Arun Jaitley says the private sector can manage 100 per cent of the aviation market
Air India has a massive debt of Rs 50,000 crore. Pic/SAYED SAMEER ABEDI
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said that the Central government was considering exiting Air India operations.
"There are many private airlines like Jet Airways, IndiGo, GoAir. If 86 per cent of the aviation market can be handled by the private sector, then 100 per cent can also be handled by the private sector," Jaitley told DD News, in an interview.
National passenger carrier Air India currently has a market share of 14 per cent and a debt of Rs 50,000 crore. The private airlines enjoy 86 per cent of the market share. "Air India has a debt of R50,000 crore. Its valuation of aircraft will be at Rs 20,000-25,000 crore. The civil aviation ministry is exploring all possibilities," Jaitley said.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha had earlier said that Air India's debt needs to be reduced and its balance sheet restructured as part of its financial transformation.
"Air India's balance sheet has to be restructured and debt reduced. The other issue is that corporate governance and professional management need to be put in place. Besides it has to be seen how the best use can be made of the non-core assets of Air India," Sinha had said.
14 Percentage of market share of Air India
84 Percentage of market share that private airlines in the country enjoy
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