As a first step in its acquisition of Air India, Tata Airways introduced “enhanced food and beverage services” on four flights it operates from Mumbai on Thursday. Earlier this week, the central government said it aimed to complete the divestment process by January 27.

While Air India flights are not currently flying under the Tata banner, it is a major statement in the airline’s handover to the auto-steel conglomerate nearly 70 years after its acquisition.

The “Enhanced Meal Service” will be available on four flights scheduled today – AI864 (Mumbai-Delhi), AI687 (Mumbai-Delhi), AI945 (Mumbai-Abu Dhabi) and AI639 (Mumbai-Bangalore).

Service will be on AI191 (Mumbai-Newark) flight and five Mumbai-Delhi flights on Friday, and will be expanded to more flights in a staggered phased manner.

Meanwhile, the acquisition is expected to take place on Thursday, The Hindustan Times reported earlier.

After a bidding process, the government on October 8 last year sold Air India to Talace Private Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Group Holdings, for Rs 18,000 crore.

The national airline started its journey in Tata 90 years ago, before the government nationalised the sector in 1953.

Talace Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, will take a 100% stake in AI and AI Express, as well as the government’s 50% stake in ground handling company Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS).

This is the first privatisation of an airline since 2003-04.

At the same time, through this acquisition, Air India will become the third airline brand of the Tata family and the second largest airline in the domestic market after IndiGo. Tata Group already holds majority stakes in AirAsia India and Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times