VIRGINAtlantic chairman Richard Branson has written to the Indian government calling for more routes to be opened up to the UK.
Branson told officials that deputy prime minister John Prescott was willing to discuss a fresh bilateral deal to allow new carriers to fly to India.
Virgin argued that 300,000 people currently fly from the UK to India via a third country and this therefore highlightsthe real need for new directservices.
Branson claimed any fears that state-owned Air India may lose market share from Virgin’s launch of services would be unfounded as the UK airline’s entry onto new routes has increased traffic overall.
Currently, only British Airways and Air India operate regular flights between Mumbai and Delhi from the UK.
Air Canada and United Airlines also offer flights from Heathrow to Delhi, but the US carrier is pulling off the route at the end of the month.
Branson appeal
Branson: has argued that the large number of people travelling to India via a third country highlights the need for more direct flights