Kingfisher’s flight abroad awaits US nod

Mumbai: Kingfisher Airlines will hold back its international debut by three to four months to take time to prepare fully for its overseas launch, the airline chief Vijay Mallya said.
This is despite the fact that the first of the airline's long-haul A330/340 aircraft is expected to be delivered in the first week of April. The management now plans to start operations to the United States only by July or August.
One of the reasons for the delay in the international foray is that Kingfisher is yet to receive United States department of transportation clearance for its flights to that country. There is also no clarity from the Indian government on whether Kingfisher will be allowed to fly internationally under its own name, or will have to use the Deccan brand.
According to Mr Mallya, this issue has ceased to matter because the two airlines are expected to merge by March 31 this year. However, among the bureaucracy, there is also confusion on exactly when Air Deccan completes its five years of operation.
The airline was given permission to start flying in April 2003, however it actually began flying only in August of that year. So it is not clear when the five years will officially be considered to be complete.
08/01/08 Cuckoo Paul/Economic Times

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Categories: Foreign Jan 2008, Kingfisher Jan 2008, New Jan 2008