The Hindu Business Line : Etihad Airways keen to expand to South India

THE national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, is keen to expand its operations to India particularly South India, said the airline's Regional General Manager, Asia and Pacific, Mr Charles Phelps-Penry.

"The airline is actively looking at operating to several cities in the South, including Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad.

"In addition, we would also like to operate a double daily flight to Mumbai and operate a daily service to Delhi," Mr Penry added.

The airline which started operating to India about 14 months ago is now operating a daily flight to Mumbai.

However, Etihad Airways will have to wait for the outcome of the India-UAE air services bilateral agreement before it can draw up plans for expanding its route network here. Official sources indicated that although no dates have yet been fixed for the bilateral air services talks between India and UAE they were likely to be held in the next two to three months.

The airline is also in talks with several Indian carriers, including the low-cost airlines to ensure that a passenger can reach their final destination without too much trouble.

"We are looking at entering into a code-share agreement with an airline in India and hope to make an announcement this year.

"We are also looking to work closely with airlines here to facilitate the travel of the passenger to destinations within the country where we do not operate ourselves," Mr Penry said.

Apart from expanding its passenger route network, the airline is also keen to expand its freighter services operations to more cities here.