New Delhi: The Jet Airways-Etihad Airways deal has a had a negative fallout for Air India (AI) as European carriers like Lufthansa are fuming over the civil aviation ministry giving the Abu Dhabi-based airline a three fold hike in capacity on Indian routes to a massive 36,670 seats a week.
Their grouse is that while Etihad has walked away with the bonanza, they have not been allowed to fly their A380 planes to Indian airports.
According to sources, Lufthansa is obstructing the Maharaja's entry into Star Alliance, an exclusive club of 28 airlines, as it wants the ministry to grant its A380s access to Indian routes.
Many European and Asian airlines have registered their verbal protest over the liberal opening up of Indian skies to Etihad while they have been denied similar rights.
14/05/13 Sanjay Singh/Business Today
