Air India or Ground(ed) India ?

Economic Times [ 14 Sept 2011 ] provides some interesting in-sights into the affairs of Air India, as follows :

Ø   Aircrafts ordered in 2005 ………………………………….          68

Ø  Aircrafts delivered so far …………………………………..           41

Ø  Aircrafts yet to be delivered  ……………………………            27

Ø  Delivery delayed by  ………………………………………….       3 years

Ø  Compensation offered by Boing for late delivery….    $ 500 million

Ø  Current Debt of Air India…………………………………………   Rs.43000 Cr

Ø  Additional Debt for 27 aircrafts ………………………………   Rs.17000 Cr

Quotes :

Ø   Dinesh Keskar ( VP – Boing International )

“ This aircraft will be a game changer for Air India ………….. “

Ø  Vayalar Ravi  ( Civil Aviation Minister  )

“ Air India does not have the money to pay for the 27 Boing planes. Air India is not to increase its debt burden right now “

Come now, Mr Ravi !

Since when has non-availability of funds come in the way of Air India ?

Just “ sell “ the profitable routes on “ first – come – first – served “ basis “ ala 2G !

With regards

hemen  parekh