AirAsia, the Tatas and the Arun Bhatia JV locks in promoters for long term

Comments print
Subhash Narayan, Debabrata Das: New Delhi, Feb 25 2013, 11:51 IST
The partnership between AirAsia, the Tatas and the Arun Bhatia family is set to be a long-term one. The three-way joint venture agreement to run low-fare air services in India will bind all the entities under an exclusivity clause that bars them from relinquishing their shareholding to any other entity including forging an alliance with a domestic airline company during the term of the joint venture.

However, the terms of the agreement allows Tata Sons and the Bhatias-owned Telestra Tradeplace freedom to pick up 5% equity capital of any airline if the investments are made jointly without getting any management control in the target company.

“During the term of this Memorandum of Agreement, AirAsia Berhad, AirAsia India Ltd and their affiliates shall not directly or indirectly initiate, assist, solicit, negotiate or accept any offer or inquiry from any person regarding an investment, partnership, participation, association, brand licensing with any person in India engaged in the business,” the exclusivity clause in the memorandum of agreement, as reviewed by FE, states.

The arrangement helps provide more permanence to the joint venture agreement and ensures commitment of each partner in it. This is likely to help sustain operations in the country\'s volatile aviation market.

Experts say the stability in the partnership will send the right signals to the market and also help in future fund-raising plans.

“AirAsia and the Tatas are well-known brands and this show of commitment will help them whenever they seek to raise loans,” said Peter S Morrell, a professor

... contd.

Ads by Google
   1 | 2 | Next
Previous Story  Michelle Obama surprises Oscars by presenting Best Picture Award Next Story  Carlsberg eyes 10% of India’s beer market in couple of years
Reader's Comments| Post a Comment

Be the first to comment.

Post your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name *
Email *
Message *
 
captcha
please enter the above characters in the box below