Air India is one of the oldest and most famous airlines in India. It has been flying passengers around the world for many years. But many people still wonder, “Who owns Air India now?”
In this article, we will explain everything — from the history of Air India to who owns it today, and how its ownership has changed in recent years. Whether you are a student, traveler, or just curious, this guide will help you understand it all.
Air India Ownership Details
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Air India Limited |
| Type | Full-Service Airline |
| Founded By | J.R.D. Tata |
| First Flight | October 15, 1932 |
| Current Owner | Tata Group (via Talace Pvt Ltd) |
| Year of Acquisition | 2022 |
| Previous Owner | Government of India |
| Parent Company | Tata Sons |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Current CEO (as of 2025) | Campbell Wilson |
| Fleet Size | 130+ aircraft (and expanding) |
| Main Hubs | Delhi, Mumbai |
| Subsidiaries | Air India Express, Vistara (merging soon) |
What is Air India?
Air India is the national airline of India. It is a full-service airline, which means it offers meals, baggage, and in-flight services as part of the ticket price. It flies to more than 75 international and 100 domestic destinations.
Air India is known for its “Maharajah” mascot and long history of connecting India to the world.
Who Started Air India?
Air India was started by J.R.D. Tata, a businessman and pilot from the Tata Group. The airline began in 1932 as Tata Airlines. In the beginning, J.R.D. Tata himself flew the first mail flight from Karachi to Bombay (now Mumbai).
In 1946, Tata Airlines became a public company and was renamed Air India. In 1953, the Indian Government took control of the airline and nationalized it.
Who Owns Air India Today?
As of 2025, Air India is owned by the Tata Group, one of India’s biggest and oldest business groups. The Tata Group took back control of Air India in January 2022, after nearly 69 years.
The deal was completed through a Tata Group-owned company called Talace Private Limited.
Important Points:
- Previous Owner: Government of India
- New Owner: Tata Group (since 2022)
- Purchase Amount: ₹18,000 crore (about $2.4 billion)
- Company Used for Purchase: Talace Pvt. Ltd (a Tata Sons subsidiary)
What is the Tata Group?
Tata Group is one of the largest and most respected business groups in India. It was founded in 1868 by Jamsetji Tata. The group owns many famous Indian companies, including:
- Tata Motors
- Tata Steel
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Titan
- Tata Power
- Tata Play
- Tata Chemicals
- Taj Hotels
Now, Air India is also part of the Tata family. Tata Group is known for trust, quality, and long-term vision.
How Did Tata Group Buy Air India?
The Indian Government had been trying to sell Air India for many years. The airline was losing money and had large debts.
In 2021, the government invited bids to privatize the airline. Tata Group won the bid by offering ₹18,000 crore. This included:
- ₹2,700 crore in cash
- Taking over ₹15,300 crore of Air India’s debt
The final handover happened on January 27, 2022, and Tata officially became the new owner.
Who is Leading Air India Now?
The current CEO and Managing Director of Air India is Campbell Wilson. He is from New Zealand and has worked in the aviation industry for many years, including with Singapore Airlines.
Campbell Wilson is helping Air India:
- Improve customer service
- Add new planes
- Train staff
- Expand routes
- Merge other Tata airlines with Air India
Recent Incident Involving Air India (Ahmedabad)
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. The aircraft, which carried 242 people, collided with the doctors’ hostel mess at BJ Medical College during the busy lunch hour, resulting in at least 241 fatalities onboard and over 30 on the ground, including several medical students—many of whom were inside dining halls at the time.
Only one person survived, a British national who exited through an emergency exit. In response, the Tata Group, owner of Air India, pledged compensation and full support for affected families, and authorities have launched a major investigation, grounding affected Boeing 787‑8s and ramping up safety oversight.
What Other Airlines Does the Tata Group Own?
Tata Group is now a major player in India’s aviation market. Along with Air India, Tata also owns or controls:
- Air India Express – A low-cost international airline, mostly flying to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
- Vistara – A full-service airline started as a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines (now merging with Air India).
- AIX Connect – Formerly AirAsia India, now merged with Air India Express.
Soon, Tata Group will combine all these airlines into two major brands:
- Air India (full-service)
- Air India Express (low-cost)
What Changes Are Happening Under Tata?
Since Tata took over, many improvements are happening:
- Ordering 470 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus
- Updating older planes with new seats and interiors
- Launching a new branding and logo
- Improving on-time performance
- Hiring and training new pilots and cabin crew
- Making customer service better
- Introducing a frequent flyer program called Flying Returns
Tata wants to make Air India one of the top global airlines, just like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, or Qatar Airways.
Why Was This Deal So Important?
This deal was historic for many reasons:
- It ended government control over Air India after nearly 70 years.
- It helped reduce the burden on taxpayers.
- It brought the airline back to its original founder, the Tata Group.
- It gave Air India a fresh chance to compete with global airlines.
History of Air India Ownership
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1932 | Tata Airlines is founded by J.R.D. Tata |
| 1946 | Renamed to Air India |
| 1953 | Government of India takes over ownership |
| 2007 | Merged with Indian Airlines (government-run) |
| 2021 | Tata wins bid to buy Air India |
| 2022 | Tata officially takes control via Talace Pvt. Ltd. |
Fun Facts About Air India
- Air India was the first Asian airline to enter the jet age in 1960.
- The “Maharajah” mascot has been used for decades as a symbol of luxury and tradition.
- Air India is part of the Star Alliance, a global network of airlines.
FAQs
Q1: Who is the current owner of Air India Flight?
Answer: As of 2025, Tata Group owns Air India through its company Talace Pvt Ltd.
Q2: When did Tata take over Air India?
Answer: Tata officially took over Air India on January 27, 2022.
Q3: Who founded Air India?
Answer: Air India was founded by J.R.D. Tata in 1932 as Tata Airlines.
Q4: Is Air India a government airline?
Answer: Not anymore. It was a government-owned airline from 1953 to 2022, but now it is privately owned by the Tata Group.
Q5: Who is the CEO of Air India?
Answer: The current CEO is Campbell Wilson (as of 2025).
Q6: What is Talace Pvt Ltd?
Answer: Talace Pvt Ltd is a Tata Group company created to buy and manage Air India.
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