With its disinvestment process in shambles, the government plans to allow Indian Airlines to go ahead with aircraft acquisition by lifting the ban it had imposed when the disinvestment process was underway, civil aviation ministry sources said in New Delhi.
The domestic carrier has plans to induct at least six more aircraft into its 52-plane fleet by 2002. With the two groups - Hindujas and Videocon – being disqualified from bidding for stake in IA for different reasons and the disinvestment process running aground, the government now feels that the fleet expansion programme should be given a nod, the sources said.
Government has so far not called for any fresh expressions of interest from prospective buyers and also there is no indication that the privatisation process has been shelved. However, the sources maintained that lifting of the ban on fleet acquisition did not mean that the airline would be in a position to acquire the aircraft immediately.
The carrier also has on course an aircraft replacement cum acquisition programme totalling 39 jets by 2006, the sources said.
Bureau Report