As the government begins the process of turning around the financially distressed national carrier, Air India, NDTV has learnt that Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata has agreed to join the airline’s new international advisory board. Sources also said that Sam Pitroda, the chairman of National Knowledge Commission, and S Ramadorai, chief executive officer and managing director of TCS, will be on the independent board of the airline.

Wipro chief Azim Premji may also be approached to join the board. In an exclusive interview to NDTV’s Nidhi Razdan, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said Air India would benefit from the presence of eminent people on its board. He also said the bailout for the airline will cost over Rs 4,000 crore.

At the airline, which is in the midst of a restructuring process, the first heads to roll would be the top management, not the staff, the minister said.

The management of the cash-strapped airline had earlier announced that due to the liquidity crunch it would defer the payment of salaries, wages and for the month of June of the around 30,000 employees by a fortnight. The management had also asked the airline's top brass not to take their July salary.