The Hindu Business Line : BA keen to operate more flights to India

THOUGH British Airways has been awarded seven new flights to India by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK, the airline has expressed its disappointment that it has not been awarded more flights.

The airline's Chief Executive, Mr Rod Eddington, has been quoted by a press release as saying: "While we look forward to increasing flights to Chennai and starting new services to Bangalore, we would like to operate more flights to India. The CAA's remit was to award the frequencies to the airline that could bring maximum benefits to consumers and the UK economy. We believe that we were best placed to do that."

The new flights include four extra services from Chennai and a new thrice-a-week service from Bangalore starting next winter. The airline said it will now study the decision in more detail and may well continue to argue the case for more capacity to India.

British Airways operates daily flights between London Heathrow and Delhi and Mumbai, three services per week to Kolkata and two flights per week to Chennai. It had requested 21 extra frequencies to increase services to Delhi and Mumbai to a double daily, increase services to Chennai from two to four per week and start a new three per week service to Bangalore.

British Airways, along with British Midland Airways Ltd and Virgin Atlantic Airways, presented evidence on why it should be awarded additional frequencies to India at a CAA scarce capacity hearing on November 11-12, 2004.