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by Shirajiv Sirimane

The Indian government has no objection to any airline operating to India, said Counsellor Economic and Commerce, Indian Embassy, V. Ashok.

Speaking to the 'Daily News' he said that under the present Indian aviation law it is not possible for any Indian domestic airline to operate internationally. He said that there are many security concerns and other logistic problems which have to be ironed out first.

He said that he was informed that several Sri Lankan domestic airline operators are keen to fly to India. "India and Sri Lanka is a very lucrative market and there is scope for another airline to operate to India."

Two international airlines SriLankan and Indian airlines are the only two operators flying to India.

When contacted a SriLankan airline official said that they have no objection to other airlines operating to this destination as long as these airlines do not operate to the destinations the national carrier is already operating. "We are now operating to eight destinations," the official said.

India accounted for one of the highest number of tourist arrivals last year and many travel industry officials said that with additional airlines operating this number would double. "This is despite this route being very expensive compared to other destinations which have a long mileage," a hotel industry official said.

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