After the formal announcement of three flights a week from London to Mumbai, Virgin Atlantic Airways is now hoping it would get more flights to India during the next round of bilateral talks between the British and Indian governments early next month.
"We are hoping to make the service to Mumbai daily and add Bangalore, Hyderabad or Ahmedabad and Amritsar if given additional slots," Virgin chairman Richard Branson told a crowded media conference in Mumbai on Thursday.
"It will be better if there is open skies between the two countries so that some of the new entrants like Jet and Sahara can operate to more destinations in Britain and British carriers to India, which will benefit the customer as it would lead to lower fares," he said.
Asked if he is looking for investment in other sectors also, Branson said he is "having discussions" in the telecom sector but declined to elaborate.
"I use the airline as a bridge to various countries and possibly look at more businesses," he said.
The flamboyant chairman, dressed in 'kurta pyjama' said clear rules are necessary for investment in India as he is interested in "looking at financial services, health, music industry and, maybe, films too with the Virgin brand."
The operation of low cost airline depends on the quality, reliability and service, he said and cited the success of his budget airline Jet Blue in Australia.
On the over 500 seater Airbus A380 in which he plans casinos, gymnasium, double bedrooms, Branson said he may consider it to operate on the India route.
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