Kingfisher Air set to take wing

Vijay Mallya, chairman of the United Breweries (UB) group on Saturday unveiled the A320, which will fly Mumbai-Bangalore daily from May 9, marking the debut of Kingfisher Airlines.

The airline will begin operations with a daily double service in both directions and, effective May 20, will increase its daily flights to thrice in both directions.

The airlines has decided to offer three fare levels: Rs 5,900, Rs 4,900 and Rs 3,900. This is based on the worldwide airline rule of unrestricted fare, where seats are allotted on the basis of demand.

According to Kingfisher Airline, this will remove the ambiguity in prices which most airline travellers are subjected to when they book a ticket.

Mallya told reporters at the Mumbai International Airport, "In 1990, when the company purchased its first set of Donear aircraft, we were too early, but today when civil aviation minsitry talks of a double digit growth in the growth of passengers who fly, Kingfisher Airline will redefine the Indian aviation industry."

Mallya said the aircraft will be powered by international aero engines (IAE) V2500 and all passengers flying with the airline will experience only one class- the Kingfisher class.

This means that all passengers will have a personal video screen, 5 video and 10 audio channels for in-flight entertainment and an impeccable service from the 'flying models.'

The company has a total of 33 new Airbus on order with options of buying 20 more in the next five years.

Praful Patel, Union minister for civil aviation, wished Mallya well on his new flight and also promised him that in some years national carriers Air-India and Indian Airlines would give Kingfisher a run for his money.

Patel added that in the coming years, the government will improve the airport infrastructure and allow national carriers to be run professionally.

Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines is an ambitious $1.8 billion venture which will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Breweries Holdings, the investments holding company of the UB group.