At least five public sector undertakings have indicated to Air India that they are willing to take their business to the national carrier.

The Container Corporation of India, NTPC, GAIL, IOC and the India Trade Promotion Organisation have expressed their willingness to transfer their international and domestic bookings to Air India.

This is in response to an appeal by Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, who had sent personalised letters to the chiefs of various PSUs, outlining various schemes of the airline and advertising its position as the only Indian carrier to be part of the Star Alliance, the largest global airline network. This could be an attractive proposition for corporate travellers, as membership brings a gamut of features such as worldwide connectivity, access to lounges and through check-ins, among others.

Lohani’s letter also mentions Air India’s special fare scheme, under which fares of the airline match second-class A/C fares on Rajdhani trains. It also points out that the State-owned airline offers a baggage allowance of 25 kg on domestic flights and has also revamped its frequent flyer scheme.

A team from Air India will make presentations to the PSU or business house.

The national carrier is keen on biting off a large chunk of the ₹4,000 crore-a-year corporate travel market, a segment in which the airline has not been able to capture much business, an Air India official said, declining to get into specifics.

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