Rumour Mills Say Ex-Secy To Join Air India 'Rescue Mission'

Given the trouble the airline is facing, especially after its London-bound Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, as well as the several reported hiccups in its flight operations since then, the company clearly needs a fresh pair of hands to give it direction.

Now, there is a strong buzz in the civil aviation industry that this senior bureaucrat may join the troubled carrier. In the corridors of power, this news has generated considerable envy among peers, especially because he had already held several sought-after secretary positions while in government.

The bureaucrat had already hinted he would pursue some high-profile assignment in the corporate world. According to a close associate, that is now likely to be a coveted position in Air India, which has been in constant turbulence since the government divested from it.

The bureaucrat has a reputation for turning government’s initiatives and policies around and making them successful with his leadership skills.

Air India, especially after its London-bound aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad earlier this month, has been facing a major image crisis. This requires leadership and strategic moves to streamline not only the operational framework, but also a transformative image makeover for both the Indian and global markets. 

The Tata Group owned airline is facing a cascade of tough questions, to which it doesn't appear to have any immediate answers. Within five days of the crash, 66 Dreamliner flights were cancelled, some because of airspace issues, but others due to technical problems, which are not a good sign after a major crash.

When the Tatas took over Air India from the government three years ago, the aim was to turn it into a safe, friendly and successful airline. But the issues seem to have only increased, with passenger complaints that are highest among Indian air operators. 

In recent times, there were several embarrassing incidents, including the sudden sinking of the couch where Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan was seated during a flight, air conditioning failing in another fully-booked flight where passengers had to bear with 41 degree heat for the entire journey, an 85-year-old woman who was left without a wheelchair at Toronto airport, toilets that were choked on a flight from Chicago to Delhi, and a toilet door that was sealed with paper napkins on a flight to Hong Kong. All these have dented the image of the airline that was once India's pride.   

Industry watchers feel the poor state of affairs exist because of poor staff training, lack of maintenance and heightened pressure to deliver, as there aren’t enough planes for the number of flights being offered.

To correct these failures, Air India needs a steady leader to make a quick turnover and return to giving top class service to passengers. Watch this space for further developments.