The Tata group of Airlines, which includes Air India, Air India Express, and Vistara, made in-flight announcements on Thursday to pay tribute to Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away Wednesday night at a Mumbai hospital at the age of 86.
The announcement was made on all flights operated by the Tata Group airlines, as per ANI sources.
In an internal communication to all employees of Tata Group of Airlines, Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, expressed his sadness at the news of Ratan Tata’s passing.”Dear Air Indians, it is with the deepest sadness that we receive the news of the passing of Tata Son’s Chairman Emeritus, Mr Ratan Tata. In addition to the many wide-ranging and significant contributions our Chairman Mr N Chandrasekaran has highlighted, Air Indians especially acknowledge and are grateful for Mr Tata’s immense contribution to Indian aviation and to the Tata airlines. On behalf of all Air Indians past and present, we extend our sincere condolences and respects to the Tata family and all touched by Mr Tata’s passing,” he said.
Passengers traveling on Air India flights recorded videos of the in-flight announcements and shared them on social media platforms.
As the news of Ratan Tata’s passing became public, tributes have poured in from leaders across the country, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of almost every state.
The Gujarat government declared a day of mourning in respect, with the national flag being flown at half-mast and no cultural or entertainment programs being held by the government on Thursday. The Maharashtra government has also declared a day of mourning.
Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, was the Chairman of Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic trusts in India. He served as the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement in 2012, after which he was appointed as Chairman Emeritus. In 2008, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.
