Centre wants Air India to survive, says Raju

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju commented saying the Centre wants Air India to survive and does not mind who runs it as long as it serves the Indian people.

"If it is left like what it is, it is bound to die.... we want Air India to survive, we don't mind where it is, who runs it. As long as it serves the Indian people and Indian skies, we are happy," Raju said.

He was responding to a question regarding the privatisation of Air India, during a conversation with CNN's Richard Quest at CNN Asia Business Forum tonight here.

Stating that Air India is a "nice" airline and in the last two years it has not added to its losses, Raju said, "....I like that Airline, I like it to survive, I would love it to survive, but I cant commit the tax payers money for eternity."

Responding to a query, what is the time schedule from now to eternity, he said "...Some thing has to be done about it, the sooner the better. We would like it to survive whether it is owned by the government....."

The Minister said regional connectivity is among the priorities of the government for civil aviation in India.

He also said, "India is a big country, we have about 31-32 airports which are not serviced by airlines. Our priority is to connect the unversed and the under served. Right now we are evaluating them."