Air India plans to extend its international routes by early 2008
India's national carrier, Air India (AI) has decided to spread its wings to new international destinations by early 2008 with the introduction of direct flights between Delhi and JFK in New York in February 2008. The airline is also planning to start non-stop flights to San Francisco and Chicago in April and August 2008, respectively, according to D Kishore, Commercial Manager - Western India, Air India. "We are also considering the expansion of our route network in Australia, Africa and Europe," informed Kishore. AI has already introduced two new direct flights to Singapore and Hong Kong in October, 2007. The airline will have flights from Mumbai to Chicago and is considering either Mumbai or Bangalore for flights to San Francisco. "If we select Bangalore, than we will have to provide a feeder service from Chennai and Hyderabad," Kishore pointed out, adding that the airline intends to open up new routes in United States, apart from connecting JFK with the Indian cities.
Apart from the non-stop services to San Francisco and Chicago, Air India is looking to connect Houston. Besides, it is also considering starting direct flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. "We are planning to extend the Mumbai-JFK flight to Houston. We are also planning to connect Vancouver in Canada, which is another hot route on our connectivity map," stated Kishore. Considering a growing market for Group Individual Travellers (GITs), leisure and corporate segments from Western India, Air India is also mulling on starting flights to Rome in Italy. "We may integrate the complete route connectivity between Mumbai-Rome-Paris-New Delhi- Mumbai," stated Kishore.
The airline is looking to expand their operations in Africa by increasing connectivity in terms of number of cities and flights. In the long run, AI may have direct flights to Switzerland, Spain, Latin America and Australia. Currently it has a code share agreement with Cathy Pacific airlines and Qantas Airways from Singapore and Hong Kong for the Australia route. "The Australian market is huge and we can fly thrice a week with full occupancy," added Kishore. AI will be receiving 14 brand new Boeing 777 aircrafts, besides it will also be adding 10 new Airbus 321 aircrafts to its fleet by mid-2009, with a whopping investment of USD 9.6 billion.
travelbitzmonitor
India's national carrier, Air India (AI) has decided to spread its wings to new international destinations by early 2008 with the introduction of direct flights between Delhi and JFK in New York in February 2008. The airline is also planning to start non-stop flights to San Francisco and Chicago in April and August 2008, respectively, according to D Kishore, Commercial Manager - Western India, Air India. "We are also considering the expansion of our route network in Australia, Africa and Europe," informed Kishore. AI has already introduced two new direct flights to Singapore and Hong Kong in October, 2007. The airline will have flights from Mumbai to Chicago and is considering either Mumbai or Bangalore for flights to San Francisco. "If we select Bangalore, than we will have to provide a feeder service from Chennai and Hyderabad," Kishore pointed out, adding that the airline intends to open up new routes in United States, apart from connecting JFK with the Indian cities.
Apart from the non-stop services to San Francisco and Chicago, Air India is looking to connect Houston. Besides, it is also considering starting direct flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. "We are planning to extend the Mumbai-JFK flight to Houston. We are also planning to connect Vancouver in Canada, which is another hot route on our connectivity map," stated Kishore. Considering a growing market for Group Individual Travellers (GITs), leisure and corporate segments from Western India, Air India is also mulling on starting flights to Rome in Italy. "We may integrate the complete route connectivity between Mumbai-Rome-Paris-New Delhi- Mumbai," stated Kishore.
The airline is looking to expand their operations in Africa by increasing connectivity in terms of number of cities and flights. In the long run, AI may have direct flights to Switzerland, Spain, Latin America and Australia. Currently it has a code share agreement with Cathy Pacific airlines and Qantas Airways from Singapore and Hong Kong for the Australia route. "The Australian market is huge and we can fly thrice a week with full occupancy," added Kishore. AI will be receiving 14 brand new Boeing 777 aircrafts, besides it will also be adding 10 new Airbus 321 aircrafts to its fleet by mid-2009, with a whopping investment of USD 9.6 billion.
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