Air India growth vision: Tatas to spend on new planes, tech, go for revamp

The Tata group will invest in new aircraft and technologies to make Air India a world-class airline, besides undertaking an organisational redesign to make it future-ready like its other group companies, Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Wednesday.

Chandrasekaran, who was reappointed Tata Sons chairman for a second term last week, outlined the group’s vision in his maiden address to Air India employees.

“We are committed to making Air India a world-class airline. I am confident that working together we can achieve that goal much faster,” Chandrasekaran said. Evoking the memory of Air India founder JRD Tata, he exhorted that if all the employees worked with similar passion, the group would be able to achieve its goals in a short time-frame.

The salt-to-software conglomerate completed the takeover of Air India last month. On Tuesday, it announced the appointment of former Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci as the CEO of Air India.

In his 15-minute address, Chandrasekaran said the group would focus on customer service, upgrade fleet, invest in new aircraft, and expand the network to connect every corner of the world. “We want Air India to be best in class in customer service. We want Air India to be the most technologically advanced airline in the world,” he stated.

He said that the Tata group brand is known for trust and reliability, and that Air India must win customer confidence by ensuring that flights are “on time every time”. He added that the group would also ensure that Air India becomes a financially strong company.

At present, Air India and Air India Express have a fleet of 141 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Under the previous management, the airline has been unable to spruce up the fleet or invest in technologies due to cash crunch.

The group, he said, would upgrade the airline’s mobile app and website for digital reach, and rely on automation and machine-learning algorithms to mine customer data and deliver a personalised experience.

“The task is huge…But we have the entire nation wanting us to succeed. I know Air India has what it takes to succeed. We just need inspiration to come together and put our best effort,” he said. “This will require a huge transformation, probably the largest transformation you would ever grow through,” he added.

The group, he said, would change organisational design, digitise processes and set targets at individual, department and company level to achieve its goals.