Air India has posted an operating loss of around Rs 4,600 cr in the last financial year mainly due to higher oil prices and foreign exchange losses. The airline’s net loss stood at about Rs 8,400 cr while total revenues touched around Rs 26,400 cr in 2018-19.
The airline is projected to post an operating profit of Rs 700-800 cr in 2019-20, provided oil prices do not shoot up significantly and there is no steep fluctuation in foreign exchange rates. However, the airline incurred an operating loss of Rs 175-200 cr in the three months ended June as closure of Pakistan airspace for Indian carriers resulted in higher costs and caused a daily loss of Rs 3-4 cr when the restrictions were in place.
