Air India’s former official Tharakan dies of cardiac arrest

TRIVANDRUM - Former Middle East and North Africa regional director of Air India and managing director of Great India Aviation Service George Tharakan, 69, died following cardiac arrest at Cochin in Kerala on Thursday.

By T.k. Devasia

Published: Fri 17 Jun 2011, 10:56 PM

Last updated: Thu 27 Jul 2023, 4:27 PM

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Tharakan (Betty) and daughters Rozina Tharakan Kuriakose, Karina Pottamkulam and Tania Tharakan.

Former Kerala director-general of Police and Research and Intelligence Bureau Director Hormis Tharakan and Kannur University vice chancellor Dr P K Maichel Tharakan are his brothers.

Tharakan, who was rushed to a hospital in Cochin following chest pain, breathed his last at 9am.

His funeral will be held at 11.30am today at St. Martin Borres Church, Olavipe at his ancestral village at Thykattuserry near Cherthala in Aleppey district, according to family sources.

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Tharakan, who had served Air India for over three decades in different capacity, was instrumental in strengthening the air connectivity between Kerala and the Gulf countries. During his tenure as Regional Manager-Kerala from 1990 to 1996 the number of Air India flights from the state was increased from 11 to 44.

During his tenure as the regional head of Air India’s operations in the Gulf, Tharakan had endeared himself to the expatriate community with his compassion and ready-to-help attitude. He was a stern decision maker when the interest of the travellers was at stake.

By increasing the connectivity between Kerala and Gulf countries, Tharakan made the route the backbone of Air India. He has handled evacuation of Indian Citizens after invasion of Kuwait as well as during the Amnesty in UAE in 1997.

— news@khaleejtimes.com