MUMBAI: India’s newest airline said yesterday that it has received an air permit to begin flying in the country.
Vistara, jointly owned by Singapore Airlines and the Mumbai-based Tata conglomerate, said it would soon make an announcement on the start of sales, routes and schedules.
“Vistara has received the Air Operator Permit (AOP) from the regulatory authority,” airline spokeswoman Bhakti Arora said in an email.
Vistara, whose name means “limitless expanse” in Sanskrit, will be headquartered in New Delhi. The airline had earlier said it hoped to start flying passengers in October this year.
Singapore Airlines holds a 49 percent stake in the venture, while Tata’s is 51 percent -- an arrangement allowed after India’s previous government said foreign airlines could buy up to 49 percent stakes in Indian carriers.
India’s air passenger market has rapidly expanded, but many companies are struggling with debts and cut-throat fare wars, high fuel costs and poor infrastructure.
The SpiceJet airline, which announced the cancellation of nearly 1,900 domestic flights last week, sought “urgent relief” from the government on Monday as its financial woes mounted.
Tata also holds a stake in an Indian low-cost carrier which started flying in June, operated by Asia’s biggest budget airline AirAsia.AFP
Madan Mitra denied bail, CBI custody extended
Kolkata: West Bengal minister Madan Mitra — arrested in connection with the multi-crore rupee Saradha chit fund scam — was yesterday denied bail for the second time with a city court extending his CBI custody till December 19.
Mitra, a top Trinamool Congress leader and close associate of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was presented before the court of chief judicial magistrate (Alipore) amid heavy security during the day following his December 12 arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation on various charges including conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.
Following a ruckus created by Trinamool Congress activists during Mitra’s Dec 13 court hearing, the CBI wrote to the city and the Bidhannagar police seeking adequate security measures to prevent the recurrence of any commotion.
After hearing the prosecution and the defence, the court extended Mitra’s CBI custody till December 19.
IANS
