Ashok Gajapathi Raju Vows to Give Air India A Makeover

Kolkata: Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday said the Central government wants to make national carrier Air India a vibrant airline and the work is going on for this purpose. "An alternative mechanism has been in place for what should be done with Air India. It is a beautiful airline," the Minister said after inaugurating a solar power plant at the Kolkata Airport.

"Its (financial) books are very bad and is in a debt trap. The (payments burden of) interest rates are pulling down. We want to make it a vibrant airline." The government has given in principle approval for strategic disinvestment of the national carrier. Several options are being explored in this direction and lot of suggestions are coming in, he said, adding that private airline IndiGo expressed its "interests on the international operations of Air India". (IANS)