly 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The frisking of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam by Continental Airlines staff at the airport here will be probed and apologies would be asked for if "anybody is found wrong", Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Tuesday.
Air India looking at pruning incentives to overcome lossesJuly 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Cash-strapped state-run carrier Air India is reworking the employees' productivity-linked incentive (PLI) scheme as part of its restructuring plan. PLI accounts for almost half of the company's Rs.3,000 crore wage bill.
Air India top brass in for rejig: Praful PatelJuly 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The top brass of loss-making national carrier Air India is headed for a rejig, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has said, with the government proposing to hire "people with proven track record". "You will see major changes in the next 30 days.
No plans to retrench AI employees: Praful PatelJuly 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Thursday clarified that there will be no retrenchment in Air India, and added that Air India has been asked to provide a restructuring plan in next 30 days. A threat had been looming over employees of the national carrier, which has a total staff strength of around 23,000.
Murder Charge against Patil embarrassment to NCPJune 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Senior NCP leader and Union Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel said here on Monday that their party will completely dissociate itself from MP Padam Singh Patil, if the charges alleged against him are proved. "If the charges are proved, then the NCP will completely dissociate itself from Patil," said Praful Patel.
Indian Aviation Minister suggests Initial Public Offer of Air IndiaJune 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel said on Monday that in the near future, the government might come up with an initial public offering (IPO) of the national carrier, Air India. Patel was addressing reporters at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here soon after taking over his second tenure.
Praful Patel says nursing Air India his top priorityMay 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Nursing state-run carrier Air India back to financial health will be the top priority for Praful Patel, as he listed his main agenda for the ministry soon after being named minister of state for civil aviation once again. "As soon as I was given aviation (portfolio), I got a call from the Air India chairman and managing director.
NCP not bidding for PM post: Praful PatelMay 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Nationalist Congress Party is not big enough to bid for the post of prime minister, NCP leader Praful Patel said Friday, clearing air on speculation that party chief Sharad Pawar could get the top post. 'The UPA (the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance) is most likely to form the government...