Closely following Air Sahara, premier private carrier Jet Airways said on Friday that it was already "operationally equipped" to commence international operations and connect Indian metros with Sri Lanka.

Welcoming the initiative announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his recent talks with Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe, a Jet spokesperson said the airline "confirms that it is already operationally equipped and has the necessary infrastructure to commence international operations".

"Subject to government approvals, Jet Airways flights would connect the major metros in India with Sri Lanka", he said, adding the airline "commends the government's announcement to open the skies and encourage private scheduled airlines of India to extend their operations to international destinations".

Air Sahara had on Thursday said it was ready to start its international operations from Delhi and Mumbai to Colombo within a week of government approval and had announced the timings of its flights also.

The government had on October 21 offered Sri Lanka the facility to operate daily flights by its designated carriers between Colombo and Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore,

Hyderabad and Kolkata and also unlimited access for air services to and from 18 tourist destinations in India.

In return, Sri Lanka has agreed to provide access to Indian carriers on its airspace. Till now, only Indian Airlines and Air-India were allowed to operate flights to international destinations.