AI starts work on moving towards a common code

Air India's moves towards evolving a common passenger code and integrating its IT operations have gathered momentum with leading US firm Sabre Airline Solutions starting work on it.

In a bid to be more cost efficient, the national carrier recently awarded the contract to Sabre for a common passenger code and a fully integrated flight control system, which would help the national carrier achieve operational efficiencies in key functions, airline officials said.

A common code or a single flight code is an essential requirement for Air India joining the global airlines' grouping Star Alliance.

At present, Air India, Indian Airlines and Alliance Air have AI, IC and AA as codes and ticket bookings are made through the Passenger Service System using them. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issues airline operator's permits on the basis of these codes.

A common code would also be required if the carrier plans to rename its parent company, National Aviation Company of India (NACIL) into Air India, as was suggested by the Civil Aviation Ministry over a year ago.

The Ministry had asked NACIL in 2008-09 to rename itself as Air India. But the proposal could not be implemented as there is still no common code.

The Sabre would carry out a range of activities which also includes creation of a dedicated hub control centre that would give Air India an automatic decision-making aid to recover from any irregularity like a flight diversion or delay, the officials said.

With the new systems in place, Air India would be able to increase efficiencies, reduce disruptions, enhance punctuality and passenger connections and conduct better scheduling, they said.

The Sabre AirCentre Flight, which forms the backbone of the entire fleet operation, would provide an easy way to monitor and schedule daily flight operations and notify the impending operations issues before they become problems.

With the airline being the flag carrier of the Commonwealth Games slated in October, Air India would be in a better position to handle the high traffic inflow that is expected during the games with the automated hub and operations control system in place, the officials added.