Latest news with #RahulBhatia
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Best of BS Opinion: Crashes, voter rolls, and fear of digital control
From aviation safety to electoral scrutiny, and from digital identity to market regulation, today's editorials and columns reflect a country and a world, grappling with systems that seem increasingly opaque and overburdened. A premature accident probe raises more questions than answers. The Election Commission's voter verification drive invites scrutiny over its methods. India's digital infrastructure is lauded even as concerns over data privacy grow. Let's dive in. The preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the Air India Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people last month has been met with criticism for being vague and speculative. The June 12 crash, which occurred just 30 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, led to a deadly collision with a doctors' hostel. The AAIB suggests a fuel-control switch may have moved from 'run' to 'cut-off,' shutting down the engine, but fails to explain whether this was pilot error or a technical flaw. One pilot is heard questioning the other about the switch, but voices remain unidentified. Experts say the report's timeline is murky and that referencing a 2018 FAA alert without new technical data only fuels unverified theories. Despite international oversight and ministerial caution, the report raises more questions than it answers, notes our first editorial. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India is considering taking its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, currently under way in Bihar, to other states. This follows the Supreme Court's initial approval of the SIR as constitutionally valid. But civil society groups have warned that its execution may exclude marginalised voters. The ECI claims to have identified many individuals of foreign origin, but critics question how booth-level officers are making such determinations. The requirement of up to 11 documents for verification is a challenge in a state with high migration and low literacy, highlights our second editorial. The ECI says it has already covered 80 per cent of voters, but doubts persist over inclusivity. The top court will hear further petitions on July 28. Ajit Balakrishnan reflects on India's digital journey, praising Aadhaar and UPI but also questioning their implications in light of Rahul Bhatia's The Identity Project. While Aadhaar and UPI revolutionised access, critics warn they also enable surveillance. Globally, consent norms are tightening as seen in Google's $314 million fine in California. The column asks whether India should move towards stricter data ownership and opt-in systems. Meanwhile, Debashis Basu critiques Sebi's crackdown on Jane Street, linking it to deeper flaws in India's derivatives market. He argues the current system benefits governments, exchanges, and even regulators more than investors, while 90 per cent of retail traders lose money. The piece questions the legitimacy of India's oversized derivatives market. Finally, Sam Adler-Bell reviews, a book chronicling Biden's failed re-election bid and Trump's resurgent campaign. The book recounts internal dysfunction, missed warnings, and the slow unraveling of Democratic strategy, even as Kamala Harris tried to pick up the pieces. Stay tuned!
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
13-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Explicit consent: Online's new era may shift power from apps to users
For years, the tech industry has operated on a model of "implied consent" Ajit Balakrishnan Mumbai Listen to This Article I feel energised when, during my daily evening exercise walk in Colaba, I see fisherfolk from the nearby Sassoon docks whip out their mobile phones, point at the QR code at a pavement fruit shop, and pay for their mangoes. I feel immensely proud of our Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar card systems, which are helpful for all levels of Indian society. However, my nationalist pride in India's digitisation was shaken last week, when I began reading Rahul Bhatia's well-written book The Identity Project: The Unmaking of a Democracy. It argues that Aadhaar, which I (like most Indians) love
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo's ambitious expansion: launching flights to the UK and Europe as it aims for global airline status by 2030, ET Infra
Advt Advt By I know the opportunity is huge. The only thing I don't know is how huge." This is what IndiGo co-founder Rahul Bhatia had three years back told Pieter Elbers , then KLM president. That was the time the domestic market leader had set its sight on spreading its wings in the international week, IndiGo started its first flights to the UK and Europe using wet leased (hired with pilots) wide body planes and will now grow its long hauls aggressively. After Jet Airways' collapse in April 2019, Air India was the only Indian carrier for non-stops across the world."You find Indian travellers all over the world. But for a very long time, (a vast majority of them) have been deprived of the opportunity to fly an Indian operator," Elbers, who joined IndiGo as CEO in Sept 2022, told TOI after the inaugural Mumbai-Amsterdam flight touched down in his home country. In the last 2.5 years, Bhatia and Elbers have been executing a strategy to change this. Asked where the airline is in its plan to become a global airline by 2030 , he said, "We're half way through."The post-Covid travel boom made desi carriers realise they needed to get a bigger slice of the international travel pie to and from India. This was enabled by the mega Tata Group acquiring Air India & AI Express in Jan 2022 and well-capitalised IndiGo deciding to replicate its domestic success in international skies along with a big boost in the country's airport infra."The fact that we are touching down now in Europe is the start of a very new chapter in the book of IndiGo. When IndiGo started in Aug 2006, Rahul Bhatia had a certain vision and he created that (making IndiGo India's biggest domestic airline)," Elbers said. Three years back when he met Elbers, Bhatia started making moves to replicate IndiGo's domestic success in the international market too."What we see now is a bit similar to what we had seen then (2006). All the things we have been doing (since 2022) were building blocks to making IndiGo a global airline." These "building blocks" include starting Stretch (or business) on some domestic flights since last Nov as "we have some experience in serving (premium) customers when we go to Europe. The loyalty programme was started to have corporates and SMEs on board," he correspondent was in Amsterdam at the invitation of IndiGO
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo's global flight plan takes off as airline hits ‘half way' mark of a big dream
When IndiGo co-founder Rahul Bhatia met then-KLM president Pieter Elbers three years ago, he told him: 'I know the opportunity is huge. The only thing I don't know is how huge.' That meeting marked the early days of IndiGo's plan to expand beyond its domestic dominance and enter international long-haul operations in a serious way. Now, that vision is unfolding. Last week, IndiGo began operating flights to the UK and Europe using wet-leased wide-body aircraft, marking a significant shift in its growth trajectory. Until now, Air India was the only Indian airline operating twin-aisle aircraft for nonstop international routes following the collapse of Jet Airways in April 2019. With its first long-haul flights now underway, IndiGo plans to grow this business aggressively. After the inaugural Mumbai-Amsterdam flight landed in the Netherlands, Pieter Elbers — who joined IndiGo as CEO in September 2022 — told ToI, 'You find Indian travellers all over the world. But for very long, (a vast majority of them) have been deprived the opportunity to fly an Indian operator.' Over the past two-and-a-half years, Bhatia and Elbers have been putting into motion a clear strategy to change that. When asked where the airline stood on its plan to become a global airline by 2030, Elbers told ToI - 'We're half way through.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo The post-Covid travel boom pushed Indian carriers to chase a larger share of the growing international travel market. The move was aided by the Tata Group's acquisition of Air India and Air India Express in January 2022, IndiGo's robust financial position, and ongoing upgrades to India's airport infrastructure. 'The fact that we are touching down now in Europe is a big thing because of a number of firsts for us — flying long haul, serving hot meals and having Stretch on international flights. So it is much more than just two new destinations in Europe. It is the start of a very new chapter in the book of IndiGo. When IndiGo started in Aug 2006, Rahul Bhatia had a certain vision and he created that (making IndiGo India's biggest domestic airline),' Elbers told ToI. Live Events Bhatia had started laying the groundwork for IndiGo's global play even before Elbers joined. Both men shared a common view — that IndiGo's international ambition had the potential to become something very large. Since 2022, the airline has pursued a series of deliberate steps that Elbers described as 'building blocks to making IndiGo a global airline. These steps are not just individual or random. They are all part of a holistic plan.' These building blocks include introducing Stretch — IndiGo's business-class style offering — on select domestic routes last November, to give the airline some exposure to premium services before launching long-haul flights to Europe. The company also rolled out a loyalty programme aimed at courting corporates and small businesses. The broader push comes from a belief in the growing power of India's aspirational middle class. As Elbers put it: 'When IndiGo was created 18 years ago, there was a vision and there was a relentless execution of that vision. What we see now (international growth) is, I believe, a bit similar to what we had seen then.' Currently, IndiGo is operating one wet-leased Boeing 787 from Norse Atlantic, which flies the Mumbai-Amsterdam and Mumbai-Manchester routes. It will add three more 787s this calendar year, followed by two more in early 2026. Routes announced so far include London and Copenhagen. IndiGo is also expecting delivery of its single-aisle Airbus A321XLR aircraft starting this year. These planes will serve longer routes such as Athens, Delhi-Bali, and other Southeast Asian destinations. Due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, IndiGo's first flights to Europe are originating from Mumbai, as Delhi-west routes have become longer. Once Pakistani airspace reopens, Delhi will also begin operations to Europe. Elbers said: 'You have seen our network over the past few years. How we expanded at both Delhi and Mumbai. And even Bangalore and Hyderabad. We're not a single hub operator. We have multiple origins — Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore. They all have their own kind of focus areas, and and even even natural flows.' To support its long-haul ambitions over the long term, IndiGo has ordered 30 Airbus A350s, which will begin arriving in 2027. However, given persistent global supply chain delays, the airline may lease additional wide-body aircraft. Elbers said: 'We are not ruling out any opportunity or any chance. We keep looking and keep evaluating options.' IndiGo has faced challenges with aircraft availability, especially due to the grounding of many of its Airbus A320s caused by Pratt & Whitney engine issues. At its peak, 79 aircraft were grounded; the number has now come down to the 30s. Ongoing supply chain issues post-Covid have also slowed deliveries of planes, engines, and parts. 'Overall, we still have supply chain challenges. But our big order book (IndiGo was yet to receive 916 of the ordered Airbus planes as of last month) helps us average out deliveries. I don't want any delays, but the reality is what it is. I still hope and am cautiously optimistic that we'll have our first A321XLR before the end of this calendar year,' Elbers said. While long-term ambitions include North America, Elbers said his current focus is ensuring strong positioning in Europe first. There are also large Asian markets still untapped. 'There still are parts of Asia where we don't have any operations like Japan, Korea. And there's Australia too. With our partners Delta and, we will connect passengers to 20 North American cities (from Amsterdam),' he said. (with ToI inputs)
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Half way through our journey to become a global airline by 2030:' IndiGo CEO Elbers
NEW DELHI: 'I know the opportunity is huge. The only thing I don't know is how huge.' This is what co-founder Rahul Bhatia had three years back told Pieter Elbers, then KLM president. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That was the time the domestic market leader had set its sight on spreading its wings in the international skies. Last week, IndiGo started its first flights to the UK and Europe using wet leased (hired with pilots) wide body planes and will now grow its long hauls aggressively. After Jet Airways' collapse in April 2019, Air India was the only Indian carrier with twin aisle aircraft in its fleet for nonstops across the world. 'You find Indian travellers all over the world. But for very long, (a vast majority of them) have been deprived the opportunity to fly an Indian operator,' Elbers, who joined IndiGo as CEO in Sept 2022, told TOI after the inaugural Mumbai-Amsterdam flight touched down in his home country. In the last 2.5 years, Bhatia and Elbers have been executing a strategy to change this. Asked where is the airline in its plan to become a global airline by 2030, he said, 'We're half way through. ' The post-Covid travel boom made desi carriers realise they needed to get a bigger slice of the international travel pie to and from India. This was enabled by the mega Tata Group acquiring Air India & AI Express in Jan 2022 and well-capitalised IndiGo deciding to replicate its domestic success in international skies along with a big boost in the country's airport infra. 'The fact that we are touching down now in Europe is a big thing because of a number of firsts for us — flying long haul, serving hot meals and having stretch on international flights. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So it is much more than just two new destinations in Europe. It is the start of a very new chapter in the book of IndiGo. When IndiGo started in Aug 2006, Rahul Bhatia had a certain vision and he created that (making IndiGo India's biggest domestic airline),' Elbers said. Three years back when he met Elbers, Bhatia started making moves to replicate IndiGo's domestic success in the international market too. Their ambitions were on the same trajectory as that time Elbers was looking to be part of something that had the potential become really big. 'All the things we have been doing (since 2022) were building blocks to making IndiGo a global airline. These steps are not just individual or random. They are all part of a holistic plan.' These 'building blocks' include starting Stretch (or business) on some domestic flights since last Nov 'we have some experience in serving serving (premium) customers when we go to Europe. The loyalty programme was started to have corporates and SMEs on board,' he said. The focus on internationalisation comes from an aspirational India's prowess as an economic giant with a booming GDP, middle class and spending power. 'When IndiGo was was created 18 years ago, there was a vision and there was a relentless execution of that vision. What we see now (international growth) is, I believe, a bit similar to what we had seen then.' IndiGo currently has one wet leased Boeing 787 from Norse Atlantic which is being used on the Mumbai - Amsterdam and Manchester routes. It will get three more B787s this calendar year and then two early in 2026. The Dreamliner routes announced so far include London and Copenhagen. The airline expects to start getting its single aisle Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) from this year which will be used for routes like Athens, Delhi-Bali and southeast Asia. The closure of Pakistani airspace meant Mumbai got the first two flights to Europe as flights between Delhi and the west are much longer these days. When the Pakistan airspace opens, Delhi will also get flights. 'You have seen our network over the past few years. How we expanded at both Delhi and Mumbai. And even Bangalore and Hyderabad. We're not a single hub operator. We have multiple origins — Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore. They all have their own kind of focus areas, and and even even natural flows.' IndiGo has 30 wide body A350s on order whose induction will start in 2027. Given the fact that aircraft delivery delays continues due to supply chain constraints, will IndiGo wet lease more wide bodies to augment its international capacity. 'We are not ruling out any opportunity or any chance. We keep looking and keep evaluating options,' Elbers said. IndiGo has seen a large number of its Airbus A320 grounded for years due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues. The peak aircraft grounding number on this count was 79 and the same is down to 30s. Then post Covid supply chain challenges meant slower deliveries of everything right from planes, engines, seats, components and parts. 'Overall, we still have supply chain challenges. But our big order book (IndiGo was yet to receive 916 of the ordered Airbus planes as of last month) helps us average out deliveries. I don't want any delays, but the reality is what it is. I still hope and am cautiously optimistic that we'll have our first A321XLR before the end of this calendar year,' he said. While North America is on IndiGo's radar, the CEO says he will first like to 'make sure that we are well positioned in Europe. There still are parts of Asia where we don't have any operations like Japan, Korea. And there's Australia too. With our partners Delta and, we will connect passengers to 20 North American cities (from Amsterdam),' he said.
