The national carrier Air India has registered a loss of over Rs 1,700 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal. The airlines has been unable to recover from the continuing losses and is facing liquidity crunch,

Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said,"The losses during the first quarter of 2010-11 are Rs 1791.38 crore. Air India has incurred losses to the tune of Rs 2,226.16 crore, Rs 5,548.26 crore and 5,552.44 crore during 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively." 

The airline has incurred losses mainly on account of increase in fuel prices, increase in interest and depreciation costs, increase in wage bill and increase in leasing and maintenance cost, he added.