Tatas’ flight plan may see drop in Singapore Airlines’stake
MUMBAI: Tata Group’s plans to consolidate its aviation business spread is expected to make a dent in Singapore Airlines’ (SIA’s) stake in the combined entity unless the Southeast Asian carrier escalates its investment.
The conglomerate owns 100% in Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express, 83.67% in AirAsia India and 51% in Tata SIA Airlines (Vistara) and is looking to bring the portfolio under one roof. In the first step, it plans to merge AirAsia India with Air India Express after it acquires Malaysian partner AirAsia’s 16.33% in the former. Then, it intends to combine Tata SIA Airlines (SIA owns 49% in Vistara) with Air India.
The consolidation will increase the enterprise value of Tata Group’s airline business. As a result, SIA’s stake in the merged entity would fall (below 49%), unless it ramps up investment.
