AI sale: Swiss Aviation Consulting denies bid

‘Never expressed interest in acquiring’

Switzerland’s Swiss Aviation Consulting (SAC) on Monday denied that it was interested in bidding for Air India or any of its assets.

“Though Swiss Aviation Consulting is delivering aircraft asset management and aviation consulting services in India and other Asian countries, it has never been in contact with any Indian government officials or Air India representatives regarding the bidding for Air India and has never expressed interest in acquiring Air India or parts of it,” the aviation advisory group said in a press release.

“Neither is Swiss Aviation Consulting acting as a front for some other stakeholder.” it said in response to media reports.

The Hindu had in its April 9 issue reported that the Swiss firm had expressed interest in acquiring Air India, citing a senior official in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, who had spoken on condition of anonymity.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation had shared the broad contours of the AI stake sale last month in a preliminary information memorandum.

The Centre had offered to cede management control and sell 76% of AI.

Civil Aviation Secretary R. N. Choubey said on Monday that the request for proposal for the national carrier’s disinvestment would be made public in about two months time.