Carriers like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Garuda of Indonesia and Air Mauritius are eyeing Indian cities to launch flights, their top officials told PTI in separate interviews.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
"We would like to operate to more cities in India, but will have to wait for bilateral negotiations between the two governments as we are utilising all (air traffic) rights granted by India", PIA Chairman Zaffar Ahmad Khan said.
He said the airline, which was now flying from Karachi and Lahore to Delhi and Mumbai, would like to operate services to Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.
Its Senior Vice- President S. Kamran Hasan said the new flights, when allowed, would operate thrice a week with Airbus A-320 aircraft. The frequencies could be increased later depending on the load factor.
Air Mauritius Chairman Sanjay Bhuckory said his airline was exploring options of flying to Bangalore. "There has been a strong and steady growth of Indian tourists to Mauritius and our flight to Bangalore will complement those we operate to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai", he said.
Similarly, Garuda Indonesia planned to fly to Chennai from Jakarta four flights a week using Boeing 737-500 aircraft, its Vice-President Pujobroto said.
"We have been permitted by the Indonesian government to start these services. We plan to operate 110-seater Boeing 737-500 aircraft", he said, adding that the number of weekly flights could increase depending on the market response.
Pujobroto also said that Garuda could operate to more Indian cities in future, depending on the grant of air traffic rights.
Responding to questions about their India operations, the PIA officials said the main roadblock was the issuance of visas where a "lot of liberalisation" was needed.
"The differences between India and Pakistan are being resolved. There are lot of opportunities developing between the two countries", Khan said, adding that most of the travellers between the two countries were to visit families or relatives.
Asked about the ban on PIA imposed by the European Union, Khan said the airline had already submitted to the EU authorities a plan alongwith replies to the issues raised by them, including training of personnel, cabin upkeep and reporting of aircraft and flights.
He said he was confident that the ban would be lifted soon.
