Indian carriers suffered Rs 19,000 cr loss in 2008-11: Singh

New Delhi: Indian air carriers have incurred operational losses of around Rs 19,000 crore between 2008-11, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said today.

“In 2011-12, Rs 10,000 crore loss is anticipated,” Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.[caption id=“attachment_297578” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Going on a high. Reuters “]  [/caption]

The figures are based on the returns filed by airlines with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Low cost carrier, IndiGo, is the only airline which has not registered loss during the period.

Singh said national carrier Air India has incurred Rs 5,548.26 crore losses in 2008-09, Rs 5,552.44 crore in 2009-10 and Rs 6,865.17 crore in 2010-11.

The minister also said an Inter Ministerial Working Group has been constituted, headed by the civil aviation secretary, to identify the factors causing stress in the civil aviation sector and suggest solution.

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In reply to separate question, Singh said 57 pilots have been found positive for alcohol during the pre-flight check in last three years.

“In 2009, a total of 17 pilots failed alcohol test, in 2010, 23 and in 2011, 17 pilots were tested alcohol positive during the pre-flight breath-analyser check,” Singh said.

PTI