Civil Aviation Secy meets private airport operators over vaccination, Air India issue

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola discussed the progress of vaccination and the issue of Air India dues with private airport operators. During the meeting, he informed that airport staff should be treated as frontline workers and the Ministry of Civil Aviation will be handling all the outstanding dues of Air India.

New Delhi:Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola on Thursday held a meeting with private airport operators to discuss the progress of vaccination and the issue of Air India dues.

According to sources, the Aviation Secretary told the private airport operators that all the workers at the airport should be treated as frontline workers and they should be vaccinated on a priority basis.

Read:|Government likely to float bids for Air India sale next month

During the meeting, the airport operators were also informed that from now onwards the Ministry of Civil Aviation will be handling all the outstanding dues of Air India.

The government aims to complete the sales by this financial year as divestment will be one major source of income to bridge the widening fiscal deficit.

Read:|Domestic aviation sector expected to return to normal

The government is selling its entire 100% stake in Air India, which has been in losses ever since its merger with domestic operator Indian airlines in 2007.

Tata Group and SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh are the bidders who have been shortlisted for Air India's divestment.

Read:|Almost 65 pc of domestic air travel back to pre COVID-19 level: Kharola