{
  "id": 9899024,
  "title": "The strange to-do list awaiting Air India’s new boss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/the-strange-to-do-list-awaiting-air-indias-new-boss",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-25T07:14:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/drugs-alcohol-bicycle-losses-air-india-new-ceo-tewolde-gebremariam-tata-sons-funding-singapore-airlines-turnaround-strange-list/articleshow/134478051.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Air India's new CEO faces a challenging slate of issues upon taking charge. The airline grapples with significant financial losses, requiring fresh funding from shareholders Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. The airline has already received $1.1 billion from Tata Sons, but Singapore Airlines has not yet signed off on its portion, demanding stricter terms before committing more capital.\n\nAir India is contending with a string of incidents: a pilot removed from a Zurich flight due to alcohol violation, another pilot testing positive for psychoactive substances after an A320 experienced a sudden altitude drop, and allegations of assault and bomb threat involving employees. Additionally, an immigration lapse affected three passengers, a former cabin crew member was caught on camera in a cockpit, and a bicycle was mistakenly placed on a baggage carousel despite its owner paying for special handling.\n\nTewolde Gebremariam must decide how to address these issues while making the airline profitable. Cost-cutting measures may include folding Air India Express into the main group to simplify operations and reduce regulatory requirements. Meanwhile, personnel problems persist, with pilots removed for alcohol-related offenses and bomb threats, and an incident where a pilot's hydraulic systems failed. Despite these challenges, safety remains a top priority for the airline.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}