EI AL eyes Hyd for India operations

Israeli airlines plans operational base and MRO facility in state capital

El AL, the Israeli national airlines, is looking at Hyderabad as a prospective base for its India operations. Though ranked by IATA as one of the world's three most efficient airlines with its operations spread all over the globe, the Israeli airlines operates just one flight to Mumbai.

Israel Borovitz, chairman of the EL AL board, who is on a two-day visit to Hyderabad, met chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today and apprised him of his company's plans. Borovitz was accompanied by a three-member team of the company.

Besides planning an operational base, the airlines also wants to set up its own maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad, sources said.

Setting up an MRO would mean a substantial expansion of operations by the Israeli national carrier in the near future.

Borovitz is scheduled to visit the upcoming international airport near Shamshabad on Tuesday. The company needs to enter into an agreement with the new international airport to establish an MRO facility there.

When contacted for more details, officials maintained that it was only a preliminary visit and nothing could be said at this stage. Borovitz told the state government officials that the Israeli national carrier might either extend the flight service from Mumbai to Hyderabad or start a new service to the city, it is learnt.

EL AL chairman's Hyderabad visit is the result of an invitation extended by Rajasekhara Reddy during his Israeli visit early this year, officials said. The state government is giving utmost importance to Borovitz's visit and would hold a series of meetings with him during his two-day stay.

Industries minister J Geeta Reddy, C S Rao, CEO of APInvest and IT advisor to the state government, and Sutheertha Bhattacharya, commissioner of industries, held meetings with the Israeli delegation on Monday.

K V Rao, principal secretary, infrastructure and investment department, and L V Subrahmanyam, vice-chairman of Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (Incap), will hold discussions with the visiting team tomorrow.