Industry sources told Business Line, “Kingfisher Airlines was the official partner for IPL last year. And this time around too, it is almost imminent that Kingfisher will be the official carrier.”
While the Bangalore-based airline does not fly to South Africa, the details are being worked out on the arrangements it will make to ferry people there.
No domestic airline from India flies to South Africa. However, it being domestic league some enquiries have been made with certain Indian carriers. “Jet Airways has received initial queries about operating charters to South Africa for the IPL season 2. However, at this point in time, we cannot confirm anything,” said a statement from the Mr Naresh Goyal-owned carrier.
Among foreign carriers too, only South African Airways has direct flights. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Egypt Air also fly to South Africa from India, but via different routes.
Apart from being the official airline in IPL season 1, Kingfisher Airlines had also bagged the rights for being the Official Umpire Partner for the league and sponsored all third umpire decisions during the 59 matches. The umpire partnership deal was worth Rs 106 crore for a five-year period.
Mr Mallya also owns one of the IPL franchises called Royal Challengers Bangalore through his flagship firm UB Group.
[credit : http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3155556]
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