New Delhi once again extends Air India bid deadline

The Indian government has extended the deadline for bids in the ongoing privatisation of Air India (AI, Mumbai Int’l) by a further two months until 1700L on October 30, blaming the decision on the coronavirus pandemic. This is now the fifth deadline set since the process was initiated on January 27. The government’s Department of Investment and Public Asset Management said in a “corrigendum” posted on its website on August 25 that the deadline for receiving expressions of interest had been extended in view of “requests received from the interested bidders in view of the prevailing situation arising out of covid-19.” Initially, the final date for bids was set for March 17, which was then extended to April 30, then to June 30, and again to August 31. The date for the department to come up with a shortlist of approved bidders has also been extended, by more than two months to 1700L on November 20, the statement said. “Further changes with respect to the important dates, if any, will be communicated to the interested bidders subsequently,” it concluded. It is unclear who the interested bidders for Air India may be, with, as previously reported, Tata Group so far being the only entity that has emerged as a serious bidder for the beleaguered flag carrier.