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Aviation under pressure Investigating operational problems in Airports and Airlines Chapter 1 Introduction India
aviation industry promises huge growth potential due to large and growing middle class population, favorable
demographics, rapid economic growth, higher disposable incomes, rising aspirations of the middle class, and
overall low penetration levels (less than 3%).
While the domestic airlines have not been able to attract foreign investors (up to 49% FDI is allowed, though
foreign airlines are currently not allowed any stake), foreign airlines may be interested in taking strategic stakes
due to their deeper business understanding, longer investment horizons and overall longer-term commitment
towards the global aviation industry(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
Healthy passenger traffic growth on account of favorable demographics, rising disposable incomes and low air
travel penetration could attract long-term strategic investments in the sector.
There are in challenges i) aviation money matters is currently not favorable India resulting in weak financial
performance of airlines and ii) Internationally, too airlines are going through period of stress which could
possibly discourage their investment plans in newer markets.
Besides, foreign carriers already enjoy significant market share of profitable international routes and have wide
access to Indian market through code-sharing arrangements with domestic players.
Given these considerations, we believe, foreign airlines are likely to be more cautious in their investment
decisions and strategies are likely to be long drawn rather than focused on short term valuations.
On the proposal to allow import of ATF, we feel that the duty differential between sales tax (averaging around
22-26% for domestic fuel uplifts) being currently paid by airlines on domestic routes and import duty
(85%-100%) is an attractive proposition for airlines.
(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012) However the challenges in importing, storing and transporting jet fuel will be a considerable
roadblock for airlines due to OMCs monopoly on infrastructure at most Indian airports.
From the working capital standpoint too, airlines will need to deploy significant amount of resources in sourcing
fuel which may not be easy given the stretched balance sheets and tight liquidity profile of most airlines (Rajesh
U.
Kanthe, 2012) Aviation Industry Current Status Global connection, economic growth, and trade all depend on the
aviation sector, which also is rather important.
Thanks to developments in aircraft technology, rising globalization, and the spread of low-cost carriers
(Wensveen, 2022), it has expanded dramatically during the past few years).
Driven by a rising middle class, more disposable income, and a need for faster transit, the demand for air travel
is still rising (Doganis, 2019).
The aviation sector has several difficulties including changing fuel prices, strict environmental laws, and
operational inefficiencies (Gossling & Humpe, 2020).
Furthermore significantly hampered by the COVID-19 epidemic was air transport, which resulted in large
financial losses for airports and airlines all around (IATA, 2021).
With rising passenger confidence, developments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and aircraft efficiency
(Boeing, 2023), the sector has however shown indications of resurgence.
Aviation Industry Current Status in India Indias domestic aviation sector has experienced significant growth,
achieving a record of nearly 500,000 passengers in a single day (Gupta, 2024).
Government initiatives such as the UDAN scheme have improved regional connectivity.
The sector is encountering significant operational difficulties as Vistara prepares to terminate its operations and
merge with Air India (Mehta, 2024), while Go First has indefinitely suspended all flights due to financial
limitations (Rao, 2024).
Airport congestion continues to be a significant problem.
A technical malfunction at Bengaluru Airport resulted in passenger disorder, underscoring the precarious
infrastructure underpinning Indias aviation expansion (Sinha, 2024).
The first commercial flight in India took-off in , 1911, when a French pilot Monseigneur Piguet flew airmails
from Allahabad to Naini, covering a distance of about 10 km in as many minutes.
Tata Services became Tata Airlines and then Air-India and spread its wings as Air-India International.
The domestic aviation scene, however, was chaotic.
(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012) When the American Tenth Air Force in India disposed of its planes at throwaway prices, 11
domestic airlines sprang up, scrambling for traffic that could sustain only two or three.
In 1953, the government nationalized the airlines, merged them, and created Indian Airlines.
(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012)For the next 25 years JRD Tata remained the chairman of Air-India and a director on the board of
Indian Airlines.
After JRD left, voracious unions mushroomed, spawned on the pork barrel jobs created by politicians.
In 1999, A-I had 700 employees per plane; today it has 474 whereas other airlines have 350.
(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012)The Indian Aviation Industry has been going through a chaotic phase over the past several years
facing multiple headwinds – high oil prices and limited pricing power contributed by industry wide over capacity
and periods of subdued demand growth.
Over the near term the challenges facing the airline operators are related to high debt burden and liquidity
constraints - most operators need significant equity infusion to effect a meaningful improvement in balance
sheet.
Improved financial profile would also allow these players to focus on steps to improve long term viability and
brand building through differentiated customer service.
Over the long term the operators need to focus on improving cost structure, through rationalization at all levels
including mix of fleet and routes, aimed at cost efficiency (Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
At the industry level, long term viability also requires return of pricing power through better alignment of
capacity to the underlying demand growth Historically, the Indian aviation sector has been a foot-dragger relative
to its growth potential due to unnecessary, government ownership and regulations of airlines and resulting high
cost of air travel.
However, this has changed rapidly over the last decade with the sector showing explosive growth supported by
structural reforms, airport modernizations, entry of private airlines, adoption of low fare - no frills models and
improvement in service standards.
Like elsewhere in the world, air travel is been transformed into a mode of mass transportation and is gradually
shedding its elitist image.
(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012) Challenges in the Aviation Industry in India The growths in the aviation sector and capacity
expansion by carriers have posed challenges to aviation industry on several fronts.
Fuel prices As fuel prices have climbed, the inverse Relationship between fuel prices and airline stock prices has
been demonstrated.
Moreover, the rising fuel prices have led to increase in the air fares Employee shortage There is clearly a
shortage of trained and skilled manpower in the aviation sector as a consequence of which there is cut-throat
competition for employees which, in turn, is driving wages to unsustainable levels.
Moreover, the industry is unable to retain talented employees Local connectivity One of the biggest challenges
facing the aviation sector in India is to be able to provide regional connectivity.
What is hampering the growth of regional connectivity is the lack of airports Infrastructure Airport and air traffic
control (ATC) infrastructure is inadequate to support growth(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
While a start has been made to upgrade the infrastructure, the results will be visible only after 2 - 3 years
Reserves routes The entry of new players would ensure that air fares are brought to realistic levels, as it will lead
to better cost and revenue management, increased productivity and better services.
This in turn would stimulate demand and lead to growth.
High participation expenditure Apart from the above mentioned factors, the input costs are also high.
Some of the reasons for high input costs are:-Withholding tax on interest repayments on foreign currency loans
for aircraft acquisition.
Increasing manpower costs due to shortage of technical personnel (Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012) RECOMMENDATIONS Low-cost carriers Use just a few types of aircraft, a strategy that cuts
training and maintenance expenses.
Another way to simplify operations is modifying the hub-and-spoke model, which uses designated headquarter
airports for transfers.
Traditionally, the big airlines have sent many of their flights through hub airports at peak business-travel
hours(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
That way, since carriers typically charge heaps more for business fares, they can get more revenues per flight.
But many experts argue that its time to give up on that model - especially as low-cost carriers increase service
along heavily travelled routes(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
More clear pricing The inheritance carriers have long had an unusual, almost incomprehensible pricing system.
However, these days, with the Internet allowing travelers to shop for the cheapest tickets easily, and low-cost
airlines offering uncomplicated set prices, traditional carriers have to follow suit or risk losing more and more
passengers(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
Most of the industrys improvement efforts have focused on whittling down costs.
However, boosting revenues also needs to be a priority.
After all, people are willing to pay more if they believe theyre getting more value.
Legacy carriers still offer certain advantages, especially to the business traveller including airport lounges and
more comfortable seating(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012).
This would sound like a new model for quality pricing (Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012) FROM BAILOUTS TO GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP Although the Indian airline industry
was largely deregulated in 1990, plenty of lingering rules and regulations have made it nearly impossible for
carriers to be efficient.
Many believe that restrictions on foreign ownership and labour laws have kept the indu stry from innovating.
So instead of lobbying for protective measures like bailouts, airlines need to work with government to tackle
longer-term projects like building more runways, running airports more efficiently, and reining in labour costs.
(Rajesh U.
Kanthe, 2012) Research Gap The aviation sector is integral to global transportation; nevertheless, it encounters
substantial operational issues that remain inadequately examined in current research.
Although research has investigated specific elements of airline operations, including flight delays, food safety,
and aircraft maintenance (Singh, 2022), there is an absence of holistic studies that amalgamate these factors to
assess their collective influence on passenger experience and airline efficiency.
Recent reports on aviation disasters underscore significant operational inefficiencies, including food safety
violations (Sharma, 2023), delays stemming from aircraft shortages (Patel, 2024), and infrastructure failures
including airport floods (Verma, 2023).
Notwithstanding these reports, current research fails to sufficiently examine the interconnections among these
concerns and their impact on airline performance, customer happiness, and financial stability.
although most studies emphasize financial and technological progress in aviation, the human and structural
elements leading to operational inefficiencies are inadequately examined (Kumar, 2022).
evidence about the responses of airlines and airports to these crises, as well as the efficacy of current mitigation
efforts, is scarce.
Addressing these research gaps is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of the operational
difficulties confronting the aviation sector and for proposing sustainable solutions.
Need for the Study Rising passenger demand, legislative modifications, and global disruptions such as
pandemics and geopolitical crises have exacerbated operational challenges within the aviation sector (Ghosh,
2023).
Recent events highlight the necessity for prompt resolution of these issues aircraft diversions due to foreign
object contamination (Reddy, 2023), emergency landings caused by foodborne illness (Mehta, 2024), and
substantial delays stemming from inadequate infrastructure (Banerjee, 2023).
Operational challenges in the aviation industry have intensified due to heightened passenger demand, regulatory
changes, and global disruptions, including pandemics and geopolitical conflicts (Ghosh, 2023).
Recent incidents, such as flight diversions due to foreign object contamination (Reddy, 2023), emergency
landings resulting from food poisoning (Mehta, 2024), and significant delays due to insufficient infrastructure
(Banerjee, 2023), underscore the necessity for prompt attention to these matters.
These disruptions not only bother travelers but also result in substantial financial losses for airlines and harm
their reputations.
A structured study is required to evaluate the fundamental causes of operational issues in aviation safety and
efficiency, as well as their effects on airline profitability and passenger experience (Mukherjee, 2022).
This study offers valuable insights into how airlines and airports may improve resilience against unexpected
interruptions.
By pinpointing critical problem areas, the research can inform policy recommendations that enhance operational
efficiency, mitigate financial risks, and guarantee passenger safety.
Scope of the Study This study will look at various challenges faced by airlines and airports, such as flight delays,
poor infrastructure, in-flight service issues, and following regulations (Sharma, 2024).
The study will look at examples from well-known foreign and local airlines, focusing on common issues and
reasons for their operational problems.
The research will examine the function of aviation authorities and regulatory agencies in alleviating operational
issues.
Particular focus will be directed into the efficacy of rules concerning airline maintenance, food safety, and
passenger management (Nair, 2023).
The study will also examine how various airlines tackle these difficulties, offering a comparative analysis of
optimal approaches in operational management.
The research seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective on airline operations, benefiting airline executives,
regulatory bodies, and policymakers.
It will also offer suggestions for improving operational efficiency and reducing the dangers linked to frequent
delays in aviation.
Significance of the Study The aviation industry plays a crucial part in facilitating global travel, significantly
contributing to economic growth and the tourism sector.
Ensuring that operations work seamlessly is crucial for fostering public trust, keeping the profitability of airlines,
and supporting the sustainability of the business (Desai, 2023).
This research aims to uncover the fundamental elements that add to operational challenges faced by airports and
airlines.
This study tries to provide valuable insights for those involved in aviation by analyzing actual incidents, such as
in-flight contamination, equipment failures, and regulatory shortcomings (Kapoor, 2023).
This study greatly influences policy development, as it aids regulatory authorities in creating more effective
monitoring systems meant to prevent operational errors.
This study aims to enrich academic literature by providing a thorough understanding of the operational
challenges in aviation, while integrating insights from business management, logistics, and regulatory
frameworks.
This project aims to assist aviation professionals by offering guidance grounded in factual information, which is
intended to enhance service quality, ensure financial stability, and uphold safety compliance.
Research Objectives Objectives To identify and analyze the key operational and management problems faced by
airlines and airports in recent years.
- This objective focuses on understanding the common challenges that airlines and airports have faced, such as
flight delays, staffing shortages, infrastructure limitations, and evolving regulatory pressures.
It aims to examine how these issues affect overall efficiency, customer satisfaction, and financial stability.
To explore potential solutions and strategies that airlines and airports are implementing or could implement to
address these problems.
- This objective seeks to investigate how airlines and airports are tackling these challenges through innovations,
policy changes, technology upgrades, or process improvements.
It also aims to explore future strategies that could enhance operational performance and resilience To analyze
customer sentiments expressed on social media platforms regarding operational challenges faced by airlines and
airports This objective helps By monitoring travelers social media posts about airline delays, cancellations, and
other concerns, we can comprehend their feelings and uncover prevalent issues.
This knowledge helps airlines and airports better serve passengers.
Chapter 2 Literature Review Issues in Aviation Industry Later confirmation of these results came from Air India
staff members (Gupta, 2024).
The food that was given to a passenger throughout their journey turned out to be a metallic item looking like a
sword.
IndiGo Airlines has also been under fire after cockroaches were found in its food storage room, therefore
highlighting the companys poor cleanliness policies (Rao, 2024).
Passengers on an Akasa Air flight from Goa to Delhi who was delayed for more than eight hours reported
problems akin to those in the previous sentence (Iyer, 2024)Airlines have frequently failed in their operations
within the Indian aviation sector.
Considering the severe financial problems Jet Airways was facing, Patel said the Supreme Court mandated the
firm to be liquidated.
Reflecting the consolidation in the industry, Vistara Airlines is on the brink of merging with Air India due to the
fragile financial situation (Singh, 2024).
Regarding the safety of their transportation, Indian airlines still have a great and continuous challenge.
Ramesh ( 2024) claimed that IndiGo Airlines had flown a flight with non-padded seats, which sparked concerns
regarding the passengers safety.
Smoke emissions discovered prior to a flight from Chennai to Dubai aroused concerns about the maintenance
and safety measures implemented (Krishnan, 2024).
Many Indian airports suffer from issues including congestion and insufficient infrastructure.
Moreover, Das (2024) said that exceptionally heavy rain caused flooding on the Kolkata Airport runway, which
hampered flight operations.
Similar system problems resulting from IndiGo Airlines at Bengaluru Airport generated a lot of operational
uncertainty and delays (Nair, 2024).
At Indian airports, there have been an all-time high number of security events.
Mukherjee (2024) claims that a visitor was found at Delhi Airport hiding one kilogramme of gold in his trousers.
Customs personnel at Mumbai Airport (Menon, 2024) arrested twenty- two exotic animals imported from
Thailand under control.
Like other airports all throughout the globe, Indian ones deal with various challenging technical problems.
Sharma (2024) claims that a glitch in a Microsoft system was the main cause of disturbance in airports all
around.
This breakdown affected not only Indian airlines but also many other nations and sectors.
Another reason that contributes to delays and raises maintenance concerns is the claims that the restrooms lack
sufficient sanitation.
The Aviation industry has certain characteristic feature which makes it a very complex industry.
The unused seats can‟t be inventorised, the impact of seasonality and cyclicality is very high in this
industry(Chandrani, 2015).
Long time taken for single decisions like aircraft acquisitions makes the structure of the aviation industry very
unique(Chandrani, 2015).
One example could be the seasonality issues.
During peak season in a bid to capture customers‟ airlines buy more planes or hire more employees which
increase the fixed cost.
During the lean season the high fixed cost affects the financial performance of the company.
opines that “a large jet aircraft costs in excess of US$200 million, and its procurement typically involves
significant lead time.
Since an aircraft has an operating life span of 25 to 30 years and depending on the average age of the company‟s
fleet, airline executives may be committing themselves to a time frame of decades, creating huge strategic
commitments, when placing a new aircraft order” (Chandrani, 2015).
Existing assumptions regarding the regulatory, economic or operating environments easily go awry over such a
long period of time, increasing the strategic risk for airlines(Chandrani, 2015).
The Global Food System is very complex and represents one of the critical elements that a society depends upon
and therefore needs to be maintained and protected [2].
Still, it is so delicate and could be breached easily [16].
Food system can be described as a balance between supply and demand, with consumers being the main driver
of the system, regardless of the food industry in focus.
The industry developed and effectively implemented a number of food safety standards and some of the globally
recognised certification schemes are Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), International Food
Standard (IFS), British Retail Consortium (BRC), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), Foundation for
Food Safety Certification (FSSC 22000) based on the ISO 22000 and ISO 22002-1 and other.
Until 2001, food safety standards were considered to be sufficient in preserving and protecting our food supply.
In 2002 the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 [8] has been
published.
Its primary objec tive is the protection of food supply from intentional contamination, and food defence was
introduced.
Food defence is a term that involves the active effort to protect the food supply from deliberate contamination
that is meant to intentionally harm individuals or orga nizations .
Wherever intentional contamination and food fraud pose a serious threat to the consumers’ and public health or
business, food defence should be implemented [6].
In other words, intentional contamination has the potential to cause significant public health consequences,
devastating economic impacts, loss of public confidence in the safety of food, effectiveness of government, and
food insecurity.
Food defence is usually built up, integrated into an existing food safety system of a company.
Even though both use the same or similar tools and methods, potential con sequences are drastically different.
The levels of Food Defence are shown in.
Food defence plan can be a basic or enhanced, and its complexity is mainly determined by the size of a company.
Food defence plans, like food safety plans have four components that involve the development, implementation,
testing, and review of the plan.
Verification of a particular food defence plan lies in testing, and effective corrective measures need to be
implemented accordingly .
Vulnerability assessment and mitigation strategies are integrated only into an enhanced food defence plan.
Food defence involves documentation and written pro cedures of the existing food safety system, traceability,
documentation and records of the management system, corrective and preventive measures, internal audits,
employee training, etc.
It is mainly implemented in agricultural production, pro cessing, storage and transport, wholesale and retail
distribution and tracing systems and recalls (traceability being one of the obligatory requirements) .
It is impor tant to note that the analysis of documented bioterroristic attacks via food and/or water showed that
the attacks that targeted raw materials (the field), manufacturers, and retailers were less successful which reflects
the high security standards that the food industry have been embraced or have been required to implement .
Food Challenges Flight kitchen production is a typical form of mass catering, but has some unique features
distinct from food preparation in restaurants and hotels.
The time difference between food production in the flight kitchen and finally serving it on board an aircraft with
limited kitchen facilities makes flight catering a high-risk food preparation operation.
The com plexity of the production procedures in the flight kitchen also increases the microbiologi cal hazards
associated with this type of food preparation.
Major factors affecting the hygienic quality of the food are the size of the operation, the complexity of the in-
flight service, the number of airlines catered for, the number of flights serviced during the day and the duration
of the flights to be serviced.
Since each airline has its own specification, the management of multiple contracts increas es the complexity of
the planning and control.
Production planning for flight caterers equates to just in time production techniques (JIT), meaning producing
the necessary units, in the necessary quantities, at the necessary time (Briggs and Nevett 1995, Foskett 1995).
An airline company has to decide to what extent return catering will be carried out; whether to utilise the flight
kitchens of foreign airports and whether to use local suppliers.
Frozen meals may be carried if an aircraft is using food from its homeland during the return leg.
In general,there is a growing trend in preparing frozen meals for aircraft (Asplund 2000).
Economical and production considerations as well as hygienic reasons favour frozen meals.
Microbiological examination of a batch can be carried out before it is used, thus ensuring the safety of the food.
Using frozen meals reduces the likelihood of the temperature reaching the critical limits within which the
bacterial growth may occur.
Atypical flow chart for flight kitchens is shown in Fig.
Flight kitchens normally use a cook-chill system for the preparation of cooked items (Kirk 1995).
Cooked items are then rapidly chilled in blast chillers, according to the Association of European Airlines (AEA
2015) within 4 hours from 65°C to 10°C, and according to LSG- Hygiene Institute (1997) from 60°C to 5°C.
A cold kitchen is used for the preparation of snacks, appetisers, salads and desserts.
Until portioning and packing, all prepared items are kept chilled.
After mak ing up the meal trays, the trays are loaded into a trolley for the flight.
If necessary, trolleys are loaded with dry ice in order to minimise the temperature rise in the aircraft galley before
the food is served.
The official control of flight kitchens depends on the national legislation of the country where the premises are
located.
Flight kitchens are subject to different requirements depending on the legislation of the country concerned.
The authorities responsible for con trolling flight kitchen operations must have good knowledge of the special
features of this type of mass catering.
The need for closer co-operation between airlines, local airport health authorities and national health
administrations became apparent in the 1970s, when large outbreaks were reported in connection with growing
mass tourism (WHO, Regional Office for Europe 1977).
The last few decades have seen an emphasis on the global feature of flight kitchens serv ing international
airlines.
Many airline companies use standardised audit forms to perform regular hygiene audits of their suppliers (AEA
1996).
The controlling authority and airline companies alike demand HACCP-based quality assurance.
Non-compliance with even a single CCP means a failure to reach the AEA standard.
Bacteriological results of food, drinking water and ice cubes are inspected to ensure that the buyer’s
specifications are being adhered to.
Airport Terminal and Terminal Operations Airport terminals are buildings that contain many essential facilities.
According to Price and Forrest (2016), the airport terminal is the airports main passenger building; it starts from
the terminal curbside and extends to the screening checkpoint, including the concourse beyond the screening
checkpoint.
Through a variety of procedures, airport passenger terminals can provide numerous services for the airlines and
their passengers.
Graham (2014) reports that terminal services provided by airports include such things as security, customs, and
immigration; they may also contain commercial or non-aviation facilities like retail stores, food and beverage
areas, places for entertainment, and internet facilities.
Price and Forrest (2016) indicate that airport terminals contain facilities for airport passengers and baggage
processes, airport maintenance and operational activities, airport and airline administration, and airport cargo
handling.
Based on their prominence as the airports main structure, the terminal buildings often house operations that
provide special roles or services to the airlines and their passengers.
Price and Forrest (2016) report that the most important role and function of airport passenger terminals involve
transferring passengers from ground transportation to air transportation and then vice versa.
Moreover, the airport terminal is the area that connects the airfield to the rest of the airport; it is the area that
creates a linkage between landside and airside operations (Price and Forrest, 2016).
As the fundamental part of an airport’s landside services, terminals can be managed and operated by different
parties.
Hamzawi (1992) states that airport landside is the area that consists of various zones like apron/gates area, air
terminal building(s), ground access area, and vehicle 4 parking areas.
Price and Forrest (2016) report that airport terminal operations can be managed by either the airport operators
through the airport-dominant approach, or European model, or by the airlines though the airline-dominant
approach.
Both of these approaches concentrate on providing staff to supervise terminal services and baggage and
passenger handling services.
Large airports often use a combination of these models in order to implement service delivery.
This means that they use some aspects from each of these two approaches (Price and Forrest 2016).
The consistent increase in the volume of air traffic has impacted airport operations.
Perhaps, most importantly has been the recognition on the part of airport operators to engage in more planning
and analysis of their airport terminal operations.
According to Hamzawi (1992), there are certain times of the day when air traffic peaks or is at its highest and
busiest volume.
This “daily” phenomenon often results in congestion at the airports airsides and terminal buildings; the arrival of
a huge numbers of passengers may strangle the activities of immigration, customs, security control facilities, and
many of the terminal services like baggage handling.
Sorenson (2015) suggests that more effective airport terminal operations can be achieved by improving data
collection and analysis measures.
This means that airport managers can improve their overall performance by increasing their understanding of
traffic flows and passenger data which can then be used to influence terminal planning; planners are supposed to
focus on the larger perspective of terminals as their essential mission.
Airport Terminal Design There are different kinds of airport passenger terminal buildings in terms of design and
operations.
de Neufville and Odoni (2003) show that there are five basic configurations of airport passenger buildings.
These five design types are called finger piers, satellites, midfield, Linear, 5 and transporters.
These configurations can be suitably made for major airports by the attempts of designers.
Consequently, airport terminal designers use several ways to make different shapes by taking different
possibilities into considerations (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
The five configurations of terminal buildings offer different shapes and designs to passenger terminals.
The Finger pier configuration can be visualized or imagined as fingers attached to the palm of the hand; they are
narrow extended areas from the central point of the passenger facility where aircraft can be parked and
surrounded on both sides (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
The Satellites configuration resembles the extension of T-shaped finger piers.
In this design the gates are usually located at the end of the fingers (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
According to de Neufville and Odoni (2003), midfield concourses can be either linear or X shaped.
They often have separate passenger buildings approximately a kilometer long and have around 50 gates.
These gates can be accessed by the passengers from the groundside.
A linear building is a narrow structure with one side designed for aircraft parking and the other side faces roads
and parking lot areas (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
Transporters can include the busses that transfer passengers from certain terminal gates to the aircrafts that have
been parked in the remote stands.
These busses have been specially designed for passengers’ movement, access, and baggage transfer (de Neufville
and Odoni, 2003).
In terms of functions and operational systems, airport passenger terminals can also be classified into different
groups.
Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) present two categories of terminals centralized terminals and semi-centralized
terminals.
In centralized terminals, passenger services such as ticketing, and baggage claim, and other passenger processing
zones are located in the center of the terminal building(s) (Bandara and Wirasinghe, 1992).
In the semi centralized terminals, passenger processing facilities have been separately distributed according to
groups of aircraft gates (Bandara and Wirasinghe, 1992).
6 There are some factors that have their own impact on the configuration of airport terminals.
One common factor is the distances passengers have to walk between flights or to the main terminal building
terminal walking distance.
de Neufville and Odoni (2003) describe two matrices that are used by designers to analyze walking distances in
the terminals.
These two “matrices” are impedance and flow matrices.
The impedance matrix is defined as the level of difficulty passenger’s face while transferring between two gates
inside the terminal building.
This analysis measure basically gives a description about the facilitys physical aspects or geometry (de Neufville
and Odoni, 2003).
On the other hand, the flow matrix delineates the volume of passengers based on information about their origin
points and destinations.
The flow matrix also identifies and analyzes such issues as the volume at specific gates or other access points in
the terminal.
This information provides designers, planners, and managers with the necessary data they need to improve
operational performance (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) suggest that airport terminal passengers can be categorized according to terminal
design or walking distances.
In their study they report that there are two main groups of passengers.
They divide these categories into those arriving (terminating) passengers and departing (originating) passengers,
and a second category of transferring passengers.
The latter group can be sub-divided into hub and non-hub transfer passengers.
Other researchers like Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) define “Arriving passengers” as those passengers who
arrive at the terminal by aircraft and move from the arrival gate to the ground transportation area.
Normally, this is done after they walk through the baggage claim area and retrieve their luggage.
Departing passengers are those who arrive at the terminal from the ground transportation facility to the departure
gate by moving through each of the necessary security checks and check-in counters.
In addition, Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) identify 7 transferring passengers as those who move from one
aircraft to another without leaving the airport terminal.
Additionally, some researchers continue their analysis of airport terminals by examining the flow or process of
passengers walking though airport terminals.
In these analyses, transferring passengers are divided into hub transfers and non-hub transfers (Bandara and
Wirasinghe, 1992).
Hub transfers are the passengers who move directly from the arrival gate to the departure gate.
These passengers can be pre-ticketed if their boarding passes have been issued before starting their connected
flight, or they can be processed from the departure gate, after moving through a short connecting time (Bandara
and Wirasinghe, 1992).
Chapter 3 Research Methodology Content Analysis Airport Terminal and Terminal Operations Airport terminals
are buildings that contain many essential facilities.
According to Price and Forrest (2016), the airport terminal is the airports main passenger building; it starts from
the terminal curbside and extends to the screening checkpoint, including the concourse beyond the screening
checkpoint.
Through a variety of procedures, airport passenger terminals can provide numerous services for the airlines and
their passengers.
Graham (2014) reports that terminal services provided by airports include such things as security, customs, and
immigration; they may also contain commercial or non- aviation facilities like retail stores, food and beverage
areas, places for entertainment, and internet facilities.
Price and Forrest (2016) indicate that airport terminals contain facilities for airport passengers and baggage
processes, airport maintenance and operational activities, airport and airline administration, and airport cargo
handling.
Based on their prominence as the airports main structure, the terminal buildings often house operations that
provide special roles or services to the airlines and their passengers.
Price and Forrest (2016) report that the most important role and function of airport passenger terminals involve
transferring passengers from ground transportation to air transportation and then vice versa.
Moreover, the airport terminal is the area that connects the airfield to the rest of the airport; it is the area that
creates a linkage between landside and airside operations (Price and Forrest, 2016).
As the fundamental part of an airport’s landside services, terminals can be managed and operated by different
parties.
Hamzawi (1992) states that airport landside is the area that consists of various zones like apron/gates area, air
terminal building(s), ground access area, and vehicle 4 parking areas.
Price and Forrest (2016) report that airport terminal operations can be managed by either the airport operators
through the airport-dominant approach, or European model, or by the airlines though the airline-dominant
approach.
Both of these approaches concentrate on providing staff to supervise terminal services and baggage and
passenger handling services.
Large airports often use a combination of these models in order to implement service delivery.
This means that they use some aspects from each of these two approaches (Price and Forrest 2016).
The consistent increase in the volume of air traffic has impacted airport operations.
Perhaps, most importantly has been the recognition on the part of airport operators to engage in more planning
and analysis of their airport terminal operations.
According to Hamzawi (1992), there are certain times of the day when air traffic peaks or is at its highest and
busiest volume.
This “daily” phenomenon often results in congestion at the airports airsides and terminal buildings; the arrival of
a huge numbers of passengers may strangle the activities of immigration, customs, security control facilities, and
many of the terminal services like baggage handling.
Sorenson (2015) suggests that more effective airport terminal operations can be achieved by improving data
collection and analysis measures.
This means that airport managers can improve their overall performance by increasing their understanding of
traffic flows and passenger data which can then be used to influence terminal planning; planners are supposed to
focus on the larger perspective of terminals as their essential mission.
Airport Terminal Design There are different kinds of airport passenger terminal buildings in terms of design and
operations.
de Neufville and Odoni (2003) show that there are five basic configurations of airport passenger buildings.
These five design types are called finger piers, satellites, midfield, Linear, 5 and transporters.
These configurations can be suitably made for major airports by the attempts of designers.
Consequently, airport terminal designers use several ways to make different shapes by taking different
possibilities into considerations (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
The five configurations of terminal buildings offer different shapes and designs to passenger terminals.
The Finger pier configuration can be visualized or imagined as fingers attached to the palm of the hand; they are
narrow extended areas from the central point of the passenger facility where aircraft can be parked and
surrounded on both sides (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
The Satellites configuration resembles the extension of T-shaped finger piers.
In this design the gates are usually located at the end of the fingers (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
According to de Neufville and Odoni (2003), midfield concourses can be either linear or X shaped.
They often have separate passenger buildings approximately a kilometer long and have around 50 gates.
These gates can be accessed by the passengers from the groundside.
A linear building is a narrow structure with one side designed for aircraft parking and the other side faces roads
and parking lot areas (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
Transporters can include the busses that transfer passengers from certain terminal gates to the aircrafts that have
been parked in the remote stands.
These busses have been specially designed for passengers’ movement, access, and baggage transfer (de Neufville
and Odoni, 2003).
In terms of functions and operational systems, airport passenger terminals can also be classified into different
groups.
Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) present two categories of terminals centralized terminals and semi- centralized
terminals.
In centralized terminals, passenger services such as ticketing, and baggage claim, and other passenger processing
zones are located in the center of the terminal building(s) (Bandara and Wirasinghe, 1992).
In the semi centralized terminals, passenger processing facilities have been separately distributed according to
groups of aircraft gates (Bandara and Wirasinghe, 1992).
6 There are some factors that have their own impact on the configuration of airport terminals.
One common factor is the distances passengers have to walk between flights or to the main terminal building
terminal walking distance.
de Neufville and Odoni (2003) describe two matrices that are used by designers to analyze walking distances in
the terminals.
These two “matrices” are impedance and flow matrices.
The impedance matrix is defined as the level of difficulty passenger’s face while transferring between two gates
inside the terminal building.
This analysis measure basically gives a description about the facilitys physical aspects or geometry (de Neufville
and Odoni, 2003).
On the other hand, the flow matrix delineates the volume of passengers based on information about their origin
points and destinations.
The flow matrix also identifies and analyzes such issues as the volume at specific gates or other access points in
the terminal.
This information provides designers, planners, and managers with the necessary data they need to improve
operational performance (de Neufville and Odoni, 2003).
Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) suggest that airport terminal passengers can be categorized according to terminal
design or walking distances.
In their study they report that there are two main groups of passengers.
They divide these categories into those arriving (terminating) passengers and departing (originating) passengers,
and a second category of transferring passengers.
The latter group can be sub-divided into hub and non-hub transfer passengers.
Other researchers like Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) define “Arriving passengers” as those passengers who
arrive at the terminal by aircraft and move from the arrival gate to the ground transportation area.
Normally, this is done after they walk through the baggage claim area and retrieve their luggage.
Departing passengers are those who arrive at the terminal from the ground transportation facility to the departure
gate by moving through each of the necessary security checks and check-in counters.
In addition, Bandara and Wirasinghe (1992) identify 7 transferring passengers as those who move from one
aircraft to another without leaving the airport terminal.
Additionally, some researchers continue their analysis of airport terminals by examining the flow or process of
passengers walking though airport terminals.
In these analyses, transferring passengers are divided into hub transfers and non-hub transfers (Bandara and
Wirasinghe, 1992).
Hub transfers are the passengers who move directly from the arrival gate to the departure gate.
These passengers can be pre-ticketed if their boarding passes have been issued before starting their connected
flight, or they can be processed from the departure gate, after moving through a short connecting time (Bandara
and Wirasinghe, 1992).
Qualitative Analysis Qualitative analysis in aviation research investigates subjective experiences, perceptions,
and behaviors that are associated with airline services, operational efficiency, and safety.
This approach is frequently implemented to examine airline crisis management strategies, employee experiences,
and consumer satisfaction (Denzin & Lincoln, 2018).
Key issues, including workplace stress, pilot fatigue, and crew management challenges, are identified through
interviews and focus groups with aviation professionals (Tracy, 2020).
In the same vein, passenger interviews offer a glimpse into the expectations of in-flight services, baggage
management, and airport facilities (Silverman, 2020).
In aviation research, thematic analysis is a qualitative method that is frequently employed to identify patterns and
emerging themes from textual data.
This method is particularly useful for addressing issues such as security concerns, customer loyalty factors, and
service quality (Braun & Clarke, 2021).
observational studies are implemented at airports to evaluate security screenings, passenger traffic, and check-in
procedures (Guest et al, 2017).
Qualitative research offers valuable, in-depth insights that contribute to the enhancement of airline services,
operational efficiency, and policy development, despite these constraints.
This research will employ content analysis as the primary method to carefully scrutinize and assess qualitative
data from many sources, including industry reports, academic articles, news media, and case studies.
The focus will be on identifying recurring patterns, themes, and challenges related to operational and managerial
issues within the airline and airport sectors.
The study will employ content analysis to examine textual data for insights related to airplane delays, safety
incidents, customer service challenges, and responses to external factors such as legislation changes and global
crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The analysis will provide a thorough overview of the primary challenges and solutions identified in the literature
by categorizing and coding the data into relevant categories, such as safety concerns, technological limitations,
and staffing issues.
This approach facilitates a thorough assessment of challenges across several locations, aiding in the formulation
of significant insights and actionable recommendations for industry participants.
Sample Size The sample size for this research will consist of 50-70 articles that cover a wide range of
unconventional topics related to the operational and management challenges faced by airlines and airports.
These articles will be sourced from reputable industry journals, academic research papers, news media Methods
Used We will use NVivo, a software for analyzing qualitative data, to carefully sort, code, and examine
information from 50 to 70 Articles.
NVivo is an easy-to-learn tool, because it works like the ‘old-loose-leaf’ binder that many qualitative researchers
of the past are familiar with (Walsh, 2003, p.
253) NVivo opens with a small window referred to as the Launch Pad (aka Project Pad) which has four core tool
functions (i) create a new project, (ii) open an existing project, (iii) open a tutorial, and (iv) exit the program (see
Exhibit 2).
The NVivo help, online tutorials and the above mentioned resources (Exhibit 1), describe navigation and
functionality in detail.
This section next very briefly introduces several core elements of the tool, to ease subsequent discussion.
All data is arranged around Documents and Nodes – the two main working frameworks within the tool.
Documents are simply data that one analyses in the study.
All NVivo 20 documents are in rich text format.
Nodes are places where one stores ideas and categories.
It is important to note the difference between a code and a node, in NVivo parlance.
A Node is a physical location where you store the groups of ideas that would be coded.
Thus, coding (putting things into codes) is a process; a way to label certain aspects of the data and to sort
information in distinct categories.
The node on the other hand holds all the information that has been coded under a certain category.
Attributes are properties assigned to nodes or documents.
Once attributes are defined, each document or node will have specific values for each attribute.
These attribute values can be numeric, string, Boolean or date-time type.
These attributes can be usefully applied for better data management and effective searches.
The NVivo Search tool can be used to search for strings, coding patterns or attribute values in the project
database.
These features enable the user to search for patterns across their data.
Chapter 4 Data Analysis The Main Theme from the Above Data is Food Safety and Hygiene Especially with in-
flight meals, food safety and hygiene have become airline main issues.
Events involving consumers finding past-due meals or bugs in their cuisine have caused public outcry and
significant damage to airlines such IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara.
These shortcomings compromise not only passenger safety but also their faith on the degree of airline service
quality.
Usually apologizing, airlines start looking; yet, the reactive character of these projects usually does not help to
quickly rebuild passenger confidence.
They also assert to improve control of quality.
Events like the IndiGo rat outbreak at Goa Airport and the Air India cockroach incident have also disrupted
aircraft operations and caused delays and more costs for airlines.
The effect on the brand name of the airline is significant since unsatisfied customers, particularly in cases where
these problems arise on first class, reflect their opinions.
Among the main financial effects are less consumer loyalty and operational interruptions.
Airlines have to keep transparency about their corrective actions, follow better hygienic standards, and adopt a
proactive attitude to prevent such events.
This will enable companies to rebuild public confidence and minimize ongoing reputation damage.
no articles main theme sub theme Sub theme Sub Theme key words Airport/Airline Location Date Problem faced
by Solutions taken How was their response from the victims POV Response from the Airline/Airport
Information Source 1 a.
https://economictimesindiatimescom/industry/tran sportation/airlines-/-aviation/akasa-air-passenger- claims-
expired-food-was-served-on-flight-airline- says-probing- matter/articleshow/113178051cms?utm_source=co
ntentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign =cppst service standards In-flight Food Safety Airline
Quality Control Akasa Air, Expired food, Catering, Passenger Complaints,Food Safety, Airline service standards,
Investigation, aviation,Passenger Trust, Customer experience Akasa airlines not mentioned September 09 2024
Passenger on the flight Airline Intiated a detailed Investigation Passenger expressed Dissatisfaction by
complaining on social media about being served Expired Food Akasa Air acknowledged the issue, admitting that
some passengers were inadvertently served refreshments that did not meet our quality standards The airline
expressed regret and stated they are conducting a detailed investigation to prevent future occurrences.
The Economic Times 2 a.
https://indianexpresscom/article/india/air- india-confirms-incident-of-blade-like-metal-in- passengers-food-
9397742/ Passenger Saftey Hygeine Foreign Object Food Saftey, Air India, Passenger saftey, Service Quality,
Quality control, Airline Investigations, Incident report, Blade in Food Air India October 14 2023 Passenger on
the flight Intiated an investigation and pledged to take corrective measures to prevent similar incidents Distress
and Concer for their Saftey Commitment to high Saftey and Hygiene standards in inflight meals Indian Express
3 a.
https://wwwhindustantimescom/trending/unclean- worn-off-seats-bad-food-delay-investor-says-his- trip-with-
air-india-was-a-horror-story- 101718529618612html In-flight Service Quality Passenger Experience Airline
Maintenance Standards Unclean seats, Bad food, Flight delay, Poor business class service, Broken flatbed seat,
Non- functional entertainment system, Customer dissatisfaction Luggage damage, Airline negligence,Apology
from airline Air India June 17 2024 Business Class Passenger passenger was moved to another seat after
complaining about the broken flatbed.
other issues like uncleanliness, food quality, and damaged luggage remained unresolved mid-flight.
The passenger described the journey as a horror story and was deeply dissatisfied, citing multiple service
failures.
Air India apologized on social media after the passenger posted his grievances.
the apology tweet was later deleted, which led to further criticism of the airlines handling of the matter.
Hindustan Times 4 https://economictimesindiatimescom/industry/tran sportation/airlines-/-aviation/indigo-
airlines-faces- backlash-over-cockroaches-running-around-in- aircrafts-food- area/articleshow/108005743cms?
utm_source=cont entofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign= cppst Hygiene and Sanitation Concerns in
Aircraft Impact of Food Contamination on Passenger Safety Public Backlash on Airlines’ Hygiene Standards
Cockroach infestation, Hygiene failure, Food contamination, Passenger safety, Public outrage, Social media
backlash, Airline Reputation, Inadequate sanitation, Customer dissatisfaction, Airline accountability Indigo
October 14 2024 Passengers on the IndiGo flight, especially those near the food service area.
IndiGo issued a statement that they were investigating the matter.
The airline claimed they performed a thorough cleaning and fumigation post-flight.
Passengers expressed anger and disgust.
Social media posts amplified the issue, leading to widespread criticism.
IndiGo apologized and claimed they took immediate measures to sanitize the affected aircraft.
However, the lack of preventive measures beforehand attracted backlash.
Economics Times 5 a.
https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/india/indians- lack-of-toilet-hygiene-delays-long-haul-flights- bleeds-
airlines/articleshow/57639785cms Hygiene Concerns Impacting Flight Operations In-flight Cleanliness
Challenges for Airlines Financial and Operational Costs Due to Passenger Behavior Toilet hygiene, Flight
delays, Passenger behavior Cleanliness issues, Airline costs, Long-haul flights, Maintenance challenges, Cabin
crew struggles Operational disruptions, Passenger safety Not Mentioned March 15th 2017 Airlines operating
long- haul flights with passengers from India.
Airlines introduced awareness campaigns about in-flight hygiene.
Increased cleaning frequencies for long-haul flights.
Passengers faced inconvenience, especially when lavatories became unusable mid-flight.
Airlines acknowledged the issue and focused on preventive strategies, including pre-boarding announcements
and enhanced cleaning protocols.
Financial strain on the airlines was highlighted as a key concern.
Times of India 6 a.
https://economictimesindiatimescom/industry/tran sportation/airlines-/-aviation/i-do-hope-i-land- safely-
cushionless-seats-on-bengaluru-bhopal- indigo-flight-raises-safety-concerns-airline-
clarifies/articleshow/108302636cms?utm_source= contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campai gn=cppst
Passenger Safety in Aircraft Configuration Operational Shortfalls in Aircraft Maintenance Impact of Airline
Responses on Customer Trust Cushionless seats, Safety concerns, Bengaluru- Bhopal flight, IndiGo Airlines,
Passenger discomfort, Aircraft maintenance, Airline compliance, Customer complaints, Flight safety standards,
Public reaction Indigo october 27 2023 Passengers onboard the IndiGo flight.
IndiGo clarified that seats were compliant with regulatory guidelines and cleared for safety.
Promised review of operations to avoid recurrence of passenger discomfort.
Passengers expressed unease and dissatisfaction, questioning the airlines safety measures.
IndiGo clarified that the situation met regulatory standards but assured passengers of further reviews to improve
service.
Economics Times 7 a.
https://wwwlivemintcom/news/india/vistara- airlines-passenger-finds-a-cockroach-in-his-meal- here-s-what-
airline-said-11665801629857html Food Safety in Premium Airlines Damage to Brand Image Due to Hygiene
Lapses Impact on Passenger Trust in Airlines Cockroach in meal, Vistara Airlines,Food hygiene issue, In-flight
meal safety, Passenger dissatisfaction Airline reputation, Complaint escalation Meal quality control, Cabin crew
action, Preventive measures Vistara October 12 2023 Vistara passenger served contaminated food during the
flight.
Vistara issued a formal apology.
Immediate investigation initiated to identify lapses in food supply chain.
Passenger expressed shock and dissatisfaction, expecting better standards from a premium airline.
Vistara promised corrective actions to enhance food hygiene and prevent future occurrences.
LiveMint 8 a.
https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/technology/soci al/cockroach-found-in-air-india-passengers-meal- on-delhi-
new-york-flight-know-what-airline- responded/articleshow/113768900cms Food Contamination in Air Travel
Impact of Hygiene on Airline Reputation Passenger Safety and Airline Accountability Cockroach in meal, Food
contamination, Air India Delhi-New York flight, Hygiene standards In-flight catering, Passenger complaint
Airline response, Quality control Service standards Air India April 10th 2023 Paassenger The airline apologized
for the incident.
Internal investigation was initiated to address the issue and improve quality control in catering services.
Passenger expressed dissatisfaction with the hygiene and quality control measures onboard.
Air India issued an apology and emphasized steps to ensure such incidents do not recur.
Times of India 9 https://wwwindiatodayin/amp/india/story/goa- dabolim-international-airport-panaji-rat-indigo-
flight- lucknow-2636085-2024-11-19 Wildlife Intrusion Aircraft Safety Passenger Experience IndiGo, rat on
plane, flight delay, Goa airport, Lucknow flight, pest control IndiGo Goa, India November 19, 2024 Passengers
on IndiGo flight from Goa to Lucknow Flight was delayed for over 2 hours to conduct fumigation and ensure
aircraft safety Passengers experienced inconvenience due to the delay caused by the unexpected incident IndiGo
conducted necessary fumigation procedures to ensure safety before allowing the flight to proceed India Today
Food saftey and HygenieThe Main Theme from Above Data is Flight Delays, Cancellations &Operational
Failures Key questions affecting consumers as well as airlines are flight delays, cancelments, and operational
difficulties.
From IndiGos rodent problem at Goa airport, which resulted in a two- hour delay for fumigation, to SpiceJets
aircraft with AC failure during a heatwave, travelers routinely suffer terrible or uncomfortable travel experiences.
Safety issues are raised occasionally, such on IndiGos Bengaluru-Bhopal trip with cushionless seats, since the
company does not follow operational guidelines, which aggravates already unhappiness.
Technical problems or unanticipated events like IndiGos tech breakdowns wreaking havoc at Bengaluru airport
are becoming prevalent causes of delays generating great inconvenience and financial losses for airports.
Among the operational errors Vistara has faced are food-related cockroach occurrences and such mistakes
compromise passenger confidence in the dependability and safety of the airline.
Sometimes operational mistakes call for apologies, questions, and preventative actions; other times, the damage
to the airlines reputation could endure a lifetime.
Usually dealing with major delays, inconvenience, and occasionally safety issues, passengers show the need of
airlines raising operational efficiency and service standards.
Airlines that proactively handle these problems and improve their operational procedures help to minimize
disturbance, lower consumer aggravation, and keep their credibility for dependability.
10 a.
https://indianexpresscom/article/trending/trending- in-india/indigo-passengers-yell-at-mumbai-airport- ground-
staff-over-delayed-flight-viral-video- 9593922/ Passenger Frustration Due to Flight Delays Poor Communication
by Airline Staff Impact of Flight Delays on Travelers’ Schedules Flight delay,Passenger anger, IndiGo Airlines
Mumbai Airport, Viral video, Customer service failure Ground staff dispute, Communication gap Operational
inefficiency, Airline accountability Indigo Apr-24 Passengers waiting for a delayed IndiGo flight.
IndiGo issued a statement about the operational delay.
Promised improved communication in future incidents.
Passengers were extremely frustrated due to poor communication and inconvenience.
IndiGo acknowledged the issue and emphasized steps to prevent similar occurrences.
Indian Express 11 a.
https://wwwndtvcom/india-news/video- smoke-comes-out-of-dubai-bound-flight-in-chennai- before-takeoff-
6646629 Flight Safety Incidents Emergency Procedures at Airports Passenger Panic During Technical
Malfunctions Smoke in aircraft, Flight safety, Emergency landing Chennai Airport, Dubai-bound flight,
Technical issue Passenger evacuation, Pre-takeoff malfunction Aircraft engineering, Airline response Chennai
Airport / Emirates Apr-24 Passengers on a Dubai-bound flight.
Passengers were deboarded safely.
Aircraft was grounded for inspection and maintenance.
Passengers were scared and frustrated by the delay and safety risks.
The airline emphasized that safety protocols were followed, and an investigation was initiated.
NDTV 12 Akasa Air flight from Goa to Delhi last evening that was delayed by 8 hours.
Long Flight Delays Without Compensation Struggles Faced by Passengers With Medical Conditions Inadequate
Customer Support During Flight Disruptions 8-hour delay, Akasa Air, Passenger inconvenience Medical
emergencies, Stranded travelers, No accommodation provided, Poor refreshments Flight mismanagement,
Airline neglect, Customer dissatisfaction Akasa airlines 13 a.
https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/business/india- business/go-first-cancels-all-flights-till-may-28- citing-
operational- reasons/amp_articleshow/100528198cms Flight Cancellations Airline Management Issues Passenger
DisruptionsGo First, Flight cancellations, Operational reasons, Airline crisis, Passenger inconvenience, Service
disruptions, Refund policies, Aviation delaysGo First Not mentione M y-24 Passengers booked on Go First
flights Airline issued refunds to affected passengers and assisted in rebooking with alternate flights Passengers
expressed frustration and inconvenience on social media over disrupted travel plans Go First cited operational
reasons for the cancellations and extended apologies to passengers, promising to address the challenges and
resume services promptly The Times of India 14 a.
https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/city/kolkata/wa tch-planes-grounded-as-rainwater-enters-kolkata- airport-
runway/articleshow/112244966cms Weather Impact Airport Infrastructure Issues Delays Due to Flooding
Rainwater, Kolkata airport, runway flooding, grounded planes, flight delays, infrastructure issues, passenger
inconvenience, emergency management, weather disruption Kolkata Airport Kolkata, India Nov-24 Passengers
waiting for flights at the airport Ground staff worked to drain the water and clear the runway; airlines informed
passengers of delays Passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of preparedness for handling such
situations, leading to long delays Kolkata Airport stated that the flooding was caused by unprecedented rainfall
and measures were being taken to improve drainage infrastructure to prevent recurrence The Times of India 15 a.
https://wwwbusinesstodayin/industry/aviation/stor y/air-india-flight-over-100-passengers-stuck-in- phuket-for-
more-than-80-hours-ai-replies-454323- 2024-11-19 Technical Failures Leading to Flight Cancellations Passenger
Hardships Due to Extended Stranding Airlines Crisis Management and Communication Air India Flight AI377,
Phuket to New Delhi, Technical issues, Flight delays, Passenger grievances, Emergency landing, Airline
communication, Stranded passengers, Alternative accommodations, Refund options Air India November 16,
2024 Extended delays due to technical faults, inadequate communication, and insufficient support from the
airline.
Air India provided hotel accommodations, meals, and rebooked some passengers on alternative flights.
They also offered full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options.
Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates and perceived inadequate assistance during the
extended delay.
Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and cited technical issues as the reason for the delays.
They emphasized efforts to provide on-ground assistance and alternative arrangements for passengers.
NDTV 16 https://wwwbusinesstodayin/industry/aviation/stor y/operational-challenges-to-continue-even-as-
curtains-close-on-vistara-453313-2024-11-11 Airline Mergers and Their Impact Operational Disruptions
Customer and Employee Sentiment Vistara-Air India merger, Operational challenges Flight disruptions,
Workforce transition, Customer dissatisfaction, Airline restructuring, Flight cancellations, Service quality
concerns, Integration process, Aviation industry impact Vistara November 11, 2024 Flight delays, inconsistent
service, and uncertainty due to ongoing merger-related operational adjustments.
Efforts to streamline operations, improve communication with passengers, and resolve logistical bottlenecks
Many passengers reported dissatisfaction with disrupted schedules and declining service quality, highlighting a
need for better coordination Air India assured customers that the integration process would be managed
efficiently, acknowledging the initial challenges while committing to long-term improvements Business Today
17 https://wwwbusinesstodayin/industry/aviation/stor y/end-of-lifeline-supreme-court-orders-liquidation- of-jet-
airways-over-failure-to-implement-resolution- plan-452880-2024-11-07 Insolvency Resolution Failure Judicial
Intervention in Corporate Insolvency Impact on Stakeholders Jet Airways liquidation,Supreme Court ruling,
Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, Resolution plan failure, NCLT Mumbai, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Airline
insolvency, Stakeholder impact, Judicial intervention, Corporate liquidation Jet Airways November 7 2024
Employees, creditors, and other stakeholders faced uncertainty and potential financial losses due to the airlines
liquidation The Supreme Court ordered the liquidation of Jet Airways and directed the NCLT Mumbai to appoint
a liquidator to manage the process.
Stakeholders expressed concerns over potential job losses, financial setbacks, and the broader impact on the
aviation industry Jet Airways, having been grounded since 2019, did not provide an official response to the
liquidation order.
Business Today 18 https://wwwbusinesstodayin/industry/aviation/stor y/air-india-cancels-multiple-flights-on-
india-us- route-due-to-aircraft-shortage-452137-2024-10-30 Operational Challenges in Aviation Passenger
Disruption and Compensation Fleet Management Strategies Air India, Flight cancellations, India-US route,
Aircraft shortage, Maintenance delays, Supply chain constraints, Passenger compensation, Fleet management
Aviation industry challenges 10.
Operational disruptions Air India october 30 2024 Travelers experienced unexpected flight cancellations on
routes between India and major US.
cities, leading to disrupted travel plans during the Air India proactively informed affected customers, offering
alternatives such as rebooking on other Air India group flights, complimentary date changes, or full refunds.
Passengers expressed frustration over the sudden cancellations, especially during a high- demand travel period.
Some faced challenges in securing alternative flights, leading to increased travel costs and inconvenience.
Air India acknowledged the inconvenience caused and emphasized that the cancellations were due to factors
beyond their control.
The airline assured customers of their commitment to resolving the maintenance issues promptly and minimizing
further Business Today Flight Delays, Cancellations, and Operational Failures The Main Theme for the above is
Aviation Security and Safety Author of this book documents several events impacting Indian airlines Air India,
IndiGo, Vistara, and Akasa Air.
Complaints regarding past food consumed on aircraft prompted the airline to look thoroughly and offer an
apology.
After Air India revealed in June 2024 a blade-like metal in passenger food, customer discontent and a horror
story followed.
When a passenger complained, the airline apologized on social media; sadly, the apology statement was later
removed, which attracted more criticism on the handling of the situation.
IndiGo passengers on a Bengaluru-Bhopal flight affected by food service area cockroach infestations in October
2024 The airline claimed to have fumigated and cleaned thoroughly following a flight; absence of preventative
policies prior led to criticism.
Airlines carrying long-haul flights with Indian customers started awareness efforts on in-flight cleanliness and
adjusted the cleaning frequency for such flights in March 2017.
Still, people were annoyed, particularly when toilets started to break midway on the trip.
Owning the problem, airlines concentrated on preventative measures including improved pre-boarding
announcements and sanitation standards.
October Twenty-23 IndiGo passengers on the plane were checked for safety and assured their seats complied
with legal requirements.
They assured a review of processes to prevent passenger unhappiness reoccurring.
Vistara formally apologized after following clients on an October 2023 flight eating tainted food.
The airline started looking right away for issues involving food supplies chains.
Passengers displayed shock and discontent not typical of a first-class airline.
Apologising for the April 10, 2023 incident, Air India reassured exceptional hygiene standards and safety in in-
flight meals.
The author underlines the need of keeping high standards in aviation and the responsibility of airlines to
guarantee the welfare and safety of their passengers.
https://wwwindiatodayin/amp/business/story/bom b-hoaxes-on-flights-air-india-indigo-vistara-aviation-
industrys-new-financial-headache-2618314-2024-10- 17 Bomb Threats Operational Disruptions Financial
Impact Bomb hoaxes, Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, flight diversions, security protocols, financial losses, passenger
safety Air India, IndiGo, Vistara India October 17, 2024 Airlines facing operational disruptions and financial
losses due to bomb hoaxes Implementation of stringent security measures, flight diversions, emergency landings,
thorough passenger screening Passengers experienced delays, diversions, and heightened security checks,
leading to inconvenience and anxiety Airlines adhered to safety protocols, coordinated with security agencies,
and conducted thorough checks to ensure passenger safety India Today
https://meconomictimescom/industry/transportatio n/airlines-/-aviation/bomb-scare-vistara-frankfurt- mumbai-
flight-makes-emergency- landing/articleshow/114303243cms?_gl=1*4my36o*_
ga*NzgyNTAzMjA2LjE3MzM3MTIzNDQ*_ga_WZ3Z4G
GVRC*MTczMzcxMjYwMC4xLjAuMTczMzcxMjYwMS41 OS4wLjA Bomb Threats Emergency Landings
Passenger Safety Vistara, bomb scare, emergency landing, Frankfurt- Mumbai flight, passenger evacuation,
security protocols Vistara September 6, 2024 Passengers on Vistara flight UK27 from Frankfurt to Mumbai
Flight made an emergency landing in Erzurum, Turkey; passengers evacuated; thorough security checks
conducted Passengers experienced anxiety and inconvenience due to the emergency landing and evacuation
procedures Vistara coordinated with local authorities to ensure passenger safety; after security clearance, an
alternative aircraft was arranged to continue the journey The Economic Times
https://meconomictimescom/industry/transportatio n/airlines-/-aviation/akasa-air-says-no-impact-on- operations-
due-to-boeing-737-plane- advisories/articleshow/114052604cms?_gl=1*1fpdw4
a*_ga*NzgyNTAzMjA2LjE3MzM3MTIzNDQ*_ga_WZ3Z
4GGVRC*MTczMzcxMjYwMC4xLjEuMTczMzcxMjczNC4 1OC4wLjA Fleet Management Operational
Assurance Manufacturer Communication Akasa Air, Boeing 737, safety advisory, operations, fleet management,
aviation safety Akasa Air India September 20, 2024 Potential passenger concerns regarding aircraft safety Akasa
Air confirmed that their operations remain unaffected by the Boeing 737 advisories and that all necessary safety
protocols are being followed Passengers were reassured about the safety and reliability of Akasa Airs fleet Akasa
Air stated that they are in compliance with all regulatory directives and that their Boeing 737 aircraft continue to
operate safely The Economic Times https://meconomictimescom/industry/transportatio n/airlines-/-
aviation/boeing-urges-airlines-to-inspect- 737-max-planes-for-possible-loose- bolt/articleshow/106387303cms?
_gl=1*113j48f*_ga* NzgyNTAzMjA2LjE3MzM3MTIzNDQ*_ga_WZ3Z4GGVR
C*MTczMzcxMjYwMC4xLjEuMTczMzcxMjk5Mi4xNC4w LjA Maintenance Alert Component Inspection
Manufacturer Directive Boeing, 737 MAX, loose bolt, rudder control system, safety inspection, maintenance
advisory Multiple Airlines Operating Boeing 737 MAX India December 28, 2023 Airlines operating Boeing 737
MAX aircraft Conducted inspections of the rudder control systems to identify and rectify any loose bolts
Passengers were not directly affected; airlines ensured continued safety through proactive maintenance Airlines
complied with Boeings directive, performing necessary inspections and maintenance to uphold safety standards
The Economic Times Aviation Security &Safety The Main Theme for the Above Data is Gold Smuggling
Reported in key hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi, gold smuggling is a problem that has
dogged Indian airports for some time.
Smugglers strategies reveal a remarkable degree of creativity and adaptation.
Highly advanced are concealment techniques; people hide gold in commonplace objects like creams, body
cavities, or clothes.
One instance of this is the Delhi Airport incident whereby one person was discovered smuggling nearly one
kilogram of gold concealed within their underpants; another such incident was recorded from Kochi, where gold
was imported inside Nivea cream tubes.
These clever techniques so show the shifting tactics of smuggling organizations trying to use any opening in the
security system at airports.
Most of these instances find organized smuggling groups and even airport authorities implicated.
It was place at Mumbai Airport staff members were smuggling in on rolls, and enormous gold seizure occurred
at crores.
Under such circumstances, internal control and responsibility on operations at an airport deserve great vital
importance.
Together with the customs department, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is vigorously combating these
instances.
They have effectively broken several smuggling schemes by running thorough investigations and using networks
of intelligence.
Given that gold smuggling entails large quantities meant to evade import taxes, it has financial consequences.
Still, the influence of gold smuggling goes beyond mere financial ones.
Other illicit activity could be funded by successful smuggling operations, therefore aggravating the problem.
Arrests lead to court hearings; the detained people could pay hefty penalties or even be imprisoned.
These actions disturb networks of smuggling as well as discourage them.
26 https://wwwtimesnownewscom/delhi/man-caught- carrying-over-1-kg-gold-in-underwear-he-was-wearing-
at-delhi-airport-watch-jeddah-kuwait-article- 115843427/amp Concealment Methods Body Concealment Airport
Security Gold smuggling, body concealment, Delhi airport, passenger arrest, security breachDelhi Airport Delhi,
India November 19, 2024Passenger attempting to smuggle goldPassenger arr sted for attempting to smuggle gold
concealed in underwearPa sen er face arrest an legal cons quencesAirport authoriti s intercepted and arrested the
individual, preventing the smuggling attemptTimes Now News 27
https://meconomictimescom/magazines/panache/r epeatedly-refusing-meals-water-on-a-flight-could- make-
flight-attendants-suspicious-about- you/amp_articleshow/116139090cms Flight Attendant Suspicion Smuggling
Detection Passenger Conduct Refusing meals, refusing water, flight attendants, smuggling detection, passenger
behavior Multiple Airlines In-flight December 9, 2024 Passengers exhibiting suspicious behavior Flight
attendants alerted authorities, leading to the interception and arrest of the suspects Passengers faced arrest and
legal consequences Flight attendants reported suspicious behavior to authorities, leading to the interception and
arrest of the suspects The Economic Times 28 https://wwwmoneycontrolcom/news/trends/woma n-caught-at-
kochi-airport-with-gold-worth-rs-36-lakh- concealed-in-nivea-creme-12045301html/amp Concealment Methods
Body Concealment Airport Security Gold smuggling, body concealment, Kochi airport, passenger arrest,
security breach Kochi International Airport Kochi, India January 11, 2024 Passenger attempting to smuggle gold
Passenger arrested for attempting to smuggle gold concealed in Nivea cream Passenger faced arrest and legal
consequences Airport authorities intercepted and arrested the individual, preventing the smuggling attempt
Moneycontrol 29 https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/city/delhi/delhi- airport-customs-seizes-4-iphone-16-pro-
500g-gold- from-turkmenistan- passengers/amp_articleshow/114494576cms Electronic Goods Gold Smuggling
Airport Security Gold smuggling, iPhone 16 Pro, Turkmenistan passengers, Delhi airport, customs seizure Indira
Gandhi International Airport Delhi, India October 22-23, 2024 Passengers attempting to smuggle gold and
electronics Customs officials intercepted and seized the smuggled items Passengers faced arrest and legal
consequences Customs officials conducted thorough inspections, leading to the seizure of the smuggled items
The Times of India 30 a.
https://indianexpresscom/article/cities/mumbai/gold- smuggling-racket-dri-arrests-airport-staff-three-others-
9719432/ Airport Staff Involvement Smuggling Network Enforcement Action Gold smuggling, DRI, Mumbai
airport, airport staff, arrest, smuggling racket, gold worth Rs 10 crore Mumbai International Airport Mumbai,
India December 11, 2024 Airport staff and accomplices involved in smuggling gold DRI arrested three airport
staff members and three others involved in the smuggling racket The arrested individuals faced legal
consequences; the smuggling operation was disrupted DRI officials arrested the suspects, preventing further
smuggling activities The Indian Express 31 https://wwwthehinducom/news/cities/mumbai/gol d-smuggling-
racket-busted-at-mumbai-airport-8- arrested/article68642349ece Airport Staff Involvement Smuggling Network
Enforcement Action Gold smuggling, Mumbai airport, airport staff, arrest, smuggling racket Mumbai
International Airport Mumbai, India December 20, 2024 Airport staff and accomplices involved in smuggling
gold Authorities arrested eight individuals, including airport staff, disrupting the smuggling operation The
arrested individuals faced legal consequences; the smuggling operation was disrupted Airport authorities, in
collaboration with law enforcement, arrested the suspects, preventing further smuggling activities The Hindu 32
https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/city/chennai/ma ssive-gold-smuggling-operation-uncovered-at-chennai-
airport-20kg-seized-from-25-passengers/art Passenger Concealment Smuggling Network Enforcement Action
Gold smuggling, Chennai airport, passengers, gold seizure, smuggling operation Chennai International Airport
Chennai, India November 12, 2024 Passengers attempting to smuggle gold Authorities arrested 25 passengers,
seizing nearly 20 kg of gold The arrested individuals faced legal consequences; the smuggling operation was
disrupted Airport authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement, arrested the suspects, preventing further
smuggling activities The Times of India Gold Smuggling Advanced detection technologies including artificial
intelligence-based scanners and behavioral analysis systems must be invested in by airports if they are to
properly fight gold smuggling.
Furthermore, staff members of airports can be taught to spot suspicious behavior such travellers avoiding food or
social interaction.
Additionally encouraged to break more extensive smuggling networks is cooperation between the airport
authorities and international enforcement agencies.
Public awareness efforts stressing the legal risks and the general repercussions of smuggling should discourage
people from participating in these activities even more.
To solve this ongoing problem, one must combine policy execution, training, and technology.
The Theme for the above Data is Wildlife Smuggling Wildlife smuggling out of Indian airports seriously
compromises animal care and biodiversity.
Among other places, cases involving smugglers attempting to move exotic species including turtles, hornbill
birds, and even crocodiles have been reported at Mumbai and Chennai airports.
Many times concealed in bags or containers inadequate for even minimum standards of animal care, these
creatures pose major health risks.
For example, recent events at Mumbai Airport featured the discovery of hornbill birds and turtles found in
passenger bags being rescued.
Driven apparently by global market for rare animals and goods, crocodile smuggling reveals the extent of this
illicit businessThe patterns in incidents of wildlife trafficking suggest the existence of well-organized networks
spanning several countries.
Usually focused against weak points in the security system, these operations rely on weak people to transport the
animals.
Still, the airport staff and enforcement officials have been very successful in thwarting these efforts.
There will not be additional trafficking since two people were captured carrying some exotic animals at Chennai
Airport.
Similar cooperation between local enforcement officials and airport security in Mumbai yielded the arrest of
many persons and the rescue of smuggled animals.
Smuggling wild animals has diverse consequences.
Apart from the legal 41 https://wwwdeccanheraldcom/india/tamil- nadu/exotic-animals-seized-at-chennai-
airport-two- held-3235245 Animal Trafficking Enforcement Action Legal Consequences Exotic animals,
Chennai airport, wildlife smuggling, arrest, trafficking, enforcement Chennai International Airport Chennai,
India Nov-24 Passengers attempting to smuggle exotic animals Authorities arrested two individuals involved in
smuggling exotic animals The arrested individuals faced legal consequences; the smuggling operation was
disrupted Airport authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement, arrested the suspects, preventing further
smuggling activities Deccan Herald 41 https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/city/mumbai/4- hornbill-birds-found-
hidden-in-luggage-rescued-at- mumbai-airport-2-passengers- held/articleshow/114461073cms Animal
Trafficking Enforcement Action Legal Consequences Hornbill birds, Mumbai airport, wildlife smuggling, arrest,
trafficking, enforcement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai, India Nov-24 Passengers
attempting to smuggle hornbill birds Authorities arrested two individuals involved in smuggling hornbill birds
The arrested individuals faced legal consequences; the smuggling operation was disrupted Airport authorities, in
collaboration with law enforcement, arrested the suspects, preventing further smuggling activities The Times of
India 41 https://timesofindiaindiatimescom/city/mumbai/tw o-held-at-mumbai-airport-for-smuggling-exotic-
turtles/articleshow/114978047cms Animal Trafficking Enforcement Action Legal Consequences Exotic turtles,
Mumbai airport, wildlife smuggling, arrest, trafficking, enforcement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International
Airport Mumbai, India Nov-24 Passengers attempting to smuggle exotic turtles Authorities arrested two
individuals involved in smuggling exotic turtles The arrested individuals faced legal consequences; the
smuggling operation was disrupted Airport authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement, arrested the
suspects, preventing further smuggling activities The Times of India 41
https://wwwhindustantimescom/cities/mumbai- news/two-arrested-for-smuggling-crocodiles-from- bangkok-
101727551245143html Animal Trafficking Enforcement Action Legal Consequences Crocodiles, Mumbai
airport, wildlife smuggling, arrest, trafficking, enforcement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Mumbai, India Sep-24 Passengers attempting to smuggle crocodiles Authorities arrested two individuals
involved in smuggling crocodiles The arrested individuals faced legal consequences; the smuggling operation
was disrupted Airport authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement, arrested the suspects, preventing further
smuggling activities Hindustan Times Wildlife Smuggling consequences for offenders, such arrests and fines
enforced by the courts, wildlife smuggling has extensive consequences on the ecological.
Illegal alien species trafficking affects ecosystems and provides some explanation for declining animal
populations.
Moreover typical in smuggled animals are stress, starvation, and poor living conditions, which raises their death
rates during transportation.
Fighting wildlife trafficking demands for activities in the realms of preventive and enforcement.
Thermal scanners and X-ray imaging are among advanced detecting techniques that can help find hidden
animals.
Equally vital are training courses for airport employees on identifying indicators of wildlife trafficking.
Moreover, public awareness programs stressing the moral and environmental consequences of smuggling can
deter possible criminals.
Together with international cooperation, strengthening legal frameworks and punishments for wildlife smuggling
helps destroy the systems enabling this trade.
Dealing with the problem holistically would enable authorities to guard the environment at large and threatened
species from the negative consequences of illegal wildlife trade.
Chapter 5 Theme explanation Food Safety and Hygiene Following several well-publicized events in recent years,
airlines all around have under more and more scrutiny service quality, hygiene, and passenger safety.
From expired food to foreign objects in meals, the events have highlighted major flaws in operational
management and quality control, which has passengers worried and harmed the standing of the impacted airlines.
On one of its flights in September 2024, Akasa Air fed its customers expired food.
The airline admitted the situation, expressed regret for it, and started required investigations to stop such
occurrences in the future from recurring.
This event has so provided another wake-up call to guarantee strong quality inspections to prevent such events in
the future with regard to assurance regarding food safety and maintaining passenger confidence and thus
avoiding such incidents.
In October 2023, Air India again came under fire when a passenger claimed to have come across a blade-like
device in their food.
The airline started looking at it and promised to act to guarantee safety criteria would be followed.
In another instance concerning food contamination, an October 2023 Vistara aircraft passenger discovered a
cockroach in his dinner.
Vistara formally apologized and committed to improve food hygiene standards to prevent such events from
happening once more.
Problems of sanitation and hygiene go beyond food alone.
IndiGo Airlines suffered the most public wrath in October 2024 when travellers complained of cockroach
invasion in the aircrafts food service area.
Food safety is one of the basic requirements in airline catering systems.
Food safety management systems provide a structured approach to ensure that precautions are taken to eliminate
physical, chemical, biological and all kinds of damages that may occur in foods and to show the necessary care.
A food safety management system consists of two components • Responsibility A food safety management
system should include details of positions responsible for ensuring food safety at each stage of the food chain
and the limits of their responsibilities.
Senior management is ultimately responsible for food safety.
System details should be documented, communicated to the organization, and updated when changes are made to
the company structure (Jha, 2020).
• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) The HACCP system is the operational and moral
responsibility of airline companies to provide safe food to prevent food poisoning and contamination of
passengers or crew to consumers.
For this purpose, the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach, an internationally accepted
management system in which biological, chemical and physical hazards in food are analyzed and controlled at
various stages such as production and production, was implemented in 1993 (Jha, 2020).
Airline catering services providers ensure the production of microbiologically suitable foods by adhering to
HACCP principles.
With the HACCP system, the industry, procedures and quality of raw materials used to provide as safe food as
possible and ensure quality have been standardized, and safety measures have been provided to food processors
to minimize the possibility of contamination.
It is also observed that the importance of HACCP in providing safe food has increased since 2008.
However, in ensuring food safety, in addition to the HACCP system, other factors such as hygiene and sanitation,
pest control, traceability and recall in the field and in food need to be developed and implemented to prevent the
risk of food poisoning and foreign bodies during processing (Tayar, 2010).
Flight delays, Cancellations and Operations Failures He talks of a series of incidents relating to airlines in India
Akasa Air, IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India.
The airline received complaints that it served expired food on its flights and then did a thorough investigation;
the airline came forward to apologize.
In June 2024, Air India reported an incident regarding a blade-like metal object in passengers food, which had
become a horror story and was the cause of customer discontent.
The airline apologized on social media after a passenger complained; the subsequent deletion of the apology
tweet triggered further outrage at the airlines handling of the situation.
In October 2024, on-ground cockroach infestations were reported by passengers at the food service area in an
IndiGo flight that was operating from Bengaluru to Bhopal.
The airline claimed it undertook a deep cleaning and fumigation post-flight, but this lack of preventive measures
beforehand drew criticismIn March 2017, airlines operating long-haul flights carrying passengers from India
began creating awareness about onboard hygiene and increasing the frequency of cleaning on such flights.
Passengers faced discomfort, especially when the toilets became unusable mid-flight.
Airlines acknowledged the issue and focused on being more proactive, including making announcements before
boarding and enhancing their sanitization process.
Indigo, in an October 2023 correspondence with passengers on board, said the seats conformed to regulatory
requirements and thus were safe.
They assured operational review for the avoidance of such recurrence of passenger inconvenience.
In October 2023, Vistara served contaminated food to its passengers on board a flight.
It has officially apologized for the incident.
The airline launched an urgent investigation to find loopholes in the supply chain of food.
Surprised and dissatisfied, the passengers have shown their reaction, saying they expect better service from the
premium carrier.
On April 10, 2023, Air India apologized over the incident and promised to follow stringent safety and hygiene
parameters concerning inflight meals.
The author emphasizes the need to uphold rigid standards in aviation and for airlines to take responsibility in
securing their passengers safety and well-being.
Gold Smuggling Particularly in countries like India where the demand for gold is strongly rooted in cultural and
economic traditions, gold smuggling has become a serious issue effecting the legal, social, and economic
systems of many countries.
Illegal gold movement across borders is the main cause of smuggling since it helps one to avoid paying costly
import taxes and penalties.
Usually using weaknesses in border security systems and customs to conduct their activities, people and
organized groups profit from these economic disparities.
Smugglers hide wealth and avoid security searches using a variety of artistic and dishonest strategies.
Typical techniques include hiding gold in personal clothing, bodily cavities, regular objects including food items,
cosmetic containers, and even technology gear.
More sophisticated methods draw attention to the ingenuity of smuggling networks and their ability to adapt with
regard to police tactics by concealing gold as thin sheets or cables.
Gold smuggling mostly results from the high import duty applied on gold in home markets, which causes a clear
price differential between local and international rates.
This gap drives smuggling as a profitable replacement for ordered networks and individuals seeking to profit
from the gold demand.
Moreover complicating the problem are criminal organizations and corruption among some airport staff, which
makes this operation profitable and well- coordinated less difficult.
Since gold smuggling drives the underground market and supports money laundering operations, so depriving
governments of major income from import taxes and levies.
This has a major economic impact.
Socially, it undermines the integrity of border security systems and promotes corruption, so destroying public
confidence in enforcement tools.
Reacting to this growing issue, authorities have increased their efforts to combat gold smuggling by legal and
enforcement operations.
Now common in airports, advanced scanning technologies have helped customs officials become more vigilant
in identifying suspicious passenger activities.
Comprehensive luggage inspections and behavioral analysis have helped many efforts at smuggling to be
prevented.
Destroying smuggling networks and guaranteeing that offenders face legal penalties, including severe fines and
imprisonment, depends mostly on agencies like the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
If we want to effectively address this issue, one requires a varied approach.
Important actions are lowering import taxes to reduce the motivation for smuggling, strengthening security
measures, and regularly educating customs officials.
Further helping to reduce gold smuggling and so guarantee the protection of economic interests and improved
border security is international cooperation among law enforcement agencies and public awareness initiatives.
Findings, Suggestions & Conclusions Findings Some of the main operational problems the aviation sector in
India deals with directly affect airports and airlines.
When a technical fault causes significant disturbance of passengers, as happened at Bengaluru Airport,
infrastructure congestion results in crowding at the terminal and air traffic management that frequently delays
flight departure and annoys customers.
Financial uncertainty is the other element mainly affecting most airlines.
The suspension of Go Firsts activities and the approaching Vistara-Air India merger indicate carriers financial
situation.
High running costs, changing fuel prices, and costly maintenance all further tax airline profitability.
Flight delays and cancellements provide another major obstacle that frequently bothers travellers and causes
financial losses.
Technical problems with aircraft maintenance and inadequate operational management show themselves in
IndiGos non-padded seats and SpiceJets AC failure amid a heatwave.
Safety and hygienic concerns have also surfaced; for instance, cockroach infestation on aircraft and foreign items
discovered in airline food suggests low passenger safety standards.
Particularly in major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, security concerns related to the smuggling of
gold and animals also influence the aviation industry.
The gold smuggling cleverly hides the crime by means of bodily cavities or even embedding it in some personal
objects such as cosmetic containers and food products.
Apart from this, the sector lacks enough specialists with the necessary level of preparation.
The rise in wages will therefore not be sustainable.
Most airlines struggle with operational inefficiencies since most of them cannot keep qualified staff.
As bureaucratic activities continue to burden the airlines, making them unstable financially, unsustainable, and
ineffective in operations, there are holes in policy and regulation that prevent business expansion.
Policies changes, strategic investments, and a network of technical development all have to be part of solutions
to such shortcomings.
Suggestions If the aviation sector is to transcend these operating constraints, it must focus on infrastructure
building and development.
The airports want increased capacity, better air traffic control systems, and advanced passenger management
systems to help to avoid traffic congestion and delays.
Policies including tax cuts, government-guaranteed programs, and alternative financial sources should also be
followed to help to ease the suffering of airlines.
The airlines have to concentrate, for instance, on fleet optimization, predictive maintenance, and artificial
intelligence scheduling technologies that would ensure efficient operations with least disturbance.
Major financial and legal risks; gold and wildlife smuggling has to be halted; consequently, security policies
need to be strengthened.
Strict screening rules, behavioral analytic tools, and AI-powered luggage scanners will help to enhance airport
security.
Airlines also have to apply increasingly strict cleanliness practices to ensure compliance with Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety rules and therefore prevent contamination and retain passenger
confidence.
Other such relevant issues attracting attention are workforce development.
Much needed are developing capabilities by providing competitive pay scales and organizing well-coordinated
professional development plans within the aviation sector.
The shortcomings of policies will have to be closed appropriately.
Governments have to simplify challenging procedures, support international trade, and be ready to help the
sector grow by means of adaptable policies.
Theimplementations depend mostly on cooperation among all the stakeholders involved in airlines, airports, and
laws.
Conclusion Rising operational inefficiencies, financial difficulties, and security issues describe the aviation
industry at a cross-roads.
Although passenger demand is rising, systematic issues include insufficient infrastructure, poor regulatory
procedures, and insufficient human training impede the industry from achieving these needs.
Unless fast and targeted solutions are followed, these problems will continue to affect general industry
development, consumer satisfaction, and airline profitability.
The aviation stakeholders might be proactive instead of reactive by means of bettering technology, the security
system, and financing for personnel training.
If we want to keep long- term stability inside the industry, government involvement will be the most vital need in
providing financial relief, policy change, and better regulatory monitoring.
Modernized infrastructure, advanced security measures, and people retention strategies will largely help to
minimize running failures, improve passenger experience, and raise financial sustainability by means of their
respective effects on running performance.
By means of coordinated efforts among airlines, legislators, and airport authorities, the sector will be able to
overcome present challenges and open the road for a more resilient and efficient future.