The Government of India is set to launch the privatization process for the national flag carrier airline, Air India. 

The government is set to release the expression of interest (EOI) tender before the end of 2019 to invite bids from interested buyers to acquire the entire stake of the government in the airline.

In March 2018, the divestment plan in the airline failed since most buyers were wary of the government retaining a 24% stake in the airline. The government is set to hit INR1.05 trillion (US$14.7 billion) target once the airline deal is closed. The sale should also help the airline which has fallen behind private operators like IndiGo and SpiceJet.