Kingfisher jettisoning plans for a US-based carrier

New Delhi: Kingfisher Airlines may no longer be considering a back channel entry into the lucrative foreign markets, by starting a US-based carrier for flying to India and back. According to industry sources, with the airline acquiring a majority stake in Air Deccan the issue no longer carries great urgency. Air Deccan earns the right to fly abroad next August, upon completion of five years of domestic service and under existing rules will be able to start foreign operations.

Apart from the Air Deccan option, Kingfisher executives also point out that if the Government of India relaxes its norms earlier than August then Kingfisher can start operations with its fleet of A320s, which have the range to fly to places like the Gulf and South East Asia.