AI revival plan: Rs 30,000 crore equity over 9 years

Giving a major boost to cash-strapped Air India, government on Thursday announced a turnaround package with a Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) equity infusion over a nine-year period and induction of 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

In another development, the government also approved a proposal to hive off Air India's MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) business and its Engineering Services as two wholly-owned subsidiaries, placing about 19,000 of around 28,000 total employees with them.

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Announcing the decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told reporters that under the approved Turnaround Plan and Financial Restructuring Plan, the airline would get an upfront equity infusion of Rs 6,750 crore (Rs 67.5 billion).

The airline has been allowed to issue government-guaranteed non-convertible debentures worth Rs 7,400 crore (Rs 74 billion) to its lenders, like financial institutions, banks, LIC and EPFO.

These NCDs would be used to repay part of the airline's close to Rs 21,200 crore (Rs 212 billion) working capital loans.

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The debt-ridden carrier has outstanding loans and dues worth Rs 67,520 crore (Rs 675.2 billion), of which Rs 21,200 crore (Rs 212 billion) is working capital loan, Rs 22,000 crore long-term loan on fleet acquisition, Rs 4,600 crore (Rs 46 billion) vendor dues besides an accumulated loss of Rs 20,320 crore (Rs 203.2 billion).

The CCEA also gave its nod to the induction of 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and three Boeing 777-300s on sale and leaseback basis.

Under this system, one party sells a property to a buyer who immediately leases it back to the seller.

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This arrangement allows the initial buyer to make full use of the asset while not having capital tied up in the asset.

To questions about allowing foreign airlines to invest in Indian carriers, including Air India, he said a decision is likely to be taken at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

Singh said the FRP proposal that additional equity of Rs 30,231 crore (Rs 302.31 billion) be infused between 2012 and 2021 in the airline was also approved by the Cabinet.

"But Air India will have to fulfil the tasks set out in the TAP and meet all the milestones" on a regular basis to get these benefits.

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Apart from this, part of the working capital of about Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion) would be restructured as cash credit arrangement.

The government has so far infused equity of Rs 800 crore (Rs 8 billion) in 2009-10, Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) in 2010-11 and another Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) in 2011-12.