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Ashwini Phadnis

New Delhi , Jan. 18

THE two private sector airlines - Jet Airways and Air Sahara - as also the State-owned Indian Airlines (IA) have moved a step closer to being allowed to fly to the United States, the United Kingdom and several other countries, including some in the Far East.

The Government has written to several countries with whom the rules allow "multiple designation" of airlines to fly from India, informing them that now there are four designated airlines, including the two private sector airlines, apart from IA and Air India.

"We have written to several countries with whom the air services agreement (ASA) has a provision of multiple designation of airlines, including the UK, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, among others, informing them of the decision to designate all four airlines of India as designated carriers. We will write to these countries separately on how many flights which airline from India is allowed to operate," a senior Government official said.

In the case of the US, with the latest ASA providing more flexibility, the Government will be writing to the US Administration informing them about the decision to designate four airlines from India shortly.

In effect, what the latest development means is that the four airlines from India can look forward to operating more flights to different parts of the globe, except the Gulf. This is likely to translate into passengers having more options to choose from when they firm up their international travel plans. The move is also likely to see a southward movement in air fares also.

The Government has already indicated that despite the private airlines being allowed a free run in the global skies, only AI and IA will be allowed to operate to the Gulf for the next three years.

On the issue of how international routes will be divided among the airlines, officials said that a view would have to be taken on several global destinations.

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