Air India
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Air India |
| Company type | Private |
| Founded | 29 July 1946 Gurugram, Haryana, India
|
Air Indiais the flag carrier of India with its main hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, and secondary hubs at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, alongside several focus cities across India. Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, the airline is owned by Air India Limited, which is owned by the Tata Group (74.9%) and Singapore Airlines (25.1%).
History
[edit]Air India was founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by J. R. D. Tata under Tata Sons. The airline began with mail services between Karachi and Bombay using a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft. After World War II, it became a public company in 1946 and was renamed Air India. In 1953, the Government of India nationalised the airline under the Air Corporations Act, making it a state-owned carrier. In 1960, Air India became the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft, the Boeing 707, marking a major milestone in Indian aviation history.
Between the 1970s and early 2000s, Air India expanded its international network and modernised its fleet with aircraft such as the Boeing 747. However, financial difficulties began to grow, especially after its 2007 merger with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. Rising fuel prices, operational inefficiencies, and heavy aircraft purchases led to mounting debt. Despite joining the Star Alliance in 2014, the airline continued to struggle financially, requiring repeated government financial support.
In 2022, after nearly 69 years of government ownership, Air India was privatised and returned to the Tata Group. Since then, the airline has undergone major restructuring under its transformation plan “Vihaan,” including record aircraft orders from Airbus and Boeing, fleet modernisation, branding updates, and the merger with Vistara. Today, Air India is rebuilding its global presence and aims to become a leading international carrier once again.
Operations
[edit]Air India operates as a full-service international and domestic airline headquartered in New Delhi, providing passenger and cargo services across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Now owned by the Tata Group, the airline manages a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and serves major global hubs from cities like Delhi and Mumbai. It is a member of the Star Alliance, enabling global connectivity through partner airlines. Air India’s operations also include cargo transport, code-share agreements, and integrated services with subsidiaries such as Air India Express, focusing on expanding international routes and modernizing its fleet under its transformation plan.
Business career
[edit]Air India has had a long and evolving business career, beginning in 1932 as Tata Airlines under J. R. D. Tata before being nationalised by the Government of India in 1953. For decades, it served as India’s flagship international carrier, expanding its global network and fleet, but faced mounting financial losses after its 2007 merger with Indian Airlines. Despite joining the Star Alliance in 2014, high debt and operational challenges weakened its position. In 2022, ownership returned to the Tata Group, marking a major turning point, and the airline is now undergoing restructuring, fleet expansion, and brand transformation to rebuild its competitiveness in the global aviation market.
Ideology
[edit]Air India’s ideology has evolved over time, reflecting its transition from a government-owned national carrier to a privately managed global airline. Historically, as a state-owned enterprise, its guiding principle was to serve as India’s flag carrier, promoting national connectivity and representing the country internationally. Under the ownership of the Tata Group, its current ideology emphasizes customer-centric service, operational efficiency, global competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. The airline now focuses on modernization, safety, innovation, and strengthening India’s position as a major global aviation hub while maintaining high service standards and brand revival.
Social Links
[edit]References
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- ^ Jump up to: a b "The Hindu Business line" "Tata Sons FY25 Annual Report"" . Retrieved 2026-01-10.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Air India: The iconic maharajah returns home". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ^ The Economic Times "Air India is now a Tata property, 69 years after the group ceded control". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Aban Offshore reports consolidated net loss of Rs 193.85 crore in the September 2020 quarter". "Business Standard India" . 2025-12-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-12-17.