Find Indian market lucrative, but
sceptical about investment in the sector
|
In spite of a high and sustained growth in passenger traffic, the financial strength of almost all Indian airlines is severely affected, leading foreign carriers to be disinclined to invest at the moment.
Top aviation officials, who had met
at the 68th annual meet of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
in Beijing last week, spoke about strict regulations, lack of reforms and the
government’s backing to Air India as factors which came in the way of
competition.
“We have been hearing it (allowing
foreign airlines to invest) for five years. India is an attractive destination
for us to serve, but I am not sure if India will be an attractive destination
for us to invest in,” Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines
Group, which owns British Airways and Iberia following their 2011 merger, said.
He said a major reason was the
“continued financial support” of the Indian government to Air India, which “in
my mind distorts competition”.
“Part of the problem that exists in
India is the financial viability of the airlines, which is caused by the Indian
government continuing to support the inefficient state-owned airline,” Walsh
said.
“Anybody who is looking at India now
is going to say it’s going to be an extremely difficult proposition. There is a
reward, access to a vast market, but the execution of that is the question,”
said Tim Clark, president of UAE carrier Emirates.
“You cannot afford to let civil
aviation be a lame duck, not in something the size of India. You will have to
find a way to make it work,” he said.
Azran Osman, chief executive of
Malaysian low-cost carrier Air Asia, said, “You have got to address that big
white elephant, Air India. If it continues to behave the way it is, you can
make it 100 per cent foreign ownership, and no one’s going to be attracted.”
However, Bruce Ashby, CEO of the
global airlines’ group ‘Oneworld’, struck a different note saying it was
possible that some foreign carriers may invest in India.
“Recently, we have seen foreign
carriers put their money into other foreign carriers around the world. It is
possible. But I do not have any specific airline in mind when I say that. It is
certainly possible because we see that happening in other places,” Ashby, who
once headed no-frill carrier IndiGo, said.
A proposal to allow foreign carriers
to own up to 49 per cent in Indian airline companies has been pending for
several weeks now for consideration by the Union Cabinet.
The Trinamool Congress, a major
partner in the ruling UPA coalition, is opposing this move.
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