A fine choice
Cruising Heights|January 2023
Air India has made a fine choice in choosing ALOKE SINGH to pilot the LCC side of the business from January 1. The low-profile workaholic is a first-rate aviation professional with an ability to think out of the box. A profile.
A fine choice

When the late Deepak Barara was running the commercial department at Air India one of the smartest guys in his team was the low-profile Aloke Singh. Behind every Barara move, there was an Aloke imprint. At that time Delhi, former Lt Governor Anil Baijal was the Managing Director of Air India. Between the three of them, they took the rest of the industry by surprise. The first was every hour by an hour shuttle service between Delhi and Mumbai. These hourly departures were introduced by Indian Airlines introduced in 1999. Simply defined they offered a shuttle between the national capital, Delhi and the commercial capital, Mumbai, Critics scoffed and that there was no market for such flights. Today, they feature in any top ten list of busiest city pairs and there are multiple flights each hour between the two cities.

It speaks volumes about his credentials that the new Air India has chosen to retain someone from the 'old' Air India and promote him. An Air India (he was in Indian Airlines to start with and later part of the unified Air India) veteran who spent two decades plus, primarily in the commercial department, Aloke is the typical no-nonsense, self-effacing nut and bolts guy who knows the airline business inside out. He is not one of those whom you need to explain what seat factor and load factor are all about. From revenue management to route management to pricing and fleet rationalisation he has seen it all. Most important, he was in key positions throughout the years that the airlines were manfully fighting the headwinds in the form of Jet Airways and Naresh Goyal who were a thorn in their flesh at every turn.

Those who have worked with him describe him variously as extremely humble, focussed, man of detail and an aviation junkie. Perhaps all these are true, but his strongest trait is to work thematically on new ideas and get them off the ground like the famous Delhi-Mumbai shuttle many years ago. Today, it is the norm.

This story is from the January 2023 edition of Cruising Heights.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2023 edition of Cruising Heights.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CRUISING HEIGHTSView All
India's space economy set to soar
Cruising Heights

India's space economy set to soar

India's burgeoning space economy could see a substantial increase in its global share by 2040. At present, India's space sector contributes a modest $8 billion to the overall cake.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
JettWings leads the way in UDAN 5.3
Cruising Heights

JettWings leads the way in UDAN 5.3

JettWings Airways has emerged as a frontrunner in the aviation industry, solidifying its position as a leading private operator under the UDAN RCS 5.3 scheme.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
Sock drying to underwear adventures: Laundry tales at 30,000 feet
Cruising Heights

Sock drying to underwear adventures: Laundry tales at 30,000 feet

Picture this: you're settled into your first-class seat, ready for a smooth and luxurious flight with United Airlines. But as you glance around, you notice something that makes you do a double-take.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
PLETHORA OF AIR TRAVEL ACTIVITY IN THE INDIAN SKIES
Cruising Heights

PLETHORA OF AIR TRAVEL ACTIVITY IN THE INDIAN SKIES

The Northern Summer schedule for 2024 took off on March 31, 2024, ushering in a rush of air travel activity. With DGCA's seal of approval on 24,275 weekly departures, the skies buzzed with an average of 3,467 flights daily. However, on the inaugural day, airlines only managed to execute 3,035 scheduled domestic flights, representing a modest 87.5 per cent of the approved schedule. Delving into the nuances of this aviation landscape, an exclusive analysis by aviation analytics company Cirium unveils fascinating insights into the longest and shortest flights crisscrossing the Indian skies.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket launch postponed again
Cruising Heights

Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket launch postponed again

Chennai-based space start-up Agnikul Cosmos called off the maiden launch of its 3D-printed, semi-cryogenic Agnibaan rocket about 129 seconds before lift-off citing communication in the onboard hardware.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
Pushpak RLV-TD successfully lands autonomously
Cruising Heights

Pushpak RLV-TD successfully lands autonomously

ISRO achieved another significant milestone in reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the successful landing of Pushpak (RLV-TD), the winged vehicle, autonomously on the runway.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
TIME FOR CREDIBLE ROTARY-WING CAPABILITIES
Cruising Heights

TIME FOR CREDIBLE ROTARY-WING CAPABILITIES

With tactical-level challenges looming in India’s neighbourhood, it is time for the Indian armed forces to rapidly brush up on rotorcraft capabilities. A Special Report

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
"PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: A TROUBLED LEGACY IN NEED OF REVIVAL"
Cruising Heights

"PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: A TROUBLED LEGACY IN NEED OF REVIVAL"

Pakistan International Airlines PIA), once renowned for its slogan Great People to Fly With,’ has a storied history of contributions to the aviation industry. despite its illustrious past, PIA has faced challenges in recent decades, witnessing a decline from its former glory. This downward trajectory has prompted concerns about the airline's sustainability and competitiveness in the modern aviation landscape. The Pakistan government is now preparing to privatise the

time-read
10 mins  |
April 2024
Qatar explores major widebody order with Boeing, Airbus
Cruising Heights

Qatar explores major widebody order with Boeing, Airbus

Qatar Airways is reportedly in preliminary discussions with both Boeing and Airbus regarding a potential order of up to 150 widebody jets to modernise and expand its fleet as it needs to tackle the issue of an ageing fleet for long-distance.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
"Embraer achieves ETOPS-120 certification for E2 Series
Cruising Heights

"Embraer achieves ETOPS-120 certification for E2 Series

Embraer recently achieved a significant milestone with the acquisition of 120-minute ETOPS (Extended-Twin Engine Operations Performance Standards) approval for its E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024