Hyderabad, March 28 (IANS) The Indian aviation industry will overcome the current crisis and things will soon return to normal, said a top official of Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline.
According to Orhan Abbas, Emirates' vice president (India and Nepal), even the short-term outlook for Indian aviation is good and positive.
"The pie here is big. India is a growing country. They have learnt to survive every crisis and they will survive this also," Abbas told reporters here Wednesday on the sidelines of a ceremony where Emirates signed a sponsorship deal with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Deccan Chargers.
Abbas pointed out that unlike many other countries, India stood strong in the midst of a financial crisis.
"We saw the load factors not dropping while there was a financial crisis. It is an indicator. When India could overcome that storm, it can overcome any storm," he said when asked about the financial crisis faced by several Indian airlines.
Asked if Emirates would expand its operations by taking advantage of the current situation, Abbas said: "I don't think we will ever take advantage of bad times for anybody. We hope the best for all Indian airlines. We wish them success and luck."
The official evaded a direct reply when asked if Emirates would increase its frequencies in view of crisis-hit Kingfisher and other Indian airlines pulling out of some international routes.
"The demand is always growing for everyone. The pie is very big in India. Everyone has a chance from that pie. They have their share. We have our share," he said.
To another query, Abbas said Emirates was not looking at any new destination in India.
"Not right now. We are consolidating our position. We have 10 destinations and 185 flights a week," he said.
He termed as "reasonably well" the financial position of Emirates in India.
Another airline official said the airline has 80 percent load factor on its flights to India.
Abbas refused to comment when asked if Emirates is interested in picking up stakes in any airline in India as the cabinet is looking at opening FDI for foreign airlines.
He said the prices of international air tickets would fluctuate depending on the situation in the world market.
"It does not depend on one particular issue. It depends what is going around. Fuel prices today are rocket high," he said.
--Indo-Asian New Service
ms/vd/dg
|
|
Read More: Duba
Comments:
