Letters: Sell off Air India

This refers to your edit “An unjustified bailout” (April 17). The failure of Air India’s debt restructuring plans can be attributed mainly to the way in which the airline is being run, that is, like a departmental undertaking rather than a professionally-managed entity. It is better to sell off the airline rather than putting more money into it; there is no pride or justification in holding on to a loss-making unit just because it happens to be our national carrier. Many countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, China and so on have sold their ailing flag carriers. We can do the same. Air India is expected to attract buyers considering its asset size, infrastructure facilities and network. By selling Air India, the government will achieve two targets — it won’t have to dole out more bailout packages and the sale proceeds will help fund the budgetary deficit.

V Sridhar Kolkata

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