Alliance Air had pitched a plan to the Civil Aviation ministry about Alliance Air’s potential international routes. Now in a new update as reported by IANS, it has come up that the Civil Aviation Ministry has approved Alliance Air’s plans of international flights to Sri Lanka. It is crucial to note that Alliance Air’s parent company, Air India remains at the top of the government’s agenda for a big divestment process. The government has been looking forward to selling all its stake in the national carrier to a private bidder.
Alliance Air Still Trailing With Losses
This approval by the Civil Aviation Ministry has triggered the speculation amongst Air India employees that government might be interested in holding on to a part of the airline business, despite its statements claiming that it wants out of the aviation industry. By withholding a part of Alliance Air, the government might still continue to play in the aviation sector. It is also worth noting that just like its parent company, Alliance Air’s financial situation remains grim. The airline reported a net loss of Rs 263.76 crore in 2017-18, whereas Rs 286.70 crore in the previous financial year.
Airline Bags Permission for Connecting Sri Lanka With Chennai
Alliance Air mostly connects tier II and tier III towns which are important from a socio-political perspectively. The Alliance Air fleet consists of 18 ATR 72-600 (70/72 Seater) and 1 ATR 42-320 (48 Seater) aircraft and the airline services 52 destinations. The airline boasts of having 114 departures per day. As reported by IANS, the new approval from the government allows Alliance Air to connect Chennai to Palaly and Batticaloa in Sri Lanka with its ATR 72-600 aeroplanes.
