The Hindu Business Line : Air Sahara plans to launch flights to S-E Asia, London

AIR Sahara is considering daily flights from Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and London, the airline President, Mr Rono Dutta, said on Tuesday.

"This will be our request to the Government. We are preparing a pre-summer launch of flights to South East Asia and a post-summer launch of the London flight," Mr Dutta said. In addition, the airline will also look at launching flights to more countries in the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The announcement assumes importance in view of the recent Union Cabinet decision clearing a proposal, allowing those airlines having a fleet strength of 20 aircraft and five years of experience to operate on more international routes.

Air Sahara, which already has a fleet of 21 aircraft, has firmed up proposals for acquiring another five aircraft and has been operating for more than 10 years. The airline is also negotiating for more aircraft, including the induction of wide-body aircraft, thereby hoping to enlarge the fleet strength to 32 by July.

In preparation of the launch of operations to more international sectors, the airline has already appointed general sales agents not only in the Far East, but also in the UK and the US and it has managed to get some slots at the London Heathrow airport, Mr Dutta said.

However, the launch of more international flights will not see the airline drop fares to attract passengers. Instead, it would focus on being an "Indian" carrier carrying Indian passengers to more international destinations, the airline President said. Airline officials felt that being an Indian carrier, Air Sahara would be in a better position to understand the needs of an Indian traveller.

Commenting on the airline's performance, Mr Dutta said it had registered a 50 per cent increase in the number of passengers from two million in 2003 to three million in 2004.

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