Oberois scrap plan to set up flight kitchen in Kolkata

Kolkata has lost out on an Oberoi flight kitchen because of the downturn and the fact that many foreign airlines have chosen to move out from the city.

At the press meet after EIH Ltd's 59th AGM, chairman and chief executive PRS Oberoi said though the flight kitchen business was doing well, the company had to stall the work in Kolkata because of the uncertainty in the hospitality sector. "Work was stopped a few months ago," he said.

Vice chairman SS Mukherji said the decision coincided with foreign airlines, including British Airways, exiting the city. The plan was to develop a flight kitchen over 5 acres near Dum Dum airport. "We would have spent Rs 40 crore in the first phase," said Mukherji.

Oberoi said the Kochi and Calicut flight kitchen plans were on track.

"Next we plan to invest in a flight kitchen near Delhi airport," he added.

Asked about plans to set up a second hotel in the city -- EIH has the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata -- Oberoi said "we are still investigating the site." The size and cost of the hotel will depend on the location and the market conditions, he added.