The Hindu Business Line : Air Deccan applies for global routes: Vijay Mallya

New Delhi, Oct 30 The consultancy firm Accenture has been given the mandate appointed to prepare a report on integration of Air Deccan with Kingfisher Airlines, the Chairman, Kingfisher Airlines, Mr Vijay Mallya, said on Tuesday.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of a conference on ‘Mastering the global economy,’ Mr Mallya indicated that one of the options which could be considered was merger of Air Deccan with Kingfisher although a decision would be taken only after the report of the consultant was finalised.

Govt nod awaited

Meanwhile, Air Deccan has applied to the Government for permission to operate flights to the Far East, West Asia and the US from next year, Mr Mallya, said. The UB Group, which has been promoted by Mr Mallya, purchased a strategic 26 per cent stake in Deccan Aviation that runs the low-cost airline Air Deccan in June this year. The Group picked an additional 20 per cent stake through an open offer recently. The UB Group has also promoted Kingfisher Airlines.

Mr Mallya said Kingfisher Airlines would operate abroad if the Group of Ministers (GoM) relaxes the existing norms for allowing domestic airlines to start international operations, otherwise international operations would be carried out by Air Deccan.

The issue of diluting norms so that more Indian carriers can operate abroad is being examined by the GoM looking into the civil aviation policy.