Iran nuke explosion, round the corner

The recent explosive statement by Esmaeil Khatib, Minister of Intelligence of Iran that more than 50 Intel agencies co-ordinated attack on Iran during 13 to 25 last June cannot be dismissed as just info. It reveals the underlying issue of Iran getting ready to explode a nuke sooner than later. Details:

The 12 days attack by Israel had three objectives: de-capitation of the senior admin, provoking regime change by internal rebellion and balkanize the state so that Iran splits into regions on the basis of ethnicity or geography. Even though, Khatib did not reveal the parties involved, presumably the entire intelligence services of the collective West and quite a number of Arab countries along with the Turk-Azerbaijan combo are the prime suspects. Put it in other words it was a NATO exercise. The presumption however excludes Iran’s neighbours Qatar and Oman.

But the war seriously bolted the Supreme Council, Parliament and the Armed Forces. The stubborn objection by the Ayatollah Khomeini on the subject of exploding a nuclear device was the first casualty. He was confronted by all three constituents namely, Supreme Council of National Security, Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and Supreme Council of Cyberspace, all of them are of the unanimous view that Ayatollah Khomeini must rescind the fatwa regarding use of the nuclear weapon firstly as a test explosion and secondly as a pre-emotive attack or a second strike in case of war. Moreover, He was persuaded to set aside similar fatwa ordained by his predecessor Ayatollah Khamenei in an earlier instance.

This presupposes that Iran has unofficial nuclear devises that are so far un- exploded over or below the ground but tested in laboratories with proven result of its effectiveness, is now confirmed. The barring of IAEA to enter Iran has already taken place. The expected leaving from the NPT which Iran signed in 1968 and ratified in 1970 could happen at any moment.

For Iran this is of vital significance of the State and its constituent apparatus because once a nuke is exploded, she transforms from nuclear threshold state to a nuclear powered state and would be soon recognized as such by China, Russia and Pakistan. More than that she is transforming her un-official nuke devices as official ones.

But the question is why now? The answer is simple: all these years there was no threat to Iran as a unified country. The 12 days war un-masked the intention of the collective west to balkanise the country into several parts. The looming threat is not geography but geoeconomics. Iran cannot survive even a day if her economic corridors are gone. The bolt from the blue came not on the threat of regime change which anyway would take place in the normal course, but from the threat that she loses her geoeconomics clout.

Hence the need for strategy re-think about exploding a device and make it all official. Who is writing the script now? My guess is it is Donald Trump who wants Iran to explode her existing un-official nuke to close the Iran bomb case in his Oval Office.

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist

 

Premium Economy in airlines, business tactics stretched to maximum

While business strategy is wider in concept and reach, airlines need business tactics to augment their income by introducing differentiation. First and business classes are done deals. Economy class, however could be configured for this purpose. Result: Premium Economy.

Premium Economy is an air travel class between Economy and Business classes offering more space, comfort, and amenities like extra legroom, wider seats, and better meals, along with priority boarding and check-in. It is available on many international and long-haul flights and provides a more comfortable experience without the high cost associated with business class ticket.

EVA Air was one of the first airlines to introduce Premium Economy when she launched "Evergreen Class" in 1991, which was later renamed as Premium Economy. Virgin Atlantic followed suit in 1994. Originally this business tactics was used mainly in flights of short duration.

Then airlines was awakened to the prospect of Premium Economy being much useful in long over-haul as well. American Airlines was first to do so in 2016, followed by United and Delta giving huge momentum to these two airlines.

Since then, many other airlines have introduced their own versions of premium. KLM, Emirates and Thai Airways went ahead in quick succession. Singapore Airlines (SIA) after serious contemplation got into the act in August 2015 in her long-haul to Sydney. Thereafter she expanded it towards London & Hong Kong destinations.

The number of premium economy seats vary amongst the airlines. In SIA for example, 24 on Airbus A350s and up to 44 on the A380. It reaches 94 on the A350-900ULR for ultra-long-haul routes. The price difference between SIA Premium Economy and Economy ranges approximately 15% to 50% more of the latter. In times of heavy demand it could even shoot up 35% to 85%.

Overall the premium economy as business tactics is bringing good results at the moment. But, there is an overhang. It is all about the movement of prospective passengers between classes. As regards to price quote premium economy tickets are not normally published. But frugal business travellers might opt for premium economy in the case of short-haul trips and cling to Business class in long over-haul. That would defeat the purpose as airlines are keen to elevate only economy class passengers to Premium Economy rather than the business class to premium economy.

My submission

Premium economy should not be treated as a tactical manoeuvre only. It should not be stretched to the maximum as it would be counter-productive. In any case, all tactical manoeuvres must be part of the overall business strategy!

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist

 

Air India crash prompts rethink of business strategy

Air India Flight 171 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner a scheduled passenger flight from Ahmedabad Airport in India to London Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom crashed 32 seconds after take-off on 12 June 2025. All 12 crew members and 229 of the 230 passengers aboard died. Moreover, on the ground, 19 people were killed and 67 others were seriously injured.

The cause of the crash was identified as the incorrect movement of switches a maintenance issue that was overlooked when the plane started. Obviously, there happens to be gulf between the operational and maintenance arms of Air India.

How come?

When the Tata Group bought Air India from the State, she took over aging fleet of aircrafts and large number of State employees who had developed bureaucratic and lethargic culture not keeping up with modern development of an airline operator. Two things had to be done: one relates to retrofitting most if not all the aging fleet on the one hand and buying state-of-art Boeings on the other. On 14 February 2023, Air India announced an order for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing consisting of 210 A 320 neo family, 40 A350, 190 737 MAX for Air India Express, 20 787-9 and 10 777-9 aircraft at a cost of US$70 Billion, with deliveries beginning late 2023.

The glaring gap that was overlooked is the maintenance part of the bargain when Tata Group acquired Air India from the State. The Group did not acquire the crucial “AI Engineering Services Limited”, who are responsible for the maintenance & upkeep of the existing as well as newly purchased fleet of Boeing. It remained outside the purview of Tata Group management and remained as a State-owned entity. As usual, the outfit demonstrates State employee mentality in a slow and sluggish work culture. Entrusting the aging and modern fleet of aircrafts to be maintained by this outfit was indeed a strategic blunder.

Professor Richard Rumelt when speaking of strategy formulation commands that a clear diagnosis of the most critical problem should be undertaken before moving forward. In this case, Tata Group overlooked the critical link of the maintenance outfit in the overall business strategy.

My submission

Air India must either bring AI Engineering Services Limited, under her wing or re-negotiate with the State to form her own maintenance company ASAP.

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist