New Delhi: Moving forward with Air India stake sale process for the second time in less than two years, the government on Monday issued the preliminary bid document for 100 per cent stake in the debt-laden airline along with fixing the debt amount for prospective bidders and easing the bidding norms.

The deadline for submitting the bids is March 17. As part of the ambitious strategic disinvestment, AI would sell its cent per cent stake in profit-making budget carrier Air India Express as well as 50 per cent shareholding in equal joint venture Air India SATS Airport Services. All three entities would be sold together and management control of the national carrier would be transferred to the new investor.