Air India to ask Rs 7,000 crore in budget

New Delhi: As Air India gears up for a massive image makeover, with new cabin crew uniforms, a new inflight service manual, new first and business class menus and an advertisement blitz after its Star Alliance entry, the national carrier recently told the civil aviation ministry, before a crucial presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that it was up to the government to take a call on whether India needed a national carrier as significant costs were involved. Air India could seek budgetary support of around Rs 7,000 crore from the government in this financial year.

Read: Starshine for Air India

Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju indicated on Tuesday that he had discussed Air India and its performance in detail with the Prime Minister, but no decision was taken at the briefing.

Also read: Prime Minister harps on Air India's financial revival