Air India unveils new uniforms for pilot, crew designed by Manish Malhotra

AIR India on Tuesday (12) unveiled new uniforms for its pilots and crew members. This is the first time that the Tata-owned carrier changed its crew uniforms in 60 years since it was founded in 1932.

The new attire, which will be rolled out by this month end, is an "ode to Air India's rich history and a promise of a bright future," the airline announced on X.

Air India roped in fashion designer Manish Malhotra to design the new uniform for its more than 10,000 flight crew, ground staff, and security personnel in red, aubergine, and gold, "representing the confident, vibrant new India", it said.

In a video posted on X by Air India's official account, crew members are seen wearing the latest uniforms.

"Introducing our new Pilot & Cabin crew uniforms, an ode to Air India's rich history and a promise of a bright future. These uniforms, envisioned by India's leading couturier Manish Malhotra, feature three quintessential Indian colours - red, aubergine, and gold, representing the confident, vibrant new India," Air India wrote on X.

The airline said in a statement that the new uniform is "a further step in the manifestation of Air India's new global brand identity as part of its ongoing modernisation programme".

"Air India expects to commence rolling out the new look for its uniformed employees by the end of 2023," the carrier said in the release.

The carrier is currently working on an ambitious revamp plan and placed an order for more than 450 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus earlier this year.

Campbell Wilson, the chief executive officer and managing director of Air India, said the airline's crew uniforms are amongst the "world's most storied" in the history of aviation. He also expressed hope that Malhotra's ensemble will script a new chapter for the airline's future narrative.

He also said it "perfectly captures" the essence of Air India's new identity, service principles and its pursuit of setting fresh benchmarks in the global aviation sector.

Malhotra said he is "honoured to have been given the opportunity to design the uniforms for Air India".