Court to Decide on Closure Report in Air India Aircraft Leasing Probe

A court is expected to rule on a closure report submitted in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities in aircraft leasing deals involving Air India.

The probe focused on decisions related to leasing aircraft during an earlier period in the airline’s operations when it was still under government ownership. Authorities had examined whether the leasing arrangements caused financial losses to the airline.

Investigators have now submitted a closure report, indicating that they may not have found sufficient evidence to continue pursuing the case. However, the final decision rests with the court, which must review the report before determining whether the investigation will formally end.

Aircraft leasing is a common practice in the aviation industry, allowing airlines to expand or modernize fleets without purchasing aircraft outright. However, such deals often involve complex financial arrangements and are sometimes subject to regulatory scrutiny.

Air India has undergone significant transformation in recent years, including its privatization and integration into the Tata Group. Since then, the airline has been working to modernize its fleet and expand its global network.

The court’s decision on the closure report will determine whether the investigation into the historical leasing agreements is officially concluded or if further legal proceedings will be required.