Kingfisher not on Etihad's radar

Etihad, the Abu Dhabi-based national carrier of the UAE, said it does not have any plans to bid for India's troubled private airline Kingfisher. "We never comment on speculation of this nature, except to say that we talk regularly and frequently to many airlines and a range of other businesses from all over the world about issues and opportunities," the airline said in a statement. Etihad recently acquired a nearly 30 per cent stake in AirBerlin and a 20 per cent stake in Air Seychelles. Speculation was made by the Indian media on Monday about a possible rescue by Etihad. Meanwhile, Etihad plans to launch flights to Basra in southern Iraq from mid-April. Basra becomes the 84th destination in the carrier's global network and its third city in Iraq. Etihad already operates services to Baghdad and Arbil in the north. Iraq's surging economy represents a good opportunity to add even greater depth to our schedule," Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer James Hogan said yesterday. "Basra is an important industrial and transport hub but currently has only limited access to air services and we are delighted to be able to help improve these by investing in the local community."