Air India actually started life as Tata Air Services in October 1932. The founder was J R D Tata. It's first role was winning a contract from Imperial Airways (the forerunner of BOAC/ British Airways) to carry mail. It became a public company in 1946 rechristened as Air India.
The Indian Government subsequently purchased a 49% interest in 1948 and then in 1953, the Government of India passed the Air Corporations Act and purchased an additional tranche of shares to create a majority shareholding. This completed the nationalisation of Air India, although the original founder - J R D Tata - remained Chairman of Air India until 1977.
Air India went on to establish a domestic operation called Air India Express in 2004 and then the conglomerate was merged with the largest domestic operator (Indian Airlines) in 2007.
Kiwi sub
Kiwi sub
Member since 05 Jun 2015
Total posts 3
No thoughts from David on Air India sale?
Please wait...
fflyer_northern_australia
fflyer_northern_australia
Member since 01 Oct 2021
Total posts 4
If I am not wrong, Tata owned Air India before it was nationalized. Just shows how businesses go bad when run by the public sector.
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
Air India actually started life as Tata Air Services in October 1932. The founder was J R D Tata. It's first role was winning a contract from Imperial Airways (the forerunner of BOAC/ British Airways) to carry mail. It became a public company in 1946 rechristened as Air India.
The Indian Government subsequently purchased a 49% interest in 1948 and then in 1953, the Government of India passed the Air Corporations Act and purchased an additional tranche of shares to create a majority shareholding. This completed the nationalisation of Air India, although the original founder - J R D Tata - remained Chairman of Air India until 1977.
Air India went on to establish a domestic operation called Air India Express in 2004 and then the conglomerate was merged with the largest domestic operator (Indian Airlines) in 2007.
Joe
Joe
Member since 03 May 2013
Total posts 189
Air India is the subcontinents Alitalia.