Kingfisher Airlines is close to sealing a share-swap deal with Delhi-based, low-cost carrier SpiceJet, sources close to the development said.
The share swap is expected to be in the ratio of 1: 3, where SpiceJet shareholders will get one share of the merged entity for every three SpiceJet shares owned by them.
The deal, if it is finally clinched, will give Kingfisher promoter Vijay Mallya access to a formidable route network, making it the largest aviation player in the country with nearly 40 per cent market share.
Mallya, who is currently in Europe, said he will comment on the matter on Friday.
The sources said Kingfisher will fly its recently acquired Simplify Deccan on regional routes and SpiceJet on the metro route as a low-cost airline. The deal also makes sense as Spicejet's Boeing fleet will make it easier for Mallya to fly to the US.
SpiceJet flies to 15 destinations with 94 flights a day. The Kingfisher-Deccan combine, with 83 aircraft, flies to 63 destinations with 440 flights a day.
Market sources said a share-swap deal is the only way for both the companies to seal the deal in a cash-starved market. The existing promoters will not be given cash, the sources said.
For SpiceJet, the merger makes sense in view of the mounting losses in adverse market conditions. The airline had already appointed Rothschild for deciding the way forward. The airline had planned to raise $100 million for fleet expansion, but is yet to get investors.
SpiceJet's promoters -- such as London-based Bhupendra Kansagra, who has a 12.9 per cent stake in the airline -- had earlier expressed a desire to exit the airline, if valuations were right. Kansagra, however, had denied any formal deal with Kingfisher.
Other promoters, like investment firm Ishtitmar (13.4 per cent stake), have said they want to raise stake in the airline, but have not made any commitment so far. The tatas hold a 6 per cent stake.
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