India, Feb. 12 -- January 27 was a big day for India's erstwhile national carrier Air India and the Tata group's rekindled ambitions in the airline space. It was three years ago on that day that the Tata's took back the reins of the beleaguered carrier , founded by the group in October 1932 , to effect a turnaround that would take Air India back to its previous glory.

At the time of sale, former finance and aviation secretary Ashok Chawla remarked that Air India was once the "crown jewel" not just of India but of the global skies. He further added that although it sadly lost its "exalted position", there was no reason why with the correct handling, it could re-enter the "hall of fame". Former CMD of Air India Vishwapati Tridevi echoed th...