The government is likely to tell the cashstrapped Air India to prune its order for 111 planes that would cost the exchequer about Rs 44,000 crore. This order was placed three years ago when the aviation industry in India was growing at nearly 30% and the economy booming.
But, now, in this slowdown, almost all airlines are struggling to remain afloat and AI is seeking a bailout from the government to survive. Nearly 45 of the ordered planes have already joined the Maharaja’s fleet.