
AI ops head's visit expected
Rajesh Dogra, global head, airport operations,
Air India
, was expected to arrive in Ahmedabad on Monday night, sources said. Dogra's visit is to support local teams managing the aftermath of the crash and meet families of victims.
Campbell Wilson, AI's CEO and MD, was in the city on Friday and Saturday.
He visited the crash site, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the lone survivor of the crash. The London-bound flight crashed on June 12 shortly after take-off from SVPI airport in Ahmedabad, claiming over 274 lives including 229 passengers, two pilots and 10 crew members and other people on the ground.

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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
McKinsey likely to aid Air India overhaul
The Tata group is exploring the possibility of a major revamp of Air India. The group is reportedly in discussions with global consulting firm McKinsey & Company to lead a comprehensive overhaul of the airline, which is currently grappling with one of the most severe crises in its recent history. A top Tata Sons official met a senior partner of McKinsey in Mumbai last week to discuss a revival strategy for the carrier, according to a source. The meeting took place just days after a London-bound Air India Boeing Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew. Only one passenger survived the crash. 'While we do not comment on or publicly discuss details of any client work, it would be inaccurate to report that McKinsey is currently serving the Tata group on a transformation project for Air India,' McKinsey & Company said in a statement to The Indian Express. However, when contacted, a Tata group official did not comment on the issue. This isn't McKinsey's first engagement with the consulting firm. Its relationship with Air India started almost eight years ago. In 2017, Air India selected McKinsey to help develop its long-term strategic business plan — especially on cash-flow, route networks, marketing strategies and updating its loyalty program. Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised multiple parties on the historic merger of Tata SIA Airlines Ltd (Vistara) with Air India, creating a unified full-service airline under the Air India brand. This followed the merger of Air India group's low-cost airlines Air India Express and AIX Connect earlier. The combined entity is now the largest international carrier with more than 90 destinations worldwide and the second largest domestic carrier. The Indian aviation market is the third largest in the world and is one of the fastest growing. Founded in 1932, Air India is a pioneer of India's aviation sector and has developed an extensive global network, becoming a major international carrier. The consolidation of the four Tata-owned airlines into one group is part of Air India's ongoing, five-year transformation program, which is focussed on establishing Air India Group as a world-class aviation company. Air India reported a lower loss of Rs 4,444.10 crore for FY2024, a significant decrease of 60 per cent compared to the Rs 11,388 crore loss in FY23. The airline's turnover also increased by 23.69 per cent to Rs 38,812 crore during the same period. The Dreamliner crash has cast a spotlight on the Tata group's efforts to turn around the airline, which it acquired from the Indian government in 2022 with the goal of restoring its performance and reputation. Meanwhile, addressing the Air India employees at its headquarters in Gurugram, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, 'I felt I had to be here and meet as many of you as possible.' On his visit to the crash site, Chandrasekaran said, 'It was not easy. I've seen many crises in my career, but nothing as heartbreaking as this. I never imagined I would face something like this.' No words could undo the loss but reaffirmed Air India's long-term commitment to those affected. 'We consider every person who lost someone in this tragedy as part of our family — now and always,' he said. Recognizing the emotional toll on employees, he offered words of encouragement: 'Criticism will come, especially when you care deeply and work tirelessly to build something great. But I want you to stay strong. When you feel overwhelmed, remember one word: determination.'


New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
A crash that flies in the face of our hubris
In the case of some, the airline in question will be avoided for a while. In some cases, even if you are not the one flying, you will advise your near and dear ones not to fly the airline if there is choice put in front of you. In some more due-diligence oriented minds, the aircraft maker in question will be avoided (if there is a viable choice to make). In the case of some, due diligence will be done on the age of the aircraft, its history of flying, its accident record and more. Paranoia is back. At least for a while—though I suspect, a very short while. We are all suddenly feeling vulnerable. This incident has shaken us. This incident has stirred us. Simply and bluntly put, this incident has really scared us, whether we are willing to admit it or not. In many ways, it has made all of us accept the fact that not everything is in our control. There is more to life than meets the eye. The fall of AI 171 has really woken up our sensitivities and our sensibilities. It has made us feel more human than we ever otherwise do maybe. It has made us get off the pedestal of pompous life, if at all for a brief set of days. We are all suddenly feeling vulnerable. This incident has shaken us. This incident has stirred us. Simply and bluntly put, this incident has really scared us, whether we are willing to admit it or not. In many ways, it has made all of us accept the fact that not everything is in our control. There is more to life than meets the eye. The fall of AI 171 has really woken up our sensitivities and our sensibilities. It has made us feel more human than we ever otherwise do maybe. It has made us get off the pedestal of pompous life, if at all for a brief set of days. Our collective psyche has been hurt. Many people have asked me to comment on the future of brand Air India, as well as the future image of brand Boeing at large. My one answer to all has been a simple one: This is not a moment to talk of what will or will not happen to these brands. The Tata group that owns Air India is possibly India's most respected and responsible business group with a heritage of responsible business, social and ethical behaviour. They will do what they are meant to do, without any reminders or cajolement. There are far more important issues at hand for now. This is a sensitive moment. Let's respect it and put a gag order on ourselves for a month and let our monkey minds settle. Once through, let's ask Air India the answers it needs to give us all. This is not the time to ask for the blood and sweat of any of those involved. This is a moment to just shed tears. A moment to take care of our collective tears as well. A moment to console and condole each one of us. Om shanti. Harish Bijoor is a brand guru & founder of Harish Bijoor Consults Inc (Views are personal) (harishbijoor@


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
After engine change, AI Dreamliner's insurance cover was hiked by Rs 100cr
1 2 3 Kolkata: Air India had enhanced the insurance cover for the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad, from Rs 750 crore to Rs 850 crore, during its renewal in April 2025. This came following an engine replacement on the plane, say sources. Total insurance claims from the crash are expected to be around Rs 1,500 crore. Indian insurers led by Tata AIG are likely to bear only Rs 100-150 crore of the payout, having ceded most of the risk to global reinsurers. The AI flight to London's Gatwick crashed last week, killing as many as 270 people, including 241 on board. The crash is expected to trigger passenger compensation under the Montreal Convention, which means families of deceased passengers are entitled to about Rs 1.8 crore each, pushing the total liability above Rs 420 crore. The crash may also result in significant third-party claims. Experts said this is likely to harden the global aviation insurance market, especially for wide-body aircraft operators in Asia. This was the first major crash involving a wide-body aircraft in the region. The Boeing aircraft's insurance was part of a fleet-wide cover of Rs 8,000-10,000 crore, for which Air India paid an annual premium of around Rs 250 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo The aviation policy is led by Tata AIG General Insurance, with participation from Indian co-insurers like GIC Re, United India, Oriental Insurance, National Insurance and ICICI Lombard. Over 90% of the risk is reinsured with global players including AIG, AXA XL and others in London and Bermuda markets. Sources said Indian insurers have retained only about 7.5-10% of the exposure, translating to Rs 100-150 crore. The remainder will be met by foreign reinsurers. The hull loss alone — based on the aircraft's age-adjusted insured value — is pegged at Rs 850 crore, as the Dreamliner has been declared a total loss. The crash is also expected to trigger passenger compensation under the Montreal Convention. Families of deceased passengers are entitled to about Rs 1.7 crore each, which could push the total liability above Rs 420 crore. Additionally, the crash may result in significant third-party claims. Experts said this is likely to harden the global aviation insurance market, especially for wide-body aircraft operators in Asia. This was the first major crash involving a wide-body aircraft in the region. Meanwhile, IRDA has directed all insurers involved in the matter to submit weekly updates on claim settlements starting June 16. In a circular issued on June 14, the regulator also asked companies to expedite payouts under life and personal accident policies, and to waive requirements like FIRs and postmortem reports. Insurers have been instructed to appoint nodal officers to handle claims.