The Hindu Business Line : Hyderabad emerging as attractive destination for foreign airlines

HYDERABAD is emerging as a hot spot for airlines. Within a short period the number of airlines touching down in the city could more than double to 24 from the existing 11.

While the existing airlines are keen to augment operations to the city there are many more such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and the US airlines Delta and United that are keen to operate there.

The interest of international airlines to operate and augment flights to Hyderabad was visible at the recently concluded international conference `Routes' in Copenhagen, which was attended by a host of international airlines and airports.

"We have held talks with at least 24 airlines at the conference. We are hopeful that by end 2006 or by early 2007 at least 5-6 more international airlines will start operating to Hyderabad," the Chief Operating Officer, Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, Mr T. Srinagesh, told Business Line.

At present, the airport receives 15 airlines, including 11 foreign airlines.

Among the airlines that do not operate to Hyderabad at present, but are looking to touch down include Austrian, Thai Airways and the Indonesian airline Garuda. Besides, cargo airlines like UPS, TNT are looking at the business opportunities there. In addition, several airlines including Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Emirates and SriLankan that already operate to Hyderabad are also keen to increase flights there.

The start of new flights or increase in the numbers operated by the existing carriers will be governed by a host of issues, including air services bilateral that India has with other countries.

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