Direct flights from India could land in Australia as soon as March, and Sydney is making a pitch for them to land at Kingsford Smith instead of Tullamarine.
Melbourne appeared to have the flights all stitched up with in-principle agreements on a Delhi-Melbourne route from the state-run carrier, Air India, and the country's civil aviation ministry.
But the NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has just concluded a five-day visit to India that has included meetings with Air India, the privately owned Jet Airways, and civil aviation authorities. The pitch was received positively, the Herald understands.
Over the past half-decade, Mr O'Farrell said, the number of people travelling between India and Australia had jumped from 400 to 6000 a month.
Direct flights would boost tourism, improve business relations and help strengthen educational links, he said.
''It's a difficult time for Indian aviation. It's a difficult time for aviation around the world, but the Indian carriers we've spoken to have all recognised the growth in movements between both countries,'' he told the Herald.
''And there is no doubt that if there is to be direct flights to Australia, I'd like them to be to Sydney, not only because it is my state, but to me, the business case model, for putting flights into the jurisdiction with the highest number of Indian students, the most people of Indian background, and the financial capital services of Australia … is a no-brainer.
19/11/11 Ben Doherty/Sydney Morning Herald
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