Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran has called for a stronger culture of cost consciousness across the airline as the carrier enters a crucial phase of its transformation.
Addressing employees at a town hall, Chandrasekaran said every individual in Air India can contribute to improving cost efficiency. He identified safety, customer trust, operational execution and cost discipline as the four key priorities for the airline’s next phase.
Chandrasekaran also set a high benchmark for safety, saying Air India’s safety record should not simply match the best airlines in the world but should be better than the best. He stressed that achieving this would require strong processes, rigorous compliance and personal accountability.
Rebuilding customer trust will also be central to the airline’s turnaround. Chandrasekaran acknowledged that Air India has faced a difficult period marked by geopolitical disruptions, airspace restrictions, fuel-price volatility and operational challenges.
The chairman’s comments come as Air India continues to face significant financial pressure. The airline reported a loss of more than ₹22,000 crore in FY26 and is seeking to improve financial sustainability while continuing its wider transformation.
With incoming CEO and MD Tewolde Gebremariam taking charge, Air India is now looking to combine stronger safety standards and customer trust with sharper operational execution and tighter cost discipline.
