Federation of Indian Airlines is lobbying with the ministry of civil aviation to amend existing flying norms.

MUMBAI, APR 1:  Major airlines in the country, under the banner of the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), are lobbying with the ministry of civil aviation to amend the existing norms that prevent them from flying international routes unless they have completed five years of operations in domestic skies.

All schedules passenger airlines, including Indian Airlines, Air-India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, GoAir, Indigo, SpiceJet and Paramount Airways, are members of the FIA.

At present, national carriers, including Air-India and Indian Airlines, and the private ones, including Jet Airways and Air Sahara, can fly to the US and Europe. Jet has completed five years of operations in India and is gearing up to fly to the US via Brussels this July. Air Sahara used to operate international flights earlier, but has discontinued them since August 2006.

Airline operators now want to fly abroad as soon as they complete a year of domestic operations. According to industry sources, airline operators are simultaneously talking to major airports like Stansted in the UK, that country’s third busiest airport after Heathrow and Gatwick, in anticipation of their international sojourn.

Confirms Manoj Chacko, general manager, sales, Kingfisher Airlines: “Stansted and Frankfurt airports are among many in the world that have approached us to start services from them. Talks with these airports are on.”

Up, Up And Away

• Airline operators now want to fly abroad as soon as they complete a year of domestic operations
• They are talking to major airports like Stansted in the UK in view of their global sojourn
• Operators have ordered planes from the A300 family with a seating capacity of 500, suited for international flights

Kingfisher had last year announced the setting up of an advisory board, comprising experienced professionals drawn across the global aviation circuit, a move seen by many as a precursor to the airline’s international debut. International operations are expected to significantly improve the fortunes of airline companies. “If airlines start operations to regions as far as the UK, they can earn a higher available seat per km (ASKM),” industry analyst Surabhi Chawla said.

On global routes, an aircraft flies over 10-15,000 km, compared with 1,000-1,500 km on the domestic route. Global routes also accord a higher fuel-efficiency for airlines.

Air-Sahara also claims to have been approached by airport authorities in the European sector. “Previously, we used to fly to the Heathrow airport. Though we have been approached by many renowned airport authorities, we cannot divulge any further,” Alok Sharma, executive vice-president, Air Sahara said.

Jet Airways had recently gone for an image makeover to attract more leisure travelers, especially on its international flights. Also, most operators have ordered wide bodies aircraft in the A300 family with a seating capacity of 500 and above, suited for international flights.
source: The Financial Express

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