Mumbai Air India, India's flagship national carrier, is planning to expand its operations in Asia by increasing the number of flights to Mainland China, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan, and commencing new flights to key metros such as Bangkok.
In addition, the carrier is also planning to fly to Southeast Asia through its soon-to-be-launched no-frills subsidiary Air India Express.
"Air India Express proposes to commence its operations from April 2005 with three Boeing 737-800 aircraft. We first plan to introduce 42 flights per week to the Gulf," a spokesperson for the airline said.
"Subsequently, we intend to introduce flights to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur," he added.
The move is expected to be welcome news for corporates planning meetings and incentives in the country.
Though there was no official confirmation, Air India Express is expected to operate from Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati for Southeast Asia.
For Air India, plans to increase the Mumbai to Delhi, Bangkok to Shanghai, and Bangkok/ Delhi/ Mumbai flights from two to four per week were being firmed up.
A further weekly Mumbai/ Delhi/ Hong Kong flight, in addition to three currently being operated and a Japan-bound weekly flight traversing Mumbai/ Delhi/ Hong Kong/ Osaka, would increase by April 2005.
Plans were also being examined to introduce weekly flights to Bangkok from Delhi.
Praful Patel, Minister of Civil Aviation, told CEI Asia Pacific: "While the fleet acquisition programme for Air India is being expedited, several initiatives have been taken to open up Indian skies."
ASEAN countries have been allowed to operate up to seven services to and from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
Sri Lanka has been given the green light to operate daily services to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata and to 18 other national destinations.
Air India's fleet comprises 33 aircraft.
The airline is currently in the process of expanding this fleet in order to have a base of up to 70 aircraft over the next few years.
Air India plans aggressive flight connectivity for Asia
Air India, India's flagship national carrier, is planning to expand its operations in Asia by increasing the number of flights to Mainland China, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan, and commencing new flights to key metros such as Bangkok.