Jump to content

Air India

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Air-India)

Air India
IATA ICAO Call sign
AI AIC AIRINDIA[1]
Founded15 October 1932; 92 years ago (1932-10-15)
(as Tata Airlines)
Commenced operations29 July 1946; 78 years ago (1946-07-29)[2]
HubsDelhi
Secondary hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programMaharaja Club
AllianceStar Alliance
Subsidiaries
Fleet size208 (excl. subsidiary)
Destinations84
Parent companyAir India Limited
HeadquartersGurgaon, Haryana, India
Key people
FounderJ. R. D. Tata
RevenueIncrease₹38,812 crore (US$4.7 billion) (FY 2024)[3]
ProfitPositive decrease₹−4,444 crore (US$−530 million) (FY 2024)[3]
Websitewww.airindia.com

Air India is the flag carrier of India with its main hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, and secondary hubs at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, alongside several focus cities across India. Headquartered in Gurugram, the airline is owned by Air India Limited, which is owned by the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. As of November 2024, the airline serves 102 domestic and international destinations operating a variety of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and is the second-largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried after IndiGo. Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on 11 July 2014.

Founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by J. R. D. Tata, Tata himself flew its first single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, carrying air mail from Karachi to Bombay's Juhu aerodrome and later continuing to Madras (currently Chennai). After World War II, it was nationalised by the Government of India in 1953 and was renamed Air India.[4] On 21 February 1960, it took delivery of its first Boeing 707 named Gauri Shankar and became the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft in its fleet. In 2000–01, attempts were made to privatise Air India and from 2006 onwards, it suffered losses after its merger with Indian Airlines. Another privatization attempt was launched in 2017, which concluded with ownership of the airline and associated properties return to the Tata Group after 69 years in 2022.[5]

Air India also operates flights to domestic and Asian destinations through its subsidiary Air India Express. Air India operates a mix of narrow body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 used for most domestic and short-haul international routes and wide body aircraft such as the Airbus A350, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft for long haul international routes. Air India's mascot is the Maharajah (Emperor) and the erstwhile logo consisted of a flying swan with the wheel of Konark inside it, before being replaced by a new logo inspired by the airline's Jharokha window pattern in 2023.

History

Early years (1932–1945)

Tata Air Service

Air India had its origin in Tata Sons, founded by J. R. D. Tata, an Indian aviator and business tycoon.[6] In April 1932, Tata won a contract to carry mail for Imperial Airways and the aviation department of Tata Sons was formed with two single-engine de Havilland Puss Moths. On 15 October 1932, Tata flew a Puss Moth carrying air mail from Karachi to Bombay (currently Mumbai) and the aircraft continued to Madras (currently Chennai) piloted by Nevill Vintcent, a former Royal Air Force pilot and friend of Tata.[7] The airline fleet consisted of a Puss Moth aircraft and a Leopard Moth.[8][9] Initial service included weekly airmail service between Karachi and Madras via Ahmedabad and Bombay. In its first year of operation, the airline flew 160,000 miles (260,000 km), carrying 155 passengers and 9.72 tonnes (10.71 tons) of mail and made a profit of ₹60,000 (US$720).[10][11] Later, the airline launched a domestic flight from Bombay to Trivandrum with a six-seater Miles Merlin.[12] In 1938, it was re-christened as Tata Air Services and later as Tata Airlines. Delhi and Colombo were added to the destinations in 1938.[7] During the Second World War, the airline helped the Royal Air Force with troop movements, shipping of supplies, rescue of refugees and maintenance of planes.[7]

Post-Independence (1946–2000)

Air India became the first Asian carrier to induct a jet aircraft with the Boeing 707–420 Gauri Shankar (registered VT-DJJ)

After World War II, regular commercial service was restored in India and Tata Airlines became a public limited company on 29 July 1946 under the name Air India.[2] After the Indian independence in 1947, 49% of the airline was acquired by the Government of India in 1948.[13] On 8 June 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A named Malabar Princess (registered VT-CQP) took off from Bombay bound for London Heathrow marking the airline's first international flight.[7] In 1953, the Government of India passed the Air Corporations Act and purchased a majority stake in the carrier from Tata Sons though its founder J. R. D. Tata would continue as chairman until 1977.[14] The company was renamed as Air India International Limited and the domestic services were transferred to Indian Airlines as a part of restructuring.[15] From 1948 to 1950, the airline introduced services to Nairobi in Africa and to major European destinations Rome, Paris and Düsseldorf.[16] The airline took delivery of its first Lockheed Constellation L-1049 named Rani of Jhansi (registered VT-DGL) and inaugurated services to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore.[16]

On 21 February 1960, Air India International inducted its first Boeing 707–420 named Gauri Shankar (registered VT-DJJ), thereby becoming the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft in its fleet.[17][18] The airline inaugurated services to New York on 14 May 1960.[16] On 8 June 1962, the airline's name was officially truncated to Air India[2] and on 11 June 1962, Air India became the world's first all-jet airline.

In 1971, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B named Emperor Ashoka (registered VT-EBD)[19] and introduced a new Palace in the Sky livery and branding. The airline operated 11 Boeing 747-200 in total. In 1986, Air India took delivery of its first Airbus A310-300 and in 1988, the airline took delivery of Boeing 747-300M.[16] In 1993, Air India took delivery of a Boeing 747-400 named Konark (registered VT-ESM) and operated the first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi.[20]

Financial trouble, merger with Indian and later (2000–2022)

Air India Airbus A310-300. It sold three A300s in March 2009 due to debts
In January 2013, Air India cleared some of its debts by selling and leasing back the newly acquired Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Also, the airline posted its first positive EBITDA after almost six years
Air India joined the Star Alliance in 2014. Pictured is Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANU) in special Star Alliance livery.

In 2000–01, attempts were made to re-privatize Air India.[21][22][23][24] In 2000, Air India introduced services to Shanghai, China. On 23 May 2001, the Ministry of Civil Aviation charged Michael Mascarenhas, the then-managing director, with corruption. According to the ministry reports, the airline lost approximately ₹570 million (US$6.8 million) because of extra commissions that Mascarenhas sanctioned and he was later suspended from the airline.[25] In May 2004, Air India launched a wholly owned low cost subsidiary called Air-India Express connecting cities in India with the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Until 2007, Air India mainly operated on international long-haul routes while Indian Airlines operated on domestic and international short-haul routes. In 2007, Air India and Indian Airlines were merged under Air India Limited[26] and the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 777 aircraft.[16] The airline was invited to be a part of the Star Alliance in 2007.[27]

Around 2006, both Air India and Indian Airlines showed signs of financial crisis as combined losses were ₹7.7 billion (US$92 million). After the merger, it went up to ₹72 billion (US$860 million) by March 2009.[28][29] In July 2009, State Bank of India was appointed to prepare a road map for the recovery of the airline.[30] The carrier sold three Airbus A300 and one Boeing 747-300M in March 2009 for $18.75 million to finance the debt.[31] By March 2011, Air India had accumulated a debt of ₹426 billion (US$5.1 billion) and an operating loss of ₹220 billion (US$2.6 billion), and was seeking ₹429 billion (US$5.1 billion) from the government.[32][33] A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General blamed the decision to buy 111 new planes and the ill-timed merger with Indian Airlines for the poor financial situation.[34][35] In August 2011, the invitation to join Star Alliance was suspended as a result of its failure to meet the minimum standards for the membership.[36][37] The government pumped ₹32 billion (US$380 million) into Air India in March 2012.[38][39]

On 1 March 2009, Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub for onward connections to the United States from India. However, the airline shut down the Frankfurt hub on 30 October 2010 because of high operating costs.[40] In 2010, financially less lucrative routes were terminated and the airline planned to open a new hub for its international flights at Dubai.[41] In 2012, a study commissioned by the Corporate Affairs Ministry recommended that Air India should be partly privatised.[42] In May 2012, the carrier invited offers from banks to raise $800 million via external commercial borrowing and bridge financing.[43] In May 2012, the airline was fined $80,000 by the US Transportation Department for failing to post customer service and tarmac delay contingency plans on its website and adequately inform passengers about its optional fees.[44]

In 2013, the then-Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh stated privatisation was the key to the airline's survival.[45] However, the opposition led by the BJP and the CPI(M) slammed the government.[46] In 2013, the Indian government planned to delay equity infusion of ₹300 billion (US$3.6 billion) that was slated to be infused into the airline slowly over eight years.[47] In January 2013, Air India cleared a part of its pending dues through funds raised by selling and leasing back the newly acquired Boeing 787 Dreamliners.[48][49] In March 2013, the airline posted its first positive EBITDA after almost six years and 20% growth in its operating revenue since the previous financial year.[50][51] Air India Limited split its engineering and cargo businesses into two separate subsidiaries, Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) and Air India Transport Services Limited (AITSL) in 2013.[52][53] In December 2013, the airline appointed veteran pilot SPS Puri as its head of operations. The appointment was criticised by the Air India pilots union as Puri allegedly has multiple violations to his name.[54]

Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on 11 July 2014.[55][56] In August 2015, it signed an agreement with Citibank and State Bank of India to raise $300 million in external commercial borrowing to meet working capital requirements.[57] For FY 2014–15, its revenue, operating loss and net loss were ₹198 billion (US$2.4 billion), ₹2.171 billion (US$26 million) and ₹5.41 billion (US$65 million) compared FY 2011–12, which were ₹147 billion (US$1.8 billion), ₹5.138 billion (US$62 million) and ₹7.55 billion (US$90 million).[58] As of February 2016, Air India is the third largest carrier in India, after IndiGo and Jet Airways with a market share of 15.4%.[59][60][61][62]

Post privatization (2022–present)

On 28 June 2017, the Government of India approved the privatisation of Air India and set up a committee to decide the details.[63] In March 2018, the Government issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to sell a 76% stake in Air India, along with low-cost airline Air India Express, and a 50% stake in AISATS, a ground handling joint venture with Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS). According to the EOI, the new owner would have to take on a debt of ₹33,392 crore (US$4.0 billion) and a bid would have to be submitted by mid-May as the Government wanted to complete the selling process by the end of 2018.[64] However, no private firms showed any interest to buy a share in the debt-laden airline.[65]

Having failed to sell off a majority stake in the airline, the Government decided to completely exit the airline and invited fresh EOIs on 27 January 2020. In order to attract bidders this time, the government reduced the debt burden on Air India by moving nearly ₹30,000 crore (US$3.6 billion) of the company's debts and liabilities to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).[66][67] In view of the prevailing situation arising out of COVID-19, the last date for submission of interest was extended multiple times and the Government eventually received EOIs from seven parties by December 2020.[68] Five of these parties were disqualified and the Government invited financial bids for Air India from the two qualified parties in September 2021.[69]

In September 2021, Spice Jet's Ajay Singh-led consortium and Tata Sons submitted their financial bids for Air India.[70] On 8 October 2021, Air India along with its low cost carrier Air India Express and fifty per cent of AISATS, a ground handling company, were sold for ₹18,000 crore (US$2.2 billion) to Tata Group.[71][72] On 27 January 2022, the airline was officially handed over to Tata Group.[73] On 14 February 2022, after its re-privatization, the airline appointed İlker Aycı, former chairman of Turkish Airlines as its new CEO and managing director to take charge on or before 1 April 2022 which did not materialize.[74][75] In March 2022, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons was appointed as the chairman of the airline and in May 2022, Campbell Wilson was announced as the CEO and MD.[76][77]

After the airline's acquisition, Tata Group began discussion on bringing the other airlines including Vistara and AirAsia India where it held a stake under a unified umbrella. In November 2022, Air India acquired AirAsia's stake in AirAsia India, renamed it into AIX Connect and announced plans to merge it with Air India Express.[78] On 29 November 2022, Air India announced the merger with Vistara by March 2024 with Singapore Airlines which owns a 49% stake in Vistara getting a 25% stake in the newly formed airline.[79] Vistara brand would be discontinued post the merger and the brand will operate under the Air India name.[80][81] The National Company Law Tribunal approved the merger between Air India and Vistara on 6 June 2024, followed by Singapore Airlines' FDI approval by the Indian government on 30 August 2024.[82][83][84][85][86] On 12 November 2024, the merger between Vistara and Air India was completed.[87]

On 15 September 2022, the Tata Group announced Vihaan, a five-year transformation goal aimed at restructuring and transforming Air India in phases.[88][89][90] As part of the plan, Air India announced flights to additional international destinations.[91][92] The route expansion was supported by improving air-worthiness of existing fleet and leasing aircraft from other airlines.[93][94][95] On 14 February 2023, Air India announced an order for 470 aircraft consisting of including 250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing at a cost of US$70 billion, which set the record for the world's largest aircraft order at the time.[96] On 10 August 2023, the airline announced a rebranding exercise named "Vista" with a new livery and logo.[97][98] On 1 January 2024, Air India announced that it will begin operating its first Airbus A350 aircraft on domestic routes from 22 January 2024 before expanding to international destinations.[99]

As of July 2024, Air India is "consolidating its cargo operations" and plans to start a separate entity or a subsidiary like Air India Cargo to handle cargo operations with dedicated freighters. There has been a 30% increase in cargo revenues of Air India Group in FY22-24. The cargo volume is expected to increase to 2.5 million tonnes by 2027. Air India is also developing a "mother software" to handle cargo data and revenue management. The airline is streamlining its cargo operations for optimisation of cargo handling. The airline has initiated a programme to "onboard, engage and expand with regional, national and global customers".[100]

In September 2024, Air India announced a $400 million refurbishment programme to modernize 67 of its older aircraft. The programme will commence with the overhaul of 27 narrow-body Airbus A320neo planes, followed by 40 wide-body Boeing aircraft.[101][102]

Corporate affairs and identity

The key trends of Air India are (as of the financial year ending 31 March[103]):

Year Revenue
(₹Cr)[104] 		Net profit
(₹Cr)[104] 		Number of
passengers
(mn) 		Passenger
load factor
(%) 		Freight
carried
(000 tonnes) 		Fleet
size[105] 		Reference
2015-16 20,610 −3,836 18.0 75.6 192 135 [106]
2016-17 22,177 −6,281 19.1 76.3 196 136 [106][107]
2017-18 23,003 −5,337 21.1 80.0 204 158 [108][109]
2018-19 26,487 −8,556 22.1 79.0 240 171 [110]
2019-20 28,524 −7,982 22.5 79.8 221 127 [110]
2020-21 12,104 −7,083 6.3 68.4 74.9 124 [111]
2021-22 19,815 −9,591 11.5 73.5 169 165 [112]
2022-23 31,377 −11,388 18.5 81.9 175 127 [113]
2023-24 38,812 − 4,444 137

Headquarters

Air India Building in Mumbai served as Air India's headquarters until 2013
The Maharajah, Air India's mascot
Air India logo between 2007–2023
Some artworks exhibited at the Air India office in Budapest (Hungary) in 1970.

Air India Limited is headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana,[114] in Sector 16. Its head office is in 180,000 square feet (17,000 m2) of leased space on the ground floor and floors 1-6 in Block 5 in the Vatika One-on-One complex, and the lease began on 29 September 2023.[115] Air India Express, since 2024, occupies space in the same complex.[116]

Air India moved its headquarters from Air India Building, Mumbai to Delhi in 2013. The former Mumbai headquarters is a 23-story tower on Marine Drive and was one of the targets of the 1993 Bombay bombings.[117][118] It then occupied Indian Airlines House, New Delhi.[117][119] In 2023, Air India moved its headquarters to Gurgaon in the National Capital Region.[120]

Subsidiaries

Further information: Air India structure

Current

Further information: Air India Express

Air India Express began operations on 29 April 2005 and was initially owned by Air India Charters and operates flights from South India to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.[121][122] In November 2022, Air India acquired AirAsia's stake in AirAsia India, renamed it into AIX Connect and announced plans to merge it with Air India Express.[123]

Defunct

Further information: Alliance Air (India) and Air India Cargo

Air India became the first Asian airline to operate freighters when Air India Cargo was set up in 1954 and started its freighter operations with a Douglas DC-3 aircraft.[16] Air India Cargo ended freighter aircraft operations in early 2012.[124]

Alliance Air was a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines established on 1 April 1996. It started operations on 21 June 1996. It was renamed Air India Regional after the merger between Air India and Indian Airlines.[125] It was renamed back to Alliance Air in 2017 and ceased being a subsidiary of Air India in April 2022 when the Government of India sold Air India to the Tata Group.[126]

Mascot

Air India's mascot is the Maharajah (high king).[127][128] It was created by Bobby Kooka, the then-commercial director of Air India, and Umesh Rao, an artist with J. Walter Thompson Limited in 1946.[129] Kooka stated that, "We call him a Maharajah for want of a better description. But his blood isn't blue. He may look like royalty, but he isn't royal".[130] Air India adopted the Maharajah as its mascot in 1946. It was used in promoting it although initially designed only for the airline's memo-pads.[131] The Maharajah was given a makeover in 2015 and the brand is represented by a younger version.[132] In 2023, the Maharajah was given a makeover and was revealed that the mascot would only be used in certain aspects of the airline like the premium lounges and crockery.[133]

Logo and livery

Air India's colour scheme is red and white. The aircraft was painted white with red palace-style carvings on the outside of the windows and the airline's name written in red. The name is written in Hindi on the port side fuselage and in English on the port side tail. On the starboard side, the name is written in English on the fuselage, and in Hindi on the tail.[134] The window scheme was designed in line with the slogan Your Palace in the Sky.[16] The aircraft was earlier named after Indian kings and landmarks. In 1989, to supplement its Flying Palace livery, Air India introduced a new livery that included a metallic gold spinning wheel on a deep red-coloured tail and a Boeing 747, Rajendra Chola, was the first aircraft to be painted in the new colours.[16]

Airbus A310 (registered VT-EJH) part of the now defunct Air India Cargo.

The first logo of Air India was a centaur, a stylised version of Sagittarius shooting an arrow in a circle representing the wheel of Konark. The logo chosen by founder J. R. D. Tata was introduced in 1948 and represented the airline until 2007.[135] On 22 May 2007, Air India and Indian Airlines unveiled their new livery consisting of a Flying Swan with the wheel of Konark placed inside it. The flying swan was morphed from the centaur logo and the chakra was derived from Indian's erstwhile logo.[136] On 15 May 2007, Air India refreshed its livery, making the Rajasthani arches along the windows slightly smaller, extending a stylised line from the tail of the aircraft to the nose and painting the underbelly red. The new logo features on the tail and the engine covers with red and orange lines running parallel to each other from the front door to the rear door.[128]

After the airline's acquisition by the Tata Group, the airline revealed its brand new logo and livery on 10 August 2023.[137][138] The new livery features a palette of deep red, aubergine, and gold with chakra pattern and the new logo is inspired by the airline's Jharokha window pattern.[139] In December 2023, the airline unveiled new uniforms for its crew and rolled out its new identity with an Airbus A350-900, the first aircraft to be re-branded.[140][141][142]

Art collection

Air India maintained a collection of Indian art from 1956 comprising works of important Indian artists and photographers, sculptures, wood carvings, glass paintings, rare textiles etc.[143] The artworks were often sent to be hung in Air India booking offices around the world and used in promotional material.[143] In 1967, the company commissioned ashtrays from Salvador Dalí and gifted an elephant calf as payment.[144] In 2010, a plan to establish a museum from the collection was stalled and the artworks reside in a building in Nariman Point, Mumbai.[143] Air India organized the first ever exhibition of these art at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, titled Air India Salutes Indian Masters in 2013.[145] Following a memorandum of understanding agreed between the airline and the Ministry of Culture, the art collection was transferred to the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai in January 2023.[146] The art was put up for exhibition titled Maharaja's Treasure: Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection.[147][148]

Destinations

Main article: List of Air India destinations

As of April 2024, Air India flies to a total of 84 destinations, including 44 domestic destinations and 40 international destinations in 37 countries across five continents around the world.[149] Its primary hub is located at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, and it has secondary hubs at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.[150] Air India operates some of the world's longest non-stop flights.[151]

Alliance

Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on 11 July 2014.[55][56]

Codeshare agreements

Air India has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[152]

Interline agreements

Fleet

Air India Airbus A320
Air India Boeing 787-8
Air India Boeing 777-200LR
Air India Boeing 777-300ER
Air India Airbus A350-900
Main article: Air India fleet

As of December 2024, Air India operates a fleet of 208 aircraft, both narrowbody and widebody aircraft with a fleet composed of Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo, A350 as well as the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787.[157]

Fleet information

In 1932, Air India started operations with De Havilland Puss Moth. On 21 February 1960, Air India International inducted its first Boeing 707–420 named Gauri Shankar (registered VT-DJJ), thereby becoming the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft in its fleet.[17] In 1971, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B named Emperor Ashoka (registered VT-EBD)[19] In 1986, Air India took delivery of its first Airbus A310-300.[16] On 4 August 1993, Air India took the delivery of its first Boeing 747-400 named Konark (registered VT-ESM)[20][failed verification] In 1989, Indian Airlines introduced the Airbus A320-200 aircraft, which Air India now uses to operate both domestic and international short haul flights.[16] In 2005, Indian Airlines introduced the smaller A319, which is now used mainly on domestic and regional routes.[16] After the merger in 2007, Air India inducted the A321, to operate mainly on international short-haul routes and leased the Airbus A330s to operate on medium-long haul international routes. The airline's first Boeing 777-200LR aircraft was delivered on 26 July 2007, which was named Andhra Pradesh.[citation needed] Air India received its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on 9 October 2007 and the aircraft was named as Bihar.[citation needed] Air India received its first Boeing 787 dreamliner aircraft on 6 September 2012 and commenced flights on 19 September 2012.[158]

Air India One is the call sign of any Air India aircraft carrying the prime minister, president or the vice-president.[159][160][161] Though the call-sign of Air India is used, these flights are operated on customized Boeing 777-300ER aircraft owned by Indian Air Force and maintained by Air India on a special contract.[162]

Fleet restructuring

As a part of the financial restructuring, Air India sold five of its eight Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in December 2013. According to the airline, plans for introducing ultra-long flights with service to Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles were cancelled due to factors like high fuel prices and weak demand.[163] In April 2014, the airline decided to sell its remaining three Boeing 777-200LRs as well, citing higher operating costs.[164] On 24 April 2014, Air India issued a tender for leasing 14 Airbus A320 aircraft for up to six years, to strengthen its domestic network.[165] By April 2024, Air India has sold four of its last remaining Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets US company AerSale. Two will be converted into freighters and two will be scrapped.[166] Air India is also planning to establish a dedicated subsidiary for cargo operations with dedicated freighters.[100]

New aircraft orders

Air India's first A350 alongside its future companion, the Boeing 777X that the airline has ordered in early 2023 during the Paris Air Show.

On 11 January 2006, Air India announced an order for 68 jets – 8 Boeing 777-200LR, 15 Boeing 777-300ER, 18 Boeing 737-800 and 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The 18 Boeing 737s ordered were later transferred to Air India Express and Air India took delivery of the Dreamliners.[167]

On 14 February 2023, Air India announced an order for 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing consisting of 210 A320neo family, 40 A350, 190 737 MAX, 20 787-9, and 10 777-9 aircraft for US$70 billion with deliveries beginning late 2023.[96]

On 10 December 2024, an additional order of 100 aircraft with Airbus was confirmed consisting of 90 A320neo family aircraft and 10 A350 aircraft.

New Airbus A320 safety instruction booklet

Services

Business Class seats on board the Boeing 777-200LR/777-300ER
Air India economy class in-flight meal

Cabin

The Boeing 777-200LRs/777-300ERs that have operated with Air India since before its privatization have a three-class configuration with first, business, and economy class.[168] These include the carrier's older, 2-3-2 business class cabins and 3-3-3 economy class cabins. Following privatisation, Air India began operating ex-Delta 777-200LRs on certain routes to North America, which allowed for the airline to introduce Premium Economy (using Delta's Premium Select product).[169] The introduction of ex-Etihad 777-300ERs on routes to London-Heathrow[citation needed] introduced a third product type within the carrier's fleet (though Premium Economy product is still limited to the ex-Delta 777s).

Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliners have a similar product to its older 777s but do not have first class, opting for a two-class configuration with a 2-2-2 business class and economy class.

In January 2024, the airline introduced its first Airbus A350 on select domestic services.[170]

Within its A320ceo fleet, which primarily serves domestic and regional international services, only business and economy class are offered,[171] with some aircraft, including newly delivered A320/321neo aircraft having only economy class.[171]

In November 2024, the merger between Air India and Vistara was completed, and former Vistara aircraft now operate under Air India. With the merger, Air India customers can, in addition to Air India's own hard product, also experience Vistara's cabin, including its three-class 787-9 Dreamliners (as opposed to Air India's own two-class 787-8 Dreamliners).

In-flight entertainment

Air India's widebody fleet is equipped with seatback on-demand in-flight entertainment systems on which passengers can choose from available content. This varies from the Thales i5000 on the 777-300ER, the Thales i8000 on the 787-8s, to the Panasonic eX3 on the A350-900, 777-200LR and 787-9.[172] The legacy 777 and 787 product will be replaced with Thales' Avant Up system. Thales will also linefit further deliveries of the A350-900 and the 787-9 with the same system.[173] Air India does not offer seatback entertainment on its narrowbody fleet, with the exception of the A321LR, which uses Panasonic's eX1 system.[174] On its other narrowbodies, and as an interim solution on its legacy widebody fleet, Air India uses the Bluebox streaming IFE service.[175] Namaste.ai is the current in-flight magazine published in English by Air India.[176] It replaced Shubh Yatra (meaning Happy Journey), which was a bilingual in-flight magazine published in English and Hindi.[177]

On-Board Wi-fi

On 4 September 2024, Air India announced that it will introduce Wi-Fi on board across its fleet by the end of the year. The airline deployed free Wi-Fi in November 2024 on its Airbus A350, A321neo and Boeing 787-9 fleet. Other planes will get Wi-Fi connectivity after they go through a refurbishment. [178]

Frequent flyer programme

Flying Returns was Air India's frequent-flyer programme. It was India's first frequent flyer programme and is shared by Air India and its subsidiaries. A member can earn mileage points and redeem them during future travel. On higher fares, passengers will earn bonus miles and clock mileage points.[179]

Following the merger of Air India and Vistara, Flying Returns and Club Vistara were combined and rebranded as Maharaja Club.[180][181][182]

Missions

As the flag carrier, Air India is often involved in the evacuation of civilians during wars. The airline entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people evacuated by civil airliner.[183] Over 111,000 people were evacuated from Amman to Mumbai, a distance of 4,117 kilometres (2,558 mi), by operating 488 flights from 13 August to 11 October 1990  – lasting 59 days. The operation was carried out during Persian Gulf War to evacuate Indian expatriates from Kuwait and Iraq.[183][184][185][186] The event was later featured in the film Airlift.[187]

In February–March 2011, Air India evacuated more than 15,000 Indian nationals during the Libyan civil war.[188] In March–April 2015, the airline was involved in Operation Raahat during the Yemeni civil war.[188] In August 2021, Air India evacuated 669 people under Operation Devi Shakti from war-torn Afghanistan during the 2021 Taliban offensive.[189] In February 2022, Air India evacuated Indian citizens from Russia and Ukraine as a part of Operation Ganga during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[190] In October 2023, the airline evacuated people from Israel during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war as a part of Operation Ajay.[191]

Awards and recognitions

  • Preferred International Airline for travel and hospitality from Awaz Consumer Awards (2006)[192]
  • Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative by Galileo Express Travel World[193]
  • Best Short-Haul International Airline by Galileo Express Travel World (2008)[193]
  • Corporate Excellence Award by Amity University (2006)[193]
  • Trusted Brand by Reader's Digest (2006)[193]
  • Dun and Bradstreet Award (D&B), first in terms of revenue out of the top airline companies out of India (2006)[193]
  • Best South Asian Airline, Mice and business travel publications (2006)[193]
  • Cargo Airline of the Year, 26th Cargo Airline of the Year Awards[194]
  • Montreal Protocol Public Awareness Award by the United Nations for environmental protection[195]
  • Air India was named India's most trusted airline by The Brand Trust Report 2015.[196]

Air India's ground services became the first ground service provider to acquire ISO 9002 certification on 31 January 2001.[197][198]

Accidents and incidents

See also: Air India Express § Accidents and incidents

As of January 2024, Air India has been involved in ten fatal crashes, two of which were caused by acts of terrorism.

Fatal

  • On 27 December 1947, a Douglas C-48C (registered VT-AUG) carrying nineteen passengers and four crew en route from Karachi to Bombay, crashed at Korangi Creek due to loss of control following instrument failure, killing all on board. This was the airline's first fatal accident. The aircraft had been notorious for electrical problems and had an unusual number of instrument replacements.[199]
  • On 3 November 1950, Air India Flight 245, a Lockheed L-749 Constellation (registered VT-CQP, Malabar Princess) carrying forty passengers and eight crew on a flight from Bombay to London via Cairo and Geneva, crashed on Mont Blanc in France, killing all on board.[200][201]
  • On 13 December 1950, a Douglas C-47B (registered VT-CFK) carrying 17 passengers and four crew from Bombay to Coimbatore, crashed into high ground near Kotagiri due to a navigational error, killing all on board.[202]
  • On 15 September 1951, a Douglas C-47A (registered VT-CCA) lost control and crashed on takeoff from HAL Bangalore Airport with the autopilot turned on, killing a crew member; all 23 passengers survived.[203]
  • On 9 May 1953, a Douglas C-47A (registered VT-AUD) crashed shortly after takeoff from Palam Airport following a loss of control due to pilot error, killing all thirteen passengers and five crew on board.[204]
  • On 11 April 1955, Kashmir Princess, a Lockheed L-749A Constellation (registered VT-DEP) flying from Hong Kong to Jakarta, crashed while attempting a water landing post a mid-air bomb explosion in the right main landing gear bay, killing all eleven passengers and five out of eight crew.[205][206]
The Air India Memorial in Toronto, Ontario, Canada dedicated to the victims of Air India Flight 182
  • On 24 January 1966, Air India Flight 101 Kanchenjunga, a Boeing 707-420 (registered VT-DMN) carrying 117 people (106 passengers and 11 crew) crashed on Mont Blanc, France killing all on board including Indian scientist Homi J. Bhabha.[207]
  • On 1 January 1978, Air India Flight 855 Emperor Ashoka, a Boeing 747-200B (registered VT-EBD) crashed into the Arabian Sea post taking off from Bombay after the pilot became disorientated due to instrument failure, killing all 190 passengers and 23 crew on board.[19]
  • On 21 June 1982, Air India Flight 403 Gouri Shankar, a Boeing 707-420 (registered VT-DJJ) carrying 99 passengers and 12 crew from Kuala Lumpur to Bombay via Madras crashed while landing at Sahar airport during a rainstorm. The fuselage broke apart and seventeen people including two crew members were killed. The cause of the crash was undershooting the runway due to flight crew error and miscalculation.[208][209]
  • On 23 June 1985, Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-200B (registered VT-EFO), was blown up in mid-air by a suitcase-bomb planted by Babbar Khalsa terrorists on the first leg of its Montreal-London-Delhi-Bombay flight. The aircraft exploded off the coast of Cork, Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean killing all 307 passengers and 22 crew on board.[210]
  • On 17 December 2015, an Air India technician was killed in a freak accident at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai after being sucked into the engine of an Airbus A319 during pushback when the co-pilot mistook a signal and started the engine.[211]

Non-Fatal

  • On 19 July 1959 Rani of Aera, a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation (registered VT-DIN) carrying 46 people (39 passengers and seven crew) crashed on approach to Santacruz airport, Bombay in poor visibility conditions due to rain. There were no fatalities but the aircraft suffered damage beyond repair and was written off.[212]
  • On 25 December 1974, Air India Flight 105, a Boeing 747-237B (registered VT-EBE), flying from Santacruz airport, Bombay to New York JFK, with stops at Beirut, Rome, and Paris was hijacked by a 31-year-old male passenger, while flying on the Beirut-Rome leg. The crew was able to subdue the hijacker, who was handed over to top Italian police officers after landing.[213]
  • On 29 August 1978, Air India Flight 123, a Boeing 747-237B (registered VT-EBO), flying from Delhi to Frankfurt and carrying 377 passengers and crew, aborted take-off at 150 knots due to No. 3 engine failure. While the crew hit the brakes and deployed thrust reversers, the plane veered off the runway and entered soft ground resulting in left-hand wing landing gear collapse and substantial damage, as No.3 and 4 reversers were not effective. The No. 3 engine failed due to ingestion of tire pieces. The plane sustained substantial damage but was repaired and put back to service.[214]
  • On 28 January 1983, Air India Flight 306 Emperor Kanishka, a Boeing 747-200B (registered VT-EFO), collided with an Indian Airlines Airbus A300 after landing at Palam Airport, Delhi with the plane suffering substantial damage. The plane was repaired and put back into service.[215]
  • On 2 June 1984, Air India Flight 315, a Boeing 747-200B, flying from Bangkok to Delhi with 314 passengers and crew, suffered a No 4 engine fire five minutes after takeoff. While the fire extinguishers were armed, the fire persisted, forcing the plane to dump fuel and land at Bangkok Don Muang Airport. The fire was caused by a fuel leak on the left forward side of the engine near the air to fuel convertor valve. The plane was later repaired and put back to service.[216]
  • On 7 May 1990, Air India Flight 132 Emperor Vikramaditya, a Boeing 747-200B (registered VT-EBO) flying on the London-Delhi-Bombay route carrying 215 people (195 passengers and 20 crew) caught fire on touch down at Delhi airport due to a failure of an engine pylon-to-wing attachment. There were no fatalities but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and written off.[217]
  • On 20 January 1999, Air India Flight 121, a Boeing 747-400 (registered as VT-EVA), flying from Delhi to Frankfurt and carrying 336 passengers and crew, suffered a landing gear fire on its second attempt after a go-around, while damaging 22 lights of the approach lighting system and the localizer antenna for runway 7R due to short contact at the runway touchdown zone. The incident took place while the plane was attempting to land in low visibility caused by fog, coupled with minor hydraulic pump malfunction in the hydraulic system number four. The plane suffered minor damage and was repaired and returned to service.[218]
  • On 30 July 2005, Air India Flight 127, a Boeing 747-400 (registered as VT-EVJ) on lease from Korean Air, flying from HAL Airport in Bengaluru to Chicago with stops at Mumbai and Frankfurt, skidded while landing at Mumbai on the wet runway 14/32 due to hydroplaning, and damaged the nose wheel landing gear after hitting a few runway lights. While there were no injuries, the plane, which was immobilized after being stuck at the end of runway 32, sustained substantial damage and was taken to an Air India hangar for repairs.[219][220] The incident took place 4 days after the airport was closed due to flooding in the Mumbai, and 2 days after reopening. An alternative Boeing 747-400 was arranged to continue the next legs of the flight.
  • On 19 December 2005, Air India Flight 136, a Boeing 747-400M (registered as VT-AIM) flying from Los Angeles to Delhi via Frankfurt, suffered a tire blowout after take-off from Los Angeles.[221] The plane dumped fuel and returned to Los Angeles after conducting an emergency landing. There were no injuries among 267 passengers and crew, however a woman passenger was hospitalized after fainting on landing.[222]
  • On 16 May 2008, a Boeing 777-200 (registered as VT-AIK) on lease from United operating as Air India Flight 717 to Dubai collapsed at Mumbai, after the nose landing gear failed. The incident took place before the passengers were about to board. There were no fatalities or injuries, however the plane suffered serious damage and was taken off service for repairs.[223]
  • On 21 September 2008, Air India Flight 307, a Boeing 747-300M (registered VT-EPW nicknamed Shivaji), flying from Tokyo-Narita to Delhi carrying 168 passengers and 14 crew, shut down engine No. 3 after abnormal indication in the instruments. The plane dumped fuel and landed at Tokyo-Narita after declaring emergency. Upon investigation, it was discovered that nozzle guide vanes of the No. 3 engine LPT STG-2 separated and scattered after fracturing due to intergranular corrosion, and this caused the breakage of the nozzle guide vanes and turbine blades of the downstream stages and eventually damaged the engine.[224] The aircraft was repaired and returned to service, but it was withdrawn from use by the end of 2008 and stored.[citation needed]
  • On 4 September 2009, during the pre-takeoff phase at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Air India Flight 829, a Boeing 747-400 (registered as VT-ESM), experienced an engine fire, which spread to the wing. Although the damage caused by the fire was substantial, the plane was declared a total loss and 21 of the 229 individuals on board were injured while evacuating. The Boeing 747 was scrapped for parts in May 2011.[225]
  • On 17 December 2009, Air India One, a Boeing 747-400 (registered as VT-EVA), operating as an executive flight for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from Delhi to Copenhagen, was hit by an by a food delivery trolley shortly before it was scheduled for takeoff. The Prime Minister took off on a substitute Boeing 747-400 aircraft after a delay of 3 hours.[226]
  • On 28 May 2012, Air India Flight 112, a Boeing 777-200LR (registered VT-ALH), suffered damage to the nose radar dome and left engine cowling on landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai following a flight from London Heathrow. The cause of the damage could not be determined, but the aircraft was withdrawn from service to be repaired. The Boeing 777 returned to service in January 2015 after repairs and test flights were completed.[227][228]
  • On 5 January 2014, Air India Flight 890, an Airbus A320 (registered VT-ESH), flying from Imphal to Delhi via Guwahati was diverted to Jaipur Airport due to heavy fog in Delhi. The rear tire of the plane burst during landing, damaging the right wing. While there were no fatalities among 173 passengers and 6 crew, the 20 year old Airbus suffered severe damage and was written off.[229][230]
  • On 30 January 2014, Air India Flight 116, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner(registered VT-ANE) flying from Mumbai to Delhi with 236 occupants, had a near-miss on take-off with a Sesa Goa Partenavia P68C aircraft (registered VT-TLE) that took from runway 26 of Juhu Aerodrome. The incident was caused by an ATC instruction error.[231]
  • On 2 February 2014, Air India Flight 191, a Boeing 777-300ER (registered VT-ALQ), flying from Newark to Mumbai, blew three tires after touching down on runway 27. There were no injuries among the 260 passengers and crew, and the place was able to taxi to the gate with assistance.[232]
  • On 10 November 2016, Air India Flights 142 from Paris and 154 from Vienna, both Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners heading to Delhi, were nearly involved in a midair collision 12 nautical miles away from the airport, due to conflicting instructions from TCAS and ATC. The incident prompted a DGCA and AAIB investigation, which concluded that the breach of separation between the two aircraft occurred due to incorrect label management, wrong separation technique for sequencing of arrival aircraft and inadequate surveillance.[233]
  • On 11 September 2018, Air India Flight 101, a Boeing 777-300ER (registered VT-ALQ), operating from New Delhi to New York JFK airport, suffered multiple instrument failures and was unable to perform an ILS approach into any airport. Because of bad weather, the flight had to hold, resulting in a critical low fuel situation as well. The flight was able to divert to Newark, where it landed safely.[234]
  • On 29 January 2019, Air India Flight 541, an Airbus A321-200 (registered VT-PPN), flying from Tirupati to Hyderabad, suffered damage to the fuselage and the horizontal stabiliser on take-off due to foreign object damage caused by runway material.[235] The aircraft landed in Hyderabad without any injuries on board, however, the aircraft was withdrawn from service following the accident and was transferred to NACIN in October 2023.[236]

See also

References

  1. ^ 7340.2F with Change 1 and Change 2 and Change 3 (PDF) (Report). Federal Aviation Administration. 15 September 2016. pp. 3–1–11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Air India, Indian airline". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Tata Sons FY24 Annual Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Air India: The iconic maharajah returns home". BBC News. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Air India is now a Tata property, 69 years after the group ceded control". The Economic Times. 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Airline Companies of the World". Flight International. 27 April 1939. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d "How Maharaja got his wings". Tata Sons. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  8. ^ Seth, Pran Nath; Bhat, Sushma Seth (2005). An introduction to travel and tourism. Sterling Publishers. ISBN 978-81-207-2482-2.
  9. ^ Behari, Bapu (1996). Astrological Biographies: Seventeen Examples of Predictive Insights. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1322-9.
  10. ^ "Switzerland Schweiz Suisse Svizzera". Air India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  11. ^ Subramanian, Samanth (15 October 2012). "When Air India Was Efficient, Profitable and Growing Fast". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  12. ^ "Humane Face of IAF: Aid to the Civil Administration" (PDF). Medind.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  13. ^ Air Transport Inquiry Committee (21 December 2023). Report of the Air Transport Inquiry Committee, 1950. University of California. p. 28. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Air India: Air India was at its peak during the JRD Tata times: Jitendra Bhargava, Former ED, Air India". The Economic Times. 21 June 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Air Corporations Act, 1953" (PDF). Government of India. DGCA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Timeline: Air India". Air India. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  17. ^ a b Sabharwal, Gopa (2007). India Since 1947: The Independent Years. Penguin India. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-14-310274-8.
  18. ^ Sean Mendis. "Air India : The history of the aircraft fleet". Archived from the original on 24 July 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  19. ^ a b c "Theory on Air India Crash Backed by a Pilot". The New York Times. 21 April 1985. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  20. ^ a b Jethmalani, Ram. "The dying Maharaja's last sigh". Sunday Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  21. ^ "India privatisation plans near 'collapse'". BBC. 3 September 2001. Archived from the original on 17 September 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  22. ^ "Tata still eyeing Air India". BBC. 3 September 2001. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Singapore Airlines pulls out". The Hindu. 2 September 2001. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  24. ^ Timmons, Heather (25 May 2011). "Criticism of State-Owned Air India Grows". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  25. ^ Katakam, Anupama (21 April 2014). "Controversy in the air". Frontline. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  26. ^ "National Aviation Company of India Limited" (PDF). Air India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  27. ^ "Star Alliance invites Air India to join". The Economic Times. 13 December 2007. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  28. ^ "What sent Air India crashing?". The Economic Times. 16 July 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  29. ^ "Air India restructuring plans being readied". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  30. ^ "SBI Caps prepares roadmap for Air India restructuring". DNA India. 22 July 2009. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  31. ^ "AI sells 4 aircraft in Mar to tackle financial crunch". The Financial Express. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 August 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  32. ^ "Air India's recurring default 'credit negative' for its banks". Mint-Wall Street Journal. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  33. ^ "State Bank of India Credit Rating". Moodys.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  34. ^ "Air India aircraft acquisition was necessary". Malayala Manorama. 8 September 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  35. ^ Choudhury, Santanu (8 September 2011). "Auditor Slams Air India Plane Orders". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  36. ^ "Star Alliance and Air India put Air India's Alliance Membership Application on hold" (PDF) (Press release). Star Alliance. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  37. ^ "Air India, Star Alliance resume talks". Hindustan Times. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  38. ^ Sundaram, Karthikeyan; Narayan, Adi (14 March 2012). "Air India Aid Dwarfing Hospital Budget Adds to Kingfisher Pain". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  39. ^ "Air India: Problems run deep in India's national airline". BBC. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  40. ^ "Air India to use Terminal-3 as hub of operations". NDTV. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  41. ^ "Dubai in talks over hub". The National. Abu Dhabi. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  42. ^ "Air India should be partly privatised, says study". The Economic Times. 30 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Air India seeks proposals to raise up to $800 mln in debt". 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  44. ^ "$80,000 Fine Slapped on Air India by US". Outlook. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  45. ^ "Air India must perform or perish: Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh". NDTV. 6 October 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  46. ^ Mehdudia, Sujay (7 October 2013). "Opposition slams Ajit Singh for AI plan". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 13 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  47. ^ "Debt laden Air India unlikely to get government bailout of Rs 30,000 crore by 2020–21". The Economic Times. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  48. ^ "GMR Infra gets Rs 415 cr in outstanding dues from Air India". Business Today. 7 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  49. ^ "Air India puts Dreamliner planes for sale, leaseback". The Economic Times. 28 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  50. ^ "Air India likely to end fiscal with Rs 65 crore positive EBITDA". The Economic Times. 10 March 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  51. ^ "Significant improvements in Air India's performance parameters". The Economic Times. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  52. ^ "Air India engineers threaten to drag management to court". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  53. ^ "Companies – Air India". Live Mint. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  54. ^ Singh, Bipin Kumar (20 December 2013). "Air India appoints 'biggest violator' as its operational head, pilots furious". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  55. ^ a b Young, Kathryn M. (25 June 2014). "Air India to join Star Alliance July 11 | Finance & Data content from". ATWOnline. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  56. ^ a b "Air India to join Star Alliance in 2014". Star Alliance. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  57. ^ "Can Ashwani Lohani turn Air India around?". Business Standard. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  58. ^ "Significant improvements in Air India's performance parameters". NDTV. 27 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  59. ^ "India's domestic passenger demand up 25 percent: IATA". Business Standard. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  60. ^ "Air India market share slips to fifth slot". The Economic Times. New Delhi. 24 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  61. ^ Kumar, Nirbhay (16 November 2007). "Spice, IndiGo close in on Jet, Air India market share". The Economic Times. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  62. ^ "IndiGo market share shrinks for 2nd month in a row in December". The Times of India. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  63. ^ "Air India cleared for privatisation by Delhi". BBC News. 28 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  64. ^ Mishra, Mihir (29 March 2018). "Government invites bids to sell 76 per cent stake in Air India". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  65. ^ "With no buyers for Air India, Modi government may be open to listing airline on stock market". The Indian Express. Reuters. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  66. ^ "Air India sale: EoI out, govt to completely exit airline". Money Control. 27 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  67. ^ Noronha, Peter (27 January 2020). "For 100% Sale Of Air India, March 17 Deadline For Bids: 10 Points". NDTV. Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  68. ^ "Air India EOI deadline extended for the 4th time". The Hindu. 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  69. ^ "3 attempts, 20 years: Why government was able to sell Air India this time". The Times of India. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  70. ^ Phadnis, Aneesh (15 September 2021). "Tatas, SpiceJet's Ajay Singh submit financial bids to acquire Air India". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  71. ^ "Air India: Struggling national carrier sold to Tata Sons". BBC News. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  72. ^ "Air India acquisition: What Tatas will get". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  73. ^ Saha, Poulomi (27 January 2022). "Air India handed over to Tata Group". India Today. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  74. ^ Chandra, Jagriti (1 March 2022). "Ilker Ayci declines Air India CEO's post". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  75. ^ Sinha, Saurabh (1 March 2022). "Ilker Ayci: Ilker Ayci declines Tata Group's offer to be CEO & MD of Air India: Sources". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  76. ^ Freed, Jamie; Monnappa, Chandini (12 May 2022). "Scoot CEO Wilson appointed head of Air India". Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  77. ^ Vijayaraghavan, Kala. "Tata Sons chief N Chandrasekaran appointed as chairman of Air India". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  78. ^ "AirAsia India-Air India Express merger likely by 2023-end: Air India". Indian Express. 2 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  79. ^ Sharma, Anu (27 February 2023). "Air India to end brand Vistara after merger". mint. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  80. ^ "Tata Group to Consolidate Air India and Vistara" (Press release). Tata. 7 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  81. ^ Majumder, Arindam (21 February 2023). "Air India and Vistara kick off their integration process". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  82. ^ Mandayam, Tandon; Nandan, Kashish (7 June 2024). "India company tribunal clears Air India-Vistara merger". Reuters.
  83. ^ Maszczynski, Mateusz (10 June 2024). "Air India and Vistara One Step Closer to Merging After Getting Green Light From Regulators". PYOK. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  84. ^ "Singapore Airlines gets India's FDI approval for Air India-Vistara merger". The Straits Times. 30 August 2024. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  85. ^ "India clears Singapore Airlines' FDI, paves way for Vistara merger into Air India". The Times of India. 30 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  86. ^ PTI (30 August 2024). "Singapore Airlines gets FDI nod for Vistara-Air India merger from government". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  87. ^ "Air India-Vistara merger takes off: Fleets of both airlines to formally combine today – All you need to know". The Financial Express. 12 November 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  88. ^ "Air India done with first phase of its 5-year turnaround plan. What is next on the cards?". The Economic Times. 6 April 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  89. ^ "Vihaan.AI: Air India's five-year plan to become lord of the skies". mint. 15 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  90. ^ "Air India: Putting the Raja back in the Maharaja". CNBC. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  91. ^ "Air India launches Mumbai-San Francisco direct flight, more flights by next year". Livemint. 15 December 2022. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  92. ^ "Air India to launch direct flight service from Mumbai to Melbourne on Dec 15". The Economic Times. 31 October 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  93. ^ Schlappig, Ben (15 December 2022). "Air India Starts Flying Former Delta 777-200LRs". One Mile at a Time. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  94. ^ Schlappig, Ben (2 August 2023). "Air India Leasing Six Etihad Airways Boeing 777s". One Mile at a Time. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  95. ^ Majumder, Arindam (22 July 2023). "Air India to lease three 777-300 ER from Singapore Airlines". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  96. ^ a b "Air India Announces Order for 470 Aircraft". The Hindu. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  97. ^ "Air India unveils its new logo, the iconic Maharaja to be revamped". The Times of India. 13 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  98. ^ "Air India to spend $400 million on cabin upgrade of existing 40 wide body aircraft". The Times of India. 8 December 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  99. ^ "Air India to start operating A350 aircraft from January 22". The Indian Express. 1 January 2024. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  100. ^ a b Gandhi, Forum (31 July 2024). "Air India may carve out separate cargo entity with dedicated freighters". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  101. ^ "Air India launches $400 million upgrade to transform flying experience". Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  102. ^ "Air India's $400 mn overhaul: Luxury seats, modern lights and high-tech upgrades coming soon". The Economic Times. 17 September 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  103. ^ "Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double". Business Line. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  104. ^ a b Air India: financial performance 2022 (Report). Statista. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  105. ^ Air India Ltd.: number of airplanes (Report). Statista. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  106. ^ a b Air India Annual Report 16-17 (PDF) (Report). BSE. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  107. ^ "Air India net loss falls 17.6% to Rs 5,337 crore in FY18". Financial Express. 18 December 2018. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  108. ^ Air India: passenger traffic by segment (Report). Statista. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  109. ^ Air India: freight traffic by segment 2021 (Report). Statista. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  110. ^ a b Air India Annual Report 19-20 (PDF) (Report). Air India. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  111. ^ Air India Annual Report 20-21 (PDF) (Report). Air India. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  112. ^ Air India Annual Report 21-22 (PDF) (Report). Air India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  113. ^ "Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double". The Hindu Business Line. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  114. ^ "Corporate Information". Air India. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Registered Office Address: Block-4, Vatika One on One, Sector-16, NH-48 Industrial Estate, Gurugram HR 122007 INDIA
  115. ^ Nandgaonkar, Satish (5 November 2023). "Air India leases seven floors in Gurugram business hub at ₹24 Cr annual rent". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  116. ^ "Air India Express moves to new campus, joins Air India in Vatika One-on-One complex in Gurugram". The Economic Times. 18 June 2024. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  117. ^ a b Upadhyay, Anindya (15 February 2013). "Air India vacates Nariman Point; moves headquarters to Delhi". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  118. ^ "Bombay hit by devastating bombs". BBC. 12 March 1993. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  119. ^ "Air India, Board of directors". Air India. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  120. ^ "Merged Air India Express finds new HQ in Gurugram". Deccan Herald. 16 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  121. ^ Ramavarman, T. (14 December 2012). "Shifting of Air India Express headquarters to Kochi gets nod". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  122. ^ "Air India Express route scheduling". The Hindu. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  123. ^ "Air India signs agreements to acquire AirAsia India; commences process to merge with Air India Express into a single Low-Cost Carrier". Indian Express. 2 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  124. ^ Singh, Sanjay (7 January 2012). "Air India shuts down bleeding cargo business". Business Today. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  125. ^ "Air India Regional". Air India. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  126. ^ "Alliance Air no longer subsidiary of Air India; moves to own website, flight code". Hindustan Times. 15 April 2022. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  127. ^ "The Wonderful Journey of Air India's Maharajah". The Times of India. 6 September 2014. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  128. ^ a b "Air India Brand". Air India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  129. ^ Sinha, Saurabh (18 January 2015). "Maharajah, gets a makeover". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  130. ^ "PM Modi reportedly wants Air India's mascot, The Maharajah, replaced by a plebeian one". The Times of India. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  131. ^ Rao, Sunil (15 May 2005). "When did the Maharaja become Air-India's mascot". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  132. ^ "Maharajah gets a makeover". The Times of India. 18 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  133. ^ "Maharaja takes a back seat in Tata's Air India". The Times of India. 10 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  134. ^ "Air India:History". airwhiners.net. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  135. ^ "Airlines logos with colors". spellbrand.com. 13 July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  136. ^ "Air India to get a new logo". FlightGlobal. 23 May 2007. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  137. ^ Majumder, Arindam (2 December 2022). "Air India to get a brand makeover, London based consultancy firm roped in". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  138. ^ "Air India to get brand makeover". The Financial Express. 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  139. ^ "Air India Overhauls Its Identity: Here's What's Changed". Indian Express. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  140. ^ "Air India unveils Manish Malhotra designed new collection of uniforms for cabin & cockpit crew". The Economic Times. 13 December 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  141. ^ "AirIndia A350 pics: Get into the inside of India's first wide-body plane". Hindustan Times. 24 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  142. ^ "Air India's game-changer: The Airbus A350's revolution in Indian aviation". The Hindu. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  143. ^ a b c Thomas, Maria (13 July 2018). "The fascinating story behind Air India's priceless collection of art". Quartz India. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  144. ^ "In pics: When Air India presented Surrealist Salvador Dali an elephant". Hindustan Times. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  145. ^ Gupta, Gargi. "First ever exhibition of the Air India art collection". DNA India. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  146. ^ "Air India to hand over its priceless art collection to NGMA for public display". The Economic Times. 18 January 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  147. ^ "'Maharaja's Treasure' famed Air India collection inaugurated at NGMA Mumbai". Government of India. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  148. ^ Bose, Mrityunjay. "Air India art exhibition 'Maharaja's Treasure' on display in Mumbai". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  149. ^ "Route Map". Air India. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  150. ^ Kumar, Akshay (1 October 2015). "Air India to develop Mumbai as its secondary hub". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  151. ^ "Air India AI 176 Flight Details, Notes, History". FlightStats. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  152. ^ "Global Booking Partners". airindia.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  153. ^ "Air India Expands Air India Express International Codeshare From July 2024". Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  154. ^ "Air India / ANA begins codeshare partnership from May 2024". AeroRoutes. 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  155. ^ "Air India enters into interline partnership with Alaska Airlines for 32 destinations in US, Mexico, Canada". Business Today. 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  156. ^ "Air India enters into interline partnership with Bangkok Airways". The Times of India. 7 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  157. ^ "Fleet Details". Air India. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  158. ^ "Air India's Dreamliner to be in service from Sep 19". News 18. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  159. ^ "Air India One, Seat No 59G". The Indian Express. 26 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  160. ^ "Manmohan Singh to travel in Air India One Agra". Topnews.in. 26 September 2010. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  161. ^ "April 1 date for President with business jets". Zee News. 16 March 2009. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  162. ^ Raj, Ashoke (14 August 2020). "Contingents of Air India, IAF, govt officials and security personnel leave for US to collect VVIP aircraft 'Air India One'". ANI News. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  163. ^ PTI (7 December 2013). "Air India firms up deal to sell five Boeing 777 to Etihad". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  164. ^ Choudury, Santanu (21 April 2014). "Air India to Sell Rest of 777-200 Fleet". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  165. ^ "Air India seeks to lease 14 Airbus A320 aircraft". Reuters. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  166. ^ "air india: Air India bids adieu to 'your palace in the sky'". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  167. ^ "All 27 Dreamliners to be delivered by 2016". Business Standard. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  168. ^ "SeatGuru Seat Map Air India". www.seatguru.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  169. ^ Schlappig, Ben (15 December 2022). "Air India Starts Flying Former Delta 777-200LRs". One Mile at a Time. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  170. ^ "Air India A350 bookings open: Check schedule, routes of the wide-body plane". Hindustan Times. 1 January 2024. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  171. ^ a b "SeatGuru Seat Map Air India". www.seatguru.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  172. ^ Mukhi, Karun (19 February 2024). "Air India transforms 777-200LR IFE with new GUI, content and map". Runway Girl Network. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  173. ^ "AIR INDIA SELECTS THALES' AVANT UP IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TO ELEVATE EXPERIENCE FOR ITS PASSENGERS". Thales Group. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  174. ^ Blachly, Linda (27 July 2020). "Vistara's first A321neo offers lie-flat seats". Aviation Week.
  175. ^ "Air India Introduces 'Vista'". Bluebox Aviation. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  176. ^ "Air India launches in-flight magazine namaste.ai". The Indian Express. 25 July 2023. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  177. ^ "Air India to now have a new in-flight bi-lingual magazine". The Economic Times. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  178. ^ "Air India Silently Introduced Inflight Wi-Fi on A350s and 787-9s". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  179. ^ "About Flying Returns". Air India. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  180. ^ "Maharaja Club: The new loyal program for fliers after Vistara-Air India merger". Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  181. ^ Ajay (18 October 2024). "Merged Club Vistara and Air India Flying Returns to be called "Maharaja Club"". Live From A Lounge. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  182. ^ Kulkarni, Sneha (11 November 2024). "Maharaja Club: After merger with Vistara, Air India Flying Returns will become Maharaja Club; members won't be able to access account temporarily". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  183. ^ a b "Air India, History of Air India, Air India Flight Services, Air India International, Passenger Operations, Awards in Air India". Thisismyindia.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  184. ^ Venkataramakrishnan, Rohan (2 July 2014). "The Berlin airlift was remarkable, but the largest civilian evacuation in history is by India". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  185. ^ "Did You Know That The Largest Air Evacuation in History Was Done By India?". The Better India. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  186. ^ "Airlift: Akshay Kumar's next a thriller of the biggest human evacuation". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  187. ^ "Mathunny Mathews, the Real-life Hero of 'Airlift', Dies in Kuwait". News 18. 21 May 2017. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  188. ^ a b "Times when India evacuated its citizens during crisis". India Today. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  189. ^ "Air India flight with 78 people evacuated from Afghanistan lands in Delhi". Hindustan Times. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  190. ^ "Air India: India begins evacuating citizens from Ukraine". BBC. 22 February 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  191. ^ "India evacuates 212 citizens from Israel in first Operation Ajay flight". The Hindu. 23 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  192. ^ "Air India bags Awaz consumer awards 2006". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 July 2006. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  193. ^ a b c d e f "Air India on the upswing". Air India. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  194. ^ "Air India Cargo wins 'Cargo Airline' Award". Air India. 29 April 2009. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  195. ^ "Air India bags UN Environment Award". Money Control. 14 September 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  196. ^ Chandramouli (2015). The Brand Trust Report India Study 2015. TRA. p. 182. ISBN 978-81-920823-8-7.
  197. ^ "Air India gets ISO 9002 certification". Rediff. 13 May 1999. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  198. ^ "Introduction to Air India". Air India. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  199. ^ Accident description for VT-AUG at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  200. ^ "Malabar Princess". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  201. ^ "The 'Malabar Princess' Catastrophe". Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  202. ^ Accident description for VT-CFK at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 13 September 2015.
  203. ^ Accident description for VT-CCA at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  204. ^ Accident description for VT-AUD at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  205. ^ Accident description for VT-DEP at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  206. ^ "Déjà vu from 30,000 ft". The Times of India. 4 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  207. ^ "Diplomatic post bag from 1966 Indian plane crash found on Mont Blanc". The Daily Telegraph. 22 August 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  208. ^ "Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 06221982". Airdisaster.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  209. ^ "Fatal Events Since 1970 for Air India". Airsafe.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  210. ^ "Indepth: Air India". CBC News. Archived from the original on 6 May 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
  211. ^ Chowdhury, Anirban (17 December 2015). "Air India technician dies in freak accident". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  212. ^ Accident description for VT-DIN at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  213. ^ Accident description for VT-EBE at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  214. ^ "VT-EBO at DEL in 1978". Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  215. ^ Accident description for VT-EFO at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  216. ^ "Accident Boeing 747-237B VT-EDU, Saturday 2 June 1984". asn.flightsafety.org. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  217. ^ Accident description for VT-EBO at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  218. ^ "VT-EVA at FRA, January 1999". Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  219. ^ "AI plane skids off runway". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2005. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  220. ^ "A-I pilot did not brake hard: Patel". Rediff. 30 July 2005. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  221. ^ Leovy, Jill (20 December 2005). "Jet Returns to LAX for Emergency Landing". Los Angeles Times. p. B4. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  222. ^ "Narrow escape for AI flight in LA". The Times of India. 21 December 2005. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  223. ^ "VT-AIK at BOM". Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  224. ^ "VT-EPW at Tokyo-Narita". Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  225. ^ Accident description for VT-ESM at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 December 2023.
  226. ^ "VT-EVA as Air India One at DEL". Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  227. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 777 VT-ALH Mumbai International Airport". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  228. ^ "Exclusive photos: Air India strips its newest Boeing 777-200LR". www.bangaloreaviation.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  229. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A320-231 VT-ESH Jaipur International Airport". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  230. ^ "First person account: Air India passenger on Guwahati-Delhi flight recounts horror : India, News - India Today". No. 7 January 2014. India Today. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  231. ^ "VT-ANE at BOM". Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  232. ^ "VT-ALQ at BOM, Feb 2014". Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  233. ^ "VT_AND and VT-ANI at DEL".
  234. ^ "Multiple Failures, Low Fuel, Zero Visibility: The Inside Story of Air India Flight 101". Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  235. ^ Hradecky, Simon (29 January 2019). "Accident: India A321 at Tirupati on Jan 29th 2019, foreign object damage during departure". avherald.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  236. ^ "Air India A321 plane remains grounded after runway debris causes damage". Zee Business. 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air India.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Air_India&oldid=1263092656"