Air India’s Airbus A350 to commence operations from Jan 22, Bengaluru gets major push with key routes – Here’s all about the new-age aircraft After receiving the delivery of India’s first Airbus A350 aircraft last month, Air India is all set to commence the commercial service of the brand-new aircraft on January 22, 2024. The aircraft will connect the major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The airline has opened bookings for domestic flights operated by the state-of-the-art A350, offering passengers a chance to experience its unparalleled comfort and cutting-edge technology.“India’s most awaited aircraft, our first A350-900, is commencing its domestic operations from 22nd January 2024,” Air India mentioned on X while announcing the bookings of Airbus A350 tickets in the domestic sector.The domestic services launch of new Airbus 350 flights has come as a treat for flyers in the new year as the aircraft is known for its comfort and high-end technology. Flight No. AI587will operate all days except Tuesdays, connecting Bengaluru to Chennai, Chennai to Hyderabad, and Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Flight No. AI868andAI869will operate on Tuesdays, connecting Bengaluru to Delhi and Delhi to Bengaluru. The introduction of the Airbus A350 follows the arrival of the first aircraft, VT-JRA, at IGI Airport, Delhi, on December 23, 2023. Notably, this A350 is the first of the 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft ordered by Air India, with subsequent arrivals scheduled at a remarkable rate of one new aircraft every six days throughout 2024. Equipped with Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, the aircraft is designed to be 20% more fuel-efficient than similar aircraft, aligning with Air India’s commitment to sustainable operations and reduced fuel emission With a three-class cabin configuration, the aircraft features a total of 316 seats. This includes 28 private Business suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats offering extra legroom and additional amenities, and 264 spacious Economy seats. Besides, the aircraft is fitted with the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system with HD screens, ensuring a superior flying experience. The airline has rolled out a new global brand identity, including uniforms for cabin and cockpit crew designed by renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra.
The move had also prompted the country’s largest organised retailer Reliance Retail to step into the value retail segment with Yousta, which was announced on Thursday. Like Intune, Yousta began its operations in Hyderabad, with plans to expand across the country. Intune has three stores – two in Hyderabad and one in Dombivli, near Mumbai, with plans to add another three more outlets in the coming months.
Nair had admitted on a recent earnings call that the apparel segment in general was witnessing moderation and that the value retail foray by Shoppers Stop could help the company tap into the growing trend for affordable fashion and lifestyle products, aiding sales growth.
That was an important statement for Shoppers Stop, which reported a nearly 37% year-on-year drop in net profit to Rs 14.5 crore in the June quarter of FY24, even as revenue grew only 4.8% versus the previous year to nearly Rs 994 crore.
On a yearly basis, the company had last reported a net profit of nearly Rs 114 crore in FY23 after three consecutive years of loss between FY20 and FY22 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. FY23 topline also jumped nearly 60% year-on-year to Rs 4,022 crore, the highest in six years, its results showed.