Mumbai, Jan 2 (IANS) Flag carrier Air India improved its passenger load by over 10 percent and reduced costs in 2009 by deploying new aircraft and rationalising routes, the airline said Saturday.
Addressing reporters here, Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav said induction of 29 aircraft and enhanced utilisation of the fleet helped the carrier phase out 11 old aircraft.

“By March 2010, three more Boeing B-777-200s, two Airbus A-310s and eight Airbus A-320s shall be returned or retired from the fleet as part of this exercise,” Jadhav added.

Better utilisation of the fleet also helped in releasing capacity of five Boeing 747-400s and two Airbus A-330s for the Haj pilgrimage season, which resulted in substantial savings.

These and other measures would help the carrier save Rs.378 crore through cost reductions during the winter schedule and Rs.563 crore for the entire year, Jadhav pointed out.

Besides route rationalisation, Air India withdrew from sectors like the India-Gulf routes and transferred these to the Air India Express, its low-cost carrier, to improve profitability.