India's aviation market growth needs to be matched with capacity; open for partnerships: Emirates CCO

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, and domestic airlines are expanding their operations and fleet to meet the rising traffic demand.

Indian aviation market's pace of growth needs to be matched with capacity, and increased competition will provide more choices for consumers, Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim has said, as he pitched for increased bilateral flying rights between Dubai and India.

On whether Emirates is looking for partners in India, Mr. Kazim said it is open to any such future engagements if there is an appetite in an Indian airline for that sort of dialogue and engagement.

For the full-service carrier, he said India is a top-tier market, and the demand today is exceeding the current capacity offered in the country.

Currently, the airline operates direct flights to nine Indian cities from Dubai.

Over the years, the airline has been pitching for enhanced bilateral rights between the two countries, which is currently at 65,000 seats per week, to operate at a higher capacity to meet the rising travel demand.

"India has always remained an important market for Emirates. It has a high demand with 171 weekly frequencies that we operate between India and Dubai, connecting nine points. Demand is standing very strong, and as a market (India), it (demand) is not linked to seasons or holidays...," Mr. Kazim, who is the Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), said.

In an interview with PTI in Dubai this week, he said more airlines opening up and ordering wide-body planes for long-haul operations in India are good aspects that will create more options and choices for consumers.