GMR eyes airline foray

Mumbai: Bangalore-based infrastructure group GMR is planning a scheduled commercial airline by the end of 2010.
The group, which is the major partner in consortiums that have, respectively, set up and are upgrading the Hyderabad and Delhi airports and runs charter flights, has put together a team of experienced aviation experts for the project.
The group could apply for a fresh licence or buy one of the smaller incumbents.
When asked about the group's intent to launch a separate domestic carrier, a GMR group spokesperson said: "While the group has a general aviation business segment, it is premature to discuss firm business plans at this stage. As a policy, the company does not discuss subjects that are of a hypothetical or speculative nature."
GMR's chartered airline business, GMR Aviation Pvt Ltd, owns a nine-seater Falcon aircraft and one helicopter. Another group company, GMR Industries, owns a five-seater aircraft.
Apart from airport projects in India, the group won a bid to develop the Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Istanbul's second facility.
According to industry insiders, GMR was also discussing the possibility of getting into charters with business class configuration, like Coimbatore-based private airline Paramount Airways does, and operating on profitable regional routes.
05/07/08 Manisha Singhal/Business Standard

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Categories: New Jul 2008