will iphoto work on MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)

It depends on which version of iPhoto you have. With Mojave the only version of iPhoto that will run is V 9.6.1. If you don't have that version you can only get it if you've downloaded some previous version of iPhoto 9 from the App Store. Otherwise you will be limited to using the newer Photos app.

You won't be able to get iPhoto. Use the Photos app that came with the labtop.

What batch command are you referring to? There have been a number of AppleSripts created by users to batch change numerous items, like metadata, associated with photos. You can review them here: Thematic Index to Photos for Mac related User Tips - Apple Community

These user tips will help you make the transition from iPhoto to Photos:

Notes on Migrating an iPhoto Library from iPhoto to Photos for Mac

Moments in Photos are the New Events

External Editors in Photos Are Here

Post 9/30/2018 Printing Options for Photos - Apple Community

Ordering Books and Calendars on a Mac that cannot be updated past El CapitanUse Project Extensions to order print products in Photos after September 30, 2018 - Apple Support

Create and order print products in Photos with Project Extensions - Apple Support

If you currently are having iPhoto 9.6.1 on any of your Macs you can copy the application to your new Mac. The iPhoto 9.6.1 application is selfcontained and you do not need an installer, if you have a copy of the application.

Maybe these will do the job for you:

Script: Batch Changing the Title to the Capture Date 2018

Batch Change Title to Capture Date-Description-Padded Sequential Numbers

Script: Batch Change the Titles to a Given String

Script: Batch Changing the Titles to the Filenames with Extension (Dec 19,2018

Script: Batch Change the Descriptions - Apple Community

Script: Batch Append Text to the Description of Photos

There's more here: Thematic Index to Photos for Mac related User Tips - Apple Community

The scripts compiled as applications can be downloaded from this tutorial site:  P01 - Applescripts from Photos’ User Tips Compiled as Applications