Industrialist Ratan Tata greeted the passengers on the Air India flight with a special message.?
The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons said in a voice note, "The Tata Group welcomes Air India¡¯s new customers and is excited to work together to make Air India the airline of choice in terms of passenger comfort and service.¡±
¡°A warm welcome extended by Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons, Chairman Tata Trusts, to our passengers on board Air India flights,¡± Air India tweeted, sharing the audio clip of Tata.
The Tata group took charge of the airline last week. After taking over, the Group said it is focusing on smart and well-groomed cabin crew members, better on-time performance of flights, calling passengers "guests" and enhanced in-flight meal service.
The 'Maharaja' as Air India airlines is known as landed back in the hands of its founders last Thursday, nearly seven decades after it was nationalised and following years in debt. Tata Group is back in charge of Air India after concluding the Rs 18,000 crore deal.
The historic handover marked the end of a long search for a buyer by the government.?
According to Hindustan Times,?Tatas took over ?15,300 crores of debt in Air India and Air India Express Ltd while the remaining ?46,262 crore loan plus an outstanding of about ?15,000 crores towards unpaid fuel bills were paid off by the government. The airline will give Tatas access to flying right and landing slots and it will also gain control of low-cost, short-haul international carrier Air India Express as well as a 50 per cent stake in a ground handling company with SATS Ltd.
After Tata took over, Air India pilots welcomed flyers with a special announcement informing them about the change of ownership. Pilots on every Air India flight last Friday made this welcome announcement after door closure: "Dear Guests, This is your Captain (Name) speaking...welcome aboard this historic flight, which marks a special event. Today, Air India officially becomes a part of the Tata group again, after seven decades,¡± the pilots said.
Chairman of Tata Sons,?N Chandrasekaran?in October won the bid for the national carrier. He first called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi before heading to the Air India office where the takeover formalities were completed.
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