Sudhir Sreedharan, flydubai’s Senior Vice-President-Commercial Operations (GCC, Africa and Indian Subcontinent), is optimistic about the potential for a slew of collaborative initiatives in India, despite the current investment challenges in the industry.
Speaking to BusinessLine at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai recently, he said flydubai would love to invest in the low-cost greenfield airports that India is planning. It is also interested in participating in the UDAN regional connectivity programme.
“Unfortunately, we’re not able to participate in any of these initiatives,” he said. “Incredible India is a fantastic initiative, but there aren’t even enough seats for Indians to go back home during festivals. So, how does one bring tourists into the country to enjoy the festivities?” said Sreedharan.
He said the airline could work with the authorities to develop secondary or tertiary airports and help drive theme-based tourism. He added: “We are completely open to working with the Tourism Ministry and other authorities to develop any economic zone, if we have access to land there. When more flights land at an airport, more jobs are generated. ”
“We’ve offered to pick up any theme the Indian authorities want us to develop. The health and spa industry, for instance. People from Dubai spend over two billion dirhams a year on health treatments in Thailand. Emiratis are allowed visas on arrival in India, but such experiences need to be promoted,” he said.
Data from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation, especially over the last 14 months, show that the maximum number of visitors to Dubai are from India. Sreedharan said Indian carriers have a 90-95 per cent load factor. “There is no need to worry about opportunity loss if Indian skies are opened up further to flights from West Asia. Expanding the possibilities depends entirely on the policy stance of the Indian authorities.”
17/06/18 Parimala S Rao/Business Line
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Speaking to BusinessLine at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai recently, he said flydubai would love to invest in the low-cost greenfield airports that India is planning. It is also interested in participating in the UDAN regional connectivity programme.
“Unfortunately, we’re not able to participate in any of these initiatives,” he said. “Incredible India is a fantastic initiative, but there aren’t even enough seats for Indians to go back home during festivals. So, how does one bring tourists into the country to enjoy the festivities?” said Sreedharan.
He said the airline could work with the authorities to develop secondary or tertiary airports and help drive theme-based tourism. He added: “We are completely open to working with the Tourism Ministry and other authorities to develop any economic zone, if we have access to land there. When more flights land at an airport, more jobs are generated. ”
“We’ve offered to pick up any theme the Indian authorities want us to develop. The health and spa industry, for instance. People from Dubai spend over two billion dirhams a year on health treatments in Thailand. Emiratis are allowed visas on arrival in India, but such experiences need to be promoted,” he said.
Data from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation, especially over the last 14 months, show that the maximum number of visitors to Dubai are from India. Sreedharan said Indian carriers have a 90-95 per cent load factor. “There is no need to worry about opportunity loss if Indian skies are opened up further to flights from West Asia. Expanding the possibilities depends entirely on the policy stance of the Indian authorities.”
17/06/18 Parimala S Rao/Business Line
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