Why Jet's flight to US is delayed

Amid reports that Jet Airways was to get clearance for flying to the United States soon, the government on Monday said that "procedures" were being followed before the issue was resolved.

"Procedures have to be followed. Issues are being resolved between the governments," Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said.

He was talking to reporters after signing a memorandum of agreement with Administrator of US' Federal Aviation Authority Marion Blakey and Joint Secretary Civil Aviation Ministry R K Singh, under which the US will extend support for modernisation of the Indian civil aviation industry.

"If Jet's security is cleared in India, why are we unnecessarily dragging our feet. Having given clearance to operate in India after due clearance from the Home Ministry, why are we delaying the issue," Patel said.

Last year, the Naresh Goyal-promoted carrier had been granted permission to fly to the US by the Indian government, for a three times a week service to New York via Brussels.

It was, however, grounded after an American namesake Jet Airways Inc alleged that the Indian carrier had links with Al-Qaeda.