Indian conglomerate Tata Group has reportedly expressed an interest in taking a controlling stake in flag carrier Air India.
Tata chairman N Chandrasekaran is thought to have held initial talks with government officials for a stake in the state run airline.
Talks centred on a possible deal in partnership with Singapore Airlines, according to unnamed sources.
Tata and Singapore Air already operate airline joint venture Vistara Airlines.
Separately Tata also has a stake in AirAsia India.
"In terms of passengers’ perception, the problem with Air India is with the soft infrastructure – in-flight service, cabin cleanliness, amenities, in-flight entertainment – and not hardware, which is aircraft. The Tatas can improve overall passenger experience with Singapore Airlines’ assistance," said an industry source.
If Tata does invest in the beleaguered airline it would be history repeating itself.
The original Tata Airlines was established in the 1930s and eventually became what is now the nationalised Air India.
