Golden Age Of Air India Lies Ahead; Will Work Together To Build The Airline The Country Needs: Chandrasekaran

Stressing that the Group is committed to making Air India a world-class airline Chandrasekaran said, "To build the airlines our country needs, we need to look to the future.”

TATA Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran | (File Photo/ Getty Images)

New Delhi: After historic return of Maharaja to the fold of Tata Group after almost 68 years, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Thursday reached out to employees of Air India asking them to work together to build the airline that the country needs, while asserting that the “golden age” of the carrier lies ahead.

The Centre on Thursday officially handed over Air India to the Tata Group, as the Centre transferred 100 per cent shares in Air India to the Tatas wholly owned subsidiary Talace Pvt Ltd along with management control.

In a welcome letter to the employees of Air India, Chandrasekaran highlighted on the airline’s “brilliant past” but stated the entire nation is now waiting to see what “we will achieve together”, according to the news agency PTI.

He expressed happiness over the takeover in the letter saying, “From the day of the announcement (of Tatas winning the bid), one word has been on everyone’s lips: Homecoming. We are proud to welcome Air India back into the Tata family, after all these years.”

Chandrasekaran further wrote,”I, like many others, have enjoyed reflecting on stories from the airline’s brilliant past. My first flight was with Air India in December 1986, and I will never forget how special it felt to be onboard, or the exhilaration as we soared into the sky.”

He, however, said while such memories are wonderful, now is the time to look ahead.

 “Today is the beginning of a new chapter. The entire nation’s eyes are on us, waiting to see what we will achieve together. To build the airlines our country needs, we need to look to the future,” Chandrasekaran said.

Stating that Tata Group has its “own storied past”, he said,”It is evolving, adapting and embracing the future that we best honour a glorious history. I am convinced that the golden age of Air India lies ahead. Our journey towards it starts now. Welcome. And welcome back.” In a separate social media post themed “Looking back, looking forward”. Chandrasekaran stressed that the Group is committed to making Air India a world-class airline.

Cherishing memories of his maiden flight, he said,”Like for many of us, my first flight was on Air India in December 1986. I was a young intern then, at Tata Consultancy Services. I vividly recall, even after all this time, how I felt that day.”

Calling it a feeling of excitement and a special experience, he said,”There was also a strong sense of belongingness.”  He concluded saying,”Today, we are as excited. The Tata Group looks forward to working with Air India and taking our National Airline to new heights in future.”