Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) is set to soon have at least four new international carriers.
Apart from low-cost airlines Tiger Airways, and Thai Smile (a branch of major operator Thai Airways), likely to start its service next month, Africa's most popular operator, Kenya Airways, and Indonesia's official carrier, Garuda are also in queue.
Starting operations on September 28, Asia-based Tiger Airways will join SilkAir as the second direct service provider to Singapore from Hyderabad.
As per airport records, roughly 60,000 Hyderabad passengers travel on this route every year. The traffic to Thailand too is impressively high, say RGIA officials admitting that the entry of Thai Smile will only further boost the outflow of tourists to this holiday destination. The airlines' first flight is set to take off from the Shamshabad airport on September 16.
African countries too, with their safaris and beautiful landscapes, attract travelers to their shores now, say industry observers. This is the major reason for Kenya Airways' to dive in to the Hyderabad market. The airline operator is targeting a 2014 launch.
"We are in the process of purchasing a dozen 7875 aircrafts. Once complete, we will expand our operations in six Indian airports and Hyderabad is definitely a potential choice," said Bennet Stephens, area manager, Kenya Airways for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal as per a report in TOI.
There is an estimated 30-35% annual rise in traffic from India to Africa, say local tour operators. And this is driven not just by tourists but also corporates, they add. With IT biggies expanding their client base in countries such as Botswana, Kenya, the sector is expected to witness a sharp rise in footfall.
"Kenya Airways will look to cashing in on this," said Mir Liaqat Ali, managing director, 'One Stop Holidays'. Commenting on Garuda's probable entry, Ali said, "There is a significant influx of students from Indonesia to Hyderabad for higher education. Tourism too is picking up."
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