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Air France, Delta Airlines pull out of A-I bidding
Paris, Feb 25: Air France confirmed that it and US carrier Delta Airlines had pulled out of talks, to buy a 40 per cent stake in Air India. "Air France and Delta Airlines have decided not to stay in the running for a stake in Air India," an Air France spokesman said. A source close to Air France added, that the two companies had pulled out of the talks because their Indian partner, ITC, had also withdrawn from the bidding. This contradicted earlier statements from Indian sources close to the talks, who said Air France and Delta were pulling out because the Indian government said the deal could only go through, if it retained a high degree of control over the airline's board.The two companies have a code-sharing agreement, wherebyAir-India can allow its passengers to travel on flights operated by Air France. Another accord between the two companies enables the French carrier's passengers flying on Air-India flights, to add air miles to their Air France frequent flyer cards. (PTI) Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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