Jet applies for permission to fly to Gulf destinations

Jet Airways has applied to the government for permission to fly to destinations in West Asia from India. The monopoly that state-owned carriers Air India and Indian Airlines have been granted on the lucrative sector expires at the end of this year.

"We have applied to the civil aviation ministry to fly to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha and Kuwait and are hoping to get a favourable response as per the policy," Jet chairman Naresh Goyal told the media on Tuesday 4 September.

Goyal's airline continues its focus on international expansion, as foreign carriers like Lufthansa, Etihad and British Airways are increasing the frequency of flights to and from India.

West Asian routes, despite intense price competition, have been a cash cow for India's state-run airlines in the last three years, as no other Indian carrier could fly there.