In his first message after being re-appointed as Tata Sons chairman, N Chandrasekaran shared the group’s vision for Air India on Wednesday. Tata is committed to making AI a world class airline, Chandrasekaran stated.

 

The Tata chief’s message shed light of the group’s vision for the airline’s future in his 15-minute message. “We are committed to making Air India a world class airline. I am confident that working together we can achieve that goal much faster,” Chandrasekaran said in his maiden address to Air India employees.

 

Chandrasekaran emphasised on the group’s focus to upgrade the airline’s fleet, get new planes and have an expanded network. Air India and Air India Express have a fleet of 141 Airbus and Boeing aircraft currently.

 

“If all of us can bring in that passion and work in a coordinated fashion with a single-minded purpose where we contribute the best of what we have everyday this (the transformation) is achievable and achievable in a shorter timeframe. This will require a huge transformation, probably the largest transformation and change all of you would ever go through,” he told the AI employees.

 

Chandrasekaran’s address also found the mention of other iconic Tata brands like Taj Hotels, Tanishq, Tata Salt and JLR. He said, “With many consumer-facing companies, we are fortunate to touch the lives of 60 crore Indians. With AI joining we have the opportunity to become a brand that represents aspirations of 130 crore Indians.”

 

The Tata Group completed the takeover of Air India on January 27. On Tuesday, the group shared that they have appointed Turkish Airlines’s former chairman Ilker Ayci as the CEO of Air India.

 

Meanwhile, Tata Sons board extended Chandrasekaran’s term for another 5 years on February 11. 58-year-old Chandrasekaran is the first non-family professional executive to lead Tata Sons.