Mumbai: The civil aviation minsterAjit Singh said that the Indian government is in the process of negotiating for more flying rights with the Abu Dhabi government as they have been fully utilised by both sides.
It said it is looking at the request of Jet Airways for a code partnership as country's second-largest private carrier is in crucial negotiations with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways for a possible equity deal. Addressing the media at the 11th Routes Asia Summit, Singh said that Jet's deal with Etihad 'seems to be on track' as Jet sold and later leased back its Heathrow London slots to Etihad (for $70 million) in February but refused to say when and how soon this transaction would fructify.
The civil aviation minster also said that the report on airline safety by the UN body ICAO that reportedly clubbed India with some of the African countries makes no such conclusions. He also added that ICAO has communicated everything verbally and the report is likely to come out by March 20.
18/03/13 Economic Times
