 The combined losses for Air India and Indian Airlines in 2006 – 07 were ₹ 7 @.@ 7 billion ( US $ 110 million ) and after the merger , it went up to ₹ 72 billion ( US $ 1 @.@ 1 billion ) by March 2009 . In July 2009 , State Bank of India was appointed to prepare a road map for the recovery of the airline . The carrier sold three Airbus A300 and one Boeing 747 – 300M in March 2009 for $ 18 @.@ 75 million to finance the debt . By March 2011 , Air India had accumulated a debt of ₹ 425 @.@ 7 billion ( US $ 6 @.@ 3 billion ) and an operating loss of ₹ 220 billion ( US $ 3 @.@ 3 billion ) , and was seeking ₹ 429 @.@ 2 billion ( US $ 6 @.@ 4 billion ) from the government . A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General blamed the decision to buy 111 new planes and the ill @-@ timed merger with Indian Airlines for the poor financial situation . In August 2011 , the invitation to join Star Alliance was suspended as a result of its failure to meet the minimum standards for the membership . The government pumped ₹ 32 billion ( US $ 480 million ) into Air India in March 2012 . 
