Vijay Mallya hints at SpiceJet stake buy

Liquor baron and Kingfisher Airlines promoter Vijay Mallya has hinted that he is interested in Delhi-based budget carrier SpiceJet.

Agencies reported that UB Group Chairman Vijay Mallya was "interested" in SpiceJet.

"I have not initiated any talks as yet. But if they want maximum shareholder value, they will look at me," news agencies quoted Mallya.

Besides, New York Times has reported about Mallya's interest in the airline in an interview. The paper said: "Well, am I interested?" he asked during the interview. "The answer is 'Yes'. Am I going to get it? The answer is 'I don't know,' " he said.

Mallya recently acquired 26 per cent stake in the country's largest budget airline, Air Deccan.

Sources said private airline Jet Airways is also interested in SpiceJet, though both the airlines' executives denied any such development.

SpiceJet operates over 83 daily flights in 14 cities with 11 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, like Jet Airways.

At present, Kingfisher Airlines is operating 187 daily flights covering 29 destinations with 22 Airbus family aircraft and 8 ATR aircraft.