Air India has changed since its takeover by Tata Group, says CEO Campbell Wilson
Air India has seen a cultural transformation after its takeover by the Tata Group, triggered by infusion of new employees and training, managing director Campbell Wilson said.
The takeover of the airline has seen Air India hire new employees and part with some of the older staff. The average age of employees has come down to 34 years from 54 after its privatisation, Wilson said at the Skift India Summit 2024 on Wednesday.
«There had been no recruitment in non-flying staff for the last 15 years (before the acquisition in 2022). We have been able to recruit a whole bunch of people not only for necessity but also for their competency and bring down the average age of employees,» he said.
Wilson's comments come amid Air India laying off around 200 people as part of restructuring the airline.
The company said the retrenched employees consisted of less than 1% of its headcount and had not taken the voluntary retirement scheme or reskilling opportunities given by the airline. Air India has followed all regulations including paying adequate compensation to the laid off employees, it said.
The salt-to-steel conglomerate took control of Air India from the government in January 2022. As part of the agreement during privatisation, the new owners had to retain all employees for one year.
The company, the CEO said, has also helped in the transition of people by investing in their skills.
The airline has executed two rounds of a voluntary retirement scheme. More than 2,500 employees had opted for it.
«We have helped them
