New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) In a bid to expand its international operations, national passenger carrier Air India might start a direct flight between New Delhi and Washington DC.

This was announced by Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on the sidelines of an event to mark the launch of Air India's direct flight connecting New Delhi to San Francisco held on Friday evening. 

"Air India is actively pursuant to connect more Indian cities to the US," Raju told reporters. 

"A flight connecting New Delhi to Washington DC is being considered by Air India."

However, the minister added that the debt-ridden national passenger carrier will only start new flights, if it finds economical sense to operate them.

"New flights will be started after proper economic viability study on the route is conducted by Air India. Economic activity also has to catch up to sustain these flights," Raju added.

Air India will operate a thrice a week flight from New Delhi to San Francisco on a Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft from December 2.

To celebrate prelaunch of the flight, Air India on Friday organized an event in association with Visit California.