Former British Airways CEO denies being contender for Air India top job

Former British Airways chairman and chief executive officer, Alex Cruz, denied a media report which said he was likely to be the new CEO of Air India.

“Whilst it is very nice to be mentioned as a candidate for roles as important as this one, I can confirm that I am not a candidate nor have I been,” the aviation veteran told DH in an email.

Earlier on Thursday, The Times of India had reported that Cruz, who had rich experience of heading both full service and low-cost airlines, may helm the Indian airline which was recently bought by Tata Sons.

“We have no comments to offer at the moment,” Tata spokesman Harsha Ramachandra said in a reply to an email seeking comment on the original media report.

Tata took control of the debt-laden state-run carrier last month, winning back ownership after nearly seven decades. It was launched in 1932 by J.R.D. Tata., a legendary industrialist and India’s first licensed pilot.

The new chief of Air India faces the mammoth task of turning around a debt-laden carrier, with old aircraft, a huge workforce and falling market share. But the carrier still controls prime slots at airports in India and abroad.

Also read: EPFO onboards Air India, takes into fold 7,453 airline employees for social security benefits

Tata Sons is looking for someone with international experience to lead Air India.

“It is very clear that they want to get somebody who has a strong understanding of international airlines and a very strong appreciation of what the global customer needs,” said Mark Martin, chief executive at aviation industry consultancy Martin Consulting LLC.

The incoming CEO of Air India will have to find ways to focus on regaining a global foothold and take control of markets where it lost out to Middle Eastern airlines.

“That’s where the bread and butter revenue comes in,” Martin said. “So, again, go back to where the Indian diaspora is.”

The new leader will also have to help the airline “expand organically to what Air India was back in the 50s and 60s”, Martin said.

He sees the new CEO getting ample freedom to decide on Air India’s future journey.

“The Tatas have always given enough leverage and leeway to whoever wants to run their ventures,” Martin said. “They are not going to micromanage.”

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