The Hindu Business Line : Indian plans to fly to Guangzhou, Melbourne

The carrier has shortlisted Guangzhou to start regular operations between the two nations with the Airbus A-330 aircraft that are being taken on wet lease.

Official sources told Business Line that the airline would look to operate flights to Melbourne also with the A-330 aircraft.

Both the aircraft are scheduled to arrive in India later this year.

A wet lease involves leasing the aircraft with the cockpit crew.

``We plan to start flights to Guangzhou first then expand our route network to include Melbourne. However, if we get both the A-330 together then both the flights will be launched at the same time.

"Initially, we will look at operating four times a week. The frequency of the flight will be ramped-up to a daily service when the airline receives more aircraft," airline officials said.

Earlier, the airline was considering operating the Airbus aircraft on routes to South Africa or destinations in Europe before finalising on Guangzhou and Melbourne.

Popular travel

The decision to operate to Guangzhou was taken as it is close to Hong Kong, a popular destination among Indian visitors.

At present Air India is the only Indian carrier to operate flights between India and China although both Jet Airways and Air Sahara have announced their intention of starting services.

Jet plans to operate on the Shanghai-Los Angeles route while Air Sahara is to launch a flight to Guangzhou.

From the Chinese side, Air China is among the airlines that operate regular flights between Beijing and Delhi.