Air India was founded as Tata Airlines in 1932 by the J R D Tata. In the 1950s, government of India had bought over and nationalised the Tata owned Air India in what many see as a historic economic blunder. The airline has been a loss making entity; bleeding money since about 2006 in spite of government bailouts. Initial efforts to privatise/sell the airline haven’t worked – now Tata has bid for the airline. The finance ministry has clarified that the bid hasn’t yet been accepted, but social media is abuzz with homecoming posts.
The privatisation process was approved in 2017. Now Tata Sons have been the highest bidder for the airline, though the finance ministry is yet to officially accept the bid.
Air India is seen to have suffered bad management and incurred massive losses as a result of the bad policies of successive governments.
The Tata Group is one of India’s most trusted business houses and the owner of some of the best brands, both Indian and international.
For decades, the moustachioed Maharaja was the mascot of the airline which people hope will now see a revival.
Air India shared posters such as this one, inspired by global events.
The smiling Maharaja was seen in many different avatars down the decades.
Journalist Vishu Som and others shared this picture of a bygone era following the bid by Tata.
JRD is seen here on the tarmac with a Boeing 747 and the flight crew.
He founded the airline and remained its chairperson until 1977 even though the airline was acquired and nationalised.
JRD was the predecessor of Ratan Tata. Ratan Tata is long retired and is now in his 80s, but is still seen as the face of the Tata Group and ethical business practices in the country.
People see the airline as returning to its ‘rightful owner’ now that Tata has bid for it.
Air India has been in dire straits ever since its merger with the domestic carrier Indian Airlines in 2007. People are hopeful that we will now see a change in its fortunes.
People feel that JRD would be pleased by the turn of events.
However, in the event of the Tata bid for Air India being accepted, it will be an uphill task to get the airline to turn a profit. It has been a white elephant for many years now. The selling and leasing of some of its assets back in 2013 only managed to clear some of its debts. It will take considerable financial wizardry to get it back on track – and people believe that if anyone can do it, Tata can.
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