Air India to clear dues to oil cos on Friday

Air India has already settled a "major portion" of its dues to state-run oil marketing companies and will settle the remainder on Friday, a spokesman of the ailing state carrier said.

"We are well within the credit limit of oil marketing companies," the spokesman, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

Earlier on Thursday, a source said state-run oil marketing companies will halt fuel supplies to Air India from Friday for non-payment of dues.

The airlines' operations were partially affected today with four flights, scheduled to depart from Delhi, delayed after oil firms stopped ATF supplies to the national carrier.