The Oberoi group president Ravi Bhoothalingam told The Financial Express that the group was in initial stages of looking for a suitable partner. "The idea is to enter into agreements with international players to bring our associated business such as flight catering and car rentals up to international standards", he said, adding that "the exact structure of the joint venture will, however, depend on negotiations".

The flight catering division is part of the group's flagship EIH Ltd and contributes about eight-10 per cent of the company's revenue. Besides the Oberois, the flight catering business comprises players like Air India, Taj group and Ambassador. The group, which has charted an over Rs 1,200 crore programme to expand its chain of luxury and budget hotels across thecountry and overseas in the next few years, plans to remain focussed on the hotel business. "Our expertise lies in hotels. We will remain in our core competency and use the skills of our international partners in our associated businesses", said Bhoothalingam. Besides flight catering and car rentals, the group is also engaged in airport restaurants, travel and tour services, corporate air charters and project management. The group had recently announced its alliance with AVIS Rent-a-car, the international car rental major. EIH Ltd, a Oberoi group company had entered into a 67:33 joint venture agreement with AVIS though its subsidiary Mercury Car Rentals Ltd.

AVIS Europe is understood to be setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in India, through which it will enter into a joint venture agreement with the Oberoi group. The paid up capital of the JV company will be Rs 50 lakh and its chief executive will be appointed by EIH Ltd. As part of its expansion exercise, the group will be setting up 20 Trident brandhotels -- which are positioned as four-star hotels -- in the next four years. Besides the existing eight Trident hotels, the group has plans to set up Trident hotels in Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Delhi, Coimbatore and Pune.