Vistara is a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. (File)
New Delhi: Air India, Air India Express and Vistara are on Thursday making in-flight announcements in memory of Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata, for whom aviation was particularly close to his heart.
Ratan Tata, 86, who was also chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night.
All three airlines that are part of the Tata Group will make announcements in memory of Ratan Tata on their flights during the day, officials said on Thursday.
Ratan Tata’s demise comes at a time when the group is in the process of completing the consolidation of its airline business – the integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect was completed on October 1, while Vistara’s merger with Air India is scheduled for November 12.
Vistara is a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines.
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson told employees that Air India acknowledges and is grateful for Ratan Tata’s immense contribution to Indian aviation and Tata Airlines in particular.
In his message to employees, Air India Express MD Alok Singh said Ratan Tata’s passion and immense contribution to aviation and his guidance in shaping the group and the organisation make this loss even more profound.
“His legacy lives on and continues to inspire us in our journey ahead,” he said.
Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan told employees that Ratan Tata has been and will continue to be an inspiration to all of us at the Tata Group and across the country. “The aviation sector was very close to his heart”.
Meanwhile, in honour of the late Ratan Tata, Air India Express adopted the theme of white lilies on a dark background on its website and social media handles.
Not just Tata Group airlines, but IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air also paid tribute to Ratan Tata.
Aircraft maker Boeing’s India and South Asia president Salil Gupte said his remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark not only on the aerospace and defence sectors but also on various industries and society at large.
“Mr Tata exemplified integrity, innovation and compassion, leading the Tata Group to unprecedented heights and maintaining the highest standards of corporate responsibility. His influence will continue to inspire future generations, serving as a guiding light for all of us in the industry,” Gupte said in a statement. Airbus India and South Asia president and managing director Remy Mailard said Ratan Tata’s leadership shines in business as well as philanthropy and what is most exemplary is his humility, humanity and belief that success is most rewarding when shared with the community.
“Mr Tata’s passion for aviation is well known. We will miss hosting him in Toulouse and discussing his love for flying and aviation in general. His enthusiasm and vision for the revival of Air India as part of the Tata family will continue to inspire us.” He said in a post on LinkedIn.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said his invaluable contributions to the country across multiple sectors, a source of inspiration and legacy will remain forever.
“At IndiGo, we are grateful for his visionary leadership and contribution to Indian aviation and are deeply saddened by his demise,” said Elbers’ message posted by IndiGo on Instagram.
On X, Akasa Air said Ratan Tata’s legacy is one of unparalleled excellence, innovation and compassion.
SpiceJet mourned the death of Ratan Tata in a post on X and described him as a visionary leader and pioneering entrepreneur who dedicated his life to building modern India through innovation and social responsibility.
Singapore Airlines, which has a long association with the Tata Group, mourned the death of Ratan Tata, saying he was “a visionary global business leader, as well as a beloved partner and dear friend”.
“He played a key role in the establishment of our Vistara joint venture more than a decade ago, which laid the foundation for a strong and enduring relationship between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. Vistara established itself as India’s most preferred full-service airline,” Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a statement. Ratan Tata, who was also a pilot and passionate about aviation, played a key role in the Tata Group’s acquisition of Air India from the government in January 2022.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said in a post on X that Ratan Tata’s visionary leadership not only transformed India’s industry but also played a key role in shaping the country’s aviation sector.
In honour of the late Ratan Tata, European aircraft maker Airbus on Thursday postponed the inauguration of its new India and South Asia headquarters and training centre in the national capital.
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