Kingfisher confident of launching international services from 27 August
20 May 2008
Kingfisher Airlines has expressed confidence that it will commence international services from 27 August this year, with merged partner Deccan Aviation completing five years of service a day before, on 26 August. Deccan's completion of five years of domestic service makes it eligible to commence international operations under existing civil aviation rules in the country.
The eligibility also enables Kingfisher to piggyback on Deccan's license to commence international services. In this regard airline officials mention that they are confident that a legal merger of both the entities, Kingfisher and Deccan would be achieved by July 2008. This legal merger is a necessary prerequisite for Deccan's license to be transferred to Kingfisher as per rules.
Kingfisher would be in a position to induct 10 wide-body aircraft for its international operations by August 2008. Current planning would indicate that it may commence Bangalore-San Francisco, Bangalore-New York services once they receive the go-ahead from the government.
The airline has plans to extend its international services to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Colombo, Lahore, Karachi, Hong Kong and Dhaka by the end of the year.