Emirates says it could invest in local carriers

Bangalore: Dubai-based Emirates Airline on Friday said it was open to strategic investment in an Indian carrier.
“Emirates is always open to any such opportunities as and when they are provided. ” said Nabil Sultan, senior vice-president commercial operations (West Asia and Indian Ocean), Emirates. The state-owned carrier of UAE holds a 41.3% stake in Sri Lankan Airlines.
The airline currently has a code-sharing agreement with national flag carrier Air India and domestic airlines Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Indian Airlines to provide a wider network to its passenger. It offers close to 30,000 seats and 120 tonnes of cargo capacity per week from eight locations between India and Dubai.
On Friday, Emirates announced the launch of eight-flights-a-week service to Bangalore from October 29. These flights will connect India’s IT capital to 13 gateways in the Middle East, 14 in Africa and 20 in Europe through 150, 82 and 211 weekly flights respectively.
08/09/06 Praveena Sharma/Daily News & Analysis

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