The Hindu Business Line : Flying overseas: Mallya writes to PM

THE UB group, which is promoting the airline Kingfisher, has written to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, protesting against the Government's proposal to stipulate a requirement of five years' experience in the domestic skies before private sector airlines can be considered for international routes.

The UB group Chairman, Mr Vijay Mallya, confirmed this to Business Line and added that a "level playing field" is being sought for all private airlines.

"An airline cannot be qualified to fly say between Delhi and Chennai but not between Chennai and Colombo," the UB group Chairman said.

The communication to the Prime Minister also points to the fact that some new airlines such as the start-up of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways,has been given permission to operate to India, whereas new airlines from India could not operate in international skies.

When contacted, Captain G.R. Gopinath, Managing Director of the country's only low-cost airline, Air Deccan, said, "The move will not affect us as we are not looking at operating in the international skies. But I do not see any logic in the proposed decision."