Air India deal could get OK’d next week

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, November 3, 2005

That’s what Press Trust of India reported today http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1283863.cms . The story was carried in more than a half-dozen English-language papers.

Key Quote: “The oversight committee, headed by former comptroller and auditor-general CG Somiah was set up by the government to vet the acquisition plans for both Indian Airlines and Air-India, is likely to meet on November 8.”

In case you’ve lost track, back in January, the government-owned airline agreed to buy 50 777s and 787s for its international service, plus another 18 737s for a subsidiary, Air India Express. The deal is contingent on government approval, and last month it got the thumbs-up from India’s Public Investment Board, which prioritizes all federal spending. That leaves only this oversight committee, which represents the Cabinet, to sign off on it.