Should the Govt Reclaim Air India from Tata Group?
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Synopsis
In a bold statement, Congress MP Manish Tewari calls on the government to reclaim Air India from the Tata Group, citing severe mismanagement and safety concerns. With recent incidents raising alarms, Tewari emphasizes the urgent need for competent leadership in the airline sector. Discover the implications of this call for action in the aviation industry.
Key Takeaways
- Government intervention is being called for to address management issues at Air India.
- Recent incidents highlight serious safety concerns within the airline.
- The DGCA has identified numerous violations in Air India's operations.
- Privatization has not yielded the expected improvements in efficiency.
- The need for qualified professionals in the aviation industry remains critical.
New Delhi, Aug 1 (NationPress) Congress MP and former Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari stated on Friday that the government should reclaim Air India from the Tata Group due to their mismanagement of the airline.
He criticized the airline as a total management disaster, noting a lack of capable aviation professionals in charge. "The privatization has turned out to be a complete failure," Tewari expressed on X.
He mentioned, "Flights are being canceled at a moment's notice, and delays occur without any justification."
Tewari highlighted that the crew members informed him that individuals from Tata Tea, Tata Steel, and Tata Motors are currently overseeing Air India.
“I have known these professionals personally for four decades and they are competent in their fields,” he added, tagging the civil aviation regulator, DGCA, in his remarks.
Recently, a flight bound for London from Delhi had to return to the bay after the cockpit crew noticed a potential technical issue before takeoff.
The flight, identified as AI-2017, was on the verge of departure when the pilots decided to halt and conduct checks on the aircraft.
The airline assured that all safety protocols were adhered to, and an alternative plane is being arranged to transport passengers to London promptly.
"Our ground staff is committed to providing all necessary support to the guests to minimize the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen delay. The safety and comfort of our passengers are our top priorities at Air India," the airline affirmed.
This incident follows a recent report from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which identified 51 safety violations at Air India during its annual assessment.
These violations included outdated training manuals, incomplete pilot training, unqualified simulators, and issues with low-visibility operation approvals.
Among these violations, seven were categorized as critical Level I breaches, which the airline was mandated to rectify by July 30. The remaining 44 issues must be addressed by August 23.
The DGCA's actions followed enforcement measures, including the grounding of an Air India aircraft that had an overdue inspection of its emergency slide, a vital safety component.
The regulator has also issued three show-cause notices to the airline, requiring a response within 15 days.
Previously, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed Parliament that the DGCA had promptly grounded the aircraft involved in the overdue slide inspection until all necessary checks were completed.
Point of View
The call for the government to reclaim Air India from the Tata Group raises significant questions regarding management effectiveness and public safety. While privatization was intended to enhance efficiency, the emerging concerns about operational lapses necessitate a closer examination of accountability and governance within the aviation sector.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main concerns raised by Manish Tewari regarding Air India?
Manish Tewari highlighted severe mismanagement, frequent flight cancellations, and safety violations as key concerns, urging the government to reclaim the airline.
What recent incident involved an Air India flight?
A London-bound Air India flight from Delhi had to return to the bay due to a suspected technical fault detected by the cockpit crew before takeoff.
What actions has the DGCA taken against Air India?
The DGCA flagged 51 safety lapses during its audit, including critical breaches that the airline was instructed to rectify by specific deadlines.
