The Union government owes cash-strapped Air India ₹1,000.62 crore, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

In a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said there was an outstanding amount receivable by Air India Limited for Special Extra Section Flight (SESF) flights from the Ministries of External Affairs, Defence and Home Affairs.

“Regular follow-ups for the same are made by Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and normally such dues are cleared from time to time,” he said.

Air India (Al) operates SESF with B747-400 aircraft for the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister. The costs on account of these flights are reimbursed to Al by the respective ministries.