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This is an archive article published on October 27, 2012

We will wait for the right time to enter India

Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson,who hosted a pre-launch gathering in New Delhi on Thursday a day before launching his flight from Mumbai to New York via London

Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson,who hosted a pre-launch gathering in New Delhi on Thursday a day before launching his flight from Mumbai to New York via London told a media gathering that he is surprised on how the promoters of Kingfisher Airlines have been able to run it for so long. He also feels that had it not been Vijay Mallya,the airline would have closed seven or eights months ago. Excerpts:

After Delhi and Mumbai,which is the other Indian city you are looking at?

Everyone says Hyderabad could be the next city we can operate from.

Foreign airlines can now invest in Indian carriers. Are you looking at buying stake in Indian carriers?

Now,foreign companies have been allowed to pick up 49 per cent,so,we are keeping our eyes open.

It is a brave battle going on in the Indian aviation space now. Everybody is bleeding,there are bleeding companies.

There will be a right time and we will watch.

What do you think of the Kingfisher situation?

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I feel sorry for him Vijay Mallya and his employees. He is fighting a tough battle. I heard his employees got paid some salary today. So I think he is trying very hard. I am surprised that he could take that the airline so long. Had it been anyone else,the airline would have closed seven or eight months ago.

Had you been in Vijay Mallyas place,how would you have tackled the issue of employees salaries?

Well,I do not know enough to comment on the issue.

 

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