US regulators processing Jet Airways' proposal to begin flights

Mumbai: Jet Airways, the country''s largest private carrier, could start its much-awaited US operations from August as the process of getting clearances from American authorities is moving on track.

Jet Airways plans to launch its Mumbai-Newark flight from August 5 this year.

"Their applications are just being wrapped up. They have given us most of the details. They are planning to launch their flights this summer," Marion C Blakey, administrator of US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), said.

Blakey is here to attend India-US Aviation Partnership Summit.

Airlines operating to and from the US would require approvals from economic and operating authorities, besides clearances on procedures and routes, she said, adding, "Most of the details have been given by them."

Asked about liquor baron Vijay Mallya''s plans to launch an airline in the US to operate flights to India, she said American authorities had not received any such application.

"In the US, there are issues relating to ownership... Mallya has family members who are US citizens. At this point, there are no applications," she said, adding Mallya was already operating a "very successful" airline (Kingfisher) in India.

Mallya had recently said if the Indian government did not review rules to permit him to fly abroad, he would launch an airline in the US to operate to India.

Blakey said despite the ''open-sky'' agreement between India and the United States, operating flights to either country required government-to-government approvals.

Jet Airways, meanwhile, signed an exclusive travel agreement, which will lead to Travelocity''s hotel offerings being available through the Jet Airways website.

This agreement will enable travellers to book hotels in India via Jet Airways website: ''jetairways.com''.

The agreement with the sixth largest travel agency in the US represents an innovative and first-to-market initiative for Jet Airways to offer real-time hotel bookings online.