Tata's Chandrasekaran meets board & key group company CEOs

Time of India

a day ago

Tata Group
chairman
N Chandrasekaran
on Friday convened an urgent meeting with the
Tata Sons
board and CEOs of key group companies to brief them on Thursday's tragic crash involving an Air India
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
in Ahmedabad and the ongoing investigations.
The meeting served to align senior executives across the group on the status of the incident, the immediate response by
Air India
and authorities, and the steps being taken to assist affected passengers, people aware of the development said.
Chandrasekaran emphasised that all stakeholders of the Tata brand should have first-hand, accurate information in such situations.
Tata Sons did not comment on the matter.
Group officials said the chairman's outreach was a move to manage the crisis with transparency, dignity, and collective resolve.
"An official investigation is currently underway, with the involvement of aviation authorities and global experts, and key findings are expected over the coming weeks. The team was briefed on the investigative process, the likely course of action, and the indicative timelines so they are equipped to respond appropriately," a highly placed group official said.
"Given the trust the nation has placed in the Tata Group to raise the bar in Indian aviation, such an incident understandably evokes strong emotions. While we must acknowledge and respect that sentiment, it is equally critical that we respond with empathy, refrain from speculation, and handle all communication with care and sensitivity," the person said.
The chairman also issued a communication to all Tata Group employees, acknowledging the distress caused by the incident and reiterating the group's commitment to safety, transparency, and compassion. He urged employees to stay informed and, where appropriate, extend support to efforts underway in Ahmedabad.
Company CEOs offered to volunteer help on the ground, coordinating with Air India and local agencies in Ahmedabad, people cited above said.
The Tata Group's presence in
Gujarat
, particularly in Ahmedabad, could be leveraged to provide logistical and human resource assistance.
Chandrasekaran also encouraged the pooling of ideas and suggestions on what more could be done in such critical moments. He called for a coordinated response, not just from Air India but from across the group, to uphold the Tata ethos of empathy and accountability.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with experts from
Boeing
and GE Aerospace flying in to assist. It remains unclear whether the cause of the accident was pilot error, mechanical failure, or a bird hit.