New Delhi, March 23 According to the government, as many as 11 airlines have exited the market in the last 10 years due to financial stress, lack of aircraft, and other internal issues.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, told the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the aviation sector is deregulated, and airlines operate based on commercial considerations while the government is committed to ensuring a balanced and resilient sector.
"Since 2016, a total of 11 airlines have exited the market due to reasons such as financial stress, lack of aircraft, and other internal issues. Furthermore, AirAsia (India) Pvt. Ltd. (now AIX Connect Pvt. Ltd.) has merged with Air India Express Ltd., and Tata SIA Airlines Ltd. (Vistara) has merged into Air India Ltd.," he said in a written reply.
Specific details were not disclosed.
In response to a query on the total outstanding dues of failed airlines to airports, employees, and creditors, Mohol said that Kingfisher Airlines owed Rs 380.51 crore to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the claim has been lodged with the official Liquidator in Bengaluru.
Kingfisher Airlines had ceased operations in 2012.
TruJet owes Rs 0.03 crore to AAI, while Jet Airways and Go First have no outstanding dues.
