With the government actively considering allowing foreign airlines to pick up equity in an Indian carrier, Dubai-based Emirates group today said it was "open" to investing in India.
"I am not talking specifically about Kingfisher Airlines ... (but) am open to investment," Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines Group, Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum, said after a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh here.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, while presenting the budget, had said the Government was "actively considering" allowing foreign airlines to acquire a 49 per cent stake in domestic airlines. Kingfisher promoter Vijay Mallya had lobbied hard with the government on the issue.
Asked whether the issue of allowing more flights between the two countries was discussed, Maktoum felt there was a lot of scope in allowing more flights into India. "It will help the economy of both countries," he said.
The Civil Aviation Minister said that the issue of increasing flights was discussed. "In the next six months, Indian carriers will utilise their capacity. Then, we will talk," Singh said.
Although the issue of allowing Emirates airlines to operate the superjumbo Airbus A-380 to India was not discussed, Maktoum said "obviously" his airline wanted to see the A-380 operating to India.
Currently, the Indian government does not allow Emirates or any international airline to operate the A-380 aircraft on grounds that the largest passenger airliner would take away passenger traffic from India at the cost of Indian carriers.
Apart from the Emirates, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are also pitching for operating A-380s to India.
The Civil Aviation Minister said that the issue of increasing flights was discussed. "In the next six months, Indian carriers will utilise their capacity. Then, we will talk," Singh said.
Although the issue of allowing Emirates airlines to operate the superjumbo Airbus A-380 to India was not discussed, Maktoum said "obviously" his airline wanted to see the A-380 operating to India.
Currently, the Indian government does not allow Emirates or any international airline to operate the A-380 aircraft on grounds that the largest passenger airliner would take away passenger traffic from India at the cost of Indian carriers.
Apart from the Emirates, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are also pitching for operating A-380s to India.