Image Source: INDIA TODAY

More than a half dozen Air India unions in a wholehearted appeal have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi ​to stop disinvestment of the airline.

The unions which also include several Air India pilots have suggested the Centre to make the airline a board-managed company just like L&T and ITC.

In a joint letter by the Air India Unions, they urged the government saying, "Air India has been reporting operational profit for as long as three years. Servicing the loans is a major challenge as the annual outgo is upwards of Rs 4,000 crore. We urge the government to consider waiving off the credits and have the airline run by professional management."

The joint letter has been addressed to Home Minister Amit Shah, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Secretary PS Kharola and Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani.