Tata Group has successfully acquired Air India for ₹18,000 crore, concluding the government's long-awaited privatization effort. Of the total amount, 15% will go to the government, and the remaining funds will be directed toward clearing Air India's debt. The deal includes a 100% stake in Air India, its subsidiary Air India Express, and a 50% stake in ground-handling firm AISATS. Air India’s total debt stands at ₹43,000 crore, but only ₹23,000 crore will be transferred to Tata, with a significant portion of the debt retired through the bid payment.
This marks the end of a lengthy privatization process that began in 2018 but failed to attract buyers then. Tata’s bid was approved after a transparent process and a panel headed by Home Minister Amit Shah. The deal has significant strategic implications, especially for Tata Group, as analysts believe it allows the group to revitalize the airline in the post-Covid aviation market. However, challenges such as high fuel costs and competition from low-cost carriers remain. The handover is expected to occur within four months.