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{{short description|Flag carrier of India}}
{{Short description|Flag carrier of India}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{good article}}
{{good article}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox airline
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Air India
| airline = Air India
| image =
| image =
| logo = Air India Logo 2023.svg
| logo = Air India 2023.svg
| logo_size = 270px
| logo_size = 270px
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1932|10|15}} (as Tata Airlines)
| founded = {{start date and age|1932|10|15|df=yes}}<br />{{small|(as ''Tata Airlines'')}}
| commenced = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1946|07|29}}<ref name="Britannica"/>
| commenced = {{start date and age|1946|07|29|df=yes}}<ref name="Britannica"/>
| IATA = AI
| IATA = AI
| ICAO = AIC
| ICAO = AIC
| callsign = AIR INDIA<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340_2F_Bsc_w_Chgs_1-3_Contractions.pdf|title=7340.2F with Change 1 and Change 2 and Change 3|publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date=15 September 2016|access-date=30 January 2017|pages=3–1–11|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203160048/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340_2F_Bsc_w_Chgs_1-3_Contractions.pdf|archive-date=3 February 2017}}</ref>
| callsign = AIRINDIA<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340_2F_Bsc_w_Chgs_1-3_Contractions.pdf|title=7340.2F with Change 1 and Change 2 and Change 3|publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date=15 September 2016|access-date=30 January 2017|pages=3–1–11|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203160048/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340_2F_Bsc_w_Chgs_1-3_Contractions.pdf|archive-date=3 February 2017}}</ref>
| aoc =
| aoc =
| hubs = [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]]
| hubs = [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]]
| secondary_hubs = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]
| secondary_hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bengaluru]]
| focus_cities = {{Plainlist|
*[[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport|Ahmedabad]]
| [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]}}
| focus_cities = {{ubl|class=nowrap
*[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]]
*[[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]]
| [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport|Ahmedabad]]
*[[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]]
| [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]]
*[[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]]
| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]]
*[[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]]
| [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]]
*[[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport|Thiruvananthapuram]]
| [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]]
| [[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport|Thiruvananthapuram]]}}
}}
| frequent_flyer = Flying Returns
| frequent_flyer = Maharaja Club
| alliance = [[Star Alliance]]
| alliance = [[Star Alliance]]
| fleet_size = [[Air India fleet|130]]
| fleet_size = [[Air India fleet|205]] (excl. subsidiary)
| destinations = [[List of Air India destinations|84]]
| destinations = [[List of Air India destinations|84]]
| parent = [[Air India Limited]] ([[Tata Group]])
| parent = [[Air India Limited]]
| key_people = {{plainlist|
| key_people = {{bulleted list|
* [[Natarajan Chandrasekaran|N. Chandrasekaran]] ([[Chairman]])
| [[Natarajan Chandrasekaran]] ([[Chairman]])
* [[Campbell Wilson]] ([[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]] & [[Managing Director|MD]])
| [[Campbell Wilson]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]] & [[Managing director|MD]])}}
}}
| founder = [[J. R. D. Tata]]
| founder = [[J. R. D. Tata]]
| headquarters = [[Gurugram]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| headquarters = [[Gurgaon]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| subsidiaries = [[Air India Express]]
| subsidiaries = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| [[Air India Express]]}}
| revenue = {{Increase}}{{INRConvert|31377|c}} (FY 2022-23)<ref name="Air India 2022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece|title=Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double|date=30 October 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
| revenue = {{increase}}{{INRConvert|38812|c|lk=r}} (FY 2024)<ref name="Air India 2022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tata.com/content/dam/tata/pdf/fy24/Tata-Sons-Annual-Report-FY24.pdf|title=Tata Sons FY24 Annual Report|access-date=6 September 2024|archive-date=12 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912035823/https://www.tata.com/content/dam/tata/pdf/fy24/Tata-Sons-Annual-Report-FY24.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| operating_income =
| operating_income =
| profit = {{decrease}}{{INRConvert|-11381|c}} (FY 2022-23)<ref name="Air India 2022"/>
| profit = {{positive decrease}}{{INRConvert|-4444|c}} (FY 2024)<ref name="Air India 2022"/>
| assets =
| assets =
| equity =
| equity =
| website = {{URL|https://www.airindia.com/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.airindia.com}}
}}
}}


'''Air India''' is the [[flag carrier]] airline of [[India]]. It is owned by [[Air India Limited]], a [[Tata Group]] enterprise and operates a fleet of [[Airbus]] and [[Boeing]] aircraft serving 102 domestic and international destinations. It is headquartered in [[Gurugram]]. The airline has its main hub at [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi]] and secondary hub at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai]] alongside several focus cities across India. {{As of|July 2023}}, the airline 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.
'''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.


The airline was founded by [[J. R. D. Tata]] as Tata Airlines in 1932; Tata himself flew its first single-engine [[de Havilland Puss Moth]], carrying [[air mail]] from [[Jinnah International Airport|Karachi]] to Bombay's [[Juhu aerodrome]] and later continuing to [[Chennai airport|Madras]] (currently [[Chennai]]). After World War II, it became a [[public limited company]] and was renamed as ''Air India''. 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 reverting to Tata group in 2022.
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 [[Jinnah International Airport|Karachi]] to Bombay's [[Juhu aerodrome]] and later continuing to [[Chennai International Airport|Madras]] (currently [[Chennai]]). After World War II, it was [[Nationalization|nationalised]] by the Government of India in 1953 and was renamed ''Air India''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-58778273 | title=Air India: The iconic maharajah returns home | work=BBC News | date=8 October 2021 | access-date=10 September 2024 | archive-date=10 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910162859/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-58778273 | url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-is-now-a-tata-property-69-years-after-the-group-ceded-control/articleshow/89153880.cms | title=Air India is now a Tata property, 69 years after the group ceded control | newspaper=The Economic Times | date=27 January 2022 | access-date=10 September 2024 | archive-date=10 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910162859/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-is-now-a-tata-property-69-years-after-the-group-ceded-control/articleshow/89153880.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>


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 [[Konark Sun Temple|wheel of Konark]] inside it, before being replaced by a new logo inspired by the airline's [[Jharokha]] window pattern in 2023.
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 [[Konark Sun Temple|wheel of Konark]] inside it, before being replaced by a new logo inspired by the airline's [[Jharokha]] window pattern in 2023.


==History==
==History==
===Early years (1932–1945)===
===Early years (1932–1945)===
[[File:TataAirlinesLogo.jpg|thumb|right|Tata Air Service]]
[[File:TataAirlinesLogo.jpg|thumb|right|Tata Air Service]]
Air India had its origin in [[Tata Group|Tata Sons]], founded by [[J. R. D. Tata]], an Indian aviator and business tycoon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airline Companies of the World|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%201264.html|work=[[Flight International]]|date=27 April 1939|access-date=17 September 2011}}</ref> 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 Moth]]s. On 15 October 1932, Tata flew a Puss Moth carrying [[air mail]] from [[Karachi]] to [[Juhu aerodrome|Bombay]] (currently [[Mumbai]]) and the aircraft continued to [[Chennai airport|Madras]] (currently [[Chennai]]) piloted by [[Nevill Vintcent]], a former [[Royal Air Force]] pilot and friend of Tata.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.tata.in/aboutus/articlesinside/How-the-Maharaja-got-his-wings|title=How Maharaja got his wings|publisher=Tata Sons|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604131141/http://www.tata.in/aboutus/articlesinside/How-the-Maharaja-got-his-wings|url-status=dead}}</ref> The airline fleet consisted of a Puss Moth aircraft and a [[De Havilland Leopard Moth|Leopard Moth]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Seth|first1=Pran Nath|last2=Bhat|first2=Sushma Seth|title=An introduction to travel and tourism|publisher=Sterling Publishers|year=2005|isbn=978-81-207-2482-2}}</ref><ref name="isbn8120813227">{{cite book|last1=Behari|first1=Bapu|title=Astrological Biographies: Seventeen Examples of Predictive Insights|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1996|isbn=978-81-208-1322-9}}</ref> Initial service included weekly airmail service between Karachi and Madras via [[Ahmedabad]] and Bombay. In its first year of operation, the airline flew {{convert|160000|mile}}, carrying 155 passengers and {{convert|9.72|tonne}} of mail and made a profit of {{INRconvert|60|k}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.ch/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=45|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811132127/http://www.airindia.ch/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=45|archive-date=11 August 2012|title=Switzerland Schweiz Suisse Svizzera|publisher=Air India|access-date=13 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/when-air-india-was-efficient-profitable-and-growing-fast/|title=When Air India Was Efficient, Profitable and Growing Fast|last1=Subramanian|first1=Samanth|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=15 October 2012|access-date=24 March 2013}}</ref> Later, the airline launched a domestic flight from Bombay to [[Trivandrum]] with a six-seater [[Miles Merlin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://medind.nic.in/iab/t07/s1/iabt07s1p95.pdf|title=Humane Face of IAF: Aid to the Civil Administration|publisher=Medind.nic.in|access-date=1 October 2012|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130160404/http://medind.nic.in/iab/t07/s1/iabt07s1p95.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name="history"/> 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.<ref name="history"/>
Air India had its origin in [[Tata Group|Tata Sons]], founded by [[J. R. D. Tata]], an Indian aviator and business tycoon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airline Companies of the World|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%201264.html|work=[[Flight International]]|date=27 April 1939|access-date=17 September 2011|archive-date=6 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106023145/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%201264.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 Moth]]s. On 15 October 1932, Tata flew a Puss Moth carrying [[air mail]] from [[Karachi]] to [[Juhu aerodrome|Bombay]] (currently [[Mumbai]]) and the aircraft continued to [[Chennai airport|Madras]] (currently [[Chennai]]) piloted by [[Nevill Vintcent]], a former [[Royal Air Force]] pilot and friend of Tata.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.tata.in/aboutus/articlesinside/How-the-Maharaja-got-his-wings|title=How Maharaja got his wings|publisher=Tata Sons|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604131141/http://www.tata.in/aboutus/articlesinside/How-the-Maharaja-got-his-wings|url-status=dead}}</ref> The airline fleet consisted of a Puss Moth aircraft and a [[De Havilland Leopard Moth|Leopard Moth]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Seth|first1=Pran Nath|last2=Bhat|first2=Sushma Seth|title=An introduction to travel and tourism|publisher=Sterling Publishers|year=2005|isbn=978-81-207-2482-2}}</ref><ref name="isbn8120813227">{{cite book|last1=Behari|first1=Bapu|title=Astrological Biographies: Seventeen Examples of Predictive Insights|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1996|isbn=978-81-208-1322-9}}</ref> Initial service included weekly airmail service between Karachi and Madras via [[Ahmedabad]] and Bombay. In its first year of operation, the airline flew {{convert|160000|mile}}, carrying 155 passengers and {{convert|9.72|tonne}} of mail and made a profit of {{INRconvert|60|k}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.ch/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=45|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811132127/http://www.airindia.ch/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=45|archive-date=11 August 2012|title=Switzerland Schweiz Suisse Svizzera|publisher=Air India|access-date=13 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/when-air-india-was-efficient-profitable-and-growing-fast/|title=When Air India Was Efficient, Profitable and Growing Fast|last1=Subramanian|first1=Samanth|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=15 October 2012|access-date=24 March 2013|archive-date=3 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403045633/http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/when-air-india-was-efficient-profitable-and-growing-fast/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, the airline launched a domestic flight from Bombay to [[Trivandrum]] with a six-seater [[Miles Merlin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://medind.nic.in/iab/t07/s1/iabt07s1p95.pdf|title=Humane Face of IAF: Aid to the Civil Administration|publisher=Medind.nic.in|access-date=1 October 2012|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130160404/http://medind.nic.in/iab/t07/s1/iabt07s1p95.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name="history"/> 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.<ref name="history"/>


===Post Independence (1946–2000)===
=== Post-Independence (1946–2000)===
[[File:Boeing 707-437, Air-India AN2227437.jpg|thumb|Air India became the first Asian carrier to induct a jet aircraft with the [[Boeing 707]]–420 ''Gauri Shankar'' (registered ''VT-DJJ'')]]
[[File:Boeing 707-437, Air-India AN2227437.jpg|thumb|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''.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/Air-India|title=Air India, Indian airline|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> After the [[independence of India|Indian independence]] in 1947, 49% of the airline was acquired by the [[Government of India]] in 1948.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qXxAAAAAIAAJ&q=air+india+49%25|title=Report of the Air Transport Inquiry Committee, 1950|author=Air Transport Inquiry Committee|date=21 December 2023 |publisher=University of California|page=28}}</ref> On 8 June 1948, a [[Lockheed Constellation|Lockheed Constellation L-749A]] named ''Malabar Princess'' (registered ''VT-CQP'') took off from [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Bombay]] bound for [[London Heathrow]] marking the airline's first international flight.<ref name="history"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/air-india-was-at-its-peak-during-the-jrd-tata-times-jitendra-bhargava-former-ed-air-india/articleshow/59252990.cms|title=Air India: Air India was at its peak during the JRD Tata times: Jitendra Bhargava, Former ED, Air India|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=21 June 2017|access-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729005531/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/air-india-was-at-its-peak-during-the-jrd-tata-times-jitendra-bhargava-former-ed-air-india/articleshow/59252990.cms|archive-date=29 July 2017 }}</ref> The company was renamed as Air India International Limited and the domestic services were transferred to [[Indian Airlines]] as a part of restructuring.<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Corporations Act, 1953|work=Government of India|publisher=DGCA|url=http://dgca.nic.in/nat_conv/NatConv_Chap1.pdf|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> From 1948 to 1950, the airline introduced services to [[Nairobi]] in Africa and to major European destinations Rome, Paris and [[Düsseldorf]].<ref name="Timeline"/> 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.<ref name="Timeline"/>
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''.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/Air-India|title=Air India, Indian airline|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312100015/http://www.britannica.com/topic/Air-India|url-status=live}}</ref> After the [[independence of India|Indian independence]] in 1947, 49% of the airline was acquired by the [[Government of India]] in 1948.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qXxAAAAAIAAJ&q=air+india+49%25|title=Report of the Air Transport Inquiry Committee, 1950|author=Air Transport Inquiry Committee|date=21 December 2023|publisher=University of California|page=28|access-date=21 December 2023|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328224753/https://books.google.com/books?id=qXxAAAAAIAAJ&q=air+india+49%25|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 June 1948, a [[Lockheed Constellation|Lockheed Constellation L-749A]] named ''Malabar Princess'' (registered ''VT-CQP'') took off from [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Bombay]] bound for [[London Heathrow]] marking the airline's first international flight.<ref name="history"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/air-india-was-at-its-peak-during-the-jrd-tata-times-jitendra-bhargava-former-ed-air-india/articleshow/59252990.cms|title=Air India: Air India was at its peak during the JRD Tata times: Jitendra Bhargava, Former ED, Air India|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=21 June 2017|access-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729005531/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/air-india-was-at-its-peak-during-the-jrd-tata-times-jitendra-bhargava-former-ed-air-india/articleshow/59252990.cms|archive-date=29 July 2017 }}</ref> The company was renamed as Air India International Limited and the domestic services were transferred to [[Indian Airlines]] as a part of restructuring.<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Corporations Act, 1953|work=Government of India|publisher=DGCA|url=http://dgca.nic.in/nat_conv/NatConv_Chap1.pdf|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101203532/http://dgca.nic.in/nat_conv/NatConv_Chap1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1948 to 1950, the airline introduced services to [[Nairobi]] in Africa and to major European destinations Rome, Paris and [[Düsseldorf]].<ref name="Timeline"/> 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.<ref name="Timeline"/>

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.<ref name="Jet">{{cite book|last1=Sabharwal|first1=Gopa|publisher=Penguin India|title=India Since 1947: The Independent Years|year=2007|isbn=978-0-14-310274-8|page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Air India : The history of the aircraft fleet|url=http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|access-date=2 April 2014|author=Sean Mendis|archive-date=24 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724221328/http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The airline inaugurated services to [[JFK International Airport|New York]] on 14 May 1960.<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web|title=Timeline: Air India|url=http://www.airindia.com/timeline.htm|publisher=Air India|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403225746/http://airindia.com/timeline.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 June 1962, the airline's name was officially truncated to ''Air India''<ref name="Britannica"/> and on 11 June 1962, Air India became the world's first all-jet airline.


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.<ref name="Jet">{{cite book|last1=Sabharwal|first1=Gopa|publisher=Penguin India|title=India Since 1947: The Independent Years|year=2007|isbn=978-0-14-310274-8|page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Air India : The history of the aircraft fleet|url=http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|access-date=2 April 2014|author=Sean Mendis}}</ref> The airline inaugurated services to [[JFK International Airport|New York]] on 14 May 1960.<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web|title=Timeline: Air India|url=http://www.airindia.com/timeline.htm|publisher=Air India|access-date=2 April 2014}}</ref> On 8 June 1962, the airline's name was officially truncated to ''Air India''<ref name="Britannica"/> 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'')<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/21/us/theory-on-air-india-crash-backed-by-a-pilot.html?ref=boeing_company|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Theory on Air India Crash Backed by a Pilot|date=21 April 1985|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> and introduced a new ''Palace in the Sky'' livery and branding. In 1986, Air India took delivery of its first [[Airbus A310|Airbus A310-300]].<ref name="Timeline"/> 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.<ref name="Jumbo">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/analysis/the-dying-maharajas-last-sigh|title=The dying Maharaja's last sigh|newspaper=[[Sunday Guardian]]|last=Jethmalani|first=Ram|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009140743/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/analysis/the-dying-maharajas-last-sigh|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 1971, the airline took delivery of its first [[Boeing 747-200B]] named ''Emperor Ashoka'' (registered ''VT-EBD'')<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/21/us/theory-on-air-india-crash-backed-by-a-pilot.html?ref=boeing_company|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Theory on Air India Crash Backed by a Pilot|date=21 April 1985|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305052150/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/21/us/theory-on-air-india-crash-backed-by-a-pilot.html?ref=boeing_company|url-status=live}}</ref> 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|Airbus A310-300]] and in 1988, the airline took delivery of Boeing 747-300M.<ref name="Timeline"/> 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.<ref name="Jumbo">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/analysis/the-dying-maharajas-last-sigh|title=The dying Maharaja's last sigh|newspaper=[[Sunday Guardian]]|last=Jethmalani|first=Ram|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009140743/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/analysis/the-dying-maharajas-last-sigh|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Financial trouble, merger with Indian and later (2000–2022)===
===Financial trouble, merger with Indian and later (2000–2022)===
Line 69: Line 71:
[[File:Air India Boeing 787-8 on final into LHR.jpg|thumb|Air India joined the [[Star Alliance]] in 2014. Pictured is Air India [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] (''VT-ANU'') in special Star Alliance livery.]]
[[File:Air India Boeing 787-8 on final into LHR.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1523153.stm|publisher=[[BBC]]|title=India privatisation plans near 'collapse'|date=3 September 2001|access-date=23 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1522947.stm|title=Tata still eyeing Air India|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=3 September 2001|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2001/09/02/stories/01020003.htm|title=Singapore Airlines pulls out|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 September 2001|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=Criticism of State-Owned Air India Grows|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26airindia.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=25 May 2011}}</ref> In 2000, Air India introduced services to Shanghai, China. On 23 May 2001, the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] charged Michael Mascarenhas, the then-managing director, with corruption. According to the ministry reports, the airline lost approximately {{INRConvert|570|m}} because of extra commissions that Mascarenhas sanctioned and he was later suspended from the airline.<ref>{{cite news|last=Katakam|first=Anupama|title=Controversy in the air|url=http://www.frontline.in/enwiki/static/html/fl1812/18121000.htm|work=[[The Hindu|Frontline]]|date=21 April 2014|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> In May 2004, Air India launched a wholly owned [[low cost airline|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]]<ref>{{cite web|title=National Aviation Company of India Limited|url=http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Integrity_Pact_brief.pdf|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6G1QZJ2YV?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmmd.airindia.co.in%2Faimmd%2Ftender%2FIntegrity_Pact_brief.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2013|publisher=Air India|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> and the airline took delivery of its first [[Boeing 777]] aircraft.<ref name="Timeline"/> The airline was invited to be a part of the Star Alliance in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Star Alliance invites Air India to join|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/news/27673381_1_air-india-formal-invitation-thulasidas|access-date=23 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=13 December 2007}}</ref>
In 2000–01, attempts were made to re-privatize Air India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1523153.stm|publisher=[[BBC]]|title=India privatisation plans near 'collapse'|date=3 September 2001|access-date=23 April 2010|archive-date=17 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917044635/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1523153.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1522947.stm|title=Tata still eyeing Air India|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=3 September 2001|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307070337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1522947.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2001/09/02/stories/01020003.htm|title=Singapore Airlines pulls out|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 September 2001|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213170559/http://hindu.com/2001/09/02/stories/01020003.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=Criticism of State-Owned Air India Grows|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26airindia.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=25 May 2011|archive-date=29 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529221711/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26airindia.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2000, Air India introduced services to Shanghai, China. On 23 May 2001, the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] charged Michael Mascarenhas, the then-managing director, with corruption. According to the ministry reports, the airline lost approximately {{INRConvert|570|m}} because of extra commissions that Mascarenhas sanctioned and he was later suspended from the airline.<ref>{{cite news|last=Katakam|first=Anupama|title=Controversy in the air|url=http://www.frontline.in/enwiki/static/html/fl1812/18121000.htm|work=[[The Hindu|Frontline]]|date=21 April 2014|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=3 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303130932/http://www.frontline.in/enwiki/static/html/fl1812/18121000.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2004, Air India launched a wholly owned [[low cost airline|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]]<ref>{{cite web|title=National Aviation Company of India Limited|url=http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Integrity_Pact_brief.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809110902/http://mmd.airindia.co.in/aimmd/tender/Integrity_Pact_brief.pdf|archive-date=9 August 2014|publisher=Air India|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> and the airline took delivery of its first [[Boeing 777]] aircraft.<ref name="Timeline"/> The airline was invited to be a part of the Star Alliance in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Star Alliance invites Air India to join|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/news/27673381_1_air-india-formal-invitation-thulasidas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323051906/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/news/27673381_1_air-india-formal-invitation-thulasidas|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 March 2014|access-date=23 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=13 December 2007}}</ref>


The combined losses for Air India and Indian Airlines in 2006–07 were {{INRConvert|7.7|b}} and after the merger, it went up to {{INRConvert|72|b}} by March 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/What-sent-Air-India-crashing/articleshow/4782707.cms|title=What sent Air India crashing?|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=16 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/09/stories/2009070960801200.htm|title=Air India restructuring plans being readied|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=9 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> In July 2009, [[SBI Capital Markets|State Bank of India]] was appointed to prepare a road map for the recovery of the airline.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_sbi-caps-prepares-roadmap-for-air-india-restructuring_1276407|title=SBI Caps prepares roadmap for Air India restructuring|newspaper=DNA India|date=22 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref> The carrier sold three [[Airbus A300]] and one [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300]]M in March 2009 for $18.75&nbsp;million to finance the debt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/AI-sells-4-aircraft-in-Mar-to-tackle-financial-crunch/495189/|title=AI sells 4 aircraft in Mar to tackle financial crunch|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=29 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref> By March 2011, Air India had accumulated a debt of {{INRConvert|426|b}} and an operating loss of {{INRConvert|220|b}}, and was seeking {{INRConvert|429|b}} from the government.<ref name="ref1">{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/2011/08/09002707/Air-India8217s-recurring-de.html|title=Air India's recurring default 'credit negative' for its banks|work=Mint-Wall Street Journal|date= 9 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moodys.com/credit-ratings/State-Bank-of-India-credit-rating-718330|title=State Bank of India Credit Rating|publisher=Moodys.com|access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> A report by the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/air-india-aircraft-acquisition-was-necessary-patel/|title=Air India aircraft acquisition was necessary|newspaper=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date= 8 September 2011|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904836104576558101182208210.html|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Santanu|last=Choudhury|title=Auditor Slams Air India Plane Orders|date=8 September 2011|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name="on hold">{{Cite press release|title=Star Alliance and Air India put Air India's Alliance Membership Application on hold|publisher=Star Alliance|date=31 August 2011|url=http://www.staralliance.com/assets/doc/en/press/press-releases/pdf/2011/SCP_PR_AIR_INDIA_31JULUPDATE_FINAL_WEB.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328215015/http://www.staralliance.com/assets/doc/en/press/press-releases/pdf/2011/SCP_PR_AIR_INDIA_31JULUPDATE_FINAL_WEB.pdf|archivedate=28 March 2012|access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/sectorsaviation/Air-India-Star-Alliance-resume-talks/Article1-756987.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216205424/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/SectorsAviation/Air-India-Star-Alliance-resume-talks/Article1-756987.aspx|archivedate=16 December 2011|title=Air India, Star Alliance resume talks|date=13 October 2011|access-date=15 October 2011|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> The government pumped {{INRConvert|32|b}} into Air India in March 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-13/air-india-aid-dwarfing-hospital-budget-adds-to-kingfisher-pain.html|title=Air India Aid Dwarfing Hospital Budget Adds to Kingfisher Pain|date=14 March 2012|work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|first1=Karthikeyan|last1=Sundaram|first2=Adi|last2=Narayan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/business-18082903|title=Air India: Problems run deep in India's national airline|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=16 May 2012|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>
Around 2006, both Air India and Indian Airlines showed signs of financial crisis as combined losses were {{INRConvert|7.7|b}}. After the merger, it went up to {{INRConvert|72|b}} by March 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/What-sent-Air-India-crashing/articleshow/4782707.cms|title=What sent Air India crashing?|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=16 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-date=19 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719101732/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/What-sent-Air-India-crashing/articleshow/4782707.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/09/stories/2009070960801200.htm|title=Air India restructuring plans being readied|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=9 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=28 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428071220/http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/09/stories/2009070960801200.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2009, [[SBI Capital Markets|State Bank of India]] was appointed to prepare a road map for the recovery of the airline.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_sbi-caps-prepares-roadmap-for-air-india-restructuring_1276407|title=SBI Caps prepares roadmap for Air India restructuring|newspaper=DNA India|date=22 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-date=23 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223004217/http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_sbi-caps-prepares-roadmap-for-air-india-restructuring_1276407|url-status=live}}</ref> The carrier sold three [[Airbus A300]] and one [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300M]] in March 2009 for $18.75&nbsp;million to finance the debt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/AI-sells-4-aircraft-in-Mar-to-tackle-financial-crunch/495189/|title=AI sells 4 aircraft in Mar to tackle financial crunch|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=29 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-date=16 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816213108/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/AI-sells-4-aircraft-in-Mar-to-tackle-financial-crunch/495189|url-status=live}}</ref> By March 2011, Air India had accumulated a debt of {{INRConvert|426|b}} and an operating loss of {{INRConvert|220|b}}, and was seeking {{INRConvert|429|b}} from the government.<ref name="ref1">{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/2011/08/09002707/Air-India8217s-recurring-de.html|title=Air India's recurring default 'credit negative' for its banks|work=Mint-Wall Street Journal|date=9 August 2011|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-date=11 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311174224/https://www.livemint.com/2011/08/09002707/air-india8217s-recurring-de.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moodys.com/credit-ratings/State-Bank-of-India-credit-rating-718330|title=State Bank of India Credit Rating|publisher=Moodys.com|access-date=1 October 2012|archive-date=20 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620043848/http://www.moodys.com/credit-ratings/State-Bank-of-India-credit-rating-718330|url-status=live}}</ref> A report by the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/air-india-aircraft-acquisition-was-necessary-patel/|title=Air India aircraft acquisition was necessary|newspaper=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=8 September 2011|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308115436/http://www.freepressjournal.in/air-india-aircraft-acquisition-was-necessary-patel|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904836104576558101182208210.html|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Santanu|last=Choudhury|title=Auditor Slams Air India Plane Orders|date=8 September 2011|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009172241/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904836104576558101182208210|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="on hold">{{Cite press release|title=Star Alliance and Air India put Air India's Alliance Membership Application on hold|publisher=Star Alliance|date=31 August 2011|url=http://www.staralliance.com/assets/doc/en/press/press-releases/pdf/2011/SCP_PR_AIR_INDIA_31JULUPDATE_FINAL_WEB.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328215015/http://www.staralliance.com/assets/doc/en/press/press-releases/pdf/2011/SCP_PR_AIR_INDIA_31JULUPDATE_FINAL_WEB.pdf|archivedate=28 March 2012|access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/sectorsaviation/Air-India-Star-Alliance-resume-talks/Article1-756987.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216205424/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/SectorsAviation/Air-India-Star-Alliance-resume-talks/Article1-756987.aspx|archivedate=16 December 2011|title=Air India, Star Alliance resume talks|date=13 October 2011|access-date=15 October 2011|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> The government pumped {{INRConvert|32|b}} into Air India in March 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-13/air-india-aid-dwarfing-hospital-budget-adds-to-kingfisher-pain.html|title=Air India Aid Dwarfing Hospital Budget Adds to Kingfisher Pain|date=14 March 2012|work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|first1=Karthikeyan|last1=Sundaram|first2=Adi|last2=Narayan|access-date=5 March 2017|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202143905/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-13/air-india-aid-dwarfing-hospital-budget-adds-to-kingfisher-pain.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/business-18082903|title=Air India: Problems run deep in India's national airline|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=16 May 2012|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130185438/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-18082903|url-status=live}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/air-india-to-use-terminal-3-as-hub-of-operations-82429|title=Air India to use Terminal-3 as hub of operations|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=14 July 2010|access-date=12 August 2010|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100718072036/http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/air-india-to-use-terminal-3-as-hub-of-operations-82429|archive-date= 18 July 2010}}</ref> In 2010, financially less lucrative routes were terminated and the airline planned to open a new hub for its international flights at [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai]].<ref name="businessworld1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/industry-insights/aviation/dubai-in-talks-over-india-hub-at-dwc-says-emirates-airline-president|title=Dubai in talks over hub|work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi|access-date=5 November 2015}}</ref> In 2012, a study commissioned by the Corporate Affairs Ministry recommended that Air India should be partly privatised.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India should be partly privatised, says study|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-30/news/34177422_1_air-india-minister-ajit-singh-civil-aviation-sector|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=30 September 2012|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> In May 2012, the carrier invited offers from banks to raise up $800&nbsp;million via [[External commercial borrowing (India)|external commercial borrowing]] and [[bridge financing]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India seeks proposals to raise up to $800&nbsp;million in debt|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/airindia-fundsraising-idUKL4E8G86OP20120508|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=8 May 2012|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=$80,000 Fine Slapped on Air India by US|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=761554|date=4 May 2012|work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202134815/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=761554|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/air-india-to-use-terminal-3-as-hub-of-operations-82429|title=Air India to use Terminal-3 as hub of operations|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=14 July 2010|access-date=12 August 2010|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100718072036/http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/air-india-to-use-terminal-3-as-hub-of-operations-82429|archive-date= 18 July 2010}}</ref> In 2010, financially less lucrative routes were terminated and the airline planned to open a new hub for its international flights at [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai]].<ref name="businessworld1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/industry-insights/aviation/dubai-in-talks-over-india-hub-at-dwc-says-emirates-airline-president|title=Dubai in talks over hub|work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi|access-date=5 November 2015|archive-date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124001804/http://www.thenational.ae/business/industry-insights/aviation/dubai-in-talks-over-india-hub-at-dwc-says-emirates-airline-president|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, a study commissioned by the Corporate Affairs Ministry recommended that Air India should be partly privatised.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India should be partly privatised, says study|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-30/news/34177422_1_air-india-minister-ajit-singh-civil-aviation-sector|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=30 September 2012|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305105642/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-30/news/34177422_1_air-india-minister-ajit-singh-civil-aviation-sector|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2012, the carrier invited offers from banks to raise $800&nbsp;million via [[External commercial borrowing (India)|external commercial borrowing]] and [[bridge financing]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India seeks proposals to raise up to $800 mln in debt|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/airindia-fundsraising-idUKL4E8G86OP20120508/|date=8 May 2012|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308182911/https://www.reuters.com/article/airindia-fundsraising-idUKL4E8G86OP20120508|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=$80,000 Fine Slapped on Air India by US|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=761554|date=4 May 2012|work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202134815/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=761554|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 2013, the then-Civil Aviation Minister [[Ajit Singh (politician)|Ajit Singh]] stated privatisation was the key to the airline's survival.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India must perform or perish: Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/air-india-must-perform-or-perish-civil-aviation-minister-ajit-singh-428576|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=6 October 2013|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> However, the opposition led by the [[BJP]] and the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] slammed the government.<ref>{{cite news|title=Opposition slams Ajit Singh for AI plan|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/opposition-slams-ajit-singh-for-ai-plan/article5206918.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 October 2013|location=Chennai, India|first=Sujay|last=Mehdudia|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> In 2013, the Indian government planned to delay equity infusion of {{INRConvert|300|b}} that was slated to be infused into the airline slowly over a period of eight years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Debt laden Air India unlikely to get government bailout of Rs 30,000 crore by 2020–21|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/debt-laden-air-india-unlikely-to-get-government-bailout-of-rs-30000-crore-by-2020-21/articleshow/18438960.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=11 February 2013|date=11 February 2013}}</ref> 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 Dreamliner]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=GMR Infra gets Rs 415 cr in outstanding dues from Air India|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/gmr-infra-gets-outstanding-dues-from-air-india/1/192173.html|newspaper=[[Business Today (business magazine)|Business Today]]|date=7 February 2013|access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Air India puts Dreamliner planes for sale, leaseback|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-puts-dreamliner-planes-for-sale-leaseback/articleshow/18224001.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=28 January 2013|date=28 January 2013}}</ref> In March 2013, the airline posted its first positive [[Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation|EBITDA]] after almost six years and 20% growth in its operating revenue since the previous financial year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India likely to end fiscal with Rs 65 crore positive EBITDA|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-10/news/37598268_1_air-india-seat-factor-passenger-revenue|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=10 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Significant improvements in Air India's performance parameters|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-01/news/48767414_1_air-india-express-operating-revenue-load-factor|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=1 April 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India engineers threaten to drag management to court|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150920/nation-current-affairs/article/air-india-engineers-threaten-drag-management-court|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date= 6 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Companies – Air India|date=30 January 2013 |url= http://www.livemint.com/Companies/Lo2EQBTMgtHG0ApxmNbuDM/Air-India-hives-off-engineering-ground-handling-subsidiarie.html|publisher=Live Mint|access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Bipin Kumar|title=Air India appoints 'biggest violator' as its operational head, pilots furious|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-India-appoints-biggest-violator-as-its-operational-head-pilots-furious/articleshow/27684109.cms|access-date=21 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=20 December 2013}}</ref>
In 2013, the then-Civil Aviation Minister [[Ajit Singh (politician, born 1939)|Ajit Singh]] stated privatisation was the key to the airline's survival.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India must perform or perish: Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/air-india-must-perform-or-perish-civil-aviation-minister-ajit-singh-428576|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=6 October 2013|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090651/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/air-india-must-perform-or-perish-civil-aviation-minister-ajit-singh-428576|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the opposition led by the [[BJP]] and the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] slammed the government.<ref>{{cite news|title=Opposition slams Ajit Singh for AI plan|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/opposition-slams-ajit-singh-for-ai-plan/article5206918.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 October 2013|location=Chennai, India|first=Sujay|last=Mehdudia|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=13 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213090205/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/opposition-slams-ajit-singh-for-ai-plan/article5206918.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the Indian government planned to delay equity infusion of {{INRConvert|300|b}} that was slated to be infused into the airline slowly over eight years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Debt laden Air India unlikely to get government bailout of Rs 30,000 crore by 2020–21|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/debt-laden-air-india-unlikely-to-get-government-bailout-of-rs-30000-crore-by-2020-21/articleshow/18438960.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=11 February 2013|date=11 February 2013|archive-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823141701/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/debt-laden-air-india-unlikely-to-get-government-bailout-of-rs-30000-crore-by-2020-21/articleshow/18438960.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 Dreamliner]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=GMR Infra gets Rs 415 cr in outstanding dues from Air India|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/gmr-infra-gets-outstanding-dues-from-air-india/1/192173.html|newspaper=[[Business Today (business magazine)|Business Today]]|date=7 February 2013|access-date=8 February 2013|archive-date=12 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212194050/http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/gmr-infra-gets-outstanding-dues-from-air-india/1/192173.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Air India puts Dreamliner planes for sale, leaseback|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-puts-dreamliner-planes-for-sale-leaseback/articleshow/18224001.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=28 January 2013|date=28 January 2013|archive-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823134648/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-puts-dreamliner-planes-for-sale-leaseback/articleshow/18224001.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2013, the airline posted its first positive [[Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation|EBITDA]] after almost six years and 20% growth in its operating revenue since the previous financial year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India likely to end fiscal with Rs 65 crore positive EBITDA|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-10/news/37598268_1_air-india-seat-factor-passenger-revenue|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=10 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144820/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-10/news/37598268_1_air-india-seat-factor-passenger-revenue|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Significant improvements in Air India's performance parameters|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-01/news/48767414_1_air-india-express-operating-revenue-load-factor|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=1 April 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083135/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-01/news/48767414_1_air-india-express-operating-revenue-load-factor|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India engineers threaten to drag management to court|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150920/nation-current-affairs/article/air-india-engineers-threaten-drag-management-court|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=6 December 2015|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130160404/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150920/nation-current-affairs/article/air-india-engineers-threaten-drag-management-court|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Companies – Air India|date=30 January 2013|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/Lo2EQBTMgtHG0ApxmNbuDM/Air-India-hives-off-engineering-ground-handling-subsidiarie.html|publisher=Live Mint|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211092331/http://www.livemint.com/Companies/Lo2EQBTMgtHG0ApxmNbuDM/Air-India-hives-off-engineering-ground-handling-subsidiarie.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Bipin Kumar|title=Air India appoints 'biggest violator' as its operational head, pilots furious|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-India-appoints-biggest-violator-as-its-operational-head-pilots-furious/articleshow/27684109.cms|access-date=21 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=20 December 2013|archive-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220205443/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-India-appoints-biggest-violator-as-its-operational-head-pilots-furious/articleshow/27684109.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on 11 July 2014.<ref name="Star Alliance" /><ref name=":0"/> In August 2015, it signed an agreement with [[Citibank]] and [[State Bank of India]] to raise $300&nbsp;million in external commercial borrowing to meet working capital requirements.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title= Can Ashwani Lohani turn Air India around?|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/can-ashwani-lohani-turn-air-india-around-115091401152_1.html|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=14 September 2015|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> For [[Financial year|FY]] 2014–15, its revenue, operating loss and net loss were {{INRConvert|198|b}}, {{INRConvert|2.171|b}} and {{INRConvert|5.41|b}} compared FY 2011–12, which were {{INRConvert|147|b}}, {{INRConvert|5.138|b}} and {{INRConvert|7.55|b}}.<ref name="ndtv.com">{{cite news|title=Significant improvements in Air India's performance parameters|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/aviation/article-air-india-cuts-losses-to-rs-5-547-crore-1201055|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=27 July 2015|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> 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%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/india-s-domestic-passenger-demand-up-25-percent-iata-116040700595_1.html|title=India's domestic passenger demand up 25 percent: IATA|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|date=6 April 2014|access-date=14 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/news/29699126_1_air-india-market-share-aviation-market|title=Air India market share slips to fifth slot|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=New Delhi|date=24 June 2011|access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Nirbhay|last=Kumar|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-11-16/news/27687285_1_market-share-full-service-carriers-budget-carriers|title=Spice, IndiGo close in on Jet, Air India market share|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=New Delhi|date=16 November 2007|access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo market share shrinks for 2nd month in a row in December|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-01-22/news/46462741_1_market-share-second-consecutive-month-star-alliance|access-date=4 April 2014|date=21 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on 11 July 2014.<ref name="Star Alliance" /><ref name=":0"/> In August 2015, it signed an agreement with [[Citibank]] and [[State Bank of India]] to raise $300&nbsp;million in external commercial borrowing to meet working capital requirements.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Can Ashwani Lohani turn Air India around?|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/can-ashwani-lohani-turn-air-india-around-115091401152_1.html|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=14 September 2015|access-date=6 December 2015|archive-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204083353/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/can-ashwani-lohani-turn-air-india-around-115091401152_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For [[Financial year|FY]] 2014–15, its revenue, operating loss and net loss were {{INRConvert|198|b}}, {{INRConvert|2.171|b}} and {{INRConvert|5.41|b}} compared FY 2011–12, which were {{INRConvert|147|b}}, {{INRConvert|5.138|b}} and {{INRConvert|7.55|b}}.<ref name="ndtv.com">{{cite news|title=Significant improvements in Air India's performance parameters|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/aviation/article-air-india-cuts-losses-to-rs-5-547-crore-1201055|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=27 July 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050409/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/aviation/article-air-india-cuts-losses-to-rs-5-547-crore-1201055|url-status=live}}</ref> 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%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/india-s-domestic-passenger-demand-up-25-percent-iata-116040700595_1.html|title=India's domestic passenger demand up 25 percent: IATA|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|date=6 April 2014|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423143800/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/india-s-domestic-passenger-demand-up-25-percent-iata-116040700595_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/news/29699126_1_air-india-market-share-aviation-market|title=Air India market share slips to fifth slot|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=New Delhi|date=24 June 2011|access-date=1 October 2012|archive-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616064122/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/news/29699126_1_air-india-market-share-aviation-market|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Nirbhay|last=Kumar|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-11-16/news/27687285_1_market-share-full-service-carriers-budget-carriers|title=Spice, IndiGo close in on Jet, Air India market share|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=New Delhi|date=16 November 2007|access-date=1 October 2012|archive-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616064130/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-11-16/news/27687285_1_market-share-full-service-carriers-budget-carriers|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo market share shrinks for 2nd month in a row in December|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-01-22/news/46462741_1_market-share-second-consecutive-month-star-alliance|access-date=4 April 2014|date=21 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194737/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-01-22/news/46462741_1_market-share-second-consecutive-month-star-alliance|url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== Post privatization (2022–present)===
=== Post privatization (2022–present)===
On 28 June 2017, the [[Government of India]] approved the [[private company|privatisation]] of Air India and set up a committee to decide the details.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 June 2017|title=Air India cleared for privatisation by Delhi|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40435922|url-status=live|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823133530/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40435922|archive-date=23 August 2017}}</ref> 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 {{INRConvert|33392|c}} 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Mihir|date=29 March 2018|title=Government invites bids to sell 76 per cent stake in Air India|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/government-calls-out-bids-to-sale-76-per-cent-stake-in-air-india/articleshow/63517638.cms?from=mdr|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> However, no private firms showed any interest to buy a share in the debt-laden airline.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 June 2018|title=With no buyers for Air India, Modi government may be open to listing airline on stock market|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|agency=Reuters|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/with-no-buyers-for-air-india-modi-government-considers-listing-it-on-stock-market-5216046/|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>
On 28 June 2017, the [[Government of India]] approved the [[private company|privatisation]] of Air India and set up a committee to decide the details.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 June 2017|title=Air India cleared for privatisation by Delhi|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40435922|url-status=live|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823133530/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40435922|archive-date=23 August 2017}}</ref> 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 [[SATS (company)|Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS)]]. According to the EOI, the new owner would have to take on a debt of {{INRConvert|33392|c}} 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Mihir|date=29 March 2018|title=Government invites bids to sell 76 per cent stake in Air India|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/government-calls-out-bids-to-sale-76-per-cent-stake-in-air-india/articleshow/63517638.cms|access-date=26 January 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032050/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/government-calls-out-bids-to-sale-76-per-cent-stake-in-air-india/articleshow/63517638.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> However, no private firms showed any interest to buy a share in the debt-laden airline.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 June 2018|title=With no buyers for Air India, Modi government may be open to listing airline on stock market|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|agency=Reuters|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/with-no-buyers-for-air-india-modi-government-considers-listing-it-on-stock-market-5216046/|access-date=26 January 2020|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126085434/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/with-no-buyers-for-air-india-modi-government-considers-listing-it-on-stock-market-5216046/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Having failed to sell off a majority stake 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 {{INRConvert|30000|c}} of the company's debts and liabilities to a [[Special Purpose Vehicle]] (SPV).<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India sale: EoI out, govt to completely exit airline|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/air-india-eoi-out-govt-to-completely-exit-airline-4860691.html|access-date=1 December 2023|date=27 January 2020|publisher=Money Control}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Noronha|first1=Peter|title=For 100% Sale Of Air India, March 17 Deadline For Bids: 10 Points|publisher=[[NDTV]]|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/government-invites-bids-for-100-per-cent-stake-sale-in-air-india-2170124|access-date=1 December 2023|date=27 January 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=26 August 2020|title=Air India EOI deadline extended for the 4th time|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-eoi-deadline-extended-for-the-4th-time/article32442343.ece|access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref> Five of these parties were disqualified and the Government invited financial bids for Air India from the two qualified parties in September 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2021|title=3 attempts, 20 years: Why government was able to sell Air India this time|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/why-was-govt-able-to-sell-air-india-successfully-this-time/articleshow/86870568.cms|access-date=16 November 2023 }}</ref>
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 {{INRConvert|30000|c}} of the company's debts and liabilities to a [[Special Purpose Vehicle]] (SPV).<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India sale: EoI out, govt to completely exit airline|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/air-india-eoi-out-govt-to-completely-exit-airline-4860691.html|access-date=1 December 2023|date=27 January 2020|publisher=Money Control|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009172309/https://www.moneycontrol.com/europe/?url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/air-india-eoi-out-govt-to-completely-exit-airline-4860691.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Noronha|first1=Peter|title=For 100% Sale Of Air India, March 17 Deadline For Bids: 10 Points|publisher=[[NDTV]]|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/government-invites-bids-for-100-per-cent-stake-sale-in-air-india-2170124|access-date=1 December 2023|date=27 January 2020|archive-date=16 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816231045/https://www.ndtv.com/business/government-invites-bids-for-100-per-cent-stake-sale-in-air-india-2170124|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=26 August 2020|title=Air India EOI deadline extended for the 4th time|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-eoi-deadline-extended-for-the-4th-time/article32442343.ece|access-date=16 November 2023|archive-date=16 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116075305/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-eoi-deadline-extended-for-the-4th-time/article32442343.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Five of these parties were disqualified and the Government invited financial bids for Air India from the two qualified parties in September 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2021|title=3 attempts, 20 years: Why government was able to sell Air India this time|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/why-was-govt-able-to-sell-air-india-successfully-this-time/articleshow/86870568.cms|access-date=16 November 2023|archive-date=16 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116075306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/why-was-govt-able-to-sell-air-india-successfully-this-time/articleshow/86870568.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


In September 2021, [[Spice Jet]]'s [[Ajay Singh (entrepreneur)|Ajay Singh]]-led consortium and Tata Sons submitted their financial bids for Air India.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Phadnis|first1=Aneesh|date=15 September 2021|title=Tatas, SpiceJet's Ajay Singh submit financial bids to acquire Air India|newspaper=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tatas-spicejet-s-ajay-singh-submit-financial-bids-to-acquire-air-india-121091501391_1.html|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> 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 {{INRConvert|18000|c}} to [[Tata Group]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2021|title=Air India: Struggling national carrier sold to Tata Sons|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58778274|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Air India acquisition: What Tatas will get|language=en|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-acquisition-what-tatas-will-get/articleshow/86871669.cms|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> On 27 January 2022, the airline was officially handed over to Tata Group.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Saha|first1=Poulomi|title=Air India handed over to Tata Group|newspaper=[[India Today]]|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/air-india-handed-over-to-tata-group-1905228-2022-01-27|access-date=1 December 2023|date=27 January 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chandra|first=Jagriti|date=1 March 2022|title=Ilker Ayci declines Air India CEO's post|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ilker-ayci-declines-air-india-ceo-offer/article65143729.ece|access-date=2 March 2022|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sinha|first=Saurabh|date=1 March 2022|title=Ilker Ayci: Ilker Ayci declines Tata Group's offer to be CEO & MD of Air India: Sources|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/turkeys-ayci-declines-air-india-ceo-role-tata-spokesperson/articleshow/89918672.cms|access-date=2 March 2022|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|language=en}}</ref> 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 [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]] and [[Managing Director|MD]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Freed|first1=Jamie|last2=Monnappa|first2=Chandini|date=12 May 2022|title=Scoot CEO Wilson appointed head of Air India|language=en|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/scoot-ceo-campbell-wilson-appointed-new-head-air-india-2022-05-12/|access-date=13 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Vijayaraghavan|first1=Kala|title=Tata Sons chief N Chandrasekaran appointed as chairman of Air India|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/tata-sons-chief-n-chandrasekaran-appointed-as-chairman-of-air-india/articleshow/90202494.cms|access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref>
In September 2021, [[Spice Jet]]'s [[Ajay Singh (entrepreneur)|Ajay Singh]]-led consortium and Tata Sons submitted their financial bids for Air India.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Phadnis|first1=Aneesh|date=15 September 2021|title=Tatas, SpiceJet's Ajay Singh submit financial bids to acquire Air India|newspaper=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tatas-spicejet-s-ajay-singh-submit-financial-bids-to-acquire-air-india-121091501391_1.html|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008153817/https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tatas-spicejet-s-ajay-singh-submit-financial-bids-to-acquire-air-india-121091501391_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 {{INRConvert|18000|c}} to [[Tata Group]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2021|title=Air India: Struggling national carrier sold to Tata Sons|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58778274|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=2 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202204301/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58778274|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Air India acquisition: What Tatas will get|language=en|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-acquisition-what-tatas-will-get/articleshow/86871669.cms|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008152512/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-acquisition-what-tatas-will-get/articleshow/86871669.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 January 2022, the airline was officially handed over to Tata Group.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Saha|first1=Poulomi|title=Air India handed over to Tata Group|newspaper=[[India Today]]|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/air-india-handed-over-to-tata-group-1905228-2022-01-27|access-date=1 December 2023|date=27 January 2022|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812095347/https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/air-india-handed-over-to-tata-group-1905228-2022-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chandra|first=Jagriti|date=1 March 2022|title=Ilker Ayci declines Air India CEO's post|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ilker-ayci-declines-air-india-ceo-offer/article65143729.ece|access-date=2 March 2022|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302120514/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ilker-ayci-declines-air-india-ceo-offer/article65143729.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sinha|first=Saurabh|date=1 March 2022|title=Ilker Ayci: Ilker Ayci declines Tata Group's offer to be CEO & MD of Air India: Sources|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/turkeys-ayci-declines-air-india-ceo-role-tata-spokesperson/articleshow/89918672.cms|access-date=2 March 2022|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|language=en|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302005151/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/turkeys-ayci-declines-air-india-ceo-role-tata-spokesperson/articleshow/89918672.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]] and [[Managing Director|MD]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Freed|first1=Jamie|last2=Monnappa|first2=Chandini|date=12 May 2022|title=Scoot CEO Wilson appointed head of Air India|language=en|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/scoot-ceo-campbell-wilson-appointed-new-head-air-india-2022-05-12/|access-date=13 May 2022|archive-date=13 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513014608/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/scoot-ceo-campbell-wilson-appointed-new-head-air-india-2022-05-12/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Vijayaraghavan|first1=Kala|title=Tata Sons chief N Chandrasekaran appointed as chairman of Air India|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/tata-sons-chief-n-chandrasekaran-appointed-as-chairman-of-air-india/articleshow/90202494.cms|access-date=12 April 2022|archive-date=12 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412122840/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/tata-sons-chief-n-chandrasekaran-appointed-as-chairman-of-air-india/articleshow/90202494.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite news|title=AirAsia India-Air India Express merger likely by 2023-end: Air India|date=2 November 2022|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/airasia-air-india-8245634/|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Anu|date=27 February 2023|title=Air India to end brand Vistara after merger|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/air-india-to-end-brand-vistara-after-merger-11677521516029.html|publisher=mint|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Vistara brand would be discontinued post the merger and the brand will operate under the Air India name.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Tata Group to Consolidate Air India and Vistara|url=https://www.tata.com/newsroom/business/air-india-vistara-consolidation|access-date=1 December 2023|date=7 April 2023|publisher=Tata}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Majumder|first=Arindam|date=21 February 2023|title=Air India and Vistara kick off their integration process|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-and-vistara-kicks-of-their-integration-process/articleshow/98069976.cms|access-date=1 December 2023|issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=AirAsia India-Air India Express merger likely by 2023-end: Air India|date=2 November 2022|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/airasia-air-india-8245634/|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009172846/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/airasia-air-india-8245634/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Anu|date=27 February 2023|title=Air India to end brand Vistara after merger|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/air-india-to-end-brand-vistara-after-merger-11677521516029.html|publisher=mint|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=16 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816205835/https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/air-india-to-end-brand-vistara-after-merger-11677521516029.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Vistara brand would be discontinued post the merger and the brand will operate under the Air India name.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Tata Group to Consolidate Air India and Vistara|url=https://www.tata.com/newsroom/business/air-india-vistara-consolidation|access-date=1 December 2023|date=7 April 2023|publisher=Tata|archive-date=28 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128011751/https://www.tata.com/newsroom/business/air-india-vistara-consolidation|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Majumder|first=Arindam|date=21 February 2023|title=Air India and Vistara kick off their integration process|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-and-vistara-kicks-of-their-integration-process/articleshow/98069976.cms|access-date=1 December 2023|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407112902/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-and-vistara-kicks-of-their-integration-process/articleshow/98069976.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mandayam |first1=Tandon |last2=Nandan |first2=Kashish |date=7 June 2024 |title=India company tribunal clears Air India-Vistara merger |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-company-tribunal-clears-air-india-vistara-merger-2024-06-07/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maszczynski |first=Mateusz |date=10 June 2024 |title=Air India and Vistara One Step Closer to Merging After Getting Green Light From Regulators |url=https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/06/10/air-india-and-vistara-one-step-closer-to-merging-after-getting-green-light-from-regulators/ |access-date=11 June 2024 |website=PYOK |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009172851/https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/06/10/air-india-and-vistara-one-step-closer-to-merging-after-getting-green-light-from-regulators/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 2024 |title=Singapore Airlines gets India's FDI approval for Air India-Vistara merger |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-airlines-gets-india-s-fdi-approval-for-air-india-vistara-merger?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawE-FRxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSeHevP0If8ZwNqZnGsjvFIF8btHq1zWhXyl6UADylyY7SoGNbUNa7gXLw_aem_tvzATyDk7dEKleMKdHQGIw |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923 |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830030424/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-airlines-gets-india-s-fdi-approval-for-air-india-vistara-merger?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawE-FRxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSeHevP0If8ZwNqZnGsjvFIF8btHq1zWhXyl6UADylyY7SoGNbUNa7gXLw_aem_tvzATyDk7dEKleMKdHQGIw |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 2024 |title=India clears Singapore Airlines' FDI, paves way for Vistara merger into Air India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-clears-singapore-airlines-fdi-paves-way-for-vistara-merger-into-air-india/articleshow/112910958.cms |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830030422/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-clears-singapore-airlines-fdi-paves-way-for-vistara-merger-into-air-india/articleshow/112910958.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=30 August 2024 |title=Singapore Airlines gets FDI nod for Vistara-Air India merger from government |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/singapore-airlines-gets-fdi-nod-for-vistara-air-india-merger-from-government/article68584216.ece |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830030422/https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/singapore-airlines-gets-fdi-nod-for-vistara-air-india-merger-from-government/article68584216.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 November 2024, the merger between Vistara and Air India was completed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/airlines-aviation-air-india-vistara-merger-takes-off-fleets-of-both-airlines-to-formally-combine-today-all-you-need-to-know-3662432/ |title=Air India-Vistara merger takes off: Fleets of both airlines to formally combine today – All you need to know |date=12 November 2024 |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=The Financial Express |archive-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112142538/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/airlines-aviation-air-india-vistara-merger-takes-off-fleets-of-both-airlines-to-formally-combine-today-all-you-need-to-know-3662432/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


On 15 September 2022, the Tata Group announced Vihaan, a five-year transformation goal aimed at restructuring and transforming Air India in phases.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 April 2023|title=Air India done with first phase of its 5-year turnaround plan. What is next on the cards?|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-done-with-first-phase-of-its-5-year-turnaround-plan-what-is-next-on-the-cards/articleshow/99288346.cms?from=mdr|access-date=7 April 2023|issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=15 September 2022|title=Vihaan.AI: Air India's five-year plan to become lord of the skies|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-to-be-rebranded-as-vihaan-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-transformation-plan-11663234233289.html|access-date=7 April 2023|newspaper=mint}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=6 April 2023|title=Air India: Putting the Raja back in the Maharaja|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/aviation/air-india-lists-achievements-in-14-months-after-tatas-took-over-16354061.htm|access-date=7 April 2023|publisher=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> As part of the plan, Air India announced flights to additional international destinations.<ref>{{cite news|work=Livemint|date=15 December 2022|title=Air India launches Mumbai-San Francisco direct flight, more flights by next year|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-launches-mumbai-san-francisco-direct-flight-more-flights-by-next-year-11671117044948.html|access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=31 October 2023|title=Air India to launch direct flight service from Mumbai to Melbourne on Dec 15|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-launch-direct-flight-service-from-mumbai-to-melbourne-on-dec-15/articleshow/104857442.cms?from=mdr|access-date=30 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The route expansion was supported by improving air-worthiness of existing fleet and leasing aircraft from other airlines.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schlappig|first=Ben|date=15 December 2022|title=Air India Starts Flying Former Delta 777-200LRs|url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-delta-777/|access-date=30 January 2024|work=One Mile at a Time}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Schlappig|first=Ben|date=2 August 2023|title=Air India Leasing Six Etihad Airways Boeing 777s|url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-etihad-777/|access-date=30 January 2024|work=One Mile at a Time}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Majumder|first=Arindam|date=22 July 2023|title=Air India to lease three 777-300 ER from Singapore Airlines|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-lease-three-777-300-er-from-singapore-airlines/articleshow/102035381.cms?from=mdr|access-date=30 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Rec">{{cite news|title=Air India Announces Order for 470 Aircraft|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/air-indias-order-for-470-jets-at-list-price-of-70-billion/article66559223.ece|date=27 February 2023|access-date=14 March 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> On 10 August 2023, the airline announced a rebranding exercise named "Vista" with a new livery and logo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India unveils its new logo, the iconic Maharaja to be revamped|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/air-india-unveils-its-new-logo-the-iconic-maharaja-to-be-revamped/articleshow/102640086.cms|access-date=1 December 2023|date=13 August 2023|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=8 December 2022|title=Air India to spend $400 million on cabin upgrade of existing 40 wide body aircraft|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-to-spend-400-million-on-cabin-upgrade-of-existing-40-wide-body-aircraft/articleshow/96080528.cms|access-date=1 December 2023|issn=0971-8257}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 January 2024|title=Air India to start operating A350 aircraft from January 22|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-a350-aircraft-operation-9090577/|access-date=1 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>
On 15 September 2022, the Tata Group announced Vihaan, a five-year transformation goal aimed at restructuring and transforming Air India in phases.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 April 2023|title=Air India done with first phase of its 5-year turnaround plan. What is next on the cards?|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-done-with-first-phase-of-its-5-year-turnaround-plan-what-is-next-on-the-cards/articleshow/99288346.cms|access-date=7 April 2023|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407061325/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-done-with-first-phase-of-its-5-year-turnaround-plan-what-is-next-on-the-cards/articleshow/99288346.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=15 September 2022|title=Vihaan.AI: Air India's five-year plan to become lord of the skies|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-to-be-rebranded-as-vihaan-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-transformation-plan-11663234233289.html|access-date=7 April 2023|newspaper=mint|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407114406/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-to-be-rebranded-as-vihaan-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-transformation-plan-11663234233289.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=6 April 2023|title=Air India: Putting the Raja back in the Maharaja|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/aviation/air-india-lists-achievements-in-14-months-after-tatas-took-over-16354061.htm|access-date=7 April 2023|publisher=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406163959/https://www.cnbctv18.com/aviation/air-india-lists-achievements-in-14-months-after-tatas-took-over-16354061.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the plan, Air India announced flights to additional international destinations.<ref>{{cite news|work=Livemint|date=15 December 2022|title=Air India launches Mumbai-San Francisco direct flight, more flights by next year|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-launches-mumbai-san-francisco-direct-flight-more-flights-by-next-year-11671117044948.html|access-date=30 January 2024|archive-date=30 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130214935/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-launches-mumbai-san-francisco-direct-flight-more-flights-by-next-year-11671117044948.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=31 October 2023|title=Air India to launch direct flight service from Mumbai to Melbourne on Dec 15|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-launch-direct-flight-service-from-mumbai-to-melbourne-on-dec-15/articleshow/104857442.cms|access-date=30 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=30 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130214936/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-launch-direct-flight-service-from-mumbai-to-melbourne-on-dec-15/articleshow/104857442.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The route expansion was supported by improving air-worthiness of existing fleet and leasing aircraft from other airlines.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schlappig|first=Ben|date=15 December 2022|title=Air India Starts Flying Former Delta 777-200LRs|url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-delta-777/|access-date=30 January 2024|work=One Mile at a Time|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009172854/https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-delta-777/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Schlappig|first=Ben|date=2 August 2023|title=Air India Leasing Six Etihad Airways Boeing 777s|url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-etihad-777/|access-date=30 January 2024|work=One Mile at a Time|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231204836/https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-etihad-777/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Majumder|first=Arindam|date=22 July 2023|title=Air India to lease three 777-300 ER from Singapore Airlines|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-lease-three-777-300-er-from-singapore-airlines/articleshow/102035381.cms|access-date=30 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=22 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722085100/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-lease-three-777-300-er-from-singapore-airlines/articleshow/102035381.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Rec">{{cite news|title=Air India Announces Order for 470 Aircraft|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/air-indias-order-for-470-jets-at-list-price-of-70-billion/article66559223.ece|date=27 February 2023|access-date=14 March 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=15 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315062331/https://www.thehindu.com/business/air-indias-order-for-470-jets-at-list-price-of-70-billion/article66559223.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 August 2023, the airline announced a rebranding exercise named "Vista" with a new livery and logo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India unveils its new logo, the iconic Maharaja to be revamped|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/air-india-unveils-its-new-logo-the-iconic-maharaja-to-be-revamped/articleshow/102640086.cms|access-date=1 December 2023|date=13 August 2023|issn=0971-8257|archive-date=1 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101062438/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/air-india-unveils-its-new-logo-the-iconic-maharaja-to-be-revamped/articleshow/102640086.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=8 December 2022|title=Air India to spend $400 million on cabin upgrade of existing 40 wide body aircraft|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-to-spend-400-million-on-cabin-upgrade-of-existing-40-wide-body-aircraft/articleshow/96080528.cms|access-date=1 December 2023|issn=0971-8257|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009172856/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-to-spend-400-million-on-cabin-upgrade-of-existing-40-wide-body-aircraft/articleshow/96080528.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 January 2024|title=Air India to start operating A350 aircraft from January 22|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-a350-aircraft-operation-9090577/|access-date=1 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-date=1 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101115511/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-a350-aircraft-operation-9090577/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 [[Cargo aircraft|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".<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Gandhi |first=Forum |date=31 July 2024 |title=Air India may carve out separate cargo entity with dedicated freighters |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-may-carve-out-separate-cargo-entity-with-dedicated-freighters/articleshow/112147311.cms |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731120931/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-may-carve-out-separate-cargo-entity-with-dedicated-freighters/articleshow/112147311.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 family|Airbus A320neo]] planes, followed by 40 wide-body Boeing aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Air India launches $400 million upgrade to transform flying experience |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/air-india-launches-400-million-upgrade-to-transform-flying-experience-124091700669_1.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009173955/https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/air-india-launches-400-million-upgrade-to-transform-flying-experience-124091700669_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2024 |title=Air India's $400 mn overhaul: Luxury seats, modern lights and high-tech upgrades coming soon |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-indias-400-mn-overhaul-luxury-seats-modern-lights-and-high-tech-upgrades-coming-soon/articleshow/113420294.cms |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917175952/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-indias-400-mn-overhaul-luxury-seats-modern-lights-and-high-tech-upgrades-coming-soon/articleshow/113420294.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Corporate affairs and identity==
==Corporate affairs and identity==
=== Business trends===
=== Business trends===
The key trends of Air India are (as of the financial year ending 31 March<ref>{{cite news |date=30 October 2023 |title=Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece |access-date=15 April 2024 |work=Business Line |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222064930/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>):
The key trends for Air India are:
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Financial Year (FY)
![[Fiscal year|Year]]
![[Revenue]]<br>(₹Cr)<ref name=":5">{{cite report |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587955/financial-performance-air-india/ |title=Air India: financial performance 2022 |publisher=Statista |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192430/https://www.statista.com/statistics/587955/financial-performance-air-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
!2016
![[Net income|Net profit]]<br>(₹Cr)<ref name=":5" />
!2017
!Number of<br>passengers<br>(mn)
!2018
![[Passenger load factor|Passenger<br>load factor]]<br>(%)
!2019
!Freight<br>carried<br>(000 tonnes)
!2020
!Fleet<br>size<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1189850/air-india-number-of-airplanes/ |title=Air India Ltd.: number of airplanes |publisher=Statista |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192432/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1189850/air-india-number-of-airplanes/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
!2021
!Reference
!2022
!2023
|-
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2015-16
|style="text-align:left;"|Revenue (₹Cr)<ref name=":5">{{cite report|title=Air India: financial performance 2022|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587955/financial-performance-air-india/|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Statista|language=en}}</ref>
|20,610
|20,610
|22,177
|23,003
|26,487
|28,524
|12,104
|19,815
|31,377
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Net profit (₹Cr)<ref name=":5" />
|<span style="color:red;">−3,836</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−3,836</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−6281</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−5,337</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−8,556</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−7,982</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−7,083</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−9,591</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−11,388</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Number of passengers (mn)
|18.0
|18.0
|19.1
|21.1
|22.1
|22.5
|6.3
|11.5
|18.5
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Passenger load factor (%)
|75.6
|75.6
|76.3
|80.0
|79.0
|79.8
|68.4
|73.5
|81.9
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Freight carried (000 tonnes)
|192
|192
|135
|<ref name=":6">{{cite report |url=https://www.bseindia.com/bseplus/AnnualReport/946631/9466310317.pdf |title=Air India Annual Report 16-17 |publisher=BSE |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192431/https://www.bseindia.com/bseplus/AnnualReport/946631/9466310317.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2016-17
|22,177
|<span style="color:red;">−6,281</span>
|19.1
|76.3
|196
|196
|136
|<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{cite news |date=18 December 2018 |title=Air India net loss falls 17.6% to Rs 5,337 crore in FY18 |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-air-india-net-loss-falls-17-6-to-rs-5337-crore-in-fy18-1427007/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |newspaper=Financial Express |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009174013/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-air-india-net-loss-falls-17-6-to-rs-5337-crore-in-fy18-1427007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2017-18
|23,003
|<span style="color:red;">−5,337</span>
|21.1
|80.0
|204
|204
|158
|<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587911/passenger-traffic-by-segment-air-india/ |title=Air India: passenger traffic by segment |publisher=Statista |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192431/https://www.statista.com/statistics/587911/passenger-traffic-by-segment-air-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587943/freight-operations-by-segment-air-india/ |title=Air India: freight traffic by segment 2021 |publisher=Statista |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192433/https://www.statista.com/statistics/587943/freight-operations-by-segment-air-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2018-19
|26,487
|<span style="color:red;">−8,556</span>
|22.1
|79.0
|240
|240
|171
|<ref name=":7">{{cite report |url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2019-20.pdf |title=Air India Annual Report 19-20 |publisher=Air India |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2019-20
|28,524
|<span style="color:red;">−7,982</span>
|22.5
|79.8
|221
|221
|127
|<ref name=":7" />
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2020-21
|12,104
|<span style="color:red;">−7,083</span>
|6.3
|68.4
|74.9
|74.9
|124
|<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2020-21.pdf |title=Air India Annual Report 20-21 |publisher=Air India |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2021-22
|19,815
|<span style="color:red;">−9,591</span>
|11.5
|73.5
|169
|169
|175
|165
|<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2021-22.pdf |title=Air India Annual Report 21-22 |publisher=Air India |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816210232/https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2021-22.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
|2022-23
|style="text-align:left;"|Fleet size<ref>{{cite report|title=Air India Ltd.: number of airplanes|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1189850/air-india-number-of-airplanes/|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Statista|language=en}}</ref>
|31,377
|135
|<span style="color:red;">−11,388</span>
|136
|18.5
|158
|81.9
|171
|127
|175
|124
|165
|127
|127
|<ref>{{cite news |date=30 October 2023 |title=Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece |access-date=26 January 2024 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] Business Line |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222064930/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
|2023-24
|style="text-align:left;"|Reference
|38,812
|<ref name=":6">{{cite report|title=Air India Annual Report 16-17|url=https://www.bseindia.com/bseplus/AnnualReport/946631/9466310317.pdf|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=BSE}}</ref>
|<span style="color:red;">− 4,444</span>
|<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{cite news|date=18 December 2018|title=Air India net loss falls 17.6% to Rs 5,337 crore in FY18|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-air-india-net-loss-falls-17-6-to-rs-5337-crore-in-fy18-1427007/|access-date=26 January 2024|newspaper=Financial Express}}</ref>
|
|<ref>{{cite report|title=Air India: passenger traffic by segment|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587911/passenger-traffic-by-segment-air-india/|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Statista|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Air India: freight traffic by segment 2021|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587943/freight-operations-by-segment-air-india/|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Statista}}</ref>
|
|<ref name=":7">{{cite report|title=Air India Annual Report 19-20|url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2019-20.pdf|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Air India}}</ref>
|
|<ref name=":7" />
|137
|<ref>{{cite report|title=Air India Annual Report 20-21|url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2020-21.pdf|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Air India}}</ref>
|
|<ref>{{cite report|title=Air India Annual Report 21-22|url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2021-22.pdf|access-date=20 November 2023|publisher=Air India}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news|date=30 October 2023|title=Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece|access-date=26 January 2024|newspaper=[[The Hindu]] Business Line}}</ref>
|}
|}


===Headquarters===
===Headquarters===
{{Multiple image
{{Multiple image|direction= vertical|image1=Air-India-building.jpg|caption1=[[Air India Building]] in Mumbai served as Air India's headquarters until 2013|image2= Air india maharajah.jpg|caption2=The Maharajah, Air India's mascot|image3=|caption3=Air India logo from 1940–2007|image4=Air India.svg|caption4=Air India logo between 2007–2023}}
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Air-India-building.jpg
| caption1 = [[Air India Building]] in Mumbai served as Air India's headquarters until 2013
| image2 = Air india maharajah.jpg
| caption2 = The Maharajah, Air India's mascot
| image3 =
| caption3 = Air India logo from 1940–2007
| image4 = Air India.svg
| caption4 = Air India logo between 2007–2023
| image5 = Vörösmarty tér 6. Air-India légitársaság képviselete. Fortepan 53015.jpg
| caption5 = Some artworks exhibited at the Air India office in [[Budapest]] ([[Hungary]]) in 1970.
}}

Air India Limited is headquartered in [[Gurgaon]], [[Haryana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/corporate-information.html|title=Corporate Information|publisher=Air India|access-date=30 July 2024|quote=Registered Office Address: Block-4, Vatika One on One, Sector-16, NH-48 Industrial Estate, Gurugram HR 122007 INDIA|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907151434/https://www.airindia.com/in/en/corporate-information.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in Sector 16. Its head office is in {{convert|180000|sqft|sqm}} 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nandgaonkar|first=Satish|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/air-india-leases-seven-floors-in-gurugram-business-hub-at-rs-24-cr-annual-rent-101699186243475.html|title=Air India leases seven floors in Gurugram business hub at ₹24 Cr annual rent|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=5 November 2023|access-date=30 August 2024|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009174732/https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/air-india-leases-seven-floors-in-gurugram-business-hub-at-rs-24-cr-annual-rent-101699186243475.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Air India Express, since 2024, occupies space in the same complex.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-express-moves-to-new-campus-joins-air-india-in-vatika-one-on-one-complex-in-gurugram/articleshow/111089806.cms?from=mdr|title=Air India Express moves to new campus, joins Air India in Vatika One-on-One complex in Gurugram|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=18 June 2024|access-date=30 August 2024|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009174847/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-express-moves-to-new-campus-joins-air-india-in-vatika-one-on-one-complex-in-gurugram/articleshow/111089806.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref>


Air India Limited is headquartered at the Indian Airlines House, New Delhi.<ref name="Air India building">{{cite news|title=Air India vacates Nariman Point; moves headquarters to Delhi|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-15/news/37100980_1_air-india-nariman-point-moves-headquarters|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=16 February 2013|first=Anindya|last=Upadhyay|date=15 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/board-of-directors.htm|title=Air India, Board of directors|publisher=Air India|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030054518/http://www.airindia.in/board-of-directors.htm|archive-date=30 October 2015}}</ref> Air India moved its headquarters from [[Air India Building]], [[Mumbai]] to Delhi in 2013. The former headquarters is a 23-story tower on [[Marine Drive, Mumbai|Marine Drive]] and was one of the targets of the [[1993 Bombay bombings]].<ref name="Air India building" /><ref name="bbc-19930312">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_4272000/4272943.stm|title=Bombay hit by devastating bombs|publisher=BBC|date=12 March 1993|access-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211202614/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_4272000/4272943.stm|archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> In 2023, Air India moved its headquarters to [[Gurugram]] in the [[National Capital Region]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/merged-air-india-express-finds-new-hq-in-gurugram-2772401|title=Merged Air India Express finds new HQ in Gurugram|date=16 November 2023|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
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, Mumbai|Marine Drive]] and was one of the targets of the [[1993 Bombay bombings]].<ref name="Air India building" /><ref name="bbc-19930312">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_4272000/4272943.stm|title=Bombay hit by devastating bombs|publisher=BBC|date=12 March 1993|access-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211202614/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_4272000/4272943.stm|archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> It then occupied Indian Airlines House, New Delhi.<ref name="Air India building">{{cite news|title=Air India vacates Nariman Point; moves headquarters to Delhi|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-15/news/37100980_1_air-india-nariman-point-moves-headquarters|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=16 February 2013|first=Anindya|last=Upadhyay|date=15 February 2013|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305063710/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-15/news/37100980_1_air-india-nariman-point-moves-headquarters|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/board-of-directors.htm|title=Air India, Board of directors|publisher=Air India|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030054518/http://www.airindia.in/board-of-directors.htm|archive-date=30 October 2015}}</ref> In 2023, Air India moved its headquarters to [[Gurgaon]] in the [[National Capital Region]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/merged-air-india-express-finds-new-hq-in-gurugram-2772401|title=Merged Air India Express finds new HQ in Gurugram|date=16 November 2023|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=23 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123040023/https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/merged-air-india-express-finds-new-hq-in-gurugram-2772401|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Subsidiaries===
===Subsidiaries===
Line 185: Line 215:
====Current====
====Current====
{{Further|Air India Express}}
{{Further|Air India Express}}
Air India Express began operations on 29 April 2005 and was initially owned by [[Air India Charters]] and operate flights from [[South India]] to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramavarman|first1=T.|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/shifting-of-air-india-express-headquarters-to-kochi-gets-nod/articleshow/17606736.cms|title=Shifting of Air India Express headquarters to Kochi gets nod|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 December 2012|access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/air-india-express-route-scheduling-from-city-soon/article4282465.ece|title=Air India Express route scheduling|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 January 2013|access-date=5 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111050657/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/air-india-express-route-scheduling-from-city-soon/article4282465.ece|archive-date=11 January 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India signs agreements to acquire AirAsia India; commences process to merge with Air India Express into a single Low-Cost Carrier|date=2 November 2022|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/airasia-air-india-8245634/|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramavarman|first1=T.|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/shifting-of-air-india-express-headquarters-to-kochi-gets-nod/articleshow/17606736.cms|title=Shifting of Air India Express headquarters to Kochi gets nod|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 December 2012|access-date=1 February 2023|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231091858/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/shifting-of-air-india-express-headquarters-to-kochi-gets-nod/articleshow/17606736.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/air-india-express-route-scheduling-from-city-soon/article4282465.ece|title=Air India Express route scheduling|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 January 2013|access-date=5 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111050657/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/air-india-express-route-scheduling-from-city-soon/article4282465.ece|archive-date=11 January 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India signs agreements to acquire AirAsia India; commences process to merge with Air India Express into a single Low-Cost Carrier|date=2 November 2022|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/airasia-air-india-8245634/|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407112605/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/airasia-air-india-8245634/|url-status=live}}</ref>


====Defunct====
====Defunct====
{{Further|Alliance Air (India)|Air India Cargo}}
{{Further|Alliance Air (India)|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.<ref name="Timeline"/> Air India Cargo ended freighter aircraft operations in early 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/air-india-shuts-down-cargo-business/story/21477.html|title=Air India shuts down bleeding cargo business|newspaper=[[Business Today (business magazine)|Business Today]]|last1=Singh|first1=Sanjay|place=New Delhi|date=7 January 2012|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Timeline"/> Air India Cargo ended freighter aircraft operations in early 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/air-india-shuts-down-cargo-business/story/21477.html|title=Air India shuts down bleeding cargo business|newspaper=[[Business Today (business magazine)|Business Today]]|last1=Singh|first1=Sanjay|place=New Delhi|date=7 January 2012|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229150022/https://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/air-india-shuts-down-cargo-business/story/21477.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


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.<ref name="Alliance Air">{{cite web|title=Air India Regional|url=http://www.airindia.in/alliance-air.htm|publisher=Air India|access-date=29 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109041931/http://www.airindia.in/alliance-air.htm|archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Alliance Air">{{cite web|title=Air India Regional|url=http://www.airindia.in/alliance-air.htm|publisher=Air India|access-date=29 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109041931/http://www.airindia.in/alliance-air.htm|archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alliance Air no longer subsidiary of Air India; moves to own website, flight code|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/alliance-air-no-longer-subsidiary-of-air-india-moves-to-own-website-flight-code-101650028436555.html|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=15 April 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alliance Air no longer subsidiary of Air India; moves to own website, flight code|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/alliance-air-no-longer-subsidiary-of-air-india-moves-to-own-website-flight-code-101650028436555.html|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=15 April 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009174853/https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/alliance-air-no-longer-subsidiary-of-air-india-moves-to-own-website-flight-code-101650028436555.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Mascot===
===Mascot===
<!--"Air India Maharaja" redirects here-->
<!--"Air India Maharaja" redirects here-->
Air India's mascot is ''the [[Maharaja]]h'' (''[[high king]]'').<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/red-hot/The-Wonderful-Journey-Of-Air-Indias-Maharajah/quickstirshow/41855576.cms|title=The Wonderful Journey of Air India's Maharajah|date=6 September 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130160404/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/red-hot/The-Wonderful-Journey-Of-Air-Indias-Maharajah/quickstirshow/41855576.cms|archive-date=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Maharaja">{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/the-air-india-brand.htm|title=Air India Brand|publisher=Air India|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104025811/http://www.airindia.in/the-air-india-brand.htm|archive-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharajah, gets a makeover|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|last1=Sinha|first1=Saurabh|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2015|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210020922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi reportedly wants Air India's mascot, The Maharajah, replaced by a plebeian one|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/PM-Modi-reportedly-wants-Air-Indias-mascot-The-Maharajah-replaced-by-a-plebeian-one/articleshow/37097790.cms|date=24 June 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123231633/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/PM-Modi-reportedly-wants-Air-Indias-mascot-The-Maharajah-replaced-by-a-plebeian-one/articleshow/37097790.cms|archive-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=When did the Maharaja become Air-India's mascot|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/When-did-the-Maharaja-become-Air-Indias-mascot/articleshow/1110592.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=15 May 2005|last1=Rao|first1=Sunil|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303130933/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/When-did-the-Maharaja-become-Air-Indias-mascot/articleshow/1110592.cms|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> The Maharajah was given a makeover in 2015 and the brand is represented by a younger version.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|title=Maharajah gets a makeover|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210020922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharaja takes a back seat in Tata's Air India|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/business/india-business/maharaja-takes-a-back-seat-in-tatas-air-india/articleshow/102626522.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 August 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
Air India's mascot is ''the [[Maharaja]]h'' (''[[high king]]'').<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/red-hot/The-Wonderful-Journey-Of-Air-Indias-Maharajah/quickstirshow/41855576.cms|title=The Wonderful Journey of Air India's Maharajah|date=6 September 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130160404/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/red-hot/The-Wonderful-Journey-Of-Air-Indias-Maharajah/quickstirshow/41855576.cms|archive-date=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Maharaja">{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/the-air-india-brand.htm|title=Air India Brand|publisher=Air India|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104025811/http://www.airindia.in/the-air-india-brand.htm|archive-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharajah, gets a makeover|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|last1=Sinha|first1=Saurabh|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2015|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210020922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi reportedly wants Air India's mascot, The Maharajah, replaced by a plebeian one|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/PM-Modi-reportedly-wants-Air-Indias-mascot-The-Maharajah-replaced-by-a-plebeian-one/articleshow/37097790.cms|date=24 June 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123231633/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/PM-Modi-reportedly-wants-Air-Indias-mascot-The-Maharajah-replaced-by-a-plebeian-one/articleshow/37097790.cms|archive-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=When did the Maharaja become Air-India's mascot|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/When-did-the-Maharaja-become-Air-Indias-mascot/articleshow/1110592.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=15 May 2005|last1=Rao|first1=Sunil|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303130933/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/When-did-the-Maharaja-become-Air-Indias-mascot/articleshow/1110592.cms|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> The Maharajah was given a makeover in 2015 and the brand is represented by a younger version.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|title=Maharajah gets a makeover|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210020922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharaja takes a back seat in Tata's Air India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/maharaja-takes-a-back-seat-in-tatas-air-india/articleshow/102626522.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 August 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908180940/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/maharaja-takes-a-back-seat-in-tatas-air-india/articleshow/102626522.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Logo and livery===
===Logo and livery===
Air India's colour scheme is red and white. The aircraft were painted in 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|title=Air India:History|publisher=airwhiners.net|access-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923115706/http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> The window scheme was designed in line with the slogan ''Your Palace in the Sky''.<ref name="Timeline"/> The aircraft were 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.<ref name="Timeline"/>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|title=Air India:History|publisher=airwhiners.net|access-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923115706/http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> The window scheme was designed in line with the slogan ''Your Palace in the Sky''.<ref name="Timeline"/> 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.<ref name="Timeline"/>
[[File:VT-EJH Airbus A310 Air India Cargo (7179429859).jpg|thumb|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 (constellation)|Sagittarius]] shooting an arrow in a circle representing the [[Konark temple|wheel of Konark]]. The logo chosen by founder J. R. D. Tata was introduced in 1948 and represented the airline until 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spellbrand.com/airlines-logos-with-flying-colors|title=Airlines logos with colors|date=13 July 2010|publisher=spellbrand.com|access-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124002453/http://www.spellbrand.com/airlines-logos-with-flying-colors|archive-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-air-india-to-get-new-livery-following-indian-airlines-merger-214180/|date=23 May 2007|title=Air India to get a new logo|work=FlightGlobal|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123190026/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-air-india-to-get-new-livery-following-indian-airlines-merger-214180/|archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Maharaja"/>
The first logo of Air India was a [[centaur]], a stylised version of [[Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]] shooting an arrow in a circle representing the [[Konark temple|wheel of Konark]]. The logo chosen by founder J. R. D. Tata was introduced in 1948 and represented the airline until 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spellbrand.com/airlines-logos-with-flying-colors|title=Airlines logos with colors|date=13 July 2010|publisher=spellbrand.com|access-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124002453/http://www.spellbrand.com/airlines-logos-with-flying-colors|archive-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-air-india-to-get-new-livery-following-indian-airlines-merger-214180/|date=23 May 2007|title=Air India to get a new logo|work=FlightGlobal|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123190026/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-air-india-to-get-new-livery-following-indian-airlines-merger-214180/|archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Maharaja"/>


After the airline's acquisition by the Tata Group, the airline revealed its brand new logo and livery on 10 August 2023.<ref>{{cite news|last=Majumder|first=Arindam|date=2 December 2022|title=Air India to get a brand makeover, London based consultancy firm roped in|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-get-a-brand-makeover/articleshow/95921330.cms?from=mdr|access-date=10 August 2023|issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=29 June 2023|title=Air India to get brand makeover|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-air-india-to-get-brand-makeover-3147235/|access-date=10 August 2023|newspaper=The Financial Express|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/et-al-express-trending/air-india-overhauls-its-identity-heres-whats-changed-8887337/|title=Air India Overhauls Its Identity: Here's What's Changed|date=11 August 2023|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 December 2023|title=Air India unveils Manish Malhotra designed new collection of uniforms for cabin & cockpit crew|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-unveils-manish-malhotra-designed-new-collection-of-uniforms-for-cabin-cockpit-crew/articleshow/105932756.cms|access-date=27 December 2023|issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=24 December 2023|title=AirIndia A350 pics: Get into the inside of India's first wide-body plane|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news/airindia-a350-pics-get-into-the-inside-of-indias-first-wide-body-plane-101703397084310.html|access-date=27 December 2023|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=25 December 2023|title=Air India's game-changer: The Airbus A350's revolution in Indian aviation|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/air-indias-game-changer-the-airbus-a350s-revolution-in-indian-aviation/article67672038.ece|access-date=27 December 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
After the airline's acquisition by the Tata Group, the airline revealed its brand new logo and livery on 10 August 2023.<ref>{{cite news|last=Majumder|first=Arindam|date=2 December 2022|title=Air India to get a brand makeover, London based consultancy firm roped in|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-get-a-brand-makeover/articleshow/95921330.cms|access-date=10 August 2023|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811041917/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-get-a-brand-makeover/articleshow/95921330.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=29 June 2023|title=Air India to get brand makeover|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-air-india-to-get-brand-makeover-3147235/|access-date=10 August 2023|newspaper=The Financial Express|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009175207/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-air-india-to-get-brand-makeover-3147235/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/et-al-express-trending/air-india-overhauls-its-identity-heres-whats-changed-8887337/|title=Air India Overhauls Its Identity: Here's What's Changed|date=11 August 2023|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217131257/https://indianexpress.com/article/et-al-express-trending/air-india-overhauls-its-identity-heres-whats-changed-8887337/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 December 2023|title=Air India unveils Manish Malhotra designed new collection of uniforms for cabin & cockpit crew|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-unveils-manish-malhotra-designed-new-collection-of-uniforms-for-cabin-cockpit-crew/articleshow/105932756.cms|access-date=27 December 2023|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227083741/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-unveils-manish-malhotra-designed-new-collection-of-uniforms-for-cabin-cockpit-crew/articleshow/105932756.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=24 December 2023|title=AirIndia A350 pics: Get into the inside of India's first wide-body plane|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news/airindia-a350-pics-get-into-the-inside-of-indias-first-wide-body-plane-101703397084310.html|access-date=27 December 2023|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009175212/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertagids&topUrl=www.hindustantimes.com&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=25 December 2023|title=Air India's game-changer: The Airbus A350's revolution in Indian aviation|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/air-indias-game-changer-the-airbus-a350s-revolution-in-indian-aviation/article67672038.ece|access-date=27 December 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227083426/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/air-indias-game-changer-the-airbus-a350s-revolution-in-indian-aviation/article67672038.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Art collection===
=== 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.<ref name="Art">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Maria|title=The fascinating story behind Air India's priceless collection of art|url=https://qz.com/india/1325611/the-fascinating-story-behind-air-indias-priceless-collection-of-art/|access-date=2 August 2020|publisher=Quartz India|date=13 July 2018|language=en}}</ref> The artworks were often sent to be hung in Air India [[city ticket office|booking office]]s around the world and used in promotional material.<ref name="Art"/> In 1967, the company commissioned ashtrays from [[Salvador Dalí]] and gifted an elephant calf as payment.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 April 2016|title=In pics: When Air India presented Surrealist Salvador Dali an elephant|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-when-air-india-presented-surrealist-salvador-dali-an-elephant/story-qiMd1WrlxFZ4kxziE5tH6N.html|access-date=2 August 2020|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en}}</ref> In 2010, a plan to establish a museum from the collection was stalled and the artworks reside in a building in Nariman Point, Mumbai.<ref name="Art"/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gupta|first=Gargi|title=First ever exhibition of the Air India art collection|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-first-ever-exhibition-of-the-air-india-art-collection-1875819|access-date=1 January 2024|newspaper=[[DNA India]]}}</ref> Following a [[memorandum of understanding]] agreed between the airline and the [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]], the art collection was transferred to the [[National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai|National Gallery of Modern Art]] (NGMA) in Mumbai in January 2023.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 January 2023|title=Air India to hand over its priceless art collection to NGMA for public display|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-hand-over-its-priceless-art-collection-to-ngma-for-public-display/articleshow/97099269.cms|access-date=1 January 2024|issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The art was put up for exhibition titled ''Maharaja’s Treasure: Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection''.<ref>{{cite news|title='Maharaja's Treasure' famed Air India collection inaugurated at NGMA Mumbai|url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/spotlight-of-the-week-detail.htm?216|access-date=1 January 2024|publisher=[[Government of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bose|first=Mrityunjay|title=Air India art exhibition 'Maharaja's Treasure' on display in Mumbai|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/air-india-art-exhibition-maharajas-treasure-on-display-in-mumbai-1227783.html|access-date=1 January 2024|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Art">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Maria|title=The fascinating story behind Air India's priceless collection of art|url=https://qz.com/india/1325611/the-fascinating-story-behind-air-indias-priceless-collection-of-art/|access-date=2 August 2020|publisher=Quartz India|date=13 July 2018|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009175951/https://qz.com/india/1325611/the-fascinating-story-behind-air-indias-priceless-collection-of-art|url-status=live}}</ref> The artworks were often sent to be hung in Air India [[city ticket office|booking office]]s around the world and used in promotional material.<ref name="Art"/> In 1967, the company commissioned ashtrays from [[Salvador Dalí]] and gifted an elephant calf as payment.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 April 2016|title=In pics: When Air India presented Surrealist Salvador Dali an elephant|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-when-air-india-presented-surrealist-salvador-dali-an-elephant/story-qiMd1WrlxFZ4kxziE5tH6N.html|access-date=2 August 2020|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013911/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-when-air-india-presented-surrealist-salvador-dali-an-elephant/story-qiMd1WrlxFZ4kxziE5tH6N.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, a plan to establish a museum from the collection was stalled and the artworks reside in a building in Nariman Point, Mumbai.<ref name="Art"/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gupta|first=Gargi|title=First ever exhibition of the Air India art collection|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-first-ever-exhibition-of-the-air-india-art-collection-1875819|access-date=1 January 2024|newspaper=[[DNA India]]|archive-date=1 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101151423/https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-first-ever-exhibition-of-the-air-india-art-collection-1875819|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a [[memorandum of understanding]] agreed between the airline and the [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]], the art collection was transferred to the [[National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai|National Gallery of Modern Art]] (NGMA) in Mumbai in January 2023.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 January 2023|title=Air India to hand over its priceless art collection to NGMA for public display|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-hand-over-its-priceless-art-collection-to-ngma-for-public-display/articleshow/97099269.cms|access-date=1 January 2024|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=1 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101151424/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-hand-over-its-priceless-art-collection-to-ngma-for-public-display/articleshow/97099269.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The art was put up for exhibition titled ''Maharaja's Treasure: Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection''.<ref>{{cite news|title='Maharaja's Treasure' famed Air India collection inaugurated at NGMA Mumbai|url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/spotlight-of-the-week-detail.htm?216|access-date=1 January 2024|publisher=[[Government of India]]|archive-date=1 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101154430/https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/spotlight-of-the-week-detail.htm?216|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bose|first=Mrityunjay|title=Air India art exhibition 'Maharaja's Treasure' on display in Mumbai|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/air-india-art-exhibition-maharajas-treasure-on-display-in-mumbai-1227783.html|access-date=1 January 2024|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|archive-date=1 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101151424/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/air-india-art-exhibition-maharajas-treasure-on-display-in-mumbai-1227783.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
{{Main|List of Air India destinations}}
{{Main|List of Air India destinations}}
As of January 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.<ref name="Schedule">{{cite web|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/route-map.html|title=Route Map|publisher=Air India|access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref> Its primary hub is located at [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi]], and it has a secondary hub at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Akshay|date=1 October 2015|title=Air India to develop Mumbai as its secondary hub|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/air-india-to-develop-mumbai-as-its-secondary-hub-3/148782/|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> Air India operates some of the [[Longest flights#Non-stop flights (top 30, by great-circle distance)|world's longest non-stop flights]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Air India AI 176 Flight Details, Notes, History|url=https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-details/AI/176|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127051446/https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-details/AI/176?year=2023&month=1&date=27&flightId=1128198930|archive-date=27 January 2023|access-date=27 January 2023|website=FlightStats|language=en}}</ref>
{{As of|2024|04}}, 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.<ref name="Schedule">{{cite web|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/route-map.html|title=Route Map|publisher=Air India|access-date=16 December 2023|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518065152/https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/route-map.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Its primary hub is located at [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi]], and it has secondary hubs at [[Kempegowda International Airport|Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru]] and [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Akshay|date=1 October 2015|title=Air India to develop Mumbai as its secondary hub|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/air-india-to-develop-mumbai-as-its-secondary-hub-3/148782/|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|access-date=1 June 2023|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231091858/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/air-india-to-develop-mumbai-as-its-secondary-hub-3/148782/|url-status=live}}</ref> Air India operates some of the [[Longest flights#Non-stop flights (top 30, by great-circle distance)|world's longest non-stop flights]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Air India AI 176 Flight Details, Notes, History|url=https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-details/AI/176|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127051446/https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-details/AI/176?year=2023&month=1&date=27&flightId=1128198930|archive-date=27 January 2023|access-date=27 January 2023|website=FlightStats|language=en}}</ref>


===Alliance===
===Alliance===
Line 217: Line 247:


===Codeshare agreements===
===Codeshare agreements===
Air India has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Booking Partners|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/partner-airlines/booking-partners.html|access-date=2 December 2023|publisher=airindia.com}}</ref>
Air India has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Booking Partners|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/partner-airlines/booking-partners.html|access-date=2 December 2023|publisher=airindia.com|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009181513/https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/partner-airlines/booking-partners.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
* [[Air India Express]] {{small|(Subsidiary)}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Air India Expands Air India Express International Codeshare From July 2024|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240708-aiixcodeshare|access-date=13 October 2024|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009183818/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240708-aiixcodeshare|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Air India Express]] {{small|(Subsidiary)}}
* [[Air Mauritius]]
* [[Air Mauritius]]
* [[All Nippon Airways]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240423-nhaicodeshare|title=Air India / ANA begins codeshare partnership from May 2024|publisher=AeroRoutes|date=23 April 2024|access-date=24 April 2024|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009182057/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240423-nhaicodeshare|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Asiana Airlines]]
* [[Asiana Airlines]]
* [[Avianca]]
* [[Avianca]]
Line 234: Line 265:
* [[Swiss International Air Lines]]
* [[Swiss International Air Lines]]
* [[TAP Air Portugal]]
* [[TAP Air Portugal]]
* [[United Airlines]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Interline agreements===
===Interline agreements===
* [[Alaska Airlines]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/aviation/story/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-alaska-airlines-for-32-destinations-in-us-mexico-canada-404550-2023-11-04|title=Air India enters into interline partnership with Alaska Airlines for 32 destinations in US, Mexico, Canada|newspaper=Business Today|date=4 November 2023|access-date=4 November 2023}}</ref>
* [[Alaska Airlines]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/aviation/story/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-alaska-airlines-for-32-destinations-in-us-mexico-canada-404550-2023-11-04|title=Air India enters into interline partnership with Alaska Airlines for 32 destinations in US, Mexico, Canada|newspaper=Business Today|date=4 November 2023|access-date=4 November 2023|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009182613/https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/aviation/story/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-alaska-airlines-for-32-destinations-in-us-mexico-canada-404550-2023-11-04|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Bangkok Airways]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-bangkok-airways/articleshow/103479402.cms?from=mdr|title=Air India enters into interline partnership with Bangkok Airways|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 September 2023|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>
* [[Bangkok Airways]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-bangkok-airways/articleshow/103479402.cms|title=Air India enters into interline partnership with Bangkok Airways|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 September 2023|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919084544/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-bangkok-airways/articleshow/103479402.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
{{Multiple image
{{Multiple image|direction=vertical|image1=VT-ESC_A320-232_Air_India_(5598504534).jpg|caption1=Air India [[Airbus A320]]|image2=VT-ANL_Boeing_788_Air_India_(13894940893).jpg|caption2=Air India [[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-8]]|image3=Boeing 777-237(LR) Air India VT-ALD, LHR London, England (Heathrow Airport), United Kingdom PP1369760077.jpg|caption3=Air India [[Boeing 777-200LR]]|image4=Air India 777-300ER VT-ALL.jpg|caption4=Air India [[Boeing 777-300ER]]}}
| direction = vertical
| image1 = VT-RTN.jpg
| caption1 = Air India [[Airbus A320neo]]
| image2 = VT-ANL_Boeing_788_Air_India_(13894940893).jpg
| caption2 = Air India [[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-8]]
| image3 = Boeing 777-237(LR) Air India VT-ALD, LHR London, England (Heathrow Airport), United Kingdom PP1369760077.jpg
| caption3 = Air India [[Boeing 777-200LR]]
| image4 = Air India 777-300ER VT-ALL.jpg
| caption4 = Air India [[Boeing 777-300ER]]
| image5 = Air India A350 - 900.png
| caption5 = Air India [[Airbus A350-900]]
}}

{{Main|Air India fleet}}
{{Main|Air India fleet}}
{{As of|2024|02}}, Air India operates a fleet of 130 aircraft, both narrowbody and widebody aircraft with a fleet composed of [[Airbus A319]], [[Airbus A320 family|A320]], [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo]], [[Airbus A321|A321]], [[Airbus A321neo|A321neo]], [[Airbus A350|A350]] as well as [[Boeing 777]] and [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fleet Details|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/experience/airindia-fleet.html|publisher=Air India|access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref>
{{As of|2024|12}}, Air India operates a fleet of 205 aircraft, both narrowbody and widebody aircraft with a fleet composed of [[Airbus A319]], [[Airbus A320 family|A320]], [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo]], [[Airbus A321|A321]], [[Airbus A321neo|A321neo]], [[Airbus A350|A350]] as well as the [[Boeing 777]] and [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fleet Details|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/experience/airindia-fleet.html|publisher=Air India|access-date=31 December 2023|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231072540/https://www.airindia.com/in/en/experience/airindia-fleet.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Fleet information===
===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.<ref name="Jet"/> In 1971, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B named ''Emperor Ashoka'' (registered ''VT-EBD'')<ref name="nytimes.com"/> In 1986, Air India took delivery of its first Airbus A310-300.<ref name="Timeline"/> On 4 August 1993, Air India took the delivery of its first Boeing 747-400 named ''Konark'' (registered ''VT-ESM'').<ref>{{cite web|title=VT-ESM Air India Boeing 747–437|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/747/27078,VT-ESM-Air-India.php|publisher=PlaneSpotters|access-date=11 February 2013|archive-date=27 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527014914/http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/747/27078,VT-ESM-Air-India.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Jumbo"/> In 1989, Indian Airlines introduced the Airbus A320-200 aircraft, which Air India now uses to operate both domestic and international short haul flights.<ref name="Timeline"/> In 2005, Indian Airlines introduced the smaller, A319, which are now used mainly on domestic and regional routes.<ref name="Timeline"/> 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''.<ref>{{cite web|title=VT-ALA Air India Boeing 777–237(LR)|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/777/36300,VT-ALA-Air-India.php|publisher=PlaneSpotters|access-date=11 February 2013|archive-date=1 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201033118/http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/777/36300,VT-ALA-Air-India.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Air India received its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on 9 October 2007 and the aircraft was named as ''Bihar''.<ref>{{cite web|title=VT-ALJ Air India Boeing 777–337(ER)|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/777/36308,VT-ALJ-Air-India.php|publisher=PlaneSpotters|access-date=11 February 2013|archive-date=1 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101041743/http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/777/36308,VT-ALJ-Air-India.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Air India received its first Boeing 787 dreamliner aircraft on 6 September 2012 and commenced flights on 19 September 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/air-indias-dreamliner-to-be-in-service-from-sep-19-507222.html |title=Air India's Dreamliner to be in service from Sep 19|date=13 September 2012|work=IBN live|access-date=13 September 2012}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Jet"/> In 1971, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B named ''Emperor Ashoka'' (registered ''VT-EBD'')<ref name="nytimes.com"/> In 1986, Air India took delivery of its first Airbus A310-300.<ref name="Timeline"/> On 4 August 1993, Air India took the delivery of its first Boeing 747-400 named ''Konark'' (registered ''VT-ESM'')<ref name="Jumbo"/>{{Failed verification|date=August 2024}} In 1989, Indian Airlines introduced the Airbus A320-200 aircraft, which Air India now uses to operate both domestic and international short haul flights.<ref name="Timeline"/> In 2005, Indian Airlines introduced the smaller A319, which is now used mainly on domestic and regional routes.<ref name="Timeline"/> 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''.{{Cn|date=August 2024}} Air India received its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on 9 October 2007 and the aircraft was named as ''Bihar''.{{Cn|date=August 2024}} Air India received its first Boeing 787 dreamliner aircraft on 6 September 2012 and commenced flights on 19 September 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 September 2012 |title=Air India's Dreamliner to be in service from Sep 19 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/air-indias-dreamliner-to-be-in-service-from-sep-19-507222.html |access-date=13 September 2012 |work=News 18 |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009182617/https://www.news18.com/news/india/air-indias-dreamliner-to-be-in-service-from-sep-19-507222.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


[[Air India One]] is the [[call sign]] of any Air India aircraft carrying the Prime Minister, [[President of India|President]] or the [[Vice President of India|Vice-President]].<ref name="ie2010">{{cite news|title=Air India One, Seat No 59G|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-india-one-seat-no-59g/687970/1|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 April 2011|date=26 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="topnews">{{cite news|title=Manmohan Singh to travel in Air India One Agra|url=http://www.topnews.in/manmohan-singh-travel-air-india-one-agra-2238677|publisher=Topnews.in|date=26 September 2010|access-date=9 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="zee">{{cite news|title=April 1 date for President with business jets|url=http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2009-03-16/515323news.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523183547/http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2009-03-16/515323news.html|archivedate=23 May 2012|access-date=8 April 2011|newspaper=Zee News|date=16 March 2009}}</ref> 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 contatract..<ref>{{cite news|last=Raj|first=Ashoke|date=14 August 2020|title=Contingents of Air India, IAF, govt officials and security personnel leave for US to collect VVIP aircraft 'Air India One'|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/contingents-of-air-india-iaf-govt-officials-and-security-personnel-leave-for-us-to-collect-vvip-aircraft-air-india-one20200814180112/|access-date=25 September 2021|work=ANI News}}</ref>
[[Air India One]] is the [[call sign]] of any Air India aircraft carrying the prime minister, [[President of India|president]] or the [[Vice President of India|vice-president]].<ref name="ie2010">{{cite news|title=Air India One, Seat No 59G|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-india-one-seat-no-59g/687970/1|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 April 2011|date=26 September 2010|archive-date=13 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113173507/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-india-one-seat-no-59g/687970/1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="topnews">{{cite news|title=Manmohan Singh to travel in Air India One Agra|url=http://www.topnews.in/manmohan-singh-travel-air-india-one-agra-2238677|publisher=Topnews.in|date=26 September 2010|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014190916/http://www.topnews.in/manmohan-singh-travel-air-india-one-agra-2238677|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="zee">{{cite news|title=April 1 date for President with business jets|url=http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2009-03-16/515323news.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523183547/http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2009-03-16/515323news.html|archivedate=23 May 2012|access-date=8 April 2011|newspaper=Zee News|date=16 March 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Raj|first=Ashoke|date=14 August 2020|title=Contingents of Air India, IAF, govt officials and security personnel leave for US to collect VVIP aircraft 'Air India One'|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/contingents-of-air-india-iaf-govt-officials-and-security-personnel-leave-for-us-to-collect-vvip-aircraft-air-india-one20200814180112/|access-date=25 September 2021|work=ANI News|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924194243/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/contingents-of-air-india-iaf-govt-officials-and-security-personnel-leave-for-us-to-collect-vvip-aircraft-air-india-one20200814180112/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Fleet restructuring===
===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–Tacoma International Airport|Seattle]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]] and [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] were cancelled due to factors like high fuel prices and weak demand.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Air India firms up deal to sell five Boeing 777 to Etihad|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/air-india-firms-up-deal-to-sell-five-boeing-777-to-etihad/article5433602.ece|access-date=25 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 December 2013|archive-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213235958/http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/air-india-firms-up-deal-to-sell-five-boeing-777-to-etihad/article5433602.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, the airline decided to sell its remaining three Boeing 777-200LRs as well, citing higher operating costs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Choudury|first=Santanu|title=Air India to Sell Rest of 777-200 Fleet|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303825604579515153204933772|access-date=25 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=21 April 2014|archive-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215210314/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303825604579515153204933772|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India seeks to lease 14 Airbus A320 aircraft|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/uk-airindia-tender-idINKBN0DA0QX20140424|access-date=25 April 2014|work=[[Reuters]]|date=24 April 2014|archive-date=26 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426215200/http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/uk-airindia-tender-idINKBN0DA0QX20140424|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=air india: Air India bids adieu to 'your palace in the sky' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-bids-adieu-to-your-palace-in-the-sky/articleshow/109382236.cms |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=[[The Economic Times]] |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418025035/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-bids-adieu-to-your-palace-in-the-sky/articleshow/109382236.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Air India is also planning to establish a dedicated subsidiary for cargo operations with dedicated [[Cargo aircraft|freighters]].<ref name=":3" />
[[File:VT-JRA.jpg|thumb|Air India's first Airbus A350-941 ]]
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–Tacoma International Airport|Seattle]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]] and [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] were cancelled due to factors like high fuel prices and weak demand.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Air India firms up deal to sell five Boeing 777 to Etihad|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/air-india-firms-up-deal-to-sell-five-boeing-777-to-etihad/article5433602.ece|access-date=25 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 December 2013}}</ref> In April 2014, the airline decided to sell its remaining three Boeing 777-200LRs as well, citing higher operating costs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Choudury|first=Santanu|title=Air India to Sell Rest of 777-200 Fleet|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303825604579515153204933772|access-date=25 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=21 April 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India seeks to lease 14 Airbus A320 aircraft|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/uk-airindia-tender-idINKBN0DA0QX20140424|access-date=25 April 2014|work=[[Reuters]]|date=24 April 2014|archive-date=26 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426215200/http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/uk-airindia-tender-idINKBN0DA0QX20140424|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===New aircraft orders===
===New aircraft orders===
[[File:A350&B777x.jpg|thumb|AI's first A350 alongside it's future companion, the B777X that the airline has ordered in early 2023 during the Paris air show.]]
[[File:A350&B777x.jpg|thumb|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&nbsp;– 8 [[Boeing 777-200LR]], 15 [[Boeing 777-300ER]], 18 [[Boeing 737-800]] and 27 [[Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner]]s. The eighteen Boeing 737s ordered were later transferred to Air India Express and Air India took delivery of the dream liners.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/all-27-dreamliners-to-be-delivered-by-2016/186440/on|title=All 27 Dreamliners to be delivered by 2016|date=1 July 2012|access-date=13 September 2012}}</ref> On 14 February 2023, Air India announced an order for 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing consisting of 210 [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo family]], 40 [[Airbus A350|A350]], 190 [[Boeing 737 MAX|737 MAX]], 20 [[Boeing 787|787-9]] and 10 [[Boeing 777X|777-9]] aircraft at a cost of US$70 billion with deliveries beginning late 2023.<ref name="Rec"/>
On 11 January 2006, Air India announced an order for 68 jets&nbsp;– 8 [[Boeing 777-200LR]], 15 [[Boeing 777-300ER]], 18 [[Boeing 737-800]] and 27 [[Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner]]s. The 18 Boeing 737s ordered were later transferred to Air India Express and Air India took delivery of the Dreamliners.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/all-27-dreamliners-to-be-delivered-by-2016/186440/on|title=All 27 Dreamliners to be delivered by 2016|date=1 July 2012|access-date=13 September 2012|archive-date=11 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211103640/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/all-27-dreamliners-to-be-delivered-by-2016/186440/on|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 14 February 2023, Air India announced an order for 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing consisting of 210 [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo family]], 40 [[Airbus A350|A350]], 190 [[Boeing 737 MAX|737 MAX]], 20 [[Boeing 787|787-9]], and 10 [[Boeing 777X|777-9]] aircraft for US$70 billion with deliveries beginning late 2023.<ref name="Rec" />

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

[[File:Air India new aircraft Airbus A320 safety instruction booklet.jpg|thumb|New Airbus A320 safety instruction booklet]]


==Services==
==Services==
Line 262: Line 312:


===Cabin===
===Cabin===
The [[Boeing 777|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SeatGuru Seat Map Air India |url=https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_India/Air_India_Boeing_777-200LR.php |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.seatguru.com}}</ref> These include the carrier's older, 2-3-2 business class cabins and 3-3-3 economy class cabins. Following privatization, Air India began operating ex-[[Delta Air Lines|Delta]] 777-200LRs on certain routes to North America, which allowed for the airline to introduce Premium Economy (using Delta's Premium Economy product).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Schlappig |first=Ben |date=2022-12-15 |title=Air India Starts Flying Former Delta 777-200LRs |url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-delta-777/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=One Mile at a Time |language=en-US}}</ref> The introduction of ex-[[Etihad Airways|Etihad]] 777-300ERs on routes to [[Heathrow Airport|London-Heathrow]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Gaurav |date=2023-08-21 |title=Air India Brings Back Boeing 777 Service To London |url=https://simpleflying.com/air-india-boeing-777-service-to-london/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Simple Flying |language=en}}</ref> introduced a third product type within the carrier's fleet (though Premium Economy product is still limited to the ex-Delta 777s).
The [[Boeing 777|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SeatGuru Seat Map Air India |url=https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_India/Air_India_Boeing_777-200LR.php |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=www.seatguru.com |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312030445/http://seatguru.com/airlines/Air_India/Air_India_Boeing_777-200LR.php |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 Air Lines|Delta]] 777-200LRs on certain routes to North America, which allowed for the airline to introduce Premium Economy (using Delta's Premium Select product).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Schlappig |first=Ben |date=15 December 2022 |title=Air India Starts Flying Former Delta 777-200LRs |url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-delta-777/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=One Mile at a Time |language=en-US |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130214935/https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-delta-777/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The introduction of ex-[[Etihad Airways|Etihad]] 777-300ERs on routes to [[Heathrow Airport|London-Heathrow]]{{cn|date=April 2024}} 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 Dreamliner]]s 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.
Air India's [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]]s 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-01 |title=Air India A350 bookings open: Check schedule, routes of the wide-body plane |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/air-india-airbus-a350-bookings-open-check-schedule-routes-of-the-wide-body-plane-101704105864085.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> The A350-900, registered VT-GRA,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-30 |title=Air India Fleet Details and History |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Air-India |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Planespotters.net |language=en}}</ref> is one of six A350-900s that were originally scheduled to be delivered to [[Aeroflot]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Seet |first=Charlotte |date=2023-02-28 |title=Supply Chain Constraints Forces Air India To Receive Airbus A350s With Aeroflot Cabins |url=https://simpleflying.com/air-india-airbus-a350s-aeroflot-cabins/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Simple Flying |language=en}}</ref> Citing supply chain constraints,<ref name=":3" /> Air India chose to introduce these aircraft with interiors chosen by Aeroflot, and include 1-2-1 lie flat business class seats, premium economy, and economy.
In January 2024, the airline introduced its first [[Airbus A350]] on select domestic services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2024 |title=Air India A350 bookings open: Check schedule, routes of the wide-body plane |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/air-india-airbus-a350-bookings-open-check-schedule-routes-of-the-wide-body-plane-101704105864085.html |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009182708/https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/air-india-airbus-a350-bookings-open-check-schedule-routes-of-the-wide-body-plane-101704105864085.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Within its [[Airbus A320 family|A320 fleet]], which primarily serve domestic and regional international services, only business and economy class are offered,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=SeatGuru Seat Map Air India |url=https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_India/Air_India_Airbus_A319_V1.php |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.seatguru.com}}</ref> with some aircraft, including newly delivered [[Airbus A320neo family|A320/321neo]] aircraft having only economy class.<ref name=":4" />
Within its [[Airbus A320 family|A320ceo fleet]], which primarily serves domestic and regional international services, only business and economy class are offered,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=SeatGuru Seat Map Air India |url=https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_India/Air_India_Airbus_A319_V1.php |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=www.seatguru.com |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131035120/https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_India/Air_India_Airbus_A319_V1.php |url-status=live }}</ref> with some aircraft, including newly delivered [[Airbus A320neo family|A320/321neo]] aircraft having only economy class.<ref name=":4" />

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===
===In-flight entertainment===
Air India aircraft are equipped with [[Thales Group|Thales]] i3000 [[in-flight entertainment]] system. Passengers can choose from five channels airing Hindi and English content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/Images/pdf/e-guide.pdf|title=Air India in-flight entertainment guide|publisher=Air India|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327145721/http://www.airindia.in/Images/pdf/e-guide.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> Air India's Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft are also equipped with personal on-demand in-flight entertainment systems on which passengers can choose from available content.<ref>{{cite web|title=Showtime|url=http://airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/e_guide_final.pdf?MID=29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224024234/http://airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/e_guide_final.pdf?MID=29|archive-date=24 February 2013|publisher=Air India|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> ''Showtime'' is the official entertainment guide published by Air India. ''Shubh Yatra'' (meaning ''Happy Journey'') is a bilingual in-flight magazine published in English and Hindi by Air India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India to now have a new in-flight bi-lingual magazine|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-now-have-a-new-in-flight-bi-lingual-magazine/articleshow/18403161.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 February 2013|date=8 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823134650/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-now-have-a-new-in-flight-bi-lingual-magazine/articleshow/18403161.cms|archive-date=23 August 2017}}</ref>
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 Group|Thales]] i5000 on the 777-300ER, the Thales i8000 on the 787-8s, to the [[Panasonic Avionics Corporation|Panasonic]] eX3 on the A350-900, 777-200LR and 787-9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukhi |first=Karun |date=19 February 2024 |title=Air India transforms 777-200LR IFE with new GUI, content and map |url=https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2024/02/air-india-777-200lr-ife/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=[[Runway Girl Network]] |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520202615/https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2024/02/air-india-777-200lr-ife/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2024 |title=AIR INDIA SELECTS THALES' AVANT UP IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TO ELEVATE EXPERIENCE FOR ITS PASSENGERS |url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/aerospace/press_release/air-india-selects-thales-flight-entertainment-elevate-experience |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Thales Group |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520202622/https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/aerospace/press_release/air-india-selects-thales-flight-entertainment-elevate-experience |url-status=live }}</ref> Air India does not offer seatback entertainment on its narrowbody fleet, with the exception of the A321LR, which uses Panasonic's eX1 system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blachly |first=Linda |date=2020-07-27 |title=Vistara’s first A321neo offers lie-flat seats |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/vistaras-first-a321neo-offers-lie-flat-seats |website=Aviation Week}}</ref> On its other narrowbodies, and as an interim solution on its legacy widebody fleet, Air India uses the Bluebox streaming IFE service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air India Introduces ‘Vista’ |url=https://blueboxaviation.com/air-india-launch/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Bluebox Aviation}}</ref> ''Namaste.ai'' is the current in-flight magazine published in English by Air India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2023 |title=Air India launches in-flight magazine namaste.ai |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-launches-in-flight-magazine-namaste-ai-8859773/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=The Indian Express |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728194304/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-launches-in-flight-magazine-namaste-ai-8859773/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It replaced ''Shubh Yatra'' (meaning ''Happy Journey''), which was a bilingual in-flight magazine published in English and Hindi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India to now have a new in-flight bi-lingual magazine|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-now-have-a-new-in-flight-bi-lingual-magazine/articleshow/18403161.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 February 2013|date=8 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823134650/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-now-have-a-new-in-flight-bi-lingual-magazine/articleshow/18403161.cms|archive-date=23 August 2017}}</ref>

===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. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/11/20/air-india-inflight-wi-fi-on-a350s-787-9s/ |title=Air India Silently Introduced Inflight Wi-Fi on A350s and 787-9s |access-date=26 November 2024 |archive-date=25 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125201725/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/11/20/air-india-inflight-wi-fi-on-a350s-787-9s/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Frequent flyer programme===
===Frequent flyer programme===
''Flying Returns'' is 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Flying Returns|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/flying-returns.html|publisher=Air India|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref>
''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.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Flying Returns|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/flying-returns.html|publisher=Air India|access-date=29 January 2013|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009182719/https://www.airindia.com/in/en/flying-returns.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the merger of Air India and Vistara, Flying Returns and Club Vistara were combined and rebranded as Maharaja Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharaja Club: The new loyal program for fliers after Vistara-Air India merger |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/maharaja-club-the-new-loyal-program-for-fliers-after-vistara-air-india-merger-101731297465320.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 November 2024 |archive-date=11 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111052734/https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/maharaja-club-the-new-loyal-program-for-fliers-after-vistara-air-india-merger-101731297465320.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ajay |date=18 October 2024 |title=Merged Club Vistara and Air India Flying Returns to be called "Maharaja Club" |url=https://livefromalounge.com/merged-club-vistara-air-india-flying-returns-maharaja-club/ |access-date=12 November 2024 |website=Live From A Lounge |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113040440/https://livefromalounge.com/merged-club-vistara-air-india-flying-returns-maharaja-club/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kulkarni |first=Sneha |date=11 November 2024 |title=Maharaja Club: After merger with Vistara, Air India Flying Returns will become Maharaja Club; members won't be able to access account temporarily |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/personal-finance-news/maharaja-club-after-merger-with-vistara-air-india-flying-returns-will-become-maharaja-club-members-wont-be-able-to-access-account-temporarily/articleshow/115169779.cms |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>


==Missions==
==Missions==
As the flag carrier, Air India is often involved in evacuation of civilians during wars. The airline entered the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] for the most people evacuated by civil airliner.<ref name=Guinness/> Over 111,000 people were evacuated from Amman to Mumbai, a distance of {{convert|4117|km}}, by operating 488 flights from 13 August to 11 October 1990 &nbsp;– lasting 59 days. The operation was carried out during [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] to evacuate [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indian expatriates]] from [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]].<ref name=Guinness>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisismyindia.com/air-line/airindia.html|title=Air India, History of Air India, Air India Flight Services, Air India International, Passenger Operations, Awards in Air India|publisher=Thisismyindia.com|access-date=10 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231062841/http://thisismyindia.com/air-line/airindia.html|archive-date=31 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Venkataramakrishnan|first1=Rohan|title=The Berlin airlift was remarkable, but the largest civilian evacuation in history is by India|publisher=Scroll.in|date=2 July 2014|url=http://scroll.in/article/668866/the-berlin-airlift-during-ww-ii-was-remarkable-but-the-largest-civilian-airlift-was-by-india|access-date=11 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416192358/http://scroll.in/article/668866/the-berlin-airlift-during-ww-ii-was-remarkable-but-the-largest-civilian-airlift-was-by-india|archive-date=16 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/15179/heres-need-know-largest-air-evacuation-history-india/|title=Did You Know That The Largest Air Evacuation in History Was Done By India?|date=18 February 2015|publisher=The Better India|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305062841/http://www.thebetterindia.com/15179/heres-need-know-largest-air-evacuation-history-india/|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Airlift-Akshay-Kumars-next-a-thriller-of-the-biggest-human-evacuation/articleshow/40364005.cms|title=Airlift: Akshay Kumar's next a thriller of the biggest human evacuation|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=19 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111163459/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Airlift-Akshay-Kumars-next-a-thriller-of-the-biggest-human-evacuation/articleshow/40364005.cms|archive-date=11 January 2016}}</ref> [[1990 airlift of Indians from Kuwait|The event]] was later featured in the film ''[[Airlift (film)|Airlift]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/mathunny-mathews-the-real-life-hero-of-airlift-dies-in-kuwait-1407625.html|title=Mathunny Mathews, the Real-life Hero of 'Airlift', Dies in Kuwait|date=21 May 2017|publisher=News 18}}</ref>
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.<ref name=Guinness/> Over 111,000 people were evacuated from Amman to Mumbai, a distance of {{convert|4117|km}}, by operating 488 flights from 13 August to 11 October 1990 &nbsp;– lasting 59 days. The operation was carried out during [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] to evacuate [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indian expatriates]] from [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]].<ref name=Guinness>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisismyindia.com/air-line/airindia.html|title=Air India, History of Air India, Air India Flight Services, Air India International, Passenger Operations, Awards in Air India|publisher=Thisismyindia.com|access-date=10 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231062841/http://thisismyindia.com/air-line/airindia.html|archive-date=31 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Venkataramakrishnan|first1=Rohan|title=The Berlin airlift was remarkable, but the largest civilian evacuation in history is by India|publisher=Scroll.in|date=2 July 2014|url=http://scroll.in/article/668866/the-berlin-airlift-during-ww-ii-was-remarkable-but-the-largest-civilian-airlift-was-by-india|access-date=11 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416192358/http://scroll.in/article/668866/the-berlin-airlift-during-ww-ii-was-remarkable-but-the-largest-civilian-airlift-was-by-india|archive-date=16 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/15179/heres-need-know-largest-air-evacuation-history-india/|title=Did You Know That The Largest Air Evacuation in History Was Done By India?|date=18 February 2015|publisher=The Better India|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305062841/http://www.thebetterindia.com/15179/heres-need-know-largest-air-evacuation-history-india/|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Airlift-Akshay-Kumars-next-a-thriller-of-the-biggest-human-evacuation/articleshow/40364005.cms|title=Airlift: Akshay Kumar's next a thriller of the biggest human evacuation|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=19 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111163459/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Airlift-Akshay-Kumars-next-a-thriller-of-the-biggest-human-evacuation/articleshow/40364005.cms|archive-date=11 January 2016}}</ref> [[1990 airlift of Indians from Kuwait|The event]] was later featured in the film ''[[Airlift (film)|Airlift]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/mathunny-mathews-the-real-life-hero-of-airlift-dies-in-kuwait-1407625.html|title=Mathunny Mathews, the Real-life Hero of 'Airlift', Dies in Kuwait|date=21 May 2017|publisher=News 18|access-date=27 June 2018|archive-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202201/https://www.news18.com/news/india/mathunny-mathews-the-real-life-hero-of-airlift-dies-in-kuwait-1407625.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


In February–March 2011, Air India evacuated of more than 15,000 Indian nationals during the [[Libyan civil war (2011)|Libyan civil war]].<ref name="Evac">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/times-when-india-successfully-evacuated-its-citizens-during-crisis-2448179-2023-10-12|title=Times when India evacuated its citizens during crisis|newspaper=[[India Today]]|access-date=1 December 2023|date=12 October 2023}}</ref> In March–April 2015, the airline was involved in ''Operation Raahat'' during the [[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemeni civil war]].<ref name="Evac"/> In August 2021, Air India evacuated 669 people under ''Operation Devi Shakti'' from war-torn [[Afghanistan]] during the [[2021 Taliban offensive]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-flight-with-78-people-evacuated-from-afghanistan-lands-in-delhi-101629774345596.html|title=Air India flight with 78 people evacuated from Afghanistan lands in Delhi|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=24 August 2021|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In February 2022, Air India evacuated Indian citizens from [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]] as a part of ''Operation Ganga'' during the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60474292|title=Air India: India begins evacuating citizens from Ukraine|publisher=BBC|date=22 February 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, the airline evacuated people from [[Israel]] during the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war]] as a part of ''Operation Ajay''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-ajay-air-india-flight-from-israel-to-arrive-in-delhi-on-october-13-morning/article67413871.ece|title=India evacuates 212 citizens from Israel in first Operation Ajay flight|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
In February–March 2011, Air India evacuated more than 15,000 Indian nationals during the [[Libyan civil war (2011)|Libyan civil war]].<ref name="Evac">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/times-when-india-successfully-evacuated-its-citizens-during-crisis-2448179-2023-10-12|title=Times when India evacuated its citizens during crisis|newspaper=[[India Today]]|access-date=1 December 2023|date=12 October 2023|archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217131257/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/times-when-india-successfully-evacuated-its-citizens-during-crisis-2448179-2023-10-12|url-status=live}}</ref> In March–April 2015, the airline was involved in ''Operation Raahat'' during the [[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemeni civil war]].<ref name="Evac"/> In August 2021, Air India evacuated 669 people under ''Operation Devi Shakti'' from war-torn [[Afghanistan]] during the [[2021 Taliban offensive]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-flight-with-78-people-evacuated-from-afghanistan-lands-in-delhi-101629774345596.html|title=Air India flight with 78 people evacuated from Afghanistan lands in Delhi|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=24 August 2021|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217131257/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-flight-with-78-people-evacuated-from-afghanistan-lands-in-delhi-101629774345596.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2022, Air India evacuated Indian citizens from [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]] as a part of ''Operation Ganga'' during the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60474292|title=Air India: India begins evacuating citizens from Ukraine|publisher=BBC|date=22 February 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217131257/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60474292|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2023, the airline evacuated people from [[Israel]] during the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war]] as a part of ''Operation Ajay''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-ajay-air-india-flight-from-israel-to-arrive-in-delhi-on-october-13-morning/article67413871.ece|title=India evacuates 212 citizens from Israel in first Operation Ajay flight|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|date=23 October 2023|archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217131257/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-ajay-air-india-flight-from-israel-to-arrive-in-delhi-on-october-13-morning/article67413871.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Awards and recognitions==
==Awards and recognitions==
* ''Preferred International Airline'' for travel and hospitality from Awaz Consumer Awards (2006)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072102901809.htm |title=Air India bags Awaz consumer awards 2006 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 July 2006|access-date=30 August 2010|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>
* ''Preferred International Airline'' for travel and hospitality from Awaz Consumer Awards (2006)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072102901809.htm|title=Air India bags Awaz consumer awards 2006|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 July 2006|access-date=30 August 2010|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206182945/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072102901809.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative'' by Galileo Express Travel World<ref name="home.airindia.in">{{cite news|url=http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/Backgrounder-Note.aspx?MID=196|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222084408/http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/Backgrounder-Note.aspx?MID=196|archivedate=22 February 2010|title=Air India on the upswing |publisher=Air India|access-date=10 June 2010}}</ref>
* ''Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative'' by Galileo Express Travel World<ref name="home.airindia.in">{{cite news|url=http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/Backgrounder-Note.aspx?MID=196|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222084408/http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/Backgrounder-Note.aspx?MID=196|archivedate=22 February 2010|title=Air India on the upswing |publisher=Air India|access-date=10 June 2010}}</ref>
* ''Best Short-Haul International Airline'' by Galileo Express Travel World (2008)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Best Short-Haul International Airline'' by Galileo Express Travel World (2008)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Corporate Excellence Award'' by [[Amity University]] (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Corporate Excellence Award'' by [[Amity University, Noida|Amity University]] (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Trusted Brand'' by [[Reader's Digest]] (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Trusted Brand'' by [[Reader's Digest]] (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Dun and Bradstreet Award'' (D&B), first in terms of revenue out of the top airline companies out of India (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Dun and Bradstreet Award'' (D&B), first in terms of revenue out of the top airline companies out of India (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Best South Asian Airline'', Mice and business travel publications (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Best South Asian Airline'', Mice and business travel publications (2006)<ref name="home.airindia.in"/>
* ''Cargo Airline of the Year'', 26th Cargo Airline of the Year Awards<ref>{{cite news|url=http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/cargo-wins.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504082932/http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/cargo-wins.aspx|archivedate=4 May 2009 |title=Air India Cargo wins 'Cargo Airline' Award |publisher=Air India|date=29 April 2009 |access-date=10 June 2010}}</ref>
* ''Cargo Airline of the Year'', 26th Cargo Airline of the Year Awards<ref>{{cite news|url=http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/cargo-wins.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504082932/http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/cargo-wins.aspx|archivedate=4 May 2009 |title=Air India Cargo wins 'Cargo Airline' Award |publisher=Air India|date=29 April 2009 |access-date=10 June 2010}}</ref>
* ''Montreal Protocol Public Awareness Award'' by the United Nations for environmental protection<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.moneycontrol.com/news/business/air-india-gets-montreal-protocol-public-awareness-award_303164.html|title=Air India bags UN Environment Award|newspaper=Money Control|access-date=30 August 2010|date=14 September 2007}}</ref>
* ''Montreal Protocol Public Awareness Award'' by the United Nations for environmental protection<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.moneycontrol.com/news/business/air-india-gets-montreal-protocol-public-awareness-award_303164.html|title=Air India bags UN Environment Award|newspaper=Money Control|access-date=30 August 2010|date=14 September 2007|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009182713/https://www.moneycontrol.com/europe/?url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/air-india-gets-montreal-protocol-public-awareness-award_303164.html?classic=true&classic=true|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Air India was named India's most trusted airline by The Brand Trust Report 2015.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Brand Trust Report India Study 2015|last=Chandramouli|publisher=TRA|year=2015|isbn=978-81-920823-8-7|page=182}}</ref>
* Air India was named India's most trusted airline by The Brand Trust Report 2015.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Brand Trust Report India Study 2015|last=Chandramouli|publisher=TRA|year=2015|isbn=978-81-920823-8-7|page=182}}</ref>


Air India's ground services became the first ground service provider to acquire [[ISO 9002]] certification on 31 January 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/1999/may/13airin1.htm|title=Air India gets ISO 9002 certification|date=13 May 1999|work=[[Rediff]]|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/introduction.htm|title=Introduction to Air India|publisher=Air India|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>
Air India's ground services became the first ground service provider to acquire [[ISO 9002]] certification on 31 January 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/1999/may/13airin1.htm|title=Air India gets ISO 9002 certification|date=13 May 1999|work=[[Rediff]]|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002233824/http://www.rediff.com/business/1999/may/13airin1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/introduction.htm|title=Introduction to Air India|publisher=Air India|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=13 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313222548/http://www.airindia.in/introduction.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Accidents and incidents==
==Accidents and incidents==
{{See also|Air_India_Express#Accidents_and_incidents|label 1=Air India ExpressAccidents 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.
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, [[1947 Korangi Creek crash|crashed]] at [[Korangi Creek Cantonment|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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-AUG|id=19471227-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 27 December 1947, a Douglas C-48C (registered VT-AUG) carrying nineteen passengers and four crew en route from Karachi to Bombay, [[1947 Korangi Creek crash|crashed]] at [[Korangi Creek Cantonment|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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-AUG|id=19471227-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 3 November 1950, [[Air India Flight 245]], a [[Lockheed Constellation|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghmorel.free.fr/malpag/synus.html|title=Malabar Princess|access-date=17 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720221455/http://ghmorel.free.fr/malpag/synus.html|archive-date=20 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montblanc.to/uk/glacier/texte4.html|title=The 'Malabar Princess' Catastrophe|access-date=17 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620064252/http://www.montblanc.to/uk/glacier/texte4.html|archive-date= 20 June 2009}}</ref>
* On 3 November 1950, [[Air India Flight 245]], a [[Lockheed Constellation|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghmorel.free.fr/malpag/synus.html|title=Malabar Princess|access-date=17 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720221455/http://ghmorel.free.fr/malpag/synus.html|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montblanc.to/uk/glacier/texte4.html|title=The 'Malabar Princess' Catastrophe|access-date=17 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620064252/http://www.montblanc.to/uk/glacier/texte4.html|archive-date= 20 June 2009}}</ref>
* On 13 December 1950, a Douglas C-47B (registered VT-CFK) carrying 17 passengers and four crew from Bombay to [[Coimbatore airport|Coimbatore]], crashed into high ground near [[Kotagiri]] due to a navigational error, killing all on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-CFK|id=19501213-1|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>
* On 13 December 1950, a Douglas C-47B (registered VT-CFK) carrying 17 passengers and four crew from Bombay to [[Coimbatore airport|Coimbatore]], crashed into high ground near [[Kotagiri]] due to a navigational error, killing all on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-CFK|id=19501213-1|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-CCA|id=19510915-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-CCA|id=19510915-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-AUD|id=19530509-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-AUD|id=19530509-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 11 April 1955, ''[[Kashmir Princess]]'', a [[Lockheed Constellation|Lockheed L-749A Constellation]] (registered VT-DEP) flying from [[Kai Tak Airport|Hong Kong]] to [[Jakarta airport|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 eight crew.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-DEP|id=19550411-1|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Déjà vu from 30,000&nbsp;ft|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Dj-vu-from-30000-ft/articleshow/45747222.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 January 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607212935/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Dj-vu-from-30000-ft/articleshow/45747222.cms|archive-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>
* On 11 April 1955, ''[[Kashmir Princess]]'', a [[Lockheed Constellation|Lockheed L-749A Constellation]] (registered VT-DEP) flying from [[Kai Tak Airport|Hong Kong]] to [[Jakarta airport|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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-DEP|id=19550411-1|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Déjà vu from 30,000&nbsp;ft|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Dj-vu-from-30000-ft/articleshow/45747222.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 January 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607212935/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Dj-vu-from-30000-ft/articleshow/45747222.cms|archive-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>
* On 19 July 1959 ''Rani of Aera'', a [[Lockheed Constellation|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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-DIN|id=19590719-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Air India Memorial.jpg|thumb|upright|The Air India Memorial in Toronto, Ontario, Canada dedicated to the victims of [[Air India Flight 182]]]]
[[File:Air India Memorial.jpg|thumb|upright|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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9509958/Diplomatic-post-bag-from-1966-Indian-plane-crash-found-on-Mont-Blanc.html|title=Diplomatic post bag from 1966 Indian plane crash found on Mont Blanc|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=22 August 2012|access-date=28 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203232542/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9509958/Diplomatic-post-bag-from-1966-Indian-plane-crash-found-on-Mont-Blanc.html|archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>
* 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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9509958/Diplomatic-post-bag-from-1966-Indian-plane-crash-found-on-Mont-Blanc.html|title=Diplomatic post bag from 1966 Indian plane crash found on Mont Blanc|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=22 August 2012|access-date=28 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203232542/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9509958/Diplomatic-post-bag-from-1966-Indian-plane-crash-found-on-Mont-Blanc.html|archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>
* On 25 December 1974, Air India Flight 105, a Boeing 747-237B (registered VT-EBE), flying from Santacruz airport, Bombay to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York JFK]], with stops at [[Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport|Beirut]], [[Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport|Rome]], and [[Orly Airport|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 top Italian police officers after landing.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-EBE|id=19741225-3|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 1 January 1978, [[Air India Flight 855]] ''Emperor Ashoka,'' a [[Boeing 747|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.<ref name="nytimes.com"/>
* On 1 January 1978, [[Air India Flight 855]] ''Emperor Ashoka,'' a [[Boeing 747|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.<ref name="nytimes.com"/>
* On 21 June 1982, [[Air India Flight 403]] ''Gouri Shankar'', a Boeing 707-420 (registered VT-DJJ) carrying 99 passengers and 12 crew from [[Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India|title=Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 06221982|publisher=Airdisaster.com|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100811193649/http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India|archive-date= 11 August 2010|url-status= usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm|title=Fatal Events Since 1970 for Air India|publisher=Airsafe.com|access-date=30 August 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223015026/http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm|archive-date=23 February 2010 }}</ref>
* On 21 June 1982, [[Air India Flight 403]] ''Gouri Shankar'', a Boeing 707-420 (registered VT-DJJ) carrying 99 passengers and 12 crew from [[Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India|title=Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 06221982|publisher=Airdisaster.com|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100811193649/http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India|archive-date= 11 August 2010|url-status= usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm|title=Fatal Events Since 1970 for Air India|publisher=Airsafe.com|access-date=30 August 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223015026/http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm|archive-date=23 February 2010 }}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-EFO|id=19830128-1|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> On 23 June 1985, the same aircraft flying as [[Air India Flight 182]] was blown up in mid-air by a suitcase-bomb planted by [[Babbar Khalsa|Babbar Khalsa terrorists]] on the first leg of its [[Montreal]]-[[London]]-Delhi-Bombay flight. The aircraft exploded off the coast of [[County Cork|Cork]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] killing all 307 passengers and 22 crew on board.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/airindia/|title=Indepth: Air India|publisher=CBC News|access-date=8 May 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070506221356/http://www.cbc.ca/news/airindia/|archive-date= 6 May 2007}}</ref>
* 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|Babbar Khalsa terrorists]] on the first leg of its [[Montreal]]-[[London]]-Delhi-Bombay flight. The aircraft exploded off the coast of [[County Cork|Cork]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] killing all 307 passengers and 22 crew on board.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/airindia/|title=Indepth: Air India|publisher=CBC News|access-date=8 May 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070506221356/http://www.cbc.ca/news/airindia/|archive-date= 6 May 2007}}</ref>
* 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 (aviation)|pushback]] when the co-pilot mistook a signal and started the engine.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Anirban|date=17 December 2015|title=Air India technician dies in freak accident|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-technician-dies-in-freak-accident/articleshow/50209907.cms|access-date=7 December 2019|archive-date=16 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216105203/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-technician-dies-in-freak-accident/articleshow/50209907.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Non-Fatal ===
* On 19 July 1959 ''Rani of Aera'', a [[Lockheed Constellation|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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-DIN|id=19590719-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 25 December 1974, Air India Flight 105, a Boeing 747-237B (registered VT-EBE), flying from Santacruz airport, Bombay to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York JFK]], with stops at [[Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport|Beirut]], [[Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport|Rome]], and [[Orly Airport|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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-EBE|id=19741225-3|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 29 August 1978, Air India Flight 123, a Boeing 747-237B (registered VT-EBO), flying from [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]] to [[Frankfurt Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/328799|title= VT-EBO at DEL in 1978|access-date= 18 November 2024|archive-date= 30 November 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241130062825/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/328799|url-status= live}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-EFO|id=19830128-1|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/327426|title=Accident Boeing 747-237B VT-EDU, Saturday 2 June 1984|website=asn.flightsafety.org|access-date=9 August 2024|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009183313/https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/327426|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-EBO|id=19900507-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-EBO|id=19900507-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 30 July 2005, Air India Flight 127, a Boeing 747-400, flying from HAL Airport, Bangalore skidded while landing at Mumbai which damaged the nose wheel landing gear after hitting a few runway lights. While there were no injuries, the plane sustained damage and was taken off service for repairs.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ai-plane-skids-off-runway/story-knm5uKinB2frFFlW1vKo5H.html|title= AI plane skids off runway|date=30 July 2005|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/30airport1.htm|title= A-I pilot did not brake hard: Patel|date=30 July 2005|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Rediff}}</ref>
* On 20 January 1999, Air India Flight 121, a Boeing 747-400 (registered as VT-EVA), flying from Delhi to [[Frankfurt Airport|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 [[Instrument landing system localizer|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/147133|title= VT-EVA at FRA, January 1999|access-date= 22 August 2024|archive-date= 22 August 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240822161230/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/147133|url-status= live}}</ref>
* 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 [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago]] with stops at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]] and [[Frankfurt Airport|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ai-plane-skids-off-runway/story-knm5uKinB2frFFlW1vKo5H.html|title=AI plane skids off runway|date=30 July 2005|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-date=23 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123012442/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ai-plane-skids-off-runway/story-knm5uKinB2frFFlW1vKo5H.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/30airport1.htm|title=A-I pilot did not brake hard: Patel|date=30 July 2005|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Rediff|archive-date=23 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123112450/https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/30airport1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The incident took place 4 days after the airport was closed due to [[Maharashtra floods of 2005| 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 September 4, 2009, Air India Flight 829, a Boeing 747-400 (registered VT-ESM), suffered an engine fire at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, shortly before take-off. While there were no injuries to passenger or crew, the aircraft was written off.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-ESM|id=20090904-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 19 December 2005, Air India Flight 136, a Boeing 747-400M (registered as VT-AIM) flying from [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] to [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]] via [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]], suffered a tire blowout after take-off from Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-dec-20-me-plane20-story.html |title=Jet Returns to LAX for Emergency Landing |first=Jill |last=Leovy |date=20 December 2005 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808202127/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-dec-20-me-plane20-story.html |url-status=live|page=B4}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/narrow-escape-for-ai-flight-in-la/articleshow/1339614.cms|title=Narrow escape for AI flight in LA|date=21 December 2005|work=The Times of India|access-date=8 August 2024|archive-date=8 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808202127/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/narrow-escape-for-ai-flight-in-la/articleshow/1339614.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 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 A320 during [[pushback (aviation)|pushback]] when the co-pilot mistook a signal and started the engine.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Anirban|date=17 December 2015|title=Air India technician dies in freak accident|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-technician-dies-in-freak-accident/articleshow/50209907.cms?from=mdr|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>
* On 16 May 2008, a Boeing 777-200 (registered as VT-AIK) on lease from [[United Airlines|United]] operating as Air India Flight 717 to [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai]] collapsed at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/17858|title= VT-AIK at BOM|access-date= 10 August 2024|archive-date= 10 August 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240810213410/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/17858|url-status= live}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/72061|title= VT-EPW at Tokyo-Narita|access-date= 27 November 2024|archive-date= 30 November 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241130063035/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/72061|url-status= live}}</ref> The aircraft was repaired and returned to service, but it was withdrawn from use by the end of 2008 and stored.{{Cn|date=December 2024}}
* 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.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=VT-ESM|id=20090904-0|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* On 17 December 2009, [[Air India One]], a Boeing 747-400 (registered as VT-EVA), operating as an executive flight for [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] from [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/70512|title= VT-EVA as Air India One at DEL|access-date= 22 August 2024|archive-date= 22 August 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240822161235/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/70512|url-status= live}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/320930|title= ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 777 VT-ALH Mumbai International Airport|publisher= Aviation Safety Network|access-date= 28 April 2024|archive-date= 29 April 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240429003825/https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/320930|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bangaloreaviation.com/2014/03/air-india-cannibalises-777-named-maharashtra-shivajis-airport.html|title=Exclusive photos: Air India strips its newest Boeing 777-200LR|website=www.bangaloreaviation.com|access-date=29 April 2024|archive-date=16 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416231037/https://www.bangaloreaviation.com/2014/03/air-india-cannibalises-777-named-maharashtra-shivajis-airport.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A320-231 VT-ESH Jaipur International Airport|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20140105-2|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=25 March 2015|archive-date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320122714/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20140105-2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=First person account: Air India passenger on Guwahati-Delhi flight recounts horror : India, News - India Today|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/air-india-flight-delhi-to-jaipur-airbus-a320-burst-tyre/1/334802.html|access-date=25 March 2015|issue=7 January 2014|publisher=India Today|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226161151/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/air-india-flight-delhi-to-jaipur-airbus-a320-burst-tyre/1/334802.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On 30 January 2014, Air India Flight 116, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner(registered VT-ANE) flying from [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]] to [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/190593|title= VT-ANE at BOM|access-date= 27 November 2024|archive-date= 30 November 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241130051441/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/190593|url-status= live}}</reF>
* On 2 February 2014, Air India Flight 191, a Boeing 777-300ER (registered VT-ALQ), flying from [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]] to [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/163701|title= VT-ALQ at BOM, Feb 2014|access-date= 26 November 2024|archive-date= 30 November 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241130052833/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/163701|url-status= live}}</ref>
* On 10 November 2016, Air India Flights 142 from Paris and 154 from Vienna, both Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners heading to [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|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 [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|DGCA]] and [[Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (India)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/191324|title= VT_AND and VT-ANI at DEL}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/multiple-failures-low-fuel-zero-visibility-the-inside-story-of-air-india-flight-101-1922754 | title=Multiple Failures, Low Fuel, Zero Visibility: The Inside Story of Air India Flight 101 | access-date=28 February 2024 | archive-date=28 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228125620/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/multiple-failures-low-fuel-zero-visibility-the-inside-story-of-air-india-flight-101-1922754 | url-status=live }}</ref>
*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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://avherald.com/h?article=4c3811cc |title=Accident: India A321 at Tirupati on Jan 29th 2019, foreign object damage during departure |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=29 January 2019 |website=avherald.com |publisher= |access-date=21 August 2024 |quote= |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714052215/https://avherald.com/h?article=4c3811cc |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/companies/news-air-india-a321-plane-remains-grounded-after-runway-debris-causes-damage-99808|title=Air India A321 plane remains grounded after runway debris causes damage|date=22 May 2019|website=Zee Business|access-date=14 July 2024|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009183314/https://www.zeebiz.com/companies/news-air-india-a321-plane-remains-grounded-after-runway-debris-causes-damage-99808|url-status=live}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|http://airindia.in}}
* {{official website}}
* {{Twitter}}
{{Portal bar|India|Aviation}}


{{Air India}}
{{Air India}}

Latest revision as of 07:21, 24 December 2024

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 size205 (excl. subsidiary)
Destinations84
Parent companyAir India Limited
HeadquartersGurgaon, Haryana, India
Key people
FounderJ. R. D. Tata
RevenueIncrease38,812 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

Current

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

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

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 A320neo
Air India Boeing 787-8
Air India Airbus A350-900

As of December 2024, Air India operates a fleet of 205 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

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

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