Air Travel in India may get Heavy on Pocket

Air Deccan's Bangalore-Hubli route, which witnessed the low-cost carrier's inaugural flight four years ago, is proposed to be terminated. Reason: Kingfisher Airlines has proven to be more profitable on this sector, and is seen as a better bet on the route.




In other words, what many customers feared is beginning to happen. The recent marriages between low-cost and full-fare airlines- Kingfisher-Air Deccan and Jet-Sahara- are leading to some serious rescheduling of flights to improve the profitability of the airlines. For customers, it implies the withdrawal of low-cost options that they have enjoyed for some years.

A team from both sides (Air Deccan and Kingfisher) are looking at how best we can service various routes profitably, by drawing on each other's strengths, says Capt G R Gopinath, executive chairman of Deccan Aviation.

Garry Kingshott, acting CEO of JetLite (formerly Air Sahara and now a low-cost airline), says the new schedule for JetLite, which will come into effect from September 1, has been developed with Jet Airways to ensure that there is no cannibalisation.

19/08/07 Times of India/Daijiworld.com