| Air-India (A-I) is planning to float an information technology (IT) services company, jointly with a private sector player, to handle the comprehensive range of solutions for inhouse and customer-related functions. |
| "There is strong possibility of forming an IT services company after the proposed AI and Indian merger. The project could have a private partner," said Vasudevan Thulasidas, chairman and managing director, A-I. |
| He said the idea was in conceptual stage and nothing had been finalised. A-I's move is in line with the German aviation major Lufthansa, which also has an IT service. |
| "The proposed IT services wing will handle the entire back-end operations of A-I. This will also meet all IT requirement of airline, passengers, distribution system, engineering and other customers," sources said. |
| According to analysts, the initiative of forming different wings under A-I assumes significance in the context of the proposed merger of A-I and Indian. |
| "A separate company can meet almost all the requirements of merged entity's fleet. This will also give the company complete control over its operations and it will be in a better position to counter competition with all services under one roof," they pointed out. |
| They said the merged entity would have domestic and international operations along with a low-cost and low-fare subsidiary catering to domestic and international routes. |
| A-I is also planning to start a dedicated ground handling and engineering company. |
| The airline has also firmed up plans to launch air cargo wing by converting two A310 aircraft into freighter planes and to dry lease two cargo planes. |
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