Jet to launch US flight by July-Aug

New Delh: India's largest private carrier, Jet Airways, will launch its long-planned maiden flight to the US by July-August this year, 15 months after having applied for approvals from US that were stuck due to security concerns.

Jet's American operations were originally scheduled in October 2005 but it got stalled following an inquiry by the US department of transportation. The probe was carried out after an American company, also named Jet, alleged that the Indian company had underworld links.

The US authorities that investigated the charges, subsequently found them to be untrue. The airline was later given security clearance by the home ministry last year.

The Mumbai-Brussels-Newark flight was scheduled for takeoff on August 15 but efforts are now being made to advance the launch date. Jet will operate a Boeing-777 aircraft with a three-class configuration.

Jet is expected to offer an inaugural an economy class return ticket at Rs45,000 plus taxes.

Meanwhile Jet is said to be preparing to launch its Ahmedabad-London-Heathrow flight on 3 April, with a twice-a-week service, with the frequency to be increased to thrice from 1 May. It already operates to London from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar.