While confirming that the Indian market was important for British Airways despite being in the recession period, Willie Walsh, CEO, British Airways said that the company is not in discussions with any Indian airliners. However, it would soon initiate talks with a few domestic carriers having international operations for co-chairing and is open to opportunities to make it stronger in the domestic market.
Though large scale consolidations are far away in India due to some restrictions, Walsh reiterated, ?India is our largest market outside North America and we continue to look at opportunities for expanding its services.? With the addition of the Hyderabad route, it now flies 48 times each week. This is up from 19 flights per week when the UK/India aviation market was liberalised in October 2005, he said.
?We have not looked at any stake in any of the domestic airlines presently. We are expecting some kind of relaxations and hence no discussions are made on any investments with any Indian airliners,? he said. According to him, he expects to see a recovery in the aviation industry during 2010-11 with the reduction in the global oil prices and reduction of surcharges.
British Airways has a long history with India and this year will be celebrating its 80th anniversary of flying to the subcontinent. The first flight was from London Croydon airport to Jodhpur and Delhi in 1929.
On the carrier?s future plans, he said that it would invest in new technology-aircraft which are eco-friendly in nature. By 2012, it would take delivery of the first A380 and 787 and has already secured financing for new aircraft.