Opening the skies

Fly Dubai Government likely to open the Dubai market to Indian private airlines Move an attempt to level the playing field between Indian and Gulf carriers Private carriers lobbying for 164 weekly flights to the region

The government is considering opening up the lucrative Dubai market to Indian private airlines. The move aims to level the playing field as the Gulf carriers have over 75 per cent of market share in this route.

Indian operators have been upset that while many Gulf carriers (like Jazeera and Etihad), which started less than three years ago, have been allowed to grow, they have been locked out of the market.

The government’s decision to throw open the Dubai route may be a way to redress the balance. Between them, Jet Airways, JetLite and Deccan (Kingfisher) have asked for 164 weekly flights to Dubai from India.

— Kushan Mitra