Citing people in the know, Times of India reports that British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and a “Gulf carrier” may bid for the airline, and they are scouting for local partners to meet the criterion of “substantial ownership and control”. Overseas carriers can have a joint venture in India provided they have a local partner with at least 51% stake. Reuters reported that Tata Group, a potential suitor, was unlikely to bid for Air India as the government’s terms were too onerous. Jet Airways and IndiGo have already backed out of the race.
