Chandrasekaran reaffirms Air India's focus on safety

New Delhi: Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran has emphasized the airline's continued focus on safety, customer trust, operational excellence, and financial sustainability as it embarks on its next phase of transformation. At an internal meeting, Chandrasekaran stressed that restoring trust in Air India must be the company's top priority, requiring world-class processes, rigorous compliance, and personal accountability across the organization.

He stressed that Air India should be known for its dedication to safety above all else, with a safety record that not only matches the best airlines globally but surpasses them. Chandrasekaran, alongside outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson and incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, addressed employees at a town hall meeting on Monday. He expressed gratitude for the employees' contributions over the past four years and highlighted Air India's unique position in the hearts of Indians worldwide.

Chandrasekaran noted that bringing Air India back to the Tata Group is one of the most significant milestones of his career, describing it as a very important event. He emphasized that Air India belongs to a billion people and is not merely another business. Despite facing challenges in the past 18 months, including geopolitical disruptions, airspace closures, fuel volatility, and the tragic AI171 accident, Chandrasekaran stressed the need to deliver consistent customer experiences and remain agile in a rapidly evolving operating environment.

He stressed the importance of financial sustainability, urging employees to foster a stronger culture of cost consciousness within the organization.