Jet awaits Beijing's nod to operate in China

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Beijing, January 12:: Jet Airways is ready to commence its Mumbai-Shanghai-San francisco flight as early as next month, if China gives its clearance, the airline Chairman Naresh Goyal said.

Jet Airways is also in talks with Chinese carriers on its commercial plans, Goyal, who is here as part of the business delegation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his three-day trip to China beginning tomorrow, told reporters.

Beijing is yet to clear proposals of Indian carriers including Jet airways to operate flights to Chinese cities.

This is apparently in retaliation to New Delhi not permitting Chinese cargo carrier Great Wall Airlines to fly to Mumbai and Chennai.

However, both the countries have a very liberal bilateral air traffic rights agreement.

Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath told reporters here separately that he took up the issue with his Chinese counterpart Chen Deming during his meeting today.

Goyal said the Mumbai-Shanghai-San Francisco flight would offer the shortest route, making it an 18 hour flight instead of the present 24 or 26 hours flight.

"If all goes well, we plan to operate it next month, it will be the first time that China and the US would be connected by an Indian carrier," he said.