The Tata family, whose conglomerate is based in Mumbai, is a well-known Indian family of entrepreneurs and philanthropists. They played an essential role in India’s industrial development, establishing businesses in ironworks, cotton mills, steelworks, and hydroelectric power plants. Overall, the family owned five airlines: Air India, AIX Connect, Air India Express, Air Asia India, and Vistara.

The group was founded by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (1839 –1904) who, after his death, was succeeded by his son J.R.D. Tata, who became an important figure in the family’s business, founding Tata Airlines in 1932, later called Air India. Under J.R.D. Tata, and subsequently Ratan Tata, the company saw global success, acquiring companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Corus Group, and Tetley Tey.

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Photo | Craig Russell | Shutterstock

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Air India

Air India is India’s flag carrier with two main hubs based at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, with secondary hubs at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The airline is quartered in Gurugram and owned by Air India Limited, which is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group.

Founded in 1932 by J.R.D. Tata as Tata Airlines, the business started by flying air mail from Karachi to Bombay, and only after World War II, the airline was nationalized by the Indian government in 1953, gaining the new name of Air India.

In 1960, Air India was the first ever Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft, the Boeing 707. Despite their attempts to privatize in 2000 and merge with India Airlines in 2006, the company faced some losses that saw Tata Group take back its ownership in 2022 after the government took control for 69 years.

Air India runs domestic and regional flights through its subsidiary, Air India Express, and operates a fleet that includes both narrow-body planes (for domestic and short-haul flights) and wide-body aircraft (for international routes). The Maharajah was introduced as their mascot and the logo was updated to represent the Jharokha window pattern.

In July 2014, Air India joined Star Alliance, and as of November 2024, 102 destinations have been reached globally, using both Airbus and Boeing aircraft and becoming the second-largest airline in India by passenger traffic.

AIX Connect & AirAsia India

AIX Connect was a low-cost Indian airline based in Bangalore – capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka- and a subsidiary of Air India Limited owned by Tata Group. In 2013, the Indian government launched a program to sustain and develop the airline sector through foreign investment, allowing AirAsia Berhad (a Malaysian company) to ask permission to start its operations in India. In March 2013, a joint venture between Tata Sons – the holding company of the Tata Group and AirAsia was announced, eventually leading Tata Sons to fully acquire the airline in 2022, and rename it AIX Connect in preparation for its future merger with Air India Express in October 2024.

AirAsia India became the first foreign airline to start a business in India, with its first flight taking off in Bangalore, as the first hub, and later reaching Delhi in 2015 as the second hub. By 2019, AirAsia will be ranked as the fifth-largest low-cost carrier in India, holding a 7.1% market share.

AirAsia started recruiting pilots and cabin crew in 2013, and obtained its Air Operator Permit through a proving flight conducted in May 2014.

AirAsia India launched an app to improve the airline’s operational efficiency. The aim was to streamline operations and improve performance, by using real-time data analytics to manage aircraft’s turnaround time between flights.

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Photo | Chittapon Kaewkiriya | Shutterstock

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Air India Express

The main purpose of Air India Express was to provide international flights from Tier II cities in India to Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf area for the expatriate community.

It started its business in 2005 with three flights that took off from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

In 2013, after the merge, Air India Express was rebranded to focus on low-cost and budget-friendly flights in India. The airline also wanted to diversify the sources of their revenue by highlighting auxiliary services, such as adopting hot ovens to serve hot meals and selling handbag only fares named ‘Express Lite Fares’, hoping to increase their revenue by 20% over the next years.

The airline flies to 45 destinations as of July 2024, with a plan to reach 55 destinations by March 2025.

Air India Express:

Commenced Operations

Operating bases

Fleet size

Destinations

Parent Company

Headquarters

Revenue

Net Income

Employees

April 29, 2005

Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli

90

45

Air India Limited

Gurgaon, India

US $900 million

US$−20 million

7,000 (as of September 2024)

Vistara

Vistara derives from the Sanskrit word vistāra, meaning ‘limitless expanse’. Also named Tata SIA Airlines Limited, it was an Indian full-service airline that started operating in January 2015 after a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airline to meet the demands of high-end business travelers.

Vistara has reached a number of over two million passengers being carried, and by September 2024 it has gained the title of third-largest domestic carrier, holding a 10% share of the domestic market. The airline served 50 destinations across 12 countries utilizing Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and left the market in November 2024 when it merged with Air India.

Vistara rapidly gained success, maintaining a high-on-time performance and leading most of India’s internal flights, transporting a million passengers in only seven months. In 2015, the airline became a member of the Internation Air Transport Association (IATA), and by 2016 it held 2% of the domestic market. In 2019, Singapore will become Vistara’s first international destination with flights from Delhi to Mumbai via Boeing 737-800 NG, which was earlier used by Jet Airways.

Vistara Boeing 787-9

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The late Chairman of Tata Group: Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, who died aged 86 last October, was Tata Group’s President and tycoon.

Born in 1937 and grew up in a Parsis family, he went to study in the US where he gained a degree in Architecture. After spending some time abroad, he relocated back to India to look after his ill grandmother. This moment became a turning point for him, as he was asked by his relative, JRD Tata, to join the Tata Group.

“He was my greatest mentor. He was like a father and a brother to me,” Ratan said about JRD.

In 1991, Ratan took over the company, leading the business into a new area, showcasing his unique style and staying true to the traditions of the group.

It may sound like a coincidence or not, but the timing was perfect: Ratan became Tata Group’s chairperson while India’s economy was opening up. He welcomed the opportunities that came, took the company to foreign shores, introduced a new way of thinking, fostered innovation, and took risks that led to a positive outcome.

As a result, In 2008, Ratan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Indian government, the country’s second-highest civilian honor.

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Photo: Thubaaf | Shutterstock

During his tenure, the company acquired other major businesses, such as the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus and the car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. Ratan also owned some of the finest luxuries, such as a sea-facing mansion in Mumbai, a Ferrari California Roadster, a Maserati Quattroporte, and a Jaguar, highlighting his interest in, and passion for, cars. The list is not over: Dassault Falcon 2000 Private Jet was also part of the private collection. With a cost of $35 million, the jet is well-known for its sumptuous style and performance.

  • Range: 7,410 km
  • Top speed: Mach 0.84
  • Seating capacity: 10 passengers
  • Amenities: advanced avionics and full galley
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Photo | alexanderon | Shutterstock

Apart from the undeniable success that he brought to the company, Mr Tata was also a philanthropist and an animal lover. His initiatives through the Tata Trusts created an impact on education, healthcare, and rural development in India, leaving a legacy that will inspire generations to come. His resilience was also tested when, in November 2008, Mumbai underwent a terror attack.

Along with a train station, a culture center, and a hospital, The Taj Mahal Palace hotel owned by Tata was attacked. 33 out of 166 people died, including 11 employees of the hotel. Ratan promised he’d look after the families of the victims, and pay the families of those killed the salary they would have earned for the rest of their lives.

In 2009, Ratan also spoke at a school function where he expressed his dream to see India as a country where people can persevere despite challenges.

“In a country like ours, you have to try and lead by example, not flaunt your wealth and prominence,” Ratan said.

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