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Faulty Indian Policies Causing Damage to Indian and International Airlines

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India's faulty airline policies

It was a dream come true when the low cost airline business burgeoned in India, fulfilling the dream of flying for many Indians. Today is the day when there is hardly any contrast in fare between the low cost domestic airlines and state run Air India.

While low cost airlines have instead become high cost airlines, the five star airlines (at least considered as five star airline) like Kingfisher are facing its extinction. Is it Kingfisher’s awry business strategy or the government’s faulty policies that is grounding India’s one of the most popular airline? The answer lies in a fact that we will be covering in this article.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, paid a State visit in Jan 2012, as a chief guest for Indian Republic day celebrations. The visit did what India had been looking for: bracing its forgotten look east policy. As a result, there were 6 bilateral agreements signed, including the treaty of transfer of sentenced person.

Though India’s business and trade ties with East Asian countries came back on the right track, India’s airport authorities gave a big blow to trade ties, by forcing Thai Air Asia and Air Asia (Malaysia) to reduce the number of flights to Thailand and Malaysia from New Delhi. The reason was high operating costs at Indian airports, that include high airport and fuel charges. Air AsiaX, a long-haul subsidiary of AirAsia, has completely pulled out from India for the same reason.

India already has a high sales tax rate on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which is one of the highest in the world, at 24 percent. It is believed that these taxes are proposed to be increased further, making India a high cost market for airlines. Fuel surcharge alone is the major part of the total fare on domestic airlines.

Airport charges will also be hiked. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority has proffered an increase of 280 per cent in landing and parking charges at Delhi airport. The airport operator had asked for 774 per cent increase in the charges.

Meanwhile, one of Europe’s largest carrier, Lufthansa airline, has pulled out from the city of joy, Kolkata (Calcutta). Sources from the industry said that a lack of route profitability and unpredictable fuel costs have posed challenges for European carriers trying to operate out of Kolkata [Read: No flights: Europe drifts further away from Kolkata | The Statesman].

Following the steps, Austrian Airline pulled out from Mumbai on 25th March 2012, and Air France is reducing its frequency to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore to six flights a week in its summer schedule. Though Airlines did not disclose a countrywide financial data, global profits of these airlines have come under pressure, due to increased competition and high operating costs. [Read: Austrian Airlines, Air France to reduce India flights | Business Standard]

In a statement, Austrian Airline said it was suspending its Mumbai flight, “due to the challenging economic situation.” The airline has suffered operating losses of $100 million (Rs 650 crore) in the past two years and is restructuring operations. The airline said it was focusing on Israel and Tehran and would ply the Boeing 767 it used in Mumbai.

Till date, the trend was that the majority of international carriers were delaying or cancelling their services routes to several countries, except India, even in the downturn, considering the country’s market potential.

“Now passengers are just not travelling, with companies resorting to video conferencing due to cut in the travel budget. Several international carriers are mulling reduction in the frequencies or pulling out from India,” said a senior executive with Kingfisher Airlines Ltd.

In another similar move, British Airways had suspended its flights between Kolkata and London Heathrow around 3 years back. The airline has operated flights to Kolkata intermittently since the 1930s and currently operates three flights per week [Read: Foreign airlines start pulling out of India as traffic declines].

“The decision to suspend flights between Kolkata and London has been a difficult one to make. However, the route is not making a profitable contribution to our business and we are unable to sustain it,” Amanda Amos, British Airways’ area commercial manager South Asia, said in a statement. “India remains an incredibly important market for British Airways and we continue with our growth plans on routes that we believe will be profitable.”

KLM Royal Dutch, Singapore Airlines, Air Mauritius and Finnair are also in the line to pull out or reduce the number of flights to India.

In the end, India’s faulty policies have not only blemished the business of domestic carriers but have also troubled International carriers that they had to pull out. With ongoing contention with European Union over Emissions Trading System (ETS), India, Russia and China might also ban flights complying with ETS to fly over their airspace. Thus, European carriers, flying to East Asia, will have to follow a longer path taking a round of Africa and then over Indian ocean, which could be economically unfeasible.

In a consultation meeting with Airports Economic Regulatory Authority, British Airways, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa said they would reconsider their expansion plans for India, saying the proposed increase of 774 percent in charges is very high.

Sanskar Shrivastava is the founder of international students' journal, The World Reporter. Passionate about dynamic occurrence in geopolitics, Sanskar has been studying and analyzing geopolitcal events from early life. At present, Sanskar is a student at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture and will be moving to Duke University.

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Do’s and Don’t’s of Firing People

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As a business leader one of the hardest things that you could do is fire an employee. Of course, it sounds like an easy thing to do if the employee is rightfully deserving of being fired, but it is a lot easier said than done. Is a decision that many managers actually lose a lot of sleep over, because it’s such a difficult undertaking. 

No matter what you do though, whether you are firing somebody because they are just not the right fit for your business, or you are dismissing an employee for gross misconduct, legal issues can arise that could do damage to your business. HR professionals across the country will tell you that there are many different ways of gracefully terminating an employee’s contract, but there are some do’s and don’ts that you could do to make it an easier process that can help you deal with it. Let’s take a look at a few of those below.

  • Do get everything in order before you fire them. From evidence as to the reason they are fired, to the paperwork for them to leave the business, get everything in order so that there are no loose ends. For a firing to go smoothly this needs to be prepared in advance. Before you terminate the employee, you need to be able to prevent any misunderstandings or even accusations of illegal activity going on. Follow the policies and procedures in place of your organization and if necessary, consult a lawyer. Secure computer files, make sure you pull together all in performance appraisals and written warnings as any other correspondence that you might need. You should also make sure that you have all of the payroll information in place so that you can reassure the person being fired that they will be paid according to the law.
  • Do choose a private space. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be fired from their job. It leaves a bad taste, it’s nothing to be proud of, and it can be embarrassing for the employee. When you are dismissing somebody, you need to choose the right time and place and make sure that there are no eavesdroppers. It’s always a good idea to do it as early in the week as possible at the end of the day so that you minimize impact to your business. If an employee depends on the company or their colleagues to get home, it just makes good sense to ensure that they are not going to be left stranded.
  • Don’t fire somebody with an audience around. As we mentioned before, anybody in your business has a right to privacy. Doing it in front of an audience will be poor behavior on your part as an employer. It also won’t help people in the office to feel comforted by the idea that they may not be next. Use an official meeting space, as it’s a private and neutral location that is free from any disruption.
  • Don’t forget to toe the line. If you terminate an employee on parental or medical leave, or you terminate an employee who is pregnant, you are going to open yourself up to a lawsuit. Toe the line when it comes to the law and make sure that you are firing somebody with all of your ducks in a row in advance.

Terminating an employee’s contract is not easy, but sometimes it needs to be done.

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Best Strategies to Create an Comfortable Atmosphere in Your Restaurant

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Creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in any restaurant is essential for success. Customers often form their first impression of the restaurant based on its ambiance, and if it isn’t pleasant or enjoyable, they are less likely to come back. It’s important to consider all aspects that can make up a positive dining experience — from the decor to the music playing in your establishment to the service you provide. Here are some strategies that will help you create an atmosphere that customers won’t forget.

Decor:

The key to creating a cozy environment is by designing decor that reflects your restaurant’s style and promotes relaxation. Think about what kind of mood you want customers to feel when they enter your restaurant — from the lighting to the art on the walls to the decorations that adorn your tables. Depending on the cuisine you serve and the atmosphere you want to create, consider investing in muted tones or warm colors for a calming effect or bright and vibrant shades for an energetic vibe.

Music:

The music playing in your restaurant can make all the difference. Too loud music can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, while music that’s too quiet won’t create an inviting atmosphere at all. Consider investing in a music player for restaurant so you can control what music is played and when it starts and stops. You should also consider whether you want to provide live or recorded music. Live music will usually give customers a sense of authenticity and provide them with something to enjoy during their meal, while pre-recorded songs can help set the background without being distracting.

Service:

Your service can be just as important as the ambiance in creating a memorable experience. Make sure your staff is well-trained, friendly, and attentive to guests’ needs. Ensure they understand your restaurant’s standards and expectations — from proper table setting etiquette to how glasses should be filled. Customers greatly appreciate being treated with respect and kindness, so make sure your waitstaff is not only efficient but also shows genuine care for their customer’s satisfaction.

Atmosphere:

Creating the perfect atmosphere requires more than just the decor, music, and service — it also includes small touches that will make your restaurant stand out. For instance, consider offering complimentary snacks or appetizers to customers while they wait for their meals to arrive. You can also provide warm towels after meals as a sign of endearment and appreciation. Additionally, choosing linens with exquisite patterns or using fresh flowers on each table will add even more charm to your restaurant’s atmosphere.

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Turn Your Passion into a Career: How to Make Money Doing What You Love

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Many dreams of turning their hobby, passion, or creative outlet into a career. It’s a beautiful idea, but it can take time to figure out where to start. Here’s a guide on successfully turning your hobby into a career. 

Do Your Research 

Before you turn your hobby into a business, please research and find out what the industry looks like, your potential customers and their needs. Next, consider your strengths, skills, and knowledge and decide how to use them in this new venture. Finally, consider what makes you unique in the industry and how you can market yourself. 

Take A Strong Career Test

A Strong Career Test can help you identify your ideal job and the type of environment you would flourish in. In addition, knowing this information can give you an idea of what kind of business to start and whether it’s something you’d be passionate about.

Think About Finances and Legalities 

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, consider the financial aspect – are there any costs associated with getting started? What sort of budget will you need? Will there be any tax implications? It’s also essential to think about the legal side of things – if necessary, consult with a lawyer specializing in business law so that you understand all the regulations associated with starting up and protecting your intellectual property rights. 

Create a Business Plan 

Now that you have researched and considered the legalities and finances involved, create a business plan that outlines all this information. Make sure it includes short-term and long-term objectives to keep track of your progress over time. Be realistic when setting targets for yourself – don’t aim too high at first because this could set you up for failure if it doesn’t pan out. Also, consider whether or not there is potential for growth or expansion once your business gets off the ground. This may include marketing strategies such as social media campaigns or investing in advertising materials such as brochures or flyers. 

Start Networking 

Networking is essential when launching any new business; it’s about building relationships with people who may be interested in your offer. Start by reaching out to family, friends, and acquaintances who may already know about your business or service offering; they may even be willing to share it with others! Additionally, join online groups related to your area of expertise – these are great places for exchanging ideas with like-minded people and potentially finding potential customers/collaborators/mentors/partners, etc. Finally, attend events such as trade shows or conferences where relevant topics are discussed – these are ideal opportunities for making connections within the industry that could prove beneficial down the line! 

Turning your hobby into a career is no small task, but it can be approached thoughtfully and strategically! Please research the industry thoroughly before beginning to understand its nuances; familiarize yourself with the legalities of running a business; create a viable yet ambitious business plan; network extensively (both online & offline). And never give up! With dedication & hard work, anything is possible.

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