Air India announced the appointment of Mr. Raghu Menon to the post of Chairman and Managing Director of the airline, succeeding Mr V.Thulasidas, who retired on March 31. In his new position, Mr. Menon will be responsible for continuing the integration of Air India and Indian Airlines following their merger in 2007, as well as the expansion and upgrading of the carrier’s fleet and product offers, and its entry into the Star Alliance.
 
A 1974 batch IAS officer of the Nagaland cadre, Mr Menon was previously a Special Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.  He brings to Air India extensive experience in the field of aviation, with notable accomplishments that include the liberalization of India’s air services agreements with countries around the world, such as U.S. and Canada, the UK, France and Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Canada and other nations.  The move helped to create opportunities for Indian carriers to utilize bilateral rights, leading to an unprecedented growth in the civil aviation sector, estimated at nearly 25% annually, one of the highest in the world. Mr. Menon also worked at the Home, Welfare and Information & Broadcasting Ministries of the Government of India. He was briefly a journalist with The Hitvada newspaper before joining the civil services.
 
“It is a great honor to be elected to the position of Air India’s Chairman and Managing Director.  I look forward to continuing the airline’s successful growth around the world, helping to foster tourism and business, and making an important contribution to the economic prosperity of India,” said Mr. Menon.