Not In Town | @notintownlive | 30 Aug 2019, 03:03 pm
New Delhi: The Indian government is planning to divest loss-laden carrier Air India completely after a plan to sell 76 per cent stake failed last year, media reports said.
"I believe the government should not be in the business of running airlines… and believe the government should completely exit Air India," said Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as quoted by Economic Times.
Puri added as quoted by the media, "There are many who are very interested in the airline and the one who gets the airline will be very fortunate."
After the government took over Rs. 29,000 crore off its book, Air India has a debt of Rs. 31,000 crore.
Puri also said a panel headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah will take a final call soon.
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Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, global flight operations continue to face disruptions, with limited services and rising airfares affecting travellers across several regions.
Air India on Tuesday announced a phased increase in fuel surcharges across its domestic and international network, citing a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday said Indian carriers are planning to operate around 50 flights between India and the Middle East region amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf that have significantly disrupted flight movements.