Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Mar 07, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Mar 07, 2003 |
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Logistics
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Airlines Kuwait Air, Emirates plan to continue full services Ashwini Phadnis
NEW DELHI, March 6 DESPITE the gloom in the Gulf region, Indian air travellers have some cause for cheer. The flights to India operated by Kuwait Airways (KA) are not to be affected even as the airline has announced a temporary curtailing of services to destinations in Pakistan, the US and Europe. Similarly, the Dubai-based Emirates airline anticipates no "interruptions" to its services in case of an outbreak of hostilities in the Gulf region. The temporary curtailing of KA flights, which is to be in place till the end of this month, is being done so that the company is in better position to transport passengers in case of a crisis, sources said. During the previous Gulf conflict, KA was affected as several of its aircraft were badly damaged during the hostilities. The airline is also said to have drawn up a contingency plan whereby KA flights can be operated from Dubai and Larnaca airport in Cyprus if the Kuwait airport has to be closed. KA operates 25 flights each week from India, including a daily service from Delhi and Mumbai and four weekly flights from Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. Emirates is closely monitoring the situation in Iraq to ensure the continuing safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft, but expects to fly normally, as was the case throughout the 1991 Gulf war. "Emirates has never flown over Iraq and will ensure that its air routes are well clear of the possible conflict zone, should hostilities commence. Flights from the Far East and Indian sub-continent approach Dubai from Oman and the Arabian Sea, also remote from any possible area of conflict," the airline has said. However, it added that it has an "extensive contingency" plan in place for any crisis.
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