Mallya hopes to fly to US, UK soon

MUMBAI: UB Group chief Vijay Mallya today expressed hope that his Kingfisher Airlines would soon fly to the US and UK.

"Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel says that in the aviation policy to be announced shortly the cases of those carriers which have the required wherewithal will be considered on merit," Mallya said here.

Kingfisher Airlines was keen to carry the Indian flag abroad, Mallya said, adding he planned to launch non-stop flights between Bangalore and San Fransisco and to New York, besides flying to London.

Government regulations currently restrict Indian carriers from flying abroad.

He said Air Deccan, in which the UB Group recently acquired 26 per cent stake for Rs 550 crore, would also fly to destinations in the Middle-East and Colombo.

Mallya said there was immense tourism potential between US and India and the company's focus would be on launching non-stop flights to American destinations.