Insta
Government’s Plans To Privatise Air India’s Profitable Subsidiary AIATSL Hits Roadblock
Air India’s ground handling arm, AIATSL is present at 76 airports pan India and provides air transport related services to 46 airlines. (image via Sreenath y/Wikimedia Commons)
The Union Government's efforts towards disinvestment of the loss-making Air India's profit-making subsidiary Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL) have hit a wall, the Hindu reports.
Air India's ground handling arm, AIATSL is present at 76 airports pan India and provides air transport related services to 46 airlines. Also, the firm has a market share of 48 per cent in the domain, primarily because of the assured business from Air India, as well as because of its rights to operate at state-owned airports.
However, the efforts of the government to privatise the AIATSL have met with a significant hurdle as potential bidders for the subsidiary have raised concerns over the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) plan to award ground-handling work at 76 of its airports to vendors.
The issue has garnered worries from potential bidders like Bird Group, Celebi Aviation Holding and Bhadra because of the high royalties of as much as 226 per cent offered by short-listed bidders which the new owner of the AIASTL will have to match or cede the rights.
This, according to the potential bidders would make the AIASTL purchase an unviable activity given the annual profit of nearly Rs 120 crore earned by AIASTL would be inadequate to match the royalties offered by competitors.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
