Singapore Airlines, Emirates May Be Possible Contenders For Air India Stake
Low-cost airline IndiGo’s decision not to bid for Air India is not a surprise to many as the Gurgaon-based airline had made it clear in an “unsolicited” bid even before the divestment process started that it was only interested in the Maharaja’s international operations and its low-cost arm Air India Express.
With the government making it clear in the Expression of Interest released last week that it wanted to divest Air India in totality (Air India, Air India Express and ground handling), IndiGo had no option but to withdraw from the divestment process. Perhaps, others too, who have been looking at parts of Air India for bidding, will now have to rethink.
In one sense, the government’s decision does clarify Air India’s divestment process as now only those who have the financial standing to bid for the airline in its entirety will remain. There is already talk that Jet Airways may tie up with Air France-KLM for making a bid for Air India.