
Nerves of steel: Tata’s bid for Air India decoded
The Tata group has a history of grit and is no stranger to big-ticket acquisitions. But its bid for loss-making airline Air India could be its litmus test.
The Tata group has a history of grit and is no stranger to big-ticket acquisitions. But its bid for loss-making airline Air India could be its litmus test.
International flights between India and the U.K. had been on the rise thanks to an air bubble agreement between the two countries. Now, all bets are off.
Indian aviation is flying through heavy turbulence despite the government’s pro-industry directives. And the surge in Covid-19 cases across India is making matters worse.
Data by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation showed that more domestic travellers took to the skies last month, as compared to August. Although, traffic is still down on an yearly basis.
The Indian aviation industry isn’t out of the woods yet, as the pandemic shows no signs of retreating.
In a bid to tide over the unprecedented crisis because of the Covid-19 pandemic, SpiceJet announced a company-wide pay cut. However, employees in the “lowest pay grades” would remain unaffected.
Many other corporate houses like Bajaj, JSW, L&T, ITC and even the BCCI have pledged resources to combat the pandemic and alleviate the hardships faced by the poor.
Consultancy firm CAPA India says the impact of Covid-19 on air travel could possibly lead to a structural reset of the aviation industry, which could incur losses of $3.3 bn to $3.6 bn in Q1FY21.
Chief strategy officer Vinod Kannan, a Singapore Airlines veteran, will take over from Kapoor.
The budget airline has recognised expenses in aircraft lease rentals of ₹114.1 crore as ‘other income’, which has helped it achieve its highest-ever quarterly profit.