NAMRATA SHARMA ZAKARIA: What three things about Air India would you like to change when you compare it to any other top international airline?

The aircraft, and the on-time performance. These two are obvious. I don’t think I need to go into a third.

AMBREEN KHAN: In terms of aviation companies, what’s the benchmark or role model Air India is following?

My role model for Air India is the Air India of old . . . everyone knows that the Air India of the fifties and sixties was one of the finest in the whole world.

CHANDRASHEKHAR KULKARNI: Is there any plan to revive the Maharaja or any other mascot?

The Maharaja will remain our mascot. We’d like to improve on the Maharaja, but without it losing its authenticity. I believe the Maharaja is one of the best things that has happened to India as a mascot. We’ve done away with the centaur, except on top of our building — that’ll take some time. We have brought in a new logo, but the Maharaja we’re absolutely retaining.

ARUN BEHL: What’s the state of industrial relations in Air India and how do you propose to improve it so that we don’t have strikes?

In the last three and a half years, there’s been no strike in Air India and only one in Indian Airlines. I’ve made it clear to my employees — pilots or cabin crew or anyone — the future of the company is for you to decide. If you want to take it up, you can do that. If you want to take it down, you can do it without my help. And if you want to take it up and need the wherewithal — aircraft, a wider network etc — those things are now getting ready for you.

... contd.