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"There is every reason for Air India to respond quickly. The management, the employees, all will have to come out with a proper restructuring plan," he told reporters outside Parliament House.
Patel said Government support cannot be taken for granted.
"It cannot be open ended. However, Government is committed...We want a strong national carrier," he said.
The Minister said Air India is appointing SBI Caps for financial restructuring, adding that the Government wanted to know "what is needed to be implemented in coming weeks and years".


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It would be absolutely immoral on the part of the Indian Government to bail out Air India through public funds. Air India itself is to blame for the present situation of the company. As per a recent report of BBC Air India pays astronomical amounts of salaries to its employees. Pilots on the international sector are paid in dollars and make up to $15,000 every month and stay in five-star hotels when on duty. Air India engineers with 15 years of experience make more than 200,000 Rupees per month. Air India has 210 employees per aircraft; nearly double the global norm. Employees who are union representatives for cabin crew and ground staff are officially exempt from doing work. Air India pays them their salaries, flying allowances
Mr. Patel says the Government is committed to a strong National Carrier; he wants a proper restructuring plan. Will the various elements of the plan be tested to ensure that the Management and the employees of a PSE can operate a profitable service-oriented carrier? Will the privately owned and operated carriers be given equal opportunities as the public carrier? In times of financial problems, will the public carrier receive any subsidies from the Govt?Should the carrier be owned and run by the Govt? Why not a private or PPP Carrier capable of efficient and impeccable service? Let us get some profits out of an enterprise like Air India. With a combination of politicians and bureaucrats there is no getting away from losses and poor reputation.