Air India privatisation: SpiceJet's Ajay Singh has a risky flight plan

Even as the low-cost airline he runs has shrunk to survive the pandemic, many are questioning his plans to bid for national carrier Air India

In March 2020, soon after the cessation of airline operations globally and domestic flights within India, many in the aviation sector had written Delhi-headquartered low-fare airline SpiceJet’s obituary well before that of most of its rivals. Unlike IndiGo, GoAir (now rechristened Go First), Vistara and even AirAsia India, SpiceJet did not have founders or backers with deep pockets. Although it is the only other listed carrier in India besides IndiGo, it was considered the weakest and the least likely to survive the pandemic.

But Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh surprised everyone by not only surviving but taking the lead