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KLM keen on modernising airports in India

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is exploring possibilities of venturing into infrastructure and airport modernisation in India, the airline's Chief Executive Officer and President Leo van Wijk has said.

Speaking to reporters in Bombay on Tuesday, Wijk said KLM was willing to provide know-how and offer consultancy for modernisation and airport infrastructure.

He said he would meet Civil Aviation Minister Ananth Kumar and other officials during his visit to Delhi tomorrow and apprise them of the airline's interests and India's potential to become a key player in south Asian region. He said India can capture a major share of the aviation business both in cargo and passenger sectors. Co-sharing of tourist traffic would be another area of cooperation he would be discussing, he said.

He said KLM viewed India as a strategic growth market and was keen to expand its operations and frequency in India. As of now KLM and Northwest operated 14 flights into India, through Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta. Extensive co-operation with Jet Airways, the private domestic operator, has increased opportunities of transfer of foreign passengers to destinations in India, he added.

UNI