Monday, January 22, 2018

IndiGo, Singapore Airlines combo ideal buyer for Air India, says value investor Mohnish Pabrai

With the government taking quick steps for divesting its stake in Air India, Mohnish Pabrai, a leading US based value investor says that a combination of IndiGo and Singapore Airlines would be ideal buyer for the state-run carrier. “In my opinion, the ideal buyer for Air India is a combo of Singapore Airlines and Indigo. I do not know of any operator in India who is as good as Indigo on the domestic front and internationally, there are very few carriers as good as Singapore Airlines. An entity like Singapore Airlines coupled with people like Rakesh Gangwal who used to run United Airlines, used to run Air France and now is the promoter of IndiGo, should be brought together and the magic will happen,” Mohnish Pabrai told ET Now. Last week, Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha said that the government is looking to close the stake sale by 2018-end.

Sharing his viewpoint on the government’s decision to cap foreign investment into Air India, Mohnish Pabrai said, “I would make it that even a foreign entity can come in and buy 100% of Air India without any issues. I would focus on other pieces which are more important and which is taking care of the people, thus creating an entity that has a strong viable future. It can go head to head with Emirates, head to head with others — the best in the world and beat them at that game that is what I would focus on.”

Interestingly, while the Union Cabinet allowed 100% foreign direct investment into Indian airline operators under the automatic route, it has different rules for state-run Air India and allowed foreign airlines to invest up to 49% under the approval route, subject to the conditions that: (i) Foreign investment(s) in Air India, including that of foreign Airline(s), shall not exceed 49 per cent either directly or indirectly ensuring that substantial ownership and effective control of Air India shall continue to be vested in Indian National.
22/01/18 Financial Express

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