Earlier this month, the disinvestment-bound Air India had floated tenders for availing govt guarantee backed loans for working capital needs
Mumbai : Air India has tied up with public sector lender Punjab National Bank and private lender IndusInd to secure loans to the tune of over Rs 3,000 crore for meeting working capital requirements. The airline expects the two banks to disburse the amount by next week, a source close to the development said. Earlier this month, the disinvestment-bound Air India had floated tenders for availing government guarantee backed INR short-term loans totalling up to Rs 3,250 crore in the first phase to meet its urgent working capital.
Banks were asked to submit their financial bids by September 19, indicating the amount of government-guaranteed short-term loans they were willing to offer. “Punjab National Bank and IndusInd bank have won the mandate to lend us loans worth Rs 3,250 crore. They are expected to disburse the amount next week,” the source told PTI here. He said the funding will be used for repayment of dues to the airport operators, oil companies and other vendors. Under a turnaround plan approved by the previous UPA government, Air India is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The 10-year bailout package began from 2012.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had given in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment of Air India.
