Qualified AI bidders may be intimated by January 30

MUMBAI: The Centre is likely to intimate the qualified bidders for national carrier Air India by the end of the month, as the evaluation of the expressions of interest (EoI) is still underway, official sources said.

The government was to intimate the bidders by Januar y 5.

The transaction advisors are in touch with the interested bidders regarding several queries and the qualified bidders will be intimated only af ter the government is satisfied with the responses from the bidders.

Tata Sons and the New York-based Interups Inc backed by strategic NRI investors from the US and Europe are said to be the interested bidders for the national carrier.

The process has been divided into two stages. In stage I, expressions of interest have been submitted by the interested bidders and they will be shortlisted based on the eligibility criteria and other terms in the Preliminar y Information Memorandum.