In a big boost to ailing Air India, the government on Thursday approved a turnaround plan (TAP) to restructure the operations and the finances of the cash- strapped carrier, including infusion of additional equity.

"The turnaround plan of Air India has been approved," civil aviation minister Ajit Singh told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The CCEA approved the TAP and the airline's financial restructuring plan (FRP), which includes additional equity infusion by the government.

Besides, the issue of induction of the much-awaited Boeing Dreamliner-787, part of the TAP, was also given the green signal by the CCEA as per a PTI report.

They said the issue of allowing foreign airlines to invest in Indian carriers could be taken up by the Cabinet next week.

As part of the airline's restructuring plans, the government had announced infusion of Rs 4,000 crore during the current fiscal in the 2012-13 Union Budget. This would raise the airlines' equity base to Rs 7,345 crore.

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is expected to deliver the first of the 27 Dreamliners, ordered in 2005, to the national carrier next month. The delivery of these aircraft was initailly to commence from 2009 but the US aircraft-maker deferred it for various reasons, including labour unrest.

The SBI-led consortium of 19 banks had last month approved the FRP which includes debt restructuring of Rs 18,000 crore by the banks and a committed equity infusion by the government.

The FRP would provide relief to Air India from its debt servicing obligations on working capital, in the form of a substantial reduction in interest outlays while giving it the necessary time to improve its operational efficiency and implement the TAP.

As part of the FRP, Air India had signed four agreements with the banks' consortium on March 31 -- the master restructuring agreement, working capital facility agreement, appointment of facility agent agreement and appointment of trustee agreement.

A major highlight of the agreements included conversion of about Rs 10,500 crore of the airline's working capital into long-term loan, carrying an annual interest of 11 per cent.

"The first year interest would accumulate in a funded interest term plan," the sources said, adding these would lead to substantial savings of about Rs 1,000 crore in 2012-13 itself.

(You need to login first to read complete news).
New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News