Qatar Airways Urges Indian Government to Open Skies After Vote - Bloomberg

Qatar Airways Urges Indian Government to Open Skies After Vote - Bloomberg:



"Qatar Airways Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the airline’s expansion into India will depend on whether the government will further open the nation’s skies after elections due by May.



In January, India’s aviation ministry lifted a ban on Airbus Group NV (AIR)’s A380 from entering the country and allowed airlines to fly the double-decker planes to four airports, including New Delhi and Mumbai. Authorities also approved a deal for Etihad Airways PJSC to purchase a 24 percent stake in Jet Airways India Ltd. as the country eased airline ownership rules last year. Opinion polls show the ruling Congress party losing power in the elections.



“Unfortunately the government regime does not allow free access to the Indian market,” Al Baker told reporters in Sharjah today. “Aviation is a very important tool of a country.”"



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