Jet planning India-China-US flights next year

Jet Airways is planning to launch services to China ahead of the 2008 Olympics, and from there to the US next year.

"We are planning to connect Mumbai and Delhi to Shanghai and Beijing, and from there to different US destinations. We hope to commence these operations next year," Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal said.

Once operational, Jet would be the second Indian carrier after Air-India to offer services to China.

While the airline can fly directly to China, it is yet to get landing rights in the US. Goyal expressed confidence that the airline would get clearance from the US Civil Aviation Authorities within a year.

On operations to China, a top Jet Airways official said: "We are not just looking at the Olympic boom. What we are really looking at is to tap the large business travellers, especially software professionals flying between India, US and China".

The airline is also planning a slew of direct flights to various European destnations this year and next year. "Europe is emerging as a big travel destination. By this year end, we will have flights to Zurich, and some more destinations," Goyal said.