KOLKATA: Air India has been holding talks with different airport authorities for a hub to facilitate air connectivity with Europe, AI's Chairman-cum-Managing Director V Tulsidas said on Monday
The proposed hub would be formed by AI with its fleet in collaboration with the fleet of the European partners, Tulsidas told reporters at the N S C B International airport, here.
He said AI passengers would be able to fly to different parts of Europe, and even to North America as per the plan.
The travel map might include Amsterdam, Vienna and other airports in Europe, he hinted. However, no place for the proposed hub has been selected as yet.
The CMD, on a visit to the region to assess the air connectivity with North-East, said possibility of linking Kolkata with far East countries was being studied.
Allaying apprehensions of Kolkata not figuring into the scheme of things of AI, Tulsidas said from October 'Air India Express' flights would start on Kolkata-Bangkok, Kolkata-Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata-Singapore and Kolkata-Dhaka routes with wide-bodied Boeing 747 jets.
Discounting reports of withdrawal of Dhaka-Kolkata-London flights, he said "Kolkata is very much into our future plans."
Referring to improved air connectivity with North-East, he said AI has started inducting more Airbus 320 operation in the region and phasing out Boeing 737, under Alliance Air, from this month.
The existing Boeing fleet would be utilised for freighter services.
From today, AI is operating four flights on Kolkata-Silchar route, Tulsidas said.
As for other domestic flights, the AI is also planning to link Agartala with Delhi while there will be regular A 320 flight on Kolkata-Agartala sector having 299 seat capacity in each direction. The AI will operate Airbus aircraft in the Dibrugarh-Kolkata flight.
About ATR services, the CMD said ATR services would not be withdrawn and "more would rather be procured".
Asked about the number of flights from the region, Tulsidas said AI operates 120 flights in and out of Kolkata to states of the region and metro cities in a week.
