Cash-strapped Air India, which has accumulated losses and loans of around €9.6 billion, is considering carrying advertisements on its aircraft tails or hulls, on interior panels, bins, screens, pillows and seat covers, and also possibly on its boarding passes (about 22 million a year) and bag tags.
The airline aims to earn around €7,000 to €28,000 per aircraft per month for an advertisement – and has a fleet of 111 aircraft. More than one advertisement would increase the monthly earnings to €56,000 per aircraft.
Another way to generate revenue may be to allow inflight sampling of products by consumer durables companies. In the early 2000s, Air India used to provide free VSNL prepaid international sim cards to its business class and frequent flyer passengers.
