Why has the AI-Indian Airlines merger not been implemented properly?
Exactly, they have not yet been able to integrate the IT systems. While we are talking, Air India and Indian Airlines fly with different codes. When the matter went to the Central Vigilance Commissioner many times, my secretary asked them to tell him how to go forward with that. How can the CVC tell him that? No, I mean to ask them why can’t you do that, and it is coming to me all the time. Now, they are telling me that the IT system would be integrated by March 2010. I will tell you there are many elements within the airline who do not want the merger to happen. They have some vested interest. That is why the merger has not been completed. Air India had assumed while buying the new aircraft that it will grow at 12-14 per cent at a time when the market was growing at 6 to 8 per cent. This is despite the fact that you were offering liberal bilaterals as well as allowing domestic carriers to go international. What made A-I think that it could out-perform the market? I don’t deny the fact
