IA's steady metamorphosis into an international carrier can be seen from its latest balance sheet. In 1993-94, 92 per cent of its total carriage of 7.9 million passengers were domestic ones, while by 1998-99, just under 20 per cent of its total passengers were those flying to or from international spots. In terms of revenue, IA's global flights accounted for just 37 per cent of its total revenue in 1993-94, and this shot up to over 53 per cent in just 5 years today, its global passenger revenue is Rs 1,401 crore as against its domestic revenue of Rs 1,200 crore.

This, of course, has set off a bitter battle between the two carriers who're desperately trying to protect their turf. Air India argues that Indian Airlines was meant to be a domesticairline and has actually muscled in on Air India's turf, and had been given the most lucrative Gulf and south-east Asian routes. In its recent exercise for purchasing aircraft, Air India in fact asked both Boeing and Airbus to give it quotes for aircraft essentially meant for flying the Gulf route.

In response to this cut by Air India, Indian Airlines' chief Anil Baijal has argued that Air India has no one to blame but itself. ``A-I has thrived in an era of regulation and protectionism'' is Baijal's reply in a letter to the ministry. Baijal goes on to say Air India has withdrawn from Canada, South Africa, Israel, Australia, Switzerland, Holland, Italy and Germany. In North America it only flies to New York and Chicago.

To add salt to injury, Baijal has actually asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation permission to fly to Europe, now that Air India has officially withdrawn from destinations such as Rome, Frankfurt and Manchester on the grounds that these routes are no longer viable!

If both Air India andIndian Airlines get their latest wishes granted, Air India will fly more to the Gulf and South-East Asia, while Indian Airlines will be seen in Europe! Either way, the airlines do need to be re-christened.