Air India eyes full year operating profit

Air India, in the midst of a Rs.2,000 crore government bailout, could post a positive operating profit at the end of its annual year in March  2011. Even though the airline posted an operating loss of Rs.3,300 crore in 2009-10, strong passenger demand and as its turnaround programme begins to take effect, the airline expects to make a positive EBITDA profit. The turnaround programme, initiated in late July, aimed to wipe out losses and repay the airline’s debt by 2014-15. Gustav Baldauf was hired as chief operating officer to oversee the programme. If the airline meets its cost-cutting and revenue