Still waiting to see if IndiGo bids for Air India: Govt

New Delhi: The government on Monday said it will still want to see if IndiGo bids for Air India, even as the budget carrier had last week announced its decision not to bid for the national carrier.

Civil Aviation Secretary RN Chaubey said the government intended to make the divestment process “faster”, but made it clear that Air India’s operations would not be split in the bidding process. “Let us see whether finally they (IndiGo) bid or don’t bid. We will wait for them,” Chaubey said.

His comments and assertion against splitting Air India’s operations came against the backdrop of IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh announcing on April 5 that his company was opting out from the bidding process as its primary interest in acquiring Air India’s international operations was not available under the disinvestment plan.

He also remained evasive on if there has been any formal request from any national or international bidder for the Maharaja.