Kingfisher Airlines would be permitted to fly abroad this year, as it would enjoy the rights of low-cost carrier Air Deccan, which it has taken over. "All three airlines -- Air India, Jet Airways [Get Quote] and Kingfisher -- are going to fly abroad this year," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said, when asked about the fate of a request by the airline owned by liquor-baron Vijay Mallya to operate on international sectors.

When questioned if there would be a change in the prevailing norms to permit Indian carriers to become eligible for international operations, he said "they (Kingfisher and Air Deccan) are one company now".

Air Deccan completes five years of domestic operations this August, thereby meeting the eligibility criteria required by the government to permit them to operate abroad. The low-cost carrier also satisfies the other criteria of having a 20 aircraft fleet.

The Minister's reply indicates the current norms are unlikely to be changed and that Kingfisher would be allowed to fly abroad only because it has acquired Air Deccan and therefore its rights.

The Kingfisher-Air Deccan combine has been a front-runner for being permitted to fly abroad as the low-cost carrier will be completing five years of domestic operations this August.

Jet Airways is the only private airline that has so far been allowed to go global as it matched both the eligibility criteria. State-run Air India also flies on international routes. A Group of Ministers, which is studying the proposed Civil Aviation Policy, including these norms as well, is likely to meet soon to take a final call on the matter. It is understood that the continuation of the prevailing norms enjoys the majority view.

Kingfisher's acquisition of Air Deccan, as talked about in industry circles, was planned to enable it cross the hurdles in the way of launching international operations.

Meanwhile, the Mallya-owned airline is considering leasing out the first of its latest wide-bodied aircraft, meant for long-haul travel, to another airline till the time it is granted permission for international flights.

A brand new Airbus A-340-500 aircraft that is to be received by Kingfisher in March-April would be leased out, company sources said. This type of aircraft is capable of operating non-stop between Bangalore and San Fransisco.

Since the 'fly abroad' permit is likely to be given to Air Deccan only after it completes its five years on August 23, the brand new aircraft would be leased out till then. A decision on the lease is likely to be taken within a month, the sources said.

This is not the first time that such an arrangement is being made by an airline. Two years ago, Air India had leased one of its aircraft to Jet Airways, as it was not being utilised by the national carrier at that time.

Kingfisher has put in place a grand fleet acquisition plan, including induction of the largest aircraft in the world -- Airbus A-380. These large planes would be delivered to it by European manufacturer Airbus by 2011-12.