New Air India COO Gustav Baldauf told ATWOnline on the sidelines of the IATA AGM in Berlin that the carrier should return to profitability in 2-3 years.
The merger between AI and Indian Airlines will be completed this year, he said, adding that the carrier will become a full member of the Star Alliance in 2011. AI units such as maintenance, catering and ground operations will be spun off as separate entities but will remain under the "Air India Group" umbrella, he said, explaining that "the system [will be] similar to Lufthansa."
