AI rejigs its managerial cadre

Air India has carried out a major shake-up in its top management, including reshuffling six of its executive directors responsible for crucial tasks.

The exercise, which will come into effect from July 15, would also see shuffling of eight general manager level and three deputy general manager level officers, airline sources said.

An official circular to this effect, signed by CMD Arvind Jadhav, has been circulated among the employees.

While executive director (corporate strategy) Deepak Brara would now look after Ground Handling, ED (operations) Rakesh Anand would look after Training.

ED (Americas) Chitra Sarkar would be in charge of Customer Services and hold additional charge of operations in America and Europe.

ED (Flight Safety) Capt A S Soman would take charge of Operations, while ED (Western Region) R Harihar would be responsible for Related Business.

ED (Ground Handling and Customer Services) Capt A K Sharma would now hold charge of the Western Region.

The general managers (Personnel) of Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern regions have also been transferred from one region to another.

The major shake-up comes weeks after new chief operating officer Gustav Baldauf took over.

The national carrier is in the process of taking major steps to restructure itself by curtailing costs and enhancing revenue and savings.

The move comes days ahead of a meeting of the group of ministers on Air India, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The meeting, scheduled in mid-July, would deliberate on the measures taken by the ailing national carrier to effect a turnaround.

Air India suffered an estimated loss of Rs 5,400 crore (Rs 54 billion) in 2009-10.