Tata group and Singapore Airlines strong bidders for Air India

New Delhi, Jan 06: Singapore Airlines is interested in bidding for Air India was mentioned by chief executive officer of Vistara.

"I think Singapore Airlines has an open mind. It really depends eventually on whether there is a business case. I don't think we know enough at this moment," Leslie Thng, chief executive officer of Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons Ltd and Singapore Airlines, told reporters at a press briefing.

Both the Tata group and Singapore Airlines have attempted to take over Air India in the past and are seen as potential bidders for the debt-laden airline.

Air India has a strong brand presence globally, Thng said, listing the Indian airline's several pluses. "If you look at the history, Air India was in fact one of the pioneers in many of the aviation launches. Air India actually has a very good reputation in some of the markets. People know about Air India -- there are a lot of NRIs (non-resident Indians) who live overseas, who know about Air India. It flies to many international destinations. The brand awareness of Air India is not weak," he added.