Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Govt waiting for competitive bidder for Air-India

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta on Thursday said that the government would not divest its stake in Air-India and Indian Airlines unless it receives proper competitive bidding from the prospective and competent buyers.

"At the moment Hindujas are the only bidders in a way as Tata-Singapore Airlines has pulled out and we cannot sell our stake unless we get proper competitive bidder," Gupta told reporters after addressing a conclave of eastern states on promotion of tourism.

Though the Tata-Singapore Airlines were also officially in the fray to acquire 40 per cent stake in the international carrier, Gupta said he had read in newspaper reports that the consortium was not keen on continuing with their bid.

"Both the airlines are national property and we cannot sell our stake to the lone bidder," he pointed out.

To a question on the offer by Virgin Atlantics Airlines to run London-Delhi services, Gupta said the government would not be able to allow the airlines to run the service because it would affect the schedule of Air-India.

"We can allow the airlines provided it does not affect the Air-India schedule," he said. "We welcome other airlines to come to the country for operation but they should not affect our existing flights," he added.

UNI

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ:
SIA may exit Air-India race
SIA-Tata bid for Air-India may fail
Hindujas out of AI bid
Hindujas saddened by government decision
Hindujas hope to stay in Air-India race

Money
Business News

Tell us what you think of this report