There have recently been critical comments about me in the media from a retired Air India official who had spent over 20 years in the airline. Let me give readers the right context to interpret his comments . As chairman and managing director(CMD)of AirIndia,I had to remove this person from two posts, directorship of HR and PR, due to inadequate performance.
He was found unsuitable by the Public Enterprises Selection Board for a board position again during that time period. Further, he spent 20 silent years in Air India and has suddenly found a "strong" voice that is especially convenient after the airline is in a mess. That should tell readers another story about the person's credibility.
His comments give me a chance to present to the readers the facts behind Air India's decline. I was CMD of Air India from December 2003 to March 2008.
There are three connected points worth talking about: aircraft acquisition , the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, and management continuity.
The proposal to buy 68 new aircraft was made by a committee appointed by the Air India board. Of the 68, 18 were meant for a new budget airline, Air India Express. Air India Express was conceived of and started during my tenure. When I left in 2008, it was a profitable airline. This means Air India effectively acquired 50 aircraft.
Read News In full 21/10/13 V Thulasidas/Economic Times
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