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Air India new scheme aims to fill vacant business class seats
New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) With an aim to lure more passengers and sell-off its vacant seats in business class, financially stressed Air India has launched a scheme for passengers to upgrade their economy class tickets to business class.
Breifing reporters about the new scheme Air India CMD Pradeep Singh Kharola said that passengers can save up to 75 per cent on cost if upgrading via the new online offer to destination in the US, Europe, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong and on flights among six metro cities of the country.
The scheme launched in December allows passengers to bid an incremental amount or difference between economy class fare they have already paid and that of the business class seat. There would also be a cap on the minimum bid a passenger can make.
In case of a passenger, who made the bid, but was not able to get the upgrade, the entire amount will be returned.
Besides, the financially-strained airline is trying to ratilionlise catering cost by loading extra on-board meals, that can be served on the return journey of international flights.
According to Kharola, the airline has already started to stock extra meals for the entire two-way trip to destinations like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Birmingham and Madrid.
Accordingly, the airline intends to save on catering expenses as domestic vendors cost 3-4 times less than their international counterparts.
Further, the airline plans carry extra meals on the flights to Gulf region.
In addition, the airline has recieved a bid from Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for its iconic 23-storey — Air India Building — located at Nariman Point in Mumbai.
The cash-strapped airline has recieved loans worth Rs 2,000 crore from the National Small Savings Fund, while the Central government will be infusing Rs 2,345 crore into the financially strained national carrier under its ‘Turn Around Plan’.
The steps to financially revive the airline, comes after the government had offered to sell 76 per cent stake in Air India. However, the state-owned carrier failed to attract any bidder.
On May 31, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that “no response” was received even during the extended submission deadline for the EOI bids under Air India’s divestment process and the “further course of action will be decided appropriately”.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.