Air India to retain name post-divestment

Air India will retain its name even after the govt divests it stake in the airline. It is reliably learnt that retaining the name is one of the conditions that the govt will lay down for prospective bidders. As part of the disinvestment process, the govt is considering divesting between 51% and 76% stake in the airline, sources indicated. Despite divesting over half its stake in the airline, the govt will ensure that the new owner will be able to make use of Indian air services bilateral rights as the govt will lay down that Substantial Ownership and Effective Control of AI remains in Indian hands and on Indian shores. A clearer picture on the roadmap for divesting Air India will emerge in the next few days when the Expression of Interest for prospective bidders is released. <br/>