‘I want Air India to survive... but business as usual is not an option’

NEW DELHI: All options for Air India, including a proposal by think tank NITI Aayog to bring in a strategic partner, are on the table, aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said in an interview on Wednesday. “That’s one of the alternatives that could be possible,” Raju said. “We have to come to some decision. Business as usual is not an option; otherwise Air India will close down.” Edited excerpts: Till early this year the Udan scheme was going full steam, and Air India was going ahead with its expansion. Then why do we suddenly see so many articles and public statements on disinvestment in Air India? Air India is a good airline; its finances are awful. Finances are more because of legacy issues. Now, from day one I have been saying that Air India’s problem has been its finances and its a debt trap situation despite the fact that previous government has given a turnaround plan and a financial reconstruction plan. So, taxpayers money is also going to Air India and things are yet not working out. Therefore, business as usual is definitely not an option. So where is it headed? I myself don’t go into Air India bashing; I like that airline. I want it to survive and under what type of structure (we have to see). Because if it survives it gives employment and if it crashes... in the private sector Kingfisher Airlines crashed. If anything crashes then no one gains, much less the country. Wide consultation is going on. Air India employees are very concerned, some demotivated. Will you be able to assure them that no matter what happens, there jobs will be safe? The whole thing is to see it survives...If it crashes no one gains. Actually anyone would be concerned about their future. It’s human instinct. But there are problems. It’s not as if they don’t know aviation. Given that a CBI inquiry is going on, do you think any strategic investor would like to come into Air India? That has nothing to do with this. This is a transaction to take it forward. If you do not get people interested, then how do you do it? You have to be realistic, otherwise it is not going to work.