The sale of the collapsing government-owned Air India to the Tata Group on 27 January 2022 was greeted with some fanfare. Though there was grumbling at the under pricing of Air India’s massive assets at just Rs 18,000 crore, the Tata acquisition had popular support. The group is known for efficiency and good consumer ethics, and there was guarded hope Air India will emerge as a good, competitive airline.

More than 3 years after the Tata takeover, Air India is struggling. It has not been able to shed its poor, sarkari record. Passenger services attract a litany of complaints, losses have mounted and all those promised ramp-ups in the form of new and refurbished aircraft can hardly be seen.

The crisis is evident. A Friday, 31 October report of Bloomberg says Air India is seeking a minimum

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