BA Expansion in India.

Hyderabad, April 24: Hyderabad will be connected to London by British Airways, fulfiling another part of the dream of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who wants the State capital as a tourist hub. A proposal from British Airways is under active consideration of the Centre.

A British Airways delegation on Thursday asked the Chief Minister to use his good offices with the Centre to secure clearance for the direct flight.

The British Airways delegation comprised General Managers David Richardson (International Relations), Andy Stern (South Asia), Manager (South India) Rommel Valles and Country Commercial Manager Alok Sawhney.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Richardson and Stern said this was their second visit to Hyderabad for a feasibility study.

“We have concentrated on the operational and commercial aspects of the flight and found that there was immense potential in South India, especially Hyderabad, in view of the rapid growth in the software sector and other general business aspects. There is a lot of demand for South India in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States,” they said.

British Airways now operates daily direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai and bi-weekly flights to Calcutta and Chennai.

It is now concentrating on Bangalore and Hyderabad and is looking at at least two to three flights a week. “In the long run, we may increase the frequency,” they said.

“Tourism in this part has a very sustainable future and huge employment potential. The tourist flow from Europe and the United States to Andhra Pradesh is increasing,” they said.

Richardson and Stern said the existing infrastructure at Hyderabad airport was sufficient to operate British Airways flights. Work on the runway expansion was already going on, they said.

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