Maharajah may soon do 21 weekly flights into US.

(From The Economic Times)

Byline: Girish Rao

: The Maharajah is flapping its wings to speedily extend its reach in the $100 million plus North American market. Nearly eight years after the all important bilateral pact was signed between the two countries which allows virtually unlimited access to 10 gateways, Air India (A-I) is looking at flying almost 21 weekly services into the US in the not so distant future.

Apart from Lufthansa, Air India (A-I) has also opened discussions with Air Canada and Continental Airlines to introduce better connectivity to Toronto and areas with strong Indian presence in the US. It is also looking at having a daily connection to Chicago later this year. Los Angeles or San Francisco is another gateway it wants to tap in the not so distant future given the huge demand for seats from techies to this location once it sorts out some bilateral issues through a connecting point like Tokyo.

Officials told ET that preliminary talks have been held with Air Canada to link up from London. There has been no direct connection between India and Canada for some years now except a couple of flights which were operated by Canada 3000 in 2001 before being suspended indefinitely in the wake of 9/11. An alliance between A-I and Air Canada can lead to better connectivity and through check-in of baggage for passengers from India. While Toronto with substantial ethnic population will be the primary target of any such arrangement, other points like Montreal and Ottawa, will also be considered.

Continental Airlines, with its large network in the US can help A-I ...