Tatas Don’t Think Small: Dr. Mathew On Air India Transformation

Ratan Tata's decision to acquire Air India stems from a blend of nostalgia, ambition, and determination. Dr. Thomas Mathew, author of "Ratan Tata: A Life," highlights that the decision was partly emotive, rooted in the legacy of J.R.D. Tata, who regarded Air India as a jewel in India’s aviation crown. J.R.D. Tata's removal as Air India's chairman during Morarji Desai's era left a lasting impact, and bringing the "Maharaja" back to the Tata fold was a way to restore its legacy.Beyond sentiment, Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed confidence in the ability to transform Air India into a global aviation leader. With their penchant for executing grand-scale projects, the Tatas aim to rejuvenate the airline’s fleet and service quality, symbolizing India’s aviation excellence. Dr. Mathew emphasizes, "This is not the same Maharaja; it’s a wounded one. But with time, they can turn it into an epitome of India's airline success."