Etihad launches daily flights to Chennai & Kozhikode

Etihad Airways has boosted its flying programme to India with the launch of daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Chennai and Kozhikode. The two separate launches on August 1 of the new services increase the number of Indian destinations served by Etihad to six. It also brings the total number of the airline's global destinations now served to 47; a number which is expected to rise to 50 by end-2008.

Delta Air Lines announces daily non-stop Mumbai-Atlanta flights

Delta Air Lines has announced a new daily non-stop flight between Mumbai and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The service, which will start on November 1, 2008, will offer Mumbai's strong business the benefit of extensive connections across the US, the Caribbean and Latin America via Delta's Atlanta hub. The airline recently acquired Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft that will make the 17 hr 55 min westbound non-stop flight possible.

Kolkata and Chennai airports get government's approval

The government of India has given its approval to the modernisation/expansion of Kolkata and Chennai airports. The estimated costs for the purpose will be Rs.1942.51 crores and Rs.1808 crores for Kolkata and Chennai airport respectively. The modernisation of Kolkata Airport, is expected to be completed within 30 months of award, while Chennai Airport's modernisation is expected to be completed within 26 months of award.

For both the airports AAI will fund 80 per cent of the project cost through internal resources and the balance 20 per cent will be through commercial borrowings. AAI has already spent Rs.32 crores and 20.35 crores in 2007-08 for Kolkata and Chennai Airport respectively, towards consultancy and other preparatory works.