AI, Indian image makeover by June

NEW DELHI: The name, brand and the names of at least three top officials of the new airline, created by the merger of Air India and Indian, would be finalised by June this year.

"A new company has been registered and the scheme for amalgamation, now under preparation, will have to be approved by the Boards of the two airlines. I expect all the legal formalities to be completed by June," Air India Chairman and Managing Director V Thulasidass told reporters here.

He said the location of the corporate headquarters of the new airline along with the names of its top brass, three top-most officials, the name, the brand and the mascot would also be decided by then.

Both airlines have already started working toward integrating their domestic and international flight schedules, including the regional routes serviced by the Indian, he said. A fully integrated schedule would be worked out for the Winter Schedule starting October, he added.

Asked when would the merged entity decide on an Initial Public Offer (IPO), Thulasidass said it would only be considered after the merger is completed and the two airlines fully integrated.

Besides using the money raised for acquiring fleet, the IPO is aimed at making the new company a business venture and make it accountable to the investing public, he said.