Emirates says no plans to invest in any Indian airline

Will take organic route to grow operations in India, says senior executive

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines today said that it will not invest in any Indian airline but will instead grow its operations organically in India.

 

"We at Emirates believe in growing our business organically," Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, vice president, India and Nepal for Emirates said, adding that there are no plans to invest in any of the Indian carriers.

 

Currently, the Dubai-based airline flies to 10 Indian destinations with a frequency of 185 flights per week.

 

Last year, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways invested in Jet Airways by buying out a 24% stake for Rs 2,069 crore ($380 million).

 

After the transaction Etihad has been expanding its operations in India and giving tough competition to other airlines with its partner Jet Airways. Both the airlines are doling out offers to attract flyers.

 

Apart from Jet Airways, Air India too has joined the global interline network of Star Allinace to provide more destinations and seamless travel connectivity to its passengers.

 

Interestingly, according to Airport Authority of India (AAI) data Emirates market share stands at the third position as the largest outbound airline at 10.8%. It is preceded by Jet at second place and Air India as the largest carrier of Indians abroad.