Management installed by the Tata Group had spent three years struggling to undo a reputation for shoddy operations earned during decades of state ownership.

The deadly crash of an Air India flight carrying more than 240 people on Thursday arrives after years of efforts to turn around the country's flag carrier — which had been plagued by tragedy and financial losses under prior state ownership.

The crash of the London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12) that left more than 265 dead could slow the erstwhile national carrier's plans to expand and revive its reputation and profitability.