SIA steps up operational role at Air India amid financial woes, reportedly places executives in key roles

National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) is reportedly deepening its operational involvement in India's flag carrier airline, Air India, following Air India's major losses in the latest financial year, as well as recent lapses in safety.

In a report by Bloomberg via Business Times on Apr. 23, citing unnamed sources, SIA is said to have moved a number of its employees into the airline, with executives now placed in key roles spanning flight operations, engineering and maintenance.

SIA currently owns a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, with Indian behemoth Tata Group owning a controlling stake.

The move marks a notable shift from SIA's earlier position as a strategic minority partner to a more active operational presence within Air India.

SIA taking stronger grip on operational areas

Sources cited by Bloomberg said Air India's controlling shareholder, Tata Group — which holds a 74.9 per cent stake — is concentrating its focus on commercial, human resources, finance and information technology functions, while SIA takes a stronger grip on operational areas.

SIA's involvement is said to have intensified following the fatal Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in June 2025, which killed more than 240 people and dented consumer confidence.

SIA is reported to have already stepped up its engagement in engineering last year before expanding into other functions.

A spokesperson for SIA told Bloomberg that since becoming a significant minority partner in Air India, it has been working closely with Tata Sons to support the airline's transformation programme.

Air India's revival is said to have proven far more complex and costly than Tata Group bargained for when it acquired the carrier from the Indian government in 2021.

It is described as a turnaround many in the industry consider among the most ambitious in global aviation.

Major losses

In an earlier report, Bloomberg said Air India sought financial support from both Tata Group and SIA after posting losses that exceeded earlier internal projections.

It was previously reported Air India approached Tata Group and SIA for financial support after reporting losses of more than US$2.4 billion (S$3.2 billion) for the latest financial year.

The airline has faced a confluence of operational and geopolitical headwinds that have derailed its recovery efforts.

These include the closure of Pakistani airspace following a brief military conflict between Pakistan and India in mid-2025, which forced the airline onto longer and more expensive flight routes.

Tensions in the Middle East, a critical region for Air India, caused further disruptions, while rising jet fuel prices and softening demand for premium travel added to cost pressures.

Sources said the lack of clarity on when Air India can return to profitability is becoming a "growing concern" for the Singaporean carrier.

Losses from associated companies — largely attributable to Air India — amounted to S$178 million in the December quarter, SIA disclosed earlier.

Despite this, it said remains "firmly committed" to working with Tata to support Air India's transformation.

Top photo from Unsplash and Air India/Facebook