"The aviation ministry has asked us not to go ahead with any expansion plans because the government has started a discussion on the privatisation," said an Air India official, who did not want to be named. "While we cannot hold back the induction of aircraft that was already committed, we have immediately put on hold discussions on getting new aircraft." "We are planning to create a web of regional flights, including flights under the regional connectivity scheme through Alliance Air," a senior official had said. Plans, however, are on hold now.Analysts believe that holding back expansion plans of Air India is not the right strategy. "It will make the airline unattractive for a prospective buyer.

Source: Economic Times June 13, 2017 18:56 UTC