Doha, May 29: Qatar Airways has expressed interest in a tie-up as a joint venture partner in ground handling operations in India. "We are interested in ground handling but before proceeding ahead we should be able to read the fine prints of the rules," Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al Baker told reporters here.
Indian Airlines, Air India and Airports Authority of India have been recently allowed to form joint ventures with private parties for ground handling operations at various airports in the country.

Currently, Qatar aviation services, a division of the national carrier for state of Qatar, was handling the ground operations at Doha airport.

The CEO said that the airline had also shown interest in privatisation of airports but "the process seems to be shelved for now".

Baker, who was educated in Panchagani in Maharashtra, said that they were keen to add three more stations -- Chennai, Delhi and Bangalore -- and have approached the Indian authorities for their permission.
The current capacity offered and operated weekly by the airline stood at 864 seats in Mumbai; 1,008 in Thrivananthapuram and 500 each in Kochi and Hyderabad.
The airline connects 19 flights in a week to four Indian destinations - Mumbai, Thrivananthapuram, Kochi and Hyderabad.

Bureau Report