'AIESL unable to chart long-term plan due to uncertainty about its future'

Lack of clarity on the company's future desists Air India's engineering subsidiary AIESL from formulating a long-term business plan despite having both infrastructure and expertise in executing big-time contracts, a source said.

The government plans to sell 100 per cent stake in Air India along with budget carrier Air India Express and its 50 per cent stake in ground handling arm AISATS.

However, there is no decision yet on other subsidiaries such as Alliance Air and Air India Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL).

Nevertheless, AIESL is expected to sign a contract with budget carrier SpiceJet for maintaining its entire Boeing fleet, the official said.

The company is also in discussions with Vistara for providing maintenance services for its Boeing 787 planes, which are expected to be inducted in the fleet from February next year, the official added.

"There is no certainty about the future of the company. We don't know whether the government is going to sell it or retain it. Due to this ...