Air India shutdown fears grow

Struggling Air India might be forced to shut down by June next year unless it finds a buyer as “piecemeal” arrangements cannot be sustained for long, according to a senior airline official. Amid continuing uncertainty over the fate of the carrier, the official said there is also need for funds to restart operations of 12 grounded narrow-bodied planes. Sounding alarm bells, the official said Air India might well go the Jet Airways way if a prospective buyer does not come on board by June next year. With govt leaving the debt-ridden airline to fend for itself by refusing to inject funds any more amid its privatisation plans, the airline is “somehow” keeping it afloat with piecemeal arrangements, which are unlikely to sustain for long, the official said. <br/>