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In a significant move marking the end of an era, Air India recently shifted its booking office from the historic Air India building to CR2 Mall at Nariman Point. The 23-storey tower, a prominent feature of Mumbai's skyline since 1974, was sold to the Maharashtra government for INR 1,600 crore last year as part of the airline's asset monetisation programme. The building, known for its signature centaur logo and billboard of international destinations, had remained an iconic landmark along Marine Drive for nearly fifty years. Tata Group, which acquired the carrier in 2022 for INR 18,000 crore, has been focusing on streamlining operations.
In a move symbolising the end of an era, Air India has officially relocated its booking office from the historic Air India building to CR2 Mall at Nariman Point. This marks the airline's final departure from the premises that once served as its headquarters. According to an official notice issued by Air India, the newly inaugurated booking office at CR2 Mall is expected to offer an 'elevated experience' along with 'improved facilities' for its customers. Advertisement
Although Air India had shifted its corporate headquarters to Delhi over a decade ago, the Mumbai building continued to house several offices and the airline's booking centre until recently.
The 23-storey Air India building, a striking feature of Mumbai's skyline since 1974, was sold to the Maharashtra state government last year for INR 1,600 crore. The sale formed part of Air India's broader asset monetisation drive. For nearly five decades, this distinctive tower-adorned with the airline's signature centaur logo at its summit-had stood as an enduring landmark along Mumbai's 'Queen's Necklace'.
Although the central government's initial plan was to divest Air India's assets to generate funds, it later reconsidered its strategy, mindful of potential public criticism over the sale of such an iconic building to private entities. Consequently, it opted to transfer ownership to government institutions. In 2019, three public sector bodies-the Maharashtra government, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, and the Life Insurance Corporation of India-expressed interest in acquiring the property. Eventually, in 2022, the Maharashtra government revised its bid to INR 1,601 crore, against Air India's original asking price of INR 2,000 crore and secured the deal.
The 23-storey tower, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, was designed by post-modern architect John Burgee of the New York-based architectural firm Johnson/Burgee. The building encompasses 4.99 lakh square feet of space, two basements, and even a tunnel.
An Air India spokesperson noted that the relocation is part of the airline's ongoing transformation following its privatisation. Since Tata Group acquired Air India in 2022 for INR 18,000 crore, the airline has been focused on streamlining operations and optimising its resources.
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