Tata Group Chairman Leads Air India Through Crisis

N Chandrasekaran Takes Direct Control

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, has stepped in to manage Air India’s daily operations. This move follows the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad. He is overseeing key areas such as:

• Government relations
• Safety assessments
• Aircraft maintenance
• Staff welfare

Past Examples of Leadership

Tata chairmen have a history of taking direct control during crises. Notable examples include:

• J.R.D. Tata managed the response to the 1989 Tata Steel fire.
• Ratan Tata handled the Tata Finance scandal and the 26/11 Taj Hotels terrorist attacks.

Chandrasekaran’s previous role at TCS showed his ability to manage crises effectively.

Working with Air India’s CEO

Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, is teaming up with N Chandrasekaran. Together, they focus on:

• Strategic planning
• Regulatory matters

The current situation requires quick action and detailed management. Chandrasekaran is well-equipped to handle these tasks.

Air India Demands Top Priority

Air India needs the most attention right now. The chairman is mainly working from the airline’s headquarters. This situation calls for:

• Focused attention
• Swift decision-making
• Independent actions

Rebuilding Trust and Confidence

Everyone must work together to rebuild confidence. The goal is to restore Air India’s reputation.

Comprehensive Safety Review

Campbell Wilson is holding meetings with division leaders. He is also conducting a thorough safety operations assessment. Wilson is the main contact for all interactions with government organizations like the DGCA and AAIB.

Support for Affected Families

Chandrasekaran is setting up a trust to help the families affected by the crash. It is still unclear if there will be a separate trust for victims of other nationalities.

Restoring Public and Staff Confidence

The Tata Group faces a big challenge. They need to:

• Restore public trust
• Strengthen staff confidence

This is especially important during this time of intense public scrutiny.

The Ahmedabad Crash

The Air India Boeing 787 accident in Ahmedabad on June 12 resulted in:

• 241 fatalities aboard, including 12 crew members
• 33 ground casualties

Air India has promised to give ₹1 crore compensation to each bereaved family.