After W L Ross’ investment in SpiceJet, another major private equity deal is likely in the debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines. Private equity majors interested in buyouts have started initial discussions with promoter Vijay Mallya. According to sources in the know, PE buyout majors such as TPG, Cerberus Capital and Blackstone have shown interest.

The talks are in early stages. Blackstone was likely to rope in a British airline for acquiring the Kingfisher stake, the sources said. The percentage of stake dilution in Kingfisher is not known.

Cerberus had acquired 3i Infotech’s US-based billing and payment unit for $137 million last year. In 2004, it had acquired a large stake in bankrupt Air Canada. TPG is already engaged in talks with AMR, the bankrupt parent of American Airlines, to buy a majority stake as per a report in Business Standard by Reghu Balakrishnan & Aneesh Phadnis. 

A Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson said, “We are in discussions with potential investors.” Currently, the promoter and promoter group hold 50.51 per cent in the airline. TPG and Blackstone spokespersons declined to comment. Cerberus Capital had acquired the Air Canada stake in 2004 and also owns a stake in the Netherlands-based AerCap Aviation, a leading aircraft-leasing company. Cerberus had acquired 51 per cent stake in GMAC, the financing arm of General Motors, in 2004 for $7.4 billion.

Mallya is also in talks with foreign airlines such as Etihad and British Airways to sell a stake once the government allows foreign airlines to invest in Indian carriers. CEO Sanjay Aggarwal has reportedly said the promoters would be in a comfortable position even if 49 per cent holding was offloaded.