'Lufthansa to increase frequencies'

Werner Heesen, director (South Asia), Lufthansa, has been in India since 12 years. From eight flights a week in 1985, Lufthansa, under Heesen's leadership, has grown manifold and now operates 47 flights a week. Heesen, 59, talked to Business Standard at the Lufthansa Aviation Centre in Frankfurt.

Excerpts:

How important is the Indian market for you?

India is a strategic market for Lufthansa. Though the country represents less than 0.1 per cent of the world's air traffic, India holds huge prospects along with China. We have been here since 47 years and we understand the market better than others. Of course, there is the absence of new bilaterals for further expansion, but we are keen on the bilateral talks, which are expected by this year-end.

How fast is the Indian government reacting to the requirements of foreign airlines?

The airline market in India is developing fast. Everything is happening here at one-go after 2000. Unlike the European Union, which took a lot of time to reach the consolidation phase after regulation in the seventies, deregulation in the eighties and alliances in the nineties. New airlines have entered the scene and consolidation has taken place. The growth is amazing. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has changed the Indian aviation scene dramatically. But you must understand that Patel does not have a magic wand. Infrastructure constraints in Indian airports are a reality and will take time to change.

What are your plans for India and what is the status of bilateral talks?

Lufthansa's route planning follows the traffic streams from or to India, which will connect Europe and North America. Lufthansa wants to increase its frequencies and operate in new destinations in India. The civil aviation ministry will give us a date for fresh bilateral talks this month (July).

We have already submitted our requests to the German government. The trade between India and Germany is doubling. Therefore, we expect that more rights will be issued to fly from more Indian destinations. At present, we are planning to enhance the current stations. We were the only airline to double the capacity from 2003, offering seamless connections to the US and the European destinations.

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