**Air India Under Scrutiny: Safety Concerns Resurface Post-Crash**

A tragic crash has raised alarms about Air India's commitment to ensuring passenger safety and handling its ambitious growth plans amid a changing aviation landscape.

Air India, the flagship airline of India, has found itself in the spotlight once again following a tragic incident that has reignited discussions about passenger safety and operational efficiency. Nearly fifteen years after a series of dangerous events led to heightened concerns regarding its safety record, the recent crash has compelled the Tata Group, the airline's current owner, to confront these issues head-on.

Founded in 1932 and nationalized in 1953, Air India underwent a change of ownership when the Tata Group acquired it in 2022. The move was seen as a step towards revitalizing the airline amidst growing competitiveness in India’s aviation market, where it now competes closely with strong players like IndiGo, which holds a substantial market share alongside Air India.

Since the takeover, Tata Group has been focused on modernizing Air India's operations, merging smaller airlines into the Air India brand. However, the airline has faced challenges in fleet expansion and pilot recruitment, which are crucial for meeting its ambitious growth targets. These struggles were underscored after a crash that led to a somber acknowledgment from Tata Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, who expressed condolences to the victims' families while Air India temporarily altered its online presence to reflect the day's tragic news.

Notably, Air India has seen a marked increase in its safety scrutiny, especially in light of its past incidents, including a 2020 mishap in Kozhikode that claimed 21 lives. That event came on the heels of a decade-long period without deadly crashes, which had raised public confidence in the airline's operational standards.

The aviation industry had been under significant scrutiny during the late 2000s, particularly with several near-misses reported at Mumbai's airport and various operational issues involving Air India. A specific incident where a plane operated without a pilot for several minutes made headlines and further fueled safety concerns.

After the recent crash, Air India pledged full cooperation with investigative authorities, saying it is committed to understanding the factors that led to this unfortunate incident. However, the fallout has also seen negative repercussions on Tata’s publicly-listed subsidiaries, with shares slipping downward as the news broke.

As Air India seeks to redefine itself under Tata management, addressing safety protocols and enhancing operational reliability will remain paramount in restoring public confidence and achieving growth in a competitive market landscape.