Mallya desperate to break into UK via Stansted

Stansted Airport is edging closer to unveiling new services to India and China and is aggressively targeting a huge surge in European services that will see it achieve blanket coverage across every major commercial centre.
The airport already serves just over 160 European destinations – in itself stunning penetration of the continent.
Business Weekly understands that dialogue is progressing encouragingly with Indian carriers, including Kingfisher Airlines whose chairman and MD Vijay Mallya is desperate to break into the UK via Stansted.
He is currently fighting antiquated Indian legislation that prohibits start-up airlines flying such distances within five years of birth. He is lobbying for the law to be overturned.
Nick Barton, business development and planning director for the airport, refused to comment on individual airlines but said: “We are very encouraged by progress in our advanced talks with Chinese and Indian airlines. These things don’t convert overnight but we are well aware of demand in these tiger economies and are moving as fast as we can.
“We are aware that we have slots we can fill for incoming aircraft from Asia and the Far East in quiet times and can therefore comfortably accommodate flights from India, China, Malaysia and Dubai among other areas.
“Four major carriers from Asia are talking to us but they have to get their fleets right. The important thing for local business leaders is to know that we are on the case.”
28/03/07 Tony Quested/Business Weekly, UK

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Categories: Airports Mar 2007, Foreign Mar 2007, Kingfisher Mar 2007, New Mar 2007