Air India to be broken up by Indian government

Muscat: The Indian government will split national carrier Air India into four separate companies and offer at least 51 per cent in each of them as part of a divestment plan proposed by the government.
In an interview, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, said that Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express will form the core airline business. "The other three units are regional carrier Alliance Air, MRO operator Air India Engineering Services and ground handler Air India Air Transport Services," he said.
The Indian government, however, wants to ensure that ownership and effective management control stays within the Indian government.
Last week, the cabinet allowed foreign airlines to hold up to a 49 per cent stake in Air India.
Air India operates 24 flights per week from Muscat International Airport and Air India Express operates 24 flights from Muscat and two flights from Salalah International Airport. "So altogether they operate almost 50 flights a week from Oman," a senior official of Air India said.
Recently, Air India had announced daily flight operation on sector Muscat-Ahmedabad-Muscat via Mumbai. "Passengers bound for their final destination i.e. Muscat/Ahmedabad need not change aircraft/Airport Terminal Building at Mumbai,” the official said.