V Thulsidas: AI, IA merger process in full swing

26 Apr 2007

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New Delhi: The merger process between Air-India and Indian is in full swing and the new entity is set to take on a new name, brand identity as well as a mascot by June, according to V Thulsidas, chairman and managing director of Air-India. The new company, he said, had already been registered and the amalgamation scheme would soon be placed before the respective boards for approval.

"I expect all the legal formalities to be over by June," Thulsidas said. The Air India MD was addressing the US-India aviation partnership summit being held here in the capital.

Thulsidas also said that the government is likely to appoint top officials of the organization, as well as finalise the location of the new headquarters, by June.

Meanwhile, both the State-owned airlines are working on integrating their flight schedules, including the domestic routes of Indian, and the new schedule is expected to be ready by October in time for the start of the winter season.

According to Thulasidas, an IPO for the merged entity would be considered only after the merger process and integration work of the two airlines was complete.

Addressing the US-India aviation partnership summit here, Thulasidas said the acquisition of 68 Boeing aircraft by Air-India and 43 Airbus aircraft by Indian would make the merged carrier one of the largest in Asia.

"We will have a combined fleet of 115-120 aircraft. Even by Asian standards, we will have a very large fleet comparable with Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Emirates," he said.

In world rankings, Air-India is 48th and Indian 67th. "After the merger, we will improve our position to 31," Thulasidas said. Talks, he said, were on with airline alliances and the merged entity would "shortly" take a decision to join one.

Thulasidas also said that the terms and conditions for Boeing's plans for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India were being negotiated.

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