Speaking to IANS, a BCCI functionary in the know of developments said that the board is already in touch with the likes of Emirates and Etihad to check on their flying scheduling from August onwards as teams will look to head to the UAE by August end to prepare for the IPL.
“The concerned team from BCCI has touched base with the UAE airline officials from the likes of Emirates and Etihad to check how they are planning resumption of flights and if they are planning resumption of operations in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata among others.
“Apart from the IPL teams, logistics and operations teams from the BCCI will also need to head to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to see to it that preparations are on in full swing and there are no execution woes. The IPL is known for its excellence when it comes to operations and this year should be no different. If the UAE airlines don’t start operations then obviously we will also look at chartered planes like some of the franchises,” the functionary explained.
Asked about the hotels in the three cities, the functionary said that homework is being done by both the franchises as well as the BCCI and they will come together in the next few days to seal the deals.
While IPL 13 is expected to be played from September 26 to November 8, a final call will be taken once the green signal comes in from the Indian government.