The International Air Transport Association has said that the disinvestment of Air India, the national carrier which is to be put up for sale soon should be done in a fair and transparent manner. The process should be carried out such that it improves the situation of the aviation sector of the country. As per a PTI report, top officials of IATA said the following things on Wednesday about the sale of Air India. They also added that the Jet Airways bankruptcy has created doubts over the sustainability of the Indian aviation industry.
IATA Official Root for Fair and Transparent Disinvestment Process
Alexandre de Juniac, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) remarked, "The only thing that we can say about privatisation of Air India is that if it has to be done in a way that would probably maintain or improve the competitive conditions of the market.” According to the official, the sale of Air India would also free up some of the resources which the government was allocating towards Air India, now into the aviation sector to improve the situations.
Air India Neck Deep in Losses
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri remarked at the start of this month, that the disinvestment process of Air India has already begun and the Expression of Interest which will invite bids for the sale of Air India is under preparation. According to the data last month, provided by DGCA, IndiGo remains the biggest low-cost carrier in India with a massive market share of 47% and with SpiceJet and Air India carrying 15% and 13% air passenger traffic. It is worth noting that the losses for Air India in the 2018-19 period were pegged at Rs 8,556 crore. IATA official also raised concerns about high operating costs of Indian Airlines and said that the bankruptcy of Jet Airways has been a point of concern as well.
