The Hindu Business Line : Path may be clear for Kingfisher flights from US by year-end: Mallya

New Delhi March 27 Kingfisher International Airlines, the new company floated by the Kingfisher to start flights between the US and India, hopes to complete all formalities to begin operations by the end of the year.

"The application for Kingfisher International Airlines is being completed by the Attorneys and should be submitted in the next six-to-eight weeks.

"It takes about six to eight months after that for all clearances to be given," said the airline Chairman, Mr Vijay Mallya.

Kingfisher International Airlines was incorporated as the Indian Government regulations do not allow airlines to operate in the international skies till they have completed five years of domestic flying.

The Group has also written to the Government protesting the rule.

"When new start-up airlines are allowed to begin operating from abroad to India from day one, why should an airline from India not be given the same facility," Mr Mallya said on the sidelines of `Airport and Airline expo 07' conference.

Kingfisher Airline, which is already operating in the Indian skies, has ordered wide-body aircraft to operate non-stop flights between the US and India. The airline is to receive the first of the wide body aircraft, an Airbus A-330, early next year.

"The wide body aircraft will not sit on the ground. If the Indian Government does not give permission to operate in the international skies, we may fly from the US to India," Mr Mallya said.

Congestion surcharge

Meanwhile, Kingfisher Airlines has no immediate plans to remove the Rs 150 congestion surcharge that is levied on each ticket.

"Congestion at airports remains a problem. An airline calculates the fare between Delhi and Mumbai on the assumption that the flight will take two hours.

"However, the flight invariably takes up to three hours largely on account of congestion at airports.

"This adds to our cost of operations and we are forced to pass it on to the passengers," Mr Mallya said.

After directions from the Delhi High Court, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, had asked all domestic airlines to look at withdrawing the congestion surcharge.

F-1 in Delhi?

Kingfisher is in talks with the Delhi State Government to bring Formula-1 to the city, Mr Mallya said.

"We are examining two approaches for bringing F-1 to Delhi.

"We could look at building a brand new track that would entail heavy investments.

"The other option, which is less expensive, is to do street races covering the area around Rajpath and Vigyan Bhawan area," he said.