AIR India is reportedly looking at
reintroducing flights to South Africa.
Air India chairman and md, Ashwanai
Lohani, was quoted in Indian
newspaper, the Business Standard,
saying the airline was looking at
connecting to some points on the
African continent, including South
Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. He said
the airline was currently in talks with
South African authorities for possible
operations to Durban.
Air India responded to queries by
TNW, saying: “We are expanding our
international network.
“We will make an announcement
once we have finalised the stations.”
The airline is currently expanding
its Boeing wide-body fleet to enable
international expansion of its routes.
Meanwhile, during a recent visit
to India, Tourism Minister, Derek
Hanekom, said SA Tourism had
been working with various airlines to
ensure increased capacity between
the two countries, particularly into
Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban,
through marketing alliances and
codeshare agreements.
Although there is currently sufficient
capacity to India – with Emirates,
Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways,
Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Ethiopian
Airlines and Kenya Airways
all offering services to the
country – a direct flight
would be welcomed in the
market, says Dinesh Naidoo,
group operations director of
Serendipity Worldwide Group.
Johan Groenewald, md of
Royal African Discoveries,
agrees but adds that Air India’s
reputation may be a problem.
“There is definitely demand for
direct flights between South
Africa and India, although I’m
not sure if most passengers
will switch from the Middle
East carriers, as Air India
doesn’t have the greatest
reputation in India.”
