J.R.D. Tata, founder of Tata Airlines, later became Air India. In the 1940s and 1950s, Air India was the first Indian global entity, bringing the Indian flag to international skies. Tata was determined to make Air India the best airline in the world, despite fierce competition from other global airlines. He wanted to establish the airline as the best-liked, safest, and most punctual airline, with better food and service.
In 1949, Air India became legendary for its punctuality, with Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru praising the airline’s high quality. Tata’s blue notes were extraordinary in their attention to detail and relentless push for excellence in all matters. After every flight, he sent them to management, summarizing his observations, including encouraging comments and scathing criticism.
Air India topped the list of airlines in the world in 1968, with 75% of passengers coming from countries with their own airlines. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew advised Singapore Airlines to study the high standards set by Air India. Ratan Tata, writing in a commemorative book, said that Air India was as important to him as the industrial empire he headed. His personal quest for excellence, attention to detail, and ability to keep abreast of new technologies relating to aviation and the airline business provided the leadership that made Air India an airline of choice and gave it true global stature.
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