Qatar Airways' global chief is hoping that the Narendra Modi-led government will usher in a new era for India's distressed aviation sector.
At a press conference held in Doha to announce the introduction of the A350XWB into Qatar Airways' fleet, group CEO Akbar al Baker said, "India is a sleeping economic superpower. Unfortunately its potential has not been fully realised. The bureaucracy, political self interest is impeding India's economic power."
"I am very happy to see Narendra Modi as the PM. He has a business minded approach and can bring India to the correct economic position it deserves," he added.
In a covert reference to former civil aviation minister Praful Patel, who blocked foreign airlines from flying in India, Baker said that the new civil aviation ministry needs to realise the benefits that foreign carriers bring and not block them in the name of unfair competition.
Qatar Airways has exhausted all routes allotted to it by the government of India and is said to be applying for more traffic routes and seats to serve tier 2 cities.
The national carrier of Qatar, which flies to a dozen Indian cities, currently has a weekly seat quota of 24,800, which it wants to increase to 72,600.
Baker said, "We are the mercy of the civil aviation ministry to hold bileratal talks with India. The previous government made unfulfilled promises about holding talks with Qatar to expand Qatar Airways' reach in India."
"We hope that the pro-business government will consider aviation as an important to deliver tool to deliver Modi's vision. We cannot talk about Make in India campaign without opening up India's airways."
Once again reiterating his interest in Indigo Airlines, Baker said he is keen on purchasing a 49 percent stake in India's only profitable carrier.
When prompted on ailing carrier SpiceJet, which is running against a January 10 deadline to find investors to bail it out, Baker replied he is not interested in investing in it.
Part of the trio of gulf carriers comprising of Etihad and Emirates, Qatar airways is one of the fastest growing carriers in the world. It has an aggressive fleet expansion plan and is opening new routes each year.
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