Privatization

Air India was started by JRD Tata in 1929 and was one of the most admired airline. It helped train the crew for many airlines in Asia. It was nationalized in 1953. I flew it for the first time in 1973 and swore to never do it again. I gave it a chance in 1998 and was really sorry again. I now fly it only becuase it has only non stop service from San Francisco to Delhi. I fly first class but I still hate the service. If it was a private airline, it would not survive. Goverment keeps it afloat by cash infusions from time to time.

If I owned Air-India, I would make it distinct by offering only non-stop flights from various US cities to various Indian cities. I would have immediately upgrade the service and charge a premium for non-stop offerings. But it is owned and run by government Babus who just don't give a s**t about whether it makes money or not. Why should Emirate have a corner on US/India market?

Businesses should be run by profit oriented entrepreneurs. It appears that Tata's may get their airline back. It would be an expensive uphill task to get the fleet and crew upgraded. If I were Tata's I wouldn't give government a dollar for the loss making airline. I would spend all the money making the airline work. I would give government warrants for a future 20% equity, when the company goes public. Government should be happy to get the ambatross off its neck and not have to infuse a billion dollar every year to keep it flying.