Singapore Airlines Expands Operational Control Over Troubled Air India as Record Losses Mount

Singapore Airlines Ltd. is accelerating its operational footprint inside Air India Ltd., moving deeper into management and strategic decision-making as the Indian carrier grapples with historic financial losses and a string of safety incidents that have drawn regulatory scrutiny, according to people familiar with the matter.

The deepening involvement marks a notable escalation in the airline-to-airline partnership forged when Tata Group took control of Air India in 2022. Sources indicate Singapore Airlines is assuming greater oversight of day-to-day operations, route planning, and maintenance protocols. The expansion comes despite Air India's cumulative losses exceeding several billion dollars since its revival and amid at least two documented safety lapses in recent months that prompted intervention from India's civil aviation regulator. Industry observers say the moves reflect Singapore Airlines' long-standing strategy to secure market share on India-to-Europe and India-to-North America routes without directly owning a local subsidiary.

The situation places pressure on both carriers. Air India faces the challenge of restoring profitability while addressing credibility questions following the safety episodes, which included an engine malfunction and a runway incident. Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, is betting that operational influence can reverse Air India's trajectory before competitive rivals—particularly Emirates and Qatar Airways—consolidate their dominant position on transfer traffic through India's major hubs. Aviation analysts warn that the partnership's success hinges on whether Tata Group will approve the capital injections and structural reforms that experts say are necessary to align Air India's standards with Singapore Airlines' reputation for safety and service excellence.