Fly AI to London and get free SIM cards

Air India passengers will soon be able to avail of free SIM cards, with preloaded talk time of 1 pound, on flights to London.

The facility is likely to be extended on other European routes.

A senior AI official said, “Passengers flying to London will (then) not have to look for telephones to arrange for travel and accommodation on alighting from the plane.

“The idea is to enhance customer comfort and experience.”

The mobile service provider would offer the SIM cards free of charge to passengers in lieu of advertising space on AI flights.

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This comes within a fortnight of AI becoming the first Indian airline to join Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline grouping, operating 18,500 flights to 1,316 destinations across 192 countries.

Passengers flying AI can redeem miles on 26 member-airlines.

“AI is now a part of the Star and we are looking at multiple initiatives to distinguish and enhance our service offerings.

“While this particular facility will initially be available on our flights to London, talks are on to extend it on other European routes,” added the official.

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Star Alliance chief executive Mark Schwab had on his visit to India earlier this month stressed that the alliance offers global access to high-value international travellers.

Rohit Nandan, chairman and managing director, had said in May, “We have initiated a plan to improve our services further and match it with the top airlines in the world.

“We are also getting an audit done by International Air Transport Association to assess our services and have been registering improvements in the past three audits.” 

AI is expected to gain three to four per cent on annual revenues of Rs 19,000-20,000 crore (Rs 190-200 billion) from joining the Alliance.