Air India CMD Ashwani lohani on Saturday said the management was doing everything to revive the national carrier and talks of privatisation do not have any impact on its expansion plans. “We are doing all that is needed to financially revive Air India. We are going to launch new domestic and international flights and for this recruitment is on,” lohani said speaking to reporters here. “But we have inherited a heavy burden of debt (Rs 50,000 crore). Besides, there are issues related to amalgamation of Air India and Indian Airlines,” he added.
He refused to comment on possibility of privatisation of the national carrier and Tata group buying a stake. “I won't comment on the issue of Air India's disinvestment. It is Government’s domain, not mine,” he said. lohani, however, denied that privatisation talk had dealt a setback to the airline's expansion plans. “Our expansion plans are unhindered. Twenty-five big and small aircraft will be inducted in the next couple of months. Our situation is improving with every passing year. Negative coverage (in media) is on decline,” he said. lohani said Air India was going to launch flights from Delhi to Washington, Stockholm and Copenhagen in coming months.