What will the brand-new Tata Air India look like?
The Air India Maharaja is getting a makeover as the Tata Group takes over the operations and the management of India's flag carrier. But did the Maharaja manifest it himself because he was feeling left out? Watch a hilarious video here:
Loved it @airindiain #TataGroup pic.twitter.com/fmcCj6bjyM
— Geetima Das Krishna (@GeetimaK) January 27, 2022
A few weeks ago, I had to book a domestic air ticket and to be honest, booking an Air India flight was not my first choice. Over the years, Air India has slowly lost the domestic air market to flyers like Vistara (again, a Tata-Singapore Airlines collab). Then there were the low-cost carriers which did not have much to offer in terms of meal or leg space, but the costs were far lower than an average Air India flight on the same sector. Air India's domestic meals too were nothing to write home about. After all, the national carrier was struggling with crores worth of debts and a tussle over its status.
But today, when the news of Tatas finally having taken over the management and operations is here, there seems to be a sudden surprising relief.
THE UPGRADE BEGINS
With succesful transfer of ownership completed today, the ?? Indian firm Tata Sons Private Limited now holds influence over 3 major airlines: Vistara (51% stake), Air Asia India (83% stake) and Air India (100% stake).Good Luck Tata Group! pic.twitter.com/v3SdiNIKxw
— Rashtriya Astra Forum ?? (@RAFIndia_) January 27, 2022
The Tata Group already owns stakes in two airlines in India - Air Vistara and Air Asia India. Now, it seems like Air India will be getting an extensive makeover and a nice image upgrade after many years to pull it on par with other players in the Indian sky.
The Tata Group's takeover of all Air India flights began with a top-notch upgrade.
We at @MahindraRise congratulate the @TataCompanies & the whole @airindiain family on this milestone. Air India is a brand that’s part of the nation’s treasure trove. There is no better custodian, from the point of view of both passion & resources to restore its old glory. https://t.co/TEkCSwKeZZ
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 27, 2022
THE CHANGES
1. The Air India flights starting today have begun with the pilots making announcements which resemble the ones by other commercial flights. This is what it sounds like:
'ऐतिहासिक flightWelcome to the future of @airindiain "Inflight announcement on AI flights today as the Maharaja returns to @TataCompanies pic.twitter.com/aE2Wz9pCkL
— Saurabh Sinha (@27saurabhsinha) January 28, 2022
2. An immediate visible change would be the meal upgrades, as plans are being made do this in a phased way. Meals on flights between Mumbai-Delhi, Mumbai-Abu Dhabi, Mumbai-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Newark, and Mumbai-London routes will be upgraded first. The meal upgrade is made by Taj SATS, the Taj Group-led airline catering service. Meanwhile, the airplane crew has been specifically instructed to use high ball and wine glasses to serve beverages to Business and First Class passengers.
Similarly, they have been told to use pre-set melamine cups for tea/coffee service in Economy class and porcelain cups in Business and First Classes.
3. Air India is also expecting an upgrade in dress code and a better customer service to impress fellow flyers across the globe. Newspapers and magazines will be offered to Business and First Class passengers before take-off and will be displayed in magazine racks in the Economy Class. 50 blankets/pillows will be reserved for use on demand by Economy Class passengers and passengers will be addressed as 'guests'.
Guess this is one of the first #AirIndia flights I am flying this morning under #Tata banner (Jan 27) should it gets formally handed over to the Tata group today. The service, the food, punctuality…appreciable changes!! #aviation pic.twitter.com/4Fjmv8H8hU
— samiran sarangi (@samirandel) January 27, 2022
4. On-time performance and efficiency will become a value of Air India, which will be aligned with the other two airline companies owned by Tata.
5. As Air India becomes a part of the Tata Group, we may hear the voice of the 84-year-old face Tata conglomerate, Ratan Tata, marking this historic transition.
#FlyAI: A brand new chapter unfolds for Air India as part of the Tata Group.Two iconic names come together to embark on a voyage of excellence.Looking forward to soaring high propelled by our rich legacy & a shared mission to serve our Nation.Welcome Aboard. @TataCompanies pic.twitter.com/iCVh5ewI7q
— Air India (@airindiain) January 27, 2022
WHY IS IT A BIG DEAL?
The day is significant because though Air India was acquired in October 2021, the management and operations began today, which marks the full control of Air India by the Tatas after decades of government control.
Message from our Chairman N. Chandrasekaran welcoming @airindiain back. #AirIndiaOnboard #ThisIsTata pic.twitter.com/5AmQRMTXWL
— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) January 27, 2022
Also in sync with the celebration of Air India coming home, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), a body of commercial pilots, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to declare the anniversary of JRD Tata's first flight as National Aviation Day and name the next major airport in honour of JRD Tata, who was India's first commercial aviator.
Now, the question remains:
The Tata Group now has to manage three airline companies in India. Each airline will fight for market share but with different ethos, cultures and prices. In the full carrier market, Air India's competition in India is Vistara, another airline from the Tata stable. How will Air India eke out its place in the Indian skies? Guess we will know soon.