Air India planes parked at the IGI Airport in New Delhi.
Highlights
- Air India's crew will make a special welcome announcement for passengers after returning to Tata.
- Air India is also planning on changing the meal services that are offered to the onboard passengers.
- On Jan 27, Air India officially became a part of the Tata Group again, after seven decades (69 yrs)
Following its return back to Tata Group after 69 years, Air India's crew will make a special welcome announcement for the onboard passengers on Friday.
The crew will, according to Air India, welcome its passengers on a 'historic flight'. Here is their announcement: "Dear Guests, This is your Captain (Name) speaking...Welcome aboard this historic flight, which marks a special event. Today, Air India officially becomes a part of the Tata Group again, after seven decades. We look forward to serving you on this and every Air India flight with renewed commitment and passion. Welcome to the future of Air India! We hope you enjoy the journey."
Air India is also planning on changing the meal services that are offered to the onboard passengers. The airline also said that it is enhancing its meal plans to 'full' for some sectors starting Thursday, the day of the handover. The changes, it said, will be made across most sectors over time in a phased manner.
"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," the airline tweeted from its official handle. "Looking forward to soaring high propelled by our rich legacy and shared mission to serve our nation. Welcome aboard. @TataCompanies," it added.
Earlier on Thursday, the salt-to-software conglomerate took over Air India along with its low-cost international budget arm Air India Express and ground handling and cargo handling services unit AISATS, and vowed to turn around the loss-making airline, which was founded by the Tata Group but later went under government control in 1953.
"We are excited to have Air India back in the Tata group, and are committed to making this a world-class airline. I warmly welcome all the employees of Air India, Air India Express and AISATS to our Group, and look forward to working together," Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement soon after the airline was transferred to the group.
Talace Private Limited -- a subsidiary of the Tata Group's holding company Tata Sons -- on October 8, 2021 won the bid to acquire debt-ridden Air India. Tatas offered Rs 18,000 crore as part of the winning bid -- Rs 15,300 crore for Air India's existing debt and Rs 2,700 crore to be paid as cash to the government. On October 11, 2021, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was issued to the Tata Group confirming the government's willingness to sell its 100 per cent stake in the airline. On October 25, the government signed the share purchase agreement for the deal.
(agencies inputs)
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