Direct flights from B’lore to US soon

Direct flights from B’lore to US soon

Deccan Herald



Air services between the United States and India are going to expand in a big way soon. Continental, Delta and Northwest Airlines are now stepping into the Indian market and are planning new connecting flights. At least three India-based carriers are expected to add services between the two countries, a source in the Airports Authority of India said.

Bangalore is the destination city for all these airlines, he said. The airlines see huge potential from the increase in high-end business travellers related to the outsourcing of service-sector jobs from the US to Bangalore, the source added.

Continental Airways is also planning the first non-stop flight between USA and India. An agreement between the two countries to facilitate this and ease air traffic rules was signed in April. “With this agreement, the airlines have “maximum flexibility,” the source said.


There has been a 20 per cent growth in business travel and seasonal travel by vacationers and students in the last two years.

About 5.5 lakh passengers travelled by air last year between the two countries, the source said.





ON THE ANVIL


*Continental to launch non-stop flight link to Newark, New Jersey and New Delhi in October.

*Northwest, in October, will launch a daily flight

between Seattle and Bangalore, via Amsterdam.

*Air India is considering expanding its services to San Francisco and Houston. It now flies to New York, Newark, Chicago and Los Angeles.

*Jet Airways and Air Sahara planning services to the US.