Price Discretion For Station Managers

Indian Airlines is considering the possibility of granting 15 per cent discretion to station managers for determining price strategies in individual stations.

This is expected to boost region-wise performance of the airlines' operations.

Indian Airlines deputy managing director, P J Crasta, told Business Standard that delegation of discretionary powers would be made only after careful deliberation on the implications that this decontrol would have on the ultimate returns to the airline.

He pointed out that to ensure maximum utilisation of facilities, station managers would have to make the best use of human resources, and this would be achieved by assuming the role of total managers, which in turn would depend on discretionary powers.

Station managers would also have to cater to the specific demands of the customer -- efficient booking service, ground-handling and in-flight service.

He also stressed on cost management which was the only way to achieve effective management.

The primary objective of IA in the future, he said, would have to be to remain in the skies and save enough resources to enable it to invest in technology upgradation.