'Jai Hind' – this is how Air India will wish passengers now!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In a move to improve its image, national carrier Air India will now wish its passengers 'Jai Hind' (Victory to India or Long Live India), a patriotic slogan that has long been the victory cry of India.

The national carrier, which has been reporting net loss quarter after quarters, is also facing numerous complaints from its customers especially for being inhospitable, insensitive and delayed flights.

In such times, the airline wants to wish its passengers with the nationalistic spirit with a hope that it would have a patriotic impact on them.

"The captain of a flight should often connect with passengers during the journey and, at the end of first address, using the words 'Jai Hind' would make a tremendous impact," Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director of Air India said.

Besides, Lohani in his communication to employees has also asked the staff to be "courteous and polite" to passengers and said wearing a smile would be a "good thing".

In a lengthy message, Lohani also sought to sensitise the employees to the need of ensuring that passengers have a "good experience" with Air India, especially at a time when the carrier is looking to bring about a turnaround in its fortunes.

This comes against the backdrop of multiple incidents in recent times, ranging from controversies involving people with disabilities to bad quality of food, to quarrels among staff, resulting in flight delays.

"The cabin crew should greet the passengers while emplaning and deplaning with a 'namaskaar' as was the tradition. A smile on the face and conversing sweetly and politely without an iota of irritation would be a good thing," Lohani said.

During Aircraft on Ground (AOG) or progressive delay exceeding 30 minutes, Lohani said, the airport manager and the station manager should immediately reach the site and attend to the passengers.

"There should be adequate communication to the passengers and their boarding/lodging needs should be taken care of without delay," he said, adding that station manager and airport manager have to be proactive and positive with a problem solving approach.

With PTI Inputs