Passengers from tier II and tier III cities may soon be able to fly on Jet Airways to Abu Dhabi and onward to other destinations in Kuwait, Iraq and other countries in the region.
Jet Airways has requested permission from the Government to operate more flights from 23 Indian cities to Abu Dhabi.
Bilateral agreement
If the airline is allowed to, it plans to use an existing clause in the air services bilateral agreement that allows Indian carriers to fly onwards from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The airline’s request to the Government comes in the backdrop of Jet Airways and UAE national carrier Etihad Airways confirming that they are in talks for the Gulf airline picking up a stake in the Indian carrier.
Etihad showed an interest in picking up a stake in Jet Airways after the Government allowed foreign airlines to acquire a stake of up to 49 per cent in domestic airlines.
At the moment, Jet Airways cannot operate any more flights to Abu Dhabi as it is already operating the number of flights for which it has been given permission by the Government.
Meeting soon
The Indian carrier is hoping it will be allowed to operate more flights to Abu Dhabi after the Governments of India and the UAE meet soon to take a final call on the issue.
The airline also announced that it was planning a daily flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi, which will then continue onward to Kuwait.
Jet operates three daily flights from India to Abu Dhabi but does not connect onwards to other destinations in the region.
ashwini.phadnis@thehindu.co.in