Taking new wings? Tatas may bid for AI, says Ratan Tata

More than 50 years after Tata Airlines was renamed as Air India Ltd and later nationalised, the Tata Group could bid for a stake in the national carrier if the government went ahead and privatised the airline.

More than 50 years after Tata Airlines was renamed as Air India Ltd and later nationalised, the Tata Group could bid for a stake in the national carrier if the government went ahead and privatised the airline.

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"As and when it happens, we would be very happy to look at it," said Ratan Tata, former chairman of the Tata Group, when asked whether he would be interested if Air India was privatised.

Tata met aviation minister Ajit Singh along with Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong. The two also met commerce minister Anand Sharma.

Tata's comments come weeks after the aviation minister said privatisation could be one of the last options left to save the bleeding airline. Singh's comments, which received strong backing from experts, created a political storm. The government last year cleared a Rs 30,000-crore bailout package for AI.

"If there is political consensus and the Cabinet thinks it is a viable option, we may look at privatising Air India," Singh had said.