24-Aug-2009 11:27 AM
Minister for Civil Aviation "never" supported a bailout of Air India
India's Minister for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, stated Air India has "never operated smoothly" (Business Standard, 24-Aug-09). Mr Patel added he has "never" supported a bailout of Air India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: "I have never supported a bail-out for private airlines. I have never supported a bail-out for Air India also. But we have to do certain things as shareholders. While Kingfisher offered a lot of premium class services and lost money, Jet Airways is losing money because it grew too fast on international routes. Also, the private carriers grew too fast and we of course do not regulate their growth," Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation. Source: Business Standard.