Qatar Airways announces partnership with New York''s JetBlue

Qatar Airways has announced the signing of a new inter-line agreement with New York-based JetBlue Airways to connect travellers between the two carriers'' networks via New York''s John F Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

With this new agreement in place, customers will be able to purchase a single itinerary combining flights on both carriers'' global networks, affording them the ease of one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in.

Qatar Airways operates daily non-stop flights from Houston, New York and Washington, DC, to Doha International Airport using its young fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft.

JetBlue customers can avail themselves of Qatar Airways'' connecting service to destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions, including 12 cities in India and a number of destinations unavailable through JetBlue''s other partners, including Bali, Indonesia; Cebu, Philippines; Phuket, Thailand; and Hanoi, Vietnam.

JetBlue is a top domestic airline at JFK, with more than 150 daily departures to dozens of major American cities including Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

At Washington Dulles, the airline offers a service to Boston, New York and a number of cities in California and Florida.

"We''re honored to partner with Qatar Airways, an airline that, like JetBlue, is constantly focused on delivering a premium experience to all travellers," JetBlue President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Barger said in a statement.

"We look forward to introducing JetBlue''s award-winning service to more and more customers from all corners of the globe," he said.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways'' hub in Doha is strategically placed to connect East and West, with a timetable so carefully orchestrated that transit times on popular routes are as little as 30 minutes, a connection time which we comfortably can meet."

Silver Rises and Gold Declines

Silver prices rose further at the bullion market here today on hectic buying from speculators and stockists on the back of a strong rally in global markets. Gold, however, declined owing to profit selling amidst subdued demand from jewellery makers despite firm overseas trend.

Silver ready (.999 fineness) hardened by Rs 490 per kg to end at Rs 52,945 from Wednesday's close of Rs 52,455. Standard gold (99.5 purity) dipped by Rs 65 per 10 grams to conclude at Rs 21,965 from Rs 22,030 yesterday. Pure gold (99.9 purity) also fell by a similar margin to finish at Rs 22,070 as against Rs 22,135 previously. 

In New York, precious metals rallied along with other commodities after the Greek Parliament approved a package of additional austerity measures. Gold for August delivery gained USD 10.20 to USD 1,510.40 an ounce on the COMEX division of the NYMEX. 

Silver for July delivery gained USD 1.11 to USD 34.75 an ounce.

Sensex touches 19K

The benchmark Sensex has touched an important psychological 19,000 mark today, for the first time since May 3, supported by firm global cues post lawmakers passed the crucial second austerity vote for Greece. There was a bit of volatility in the market.

ONGC shot up 5% to Rs 288 a share on likely royalty payment from Cairn.

CCEA has cleared Cairn-Vedanta deal with some conditions yesterday, wherein Cairn India will have to pay royalty to ONGC.

AK Hazarika, Chairman ONGC said benefit to ONGC would be minimum of Rs 18,000 crore. However, Carn India was down nearly 2%.

Vedanta group companies like Sterlite and Sesa Goa gained 1.5-2%.

DLF, HCL Tech, Reliance Power, Reliance Communications, Reliance Infrastructure, ACC, Ambuja Cements, Hindalco, GAIL and M&M were on buyers' radar.

BSE Sensex rises 0.5%

The BSE Sensex gained 0.5 percent in early trade on Thursday, with financials leading the rise, taking cues from firm Asian markets.

At 9:17 a.m., the 30-share BSE index was up 0.53 percent at 18,792.02 points, with 28 components advancing.

The 50-share NSE index was up 0.5 percent at 5,630.35.

Nifty extends rally

Indian equity benchmarks were consistently trading higher ahead of F&O expiry tomorrow, supported by foreign money. Foreign institutional investors had bought more than Rs 4,000 crore worth of shares in last four days. Even the volume has been increasing.

The 50-share NSE Nifty was facing resistance at 5600-mark, which gained 61 points to 5,606. The 30-share BSE Sensex was trading at 18,710, up 218 points though there was profit booking at higher levels.