The state airline Air India has had at least 12 Airbus jets on the ground for a long time. The cause is not the corona pandemic, but the fact that you have no money for the necessary engine replacement.

The local portal Hindustan Times reports, citing people familiar with the matter, that it is unclear whether the medium-haul jets affected could be reactivated in the event of privatization. Air India did not want to comment on the media report.

"At least" twelve aircraft of the Airbus A320 series are said to be affected. Their engines are at the end of the permitted service life and must be serviced or replaced. The money for this is said to be lacking, which is why some jets have been parked unused for several years. In August 2019, the local pilots union made public that a total of 19 machines of different types could no longer take off due to a lack of spare parts.

In the current privatization process, binding bids can still be submitted until September 15, 2021. In this context, Air India Express and half of the shares in Air India Sats are also to be sold.