Twitter
Advertisement

Some British Airways investment may be coming India's way

India, which is among the fastest growing markets in the world, is the second-biggest market for British Airways outside of the UK and US.

Latest News
article-main
Moran Birger
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The Indian aviation market could possibly see some investment in coming months from British Airways as the airline has extended its 5-billion pound global spending for 2011 and 2016 beyond this year.

India, which is among the fastest growing markets in the world, is the second-biggest market for British Airways outside of the UK and US.

Speaking to dna, Moran Birger, regional general manager, South Asia, British Airways, said the investment has been extended. However, he refused to give a timeline when the investment process would get completed or details on what led to the delay in implementation. ""It (investment) has been extended beyond 2016. Some of the decisions which were taken during the decided period will see investments now," said Birger.

The investment would see British Airways customers benefiting from new aircraft, new world traveller and world traveller plus cabins, a revamped first class, significant improvements at Gatwick and better lounges around the airline's network, reports had said in 2011 when the plan was announced. "Funds would also be allocated to improved catering and new technologies to make the travel experience more comfortable and convenient for customers on the ground and in the air," the BA statement had said then.

Birger said that considering the importance India has in its scheme, the airline had put its first ever B787-900 aircraft on its UK-Delhi route last year and increased the flight frequency to daily from 3-4 at Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai and twice a day on the UK-Mumbai and UK-Delhi route.

"We also have plans to install wi-fi on all aircraft by 2017," he said. At present, regulations disallow use of internet and phone connectivity in the Indian airspace. All internationals airlines which have wi-fi disconnect it once reaching the Indian airspace or start it only after leaving the Indian airspace.

Industry experts claim that the slowdown in investment by the airline could possibly be due to overall slowdown in the economic investment in recent years, especially the aviation market. Ironically, most Indian airlines are also in red, but are showing improvement since past over two years, especially after a dip in ATF prices.

Reuters reported in August that Qatar Airways has raised its stake in British Airways-owner IAG to 20.01% from 15.67%. Qatar Airways, which first invested in IAG about 18 months ago, said its interest was purely financial and it reflected the strength of the commercial and strategic ties between the companies.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement