Delta, KLM-Air France reportedly keen on Air India bid
A global airline consortium led by Delta Air Lines is said to be in talks to take over debt-ridden.
The Indian government is preparing the disinvestment process for the state owned carrier and is close to announcing the opening of Expressions of Interest from serious bidders.
News agency PTI reports Delta and its partners Jet Airways and Air France-KLM are keen to submit a bid, according to people in the know.
India based Jet Airways has strategic ties with both Delta and Air France-KLM, and its CEO Vinay Dube is a former Delta executive.
Leveraging Delta’s financial clout is perhaps the only way Jet Airways could seal a deal for Air India which has racked up large debts and has hugely bloated workforce.
Mainline brand Air India and low-cost arm Air India Express will be sold off as one entity, and the access it provides to international slots would be attractive for any bidder.
AI’s engineering and ground handling units will be sold off separately.
India’s largest carrier low cost IndiGo has already expressed its interest along with an unnamed foreign airline.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports