Govt carriers may conclude merger in 20 months

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India expects the merger of state-run carriers Air India and Indian Airlines into government owned National Aviation Co of India Ltd to be completed in the next 18 to 20 months, a government report said on Thursday.

The merger will provide an integrated domestic and international footprint and enable optimal use of resources, the report said.

The merged airline, which will fly under the Air India brand, has a fleet strength of more than 110 aircraft and is acquiring another 111 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus.

Out of these 27 have been received and the remaining aircraft would be received between 2008 and 2011, the report said.

(Reporting by Rakesh Sharma)