India is ready to sweeten the deal for the sale of Air India, the loss-making state-owned carrier, a finance ministry official said. The government is considering allowing potential suitors for Air India decide how much of the flag carrier’s debt they want to take on as part of the deal, Disinvestment Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said. The bid date is also likely to be extended beyond Oct. 30 to give investors time to make an offer, he said. “We will remove the constraints that the current structure of the transaction poses for investors,” Disinvestment Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said. “We are now thinking of letting the market determine the level of debt. That means we don’t freeze it.” Current rules require bidders to take over the carrier’s $3.3b of aircraft debt, deterring buyers. Air India has been unprofitable since its 2007 merger with state-owned domestic operator Indian Airlines, and has relied on taxpayer money to keep flying, with the bailouts adding to the pressure on already strained government finances. “It is very difficult for the government to keep on sustaining Air India. Winding up could be disastrous,” Pandey said. “The only course now is to proceed toward disinvestment.”<br/>
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Singapore Airlines has withdrawn plans for three-hour scenic flights after receiving criticism from environmental groups. The flag carrier had sought to use grounded passenger planes for the so-called flights to nowhere back to the airport from which they departed. This would have offset the revenue lost while Singapore's government restricts entry to foreigners during the coronavirus pandemic. The move garnered interest when it was first reported, but environmental activists claim it would lead to unnecessary emission of greenhouse gases. "They decided the negatives outweighed the positives," a person familiar with the company's plans said. Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines has turned to other ideas to generate extra revenue. The company converted a double-decker Airbus A380 jet into a temporary restaurant, with meals in first-class seating costing 642 Singapore dollars ($472) and those in economy going for SG$53.50. Next month, the carrier will welcome customers to its training center where they can operate flight simulators or experience training on how to be flight attendants.<br/>
Air NZ has announced the return of its Mystery Breaks, and it has added a brand new luxury experience. For $1629 per person, you will stay in five-star accommodation for a weekend, with breakfast and dinner included, in one of the 20 domestic destinations the airline flies too. Also included is a luxury Avis rental car for the full duration of your stay. For those who find that a bit rich, there are also options of a Great or Deluxe package at $599 and $699 per person respectively. Customers get to pick the dates, as well as one destination they are not keen to travel to. They won’t know where they are flying to until two days before travel. Air NZ GM Brand and Marketing Jeremy O’Brien says he is “really excited” to bring back Mystery Breaks to help customers explore New Zealand. “It’s part of doing our bit to boost local tourism. Previously these had been mostly purchased by corporate customers, but we’ve developed the packages further to appeal to leisure travellers,” said O’Brien. “It takes the admin out of booking a holiday – you don’t have to research and plan all the separate elements – all you have to do is get on the plane. They are also a great gift option because you don’t need a name or a date to buy a voucher – the recipient can decide at a later date.”<br/>