N Chandrasekaran will step down as chairman of Tata Sons when his current term ends on February 20, 2027, ending his tenure after the board failed to reach a unanimous decision on his reappointment.

Chandrasekaran has decided not to seek another term and has asked the Tata Sons board to begin the succession process, stressing the importance of leadership clarity for employees, investors and other stakeholders.

The decision follows reported differences between Tata Sons and Tata Trusts, which holds a 66% stake in Tata Sons. Tata Trusts had recommended a five-year extension for Chandrasekaran, but the proposal did not receive unanimous support from the Tata Sons board.

The reported disagreements involve representation, the group's future strategy, Air India's losses and the possibility of Tata Sons eventually being listed.

N Chandrasekaran to Exit Tata Sons Chairmanship in February 2027

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans.

According to the news agency PTI, Air India will need&nbsp;1,200 pilots for Airbus A350&nbsp;planes, 260 pilots for Boeing 777s and 400 pilots for Boeing 787s.&nbsp;

In addition, Air India&nbsp;plans to hire over 4,200 cabin crew members in a phased manner over the next few months.&nbsp;

Air India currently employs over 1,800 pilots. However, with the airline now on an expansion mode, a significant rise in staffing is expected.&nbsp;

The flag carrier has sought 210 A320/321&nbsp;and 40 A350s&nbsp;from Airbus. It has placed orders for 190 737-Max, 20 787s, and 10 777 aircraft&nbsp;with Boeing.&nbsp;

Air India's order of 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with the option to buy 370 more planes, is considered&nbsp;to be the largest aircraft order by any airline.&nbsp;The airline intends to fund the order through a combination of internal cash flow, shareholder equity, and aircraft sale and leaseback.

Air India is on a five-year transformation journey&nbsp;after it was taken over by the Tata group in 2022. Under the transformation plan,&nbsp;the airline seeks to expand routes, flights and increase market share in both domestic and international segments.

As part of consolidating its airline business, the Tata Group is also in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines.

Row over revised pay package

Meanwhile, the airline's pilot unions have raised concerns over the new compensation structure and service conditions announced by the carrier on April 17.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have rejected the new contracts on the grounds that the airline allegedly violated labor practices by not consulting with them before finalizing the changes.&nbsp;

The two unions have also urged their members not to sign/accept the revised contract and salary structure.

But Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Friday said that a majority of pilots have accepted the new compensation package.

"I'm pleased to report that 90 percent of cabin crew and a majority of pilots have received and accepted the new compensation package offered last week, which will be back dated to 1 April 2023," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans.

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans. According to the news agency PTI, Air India will need 1,200 pilots for Airbus A350 planes, 260 pilots for Boeing 777s and 400 pilots for Boeing 787s. In addition, Air India plans to hire over 4,200 cabin crew members in a phased manner over the next few months. Air India currently employs over 1,800 pilots. However, with the airline now on an expansion mode, a significant rise in staffing is expected. The flag carrier has sought 210 A320/321 and 40 A350s from Airbus. It has placed orders for 190 737-Max, 20 787s, and 10 777 aircraft with Boeing. Air India's order of 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with the option to buy 370 more planes, is considered to be the largest aircraft order by any airline. The airline intends to fund the order through a combination of internal cash flow, shareholder equity, and aircraft sale and leaseback. Air India is on a five-year transformation journey after it was taken over by the Tata group in 2022. Under the transformation plan, the airline seeks to expand routes, flights and increase market share in both domestic and international segments. As part of consolidating its airline business, the Tata Group is also in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines. Row over revised pay package Meanwhile, the airline's pilot unions have raised concerns over the new compensation structure and service conditions announced by the carrier on April 17. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have rejected the new contracts on the grounds that the airline allegedly violated labor practices by not consulting with them before finalizing the changes. The two unions have also urged their members not to sign/accept the revised contract and salary structure. But Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Friday said that a majority of pilots have accepted the new compensation package. "I'm pleased to report that 90 percent of cabin crew and a majority of pilots have received and accepted the new compensation package offered last week, which will be back dated to 1 April 2023," news agency PTI quoted him as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Air India's expansion takes flight: Airline set to hire over 1,000 pilots

Air India is close to placing a historic order for as many as 500 jetliners worth tens of billions of dollars from Airbus and Boeing, said a report by Reuters citing sources. This comes months after the Tata Group conglomerate officially took over the airline from the Indian government following an Rs 18,000 crore ($180 billion) deal.&nbsp;

Tata Group recently also announced the merger of Air India with Vistara, its joint venture with Singapore Airlines, thereby creating a significant presence in the domestic and international markets.&nbsp;

Why is this deal so important?

The report citing anonymous industry sources claims that the order includes at least 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-bodies jets like several Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s and 777s. If the deal is inked, it would be among some of the biggest purchases by a single airline in terms of volume, surpassing the combined order of over 460 Airbus and Boeing jets from American Airlines placed over a decade ago.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-business-watch-tata-group-owned-air-india-nears-historic-order-for-up-to-500-jets-report-542151">World Business Watch | Tata Group-owned Air India nears historic order for up to 500 jets: Report</a>

However, despite significant expected discounts, it could still cost the company over $100 billion dollars, at list prices. This comes as the plane giants have faced an increase in demand following the ease of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions amid mounting industrial and environmental pressures.&nbsp;

These would also allow Airbus to utilise production slots for their A350s which had been initiated for Russia's Aeroflot and have been vacant since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent western sanctions on Moscow.&nbsp;

The merger of Air India with Vistara as well as the Singapore Airlines <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/singapore-airlines-and-tata-group-to-merge-air-india-vistara-by-march-2024-538653">joint venture</a> gives the conglomerate access to over 200 additional aircraft, making it India’s largest international carrier and the second largest in the domestic market.&nbsp;

If the deal is inked, the purchase could take at least a decade to be delivered, in addition to the Vistara deal. The potential procurement seems to be an indication of the Tata group’s expansion to take over a significant share of traffic flows to and from India which is currently dominated by foreign airlines like Emirates. In the domestic market, Indigo is one of the other biggest players.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jrd-tata-air-india-and-the-determination-to-fly-high-539915">Singapore Airlines buys 25.1% stake in Air India, that helped it in its launch</a> 
 
In the larger context, if the purchase of the additional 500 jets is finalised, it would significantly contribute to the Indian economy with the country being one of the largest airline markets in the world as&nbsp;more Indians look&nbsp;for affordable and convenient travel options. Furthermore, it would significantly contribute to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim of expanding the economy to $5 trillion.&nbsp; 
 
Tata’s investment into the debt-laden flag carrier so far

Earlier this year, Tata bought the debt-laden flag carrier from the Indian government after nearly seven decades since it was founded by the conglomerate’s JRD Tata in 1932 and later nationalised. The group, at the time of the takeover, had paid Rs 2,700 crore ($27 billion) in cash and had also taken over Rs 15,300 crore ($153 billion) of the airline’s debt.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-decides-to-procure-airbus-a350-aircraft-first-planes-delivery-likely-by-march-2023-488698">Air India decides to procure Airbus A350 aircraft; first plane's delivery likely by March 2023</a>

With the Air India takeover, Tata gained access to valuable flying rights and landing slots, particularly in the United States and Europe. The group had also announced that it would spend more than $400 million to refurbish the interiors of its entire wide-body fleet in a bid to attract more flyers. This also included the introduction of a premium economy cabin, it said, adding that the first aircraft with the improvements will be rolled out in mid-2024. 
 
Has the Tata-owned airline made any purchases yet?

So far, there have been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-set-to-make-one-of-the-largest-aircraft-deals-in-the-history-490213">multiple reports</a> of a landmark purchase on the horizon by Tata-owned Air India, but the company as well as the aeroplane giants have refused to comment on the same.&nbsp;

Aside from the airline's CEO, Campbell Wilson, in November, there have been no official indications of deals. Wilson had said, “we are in deep discussion with Boeing, Airbus and engine manufacturers for a historical order of the latest generation aircraft that will power Air India's medium- and long-term growth.”

He added, “At the risk of gross understatement, the investment will be substantial.”

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-business-watch-air-india-slapped-with-1215-mn-fine-for-delay-in-refunds-534628">World Business Watch: Air India slapped with $121.5 mn fine for delay in refunds</a>

On Sunday, another report by the Economic Times, citing anonymous sources, said that the Air India is close to signing a deal with Boeing Co. to buy up to 150, 737 Max planes.

It added that the company is likely to place an order for at least 50 jets while they may later procure as many as 150.&nbsp;

What are some of the hurdles to this potential purchase?

Once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service in the 1950s, very few opt for the airline now either on domestic or international routes. It is largely perceived as another government department synonymous with being an unreliable and shabbily managed airline with mounting debt.

Nationalised in 1953, its reputation declined in the mid-2000s amid financial woes.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/singapore-airlines-ltd-owned-vistara-announces-merger-with-air-india-538537">Singapore Airlines Ltd-owned Vistara announces merger with Air India</a>

The airline had a net debt of Rs 60,000 crore ($600 billion) at the time of purchase and former chief of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata had said, “While admittedly it will take considerable effort to rebuild Air India, it will hopefully provide a very strong market opportunity to the Tata Group's presence in the aviation industry.”

The Reuters report, citing experts, said there are several hurdles in Tata group’s ambitious revival of Air India including “frail domestic infrastructure, pilot shortages and the threat of tough competition with established Gulf and other carriers.”&nbsp;

Additionally, the airline might also struggle to procure the medium-haul Airbus A321neos that were reportedly being ordered for the Air India-Vistara tie-up, as the European planemaker sold out for at least the next five years or more.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Air India is close to placing a historic order for as many as 500 jetliners worth tens of billions of dollars from Airbus and Boeing, said a report by Reuters citing sources.

Air India is close to placing a historic order for as many as 500 jetliners worth tens of billions of dollars from Airbus and Boeing, said a report by Reuters citing sources. This comes months after the Tata Group conglomerate officially took over the airline from the Indian government following an Rs 18,000 crore ($180 billion) deal. Tata Group recently also announced the merger of Air India with Vistara, its joint venture with Singapore Airlines, thereby creating a significant presence in the domestic and international markets. Why is this deal so important? The report citing anonymous industry sources claims that the order includes at least 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-bodies jets like several Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s and 777s. If the deal is inked, it would be among some of the biggest purchases by a single airline in terms of volume, surpassing the combined order of over 460 Airbus and Boeing jets from American Airlines placed over a decade ago. ALSO WATCH | World Business Watch | Tata Group-owned Air India nears historic order for up to 500 jets: Report However, despite significant expected discounts, it could still cost the company over $100 billion dollars, at list prices. This comes as the plane giants have faced an increase in demand following the ease of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions amid mounting industrial and environmental pressures. These would also allow Airbus to utilise production slots for their A350s which had been initiated for Russia's Aeroflot and have been vacant since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent western sanctions on Moscow. The merger of Air India with Vistara as well as the Singapore Airlines joint venture gives the conglomerate access to over 200 additional aircraft, making it India’s largest international carrier and the second largest in the domestic market. If the deal is inked, the purchase could take at least a decade to be delivered, in addition to the Vistara deal. The potential procurement seems to be an indication of the Tata group’s expansion to take over a significant share of traffic flows to and from India which is currently dominated by foreign airlines like Emirates. In the domestic market, Indigo is one of the other biggest players. ALSO READ | Singapore Airlines buys 25.1% stake in Air India, that helped it in its launch In the larger context, if the purchase of the additional 500 jets is finalised, it would significantly contribute to the Indian economy with the country being one of the largest airline markets in the world as more Indians look for affordable and convenient travel options. Furthermore, it would significantly contribute to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim of expanding the economy to $5 trillion. Tata’s investment into the debt-laden flag carrier so far Earlier this year, Tata bought the debt-laden flag carrier from the Indian government after nearly seven decades since it was founded by the conglomerate’s JRD Tata in 1932 and later nationalised. The group, at the time of the takeover, had paid Rs 2,700 crore ($27 billion) in cash and had also taken over Rs 15,300 crore ($153 billion) of the airline’s debt. ALSO READ | Air India decides to procure Airbus A350 aircraft; first plane's delivery likely by March 2023 With the Air India takeover, Tata gained access to valuable flying rights and landing slots, particularly in the United States and Europe. The group had also announced that it would spend more than $400 million to refurbish the interiors of its entire wide-body fleet in a bid to attract more flyers. This also included the introduction of a premium economy cabin, it said, adding that the first aircraft with the improvements will be rolled out in mid-2024. Has the Tata-owned airline made any purchases yet? So far, there have been multiple reports of a landmark purchase on the horizon by Tata-owned Air India, but the company as well as the aeroplane giants have refused to comment on the same. Aside from the airline's CEO, Campbell Wilson, in November, there have been no official indications of deals. Wilson had said, “we are in deep discussion with Boeing, Airbus and engine manufacturers for a historical order of the latest generation aircraft that will power Air India's medium- and long-term growth.” He added, “At the risk of gross understatement, the investment will be substantial.” ALSO WATCH | World Business Watch: Air India slapped with $121.5 mn fine for delay in refunds On Sunday, another report by the Economic Times, citing anonymous sources, said that the Air India is close to signing a deal with Boeing Co. to buy up to 150, 737 Max planes. It added that the company is likely to place an order for at least 50 jets while they may later procure as many as 150. What are some of the hurdles to this potential purchase? Once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service in the 1950s, very few opt for the airline now either on domestic or international routes. It is largely perceived as another government department synonymous with being an unreliable and shabbily managed airline with mounting debt. Nationalised in 1953, its reputation declined in the mid-2000s amid financial woes. ALSO READ | Singapore Airlines Ltd-owned Vistara announces merger with Air India The airline had a net debt of Rs 60,000 crore ($600 billion) at the time of purchase and former chief of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata had said, “While admittedly it will take considerable effort to rebuild Air India, it will hopefully provide a very strong market opportunity to the Tata Group's presence in the aviation industry.” The Reuters report, citing experts, said there are several hurdles in Tata group’s ambitious revival of Air India including “frail domestic infrastructure, pilot shortages and the threat of tough competition with established Gulf and other carriers.” Additionally, the airline might also struggle to procure the medium-haul Airbus A321neos that were reportedly being ordered for the Air India-Vistara tie-up, as the European planemaker sold out for at least the next five years or more. (With inputs from agencies)

Tata-owned Air India to place historic order of at least 500 jets: Here’s all you need to know

After 69 long years, India’s national carrier&nbsp;Air India was officially handed over to Tata Group on Thursday.

N Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons—who control the entire Tata conglomerate—called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi earlier in the day ahead of the official handover.

However, even before the new and revamped airline takes off, the company seems to have already taken various measures to make the airline competitive again.

Part of this makeover includes making the cabin crew “well-groomed” and presentable to the passengers. And one way to make sure that the staff look good is to check their weight.

According to reports, Air India is planning to check the body mass index (BMI) of its cabin crew, as well as their overall grooming and appearance.

The order dated January 20, 2022, states that “grooming associates” have been assigned to record the BMI of cabin crew when they report for flight

“These observations must be compiled and sent to my office,” Vasudha Chandana, Executive Director —In-flight Services, Air India, said in the order to all cabin crew members.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tatas-introduce-enhanced-meal-service-on-air-india-flights-448035">Tatas introduce 'enhanced meal service' on Air India flights</a>

Each cabin crew shall be observed or assessed once on a quarterly basis, she noted.

But the order drew flak from the worker unions who deemed the missive as “dehumanising”.

The carrier's two unions —Air India Employees' Union (AIEU) and All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) —on Monday wrote a letter to Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Vikram Dev Dutt opposing the order on the grounds that it is dehumanising and in violation of rules prescribed by aviation regulator DGCA.

The AICCA has also threatened to seek legal recourse if the said requirement on BMI/weight checks by grooming associates is not withdrawn.

Among the other measures taken by the Tata management includes flight announcements addressing passengers as ‘Guests’, and a recorded message of Ratan Tata to be played in each and every flight.

The Tata group already has announced an ‘enhanced meal service’ in Air India’s four flights, namely AI864 Mumbai-Delhi, AI687 Mumbai-Delhi, AI945 Mumbai-Abu Dhabi and AI639 Mumbai-Bengaluru from January 27 only. This will be expanded in other flights and routes in a phased manner.

In October last year, Tata Group announced the winning bidder for Air India with a bid amount of Rs 18,000 crore. Tatas would pay Rs 2,700 crore cash and takeover Rs 15,300 crore of the airline's debt.

(With inputs from agencies)

After 69 long years, India’s national carrier Air India was officially handed over to Tata Group on Thursday. N Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons—who control the entire Tata conglomerate—called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi earlier in the day ahead of the official handover.

After 69 long years, India’s national carrier Air India was officially handed over to Tata Group on Thursday. N Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons—who control the entire Tata conglomerate—called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi earlier in the day ahead of the official handover. However, even before the new and revamped airline takes off, the company seems to have already taken various measures to make the airline competitive again. Part of this makeover includes making the cabin crew “well-groomed” and presentable to the passengers. And one way to make sure that the staff look good is to check their weight. According to reports, Air India is planning to check the body mass index (BMI) of its cabin crew, as well as their overall grooming and appearance. The order dated January 20, 2022, states that “grooming associates” have been assigned to record the BMI of cabin crew when they report for flight “These observations must be compiled and sent to my office,” Vasudha Chandana, Executive Director —In-flight Services, Air India, said in the order to all cabin crew members. Also read | Tatas introduce 'enhanced meal service' on Air India flights Each cabin crew shall be observed or assessed once on a quarterly basis, she noted. But the order drew flak from the worker unions who deemed the missive as “dehumanising”. The carrier's two unions —Air India Employees' Union (AIEU) and All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) —on Monday wrote a letter to Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Vikram Dev Dutt opposing the order on the grounds that it is dehumanising and in violation of rules prescribed by aviation regulator DGCA. The AICCA has also threatened to seek legal recourse if the said requirement on BMI/weight checks by grooming associates is not withdrawn. Among the other measures taken by the Tata management includes flight announcements addressing passengers as ‘Guests’, and a recorded message of Ratan Tata to be played in each and every flight. The Tata group already has announced an ‘enhanced meal service’ in Air India’s four flights, namely AI864 Mumbai-Delhi, AI687 Mumbai-Delhi, AI945 Mumbai-Abu Dhabi and AI639 Mumbai-Bengaluru from January 27 only. This will be expanded in other flights and routes in a phased manner. In October last year, Tata Group announced the winning bidder for Air India with a bid amount of Rs 18,000 crore. Tatas would pay Rs 2,700 crore cash and takeover Rs 15,300 crore of the airline's debt. (With inputs from agencies)

Tata takes over Air India. What does it mean for air hostesses?

India&#39;s Tata conglomerate is interested in bidding for state-owned Air India as the group needs to increase the sizes of its aviation business, its boss told television channel CNBC TV18 in an interview on Monday.

Tata would &quot;definitely look&quot; at Air India once the government finalised the privatisation process, N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata group&rsquo;s holding company Tata Sons, told the channel.

He said Tata, which already has two small airline joint ventures in India, one with Singapore Airlines and the other with Malaysia&#39;s AirAsia Bhd, was still not clear about what a sale would look like.

The government has not said whether it will sell all or parts of Air India and what it might do about the loss-making airline&#39;s debt burden of $8.5 billion.

&quot;We still don&#39;t have all the details,&quot; Chandrasekaran said. &quot;We have two airlines, both are subscale. I feel scale is important.&quot;

When asked whether Tata had spoken to Singapore Airlines about its interest in bidding for Air India, Chandrasekaran said: &quot;Do you think I would have not?&quot;

Tata&#39;s interest in Air India has been reported but Chandrasekaran had not spoken publicly about a possible bid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s cabinet in June gave the go-ahead to sell Air India, which has received $3.6 billion since 2012 in state aid.

Last month the government invited bids to appoint financial and legal advisors for the sale process.

Some companies including low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, ground handling company Bird Group and Turkey&#39;s Celebi Aviation Holdings have expressed an interest in buying some of Air India&#39;s various businesses.

Air India, founded in 1930s by the Tata Group, is saddled with debts and a bloated cost structure.

Once the nation&#39;s largest carrier, its market share in the booming domestic market has slumped to 13 percent as private carriers expanded.

In Monday&#39;s interview, Chandrasekaran also said &quot;all options are on the table&quot; when asked about the future of its struggling telecoms unit Tata Teleservices.

The Economic Times said earlier this month that Tata had told the government it intended to shut down Tata Teleservices.

&quot;I will have to take a tough call and I will,&quot; Chandrasekaran said, adding that a solution would be found this financial year because Tata could not continue to pump in cash to fund the company.

Chandrasekaran also said the group was focusing on improving returns at Tata Motors and ending production of its loss-making Nano car would make little difference to the firm&#39;s profitability.

British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has long been the main source of revenues and profits at Tata Motors.

The company has said it will invest more than 40 billion rupees ($612 million) to boost sales of its passenger and commercial vehicles and return to profit in its domestic business.

 
&nbsp;

Tata would 'definitely look' at Air India once the government has finalised the privatisation process, N Chandrasekaran said

India's Tata conglomerate is interested in bidding for state-owned Air India as the group needs to increase the sizes of its aviation business, its boss told television channel CNBC TV18 in an interview on Monday. Tata would "definitely look" at Air India once the government finalised the privatisation process, N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata group’s holding company Tata Sons, told the channel. He said Tata, which already has two small airline joint ventures in India, one with Singapore Airlines and the other with Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd, was still not clear about what a sale would look like. The government has not said whether it will sell all or parts of Air India and what it might do about the loss-making airline's debt burden of $8.5 billion. "We still don't have all the details," Chandrasekaran said. "We have two airlines, both are subscale. I feel scale is important." When asked whether Tata had spoken to Singapore Airlines about its interest in bidding for Air India, Chandrasekaran said: "Do you think I would have not?" Tata's interest in Air India has been reported but Chandrasekaran had not spoken publicly about a possible bid. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet in June gave the go-ahead to sell Air India, which has received $3.6 billion since 2012 in state aid. Last month the government invited bids to appoint financial and legal advisors for the sale process. Some companies including low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, ground handling company Bird Group and Turkey's Celebi Aviation Holdings have expressed an interest in buying some of Air India's various businesses. Air India, founded in 1930s by the Tata Group, is saddled with debts and a bloated cost structure. Once the nation's largest carrier, its market share in the booming domestic market has slumped to 13 percent as private carriers expanded. In Monday's interview, Chandrasekaran also said "all options are on the table" when asked about the future of its struggling telecoms unit Tata Teleservices. The Economic Times said earlier this month that Tata had told the government it intended to shut down Tata Teleservices. "I will have to take a tough call and I will," Chandrasekaran said, adding that a solution would be found this financial year because Tata could not continue to pump in cash to fund the company. Chandrasekaran also said the group was focusing on improving returns at Tata Motors and ending production of its loss-making Nano car would make little difference to the firm's profitability. British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has long been the main source of revenues and profits at Tata Motors. The company has said it will invest more than 40 billion rupees ($612 million) to boost sales of its passenger and commercial vehicles and return to profit in its domestic business.

Tata interested in bidding for Air India: Tata Sons chairman

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N Chandrasekaran to Exit Tata Sons Chairmanship in February 2027

Air India's expansion takes flight: Airline set to hire over 1,000 pilots

Tata-owned Air India to place historic order of at least 500 jets: Here’s all you need to know

Tata takes over Air India. What does it mean for air hostesses?

Tata interested in bidding for Air India: Tata Sons chairman